,a ,bible ,school ,manual ,studies in the ,book of ,revelation ,an ,introduction1 ,analysis1 and ,notes ,containing a concise interpretation according to the symbolic view1 numerous references to authorities1 and general mention of other interpretations1 ,with the ,text of the ,american ,revised ,version ,edited in ,paragraphs1 for the use of ,bible ,students4 ,by ,stephen ,alexander ,hunter1 ,ph4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,pittsburgh ,printing ,company ,pittsburgh1 ,pa4 #aiba ,,contents ,foreword ,master,thoughts upon the ,revelation ,preface ,introduction #a4 ,general ,introduction4 #b4 ,the ,title4 #c4 ,the ,author4 #d4 ,the ,unity4 #e4 ,the ,date4 #f4 ,the ,place4 #g4 ,the ,canonicity4 #h4 ,the ,form4 #i4 ,the ,theme4 #aj4 ,the ,occasion4 #aa4 ,the ,purpose4 #ab4 ,the ,interpretation4 #ac4 ,the ,outline ,analysis4 #ad4 ,the ,literary ,structure4 #ae4 ,the ,literature4 ,scripture ,text ,analysis ,and ,notes ,i ,the ,prologue1 ,ch4 #a3ac3bb #a ,the ,superscription1 ,ch4 #a3ac #b ,the ,salutation1 ,ch4 #a3dh #c ,the ,introductory ,vision 7,the ,glorified ,son of ,man71 ,ch4 #a3ibj 7#a7 ,the ,trumpet ,voice1 ,ch4 #a3iaa 7#b7 ,the ,triumphant ,son of ,man1 ,ch4 #a3abac;a 7#c7 ,the ,gracious ,apparel1 ,ch4 #a3ac;b 7#d7 ,the ,glorious ,appearance1 ,ch4 #a3adae1 and #af;c 7#e7 ,the ,seven ,stars1 ,ch4 #a3af;a 7#f7 ,the ,two,edged ,sword1 ,ch4 #a3af;b 7#g7 ,the ,assuring ,message1 ,ch4 #a3agbj #d ,the ,seven ,epistles1 ,ch4 #b3ac3bb 7#a7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,ephesus1 ,ch4 #b3ag 7#b7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,smyrna1 ,ch4 #b3haa 7#d7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,thyatira1 ,ch4 #b3ahbi 7#e7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,sardis1 ,ch4 #c3af 7#f7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,philadelphia1 ,ch4 #c3gac 7#g7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,laodicea1 ,ch4 #c3adbb ,,ii ,,the ,,main ,,apocalypse1 ,ch4 #d3abb3e ,i ,the ,vision of ,god on the ,throne 7,a ,vision of ,sovereignty74 ,ch4 #d3ae3ad #a ,the ,throne and the ,king1 ,ch4 #d3ac1 #e;a1 and #f;a #b ,the ,four and ,twenty ,elders1 ,ch4 #d3d1 #aj and #aa #c ,the ,seven ,lamps of ,fire 7or ,torches71 ,ch4 #d3e;b #d ,the ,four ,living ,creatures1 ,ch4 #d4 #f;b#i #e ,the ,sealed ,book 7or ,scroll71 ,ch4 #e3ae #f ,the ,lamb1 ,ch4 #e3fh;a #g ,the ,heavenly ,worship1 ,ch4 #e3h;b#ad ,,ii ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,seals 7,a ,vision of ,trial74 ,ch4 #f3aag1 and #h3a #a ,the ,opening of the ,first ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3a1 #b #b ,the ,opening of the ,second ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3c1 #d #c ,the ,opening of the ,third ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3e1 #f #d ,the ,opening of the ,fourth ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3g1 #h #e ,the ,opening of the ,fifth ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3iaa #f ,the ,opening of the ,sixth ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3abag #g ,the ,opening of the ,seventh ,seal1 ,ch4 #h3a ,i,ib ,the ,episode of the ,sealed ,ones 7,a ,vision of ,salvation ,assured74 ,ch4 #g3aag ,a ,the ,sealed of ,israel1 ,ch4 #g3ah #a ,the ,angels ,holding the ,winds1 ,ch4 #g3ac #b ,the ,number of the ,sealed1 ,ch4 #g3dh ,b ,the ,redeemed ,out of ,all ,nations1 ,ch4 #g3iag #a ,the ,innumerable ,multitude1 ,ch4 #g3i #b ,the ,cry of the ,church ,triumphant1 ,ch4 #g3ajab #c ,the ,redeemed ,before the ,throne1 ,ch4 #g3acag ,,iii ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,trumpets 7,a ,vision of ,threatening74 ,ch4 #h3bi3ba1 and #aa3adai ,a ,the ,preparation for the ,trumpets1 ,ch4 #h3bf #a ,an ,angel ,offers ,incense upon the ,golden ,altar1 ,ch4 #h3ce #b ,the ,seven ,angels ,prepare to ,sound1 ,ch4 #h3b1 #f ,b ,the ,trumpets ,sounded1 ,ch4 #h3gi3ba2 and #aa3adai #a ,the ,sounding of the ,first ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3g #b ,the ,sounding of the ,second ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3hi #c ,the ,sounding of the ,third ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3ajaa #d ,the ,sounding of the ,fourth ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3ab 7#a7 ,the ,eagle and ,its ,message1 ,ch4 #h3ac #e ,the ,sounding of the ,fifth ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #i3aab #f ,the ,sounding of the ,sixth ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #i3acba1 and #aa3ad #g ,the ,sounding of the ,seventh ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #aa3aeai ,i,i,ib ,the ,episode of the ,angel with the ,book2 and of the ,two ,witnesses 7,a ,vision of ,divine ,help74 ,ch4 #aj3aaa3ac ,a ,the ,angel with the ,little ,open ,book1 ,ch4 #aj3aaa #a ,the ,angel ,foretells the ,end1 ,ch4 #aj3ag 7#a7 ,the ,thunder ,voices1 ,ch4 #aj3c;b and #d #b ,the ,book ,delivered to ,john1 ,ch4 #aj3haa ,b ,the ,two ,witnesses1 ,ch4 #aa3aac #a ,the ,measurement of the ,temple1 ,ch4 #aa3ab #b ,the ,two ,witnesses and their ,martyrdom1 ,ch4 #aa3cac ,,iv ,the ,vision of ,conflict 7,a ,vision of ,warfare74 ,ch4 #ab3aad3bj ,a ,the ,woman and the ,dragon1 ,ch4 #ab3af1 and #acag #a ,the ,sun,clothed ,woman1 ,ch4 #ab3ab1 #ef1 and #ac;f4 #b ,the ,great ,red ,dragon1 ,ch4 #ab3cd1 and #ac;f4 #c ,the ,all,ruling ,man,child1 ,ch4 #ab3e #d ,the ,wilderness ,refuge1 ,ch4 #ab3f;a1 and #ad;a #e ,the ,persecution of the ,woman and her ,seed1 ,ch4 #ab3df1 and #acag ,b ,war in ,heaven1 ,ch4 #ab3gab ,c ,the ,two ,beasts1 ,ch4 #ac3aah #a ,the ,first ,beast--the ,beast from the ,sea1 ,ch4 #ac3aaj 7#a7 ,an ,admonition to ,patience1 ,ch4 #ac3iaj #b ,the ,second ,beast1--the ,beast from the ,land1 ,ch4 #ac3aaah4 7#a47 ,an ,admonition to ,wisdom1 ,ch4 #ac3ah ,d4 ,the ,lamb on ,mount ,zion1 ,ch4 #ad3abj #a4 ,the ,redeemed with the ,lamb1 ,ch4 #ad3ae #b4 ,the ,three ,angel ,messages1 ,ch4 #ad3faa 7#a7 ,the ,message of the ,eternal ,gospel1 ,ch4 #ad3fg 7#b7 ,the ,message of ,babylon's ,fall1 ,ch4 #ad3h 7#c7 ,the ,message of ,doom for the ,beast and his ,followers1 ,ch4 #ad3iaa #c4 ,the ,blessedness of the ,holy ,dead1 ,ch4 #ad3abac #d4 ,the ,harvest of the ,elect1 ,ch4 #ad3adaf #e4 ,the ,vintage of ,wrath1 ,ch4 #ad3agbj ,v4 ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,vials or ,bowls 7,a ,vision of ,judgment74 ,ch4 #ae3aaf3ab1 and #af3agba ,a4 ,the ,preparation for the ,vials1 ,ch4 #ae3ah #a4 ,the ,angels with the ,plagues1 ,ch4 #ae3ab;a #b4 ,the ,victors by the ,sea1 ,ch4 #ae3b;b #c4 ,the ,song of the ,redeemed1 ,ch4 #ae3cd #d4 ,the ,judgment ,made ,ready1 ,ch4 #ae3eh ,b4 ,the ,vials ,poured ,out1 ,ch4 #af3aab1 and #agba 7#a47 ,the ,command to ,pour ,out the ,vials1 ,ch4 #af3a #a ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,first ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3b #b ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,second ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3c #c ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,third ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3dg #d ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,fourth ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3hi #e ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,fifth ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3ajaa #f ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,sixth ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3ab #g ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,seventh ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3agba ,vb ,the ,episode of the ,froglike ,spirits 7,a ,vision of ,warning74 ,ch4 #af3acaf #a ,the ,unclean ,spirits of ,evil1 ,ch4 #af3acad1 and #af #b ,john's ,word of ,warning1 ,ch4 #af3ae ,,vi ,the ,vision of ,victory 7,a ,vision of ,vindication74 ,ch4 #ag3abj3ae ,a ,the ,mystic ,babylon and ,her ,fall1 ,ch4 #ag3aah3bd #a ,the ,harlot and the ,interpretation1 ,ch4 #ag3aah 7#a7 ,the ,judgment of the ,harlot ,announced1 ,ch4 #ag3ab 7#b7 ,the ,view of the ,harlot1 ,ch4 #ag3cf 7#c7 ,the ,interpretation ,given1 ,ch4 #ag3gah #b ,the ,fall of the ,city ,proclaimed1 ,ch4 #ah3abd 7#a7 ,the ,announcement of ,her ,overthrow1 ,ch4 #ah3ac 7#b7 ,the ,warning to ,god's ,people1 ,ch4 #ah3dh 7#c7 ,the ,lament of the ,kings of the ,earth over ,her ,doom1 ,ch4 #ah3iaj 7#d7 ,the ,lament of the ,merchants1 ,ch4 #ah3aaag;a 7#e7 ,the ,lament of the ,seamen1 ,ch4 #ah4 #ag;b#ai 7#f7 ,a ,call to ,heaven and to the ,church to ,rejoice1 ,ch4 #ah3bj 7#g7 ,the ,symbol of ,her ,irretrievable ,ruin1 ,ch4 #ah3babd ,b ,the ,triumph of the ,redeemed1 ,ch4 #ai3aaj #a ,the ,choral ,song of ,hallelujahs1 ,ch4 #ai3ah #b ,the ,blessedness of the ,marriage ,supper1 ,ch4 #ai3i #c ,worship ,refused by the ,angel1 ,ch4 #ai3aj ,c ,the ,last ,things1 ,ch4 #ai3aabj3ae #a ,the ,end of the ,holy ,war1 ,ch4 #ai3aaba #b ,satan ,bound1 ,ch4 #bj3ac;a #c ,the ,first ,resurrection1 ,ch4 #bj3df #d ,the ,millennium1 ,ch4 #bj43 #b;b1 #c;b1 #d;b1 #e;a1 #f;b and #g;a #e ,satan ,loosed ,again and ,overthrown1 ,ch4 #bj3c;c1 and #gaj #f ,the ,second ,resurrection1 ,ch4 #bj3aaab;a1 and #ac;a #g ,the ,last ,judgment1 ,ch4 #bj3aaae ,,vii ,the ,vision of the ,new ,jerusalem 7,a ,vision of ,triumph74 ,ch4 #ba3abb3e #a ,the ,new ,heaven and the ,new ,earth1 ,ch4 #ba3a #b ,the ,holy ,city1 ,ch4 #ba3bbb3e 7#a7 ,the ,tabernacle of ,god with ,men1 ,ch4 #ba3cd 7#b7 ,the ,bride1 the ,lamb's ,wife1 ,ch4 #ba3b1 #iaj 7#c7 ,the ,city of ,new ,things1 ,ch4 #ba3eh 7#d7 ,the ,city of ,glory1 ,ch4 #ba3aaba 7#e7 ,the ,city of ,many ,nations1 ,ch4 #ba3bd1 and #bf 7#f7 ,the ,city of ,exclusions1 ,ch4 #ba3a1 #d1 #bb1 #bc1 #be1 #bg2 and #bb3c1 #e 7#g7 ,the ,city of ,life1 ,ch4 #bb3ab 7#h7 ,the ,city of ,god1 ,ch4 #bb3ce ,,iii ,,the ,,epilogue1 ,ch4 #bb3fba ,a ,the ,final ,words of the ,angel1 with the ,promise of ,christ1 ,ch4 #bb3faf #a ,the ,message ,reaffirmed1 ,ch4 #bb3fi 7#a7 ,the ,witness of the ,angel1 ,ch4 #bb3fg 7#b7 ,the ,witness ,confirmed by ,john1 ,ch4 #bb3h;a 7#c7 ,worship from ,john again ,refused1 ,ch4 #bb3h;b#i #b ,the ,book ,not to be ,sealed1 ,ch4 #bb3ajaa #c ,the ,promise of ,christ to the ,victors1 ,ch4 #bb3abaf ,b ,the ,closing ,testimony of ,john1 ,ch4 #bb3agbj #a ,a ,last ,universal ,invitation of ,grace1 ,ch4 #bb3ag #b ,a ,last ,impressive ,warning of ,exhortation1 ,ch4 #bb3ahai #c ,a ,last ,assuring ,promise of ,hope1 ,ch4 #bb3bj;a #d ,a last ,ecstatic ,prayer of ,yearning1 ,ch4 #bb3bj;b ,c ,the ,author's ,benediction1 ,ch4 #bb3ba ,appendix ,a3 ,some ,fundamental ,conceptions of the ,apocalypse ,appendix ,b3 ,current ,questions of ,divided ,opinion ,appendix ,c3 ,heptachords of ,song and ,blessing ,appendix ,d3 ,the ,formal ,series of ,sevens ,appendix ,e3 ,the ,symbolism of ,numbers ,appendix ,f3 ,the ,literary ,structure of the ,apocalypse ,appendix ,g3 ,the ,apocalyptic ,literature ,footnotes ,cover ,page ,illustration ,map of ,proconsular ,asia4 ,following ,ramsay1 in ,st4 ,paul the ,traveller and ,roman ,citizen4 ,the ,text of ,revelation given in this volume is that of the ,american ,standard ,edition of the ,revised ,bible1 copyright #aija by ,thomas ,nelson ,sons1 and is used by permission of the publishers4 ,,to ,,all ,,my ,,classmates1 ,,friends1 ,,and ,,fellow ,,pilgrims ,,on ,,life',s ,,journey1 ,,for ,,whom ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,revelation1 ,,tinged ,,though ,,it ,,is ,,with ,,mystery1 ,,contains ,a ,,manifestation ,,of ,,the ,,divine ,,purpose ,,in ,,creation ,,and ,,redemption1 ,,and ,a ,,vision ,,of ,,the ,,far ,,glory ,,in ,,the ,,world ,,beyond1 ,,this ,,volume-- ,,written ,,in ,,the ,,hope ,,that ,,the ,,interpretation ,,offered ,,may ,,contribute ,,in ,,some ,,degree ,,to ,a ,,clearer ,,apprehension ,,of ,,the ,,book1 ,,and ,,may ,,help ,,in ,,some ,,measure ,,to ,,make ,,its ,,message ,,rich1 ,,and ,,sweet1 ,,and ,,abiding-- ,,is ,,respectfully ,,and ,,affectionately ,,dedicated ,,by ,,the ,,author4 ,,foreword ,the manuscript of this ,commentary was completed several years ago1 but its publication was unfortunately deferred until the author's health no longer permitted him to see it through the press or even to be consulted in regard to modifications4 ,for this latter reason no change of any kind has been made either in the language or the arrangement of the material4 ,in the bibliography we have added the two recent monumental contributions to the literature on the ,book of ,revelation1 commentaries by ,i4 ,t4 ,beckwith and ,r4 ,h4 ,charles4 ,had the author possessed the physical strength after their appearance1 we feel sure that he would have drawn upon these two extensive works which are intended for the use of technical scholars4 ,the significance of ,dr4 ,hunter's 8,studies in the ,book of ,revelation0 lies in its clear and accurate presentation of the results of the investigation of modern scholars1 in language which is comprehensible to the intelligent reader of the ,english ,bible4 ,the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john has been an enigma from the earliest ,christian centuries4 ,on the one hand1 it has been shunned because of its mysteriousness2 on the other1 it has been discredited for soberminded1 intelligent ,christians by the absurd vagaries of its interpreters4 ,too often the caprice or predilection of the commentator1 rather than impartial study1 has determined the meaning of the closing book of the ,new ,testament canon4 ,the removal of this reproach has been one of the signal achievements of the ,biblical scholarship of the last twentyfive years4 ,such a notable result has been accomplished by the discovery and the interpretation of the ,jewish ,apocalyptic1 a type of literature that flourished from #bjj ,b4 ,c4 on for several centuries4 ,the ,revelation belongs to this type of literature4 ,it is the expression of a ,christian's faith in the triumph of his ,lord's kingdom through the use of symbolism and imagery peculiar to ,jewish ,apocalyptic literature4 ,our author1 in common with all modern scholars1 has used this key for unlocking the mystery of the closing book of the ,christian ,scriptures4 ,by its employment he has made clear the meaning of the ,revelation to the openminded reader of the ,english ,bible4 ,on every page the work gives evidence of scholarship1 wide in its range1 and thorough in its grasp1 as well as of sanity of judgment in the discussion of controversial questions4 ,because of these qualities1 ,dr4 ,hunter's treatise is worthy of wide circulation4 ,it meets a special need at this time as it is especially adapted to counteract fantastic theories of interpretation and theology which are based on a misunderstanding of both the purpose and the symbolism of a ,new ,testament book that ranks as an equal of the greatest pieces of imaginative literature4 ,the proofs have been read by ,mr4 ,walter ,h4 ,millinger1 of the senior class of the ,seminary1 and the publication of the book has been made possible only by the painstaking effort of a devoted friend and fellowworker of ,dr4 ,hunter1 ,mr4 ,w4 ,h4 ,wicks of the ,pittsburgh ,printing ,company to whom both the author and the reader are deeply indebted4 ,,james ,a4 ,,kelso4 ,the ,western ,theological ,seminary1 ,pittsburgh1 ,pa4 ,,master,,thoughts ,,upon ,,the ,,revelation7#a7 899,i am the ,alpha and the ,omega1 the first and the last1 the beginning and the end990 7,rev4 #bb4ac73--8,this is the unifying thought of the whole book3 nay of the whole ,bible4 ,the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john is the meeting ground of the ,old and ,new ,testament3 what binds the long succession of books--by so many authors1 of so many different ages--into a unity is expressed by the saying that #8the testimony of ,jesus is the spirit of prophecy4' ,the whole of prophetic literature yields its imaginative figures to adorn this final ,revelation2 all history is made one by the central thought of the kingdom of the world becoming the kingdom of ,christ40--,,richard ,g4 ,,moulton1--in ,literature of the ,bible4 8,the ,book of ,revelation is the sum of all prophecy4 ,it carries the devout reader to a height from which he can see the history of ,god's kingdom from its beginning to its consummation in glory4 ,it is the sublimest book in the ,bible1 and its study awakens the profoundest worship40--,j4 ,m4 ,,stifler1--in unpublished ,classroom ,lectures4 8,the ,apocalypse constitutes the meridian of ,hebrew poetry and art1 embracing in its individual forms the most diverse elements4444 ,if the laws of its construction be but recognized1 the obscure ,book of ,revelation will present itself to our eyes as a radiant constellation1 a symmetrical cathedral built upon a plan of perfect clearness and transparency40--,,john ,,peter ,,lange1--in ,commentary on the ,revelation4 8,the book has an imperishable religious worth because of the energy of faith that finds expression in it1 and the splendid certainty of its conviction that ,god's cause remains always the best1 and is one with the cause of ,jesus ,christ2 but it is unreasonable to treat the detail of its phantasies as an authentic source for a history of the past or future40--,a4 ,j,,licher1--in ,introduction to the ,new ,testament4 8,in the ,apocalypse the emphasis placed upon the omnipotence of ,god rises to a climax4 ,there only in the ,new ,testament 7except ,,ii ,cor4 #f4ah7 is the epithet ,all,ruler ascribed to ,him2 and the whole purport of the book is the portrayal of the ,divine guidance of history1 and the very essence of its message that1 despite all surface appearances1 it is the hand of ,god that really directs all occurrences1 and all things are hastening to the end of ,his determining4444 ,it is the completeness of the ,divine government to which the world is subject by the ,lord of lords and ,king of kings1 the ,ruler of the earth and ,king of the nations1 whose control of all the occurrences of time is in accordance with ,his holy purposes1 that it is the supreme object of this book to portray40--,b4 ,b4 ,,warfield1--in art4 8,predestination01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of the ,bible4 8,the ,apocalypse is doctrinally the connecting link between the ,synoptists and the ,fourth ,gospel4 ,it offers the characteristic thoughts of the ,fourth ,gospel in that form of development which belongs to the earliest apostolic age4444 ,the points of connection between the ,apocalypse and the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john are far more numerous than are suggested by a first general comparison4 ,the main idea of both is the same4 ,both present a view of a supreme conflict between the powers of good and evil4444 ,in both books alike ,christ is the central figure4 ,his victory is the end to which history and vision lead as their consummation4 ,his ,person and ,work are the ground of triumph2 and of triumph through apparent failure4 ,both present the abiding of ,god with man as the issue of ,christ's work40--,,bp4 ,,westcott1--in ,introduction to ,john's ,gospel1 ,bible ,commentary4 8,in ,revelation1 as in ,john's ,gospel and ,first ,epistle1 the consciousness of a worldconflict1 a worldprocess1 and a worldtriumph is manifest4 ,the return of ,jesus is contemplated in relation to the enlarged environment in which ,christianity stood4 ,revelation testifies to the existence of the hope with which ,christianity had begun2 but also to the fact that into that hope had centered the fuller conception of ,christ and ,his salvation which the apostles had taught1 and the broadened vision of the purpose of ,god which history had made clear4 ,yet it was still the same hope1 #8,behold ,he cometh1' and the prayer was still the same1 #8,come ,lord ,jesus'40--,,george ,t4 ,,purves1--in ,the ,apostolic ,age4 8,the fundamental conception of the book is neither human weakness upon the one hand nor divine power upon the other1 but divine power victorious through apparent human weakness1 life triumphant over death40--,,william ,,milligan1--in ,discussions on the ,apocalypse4 8,however long the conflict1 this book assures us of the ultimate triumph of the ,lamb4 ,that figure suggests ,incarnation in order to ,redemption2 and the description of the ,new ,jerusalem shows us ,light and ,life reigning eternally because the ,lamb is #8the lamp thereof'40--,,matthew ,b4 ,,riddle1--in unpublished ,classroom ,lectures4 8,st ,john knew himself to be a prophet1 and his writing to be a prophecy2 that he was commanded to consign his visions to a book was an assurance to him that their purpose would not be fulfilled in one generation or two4 ,he sees the book going down to posterity1 and like the ,deuteronomist he endeavors to guard it against interpolation and excision4 ,as he writes the last words upon the papyrus roll that lies upon his knee1 the conviction dawns upon him that the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ was given for the warning and comfort of the whole church to the end of time40--,,henry ,b4 ,,swete1--in ,the ,apocalypse of ,st4 ,john4 8,the author of this great book has bequeathed to mankind a 1 an imperishable possession1 the worth of which lies in the splendid energy of its faith1 in the unfaltering certainty that ,god's own cause is at issue now and here and must ultimately prevail1 and that the cause of ,jesus ,christ is inseparably linked therewith1 and the main aim of which1 as is clear from every page1 is to emphasize the overwhelming worth of things spiritual as contrasted with things material1 and in the next place to glorify martyrdom1 to encourage the faithful to face death with constancy1 nay more1 with rapturous joy40--,r4 ,h4 ,,charles1--in ,studies in the ,apocalypse4 ,the closing book of the ,new ,testament with its prophetic outlook and divine forecast1 leaves us in the attitude of expectancy3--899,looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great ,god and our ,savior ,jesus ,christ9940--,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,titus1 ,ch4 #b3ac4 ,,preface ,the purpose of this volume is to present in concise form the general thought and meaning of the ,book of ,revelation1 to give an analytic view of its contents1 and to summarize the results of critical study4 ,it is intended both as an aid to interpretation1 and as a guide to the use of the many valuable commentaries which are now accessible to the ,english reader4 ,it is specially designed to meet the needs of the student in the theological seminary or the modern ,bible school1 the busy pastor in his field1 the teacher of adult ,bible classes1 the ,christian ,association worker1 and the general reader of the ,bible4 ,with this object in view it essays to provide in a direct and helpful form 7#a7 the essential points of ,introduction2 7#b7 an ,analytic ,study of the book which aims to discover its meaning as a whole rather than to deal with it text by text2 and 7#c7 a brief statement in a series of ,appendices of some of the underlying conceptions which give color to its thought and enter into its literary structure4 ,the increased impetus given to ,biblical study by advanced scholarship in late years has created a demand for a class of works that give the results attained by the masters of exegesis and critical research1 without attempting to give the various steps by which these results have been reached4 ,and it is one primary aim of this work1 while attempting to give a fresh statement of the teachings of the book1 and to present such thoughts as have come to the ,author in the course of extended study1 at the same time to give due consideration to the varying opinions of others1 and for the most part to reproduce in the form which these have taken in his own mind the best and most satisfactory explanations of the many difficulties in the book which have hitherto been given by leading scholars and commentators4 ,for the book has proved a fertile field for expositors that has been widely even if not always well worked in the past1 while in the last halfcentury really substantial progress has been made toward the general interpretation2 and it may be confidently assumed that any one who ignores these results has almost certainly nothing to contribute to the solution of the real difficulties that confront us4 ,in response to extended popular inquiry some excellent commentaries and expository works on the ,revelation have been prepared in late years for the general reader4 ,and it is in order to further meet this requirement of intelligent ,bible study1 and to contribute in some measure to what is believed to be one of the most common needs of the general student of ,scripture1 a comprehensive view of each book1 that the publication of the present ,studies in the ,book of ,revelation has been undertaken4 ,it is necessarily true that a work so largely poetical in its thought as the ,apocalypse1 and appealing so much to the imagination1 does not lend itself easily to logical analysis4 ,every such division1 if exhaustive1 must be in a measure arbitrary4 ,the main purpose in attempting it is to present the principal ideas of the book in what is conceived to be their proper relation4 ,and in this we need not assume that the particular outline which we adopt was formally in the mind of the writer4 ,it is quite enough if we can be assured that the formative ideas were conceived of in somewhat the same relation1 and that the analysis we accept at least measurably represents the author's point of view4 ,this form of statement enables us to grasp the contents of the book in their entirety and to retain them in memory4 ,the view presented in the ,analysis and ,notes of this volume is not intended to be controversial but interpretative4 ,hence other views of particular passages have often not been stated1 or are given only in foot notes1 and no special effort has been made to support the view given by any extended discussions1 as that would lead us too far afield for the purpose in mind4 ,for those who wish a wider view1 references are given to wellknown authorities4 ,much that might have been said has been left out for the sake of brevity2 for in this busy age few find time for extended study1 and the great works on the ,revelation often lie unread on the shelves4 ,to reach the man of this generation the message must be short1 clear1 and decisive4 ,and with this in view the chief aim is to show that the general meaning of the ,revelation can be clearly understood1 whatever difference of opinion there may be concerning the more difficult portions2 and as a contribution toward this end to give in a direct form what the ,author of the present work regards as the correct method of interpreting it4 ,other interpretations have been introduced where they serve to illustrate this main purpose1 or have special force and afford additional light1 or have been widely accepted and have affected the course of opinion4 ,the outline interpretation given in this work1 while it does not follow without deviation any particular view throughout or in every respect--for a blind acceptance of any one method of interpretation would often block the path to better knowledge1 and perhaps cause us to miss the real meaning--yet it accepts the principles of the ,symbolical or ,spiritual ,school as affording in the main the best solution of the problems of interpretation4 ,the authorities cited in connection with any passage1 when not quoted1 though they may differ somewhat in statement1 will be found to hold in some form the view given in the analysis4 ,it is not without considerable hesitation1 and a personal sense of the shortcomings of the present work1 that it is now given to the public4 ,it necessarily contains much that is already familiar to the reader1 and it should be regarded as an effort to present in concise form and in one's own way what has been gathered through many years of patient study1 and by constant comparison with the works of the best commentators1 together with such thoughts as have come to the ,author in the course of his inquiry4 ,and if thereby the reader should be in any measure led to a clearer understanding or a more careful study of this marvellously beautiful and strangely eloquent message of ,christ to his church which is contained in the ,book of ,revelation--the meaning of which has been too often misunderstood by the ,christian reader1 or passed by as an insoluble mystery1--it will be to the ,author an abundant reward for his effort and a cause for personal gratitude to ,almighty ,god4 ,,stephen ,a4 ,,hunter1 ,pittsburgh1 ,pa4 ,,introduction #a4 ,general ,introduction4 ,the ,revelation is the most difficult book to interpret of any in the ,new ,testament canon4 ,its meaning is often involved in much obscurity1 and the interpretation of eminent scholars has differed so widely in the past that we cannot always be sure1 especially in the more difficult portions1 that the particular view which appears to us the more satisfactory or convincing is certainly the correct one4 ,this divergence of opinion has had the unfortunate effect of disparaging the worth of the ,apocalypse as a part of the ,word of ,god in the mind of many earnest students1 who have come to regard its meaning as so obscure1 and hidden in such hopeless perplexity1 that any further attempt to interpret it is entirely fruitless4 ,so much1 too1 has been written about the book which abounds in manifest vagaries that men of sober mind have often been thereby deterred from forming or expressing any definite opinion concerning its teaching4 ,indeed it is difficult to say whether the ,revelation has suffered more in the hands of expositors by means of fanciful and mistaken interpretation of its true contents1 or by the interpolation of ideas wholly foreign to its thought4 ,but1 however brought about1 we have reached this strangely incongruous result1 that what was originally designed to be the revelation of mystery has become instead the mystery of ,revelation4 ,there is evident necessity1 therefore1 of particular care in forming our views with regard to the meaning of many portions of the book1 and also of often holding our opinions tentatively and subject to review1 especially in our earlier studies1 as probable rather than positive interpretations4 ,we should avoid alike the mistake of dogmatically asserting that the ,apocalypse cannot be understood at all1 or of affirming that it can