_JOHN SEETH THE THRONE OF GOD IN HEAVEN. THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS. THE FOUR BEASTS FULL OF EYES BEFORE AND BEHIND. THE ELDERS LAY DOWN THEIR CROWNS, AND WORSHIP HIM THAT SAT ON THE THRONE._ _Anno Domini 96._... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THIS I LOOKED, &C.— _After these things I saw and beheld a door opened in heaven._ Doddridge. After the vision in the former Chapter s, relating to _the things which are,_ other visions succeed of _the things which must be here-after._ The scene is laid in heaven, and the scenery is drawn in a... [ Continue Reading ]
IMMEDIATELY I WAS IN THE SPIRIT:— This phrase signifies to be under a strong and supernatural impulse, caused by the miraculous operation of the Spirit of God, acting on the imagination in such a manner as to open extraordinary scenes, which had not any exact, external archetype; and it is much illu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE THAT SAT WAS TO LOOK UPON, &C.— Many interpreters have observed a mystical meaning in the colours and properties of the precious stones here mentioned. Thus, in the _jasper,_ which Grotius supposes a diamond, he finds an emblem of the invincible power of God. Daubuz, who considers it only as... [ Continue Reading ]
SEATS:— _Thrones:_ and so wherever it occurs. The _four and twenty elders_ may be considered as representatives of the _church,_ paying homage at the _throne_ in the name of the rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OUT OF THE THRONE PROCEEDED LIGHTNINGS— There is an observable difference in the several descriptions of the throne of God in the prophets: The glory, or _Shechinah,_ in the temple, is represented as under the wings of the cherubim, 1 Kings 8:6. In Isaiah's vision, the glory of the Lord is repre... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE THE THRONE—A SEA OF GLASS, &C.— Several interpreters understand this crystal sea to be an emblem of the known rite of receiving converts into the Christian church bybaptism; of the purity which that sacrament signifies, and of the blood of Christ, by which theyare washed and cleansed from the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE FULL OF EYES WITHIN:— To signify their quick discernment of every object around them; as their _wings_ were to express their readiness to execute the divine commands; quick to discern, and prompt to perform. The anthem which they sung is that which Isaiah tells us he heard the seraphim sin... [ Continue Reading ]
FALL DOWN,—AND CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE,— By both actions testifying their high reverence, and paying their duty to the King of kings.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART WORTHY, O LORD, &C.— Some read and point the verse thus: _Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive the glory, and the honour, and the power: For thou hast created all things; and for thy pleasure they are, and were created._ The last might be rendered, _For thou hast created all things, and thro... [ Continue Reading ]