A BOOK; a scroll, written on both sides to denote the fulness of its contents, rolled up and sealed with seven seals. Compare Ezekiel 2:9-10. The successive opening of the seals represents the gradual unfolding of the counsels of God in the history of this world. This represented the purposes of God... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOSE THE SEALS; so as to read the book, and make known the events described in it.... [ Continue Reading ]
No one can understand the designs of infinite love, except so far as Christ shall reveal them. All should therefore look to him as their prophet, as well as their priest and king; that by his word they may be made wise to salvation, and be furnished thoroughly for every good work.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK THEREON; so as to learn what it contained.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDA; Christ, who sprung from the tribe of Judah, and unites in himself the attributes of the lion and the lamb. THE ROOT OF DAVID; see note to chap Revelation 22:16. HATH PREVAILED; literally, hath conquered. He has conquered death and hell, been exalted to the right hand... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN HORNS; the symbol of perfect power. SEVEN EYES; the symbol of perfect knowledge. They are immediately explained to mean THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD; that is, the Holy Spirit in his fulness of wisdom, sent forth by the Father and the Son. John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; ACTS 2:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOUR BEASTS AND FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS; here, as in verse Revelation 5:14, and in chapter Revelation 4:9-10, the four living ones begin the adoration of God, and then the four and twenty elders follow. GOLDEN VIALS; rather, golden bowls or goblets. The harps, the bowls, and the new song seem to... [ Continue Reading ]
A NEW SONG; the song of redeeming love, through the atonement and righteousness of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
KINGS AND PRIESTS; see note to chap Revelation 1:6. ON THE EARTH; ultimately over all the earth, and for ever in heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY ANGELS; they are distinct from the four living creatures, though in a certain sense, included in them as a part of God's universal creation, just as the multitudes of the redeemed in chap Revelation 7:9; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 19:6, are included in the four and twenty elde... [ Continue Reading ]
POWER-BLESSING; let the reader notice the seven ascriptions-power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, blessing-which represent the fulness of adoration given to the Lamb, because in him dwells the fulness of the godhead.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY CREATURE; the song of adoration that began with the living creatures and elders, and was then taken up by the angels, now spreads itself through the whole created universe; and as the echo of it comes back to the throne of God, the living creatures say, Amen, and the elders fall down and worsh... [ Continue Reading ]