be fully understood47#b7 ,and yet with this reservation in mind the book is still a rich mine of spiritual wealth1 much of which lies upon the surface1 while even its deeper mysteries abundantly reward our careful search4 ,for we are not justified in casting aside any part of divine revelation upon the plea of apparent obscurity2 and to do so is practically to deny that it is a revelation4 ,on the contrary we are under manifest obligation to interpret the message of the ,apocalypse so far as we can1 for to fail of this is to neglect the sure word of prophecy4 ,and even though the original meaning of the visions to ,john's mind1 and the interpretation given them by those to whom they were first made known1 oftentimes cannot now be definitely determined17#c7 yet the value of the book does not depend solely upon that1 however helpful it would be4 ,the matter of supreme importance for us is to apprehend aright the farseeing and ulterior purpose in the mind of the ,spirit in giving the ,revelation4 ,and in search for this we should not allow our zeal for the original interpretation to lead us to forget the significant lesson of the ,old ,testament1 that the primary teaching of prophecy has often not voiced its deeper message1 that ,god's thought has mostly proved wider than man's first apprehension2 so that in our reading of the prophets we are not limited to the primary application1 however important it may be1 but should strive rather to grasp the broader sweep and deeper thought made plain by the fuller development of the divine purpose--the general meaning for the whole church in all time rather than the particular meaning for one age or generation4 ,this consideration we will find of great value in dealing with the generic and flexile forms of imagery contained in the symbols of the ,apocalypse1 where in attending to a multiplicity of detail the deeper and broader thought may so easily be misapprehended or even entirely escape our notice4 ,the visions of the ,apocalypse are generally conceded to belong to the latter part of the first century1 and manifestly relate in main portion to the then future1 whether near or far1 of the church of ,christ in the world1 for they pertain to a profoundly impressive prophetic experience4 ,the divine path of ,god's people among the nations is beheld in symbol1 type1 and figure1 ever leading on to victory through ,jesus ,christ his ,son and our ,lord2 the church and the world are seen engaged in a multiform and deadly conflict1 while the consummation is depicted in the fall of evil and the ruin of nature wrought by sin2 and the triumph of the holy is set forth in a vision of complete restoration to the divine presence amid the beauty of a new world and the glories of the ,new ,jerusalem--an outcome never once in doubt1 for ,god rules through all and wins4 ,and though in this ever changing picture the conditions of the early church and of the first century are constantly reflected in every part1 yet the representative character of the whole may be clearly seen4 ,indeed one cannot but be impressed with the fine insight and spirit of reserve which is manifested by ,john throughout the book1 in avoiding such explanations as might serve to narrow the visions to a purely local and temporary perspective1 thereby evidencing that he had risen to a truly prophetic view1 and that to his mind the visions belonged to a wider horizon as well as to the nearer limit of his own day4 ,for whatever application or fulfilment these may have had1 and surely did have1 in the period in which they were given1 has not exhausted their meaning4 ,to the ear that is open to ,god's voice they have a lesson and significance that belong alike to the past1 the present1 and the future1 a perennial freshness that time can neither fade nor destroy1 for they manifest the principles of the divine government which abide for all the ages4 ,in the light of modern criticism the primary question to be decided is whether we are dealing with an ordinary ,jewish,christian apocalypse of similar value with a multitude of others in the past1 and with no essentially deeper meaning or diviner message2 or whether we have not in the ,apocalypse of ,john a true revelation1 given in this literary form because of its particular suitability to the condition of the time1 and its fitness for the needs of the generation that first received it4 ,and the answer to this question must be sought in the contents of the book itself as vindicated by the ,christian conscience--an answer that the church has never been slow to make1 and that never can be changed so long as the needs of the human heart remain the same4 ,we must therefore regard the fundamental question which lies back of that of interpretation1 viz4 the inspiration of the book itself1 which alone can give it permanent value to the ,christian mind1 as definitely settled by the clear message which it contains for life1 by the multitudinous voices of ,god which reverberate within it1 and by the heavenborn solace which it ever affords to tried and tempted men in the midst of the conflict of life4 ,and we shall find that the general meaning1 so far from being hopelessly obscure1 may be fairly understood by the attentive student and devout reader4 ,the obscurity of the ,revelation arises both from its literary form and from the mystical character of its contents4 ,the ,apocalyptic form is so foreign to our way of thinking1 and the mysticism is so peculiarly ,oriental and ,jewish1 that these are apt to perplex rather than enlighten us4 ,the ,apocalyptist1 deeply absorbed in the later prophecies of the ,old ,testament1 especially those of ,daniel and ,ezekiel1 and his mind steeped in the dreams and images of current ,jewish apocalypses1 found under the influence of the ,spirit a fitting sphere for his prophetic fervor in a series of strange symbolic visions such as belonged to the fashion of his time4 ,the chief symbolism throughout is that of the ,old ,testament1 quickened and vivified by the thought of the ,new1--for it is everywhere assumed that the mysteries of the former dispensation find their only adequate solution in the supreme and final testimony of ,jesus the ,christ17#d7--;but the atmosphere of the visions is that of ,apocalyptic1 which curiously enough has contrived to cast its own peculiar glow upon all the ,old ,testament teachings and thus create a new symbolism out of the old4 ,and even when many of the symbols are assumed to be drawn in their present form from apocalypses then current in the ,jewish world but which are no longer extant1 and these to be derived in part from ,babylonian and ,persian sources1 as held by one class of interpreters1 they are yet found to have become so assimilated by the ,jewish mind that they reflect the later development of ,old ,testament thought4 ,these visions of the seer1 like shadows cast upon the foreground of the future1 depict in outline great fundamental truths or pervasive principles of the divine government that are1 and are to be1 manifested in multiple facts in the progress of the ages4 ,it is not the purpose of the visions to disclose the facts themselves1 for that belongs to the development of history1 but rather to furnish the means for interpreting the facts1 when once they appear1 by the exalted standard of the divine ideals4 ,there are1 indeed1 a few cardinal facts of the future that are kept well in the foreground1 such as the second coming of ,christ1 the triumph of ,god's kingdom1 and the end of the present world2 but these belong to the content of previous revelation as well1 and are not new or peculiar to this book4 ,the content of the visions is generic and not specific1 and whenever we depart from broad generalization and attempt to enter into detail in our interpretation1 we destroy the beauty and force of the lesson conveyed1 and wander into the field of speculation concerning things that were never intended to be revealed1 if the analogy of all other prophecy can be relied upon as a guide47#e7 ,for though the ,apocalypse undoubtedly contains an element of predictive prophecy1 yet such prophecy is not history written before its time1 but a divinely inspired and profoundly discriminative preview of certain dominant issues in the future that belong to the purpose of ,god1 and are the resultant of well established principles of the divine government--issues that stand out to the prophet's illumined eye in bold relief against the skyline like the headlands of a continent amid the surrounding mists which envelop them4 ,prophecy in this view is looked upon as much broader in its scope than the foretelling of things that are future4 ,this element should be regarded as subordinate to the general purpose of prophecy1 which is the forthtelling of the mind of ,god47#f7 ,and we should avoid that 8dwarfed sense of the word prophecy in modern speech0 which leads most readers 7and even interpreters7 to fasten upon a revelation of the secrets of the future4 ,for it is evident that 8,old ,testament history and prophecy make prominent another kind of revelation--the unveiling of the ideal1 as when the pattern of things sacred was unfolded to ,moses in the mount047#g7 ,in the true sense of prophecy it manifestly contains both these conceptions1 viz4 the ,propheticopredictive1 and the ,propheticoideal1 which enter in varying proportion into the great messages of old4 ,but it is believed by many of our best authorities1 and it will be found in a careful study of the book of ,revelation1 that the prophetic element is not chiefly predictive in the strict sense1 and can for the most part be best interpreted as the unveiling of the divine ideal which is being inwrought in the sphere of human life1 or the manifestation of the divine purpose which is discovered as interpenetrating all the moral struggle and apparent contradictions of earthly experience1 and which is leading up to the final victory2 and only such glimpses of the future are given as serve to assure a better comprehension of this main idea47#h7 ,the two most obvious principles that pervade the book of ,revelation and underlie its ever changing scenes1 are1 first1 ,god's method of government in the world by the trial of his people and the judgment of the wicked2 and1 second1 ,god's method of developing character in moral agents by moral conflict4 ,accepting these as in a measure interpretative of the ways of ,god with men1 the ,apocalypse approaches the standpoint of the divine perspective1 and traces the great lines of the divine purpose as they traverse the entire field of human history4 ,it makes ,christ's relation to his people both in time and in eternity the ground of an exhaustive inquiry into the mysteries of earthly life1 which aims not only to discover ,god in the trend of history but also to interpret ,god through history wrought out to its end4 ,it affords glimpses of ,god's far reaching plan in the process of redemption1 leading up to the final salvation of unnumbered multitudes2 it finds the key to earth's longdrawnout story of sin and suffering1 of conflict and of death1 in wider victory at larger cost2 and it teaches us to look calmly out beyond the ebb and flow of tides and noons to the shoreless1 timeless life that ever abides in the presence of ,god4 ,to the heart of faith it speaks of an unwavering trust when days are dark and storms fill the sky2 like a clear voice out of the night it tells of the coming day2 and with persuasive force its visions bring man face to face with ,god1 his ,creator1 ,redeemer1 and ,eternal ,friend4 #b4 ,the ,title4 ,the ,title used in the ,authorized ,version of our ,english ,scriptures1 and retained by the ,english ,revisers1 is 8,the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john the ,divine10 a name given to the book by the early church1 though many of the older manuscripts omit 8the ,divine04 ,our ,american ,revisers read1 8,the ,revelation of ,john20 but the more correct title is the one that is commonly used1 and that is printed in the upper margin of the text1 simply 8,the ,revelation10 i4 e4 the unveiling1 or uncovering viz4 of the mystery of the divine purpose and method in human life and history--the opening words of the book itself--or1 if preferred1 the original ,greek name1 8,the ,apocalypse017#i7 which perhaps should have been retained without translation as in the ,douay ,version1 but of which 8,the ,revelation0 is the exact equivalent4 ,the phrase 8of ,st4 ,john01 or 8of ,john01 may properly be omitted because of its ambiguity2 for the book is declared in its opening sentence to be 8the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ01 i4 e4 a revelation of or from ,jesus ,christ1 and it is only in a secondary sense 8the ,revelation of ,john01 i4 e4 a revelation made to and recorded by ,john4 ,the occasion for the use of this title1 8,the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john01 in the first centuries was in order to distinguish the canonical ,apocalypse from many others then in circulation1 but this necessity has long since ceased to exist4 ,for us it stands alone1 it is the ,apocalypse1 the ,revelation4 #c4 ,the ,author4 ,that the ,author of the ,revelation was named ,john we have no reason to doubt1 if we believe the statements of the book itself1 for this is distinctly affirmed three different times47#aj7 ,he is also further described in one form of the title as 8the ,divine10 i4 e4 the one who discoursed about ,god1 or the theologian4 ,this latter designation1 though of uncertain origin and date1 and omitted by the ,american ,revisers as without sufficient support1 is yet undoubtedly as old as the latter part of the third century7#aa7 while it may be much older1 and has therefore some claim to traditional authority4 ,the title1 however1 in any form is subsequent to the book itself4 ,the statements of the ,author concerning himself and his relations to the church in ,asia1 appear to the general reader to be decisive1 and to indicate with sufficient clearness that the writer was none other than ,john the son of ,zebedee1 the apostle whom ,jesus loved1 though this is not the view of the majority of the later critics4 ,some consider it to be the work of another ,john known to tradition as the ,presbyter27#ab7 others attribute it to an unknown author of that name1 or to some one writing under that name4 ,but notwithstanding the frequency and positiveness with which the ,apostolic ,authorship and the ,unity of the ,book have been called in question during the last half century1 the entire results of critical research may with some confidence be said not to have discredited either of them47#ac7 ,the considerations which support the ,apostolic ,authorship are chiefly the following3--7#a7 the evidence of early ,christian tradition imbedded in history is practically unanimous in its favor1 and the book was accepted as the ,apostle's without question by the church in ,asia where it originated3 7#b7 the internal evidence is to most minds convincing and even decisive1 viz4 7a7 the ,author declares himself to be ,john1 and addresses the churches in ,asia as their 8brother1 and partaker in tribulation10 and there is no satisfactory historical evidence of any other ,john in ,asia1 except the ,apostle1 of sufficient standing and influence to have spoken to the churches with the authority of a prophet27#ad7 7b7 there is a deep and essential similarity of thought1 diction1 and doctrine in the ,apocalypse and in ,john's ,gospel and ,epistles which outweighs all differences of language1 grammar1 and style that appear upon the surface2 7c7 there is an undercurrent 8tragic tone0 found in the ,apocalypse1 such as is manifest in all of ,john's writings1 especially when he deals with the sad and terrible phases of human life and character1 and this serves to point toward the ,apostle as the author4 ,the grounds upon which the ,apostolic ,authorship is denied are3--7#a7 the general inconclusiveness of tradition1 even though in this case the evidence is admitted to be particularly strong3 7#b7 the pseudonymity of all other apocalypses1 with the apparent exception of 8,the ,shepherd of ,hermas01 and hence the probability that this in a similar way may have been written under the assumed name of ,john in order to give it acceptance37#ae7 7#c7 the marked differences observable between the ,apocalypse and ,john's ,gospel and ,epistles1 viz4 7a7 the ,greek of the ,apocalypse is full of striking peculiarities1 of solecisms1 and of ,hebraisms1 quite at variance with the purer style of the other ,johannine writings27#af7 7b7 the spirit of the ,apocalypse as revealed in its ideas1 terms1 tone1 and temper1 differs widely from that of the ,gospel and ,epistles4 ,these differences1 however1 it should be noted1 were recognized and their force as objections to a common authorship was felt as early as the time of ,dionysius 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #bfj71 for they are apparent to every careful student of the ,greek text2 but they may be accounted for in a good degree by the difference of occasion1 purpose1 and theme1 as well as of form and structure incident to the choice of a literary style that has definite and necessary limitations4 ,the differences have also been further accounted for on the part of some by accepting the earlier date of the ,apocalypse1 which in that case is assigned to the period just preceding the fall of ,jerusalem4 ,the peculiarities of language are in this view attributable to an imperfect knowledge of ,greek1 which was later overcome by ,john's long residence in ,ephesus1 while the apocalyptic form and general contents are held to indicate an earlier stage of ,christian thought47#ag7 ,on the other hand it has been efficiently maintained1 favoring the later date1 that the differences are mainly due to psychological effects wrought by old age in the mind of ,john1 whose mental activities reverted to the familiar thoughtforms and apocalyptic conceptions of his youth1 the ,greek he used being simply a modified translation of ,hebrew thought1 while the ,christological conceptions of the ,apocalypse are manifestly among the most advanced in the ,new ,testament47#ah7 ,in any case it will be seen that the reasons given under 7#a7 and 7#b7 have little force apart from the question of internal evidence1 and are at most only inferences1 while upon the other hand the divergent qualities given under 7#c71 forceful as they are1 cannot be assumed as without parallel in the history of literature4 ,it has been pointed out that the difference in style between ,carlyle's earlier and later productions1 as well as those found in the works of ,milton1 ,watts1 ,burke1 and ,wordsworth1 written at different periods in their lives1 is quite as marked as that of the writings in question47#ai7 ,and we must not leave out of view the possibility that ,john1 if at an advanced age1 may have used one of his disciples as a collaborator1 which would necessarily modify both the language and style of the work produced4 ,so that after all has been said1 it may be accepted as the concurrent judgment of the majority of interpreters1--the advanced critics being excepted1--that as great or greater difficulties are met in denying the ,apostolic ,authorship as in accepting it4 ,for notwithstanding the confident assertion of most of the later critics that the ,apocalypse was not written by the ,apostle1 yet indications are not lacking in some quarters now1 influenced perhaps by the really cogent arguments so well stated by the decadent school of ,baur1 of a return in opinion to the recognition of the ,johannine authorship as in some sense at least undeniable1 though foreign elements are conceived to enter into it47#bj7 ,it has indeed1 not infrequently been held1 among those who deny that the ,apostle was the author of the ,fourth ,gospel1 that he wrote the ,apocalypse2 but still more commonly it is accepted that the work belongs to the 8socalled ,johannine writings01 and originated in the same circle at ,ephesus to which these writings are now attributed by advanced critics17#ba7 leaving the personal authorship more or less indefinite4 ,the question of authorship1 however1 is a subordinate one1 for the book maintains its own message1 and it should be dealt with purely as a subject of historical inquiry and not one of dogmatic importance1 in the interest of correctness rather than of traditional opinion4 #d4 ,the ,unity4 ,the question of ,unity is one of modern literary criticism4 ,the view now generally accepted that ,jewish apocalypses1 as we find them1 are often of composite origin1 representing an original writing to which various additions have been subsequently made by editors and redactors17#bb7 has had its influence upon the judgment formed by critics concerning the ,apocalypse of ,john4 ,the present tendency of critical investigation is to consider the book as a composite structure1 and to direct its effort toward searching out the various sources from which it is supposed to be derived1 and determining what parts of the book are original1 as well as in pointing out various minor passages that are regarded as drawn from other sources1 or are the work of a later hand4 ,this tendency has been carried to such an extreme that the results are largely theoretical and inconclusive1 depending upon the personal taste of the critic and having little force for other minds4 ,the grounds upon which the unity of the book has been disputed are3--7#a7 ,frequent breaks in continuity which make it difficult or impossible to trace the connection of thought3 7#b7 a lack of harmony in its various conceptions that is more or less incongruous1 and that is apparently inconsistent with its being the work of one author3 7#c7 an apparent indication in various parts of the book of different dates of writing--see remarks in the section on ,date4 ,all of these reasons1 however1 if taken together1 and it be granted that they are wellfounded1 are yet insufficient to establish a diversity of authorship4 ,the most that can be said is that they suggest it4 ,for it should be remembered that logical sequence is not a quality of ,apocalyptic thought2 and also that there is not even an approximate agreement1 as yet1 among advanced scholars as to the character or extent of the material regarded as drawn from other sources4 ,in favor of its ,unity we find3--7#a7 a uniformity of style throughout which is scarcely possible in the combined product of different authors without such redaction as is equivalent to authorship3 7#b7 an elaborate literary structure quite incompatible with the existence of more than one author--see section on ,structure3 7#c7 an essential ,unity1 whatever the extent to which elements of ,jewish apocalyptic may have been made use of in its composition1 which appeals to the literary judgment in a way that is both forcible and convincing1 for the personality of the author is interwoven in every fibre of its frame4 ,though the present trend of critical opinion is largely against the ,unity of the book in the general sense of the term1 yet its essential unity is so manifest that it is commonly conceded--8its inner unity is the foundation of all more recent works on the ,apocalypse047#bc7 ,this is accounted for on the part of those who accept a composite origin by attributing its unification to the final editor1 redactor1 or author1 a judgment that fails to carry conviction with it for those who approach the question from the broader standpoint of literary composition in general1 instead of the narrower one of the apocalyptic writings4 ,the later critical views have1 however1 not yet reached a conclusive stage1 and indeed in the face of so great diversity of judgment1 can scarcely be said to have assumed a consistent form2 though it may be confidently predicated that no hypothesis of composite origin is ever likely to command general assent in the case of a book marked by such a definite unity of style and plan4 ,the effort to discover in it an original ,jewish apocalypse which has been wrought over by ,christian editors into its present form17#bd7 or to reconstruct the various sources1 ,jewish or ,christian1 from which it has been derived17#be7 may well be said to have been 8thoroughly worked out01 and to have apparently failed1 though the labors of the critics have added largely to our knowledge of ,apocalyptic1 and contributed not a little to a better understanding of the book4 ,the view now in the ascendant admits one author1 but attributes various portions of greater or less extent to a common stock of ,jewish1 or ,jewish,christian1 apocalyptic fragments1 current at that time1 which have been appropriated from and used in its composition47#bf7 ,this1 to the more conservative ,christian mind1 involves an apparent denial of its true unity1 and proceeds upon a theory of its origin that is scarcely consistent with its effective inspiration4 ,but it fails to be conclusive on other grounds1 for upon careful examination it must become more and more apparent to the thoughtful student of ,scripture and apocalyptic that this view does not accord with the author's use of his materials1 so far as we have any knowledge of their source4 ,for although he draws largely from the thought and figures of the prophets1 and uses freely the general form of imagery found in extant ,jewish apocalypses1 yet everything has been transmuted in the crucible of his own vivid imagination into new combinations1 and there is not a single instance in which he interpolates an entire passage from any known author--indeed there are no quotations at all1 in the strict sense1 found in the ,apocalypse1 but only allusions1 reminiscences1 and echoes1 literary devices which reflect the thought without reproducing the form--and it is certainly an exceptional assumption that he interpolates only from authors whose works are now lost1 or from sources furnished solely by tradition47#bg7 ,the impressions of unity are entirely too strong to be dissipated by visionary and purely theoretical views4 ,a modified form of the ,apocalyptic,traditional view1 advanced by some late writers17#bh7 indicates a healthful reaction from the piecemeal theories of the earlier sourcecriticism1 and affords valuable suggestion for further study--whether1 indeed1 we can follow them or not in finding evidence of the introduction of a limited number of fragments of earlier origin1--viz4 that the author drew freely from a mass of apocalyptic ideas and forms1 or 8apocalyptic conventions0 as they have been called1 which were widely current in ,jewish circles1 and with which his own mind was richly stored2 and that this suggestive material was wrought over in his mental processes and used like that from the ,old ,testament1 with which it was closely allied1 as a framework for expressing the new and higher ,christian thought peculiar to his message1 the old form being constantly adapted to new meanings4 ,the origin or source of these forms is chiefly a matter of theory2 but the probability of their use is the more practical side of the problem4 ,it will be seen that this view would account for all that the theory of diverse origin does without doing violence to the real unity of the book27#bi7 and it does not affect the question of the inspiration or reality of the visions1 for the thought of the seer necessarily took form from his own mental furnishing1 and his imagination1 though quickened by the prophetic ecstasy1 was not essentially altered in its mode of operation4 ,but1 with it all1 let us not fail to apprehend that these questions pertaining to the method used in the composition of the ,apocalypse1 and to the introduction of foreign elements into its literary structure1 which so largely occupy the minds of critical scholars in the present day1 are1 after all1 mainly secondary to the larger question4 ,in it has ,god spoken8 ,and if so1 what are the spiritual lessons of the book for the devout ,christian mind and heart8 #e4 ,the ,date4 ,two different ,dates of authorship have been commonly maintained by different authorities1 viz4 either about ,a4 ,d4 #fi under one of ,nero's immediate successors1 ,galba or ,vespasian2 or about ,a4 ,d4 #if under ,domitian4 ,many modern critics have accepted the earlier date1 though the majority of commentators favor the later and traditional one4 ,the evidence cannot be considered as decisive for either1 but the preponderance seems to be in favor of the later date47#cj7 ,the earlier date1 though accepted by the majority of critics a score and more years ago1 is not now in such favor4 ,the influence of present criticism1 which is chiefly taken up with discussion of the sources from which the book is assumed to be derived1 has produced a marked drift in opinion toward the acceptance of a date near the close of the first century 7the traditional view7 as the time of composition1 or at least the period of final editing47#ca7 ,this view1 though accepting in a sense one author1 yet holds that the contents of the book indicate different dates of writing1 and that it is made up of visions of different origin1 and composed at different times1 which have been subsequently formed into one consistent whole7#cb7--;a conclusion that would require something more than a theory to sustain it4 ,the exact date1 however1 is not of any great importance1 as the difference does not materially affect the interpretation1 especially if we accept the symbolic view of the purpose and teaching of the book2 for though the date fixed upon does affect somewhat the historical situation1 and hence the immediate reference1 it does not affect the larger meaning which belongs to all time4 ,the indications of the ,earlier ,date that usually obtain are3--7#a7 the linguistic peculiarities already referred to under the head of ,unity1 which are considered by many to indicate an earlier period in ,john's life and thought when he was still ,hebraistic in method3 7#b7 the historical allusions in the book that seem to favor the earlier date1 and which some have thought are even decisive1 viz4 7a7 the condition of the churches in ,asia as set forth in the ,seven ,epistles1 which fairly accords with what is known of the period of ,nero's reign and shortly thereafter2 7b7 the references to persecution1 war1 earthquake1 famine1 and pestilence1 which find a ready explanation in current events of the earlier date27#cc7 7c7 the measurement of the temple directed in ch4 #aa3a;f41 which appears to indicate that it was still standing2 7d7 the apparently veiled allusions to ,nero found in the description of the ,wild ,beast in chs4 #ac and #ag1 which1 according to a widely accepted interpretation1 point to a period shortly after his death1 when he was still a prominent figure in the public mind4 ,for the ,later ,date the chief considerations are3--7#a7 the early and uniform tradition concerning the origin of the book1 viz4 that it was written by the ,apostle ,john near the end of the reign of ,domitian 7see the section on ,canonicity73 7#b7 the historical situation described and implied1 which as a whole is considered by most authorities as more suitable to and more fully met by the later than the earlier date1 viz4 7a7 the churches in ,asia1 as indicated in the ,seven ,epistles1 are in a more highly developed condition than is likely to have been attained at so early a period as the close of the sixth decade of the ,christian era1 and the omission of any reference to the ,apostle ,paul as their founder within a quartercentury of their establishment would be entirely unaccountable2 7b7 the indications of persecution are better suited to the time of ,domitian than that of ,nero17#cd7 while the references to war1 famine1 and pestilence are equally applicable to all the latter part of the first century2 7c7 the advanced stage of the conflict between ,christianity and the state religion of ,rome1 shown in the worship of the ,beast and the antagonism of ,babylon1 is a strong indication of the later date27#ce7 7d7 the assumed allusions to ,nero1 and to the temple as still standing1 depend in each case upon a particular interpretation1 and rest upon no certain foundation1--or admitting an earlier date for this section1 it is regarded as having been inserted later17#cf7 which is a critical guess of uncertain value4 ,this seems to leave the balance of evidence upon the side of the later date1 though the best authorities have formerly been nearly equally divided4 #f4 ,the ,place4 ,the ,revelation was given in ,patmos1 one of the group of the ,sporades1 a small1 rocky1 and irregularly shaped island1 some ten miles long by five miles wide1 lying in the gean ,sea1 off the coast of ,asia ,minor1 about sixty miles from ,ephesus and thirtyfive miles from ,miletus17#cg7 to which ,john was banished 8for the ,word of ,god and the testimony of ,jesus04 ,according to tradition offenders of rank were banished to this island under the ,roman ,empire to work in the mines and marble quarries2 and the ,apostle ,john perhaps shared in this harsh lot during his imprisonment1 as asserted by ,victorinus in his commentary1 the earliest work on the ,apocalypse1 written toward the close of the third century4 ,the chief feature of the modern island is the ,monastery of ,st4 ,john1 founded in ,a4 ,d4 #ajhh1 which lies a mile and a half south of ,la ,scala1 the landing place2 while halfway up the hillside a grotto1 known as the cave of the ,apocalypse1 is pointed out as the traditional place where the visions of the book were seen4 ,the natural scenery of the island is rugged and the view of the sea and of the neighboring islands very fine1 which may have contributed somewhat to the imagery of the book1 as has been suggested by different travelers47#ch7 ,the content of the visions was doubtless committed to writing soon afterward1 and probably while ,john was still a prisoner in ,patmos1 though the general work of authorship may have been done later at ,ephesus47#ci7 #g4 ,the ,canonicity4 ,the right of the ,book of ,revelation to a place in the ,new ,testament ,canon is well attested both historically and by internal evidence4 ,the historical evidence is especially complete1 and is regarded by some as stronger than that of any other book in the ,new ,testament37#dj7 the objections have all arisen from the internal evidence1 which has been differently estimated by different minds4 ,the ,historical ,evidence covers the question both of authorship and of canonicity1--for these cannot well be separated1 since the apostolic authorship carried with it for the early church the canonicity also--and it may be briefly stated as follows1 viz3-- 7#a7 ,papias 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #acj74 ,bishop of ,hierapolis1 8the hearer of ,john01 and 8the companion of ,polycarp01 regarded it as authoritative1 and is the first to attest it1 though he does not affirm its apostolicity4 ,we are indebted for his testimony to ,andreas of ,cappadocia 7about the end of the fifth century71 who refers to ,papias along with ,irenus and others1 and quotes from a work by ,papias his comment on ,rev4 #ab3gi4 ,in this early witness of its canonicity we can scarcely conceive of ,papias being mistaken1 and his testimony is of great value4 7#b7 ,justin ,martyr 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #adj7 says it was written by 8a certain man whose name was ,john1 one of the apostles of ,christ04 ,this testimony is within fifty years of the later date assigned to the book1 and seventy five years of the earlier one1 and is therefore of special importance2 and there is no hesitancy in affirming that the author was 8one of the apostles of ,christ04 7#c7 ,according to ,eusebius1 ,melito1 ,bp4 of ,sardis 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #agj71 wrote a lost work on 8the ,revelation of ,john02 also two other bishops1 ,theophilus of ,antioch1 and ,appolonius of ,ephesus 7both before the close of the second century71 cited from it in their writings4 7#d7 ,in a letter from the churches of ,lyons and ,vienne 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #agg7 the ,revelation is cited1 and is described as 8sacred ,scripture04 7#e7 ,irenus 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #ahj7 defends its apostolic authority1 and asserts frequently and positively that the ,apocalypse was written by 8,john1 a disciple of the ,lord04 7#f7 ,clement of ,alexandria 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #bjj7 refers to the four and twenty elders with an explanatory clause1 8as ,john says in the ,apocalypse04 7#g7 ,tertullian 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #bjj7 cites it frequently1 ascribing it to ,john the ,apostle1 and attests its recognition in ,africa4 7#h7 ,the ,canon of ,muratori 7circ4 #bjj7 includes it without question1 and says1 8,john in the ,apocalypse1 though he writes to the ,seven ,churches1 yet says to all1 c10 and the context shows that the reference is to the ,apostle4 7#i7 ,hippolytus 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #baj7 wrote on 8the ,gospel and ,apocalypse of ,john02 and he also cites the ,apocalypse as a ,scripture authority against ,caius4 ,after this time its canonicity was regarded as established by the ,western ,church4 7#aj7 ,origen 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #bej71 the pupil of ,clement of ,alexandria1 and the first textual critic of the ,new ,testament1 whose knowledge of the opinion and usage in different parts of the church was very wide1 knows of no doubts concerning the ,apocalypse1 but quotes it as the recognized composition of the ,apostle and ,evangelist4 ,the authority of the ,apocalypse was not1 however1 destined to remain unquestioned1 though its apostolic authorship and canonical right were practically unchallenged until toward the end of the second century--and in fact it was generally received by the church until the middle of the third century--but subsequently both of these were questioned1 viz3-- 7#a7 ,marcion1 the socalled 8,heretic0 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #aej71 rejected it in forming his ,canon because of its apparently ,jewish character1 and not because he did not regard it as genuine4 ,this1 however1 did not represent a church view1 and had little influence on opinion outside of his own sect4 7#b7 ,dionysius of ,alexandria 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #bdg7 argues that it is not by the ,apostle1 though he does not reject the book4 ,with him the question is mainly one of authorship1 and not of canonicity4 7#c7 ,eusebius 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #bgj7 follows the opinion of ,dionysius and may be regarded as 8wavering01 for he cites much in its favor4 ,after ,eusebius1 however1 opposition to it became general in the ,syro,palestinian ,church1 and it does not appear in the ,peshito ,version1 though ,st ,ephraim ,syrus1 the chief father of the ,syrian ,church1 cites it and ascribes it to the ,apostle ,john4 7#d7 ,cyril of ,jerusalem 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #chf7 omits the ,apocalypse from his list of the canonical books of the ,new ,testament4 7#e7 ,in the ,eastern ,church the book was questioned on dogmatic grounds connected with the ,millenarian controversy1 and it was omitted from the ,canon by the ,council of ,laodicea 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #cfj74 7#f7 ,finally1 however1 in deference to the strong testimony of the ,western ,church1 and influenced somewhat1 no doubt1 by the internal evidence of the book itself1 it was authoritatively accepted and universally recognized by the church at large4 ,the ,internal ,evidence for the canonicity of the book1 apart from the difficulties discussed under the head of ,unity1 is quite clear and satisfying and is practically irrefutable1 for the disputed questions of authorship and date are not of such character as to affect its canonicity4 ,this evidence may be briefly stated as follows1 viz3-- 7#a7 ,the historical situation and references correspond to the time in which the book claims to have been written1 the latter half of the first century1 and are fully sustained by contemporaneous history4 7#b7 ,the literary form and diction are each suitable to the period and authorship to which the book is ascribed4 7#c7 ,the doctrinal teachings are fully and distinctively ,christian1 and are such as we would expect in a work of the period1 written by inspiration for the whole church1 viz3--7a7 the ,christianity it bears witness to has escaped from the particularism of ,jewish thought into the broad catholicity of the ,pauline ,epistles2 7b7 ,christ is presented as the divine atoning ,lamb seated in the midst of the throne1 coequal with the ,father2 7c7 the personality of the ,holy ,spirit is recognized1 and his illuminative work illustrated2 7d7 the chief duties of the ,christian life are those presented in the ,gospels1 faith1 witness1 and purity1 while the reward of overcoming is set forth in terms of apostolic hope2 and 7e7 the entire contents of the book1 so widely different from the noncanonical literature1 appeal to the instincts of the ,christian heart now as in the first generation1 and verify themselves afresh to the ,christian consciousness in such a forceful and convincing way that this goes far to overcome any apparent objections to its canonical authority based upon subjective judgments of another class4 ,in fact the impartial verdict of careful investigation serves to confirm the opinion that the ,apocalypse is rightfully received on ample and concurrent testimony both of ,historical and ,internal ,evidence as a part of sacred ,scripture by the whole church throughout the world4 #h4 ,the ,form4 ,the ,book consists of a series of strange and impressive symbolic visions which contrast present and historic conditions of trial and suffering in the church and in the world with future and prophetic conditions of triumph and reward for the holy and of wrath and punishment for the sinful4 ,it is an interpretative view of the divine path and plan of the centuries that is evidently given for the comfort and help of ,god's children in the midst of trial and distress4 ,its ,literary ,form is marked and significant1 and belongs to that highly figurative style of late ,jewish and early ,christian writings which is known as the ,apocalyptic ,literature47#da7 ,and though ,john must often have felt himself hampered and impeded by the fanciful and more or less unreal character of this literary form1 yet it doubtless met more fully than any other the conditions of the time1 and afforded an adequate method of reaching the devout ,christian mind of that generation4 ,this literature is distinguished both by its peculiar style and by the exceptional range of its thought1 and may be described as consisting of all of that particular class of the ,apocryphal writings which are couched in mystic symbols and figures1 and which attempt to give an account of hidden things miraculously disclosed1 especially those pertaining to the other world and to the closing events of human history4 ,the word ,apocalyptic in its present sense belongs to recent usage1 being introduced by the modern critical school as a generic term to designate these writings as a distinct department of the ,apocryphal books1 and also to denote the literary style or artform in which they are cast4 ,the use of the word ,apocalypse to designate the writings or books now known by that name 7as the ,apocalypse of ,baruch1 and others7 is undoubtedly very old1 though it did not apparently begin before the end of the first century1 and seems to have taken rise from the common use of the title 8,the ,apocalypse of ,john0 in ,christian circles to designate the ,revelation1 from which the word came to be applied to all writings of a similar class4 ,every ,apocalypse is thus an example of ,apocalyptic2 but1 owing to the late introduction of the latter term as now used1 most dictionaries do not give an adequate definition47#db7 ,the unique symbolism of these writings constitutes their most striking and characteristic feature2 and it is this uniform use of cryptic symbols instead of ordinary figures of speech that invests the ,apocalypse of ,john with its peculiar charm1 and at the same time creates the special problems of its interpretation4 ,a symbol may be defined as a conventional objective form chosen to represent something else1 often not otherwise capable of portraiture1 because of some real or fancied resemblance that appeals to the mind2 an ideal representation couched in sensuous form that embodies one or more of the prominent features of its subject1 and that comes to represent a fixed conception in the world of fancy1 a lower and material sign being used to represent a higher and abstract idea4 ,the use of symbols of some sort is instinctive and universal1 and grows out of a natural effort of the mind to clothe its ideas in forms that give free scope to the imagination4 ,but the peculiar nature of the symbols and the profusion of their use in the ,apocalyptic literature1 serve to mark it as separate from all other literary forms4 ,oriental symbols1 too1 are so unfamiliar and oftentimes so incongruous to our minds1 such as the ,dragon1 the ,scarlet ,beast1 the ,twohorned ,beast1 and even the ,cherubim1 that we perhaps fail to realize how much they meant to people of a primitive civilization who were possessed of a vivid imagination without scientific precision of thought4 ,this difference in the instinctive appreciation of the nature and value of symbols1 together with the wide possibilities of meaning that are apparently inherent in the symbols used in the ,apocalypse1 has always given room for the fertile fancy of interpreters4 ,but the later study of the ,apocalyptic writings as a class has made it plain that this effort was largely misspent1 and has led to more discriminating views of the meaning and use of symbols as there found1 and to their limitation by established usage1 where such is known to have existed4 ,for while the growth of recognized symbols is necessarily slow1 and their origin often impossible to trace yet when they have once been formed1 and have come to possess an established meaning in the public mind1 they exhibit a remarkable persistence2 and though their meaning may be somewhat modified by subsequent use and by particular application1 yet it can scarcely suffer sudden and radical change4 ,and let us remember that the symbols1 metaphors1 and other figures found in the ,revelation are not purely literary3 they have had a history and have acquired a recognized and conventional meaning4 ,we have1 therefore1 an available guide to the interpretation of the symbols in the book furnished by their use not only in the ,old ,testament1 in which by former interpreters they were mainly sought1 but especially in ,jewish apocalypses1 which give the current meaning of many of them at the time when this book was written1 a sense which could not well have been departed from to any great extent without making their meaning wholly unintelligible4 ,and the more clearly we apprehend this fact1 the more constantly we apply it in our interpretation1 the more likely are we to arrive at the meaning intended47#dc7 ,for while the ,western mind revolts against the oftime obscurity of ,apocalyptic symbols1 yet we not infrequently recur to the same method of illustration4 ,for instance1 a good example of the present day use of symbols1 aided by illustrative skill1 is found in such a cartoon as 8,the ,modern ,juggernaut0 that appeared a few years ago1 in which the wheeled car of ,india was transformed into a huge wine bottle full of intoxicating drink that rolls along its way1 crushing out the lives of thousands of miserable victims1 while the fierce dogs of ,war1 ,famine1 and ,pestilence have under its malign influence slipped their leash and go forth to prey upon men47#dd7 ,this symbolism in some measure parallels that of the ,scarlet ,beast in the ,revelation1 and shows how a great destructive force operating in the world may be presented to many minds in an objective form much more effectively than by any abstract verbal statement4 ,like a parable an apocalypse flings a great truth across our path1 instinct with the touch of spiritual life4 ,the revelation made to ,john doubtless took the ,apocalyptic form because it was the prevailing literary method of that time for the treatment of the theme dealt with by his prophecy1 and its constructive symbolism already filled and colored his thought4 ,but notwithstanding that it is cast in a ,jewish mould1 the ,christian thought everywhere triumphs over the ,jewish form4 ,the line of thought is limited to the peculiar range of ,apocalyptic subjects1 and is found to be closely related to that of our ,lord's discourse upon the last things 7the socalled 8little apocalypse0 of our ,lord in ,mat4 #bd71 though it should not be regarded as formally an amplification of that discourse1 or as chiefly or wholly determined in content by it47#de7 ,the prophetic mood is manifest in every part of the book1 and the exalted mental state of the writer is sustained throughout after the manner of a rhapsody1 in the structure and movement of which all literary forms are in a measure fused together47#df7 ,indeed by a deeper study of this unique work we come to feel as though in it 8we touch the living soul of ,asiatic ,christendom04 ,it remains to be said that while we class the ,apocalypse of ,john with ,jewish apocalypses as to literary form1 yet it so manifestly rises above its class both in method and content that it is universally accorded the first place among ,apocalyptic writings1 and fully establishes its claim to a place among the inspired books of ,scripture by reason of the penetrative prophetic insight which it everywhere displays in dealing with the greatest1 the most central1 and the most mysterious theme in the whole sphere of ,christian thought4 #i4 ,the ,theme4 ,the ,theme of the ,revelation1 stated in its broadest terms1 is ,christ and the ,church through ,time to ,eternity2 the mystery of ,god in human life and history made manifest through the disclosure of the divine redemptive plan becoming effective and triumphant47#dg7 ,the theme we assign to the ,revelation will1 of course1 be determined largely by our view of its contents4 ,many interpret it to be ,jerusalem1 ,rome1 and the ,end1 limiting its outlook to the horizon of the early church2 others make it the ,course of ,history1 or the ,future ,path of the ,church in the ,world2 still others affirm it to be the ,last ,things1 or the ,second ,coming of ,christ4 ,but the wider view is the truer one1 which includes many phases of the kingdom1 and the theme is properly interpreted as ,christ and the ,church here and hereafter1 or ,redemption in its present and future relation to ,human ,life4 ,this theme is wrought out in prophetic vision by an evolving drama that moves forward in multiple and progressive cycles of trial and triumph1 of conflict and victory1 ever advancing toward the complete and final consummation1 when righteousness shall win1 sin be punished1 and the redeemed be restored to the immediate presence of ,god2 and whereby the divine plan shall be abundantly vindicated notwithstanding all apparent anomalies1 and seeming contradictions1 and temporary reverses1 for it is confidently affirmed that the night of sin shall ultimately pass away1 and the day dawn at last in which 8the glory of ,god and of the ,lamb shall be the light thereof02 and 8,he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them 444 that come out of great tribulation04 ,thus the book gives answer to the deep call of the soul for some sign concerning the future that shall point the path of faith and cheer the heart for service2 and the answer is abundantly satisfying1 for those who interpret the theme aright4 ,occupied with such a subject of thought it finds its proper place at the end of the inspired volume2 it forms a fitting close for the entire line of prophetic voices2 and it binds the long succession of books into an unbroken unity47#dh7 ,with illimitable sweep its visions look backward through time and forward into eternity1 downward on earth's struggles and upward upon heaven's victory1 inward to the soul's conflicts and outward to ,god's eternal peace1 while through it all there rings out the one transcendent note1 ,christ reigns but to triumph4 #aj4 ,the ,occasion4 ,the conditions which gave ,occasion for this sole ,apocalyptic book of the ,new ,testament have left their impress on its form and thought1 viz4 persecution from without1 and trial and distress within the church4 ,these conditions which are subsumed throughout must be clearly recognized in order to interpret the message aright1 and to estimate its proper value for the age which first received it4 ,for1 whether we accept the earlier or later date of writing1 the deadly power of the ,roman ,empire was being put forth to repress and destroy the church4 ,at the later date the worship of the ,emperor was being made the test of obedience to law1 and at either time many ,christians in the face of persecution were weak and wavering4 ,the immediate outlook was increasingly dark1 and the future prospect full of gloom4 ,the failure of the ,messiah to reappear and of the church to triumph2 the bitter experience of persecution already endured1 and the certainty of greater suffering yet to follow2 in a word1 the apparent reversal of the brightest hopes of early ,christianity1 all of these called for some divine message of cheer that would inspirit the discouraged1 throw light upon the path of sorrow and shame1 and make their lot endurable because of the assuredly glorious outcome of the future4 ,and there was no kind of message so well suited to meet such a crisis as the form of ,apocalyptic1 which grew out of similar conditions1 and had a tone and temper peculiarly adapted to infuse a triumphant hope in the midst of growing religious despair47#di7 ,but let us not fail to perceive that though the ,apocalypse was specially designed to meet a great crisis in the life of the early church1 its effectiveness does not end there4 ,its lessons are for us and for all time2 it has the course and end of worldhistory in view1 and this is an everliving theme for the church of ,christ in every age4 #aa4 ,the ,purpose4 ,the ,purpose of the ,apocalypse1 as indicated by its introductory words 8,the ,revelation01 is the revealing or unveiling of mystery4 ,in the ,christian sense a mystery is a former secret of divine truth that has now been at least partially revealed 7,eph4 #c3aaa71 while an apocalypse is the process of revealing it1 and also the revelation itself containing the truth made known4 ,the comprehensive design of the book is to unfold and interpret the divine purpose and method in human history1 especially in relation to the redemptive process1 by portraying in scenic outline the present and future course of the church of ,christ through conflict to victory1 for the vindication of ,god's righteousness in the final issue1 and for the comfort and encouragement of tried and persecuted ,christians in the midst of the pathway of life47#ej7 ,the more immediate purpose was to strengthen the church in the strain of present distress1 while the ultimate aim is to be found not in the disclosure of history itself1 but in the establishment of the moral order of the world1 in illustrating the fact that history is a divinely guided 8moral process toward a goal01 as the substantial ground of a true philosophy of life1 and as a permanent defense against false and partial views4 ,and this purpose is so wrought out by the portrayal of the world as an ideal battlefield full of opposing forces1 with alternating scenes of triumph and danger1 that the whole becomes a fervent and powerful appeal to the heroic in ,christian life and character1 and a clear call to new faith and courage4 ,for whatever else may be its lessons1 we must not leave out of view this practical purpose of divine monition to the world of men1 which has so deeply impressed itself upon every generation of ,christians4 ,its message of warning is inwrought with and renforced by its prophetic scenes of terror and reward3 for the ,apocalypse is the book of the future as well as of the past and present1 and that future is ever near in prophetic vision1 however far it may be in historic relation1 and to ,john's eye is always filled with the figure of the returning ,christ who comes to judgment and to victory4 ,the message1 however1 viewed in its entirety1 while it contains a sympathetic element of encouragement for the saints1 and a monitory element of exhortation and warning for all men1 is yet fundamentally a philosophic interpretation of the divine method in history for all who would see ,god in the story of man's life on the earth--a theodicy based upon prophecy4 ,and any view which assumes for the author a narrow field of vision1 such as that he merely grouped together the current apocalyptic conceptions of his time in order to fling them in fierce polemic against the ,roman ,empire and to foreshadow its defeat and fall17#ea7 rests upon a manifestly imperfect judgment that fails in religious depth1 missing the spiritual significance of the message1 and lacks in literary insight1 denying the evident marks of originality1 genius1 and inspiration in the most wonderful and unique composition of its kind that has ever been produced4 #ab4 ,the ,interpretation4 ,there are two essentially different methods of ,interpretation that have been followed in attempting to arrive at the meaning of this manifestly difficult book1 which are founded upon different conceptions of its didactic purpose1 and proceed upon different lines of inquiry1 viz4 the ,historical1 and the ,symbolical4 ,the ,historical ,interpretation regards the book as a prophetic review and forecast of history veiled in symbol1 and seeks the meaning and fulfilment of the visions in certain specific historical events which either have occurred1 are occurring1 or will occur within the sphere of human life and experience4 ,there are three different forms of this method of interpretation1 all of which specialize the prophecy but differ as to the time and nature of the fulfilment1 viz4 7#a7 the ,preterist view 7also called the ,contemporaneous,historical71 which regards that the visions relate mainly to events in the history of the early church1 and that they have been already fulfilled in the far past2 7#b7 the ,futurist view 7also called the ,future,historical71 that the visions relate mainly to events which shall occur in the last days1 and that the fulfilment is to be looked for chiefly in the more or less remote future2 and 7#c7 the ,progressivist view 7also called the ,continuous or ,church,historical71 that the several visions constitute a continuous and progressive series1 covering the whole period of the church's history from the time of ,john to the last judgment1 and that their fulfilment is therefore to be found in a successive line of historical events1 part of which lie in the past and part in the future4 ,the ,symbolical ,interpretation1 upon the other hand1 regards the book as a prophetic idealization of history1 dealing with the general course and outcome of man's life upon the earth1 and disclosing under the form of symbols the spiritual and moral forces which give to history its deeper meaning2 and seeks the significance and fulfilment of the visions not1 therefore1 in particular events1 but rather in classes of events1 not solely at one definite time1 but at many different times1 finding the revelation mainly illustrative of general principles of the divine government rather than predictive of particular facts of history1 a view of various phases rather than of historic stages of the church's experience17#eb7 and interpreting its symbols in the genuine spirit of ,apocalyptic as pictorial representations of the prevailing fortunes of the church in the world as she moves forward to the final consummation47#ec7 ,this method of interpretation1 which is commonly known as the ,symbolist view 7also called the ,spiritual71 presents no such marked difference of form as the ,historical1 but with a wider outlook regards that the visions relate to all such like events in every age as specially manifest ,god's rule in the world sending forth judgment unto victory1 and such as particularly exhibit the progressive development of good and evil in human life1 together with their constant conflict and their final reward and punishment4 ,all the current interpretations may be classified under one or other of the above heads1 yet in the hands of individual interpreters they are often modified and blend into each other in their application--a manifest recognition of the fact that there is an element of truth underlying each view1 which we may perhaps say has been unduly emphasized1 for all agree that the interpretation is somehow and somewhere to be found in human life and history4 ,what might be called still another method of interpretation is the ,apocalyptic,traditional 7or ,tradition,historical7 view of late critical writers on the ,apocalypse already referred to1 which approaches the question from the viewpoint of literary origin1 and attributes certain portions of the book to the introduction of traditional ,jewish or ,jewish ,christian ,apocalyptic fragments that have been utilized by the author and applied to the historical conditions of his time1 adapting them to a new meaning4 ,this1 however1 is not so much a separate method of interpretation as it is a corollary of the present ,literary,critical method of dealing with the book1 which regards it as an early ,christian work in successive editions that has taken into itself certain ,jewish elements4 ,with this origin assumed the interpretation does not differ materially from the ,preterist view except1 perhaps1 that it is less rigorous in its application to current events1 and recognizes more fully the idealism of the author2 for the historical outlook has measurably lost its value except as an indication of the date of writing1 and for most who hold this view the book has no longer any distinctive prophetic message for the church2 it has become chiefly a fantastic dream1 a pious dream it is true1 but only a dream of the far past4 ,the principal question of interpretation1 as will be seen by a consideration of the current views1 relates not only to the viewpoint1 but also to the aim or design of the ,revelation4 ,the ,historical method centers the chief aim of the book in a predictiveprophetic element which it finds throughout and regards as pointing to specific events in particular periods of history that are designed to teach important spiritual lessons4 ,with this idea of the didactic purpose1 it yet presents the widest variation of opinion concerning the viewpoint of the book1 and includes upon the one hand the extreme rationalist who considers it a purely human writing1 a ,jewish apocalypse that has been revamped to include ,christian ideas1 which blends history with prediction and reflects only the horizon of the first century2 and on the other hand the devout mystic who accepts its message as chiefly predictive prophecy of the far future1 and interprets it well nigh literally as a prophetic account of the world's ending amid terror and blood4 ,the ,symbolist method1 with a quite different conception1 centers the aim of the book in an interpretativeprophetic element which it finds in every part1 and regards as setting forth the principles of the divine government1 and pointing to their exemplification in multiple events occurring in different periods of history that are working together toward the final consummation4 ,according to this method of interpretation the viewpoint is idealistic1 universal1 and timeless1 and the scope of the visions correspondingly wide4 ,the latter view1 which is the one presented in the following outline1 affords a fairly satisfactory interpretation that has been steadily gaining ground during the last halfcentury1 and to the present author seems destined in some form to attain general though perhaps not universal acceptance4 ,the views of the leaders in the symbolical school present no material divergence in general interpretation17#ed7 and the principles of this interpretation seem likely to prevail throughout the ,christian church of the future1 though the form and application may be somewhat modified4 ,the objection that 8this system of interpretation is out of keeping with the general purpose of ,apocalyptic literature017#ee7 loses its force if we grant that the book is inspired1 and realize that the literary form was chosen because of its adaptability for the treatment of the topics dealt with in the ,apocalypse2 for once1 the ,apocalyptic form becomes the vehicle of a divine revelation1 it thereby escapes some of the main limitations of its class1 one of which was 8the consciousness of no new message from ,god for the generation to which it was addressed02 and accordingly it should here be regarded as only the literary setting in which the message continually overtops the form1 the artform in which the art is lost sight of through the beauty and power of the truth which it presents4 ,this view1 although not without difficulties1 is yet believed by a good proportion of eminent scholars to be based upon sound and temperate exegesis1 to be best suited to the character of the book1 and to give relative value to all the elements of truth contained in other views4 ,the importance of the historical situation of ,john's time and of the lessons for that age is fully recognized1 the eschatological element throughout is given due consideration1 and the application of the prophecy to the entire trend and events of history is made apparent1 while the precise timerelation of the visions is for the most part eliminated1 and thus the field of prophetic prospective is maintained in its true breadth1 and not narrowed as in the historical interpretation to a particular age or series of events4 ,and the interpretation as a whole rests for its validity upon the scope and tenor of the book throughout1 and can therefore be maintained without determining the full or specific meaning of every part4 ,the ,revelation thus understood ceases to be either a political diatribe of the first century1 or the terrored story of the ,end2 it rises above an epitome of history whether near or far1 and takes rank as a true prophetic book in ,apocalyptic form1 dealing with the allembracing plan of ,god for the ages1 and the munificent purpose of redemption2 and it is thereby rescued from many conjectural and contradictory interpretations which have obscured its meaning1 and becomes a living prophecy of value to the church in every age4 ,the tendency toward wiser methods in the interpretation of the ,apocalypse1 and the growing spirit of unanimity concerning its larger lessons1 provide good ground for encouragement to the troubled reader4 ,and while1 no doubt1 the influence of the individual type of mind will continue to be felt in the interpretation1 the rationalistic emphasizing the preterist application1 the mystic the futurist1 and the practical mind the symbolic and universal reference1 yet it should always be kept in view that the chief importance of the book for the church at large transcends any question of theoretical interpretation1 and lies in its practical worth in providing a rich source of religious inspiration1 an invigorating aid to imperfect faith1 and an abiding stimulus to the ,christian imagination1 in enabling the ordinary mind to realize the spiritual in the midst of and transcending the natural1 and in making the deep conflict of life with its divine superintendence an ever present fact to the human soul4 ,indeed the book was evidently written for common use in the early church in public worship 7ch4 #a3c71 which indicates an appreciation of its value in striking contrast with the modern indifference that passes it by as unintelligible4 ,the ,apocalypse has also a historical value1 quite apart from its general meaning and use1 that we should not overlook1 for it throws important light upon the political and social conditions as well as the inner thought and development of the ,christian church in the latter part of the first century4 ,it reflects throughout the faith and temper in which the early church faced its growing conflict with the world4 ,and it serves to show that at the close of the apostolic age there was a ,christianity which was free from the law and universal1 and yet continued to adhere to ,jewish modes of expression47#ef7 #ac4 ,the ,outline ,analysis4 ,i ,,the ,,prologue 7,,or ,,introduction73 ,ch4 #a3ac3bb #a ,the ,superscription3 ,ch4 #a3ac #b ,the ,salutation3 ,ch4 #a3dh #c ,the ,introductory ,vision3 ,ch4 #a3ibj #d ,the ,seven ,epistles3 ,ch4 #b3ac3bb ,,ii ,,the ,,main ,,apocalypse 7,,or ,,revelation ,,proper73 ,ch4 #d3abb3e #a ,the ,vision of ,god on the ,throne3 ,ch4 #d3ae3ad #b ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,seals3 ,ch4 #f3aag1 and #h3a #b;b ,the ,episode of the ,sealed ,ones3 ,ch4 #g3aag #c ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,trumpets3 ,ch4 #h3bi3ba1 and #aa3adai #c;b ,the ,episode of the ,angel with the ,book1 and of the ,two ,witnesses3 ,ch4 #aj3aaa3ac #d ,the ,vision of ,conflict3 ,ch4 #ab3aad3bj #e ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,vials3 ,ch4 #ae3aaf3ab1 and #af3agba #e;b ,the ,episode of the ,froglike ,spirits3 ,ch4 #af3acaf #f ,the ,vision of ,victory3 ,ch4 #ag3abj3ae #g ,the ,vision of the ,new ,jerusalem3 ,ch4 #ba3abb3e ,,iii ,,the ,,epilogue 7,,or ,,conclusion73 ,ch4 #bb3fba #a ,the ,final ,words of the ,angel1 with the ,promise of ,christ3 ,ch4 #bb3faf #b ,the ,closing ,testimony of ,john3 ,ch4 #bb3agbj #c ,the ,author's ,benediction3 ,ch4 #bb3ba #ad4 ,the ,literary ,structure4 ,the elaborate and artistic ,literary ,structure of the ,apocalypse1 the numerical symmetry of its parts1 the parallelism of its visions1 and the recurrent climaxes in its development1 together unite to give it a unique place among the writings of ,scripture2 and a clear perception of these relations becomes a distinct aid to the better understanding of its message1 for these belong to it as the outer robes which enfold its inner thought4 ,the predominance of the number seven in the arrangement of its subjectmatter throughout1 especially the recurrence of formal series of sevens in the ,epistles1 ,seals1 ,trumpets1 and ,vials1 has commonly led to the conclusion that the book is somehow capable of division into seven parts fundamental to its structure4 ,and although the failure of commentators to agree generally upon any lines of division yet proposed scarcely seems to support this opinion1 yet the possible correctness and the general helpfulness of such a division is fully recognized4 ,any such division which we may make1 however1 is chiefly one of analysis1 for the visions are continuous and develop without any distinctive break of prophetic view4 ,the outline analysis given above divides the ,visions1 or main portion of the book1 into seven parts1 the ,episodes being made parenthetical and subordinate1 as their contents and connection serve to indicate2 while the four subdivisions of the ,introduction and three of the ,conclusion taken together1 form another seven4 ,this general division1 which is not an uncommon one1 agrees in the main1 though not in statement or in full detail1 with that in the ,pulpit ,commentary17#eg7 and is one of the most natural as well as the most helpful in bringing out the chief thought of the book4 ,the carefully wrought out and remarkably suggestive division and subdivision into complete series of sevens1 given in the ,modern ,reader's ,bible17#eh7 after the same manner as the ,prophecy of ,ezekiel1 and the ,rhapsody of ,joel1 is worthy of attentive consideration1 though it may well be doubted whether such an extensive subdivision found place in the ,apocalyptist's thought47#ei7 ,with discriminative literary insight the author of that work says1 concerning the general outline of the book1 8,the seven visions of ,st4 ,john's ,revelation seem in the line of their succession to trace the figure of an arch1 the keystone of the arch being the masterthought of the prophecy2444 ,on either side of it in the arrangement of the visions ,,iii is closely parallel with ,v1 and ,,ii with ,,vi 444 while ,i and ,,vii are separate from the rest4444 ,as always1 literary form is here pointing to the deepest spiritual meaning04 ,the theme of the central vision according to this view1 is 8,salvation3 the ,kingdom of this ,world becoming the ,kingdom of ,christ01 which puts the purpose of the ,christian warfare to the front1 and has much to commend it2 for the warfare is in order that the redemptive purpose of ,god may become effective and triumphant4 ,there are reasons1 however1 in the scheme of the book which seem to place the main emphasis upon the warfare itself as leading to salvation1 and that view has been accepted in this work4 ,following the fertile suggestion given above1 though with a somewhat different conception of the theme of the several visions1 we arrive at the following outline of the thought and plan of the chief part of the book17#fj7 viz3-- ,,iv ,,iii ,v ,,ii ,,vi ,i ,,vii ,transcriber's ,note3 ,in the book1 the above table had the following text for each of the seven sections2 they are laid out here to make it look correct with modern readers4 ,,iv--,a ,vision of ,warfare--the ,church,historic ,world,conflict of the ,evil against the ,just4 7,ch4 #ab3aad3bj7 ,,iii--,a ,vision of ,threatening--the ,world's ,punishment ,threatened4 7,ch4 #h3bi3ba1 and #aa3adai7 ,v--,a ,vision of ,judgment--the ,world's ,judgment ,executed4 7,ch4 #ae3aaf3ab1 and #af3agba7 ,,ii--,a ,vision of ,trial--the ,church's ,trial ,foreshown4 7,ch4 #f3aag1 and #h3a7 ,,vi--,a ,vision of ,vindication--the ,church's ,vindication ,manifested4 7,ch4 #ag3abj3ae7 ,i--,a ,vision of ,sovereignty--the ,throne during ,conflict4 7,ch4 #d3ae3ad7 ,,vii--,a ,vision of ,triumph--the ,throne after ,victory4 7,ch4 #ba3abb3e7 ,if we follow the natural order of the visions from ,i to ,,vii1 we find it to be one of progression1 viz4 from ,sovereignty to ,trial1 then to ,threatening1 and on through ,warfare1 ,judgment1 and ,vindication to ,triumph1 each being a separate step in advance3 if we compare ,i with ,,vii1 ,,ii with ,,vi1 and ,,iii with ,v1 we find the order to be marked by parallelism1 viz4 ,sovereignty corresponding to ,triumph1 ,trial to ,vindication1 and ,threatening to ,judgment1 vision ,,iv1 that of ,warfare1 holding the balance between them3 while if we regard the central vision in relation to the rest1 we find the arrangement to be one of climax1 vision ,,iv forming the connecting link between ,i and ,,vii1 ,,ii and ,,vi1 and ,,iii and ,v1 the visions preceding and following it forming an ascending and descending scale to and from the center1 viz4 that of ,sovereignty leading through ,warfare to ,triumph1 that of ,trial through ,warfare to ,vindication1 and that of ,threatening through ,warfare to ,judgment4 ,the movement of thought is thereby indicated to be from the throne challenged to the throne triumphant1 from the church tried to the church vindicated1 from the world threatened to the world judged1 through a worldconflict which forms the acme of the dramatic purpose1 and discloses the entire sweep of redemptive history as buttressed upon the eternal throne4 ,the seven visions1 according to this view1 are not bound together by any temporal succession1 but each displays a worldprocess complete in itself1 and they are so arranged that the climax is reached at the center instead of the end1 after the analogy of ,hebrew poetry1 the central vision furnishing the key to the interpretation of the whole47#fa7 ,the value of such an analytic interpretation1 when sustained by the contents of the book1 lies not alone in the help which it affords in penetrating the deeper purpose of the writer1 and of the revelation made through him1 but in the illuminative effect which1 in a case like this1 it throws upon the disputed question of unity2 for if any such clearly marked and continuous current of thought can be shown to thread its way throughout the entire book1 despite all by currents and eddies1 then the various theories of diverse or composite authorship cease to be credible except to pure theorists4 #ae4 ,the ,literature4 ,the ,literature relating to this difficult book is very extensive1 more works1 strange to say1 having been written on the ,apocalypse which has been so imperfectly understood than upon any other part of ,scripture1 though many of them are now rightly regarded as of little value4 ,a careful study of one or more of the leading authorities representing each of the current methods of interpretation will give a fair view of the whole field1 and will serve to show that in many points there is essential agreement among all schools of thought1 though for advanced work one's reading must necessarily cover a wider range1 for the student should then know all the best that has been said upon the problems of the book4 ,the most important qualification1 however1 for this difficult study is to approach the whole subject with an open mind and a fresh spirit of inquiry1 resolved to be quite untrammelled by traditional interpretations1 to investigate with scrupulous care the various points of view1 and to apply with fearless courage all the wellestablished results of investigation1 especially those of the later fruitful studies in ,apocalyptic literature1 which enable us to approach more nearly the viewpoint of the earliest readers of the book1 but which yet remain to be duly correlated with our previous knowledge1 being confidently assured that there is 8light yet to break0 for the earnest soul upon the deep things of the ,apocalypse4 ,it is not likely that any one commentary will prove entirely satisfactory to the thoughtful reader1 owing to the wide variation of opinion upon many minor points among those holding the same general view4 ,milligan is very suggestive though not always convincing1 for he is oftentimes too indefinite in interpretation to be satisfying to the reader1 telling us that 8no detail of historic events need be looked for04 ,his discussion of principles1 however1 is always illuminative1 even when his application is not quite so clear2 and not infrequently his work is of more value in showing the inconclusiveness of other views than in establishing his own4 ,we are indebted to him1 through the general circulation of his works1 perhaps more than to any other writer1 for the present prevalence of the symbolic view in the ,english speaking world1 and his ,lectures1 and one or other of his ,commentaries1 should be read by every student4 ,plummer1 in the ,pulpit ,commentary1 will be found more satisfactory by the general reader1 especially if he inclines to the symbolic interpretation1 and there is1 in fact1 no better commentary for common use1 though we may not agree with all his conclusions4 ,to his wise and discriminative judgment the present author wishes to express a deep indebtedness4 ,the short introduction to that volume1 with its scholarly notes on manuscripts1 versions1 c1 will also be found very helpful to the busy student4 ,farrar1 supporting the preterist view1 gives the historical conditions of the ,neronic period in a striking way1 many of which are equally applicable to the whole latter part of the first century4 ,lee is especially valuable for the condensed rsum of opinions concerning many obscure passages throughout the book1 though the great diversity of views at times presented is apt to be confusing4 ,faussett is excellent from his point of view1 ranking among the best premillennial interpreters4 ,seiss is also a popular authority with those who share the premillennial expectation1 but his exegesis is often faulty1 and his interpretation fanciful4 ,moulton's ,modern ,reader's ,bible vol4 ,john1 is indispensable for its literary analysis and aid in gaining the general perspective1 and should be in the library of every student4 ,the ,introduction to ,revelation in the ,new ,century ,bible1 by ,c4 ,a4 ,scott1 gives an admirable and concise statement of the present status of opinion concerning the problems of the book1 and the notes of the same volume are especially valuable for their references to ,jewish ,apocalyptic4 ,this is the best small book for the use of the student who wishes to get an outline of the modern view concerning the incorporation of ,jewish apocalypses4 ,for those who are acquainted with the ,greek text1 ,alford1 ,stuart1 and ,dsterdieck will be found quite helpful1 even though they belong to a former generation1 for each has a special excellency2 but the late work of ,swete1 the ,apocalypse of ,st4 ,john 7#aijf71 which is both thorough and scholarly1 is indispensable for the critical use of the student in that it meets more fully the questions of modern inquiry and present discussion1 and maintains a moderate view of the opinions now to the fore concerning the origin of the book4 ,on the other hand ,briggs' ,messiah of the ,gospels1 and ,moffatt's ,historical ,new ,testament give a good account of late theories of composite authorship and deserve attention4 ,also the able work of ,moffatt on ,revelation in the final volume of the ,expositor's ,greek ,testament has been issued 7#aiaj71 and deserves careful notice4 ,the author adopts the modern critical view1 that portions of the book have been incorporated from current apocalypses1 and devotes considerable attention to sourcecriticism as an aid to interpretation1 but too much time is given to pointing out what he regards as parallel thought in ,greek1 ,roman1 and ,jewish writings1 and this often has little interpretative value4 ,the work is adapted to the ripe scholar rather than the earlier student1 and though rejecting extreme views1 it will not be found altogether satisfying to those of more conservative mind who believe that the ,apocalypse is entitled to a primary rather than a secondary place among the books of ,scripture4 ,another work awaited with much interest is the volume on ,revelation in the ,international ,critical ,commentary which is in course of preparation by ,charles1 the eminent authority upon ,apocalyptic47#fb7 ,this volume when issued will no doubt add much of value to the modern point of view1 and serve to throw additional light upon the relations of ,apocalyptic literature to this its greatest masterpiece4 ,his ,studies in the ,apocalypse 7#aiac7 serves to indicate the general line of interpretation to be expected1 and it must be said that this is somewhat disappointing to the conservative reader1 for it is highly critical4 ,one naturally hesitates to disagree so widely with such an eminent scholar and distinguished apocalyptist as has been found necessary to do in the following pages2 but it should be remembered that all ,scripture is written for the world of men1 and that the opinion of no one scholar or number of scholars can authoritatively determine the meaning of any part of it1 but that rather the interpretation must be arrived at by a general consensus of opinion among men of learning and piety throughout the world4 ,that this opinion1 though now veering toward the critical view1 will not be eventually sustained by more thorough research is the confirmed judgment of many scholars4 ,but with it all there are many points of interpretation formerly in dispute that may now be regarded as already settled1 their essential meaning in any case being substantially the same1 and thus the book so long aglow with mysteries has virtually become every man's book in the light of intelligent interpretation4 ,finally1 with special emphasis it should be said1 that it is of prime importance for those who would understand the ,apocalypse in its proper relations to ,biblical thought1 that a careful study should be made of the prophecies of ,daniel1 ,ezekiel1 ,zechariah1 ,isaiah1 ,amos1 ,joel1 and ,habakkuk1 together with the ,book of ,psalms1 in connection with the ,revelation1 in order to catch the inner thought of the book2 also of some portion of the ,apocalyptic literature1 particularly the ,book of ,enoch17#fc7 the ,apocalypse of ,baruch1 and the ,fourth ,book of ,ezra1 for these will furnish the atmosphere of ,jewish thought in which the ,apocalypse was conceived1 and will provide substantial aid in understanding the peculiarities of its literary form and the general spirit of the work1 as well as in freeing the mind from the trammels of traditional interpretation4 ,but1 above all1 we should not forget that the book of ,revelation is a properly recognized part of canonical ,scripture in practically the universal judgment of the entire ,christian world1 and that notwithstanding its many and persistent difficulties of interpretation1 it is yet entitled to our earnest study and attentive thought as containing a living and abiding message from ,almighty ,god1 through his ,son ,jesus ,christ our ,lord to ,john the last of the apostles1 and through him to the sin burdened souls of men the world over4 ,a few authorities are named below1 which will be found sufficient to give most that is of value in interpretation for the general reader2 others are referred to in the footnotes4 ,for a fuller list1 especially of the older books1 consult the ,schaff,herzog ,encyclopaedia1 or ,smith's ,dictionary of the ,bible1 art4 8,revelation02 while for the later literature see ,hastings' ,dictionary of the ,bible1 and the ,encyclopaedia ,biblica4 ,,for ,,the ,,english ,,reader4 ,preterist ,view3-- ,farrar1 ,early ,days of ,christianity2 ,maurice1 ,lectures on the ,apocalypse4 ,futurist ,view3-- ,faussett1 in ,jamieson1 ,faussett1 and ,brown's ,commentary4 ,seiss1 ,lectures on the ,apocalypse4 ,progressivist ,view3-- ,wordsworth1 ,lectures on the ,apocalypse2 ,barnes1 ,notes on the ,book of ,revelation4 ,symbolist ,view3-- ,milligan1 in ,expositor's ,bible1 and in ,popular 7,international7 ,commentary2 ,plummer1 in ,pulpit ,commentary2 ,lee1 in ,bible 7,speakers'7 ,commentary4 ,,for ,,critical ,,study4 ,preterist ,view3-- ,dsterdieck1 in ,meyer's ,commentary2 ,stuart1 in ,commentary on the ,apocalypse4 ,preterist ,view--,modern ,critical3-- ,moffatt1 in ,expositor's ,greek ,testament2 ,swete1 ,apocalypse of ,st4 ,john4 ,progressivist ,view--,modified ,historical3-- ,simcox1 in ,cambridge ,greek ,testament4 ,futurist ,view--,modified ,historical3-- ,alford1 in ,greek ,testament4 ,,for ,,recent ,,critical ,,views4 ,moffatt's ,historical ,new ,testament2 ,scott's 8,revelation01 in ,new ,century ,bible2 ,dean's ,book of ,revelation2 ,alexander ,ramsay's 8,revelation and ,johannine ,epistles01 in ,westminister ,new ,test42 ,briggs' ,messiah of the ,apostles2 ,barton1 art4 8,the ,apocalypse and ,recent ,criticism01 in ,amer4 ,journ4 of ,theol41 ,apr4 #ahhd2 ,porter1 art4 8,revelation01 in ,hastings' ,dictionary of the ,bible2 ,bousset1 art4 8,apocalypse01 in the ,encyclopaedia ,biblica4 ,moffatt1 art4 8,wellhausen and ,others on the ,apocalypse01 in the ,expositor1 ,mar4 #aiji2 ,charles1 ,studies in the ,apocalypse2 ,charles1 ,revelation of ,st4 ,john 7,i4 ,c4 ,c472 ,beckwith1 ,apocalypse of ,john4 ,,for ,,general ,,discussion4 ,fairbairn1 ,on ,prophecy2 ,bleek1 ,lectures on the ,apocalypse2 ,vaughan1 ,lectures on the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john2 ,milligan1 ,lectures on the ,apocalypse2 and ,discussions on the ,apocalypse2 ,scott1 8,book of ,revelation01 in the ,practical ,commentary2 ,stevens1 ,theology of the ,new ,testament1 ,part ,,vi2 ,ramsay1 ,letters to the ,seven ,churches2 ,introductions to the ,new ,testament by ,salmon1 ,dods1 ,bacon1 ,jlicher1 and others2 ,introductions to ,revelation in the leading ,commentaries1 and in the ,modern ,reader's ,bible1 the ,new ,century ,bible1 the ,temple ,bible1 and the ,modern ,american ,bible2 and the text of ,revelation in the ,new ,translation of the ,new ,testament1 by ,moffatt4 ,the ,text here given is that of the ,american ,standard ,edition of the ,revised ,bible1 copyright #aija by ,thomas ,nelson ,sons1 which is used by permission of the publishers4 ,the arrangement of the text belongs to the present volume1 and is offered as a contribution to the correct interpretation4 ,this in itself is of the nature of a commentary1 though no changes have been introduced into the body of the text4 ,the paragraphs1 however1 have been changed1 and many new paragraphs made1 in order to emphasize the thought of the text4 ,,scripture ,,text ,,the ,,revelation ,,of ,,john ,i ,the ,prologue #a ,the ,superscription ,chapter #a4 7,m#a7 #a ,the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 which ,god gave7#fd7 him to show unto his servants7#fe71 even the things which must shortly come to pass3 and he sent and signified it7#ff7 by his angel unto his servant ,john2 #b who bare witness of the word of ,god1 and of the testimony of ,jesus ,christ1 even of all things that he saw4 7,m#b7 #c ,blessed is he that readeth1 and they that hear the words of the prophecy1 and keep the things that are written therein3 for the time is at hand4 #b ,the ,salutation 7,m#c7 #d ,john to the seven churches that are in ,asia3 ,grace to you and peace1 from him who is and who was and who is to come7#fg72 and from the seven ,spirits that are before his throne2 #e and from ,jesus ,christ1 who is the faithful witness1 the firstborn of the dead1 and the ruler of the kings of the earth4 ,unto him that loveth us1 and loosed7#fh7 us from our sins by7#fi7 his blood2 #f and he made us to be a kingdom1 to be priests unto his ,god and ,father7#gj72 to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever7#ga74 ,amen4 7,m#d7 7#g ,behold1 he cometh with the clouds2 and every eye shall see him1 and they that pierced him2 and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him4 ,even so1 ,amen4 7,m#e7 #h ,i am the ,alpha and the ,omega1 saith the ,lord ,god1 who7#gb7 is and who was and who is to come1 the ,almighty47 #c ,the ,introductory ,vision 7,m#f7 #i ,i ,john1 your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience7#gc7 which are in ,jesus1 was in the isle that is called ,patmos1 for the word of ,god and the testimony of ,jesus4 #aj ,i was in the ,spirit on the ,lord's day1 and ,i heard behind me a great voice1 as of a trumpet #aa saying1 ,what thou seest1 write in a book and send it to the seven churches3 unto ,ephesus1 and unto ,smyrna1 and unto ,pergamum1 and unto ,thyatira1 and unto ,sardis1 and unto ,philadelphia1 and unto ,laodicea4 7,m#g7 #ab ,and ,i turned to see the voice that spake with me4 ,and having turned ,i saw seven golden candlesticks7#gd72 #ac and in the midst of the candlesticks7#ge7 one like unto a son of man1 clothed with a garment down to the foot1 and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle4 #ad ,and his head and his hair were white as white wool1 white as snow2 and his eyes were as a flame of fire2 #ae and his feet like unto burnished brass1 as if it had been refined in a furnace2 and his voice as the voice of many waters4 #af ,and he had in his right hand seven stars3 and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp twoedged sword3 and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength4 7,m#h7 #ag ,and when ,i saw him1 ,i fell at his feet as one dead4 ,and he laid his right hand upon me1 saying1 ,fear not2 ,i am the first and the last1 #ah and the ,living one2 and ,i was7#gf7 dead1 and behold1 ,i am alive for evermore7#gg71 and ,i have the keys of death and of ,hades4 #ai ,write therefore the things which thou sawest1 and the things which are1 and the things which shall come to pass hereafter2 #bj the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in7#gh7 my right hand1 and the seven golden candlesticks7#gi74 ,the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks7#hj7 are seven churches3-- #d ,the ,seven ,epistles ,chapter #b4 #a ,to the angel of the church in ,ephesus write3 7,m#i7 ,these things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand1 he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks7#ha73 #b ,i know thy works1 and thy toil and patience7#hb71 and that thou canst not bear evil men1 and didst try them that call themselves apostles1 and they are not1 and didst find them false2 #c and thou hast patience7#hc7 and didst bear for my name's sake1 and hast not grown weary4 #d ,but ,i have this against thee1 that thou didst leave thy first love4 #e ,remember therefore whence thou art fallen1 and repent and do the first works2 or else ,i come to thee1 and will move thy candlestick7#hd7 out of its place1 except thou repent4 #f ,but this thou hast1 that thou hatest the works of the ,nicolaitans1 which ,i also hate4 #g ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 ,to him that overcometh1 to him will ,i give to eat of the tree of life1 which is in the ,paradise7#he7 of ,god4 #h ,and to the angel of the church in ,smyrna write3 7,m#aj7 ,these things saith the first and the last1 who was7#hf7 dead1 and lived again3 #i ,i know thy tribulation1 and thy poverty 7but thou art rich71 and the blasphemy7#hg7 of them that say they are ,jews1 and they are not1 but are a synagogue of ,satan4 #aj ,fear not the things which thou art about to suffer3 behold1 the devil is about to cast some of you into prison1 that ye may be tried2 and ye shall have7#hh7 tribulation ten days7#hi74 ,be thou faithful until death1 and ,i will give thee the crown of life4 #aa ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 ,he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death4 #ab ,and to the angel of the church in ,pergamum write3 7,m#aa7 ,these things saith he that hath the sharp twoedged sword3 #ac ,i know where thou dwellest1 even where ,satan's throne is2 and thou holdest fast my name1 and didst not deny my faith1 even in the days of ,antipas my witness7#ij71 my faithful one1 who was killed among you1 where ,satan dwelleth4 #ad ,but ,i have a few things against thee1 because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of ,balaam1 who taught ,balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of ,israel1 to eat things sacrificed to idols1 and to commit fornication4 #ae ,so hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the ,nicolaitans in like manner4 #af ,repent therefore2 or else ,i come to thee quickly1 and ,i will make war against them with the sword of my mouth4 #ag ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 ,to him that overcometh1 to him will ,i give of the hidden manna1 and ,i will give him a white stone1 and upon the stone a new name written1 which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it4 #ah ,and to the angel of the church in ,thyatira write3 7,m#ab7 ,these things saith the ,son of ,god1 who hath his eyes like a flame of fire1 and his feet are like unto burnished brass3 #ai ,i know thy works1 and thy love and faith and ministry and patience7#ia71 and that thy last works are more than the first4 #bj ,but ,i have this against thee1 that thou sufferest the woman ,jezebel7#ib71 who calleth herself a prophetess2 and she teacheth and seduceth my servants7#ic7 to commit fornication1 and to eat things sacrificed to idols4 #ba ,and ,i gave her time that she should repent2 and she willeth not to repent of her fornication4 #bb ,behold1 ,i cast her into a bed1 and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation1 except they repent of her7#id7 works4 #bc ,and ,i will kill her children with death7#ie72 and all the churches shall know that ,i am he that searcheth the reins and hearts3 and ,i will give unto each one of you according to your works4 #bd ,but to you ,i say1 to the rest that are in ,thyatira1 as many as have not this teaching1 who know not the deep things of ,satan1 as they are wont to say2 ,i cast upon you none other burden4 #be ,nevertheless that which ye have1 hold fast till ,i come4 #bf ,and he that overcometh1 and he that keepeth my works unto the end1 to him will ,i give authority over the nations7#if73 #bg and he shall rule them with a rod of iron1 as the vessels of the potter are broken7#ig7 to shivers2 as ,i also have received of my ,father3 #bh and ,i will give him the morning star4 #bi ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 ,chapter #c4 ,and to the angel of the church in ,sardis write3 7,m#ac7 #a ,these things saith he that hath the seven ,spirits of ,god1 and the seven stars3 ,i know thy works1 that thou hast a name that thou livest1 and thou art dead4 #b ,be thou watchful1 and establish the things that remain1 which were ready to die3 for ,i have found no works of thine7#ih7 perfected before my ,god4 #c ,remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear2 and keep it1 and repent4 ,if therefore thou shalt not watch1 ,i will come as a thief1 and thou shalt not know what hour ,i will come upon thee4 #d ,but thou hast a few names in ,sardis that did not defile their garments3 and they shall walk with me in white2 for they are worthy4 #e ,he that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments2 and ,i will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life1 and ,i will confess his name before my ,father1 and before his angels4 #f ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 #g ,and to the angel of the church in ,philadelphia write3 7,m#ad7 ,these things saith he that is holy1 he that is true1 he that hath the key of ,david1 he that openeth and none shall shut1 and that shutteth and none openeth3 #h ,i know thy works 7behold1 ,i have set7#ii7 before thee a door opened1 which none can shut71 that thou hast a little power1 and didst keep my word1 and didst not deny my name4 #i ,behold1 ,i give of the synagogue of ,satan1 of them that say they are ,jews1 and they are not1 but do lie2 behold1 ,i will make them to come and worship7#ajj7 before thy feet1 and to know that ,i have loved thee4 #aj ,because thou didst keep the word of my patience7#aja71 ,i also will keep thee from the hour of trial7#ajb71 that hour which is to come upon the whole world7#ajc71 to try7#ajd7 them that dwell upon the earth4 #aa ,i come quickly3 hold fast that which thou hast1 that no one take thy crown4 #ab ,he that overcometh1 ,i will make him a pillar in the temple7#aje7 of my ,god1 and he shall go out thence no more3 and ,i will write upon him the name of my ,god1 and the name of the city of my ,god1 the new ,jerusalem1 which cometh down out of heaven from my ,god1 and mine own new name4 #ac ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 #ad ,and to the angel of the church in ,laodicea write3 7,m#ae7 ,these things saith the ,amen1 the faithful and true witness1 the beginning of the creation of ,god3 #ae ,i know thy works1 that thou art neither cold nor hot3 ,i would thou wert cold or hot4 #af ,so because thou art lukewarm1 and neither hot nor cold1 ,i will spew thee out of my mouth4 #ag ,because thou sayest1 ,i am rich1 and have gotten riches1 and have need of nothing2 and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked3 #ah ,i counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire1 that thou mayest become rich2 and white garments1 that thou mayest clothe thyself1 and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest2 and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes1 that thou mayest see4 #ai ,as many as ,i love1 ,i reprove and chasten3 be zealous therefore1 and repent4 #bj ,behold1 ,i stand at the door and knock3 if any man hear my voice and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me4 #ba ,he that overcometh1 ,i will give to him to sit down with me in my throne1 as ,i also overcame1 and sat down with my ,father in his throne4 #bb ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches4 ,,ii ,the ,main ,apocalypse #a ,the ,vision of ,god on the ,throne 7,the ,throne ,during ,conflict7 ,chapter #d4 7,m#af7 #a ,after these things ,i saw1 and behold1 a door opened in heaven1 and the first voice that ,i heard1 a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me1 one saying1 ,come up hither1 and ,i will show thee the things which must come to pass7#ajf7 hereafter4 7,m#ag7 #b ,straightway ,i was in the ,spirit3 and behold1 there was a throne set in heaven1 and one sitting upon the throne2 #c and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius3 and there was a rainbow round about the throne1 like an emerald to look upon4 7,m#ah7 #d ,and round about the throne were four and twenty thrones3 and upon the thrones ,i saw four and twenty elders sitting1 arrayed in white garments2 and on their heads crowns of gold4 7,m#ai7 #e ,and out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders4 ,and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne1 which are the seven ,spirits of ,god2 7,m#bj7 #f ,and before the throne1 as it were a sea of glass7#ajg7 like unto crystal2 and in the midst7#ajh7 of the throne1 and round about the throne1 four living creatures full of eyes before and behind4 #g ,and the first creature was like a lion1 and the second creature like a calf1 and the third creature had a face as of a man1 and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle4 #h ,and the four living creatures1 having each one of them six wings1 are full of eyes round about and within3 and they have no rest day and night1 saying1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 is the ,lord ,god1 the ,almighty1 who was and who is and who is to come7#aji74 7,m#ba7 #i ,and when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne1 to him that liveth for ever and ever7#aaj71 #aj the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne1 and shall worship7#aaa7 him that liveth for ever and ever7#aab71 and shall cast their crowns before the throne1 saying1 #aa ,worthy art thou1 our ,lord and our ,god1 to receive the glory and the honor and the power3 for thou didst create all things1 and because of thy will they were1 and were created4 ,chapter #e4 7,m#bb7 #a ,and ,i saw in7#aac7 the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back1 close sealed with seven seals4 #b ,and ,i saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice1 ,who is worthy to open the book1 and to loose the seals thereof8 #c ,and no one in the heaven1 or on the earth1 or under the earth1 was able to open the book1 or to look thereon4 #d ,and ,i wept much1 because no one was found worthy to open the book1 or to look thereon3 #e and one of the elders saith unto me1 ,weep not2 behold1 the ,lion that is of the tribe of ,judah1 the ,root of ,david1 hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof4 7,m#bc7 #f ,and ,i saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures1 and in the midst of the elders7#aad71 a ,lamb standing1 as though it had been slain1 having seven horns1 and seven eyes1 which are the seven7#aae7 ,spirits of ,god1 sent forth into all the earth4 7,m#bd7 #g ,and he came1 and he taketh7#aaf7 it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne4 #h ,and when he had taken the book1 the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the ,lamb1 having each one a harp1 and golden bowls full of incense1 which are the prayers of the saints4 #i ,and they sing a new song1 saying1 ,worthy art thou to take the book1 and to open the seals thereof3 for thou wast slain1 and didst purchase unto ,god with thy blood men of every tribe1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation1 #aj and madest them to be unto our ,god a kingdom and priests2 and they reign upon the earth4 7,m#be7 #aa ,and ,i saw1 and ,i heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders2 and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand1 and thousands of thousands2 #ab saying with a great voice1 ,worthy is the ,lamb that hath been slain to receive the power1 and riches1 and wisdom1 and might1 and honor1 and glory1 and blessing4 #ac ,and every created thing which is in the heaven1 and on the earth1 and under the earth1 and on the sea1 and all things that are in them1 heard ,i saying1 ,unto him that sitteth on the throne1 and unto the ,lamb1 be the blessing1 and the honor1 and the glory1 and the dominion1 for ever and ever7#aag74 #ad ,and the four living creatures said1 ,amen4 ,and the elders fell down and worshipped7#aah74 #b ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,seals 7,the ,church's ,trial ,foreshown7 ,chapter #f4 7,m#bf7 #a ,and ,i saw when the ,lamb opened one of the seven seals1 and ,i heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder1 ,come7#aai74 #b ,and ,i saw1 and behold1 a white horse1 and he that sat thereon had a bow2 and there was given unto him a crown3 and he came forth conquering1 and to conquer4 7,m#bg7 #c ,and when he opened the second seal1 ,i heard the second living creature saying1 ,come4 #d ,and another horse came forth1 a red horse3 and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth7#abj71 and that they should slay one another3 and there was given unto him a great sword4 7,m#bh7 #e ,and when he opened the third seal1 ,i heard the third living creature saying1 ,come4 ,and ,i saw1 and behold1 a black horse2 and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand4 #f ,and ,i heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying1 ,a measure of wheat7#aba7 for a shilling7#abb71 and three measures of barley for a shilling2 and the oil and the wine hurt thou not4 7,m#bi7 #g ,and when he opened the fourth seal1 ,i heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying1 ,come4 #h ,and ,i saw1 and behold1 a pale horse3 and he that sat upon him1 his name was ,death2 and ,hades followed with him4 ,and there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth1 to kill with sword1 and with famine1 and with death7#abc71 and by the wild beasts of the earth4 7,m#cj7 #i ,and when he opened the fifth seal1 ,i saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of ,god1 and for the testimony which they held3 #aj and they cried with a great voice1 saying1 ,how long1 ,o ,master1 the holy and true1 dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth8 #aa ,and there was given them to each one a white robe2 and it was said unto them1 that they should rest yet for a little time1 until their fellowservants also and their brethren1 who should be killed even as they were1 should have fulfilled7#abd7 their course4 7,m#ca7 #ab ,and ,i saw when he opened the sixth seal1 and there was a great earthquake2 and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair1 and the whole moon became as blood2 #ac and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth1 as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind4 #ad ,and the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up2 and every mountain and island were moved out of their places4 #ae ,and the kings of the earth1 and the princes1 and the chief captains7#abe71 and the rich1 and the strong1 and every bondman and freeman1 hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains2 #af and they say to the mountains and to the rocks1 ,fall on us1 and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne1 and from the wrath of the ,lamb3 #ag for the great day of their wrath is come2 and who is able to stand8 #b;b ,the ,episode of the ,sealed ,ones 7,an ,intervening ,vision of ,salvation ,assured7 7,a7 ,the ,sealed of ,israel ,chapter #g4 7,m#cb7 #a ,after this ,i saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth1 holding the four winds of the earth1 that no wind should blow on the earth1 or on the sea1 or upon any tree4 #b ,and ,i saw another angel ascend from the sunrising1 having the seal of the living ,god3 and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea1 #c saying1 ,hurt not the earth1 neither the sea1 nor the trees1 till we shall have sealed the servants7#abf7 of our ,god on their foreheads4 #d ,and ,i heard the number of them that were sealed1 a hundred and forty and four thousand1 sealed out of every tribe of the children of ,israel3 7,m#cc7 #e ,of the tribe of ,judah were sealed twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,reuben twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,gad twelve thousand2 #f ,of the tribe of ,asher twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,naphtali twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,manasseh twelve thousand2 #g ,of the tribe of ,simeon twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,levi twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,issachar twelve thousand2 #h ,of the tribe of ,zebulun twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,joseph twelve thousand2 ,of the tribe of ,benjamin were sealed twelve thousand4 7,b7 ,the ,redeemed ,out of ,all ,nations 7,m#cd7 #i ,after these things ,i saw1 and behold1 a great multitude1 which no man could number1 out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues1 standing before the throne and before the ,lamb1 arrayed in white robes1 and palms in their hands2 #aj ,and they cry with a great voice1 saying1 ,salvation unto our ,god who sitteth on the throne1 and unto the ,lamb4 7,m#ce7 #aa ,and all the angels were standing round about the throne1 and about the elders and the four living creatures2 and they fell before the throne on their faces1 and worshipped7#abg7 ,god1 #ab saying1 ,amen3 ,blessing1 and glory7#abh71 and wisdom1 and thanksgiving1 and honor1 and power1 and might1 be unto our ,god for ever and ever7#abi74 ,amen4 7,m#cf7 #ac ,and one of the elders answered1 saying unto me1 ,these that are arrayed in the white robes1 who are they1 and whence came they8 #ad ,and ,i say7#acj7 unto him1 ,my lord1 thou knowest4 ,and he said to me1 ,these are they that come out of the great tribulation1 and they washed their robes1 and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4 #ae ,therefore are they before the throne of ,god2 and they serve him day and night in his temple7#aca73 and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them4 #af ,they shall hunger no more1 neither thirst any more2 neither shall the sun strike upon them1 nor any heat3 #ag for the ,lamb that is in the midst of7#acb7 the throne shall be their shepherd1 and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life3 and ,god shall wipe away every tear from their eyes4 ,chapter #h4 7,m#cg7 #a ,and when he opened the seventh seal1 there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour4 #c ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,trumpets 7,the ,world's ,judgment ,proclaimed7 7,a7 ,the ,preparation for the ,trumpets 7,m#ch7 #b ,and ,i saw the seven angels that stand before ,god2 and there were given unto them seven trumpets4 7,m#ci7 #c ,and another angel came and stood over7#acc7 the altar1 having a golden censer2 and there was given unto him much incense1 that he should add7#acd7 it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne4 #d ,and the smoke of the incense1 with7#ace7 the prayers of the saints1 went up before ,god out of the angel's hand4 #e ,and the angel taketh7#acf7 the censer2 and he filled it with the fire of the altar1 and cast it upon7#acg7 the earth3 and there followed thunders1 and voices1 and lightnings1 and an earthquake4 7,m#dj7 #f ,and the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound4 7,b7 ,the ,trumpets ,sounded 7,m#da7 #g ,and the first sounded1 and there followed hail and fire1 mingled with blood1 and they were cast upon the earth3 and the third part of the earth was burnt up1 and the third part of the trees was burnt up1 and all green grass was burnt up4 7,m#db7 #h ,and the second angel sounded1 and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea3 and the third part of the sea became blood2 #i and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea1 even they that had life2 and the third part of the ships was destroyed4 7,m#dc7 #aj ,and the third angel sounded1 and there fell from heaven a great star1 burning as a torch1 and it fell upon the third part of the rivers1 and upon the fountains of the waters2 #aa and the name of the star is called ,wormwood3 and the third part of the waters became wormwood2 and many men died of the waters1 because they were made bitter4 7,m#dd7 #ab ,and the fourth angel sounded1 and the third part of the sun was smitten1 and the third part of the moon1 and the third part of the stars2 that the third part of them should be darkened1 and the day should not shine for the third part of it1 and the night in like manner4 7,m#de7 7#ac ,and ,i saw1 and ,i heard an eagle7#ach71 flying in mid heaven1 saying with a great voice1 ,woe1 woe1 woe1 for them that dwell on the earth1 by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels1 who are yet to sound47 ,chapter #i4 7,m#df7 #a ,and the fifth angel sounded1 and ,i saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth3 and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss4 #b ,and he opened the pit of the abyss2 and there went up a smoke out of the pit1 as the smoke of a great furnace2 and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit4 #c ,and out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth2 and power was given them1 as the scorpions of the earth have power4 #d ,and it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth1 neither any green thing1 neither any tree1 but only such men as have not the seal of ,god on their foreheads4 #e ,and it was given them that they should not kill them1 but that they should be tormented five months3 and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion1 when it striketh a man4 #f ,and in those days men shall seek death1 and shall in no wise find it2 and they shall desire to die1 and death fleeth from them4 #g ,and the shapes7#aci7 of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war2 and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold1 and their faces were as men's faces4 #h ,and they had hair as the hair of women1 and their teeth were as the teeth of lions4 #i ,and they had breastplates1 as it were breastplates of iron2 and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots1 of many horses rushing to war4 #aj ,and they have tails like unto scorpions1 and stings2 and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months4 #aa ,they have over them as king the angel of the abyss3 his name in ,hebrew is ,abaddon1 and in the ,greek tongue he hath the name ,apollyon7#adj74 7,m#dg7 7#ab ,the first ,woe is past3 behold there come yet two ,woes hereafter47 7,m#dh7 #ac ,and the sixth angel sounded1 and ,i heard a voice7#ada7 from the horns of the golden altar which is before ,god1 #ad one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet1 ,loose the four angels that are bound at the great river ,euphrates4 #ae ,and the four angels were loosed1 that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year1 that they should kill the third part of men4 #af ,and the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand3 ,i heard the number of them4 #ag ,and thus ,i saw the horses in the vision1 and them that sat on them1 having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone3 and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions2 and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone4 #ah ,by these three plagues was the third part of men killed1 by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone1 which proceeded out of their mouths4 #ai ,for the power of the horses is in their mouth1 and in their tails3 for their tails are like unto serpents1 and have heads2 and with them they hurt4 #bj ,and the rest of mankind1 who were not killed with these plagues1 repented not of the works of their hands1 that they should not worship demons7#adb71 and the idols of gold1 and of silver1 and of brass1 and of stone1 and of wood2 which can neither see1 nor hear1 nor walk3 #ba and they repented not of their murders1 nor of their sorceries1 nor of their fornication1 nor of their thefts4 #c;b ,the ,episode of the ,angel with the ,book and of the ,two ,witnesses 7,an ,intervening ,vision of ,divine ,help ,attained7 7,a7 ,the ,angel with the ,little ,open ,book ,chapter #aj4 7,m#di7 #a ,and ,i saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven1 arrayed with a cloud2 and the rainbow was upon his head1 and his face was as the sun1 and his feet as pillars of fire2 #b and he had in his hand a little book open3 and he set his right foot upon the sea1 and his left upon the earth2 #c and he cried with a great voice1 as a lion roareth3 7,m#ej7 ,and when he cried1 the seven thunders uttered their voices4 #d ,and when the seven thunders uttered their voices1 ,i was about to write3 and ,i heard a voice from heaven saying1 ,seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered1 and write them not4 7,m#ea7 #e ,and the angel that ,i saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven1 #f and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever7#adc71 who created the heaven and the things that are therein1 and the earth and the things that are therein1 and the sea and the things that are therein7#add71 that there shall be delay7#ade7 no longer3 #g but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel1 when he is about to sound1 then is finished the mystery of ,god1 according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants7#adf7 the prophets4 7,m#eb7 #h ,and the voice which ,i heard from heaven1 ,i heard it again speaking with me1 and saying1 ,go1 take the book which is open in the hand of the angel that standeth upon the sea and upon the earth4 #i ,and ,i went unto the angel1 saying unto him that he should give me the little book4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,take it1 and eat it up2 and it shall make thy belly bitter1 but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey4 #aj ,and ,i took the little book out of the angel's hand1 and ate it up2 and it was in my mouth sweet as honey3 and when ,i had eaten it1 my belly was made bitter4 #aa ,and they say unto me1 ,thou must prophesy again over7#adg7 many peoples and nations and tongues and kings4 7,b7 ,the ,two ,witnesses ,chapter #aa4 7,m#ec7 #a ,and there was given me a reed like unto a rod3 and one said7#adh71 ,rise1 and measure the temple7#adi7 of ,god1 and the altar1 and them that worship7#aej7 therein4 #b ,and the court which is without the temple7#aea7 leave without7#aeb71 and measure it not2 for it hath been given unto the nations7#aec73 and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months4 7,m#ed7 #c ,and ,i will give unto my two witnesses1 and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days1 clothed in sackcloth4 #d ,these are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks7#aed71 standing before the ,lord of the earth4 #e ,and if any man desireth to hurt them1 fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies2 and if any man shall desire to hurt them1 in this manner must he be killed4 #f ,these have the power to shut the heaven1 that it rain not during the days of their prophecy3 and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood1 and to smite the earth with every plague1 as often as they shall desire4 7,m#ee7 #g ,and when they shall have finished their testimony1 the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them1 and overcome them1 and kill them4 #h ,and their dead bodies7#aee7 lie in the street of the great city1 which spiritually is called ,sodom and ,egypt1 where also their ,lord was crucified4 #i ,and from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half1 and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb4 #aj ,and they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them1 and make merry2 and they shall send gifts one to another2 because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth4 7,m#ef7 #aa ,and after the three days and a half the breath of life from ,god entered into them1 and they stood upon their feet2 and great fear fell upon them that beheld them4 #ab ,and they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them1 ,come up hither4 ,and they went up into heaven in the cloud2 and their enemies beheld them4 #ac ,and in that hour there was a great earthquake1 and the tenth part of the city fell2 and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons7#aef73 and the rest were affrighted1 and gave glory to the ,god of heaven4 7,m#eg7 7#ad ,the second ,woe is past3 behold1 the third ,woe cometh quickly47 7,m#eh7 #ae ,and the seventh angel sounded2 and there followed great voices in heaven1 and they said1 ,the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ3 and he shall reign for ever and ever7#aeg74 7,m#ei7 #af ,and the four and twenty elders1 who sit before ,god on their thrones1 fell upon their faces and worshipped7#aeh7 ,god1 #ag saying1 ,we give thee thanks1 ,o ,lord ,god1 the ,almighty1 who art and who wast2 because thou hast taken thy great power1 and didst reign4 #ah ,and the nations were wroth1 and thy wrath came1 and the time of the dead to be judged1 and the time to give their reward to thy servants7#aei7 the prophets1 and to the saints1 and to them that fear thy name1 the small and the great2 and to destroy them that destroy the earth4 7,m#fj7 #ai ,and there was opened the temple7#afj7 of ,god that is in heaven2 and there was seen in his temple7#afa7 the ark of his covenant2 and there followed lightnings1 and voices1 and thunders1 and an earthquake1 and great hail4 #d ,the ,vision of ,conflict 7,the ,church,historic ,world,conflict of the ,evil against the ,just7 7,a7 ,the ,woman and the ,dragon ,chapter #ab4 7,m#fa7 #a ,and a great sign was seen in heaven3 a woman arrayed with the sun1 and the moon under her feet1 and upon her head a crown of twelve stars2 #b and she was with child2 and she crieth out1 travailing in birth1 and in pain to be delivered4 #c ,and there was seen another sign in heaven3 and behold1 a great red dragon1 having seven heads and ten horns1 and upon his heads seven diadems4 #d ,and his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven1 and did cast them to the earth3 and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered1 that when she is delivered he may devour her child4 7,m#fb7 #e ,and she was delivered of a son1 a man child1 who is to rule all the nations7#afb7 with a rod of iron3 and her child was caught up unto ,god1 and unto his throne4 7,m#fc7 #f ,and the woman fled into the wilderness1 where she hath a place prepared of ,god1 that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days4 7,b7 ,war in ,heaven 7,m#fd7 #g ,and there was war in heaven3 ,michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon2 and the dragon warred and his angels2 #h and they prevailed not1 neither was their place found any more in heaven4 #i ,and the great dragon was cast down1 the old serpent1 he that is called the ,devil and ,satan1 the deceiver of the whole world7#afc72 he was cast down to the earth1 and his angels were cast down with him4 7,m#fe7 #aj ,and ,i heard a great voice in heaven1 saying1 ,now is come the salvation1 and the power1 and the kingdom of our ,god1 and the authority of his ,christ7#afd73 for the accuser of our brethren is cast down1 who accuseth them before our ,god day and night4 #aa ,and they overcame him because of the blood of the ,lamb1 and because of the word of their testimony2 and they loved not their life even unto death4 #ab ,therefore rejoice1 ,o heavens1 and ye that dwell7#afe7 in them4 ,woe for the earth and for the sea3 because the devil is gone down unto you1 having great wrath1 knowing that he hath but a short time4 7,m#ff7 #ac ,and when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth1 he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man child4 #ad ,and there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle1 that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place1 where she is nourished for a time1 and times1 and half a time1 from the face of the serpent4 #ae ,and the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river1 that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream4 #af ,and the earth helped the woman1 and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth4 #ag ,and the dragon waxed wroth with the woman1 and went away to make war with the rest of her seed1 that keep the commandments of ,god1 and hold the testimony of ,jesus3 ,chapter #ac4 #a and he stood7#aff7 upon the sand of the sea4 7,c7 ,the ,two ,beasts 7,m#fg7 ,and ,i saw a beast coming up out of the sea1 having ten horns and seven heads1 and on his horns ten diadems1 and upon his heads names of blasphemy4 #b ,and the beast which ,i saw was like unto a leopard1 and his feet were as the feet of a bear1 and his mouth as the mouth of a lion3 and the dragon gave him his power1 and his throne1 and great authority4 #c ,and ,i saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten7#afg7 unto death2 and his deathstroke was healed3 and the whole earth wondered after the beast2 #d and they worshipped7#afh7 the dragon1 because he gave his authority unto the beast2 and they worshipped7#afi7 the beast saying1 ,who is like unto the beast8 and who is able to war with him8 #e and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies2 and there was given to him authority to continue7#agj7 forty and two months4 #f ,and he opened his mouth for blasphemies against ,god1 to blaspheme his name1 and his tabernacle1 even them that dwell7#aga7 in the heaven4 #g ,and it was given unto him to make war with the saints7#agb71 and to overcome them3 and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation4 #h ,and all that dwell on the earth shall worship7#agc7 him1 every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the ,lamb that hath been slain7#agd74 7,m#fh7 7#i ,if any man hath an ear1 let him hear4 #aj ,if any man7#age7 is for captivity7#agf71 into captivity he goeth3 if any man shall kill with the sword1 with the sword must he be killed4 ,here is the patience7#agg7 and the faith of the saints47 7,m#fi7 #aa ,and ,i saw another beast coming up out of the earth2 and he had two horns like unto a lamb1 and he spake as a dragon4 #ab ,and he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight4 ,and he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to worship7#agh7 the first beast1 whose death stroke was healed4 #ac ,and he doeth great signs1 that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men4 #ad ,and he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast2 saying to them that dwell on the earth1 that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived4 #ae ,and it was given unto him to give breath to it1 even to the image of the beast1 that the image of the beast should both speak1 and cause that as many as should not7#agi7 worship7#ahj7 the image of the beast should be killed4 #af ,and he causeth all1 the small and the great1 and the rich and the poor1 and the free and the bond1 that there be given them a mark on their right hand1 or upon their forehead2 #ag and that no man should be able to buy or to sell1 save he that hath the mark1 even the name of the beast or the number of his name4 7,m#gj7 7#ah ,here is wisdom4 ,he that hath understanding1 let him count the number of the beast2 for it is the number of a man3 and his number is ,six hundred and sixty and six7#aha747 7,d7 ,the ,lamb on ,mount ,zion ,chapter #ad4 7,m#ga7 #a ,and ,i saw1 and behold1 the ,lamb standing on the mount ,zion1 and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand1 having his name1 and the name of his ,father1 written on their foreheads4 7,m#gb7 #b ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven1 as the voice of many waters1 and as the voice of a great thunder3 and the voice which ,i heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps3 #c and they sing as it were a new song before the throne1 and before the four living creatures and the elders3 and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand1 even they that had been purchased out of the earth4 7,m#gc7 #d ,these are they that were not defiled with women2 for they are virgins4 ,these are they that follow the ,lamb withersoever he goeth4 ,these were purchased from among men1 to be the firstfruits unto ,god and unto the ,lamb4 #e ,and in their mouth was found no lie3 they are without blemish4 7,m#gd7 #f ,and ,i saw another angel flying in mid heaven1 having eternal good tidings7#ahb7 to proclaim unto them that dwell7#ahc7 on the earth1 and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people2 #g and he saith with a great voice1 ,fear ,god1 and give him glory2 for the hour of his judgment is come3 and worship7#ahd7 him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters4 7,m#ge7 #h ,and another1 a second angel1 followed1 saying1 ,fallen1 fallen is ,babylon the great1 that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication4 7,m#gf7 #i ,and another angel1 a third1 followed them1 saying with a great voice1 ,if any man worshippeth7#ahe7 the beast and his image1 and receiveth a mark on his forehead1 or upon his hand1 #aj he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god1 which is prepared7#ahf7 unmixed in the cup of his anger2 and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels1 and in the presence of the ,lamb3 #aa and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever7#ahg72 and they have no rest day and night1 they that worship7#ahh7 the beast and his image1 and whoso receiveth the mark of his name4 7,m#gg7 7#ab ,here is the patience7#ahi7 of the saints1 they that keep the commandments of ,god1 and the faith of ,jesus47 7,m#gh7 #ac ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven saying1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord from henceforth7#aij73 yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labors2 for their works follow with them4 7,m#gi7 #ad ,and ,i saw1 and behold1 a white cloud2 and on the cloud ,i saw one sitting like unto a son of man1 having on his head a golden crown1 and in his hand a sharp sickle4 #ae ,and another angel came out from the temple7#aia71 crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud1 ,send forth thy sickle1 and reap3 for the hour to reap is come2 for the harvest of the earth is ripe7#aib74 #af ,and he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth2 and the earth was reaped4 7,m#hj7 #ag ,and another angel came out from the temple7#aic7 which is in heaven1 he also having a sharp sickle4 #ah ,and another angel came out from the altar1 he that hath power over fire2 and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle1 saying1 ,send forth thy sharp sickle1 and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth2 for her grapes are fully ripe4 #ai ,and the angel cast his sickle into the earth1 and gathered the vintage7#aid7 of the earth1 and cast it into the winepress1 the great winepress1 of the wrath of ,god4 #bj ,and the winepress was trodden without the city1 and there came out blood from the winepress1 even unto the bridles of the horses1 as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs4 #e ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,vials 7,the ,world's ,judgment ,executed7 7,a7 ,the ,preparation for the ,vials ,chapter #ae4 7,m#ha7 #a ,and ,i saw another sign in heaven1 great and marvellous1 seven angels having seven plagues1 which are the last1 for in them is finished the wrath of ,god4 7,m#hb7 #b ,and ,i saw as it were a sea of glass7#aie7 mingled with fire2 and them that come off victorious from the beast1 and from his image1 and from the number of his name1 standing by7#aif7 the sea of glass7#aig71 having harps of ,god4 7,m#hc7 #c ,and they sing the song of ,moses the servant7#aih7 of ,god1 and the song of the ,lamb1 saying1 ,great and marvellous are thy works1 ,o ,lord ,god1 the ,almighty2 righteous and true are thy ways1 thou ,king of the ages7#aii74 #d ,who shall not fear1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify thy name8 for thou only art holy2 for all the nations shall come and worship7#bjj7 before thee2 for thy righteous acts have been made manifest4 7,m#hd7 #e ,and after these things ,i saw1 and the temple7#bja7 of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened3 #f and there came out from the temple7#bjb7 the seven angels that had the seven plagues1 arrayed with precious stone7#bjc71 pure and bright1 and girt about their breasts with golden girdles4 #g ,and one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of ,god1 who liveth for ever and ever7#bjd74 #h ,and the temple7#bje7 was filled with smoke from the glory of ,god1 and from his power2 and none was able to enter into the temple7#bjf71 till the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished4 7,b7 ,the ,vials ,poured ,out ,chapter #af4 7,m#he7 #a ,and ,i heard a great voice out of the temple7#bjg71 saying to the seven angels1 ,go ye1 and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of ,god into the earth4 7,m#hf7 #b ,and the first went1 and poured out his bowl into the earth2 and it became7#bjh7 a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast1 and that worshipped7#bji7 his image4 7,m#hg7 #c ,and the second poured out his bowl into the sea2 and it became blood as of a dead man2 and every living soul7#baj7 died1 even the things that were in the sea4 7,m#hh7 #d ,and the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters2 and it became7#baa7 blood4 #e ,and ,i heard the angel of the waters saying1 ,righteous art thou1 who art and who wast1 thou ,holy ,one1 because thou didst thus judge3 #f for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets7#bab71 and blood hast thou given them to drink3 they are worthy4 #g ,and ,i heard the altar saying1 ,yea1 ,o ,lord ,god1 the ,almighty1 true and righteous are thy judgments4 7,m#hi7 #h ,and the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun2 and it was given unto it7#bac7 to scorch men with fire4 #i ,and men were scorched with great heat3 and they blasphemed the name of ,god who hath the power over these plagues2 and they repented not to give him glory4 7,m#ij7 #aj ,and the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast2 and his kingdom was darkened2 and they gnawed their tongues for pain1 #aa and they blasphemed the ,god of heaven because of their pains and their sores2 and they repented not of their works4 7,m#ia7 #ab ,and the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river1 the river ,euphrates2 and the water thereof was dried up1 that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising4 #e;b ,the ,episode of the ,froglike ,spirits 7,an ,intervening ,vision of ,warning to the ,redeemed7 7,m#ib7 #ac ,and ,i saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon1 and out of the mouth of the beast1 and out of the mouth of the false prophet1 three unclean spirits1 as it were frogs3 #ad for they are spirits of demons1 working signs2 which go forth unto7#bad7 the kings of the whole world7#bae71 to gather them together unto the war of the great day of ,god1 the ,almighty4 7,m#ic7 #ae 7,behold1 ,i come as a thief4 ,blessed is he that watcheth1 and keepeth his garments1 lest he walk naked1 and they see his shame74 ,the ,gathering at ,har,magedon #af ,and they gathered them together into the place which is called in ,hebrew ,har,magedon7#baf74 7,m#id7 #ag ,and the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air2 and there came forth a great voice out of the temple7#bag71 from the throne1 saying1 ,it is done3 #ah and there were lightnings1 and voices1 and thunders2 and there was a great earthquake1 such as was not since there were men7#bah7 upon the earth1 so great an earthquake1 so mighty4 #ai ,and the great city was divided into three parts1 and the cities of the nations7#bai7 fell3 and ,babylon the great was remembered in the sight of ,god1 to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath4 #bj ,and every island fled away1 and the mountains were not found4 #ba ,and great hail1 every stone about the weight of a talent1 cometh down out of heaven upon men3 and men blasphemed ,god because of the plague of the hail2 for the plague thereof is exceeding great4 #f ,the ,vision of ,victory 7,the ,church's ,vindication ,manifested7 7,a7 ,the ,mystical ,babylon and ,her ,fall ,chapter #ag4 7,m#ie7 #a ,and there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls1 and spake with me1 saying1 ,come hither1 ,i will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters2 #b with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication1 and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication4 7,m#if7 #c ,and he carried me away in the ,spirit into a wilderness3 and ,i saw a woman sitting upon a scarletcolored beast1 full of names of blasphemy7#bbj71 having seven heads and ten horns4 #d ,and the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet1 and decked7#bba7 with gold and precious stone and pearls1 having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations1 even the unclean things7#bbb7 of her fornication1 #e and upon her forehead a name written1 ,,mystery1 ,,babylon ,,the ,,great7#bbc71 ,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,the ,,harlots ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,abominations ,,of ,,the ,,earth4 #f ,and ,i saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints1 and with the blood of the martyrs7#bbd7 of ,jesus4 ,and when ,i saw her1 ,i wondered with a great wonder4 7,m#ig7 #g ,and the angel said unto me1 ,wherefore didst thou wonder8 ,i will tell thee the mystery of the woman1 and of the beast that carrieth her1 which hath the seven heads and the ten horns4 #h ,the beast that thou sawest was1 and is not2 and is about to come up out of the abyss1 and to go7#bbe7 into perdition4 ,and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder1 they whose name hath not been written in7#bbf7 the book of life from the foundation of the world1 when they behold the beast1 how that he was1 and is not1 and shall come7#bbg74 7,m#ih7 #i ,here is the mind7#bbh7 that hath wisdom4 ,the seven heads are seven mountains1 on which the woman sitteth3 #aj and they are7#bbi7 seven kings2 the five are fallen1 the one is1 the other is not yet come2 and when he cometh1 he must continue a little while4 #aa ,and the beast that was1 and is not1 is himself also an eighth1 and is of the seven2 and he goeth into perdition4 #ab ,and the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings1 who have received no kingdom as yet2 but they receive authority as kings1 with the beast1 for one hour4 #ac ,these have one mind1 and they give their power and authority unto the beast4 #ad ,these shall war against the ,lamb1 and the ,lamb shall overcome them1 for he is ,lord of lords1 and ,king of kings2 and they also shall overcome that are with him1 called and chosen and faithful4 7,m#ii7 #ae ,and he saith unto me1 ,the waters which thou sawest1 where the harlot sitteth1 are peoples1 and multitudes1 and nations1 and tongues4 #af ,and the ten horns which thou sawest1 and the beast1 these shall hate the harlot1 and shall make her desolate and naked1 and shall eat her flesh1 and shall burn her utterly with fire4 #ag ,for ,god did put in their hearts to do his mind1 and to come to one mind1 and to give their kingdom unto the beast1 until the words of ,god should be accomplished4 #ah ,and the woman whom thou sawest is the great city1 which reigneth over the kings7#bcj7 of the earth4 ,chapter #ah4 7,m#ajj7 #a ,after these things ,i saw another angel coming down out of heaven1 having great authority2 and the earth was lightened with his glory4 #b ,and he cried with a mighty voice1 saying1 ,fallen1 fallen is ,babylon the great1 and is become a habitation of demons1 and a hold7#bca7 of every unclean spirit1 and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird4 #c ,for by the wine7#bcb7 of7#bcc7 the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen2 and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her1 and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness7#bcd74 7,m#aja7 #d ,and ,i heard another voice from heaven1 saying1 ,come forth1 my people1 out of her1 that ye have no fellowship with her sins1 and that ye receive not of her plagues3 #e for her sins have reached7#bce7 even unto heaven1 and ,god hath remembered her iniquities4 #f ,render unto her even as she rendered1 and double unto her the double according to her works3 in the cup which she mingled1 mingle unto her double4 #g ,how much soever she glorified herself1 and waxed wanton7#bcf71 so much give her of torment and mourning3 for she saith in her heart1 ,i sit a queen1 and am no widow1 and shall in no wise see mourning4 #h ,therefore in one day shall her plagues come1 death1 and mourning1 and famine2 and she shall be utterly burned with fire2 for strong is the ,lord7#bcg7 ,god who judged her4 7,m#ajb7 #i ,and the kings of the earth1 who committed fornication and lived wantonly7#bch7 with her1 shall weep and wail over her1 when they look upon the smoke of her burning1 #aj standing afar off for the fear of her torment1 saying1 ,woe1 woe1 the great city1 ,babylon1 the strong city6 for in one hour is thy judgment come4 7,m#ajc7 #aa ,and the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her1 for no man buyeth their merchandise7#bci7 any more2 #ab merchandise of gold1 and silver1 and precious stone1 and pearls1 and fine linen1 and purple1 and silk1 and scarlet2 and all thyine wood1 and every vessel of ivory1 and every vessel made of most precious wood1 and of brass1 and iron1 and marble2 #ac and cinnamon1 and spice7#bdj71 and incense1 and ointment1 and frankincense1 and wine1 and oil1 and fine flour1 and wheat1 and cattle1 and sheep2 and merchandise of horses and chariots and slaves7#bda72 and souls7#bdb7 of men4 #ad ,and the fruits which thy soul lusted after are gone from thee1 and all things that were dainty and sumptuous are perished from thee1 and men shall find them no more at all4 #ae ,the merchants of these things1 who were made rich by her1 shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment1 weeping and mourning2 #af saying1 ,woe1 woe1 the great city1 she that was arrayed in fine linen and purple and scarlet1 and decked7#bdc7 with gold and precious stone and pearl6 #ag for in one hour so great riches is made desolate4 7,m#ajd7 ,and every shipmaster1 and every one that saileth any whither1 and mariners1 and as many as gain their living by sea7#bdd71 stood afar off1 #ah and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning1 saying1 ,what city is like the great city8 #ai ,and they cast dust on their heads1 and cried1 weeping and mourning1 saying1 ,woe1 woe1 the great city1 wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her costliness6 for in one hour is she made desolate4 7,m#aje7 #bj ,rejoice over her1 thou heaven1 and ye saints1 and ye apostles1 and ye prophets2 for ,god hath judged your judgment on her4 7,m#ajf7 #ba ,and a7#bde7 strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea1 saying1 ,thus with a mighty fall shall ,babylon1 the great city1 be cast down1 and shall be found no more at all4 #bb ,and the voice of harpers and minstrels and fluteplayers and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee2 and no craftsman1 of whatsoever craft7#bdf71 shall be found any more at all in thee2 and the voice of a mill shall be heard no more at all in thee2 #bc and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee2 and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee3 for thy merchants were the princes of the earth2 for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived4 #bd ,and in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints1 and of all that have been slain upon the earth4 7,b7 ,the ,triumph of the ,redeemed ,chapter #ai4 7,m#ajg7 #a ,after these things ,i heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven1 saying1 ,hallelujah2 ,salvation1 and glory1 and power1 belong to our ,god3 #b for true and righteous are his judgments2 for he hath judged the great harlot1 her that corrupted the earth with her fornication1 and he hath avenged the blood of his servants7#bdg7 at her hand4 7,m#ajh7 #c ,and a second time they say7#bdh71 ,hallelujah4 ,and her smoke goeth up for ever and ever7#bdi74 #d ,and the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped7#bej7 ,god that sitteth on the throne1 saying1 ,amen2 ,hallelujah4 #e ,and a voice came forth from the throne1 saying1 ,give praise to our ,god1 all ye his servants1 ye that fear him1 the small and the great4 #f ,and ,i heard as it were the voice of a great multitude1 and as the voice of many waters1 and as the voice of mighty thunders1 saying1 ,hallelujah3 for the ,lord our ,god1 the ,almighty1 reigneth4 #g ,let us rejoice and be exceeding glad1 and let us give the glory unto him3 for the marriage of the ,lamb is come1 and his wife hath made herself ready4 7,m#aji7 #h ,and it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen1 bright and pure3 for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints4 7,m#aaj7 #i ,and he saith unto me1 ,write1 ,blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the ,lamb4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,these are true words of ,god4 7,m#aaa7 #aj ,and ,i fell down before his feet to worship7#bea7 him4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,see thou do it not3 ,i am a fellowservant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of ,jesus3 worship7#beb7 ,god3 for the testimony of ,jesus is the spirit of prophecy4 7,c7 ,the ,last ,things 7,m#aab7 #aa ,and ,i saw the heaven opened2 and behold1 a white horse1 and he that sat thereon called7#bec7 ,faithful and ,true2 and in righteousness he doth judge and make war4 #ab ,and his eyes are a flame of fire1 and upon his head are many diadems2 and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself4 #ac ,and he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with7#bed7 blood3 and his name is called ,the ,word of ,god4 #ad ,and the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses1 clothed in fine linen1 white and pure4 #ae ,and out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword1 that with it he should smite the nations3 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron3 and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness7#bee7 of the wrath of ,god1 the ,almighty4 #af ,and he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written1 ,,king ,,of ,,kings1 ,,and ,,lord ,,of ,,lords4 7,m#aac7 #ag ,and ,i saw an7#bef7 angel standing in the sun2 and he cried with a loud voice1 saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven1 ,come and be gathered together unto the great supper of ,god2 #ah that ye may eat the flesh of kings1 and the flesh of captains7#beg71 and the flesh of mighty men1 and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon1 and the flesh of all men1 both free and bond1 and small and great4 7,m#aad7 #ai ,and ,i saw the beast1 and the kings of the earth1 and their armies1 gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse1 and against his army4 #bj ,and the beast was taken1 and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight1 wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped7#beh7 his image3 they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone3 #ba and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse1 even the sword which came forth out of his mouth3 and all the birds were filled with their flesh4 ,chapter #bj4 7,m#aae7 #a ,and ,i saw an angel coming down out of heaven1 having the key of the abyss and a great chain in7#bei7 his hand4 #b ,and he laid hold on the dragon1 the old serpent1 which is the ,devil and ,satan1 and bound him for a thousand years1 #c and cast him into the abyss1 and shut it1 and sealed it over him1 that he should deceive the nations no more1 until the thousand years should be finished3 after this he must be loosed for a little time4 7,m#aaf7 #d ,and ,i saw thrones1 and they sat upon them1 and judgment was given unto them3 and ,i saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of ,jesus1 and for the word of ,god1 and such as worshipped7#bfj7 not the beast1 neither his image1 and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand2 and they lived1 and reigned with ,christ a thousand years4 #e ,the rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished4 ,this is the first resurrection4 7,m#aag7 7#f ,blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection3 over these the second death hath no power7#bfa72 but they shall be priests of ,god and of ,christ1 and shall reign with him a7#bfb7 thousand years47 7,m#aah7 #g ,and when the thousand years are finished1 ,satan shall be loosed out of his prison1 #h and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth1 ,gog and ,magog1 to gather them together to the war3 the number of whom is as the sand of the sea4 #i ,and they went up over the breadth of the earth1 and compassed the camp of the saints about1 and the beloved city3 and fire came down out7#bfc7 of heaven1 and devoured them4 #aj ,and the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone1 where are also the beast and the false prophet2 and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever7#bfd74 7,m#aai7 #aa ,and ,i saw a great white throne1 and him that sat upon it1 from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away2 and there was found no place for them4 #ab ,and ,i saw the dead1 the great and the small1 standing before the throne2 and books were opened3 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books1 according to their works4 #ac ,and the sea gave up the dead that were in it2 and death and ,hades gave up the dead that were in them3 and they were judged every man according to their works4 #ad ,and death and ,hades were cast into the lake of fire4 ,this is the second death1 even the lake of fire4 #ae ,and if any was not found written in the book of life1 he was cast into the lake of fire4 #g ,the ,vision of the ,new ,jerusalem 7,the ,throne after ,victory7 ,chapter #ba4 7,m#abj7 #a ,and ,i saw a new heaven and a new earth3 for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away2 and the sea is no more4 7,m#aba7 #b ,and ,i saw the holy city1 new ,jerusalem1 coming down out of heaven7#bfe7 from ,god1 made ready as a bride adorned for her husband4 7,m#abb7 #c ,and ,i heard a great voice out of the throne saying1 ,behold1 the tabernacle of ,god is with men1 and he shall dwell7#bff7 with them1 and they shall be his peoples1 and ,god himself shall be with them1 and be their ,god7#bfg73 #d and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes2 and death shall be no more2 neither shall there be mourning1 nor crying1 nor pain1 any more3 the first things are passed away4 7,m#abc7 #e ,and he that sitteth on the throne said1 ,behold1 ,i make all things new4 ,and he saith1 ,write3 for these words are faithful and true7#bfh74 #f ,and he said unto me1 ,they are come to pass4 ,i am the ,alpha and the ,omega1 the beginning and the end4 ,i will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely4 #g ,he that overcometh shall inherit these things2 and ,i will be his ,god1 and he shall be my son4 #h ,but for the fearful1 and unbelieving1 and abominable1 and murderers1 and fornicators1 and sorcerers1 and idolaters1 and all liars1 their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone2 which is the second death4 7,m#abd7 #i ,and there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls1 who were laden with the seven last plagues2 and he spake with me1 saying1 ,come hither1 ,i will show thee the bride1 the wife of the ,lamb4 7,m#abe7 #aj ,and he carried me away in the ,spirit to a mountain great and high1 and showed me the holy city ,jerusalem1 coming down out of heaven from ,god1 #aa having the glory of ,god3 her light7#bfi7 was like unto a stone most precious1 as it were a jasper stone1 clear as crystal3 #ab having a wall great and high2 having twelve gates7#bgj71 and at the gates twelve angels2 and names written thereon1 which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of ,israel3 #ac on the east were three gates2 and on the north three gates2 and on the south three gates7#bga72 and on the west three gates4 #ad ,and the wall of the city had twelve foundations1 and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the ,lamb4 7,m#abf7 #ae ,and he that spake with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city1 and the gates thereof1 and the wall thereof4 #af ,and the city lieth foursquare1 and the length thereof is as great as the breadth3 and he measured the city with the reed1 twelve thousand furlongs3 the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal4 #ag ,and he measured the wall thereof1 a hundred and forty and four cubits1 according to the measure of a man1 that is1 of an angel4 7,m#abg7 #ah ,and the building of the wall thereof was jasper3 and the city was pure gold1 like unto pure glass4 #ai ,the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones4 ,the first foundation was jasper2 the second1 sapphire7#bgb72 the third1 chalcedony2 the fourth1 emerald2 #bj the fifth1 sardonyx2 the sixth1 sardius2 the seventh1 chrysolite2 the eighth1 beryl2 the ninth1 topaz2 the tenth1 chrysoprase2 the eleventh1 jacinth7#bgc72 the twelfth1 amethyst4 #ba ,and the twelve gates were twelve pearls2 each one of the several gates was of one pearl3 and the street of the city was pure gold1 as it were transparent glass7#bgd74 7,m#abh7 #bb ,and ,i saw no temple7#bge7 therein3 for the ,lord ,god the ,almighty1 and the ,lamb1 are the temple7#bgf7 thereof4 #bc ,and the city hath no need of the sun1 neither of the moon1 to shine upon it3 for the glory of ,god did lighten it1 and the lamp thereof is the ,lamb7#bgg74 #bd ,and the nations shall walk amidst7#bgh7 the light thereof3 and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it4 #be ,and the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day 7for there shall be no night there73 #bf and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it3 #bg and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean7#bgi71 or he that maketh7#bhj7 an abomination and a lie3 but only they that are written in the ,lamb's book of life4 ,chapter #bb4 7,m#abi7 #a ,and he showed me a river of water of life1 bright as crystal1 proceeding out of the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb1 #b in the midst of the street thereof7#bha74 ,and on this side of the river and on that was the tree7#bhb7 of life1 bearing twelve manner of fruits7#bhc71 yielding its fruit every month3 and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations4 7,m#acj7 #c ,and there shall be no curse7#bhd7 any more3 and the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb shall be therein3 and his servants7#bhe7 shall serve him2 #d and they shall see his face2 and his name shall be on their foreheads4 #e ,and there shall be night no more2 and they need no light of lamp1 neither light of sun2 for the ,lord ,god shall give them light3 and they shall reign for ever and ever7#bhf74 ,,iii ,the ,epilogue #a ,the ,final ,words of the ,angel with the ,promise of ,christ 7,m#aca7 #f ,and he said unto me1 ,these words are faithful and true3 and the ,lord1 the ,god of the spirits of the prophets1 sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass4 #g ,and behold1 ,i come quickly4 ,blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book4 7,m#acb7 #h ,and ,i ,john am he that heard and saw these things4 ,and when ,i heard and saw1 ,i fell down to worship7#bhg7 before the feet of the angel that showed me these things4 #i ,and he saith unto me1 ,see thou do it not3 ,i am a fellowservant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets1 and with them that keep the words of this book3 worship7#bhh7 ,god4 7,m#acc7 #aj ,and he saith unto me1 ,seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book2 for the time is at hand4 #aa ,he that is unrighteous1 let him do unrighteousness still7#bhi73 and he that is filthy1 let him be made filthy still3 and he that is righteous1 let him do righteousness still3 and he that is holy1 let him be made holy still4 7,m#acd7 #ab ,behold1 ,i come quickly2 and my reward7#bij7 is with me1 to render to each man according as his work is4 #ac ,i am the ,alpha and the ,omega1 the first and the last1 the beginning and the end4 #ad ,blessed are they that wash their robes1 that they may have the right7#bia7 to come to the tree of life1 and may enter in by the gates7#bib7 into the city4 #ae ,without are the dogs1 and the sorcerers1 and the fornicators1 and the murderers1 and the idolators1 and every one that loveth and maketh7#bic7 a lie4 7,m#ace7 #af ,i ,jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for7#bid7 the churches4 ,i am the root and the offspring of ,david1 the bright1 the morning star4 #b ,the ,closing ,testimony of ,john 7,m#acf7 #ag ,and7#bie7 the ,spirit and the bride say1 ,come4 ,and he that heareth1 let him say1 ,come4 ,and he that is athirst1 let him come3 he that will1 let him take the water of life freely4 7,m#acg7 #ah ,i testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book1 ,if any man shall add unto7#bif7 them1 ,god shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book3 #ai and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy1 ,god shall take away his part from the tree of life1 and out of the holy city1 which are written7#big7 in this book4 7,m#ach7 #bj ,he who testifieth these things saith1 ,yea3 ,i come quickly4 ,amen3 come1 ,lord ,jesus4 #c ,the ,author's ,benediction 7,m#aci7 #ba ,the grace of the ,lord ,jesus7#bih7 be with the7#bii7 saints4 ,amen4 ,,analysis ,,and ,,notes ,the ,book of ,revelation bears the inherent marks of a thoroughly wrought out and carefully finished literary production1 showing evident traces of design and arrangement throughout1 which constitute a studied setting for the remarkable series of visions that contain its chief message to the church4 ,behind the outer form lies the deep experience of the author who received a fresh revelation of divine truth4 ,to him ,god spoke in strange visions and in a marvellous way about the divine purpose concerning his people and the great world of men3 for couched though it is in the strange figures of ,apocalyptic1 a method of religious thought belonging to that time1 it yet bears to the ,christian mind indisputable marks of divine inspiration4 ,moved by the visions which it records1 ,john wrote to the churches in ,asia a message not only for them but for all believers in all time2 for its lessons lie not alone in the events of that age1 but in the wider and permanent relations of the church and the world throughout the centuries1 and they appeal to us with new force as the varying conditions continue to change with the revolving years4 ,the lessons of the book are for us in our day no less than they have been for others in the past1 and as they will be for still others in the advancing future2 and though these lessons are not always easy to grasp or lightly to be understood1 they are yet eminently worthy of our attentive study and patient consideration4 ,the synthetic analysis which is here given1 attempts to set forth the main thought of the ,revelation as it has been interpreted by many eminent commentators1 and it is presented in as concise a form as is consistent with clearness for the benefit of the general reader1 for the chief purpose of the present work is to make plain the symbolic view as it has taken form in the mind of the writer4 ,no extended discussion of the more difficult portions of the book has been attempted1 for a satisfactory conclusion is more often reached by careful thought than by elaborate argument1 though it has seemed best to reinforce the view presented by constant reference to wellknown authorities1 and also to provide a brief comparison of different opinions on the main points of disagreement for those who desire further study4 ,the book is found upon examination to consist of three principal parts1 which are those common to every finished composition1 viz3-- ,i ,,the ,,prologue1 ,,or ,,introduction1 ,ch4 #a3ac3bc2 ,,ii ,,the ,,main ,,apocalypse1 ,,or ,,revelation ,,proper1 ,ch4 #d3abb3e2 and ,,iii ,,the ,,epilogue1 ,,or ,,conclusion1 ,ch4 #bb3fba4 ,this division is one generally accepted by those who have studied the book1 for it is to most minds both natural and obvious1 though some make the ,introduction end with the first chapter1 and include the ,epistles to the ,churches in the second part4 ,as these1 however1 are not so markedly ,apocalyptic in form as the chapters that follow1 and do not enter into the chief message of the book1 but rather serve to prepare the way for it1 they are more properly regarded as part of the ,introduction4 ,i ,the ,prologue1 ,ch4 #a3ac3bb ,the introductory and epistolary portions of the book which occupy the first three chapters1 consist of four parts1 viz4 the superscription1 the salutation1 a vision of the exalted ,redeemer1 and messages to the seven churches in ,asia4 ,these give the source and authority of the ,revelation1 convey a greeting to the seven churches that are named1 set forth the present activity of ,christ in his redemptive work with the certainty of his personal return1 and then present particular messages to each of the churches in ,asia1 which through their general condition afford a perspective view of the continuous and varied experience of the whole church in the process of redemption4 ,these preliminary parts of the book1 also1 serve to introduce the great theme which is to occupy the subsequent revelation1 viz4 ,christ and the ,church through ,time to ,eternity4 ,the style is at once that of ,apocalyptic1 though the form is less characteristic in the second and third chapters than in the first and subsequent ones2 the literary construction is marked by obvious and sustained artistic skill2 and the subjectmatter shows a profound inner connection of thought with the visions that follow1 affording a clear indication of the unity of the whole work that should not be overlooked in our study of the book47#cjj7 #a ,the ,superscription1 ,ch4 #a3ac ,in the superscription the book is described1 its history and contents are given 7v4 #ab71 and a blessing is pronounced 7v4 #c7 upon those who read it1 i4 e4 aloud before the congregation 771 and those who hear and keep the things written therein1 an indication that they were expected to be understood4 ,this blessing is the first of seven beatitudes found in the book 7see ,app'x ,c71 and serves to show that the office of public reader in the primitive church was established in the first century1 evidently because of a general lack of education among the early converts4 ,the book is declared to be the ,revelation or ,apocalypse of things about to happen1--not a revelation which has ,jesus ,christ for its subject17#cja7 but 8the things which must shortly come to pass01 a phrase that is best interpreted as a prophetic formula for the uncertain future which is always near with ,god 7cf4 ,lu4 #ah3h71 and not to be taken in the stricter sense of limiting the prophecy to the immediate future17#cjb7--to have been given of ,god 7v4 #a71 and to have been made of1 i4 e4 through or by1 ,jesus ,christ as the communicating witness17#cjc7 to have been sent by the instrument of an angel1 and to have been testified to by ,john1 who witnessed concerning the word of ,god and the testimony of ,jesus ,christ7#cjd7 which he received through the visions that are herein recorded4 ,these introductory verses 7v4 #ac7 are usually regarded as an integral part of the book1 though they are thought by some to have been added afterward as an introduction and authorization by the church1 probably by the elders at ,ephesus47#cje7 #b ,the ,salutation1 ,ch4 #a3dh ,the salutation is an address and greeting of grace and peace to the seven churches in ,asia from ,john1 in the name of each person of the triune ,god1 viz3--7#a7 in the name of the ,father1 who is designated as 8him who is and who was and who is to come017#cjf7 i4 e4 whose existence is alike present1 past1 and future1 the ,eternal ,one1 and expansion of the sacred name ,jehovah1 the ,i ,,am1 or the ,i ,,will ,,be1 of ,hebrew historic faith 7cf4 ,ex4 #c3ad1 ,am4 ,r4 ,v41 marg472 7#b7 in the name of the ,holy ,spirit1 who is typified by 8the seven ,spirits that are before his throne0 as being seven fold in his operation1 i4 e4 complete and perfect 7cf4 ,isa4 #aa3b727cjg7 and 7#c7 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 who is presented as 8the faithful witness1 the firstborn of the dead1 and the ruler of the kings of the earth01 whose redemptive work is declared in a doxology of praise 7v4 #e;b and #f7 which is rendered unto him as the one 8that loveth us1 and washed us from our sins in his own blood017#cjh7 and whose coming again is notably heralded--a pivotal thought throughout the book47#cji7 ,the descriptive phrase 8the firstborn of the dead0 is an evident recognition of ,christ as the first to conquer death by resurrection4 ,the closing part of the salutation 7v4 #gh7 is exclamatory and parenthetical1 and forms a kind of prelude to all that follows1 affirming the certainty of the second advent as if already present1 and introducing at this point the divine witness1 which is generally attributed to ,christ who speaks as ,god1 affirming himself to be the source and end of all things1 the ,eternal and ,all,ruler1 whose word stands as surety for the fulfilment of the visions4 ,the fact of ,god as ,all,ruler 71 8the ,almighty0717#caj7 and the realization of that fact in history1 8constitutes the deep undertone which pervades every part of the ,apocalypse1 and rises here and there into its loftiest strains04 ,terms like this1 never applied to any but ,god in the ,old ,testament1 and well understood as belonging only to the ,divine ,being1 are freely used of ,christ in the ,revelation1 showing how fully his divine nature was realized in that stage of the church's experience4 ,the connection of the eighth verse may properly be considered as the answering voice of ,christ to the cry of ,john in the seventh1 8,behold he cometh06 #c ,the ,introductory ,vision 7,the ,glorified ,son of ,man71 ,ch4 #a3ibj ,this vision presents a transcendent ,christophany1 unfolding the source of the ,revelation1 and introductory to all that follows throughout the book2 a view of the glorified ,son of ,man in his exalted relation to the church as ,king,priest1 manifesting his dignity and authority in bold and striking imagery through a sevenfold vision4 7#a7 ,the ,trumpet ,voice1 ,ch4 #a3iaa ,a great voice is heard1 making a special revelation to ,john as he partook with the saints in the tribulation of ,jesus7#caa7 in the isle of ,patmos1 off the coast of ,asia ,minor17#cab7 where he was banished for the word of ,god and the testimony of ,jesus1 when he was in the ,spirit1 i4 e4 in the ecstatic state peculiar to the prophets1 on the ,lord's day27#cac7 speaking behind him1 i4 e4 while the speaker was yet unseen1 in a voice as of a trumpet1 commanding him to write the things which he saw in a book 7v4 #aa71 and to send it to the seven churches which are then named1 the chief churches in ,asia1 to whom the message of the ,revelation is addressed as the typical representatives of all the churches throughout the world4 ,the human name ,jesus is here found twice in one verse 7v4 #i71 and occurs in the ,revelation nine 7or ten7 times1 whereas it is seldom used by ,paul and never by ,peter in the ,epistles4 ,this seems to point toward the ,johannine authorship1 for the name that belonged to the earthly life of our ,lord was not likely to be used by one who had not known ,jesus in familiar fellowship47#cad7 7#b7 ,the ,triumphant ,son of ,man1 ,ch4 #a3abac;a ,the divine ,savior at this point appears in the vision as 8one like unto a son of man01 i4 e4 human though transfigured1 standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks1 or lampstands1 which represent in symbol the seven churches of ,asia bearing light on the earth1 and in a wider sense the whole church in its completeness witnessing for the truth1 for seven is the number of universality--a scene recalling the temple1 and indicating ,christ's triumphant and continual presence in the midst of his people47#cae7 7#c7 ,the ,gracious ,apparel1 ,ch4 #a3ac;b ,the ,divine ,one is clothed with a garment down to the foot1 the mark of dignity1 and is girded about with a golden girdle at the breasts as for reigning or priestly intercession1 not about the loins as for toil or conflict1 indicating the nature of ,christ's present and continuous work on behalf of his church4 7#d7 ,the ,glorious ,appearance1 ,ch4 #a3adae1 and #af;c ,the revealed ,son of ,man is majestic in form and mien1 and wondrous in appearance1 like the ,ancient of ,days in ,daniel's vision 7,dan4 #g4i;f71 his head and hair like wool in purity and majesty1 his eyes penetrating and enkindling as a flame of fire1 his feet awestriking and destructive like molten brass glowing in a furnace1 his voice sounding like the roar of cataracts1 and his countenance like to the unclouded sun--symbols all of these of his exalted state1 and perhaps intended to present a reminiscence of the transfiguration4 ,the ,greek word 7v4 #ae71 translated 8burnished brass0 by the ,revisers1 is of unknown origin1 and occurs only here and in ch4 #b3ah4 ,it is thought to have been a technical term in local use among the metal workers of ,ephesus1 and to apply to some alloy of copper or brass47#caf7 ,the literal interpretation of the word is 8incense brass01 which suggests a metal used for making utensils in which to burn incense1 evidently precious1 and having a glow in the furnace1 or like a furnace4 7#e7 ,the ,seven ,stars1 ,ch4 #a3af;a ,the ,glorious ,one has in his right hand seven stars1 which1 we are told 7v4 #bj71 are the angels1 or heavenly representatives of the seven churches1 i4 e4 ,christ holds the churches in his right hand1 for the stars and the angels are declared to be identical47#cag7 ,it will be seen that the seven angels1 which stand as the ideal representatives of the churches throughout the first part of the ,revelation1 are here presented under another symbol1 as seven stars which are upheld in the hand of ,christ 8like a chain of glittering jewels01 thereby showing his sustaining care of the churches4 ,the angels of the churches that are symbolized by the stars1 are not to be regarded as true angelic beings any more than the stars are real stars1 but are the churches themselves personified by angelic forms after the manner of the ,apocalyptic4 ,the figure is not properly applicable to the bishops1 pastors1 or leaders of the churches1 though often so interpreted1 for these are leaders upon earth1 whereas the angels like the stars belong in heaven47#cah7 7#f7 ,the ,two,edged ,sword1 ,ch4 #a3af;b ,out of the mouth of the ,conquering ,christ proceeds a sharp twoedged sword17#cai7 the emblem of the ,word of ,god in its penetrating power 7cf4 ,eph4 #f3ag;b1 and ,heb4 #d3ab7 which is designed both to reprove and punish1 and which serves to show that the divine ,christ speaks with supreme authority4 7#g7 ,the ,assuring ,message1 ,ch4 #a3agbj ,the ,gracious ,savior reassures ,john1 who fell at his feet as one who was dead1 both by his touch and by his words as of old on the holy mount 7,mat4 #ag3g72 declaring that he1 the ,son of ,man1 is the first cause1 and final arbiter of destiny1 the ever living one though once dead2 affirming that he has the keys of death and of ,hades17#cbj7 i4 e4 through his own resurrection has forever gained the power over death1 holding the key of its control1 and has also the key of ,hades1 the invisible spiritworld1 which is commonly associated with death in the ,new ,testament as the general habitation of the dead during the intermediate state 7not 8hell01 as in the ,authorized ,version72 and reaffirming the command to ,john to write therefore the things which he saw in a book1 viz4 8the things which are01 i4 e4 which now exist1 looked at from the divine point of view as beheld in the vision1 and 8the things which shall come to pass hereafter01 i4 e4 which shall be made manifest in history1 those things that belong to the mystery7#cba7 of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks1 or to the mysterious and hidden future of the church of ,christ in the world which the seven churches represent in its ideal unity4 ,the change of symbols in this vision is apt to be confusing unless we catch the distinctive meaning of each4 ,three different symbols are here used to represent the churches1 each presenting a different point of view1 viz3--7#a7 the angels1 who represent the churches in their individual and organic life1 engaged in active service for ,god2 7#b7 the stars1 which represent the churches in their relation to ,christ1 receiving and reflecting light from him and upheld by his hand2 and 7#c7 the candlesticks1 which represent the churches in their relation to the world1 bearing light to men upon the earth4 ,if these distinctions are kept in mind the interpretation will be greatly simplified4 ,at this point it may also be well to note that the view which regards the visions in the ,revelation as purely literary in origin1 fails to satisfy the circumstantial account of ,john4 ,on the contrary we find it is more in accord with the spirit of the record to regard them not as literary inventions in which the message is clothed1 but as true visions divinely given which were1 nevertheless1 essentially adapted to and conditioned by the previous mental training and habits of the writer--the product of an ethical and not a magical inspiration4 ,in fact the reality of the visions is in some sense coming now to be recognized upon psychological grounds as the natural view47#cbb7 ,and it should also be seen that the studied literary setting of the visions1 indicating arrangement and design upon the part of the seer in his record of them1 does not militate against the view that the visions were real and the experience recorded an actual one4 ,but1 8even were the supposition correct that the seer had only certain truths divinely impressed upon his mind1 which his poetic fancy led him to clothe in the shapes before us1 it would in no degree modify either the extent of his inspiration or the value of his teaching047#cbc7 #d ,the ,seven ,epistles1 ,ch4 #b3ac3bb ,the seven epistles are ,christ's messages of encouragement and warning1 of praise and blame1 which were given to ,john in vision1 and which are addressed to the seven churches of proconsular ,asia17#cbd7 the scene of ,john's later ministry1 and through them to the church at large1 for each epistle contains not only a message to the particular church1 but 8what the ,spirit saith to all the churches04 ,the form of epistles or letters in an apocalypse was foreign to the ,jewish method of writing1 but was doubtless introduced by ,john because the use of such letters or epistles had already become established in the church as a characteristic expression of the ,christian mind47#cbe7 ,these seven churches were not the only ones then existing in ,asia17#cbf7 but were evidently chosen to represent them all1 and were intended through their individual experience 8to exemplify the experience of the whole church in the field of history02 not1 however1 in numerically successive and historic stages1 but the general experience of the church universal throughout all time1 for seven is the symbol of universality1 and the seven churches are here intended to symbolize the universal church4 ,each of the seven churches named occupied a strategic point of special opportunity for gospel dispersion1 and they were doubtless addressed for that reason1 though the message imparted was divinely intended for the whole church in all the ages4 ,the number seven occurs so often in the ,revelation that it necessarily attracts our attention1 and the book itself has not inaptly been styled 8the ,book of ,sevens04 ,in each case1 too1 as here1 the number has a symbolic reference1 a fact that should not escape our observation1 for it points the way to a general principle of interpretation1 viz4 that every number used throughout the book1 without exception1 has an acquired symbolical meaning17#cbg7 i4 e4 its ordinary arithmetical value is ignored1 or becomes subordinate1 and it represents a different idea that has in some way become associated with it as a number2 and this important consideration often furnishes a key to the correct interpretation4 ,the origin of this symbolism is very early1 antedating history--seven1 for example1 was a sacred number with the ,accadian predecessors of the ,semites in the remote dawn of ,babylonian civilization47#cbh7 ,this use probably had its rise from observations of the heavenly bodies1 such as the phases of the moon lasting seven days1 the seven planets of ancient astronomy1 and the ,pleiades1 together with the occurrence of seven as a factor in gestation and in other well known phenomena1 all of which served to impress upon the ,eastern mind that the number was somehow inwrought in the order of nature and must therefore have a special significance4 ,in a similar way the number ten probably had its origin as a symbol in the fact that it represented the complete number of digits on a man's hands1 and formed the norm of mathematical reckoning4 ,other numbers1 also1 from some real or fancied relation to things1 became ready symbols for the ,oriental mind4 ,in the ,apocalypse numbers are often introduced first in their ordinary significance1 as the seven churches1 and then pass easily and naturally to their symbolic meaning which is usually apparent4 ,but it should be seen that a number does not thereby cease to have a quantitative value when it becomes symbolical1 e4 g4 the seven churches represent a number still1 though it is the number of all the churches1 the whole church1 and not seven units as before4 ,it is the definite numerical value only that is lost in the symbolism1 and not the entire idea of number or quantity2 and the failure to recognize this fact may lead us astray in the interpretation1 as for instance1 in that of the thousand years in chapter twenty1 where a great and complete number of years seems to be meant1 and not the completeness of ,satan's binding apart from any period of time1 as held by some commentators47#cbi7 ,each epistle is addressed to the angel of the individual church which is named1 i4 e4 to its heavenly representative1 the church personified in the form of an angel according to the prevailing symbolism of the book1 a poetic form of addressing the church itself2 and the message is given by authority of ,christ himself17#ccj7 who is described in veiled terms that are drawn mainly from the imagery of the preceding vision1 where the exalted ,redeemer is so vividly set forth2 and the terms are aptly chosen to suit the particular needs of the church to which it is sent4 ,it has been suggested1 also1 that these epistles to the churches contain numerous historical allusions to events connected with the cities in which the churches were located1 as for example ,sardis1 whose fortress had been twice captured while its people slept1 is exhorted to be watchful47#cca7 ,the epistles are addressed first to the individual and historic churches named1 and then through them are addressed to the whole church throughout the world1 of which the number seven is representative4 ,each of the epistles contains seven component parts1 viz3--7#a7 the address to the individual church1 i4 e4 to the angel of the church who represents the church itself2 7#b7 the command of ,christ to the seer to write2 7#c7 the title of ,christ1 usually taken from the vision of the glorified ,redeemer in the opening chapter2 7#d7 the praise or blame for good or ill1 given to the church for the conduct of the past2 7#e7 the divine charge or warning against special forms of sin2 7#f7 the promise of blessing to the victors2 and 7#g7 the call to each individual ,christian to hear and heed4 ,the order in which the churches are addressed is that of a geographical circuit beginning at ,ephesus1 the first city of ,asia1 and going northward1 which seems also to have been the order of their importance from the chief city downward4 ,the literary form of this section may be regarded as a reflection or echo of the manner of the opening part of the rhapsody of ,amos where recurrent formul of doom on seven nations are given 7,amos ch4 #ab747ccb7 7#a7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,ephesus1 ,ch4 #b3ag ,the epistle to the church in ,ephesus is ,christ's message to a declining church1 a church which had left its first love3--8,remember 444 and repent04 ,in this epistle ,christ is 8he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks01 and 8he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand01 i4 e4 he who is continually present among the churches1 and who upholds them by his power4 ,the candlesticks are objective representations of the seven churches bearing light upon the earth1 as in the prophecy of ,zechariah 7ch4 #d3aaj7 a sevenbranched candlestick stands for the ,jewish nation as the representative of the kingdom of ,god2 while the seven stars1 the counterpart of the candlesticks1 represent the churches held in the hand of ,christ shining in heaven4 ,in this symbolism it will be seen that the stars represent the churches in their relation to ,christ1 while the candlesticks are intended to exhibit their relation to the world4 ,to move the 8candlestick out of its place0 is a threatening of extinction to the particular church unless it repent4 ,those 8who call themselves apostles and they are not01 were probably well known pretenders of the closing part of the first century4 ,the ,nicolaitans here condemned1 were an early obscure sect concerning which little is known1 but who are reputed to have been libertines and seem to have denied the obligation of the moral law4 ,the epistle is declared to contain1 as we find the other epistles are also1 8what the ,spirit saith to the churches01 a clear indication of a wider message than to the individual community of the separate church47#ccc7 8,to eat of the tree of life0 as the reward of overcoming1 is a reference to the story of ,eden 7,gen4 #c3bb71 and then by anticipation to the joys of the ,new ,jerusalem which are the inheritance of the redeemed soul 7cf4 ch4 #bb3b2 and ,bk4 of ,enoch1 #be3de74 ,paradise1 a word rarely used in the ,new ,testament and probably of ,persian origin1 is here employed to describe the future abiding place of the redeemed47#ccd7 ,the church of ,ephesus1 to which this epistle is addressed1 is the chief of the seven churches to whom ,john was instructed to write1 though it has long since ceased to exist4 ,the city of ,ephesus1 which was some sixty miles northeast of ,patmos and was then a large and wealthy metropolis1 has experienced more vicissitudes in its history than any other city of the ,roman province of ,asia4 ,at that time it ranked first among all the cities of the province1 and shortly after it became the capital2 but it subsequently fell into decay1 and it is now only a squalid heap of ruins4 7#b7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,smyrna1 ,ch4 #b3haa ,the epistle to the church in ,smyrna is ,christ's message to a suffering church1 a church which had endured tribulation1 poverty1 and the blasphemy of the ,jews3--8,fear not4444 ,be thou faithful04 ,christ is here described as 8the first and the last1 who was dead and lived again01 a thought of special consolation for those who were about to be cast into prison in the coming persecution1 and many of whom would suffer death--like ,christ they would live again4 ,there is1 also1 a possible allusion in this to the popular myth concerning the death and resurrection of ,dionysius1 the favorite deity of ,smyrna17#cce7 with which the death and resurrection of ,christ1 the notable facts of the gospel1 are placed in marked contrast4 ,the recognized poverty of the church in such a rich city is remarkable1 and it has been suggested that it may have been partly at least the result of pillage by a mob27#ccf7 though more likely the feeling against the gospel in the midst of wealth like that of ,smyrna was so strong as to make its message unacceptable to any but the very poor4 ,it will be seen that the church receives no blame in this epistle1 but only counsel and encouragement4 ,the ten days of tribulation represent a period that is short but complete in itself1 i4 e4 it has a fixed limit1 for ten is the number of completeness4 ,the crown of life promised to the victors is not the royal diadem but the victor's crown1 which is the symbol of life eternal1 and is the antithesis of the second death1 i4 e4 of the soul in hell 7cf4 ch4 #bj3ad2 and #ba3h74 ,john may have here had in mind the crown often laid upon the head of the dead body of an earthly victor in his funeral procession--a crown of death with which the crown of life is placed in apposition4 ,the second death by which 8he that overcometh shall not be hurt01 is the death of the soul--not ceasing to be1 but dying to the best in life--the final condemnation which sinners undergo at the judgment4 ,smyrna is located some forty miles north1 and somewhat west1 of ,ephesus1 and was one of the most wealthy1 important1 and beautiful cities of ,asia ,minor4 ,it has an unbroken record from the dawn of history to the present day1 and now has a population of some two hundred and fifty thousand1 and is both rich and prosperous4 7#c7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,pergamus7#ccg71 ,ch4 #b3abag ,the epistle to the church in ,pergamus is ,christ's message to an impure church1 a church which had some that held the teaching of ,balaam1 and others the teaching of the ,nicolaitans3--8,repent 444 or else ,i come with the sword04 ,to this church ,christ is 8he that hath the sharp twoedged sword01 i4 e4 who wields the instrument of rebuke and punishment4 ,the location of ,satan's throne in ,pergamus denotes that the city was under his dominion1 and may refer to the newly introduced worship of the ,emperor in which that city was recognized as an important center27#cch7 while the death of ,antipas1 an otherwise unknown martyr1 called 8my witness1 my faithful one01 and also the presence of those holding the teaching of ,balaam17#cci7 the symbolic name for a doctrine akin to the ,nicolaitans1 serve to show that it was truly a place 8where ,satan dwelleth04 ,the aptness of the name lies in the similarity of ,balaam's method of seducing the ,israelites by licentiousness1 and that of the false teachers who were introducing ,antinomianism 7cf4 ,num4 #be3ab2 and #ca3af74 ,the hidden manna represents the true bread of life1 and is doubtless an allusion to the pot of manna laid up before the ,lord in the hidden recesses of the holy place in the tabernacle 7,ex4 #af3cc;f474 ,there may also be a reference to the ,jewish tradition that ,jeremiah had hidden the ark with its contents in a cave of ,sinai until the advent of the ,messiah 7,,ii ,macc4 #b4a71 when it was be restored4 ,the white stone is probably the jade1 which has been held in high esteem in the ,east from the earliest times17#cdj7 although some think it refers to the diamond4 ,white stands as the emblem of purity1 but the exact symbolism of the stone in this connection is obscure1 though clear enough to the first readers of the epistle4 ,the figure may possibly have been drawn from the ,jewish sacred use of precious stones1 especially of the mysterious ,urim and ,thummim kept in the pouch of the breastplate of the high priest1 which according to ,jewish tradition were inscribed with a name known only to the priest himself47#cda7 ,the gift would then imply the conferring of highpriestly privileges on those who overcome4 ,some1 however1 find in it a reference to the white pebble of acquittal used in courts of justice1 or in casting the lot2 others a reference to the tessera1 or ticket1 which admitted the victor in the ,olympic games to the public tables1 and entitled him to the awards of his city2 still others a reference to the common use of amulets and charms with a secret name or password on them1 in that case the white stone conferring the real power which the charm was assumed to have47#cdb7 ,but more probably the reference is to a stone engraved as a seal1 with the name of ,christ upon it1 the gift of which like the signet of a king 7,gen4 #da3db and ,est4 #h3b;f47 is regarded as bestowing something of the royal authority of ,christ upon the recipient4 ,precious stones of different shapes were commonly used for seals1 and were often unmounted and hung by a cord about the neck2 and the name of the owner and of the deity whom he specially worshipped were engraved upon them47#cdc7 ,every man of rank and wealth in the ,east from time immemorial had his own seal2 and among the ,babylonians so constant and imperative were its uses that it was generally placed with his body in his coffin47#cdd7 ,in all these interpretations the gift carries with it special privilege or advantage1 though the chief virtue of the stone apparently lies in the name written upon it4 ,the 8new name0 is not probably a new designation for the believer1 but the new name of ,christ 7ch4 #c3ab7 which is expressive of the new and more perfect revelation of him in heaven that only the redeemed can know 7ch4 #ad3a74 ,many1 however1 regard the new name as the heavenly name of the individual ,christian17#cde7 and this would be quite as appropriate for a seal as the name of ,christ4 ,pergamus was about a hundred miles north of ,ephesus1 and less than fifteen from the sea4 ,it was at that time the official capital of the ,province of ,asia1 and the seat of official authority4 ,it ranked with ,ephesus and ,smyrna as one of the great cities of proconsular ,asia1 and though it is now chiefly 8a city of magnificent ruins01 it still continues to exist under the name of ,bergama at the present day4 7#d7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,thyatira1 ,ch4 #b3ahbi ,the epistle to the church in ,thyatira is ,christ's message to a struggling church1 a church which had shown love and faith1 ministry and patience3--8,hold fast till ,i come04 ,christ is called 8the ,son of ,god1 who hath his eyes like a flame of fire1 and his feet are like unto burnished or molten brass01 i4 e4 he who is divine1 and whose allsearching sight and destroying footstep will surely recompense the evil 7cf4 ,dan4 #aj3f74 ,it is interesting to note that the title 8,son of ,god0 which is here used is not found elsewhere in the book1 though the divine personality of ,christ is so evident throughout4 ,jezebel1 the selfstyled prophetess that the church had tolerated1 but who with her children is about to be punished with death1 is probably the symbolic name of a class or leader in the church1 seducing it to sin47#cdf7 ,the angel of the church is regarded as the weak ,ahab who allows himself to be the tool of this new ,jezebel47#cdg7 8,the deep things of ,satan0 designate the mysteries of the false doctrine here condemned47#cdh7 8,the morning star0 to be given to those who overcome17#cdi7 is such a revelation of ,christ himself 7ch4 #bb3af;b7 made to the redeemed when the night of earth is over as will usher in the morning of eternal day--the beginning of the future and ever progressive revelation of ,god4 ,the titles applied to ,christ in this epistle1 8,son of ,god01 and 8morning star01 have suggested a possible contrast in thought with ,apollo1 the sungod worshipped at ,thyatira1 though such an allusion is quite uncertain4 ,the epistle to this church is the central one of the seven1 and is the longest as well as in some respects the most solemn of all the epistles4 ,thyatira lay about forty miles southeast from ,pergamus1 and was an important and wealthy city in the northern part of ,lydia1 though it never became a leading city of ,asia4 ,the modern name of the town is ,ak,hissar1 8the white castle04 7#e7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,sardis1 ,ch4 #c3af ,the epistle to the church in ,sardis is ,christ's message to a dying church1 a church which had a name as living and yet in a sense was dead3--8,establish the things that remain04 ,christ is designated as 8he that hath the seven ,spirits of ,god1 and the seven stars01 i4 e4 he that hath the ,holy ,spirit1 whom the seven ,spirits represent in his sevenfold or multiple activity1 and--as seems to be implied by connecting the seven ,spirits with the seven stars or angels of the churches--imparts the ,spirit to the churches1 upon which their life so fully depends4 ,this church receives only rebuke1 but the rebuke given is for lack of spiritual life rather than for any special form of sin4 ,it is declared to have no works fulfilled before ,god--8before my ,god01 a ,johannean phrase--and is exhorted to 8remember 444 and repent01 for ,christ 8will come as a thief027#cej7 but the 8few names or persons in ,sardis that did not defile their garments0 are promised that they shall walk with ,christ 8in white04 ,the white garments here promised to the victors are emblems of the perfect purity and heavenly state of the glorified 7cf4 ,bk4 of ,enoch1 #ij3ca727cea7 while to blot one's name out of the book of life17#ceb7 a fate from which those who overcome are declared to be exempt1 is to cease to have any part in the life eternal--a figure drawn from the custom of striking out the names of the dead from the list of citizens4 ,not only shall the name of him that overcometh be found in the register of the living1 but it shall also be acknowledged before ,god and the angels4 ,the command to 8,watch0 was a fitting exhortation for a city that was a wellnigh impregnable fortress1 and yet had twice been seized by its enemies because of neglect within its walls47#cec7 ,the exhortation to 8hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches01 in the last four of the epistles1 it will be seen1 follows instead of precedes the promise to the victors4 ,this does not1 however1 imply that a distinction is thereby intended between the churches1 dividing them into two groups1 the first consisting of three and the second of four1 the former faithful and the latter faithless1 a view held by some47#ced7 ,the difference is conceded to be chiefly one of 8tone 444 which it is easier to feel than to describe017#cee7 and it must be said that for most minds it does not exist4 ,the church in ,philadelphia1 among the last four1 is a steadfast church1 while the church at ,pergamus1 among the first three1 is an impure church in the view of many careful interpreters2 and ,ephesus has evidently gone back1 while ,thyatira has gone forward4 ,the city of ,sardis1 to which this letter was addressed1 lay about thirty miles southeast of ,thyatira1 and was anciently one of the most famous cities of ,asia2 but even in ,john's time it was 8a town of the past 444 decayed from its former estate 444 and it is now only a ruin1 with a tiny village called ,sart1 while the town is ,saliki1 about five miles east047#cef7 7#f7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,philadelphia1 ,ch4 #c3gac ,the epistle to the church in ,philadelphia is ,christ's message to a steadfast church1 a church which had kept his word and had not denied his name3--8,hold fast 444 that no one take thy crown04 ,christ is set forth as 8he that is holy1 he that is true01 i4 e4 he who possesses these attributes which are recognized as divine2 and 8he that hath the key of ,david01 i4 e4 he who has full control in the kingdom of ,god1 of which the kingdom of ,david was the enduring type 7cf4 ,isa4 #bb3bb71 he who grants or withholds according to his will4 ,these titles of ,christ1 it will be seen1 are not taken from the introductory vision1 like most of those in the seven epistles1 but from the ,old ,testament1 probably1 as has been suggested1 because of the number of ,jewish ,christians in the ,philadelphian church4 ,the 8door opened0 is one of opportunity for service afforded by the position of ,philadelphia on the borders of ,mysia1 ,lydia1 and ,phrygia47#ceg7 ,those 8that say they are ,jews and they are not01 are men untrue to their ,judaism in rejecting the promised ,messiah2 for to ,john's mind it was evident that only such ,jews as believe in ,jesus could belong to the real people of ,god4 8,the hour of trial0 7,gr4 --of the trial71 8that hour which is to come upon the whole world01 seems to be here equivalent to 8the great tribulation0 spoken of by our ,lord 7,matt4 #bd3ba71 and serves to introduce that element of shadow which ever hung in the background of ,apocalyptic perspective4 ,but the crisis at hand is not necessarily the end2 the general tenor of the ,revelation would rather show that it is only one of many crises that constantly progress toward the end47#ceh7 ,the reward of overcoming is to be made 8a pillar in the temple of ,god01 i4 e4 in the or inner sanctuary of the heavenly temple where ,god dwells1 not so much for support as for glory and for beauty1 like the pillars of brass in ,solomon's temple 7,i ,k4 #g3ae;f471 though perhaps with the additional idea of permanence and strength 7cf4 ,,ii ,esdra4 #b4ae74 ,the pillar was not only a prominent part of ancient temples1 but was often sculptured in human shape7#cei7--;a beautiful conception of man's relation to religion4 ,also the name of ,god1 of the city of ,god1 and of the ,son of ,god1 ,christ's own new name known only to himself1 are to be written upon the victors in token of absolute divine ownership--three1 the sign of the spiritual1 being perhaps also in mind in the use of three names4 ,philadelphia1 which lay about twentyeight miles southeast from ,sardis1 receives unmixed praise1 and the city remains almost unchanged unto this day1 though it has been transformed into the ,mohammedan town of ,ala ,sheker1 8the reddish city01 a name derived from the speckled1 red brown hills around4 ,it is renowned as having had the most glorious history of all the cities of ,asia ,minor in the long struggle against the ,turks27#cfj7 and it is a remarkable fact that the churches of ,philadelphia and ,smyrna1 the two which receive no censure in these epistles1 both continue to exist unto the present time4 7#g7 ,the ,epistle to the ,church in ,laodicea1 ,ch4 #c3adbb ,the epistle to the church in ,laodicea is ,christ's message to a self deceived church1 a church which had grown lukewarm and was neither cold nor hot3--8,be zealous 444 and repent04 ,in this final letter ,christ is called 8the ,amen cf4 ,isa4 #fe3af1 ,r4 ,v4 marg41 the faithful and true witness017#cfa7 as a sure guaranty of the fulfilment of the promises2 and he is also declared to be 8the beginning of the creation of ,god01 i4 e4 not1 indeed1 the first whom ,god created1 for ,christ is not a creature1 but rather he is the primal source and causative agent in divine creation17#cfb7 the ,one who began the creation of ,god1 whether the material creation that waxeth old or the new creation that endureth forever4 ,the church is openly rebuked for a tepid ,christianity that is nauseous to ,christ1 a religion that is 8neither cold nor hot04 ,laodicea was a city of trade and enterprise1 but ,john regarded the church as 8devoid of initiative0 in ,christian work4 ,the phrase 8thou sayest ,i am rich 444 and have need of nothing01 perhaps reflects the boast of the city which1 proud of its wealth1 had lately refused help from the liberality of the ,emperor after being destroyed by an earthquake 7,a4 ,d4 #fj72 and the exhortation 8,i counsel thee to buy of me gold01 is perhaps a reference to the heavenly riches as far surpassing the earthly which the people of the city possessed4 ,the 8white garments01 the type of a pure life1 may be here intended to be put in contrast with those produced from the glossy black wool of the sheep for which the place was noted2 and the 8eyesalve0 to be contrasted with the noted eyepowder of the neighboring temple of ,asklepios1 as the restorer of spiritual vision47#cfc7 ,laodicea during the ,roman period attained great prosperity1 and was the meeting place of the ,council of ,laodicea in ,a4 ,d4 #cfa1 but has long since been ruined and deserted4 ,it lay some sixty miles southeast of ,philadelphia1 and east of ,ephesus1 in the valley of the ,lycus1 and was the leading bishopric of ,phrygia throughout the ,christian period47#cfd7 ,in this closing epistle of the seven the climax of promise is reached in the assurance that 8he that overcometh0 shall sit with ,christ in his ,messiah throne 7v4 #ba71 i4 e4 shall share with him in the glory and rule of the church triumphant4 ,this promise seems to take a forward glance to the vision of the next two chapters1 especially to the view of the ,lamb in the midst of the throne4 ,a preparation is thus made for the sudden transition from the introduction and epistles to the chief visions of the book1 after the closing words of this epistle have been written4 8,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches10 is a final voice of admonition and warning to the church in ,laodicea1 to each of the seven churches in ,asia1 and then through them to the whole church throughout the world in all time1 exhorting them to hear and obey the message given in each and all of the seven epistles4 ,,ii ,,the ,,main ,,apocalypse1 ,ch4 #d3abb3e ,the ,revelation ,proper1 which occupies the chief portion of the book1 is a symbolic view of the great spiritual conflict of the ages1 reviewing the whole course and outcome of the farreaching struggle between the church and the world1 with the multiple and diverse forces that are engaged in it1 and setting forth the absolute decisiveness of the final issue4 ,it consists of a series of seven visions which undertake to solve the apparent anomalies of ,god's present rule among men by affording recurrent glimpses of the working out of a great1 comprehensive1 underlying plan1--a providential and moral order in the world that is divine and sovereign1 interpenetrated with a concurrent redemptive purpose that is gracious and elective1--which leads on through progressive stages of trial and warfare1 of threatening and judgment1 to the complete and final overthrow and punishment of all the wicked and to the full and glorious vindication and triumph of all the holy4 ,the seven visions1 when carefully examined1 will be seen to be progressive in their revelation2 for while they do not follow any line of temporal succession1 they yet show a progress of thought and movement throughout4 ,beginning with the vision of ,god on the throne1 a vision of sovereignty1 they advance in manifest order through the vision of the seven seals1 a vision of trial1 and the vision of the seven trumpets1 a vision of threatening1 to the vision of conflict1 a vision of warfare1 which is central to all and furnishes a key to the general interpretation of the book4 ,then by a scale of descending climax they pass on to the vision of the seven vials1 a vision of judgment1 followed by the vision of victory1 a vision of vindication1 and this again by the vision of the ,new ,jerusalem1 a vision of triumph1 which reveals the final goal of ,christian hope in the immediate presence of ,god47#cfe7 ,the purpose of the ,apocalypse is thus disclosed to be interpretative of ,god's plan of the ages1 an unfolding of the drama of destiny1 in which1 notwithstanding all apparent contradictions and present reverses1 he is yet ever leading on to full and final victory in the end--through all the conflict he is winning1 even against appearances1 and will triumph at last1--a view full of encouragement for tried and disheartened ,christians of the first and each succeeding century4 ,why ,god permitted this struggle to be begun and then let it continue throughout the centuries1 why he ever allowed sin to find a place among his moral creatures1 is a topic nowhere entered upon or discussed throughout the book4 ,it is evidently recognized as belonging to the unrevealed mysteries of ,god which lie outside the sphere of the present ,revelation4 ,but that he overrules all the apparently inapt and sinful conditions of this world for the ultimate good of his kingdom1 and that he will victoriously triumph at last1 is the assuring witness of the whole series of visions4 ,the ,apocalyptic form1 we find1 becomes more marked and definite in this main portion of the book1 and the difficulties of interpretation are correspondingly increased2 for they are no longer chiefly those of grammatical exegesis and historical allusion1 but rather the elucidation of a body of mysterious symbols4 ,the purpose and limits of the present volume forbid the discussion of many of the exegetical difficulties1 and serve to confine attention mainly to the meaning of the symbolism as the chief subject concerning which there is wide difference of opinion4 ,questions of grammatical1 or grammatico historical1 exegesis will be found more fully considered in the various commentaries to which the reader is referred in the footnotes4 ,the visions and episodes into which the main part of the book is properly divisible1 are given separately in the following analysis1 i4 e4 the seven seals1 trumpets1 and vials are each considered in order consecutively1 and the episodes which intervene are taken up after each sevenfold vision is complete1 in order that they may be better understood4 ,this preserves the connection of the seven in the series1 and emphasizes by itself the lesson of the episodes which are interjected into the natural order4 ,i ,the ,vision of ,god on the ,throne 7,a ,vision of ,sovereignty74 ,ch4 #d3ae3ad ,the opening vision of the seven chief visions in the ,revelation is a ,theophany1 revealing the majesty of the divine glory and the might of the sovereign rule of ,god as the abiding source of the church's confidence in the midst of trial and distress1 and as the unfailing ground of faith in the fulfilment of the revelation that follows4 ,this vision of the fifth and sixth chapters is preparatory to those that deal with the present and future prospects of the church upon earth1 and with this in view it sets forth the causal and higher relations upon which the history of the church depends1 viz4 ,god's sovereignty in creation and in redemption2 for it is only in relation to these two great abiding facts of the divine activity that the passing events of time have their true meaning4 ,we look first upon the stability of the eternal throne1 and upon the person of the divine atoning ,lamb1 and then we are better prepared to understand the drama of history1 and to view with equanimity the dread scenes of crisis and conflict which belong to the lot of the church upon earth4 ,the scene described in the fourth and fifth chapters1 of the eternal throne with those who are attendant upon it1 and of the ,lamb in the midst of it1 constitutes a proem to the succeeding visions1 and may be thought of as continuing throughout and forming the background for all that follows1 in the light of which it must be viewed and its meaning interpreted4 ,in the fifth chapter the action proper to the ,revelation begins with the taking of the sealed book1 though some regard the action as beginning with the sixth chapter in the opening of the seals4 ,the present vision is introduced with the phrase 8after these things0 7v4 #a71 which does not indicate an interval of time but rather a succession of events1 and always marks a break in the connection and a new phase of the revelation4 #a ,the ,throne and the ,king1 ,ch4 #d3ac1 #e;a1 and #f;a ,a door is opened in heaven that the seer may look in1 and the trumpet voice of ch4 #a3aj is heard again1 saying1 8,come up hither1 and ,i will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter01 the further announcement of a prophetic vision1 the sign not only that eternal verities are to be revealed1 but that earthly things are to be seen from the heavenly point of view4 ,and we are told that straightway ,john 8was in the ,spirit01 i4 e4 he became conscious of an additional impulse of divine rapture1 for he was already in the ,spirit 7ch4 #a3aj72 and then the throne of ,god1 the seat of the divine government1 is seen in the eternal splendor of repose1 the reflection of the divine sovereignty1 surrounded by a rainbow of emerald green arching above it1 the emblem of ,god's covenant mercy 7,gen4 #i3ac71 and sending forth lightnings1 thunders1 and voices1 the tokens of divine power1 majesty1 and judgment4 ,the divine ,person is presented as enthroned1 but is not named1 and is described only by comparison1 a touch of reverent reserve as consonant with religion as it is true to art4 ,his appearance is glorious like jasper and sardius1 the last and first of the precious stones on the breastplate of the highpriest1 and part of the foundation stones of the heavenly city47#cff7 ,the pure jasper and the red sardius are the apparent symbols of purity and justice 7cf4 ,ezek4 #a3bf1 and #aj3a2 ,dan4 #g3i2 ,bk of ,enoch #ad3ah;f474 ,before the throne1 we are told1 there is 8as it were1 a sea of glass7#cfg7 like unto crystal01 the symbol of the calm and fulness of life in ,god's completed kingdom in contrast with the stormy sea of earthly nations1 the calm of the heavenly life in antithesis with the turmoil of the earthly4 ,this seems to be the more natural interpretation of the passage1 yet the symbolism of the sea in the ,revelation has been interpreted with a good deal of freedom1 and there is wide difference of opinion concerning its meaning4 ,it is regarded by many as the symbol of purification the antitype of the laver before the tabernacle1 while others find in it a type of the eternal fulness of joy in the presence of ,god4 ,some think the sea is placed before the throne as a symbol of the former trial and conflict of the earthly life through which the saints have passed to reach the presence of ,god1 and that it has now become a perpetual memorial of victory1 for the sea is glassy and quiet as the sign that the conflict is over47#cfh7 ,other late writers connect the sea with early ,hebrew ideas of the waters before the firmament 7,gen4 #a3g71 traces of which continue to appear in ,apocalyptic literature1 and hold that this conception underlies the symbolism of the molten sea in ,solomon's temple and forms the basis of the present description47#cfi7 ,with figures so flexible as these it is quite possible that different thoughts have been included1 for the sea was closely interwoven with the early stage of ,israel's history1 and may have become a symbol covering a wide range of correlative ideas4 ,but however we may interpret the meaning of the symbolism1 the presence of the sea in the vision undoubtedly serves to enhance the majesty and splendor of the scene1 and may have been introduced partly for that purpose1 though the sea undoubtedly had a permanent place in ,hebrew thought4 #b ,the ,four and ,twenty ,elders1 ,ch4 #d3d1 #aj and #aa ,the vision presents the worship of heaven in the forms of earth for our apprehension4 ,the elders 7,gr4 8presbyters07 are the ideal representatives of the redeemed church17#cgj7 who are clothed in white raiment and placed round about the throne wearing golden crowns and sitting on lesser thrones reigning with ,christ1 the fitting tokens of royal dignity and authority1 and of their triumphant victory through him who is their ,saviour4 ,they are ever active in service1 casting their crowns before the throne and him that sitteth thereon as they worship1 and joining in every chorus of adoration47#cga7 ,their number is that of the twelve patriarchs and apostles combined1 indicating that they represent the church of both dispensations1 the saints of the ,old and ,new ,testaments4 ,they are not1 however1 the twelve patriarchs and apostles themselves enthroned1 as suggested by some1 but ideal beings who have a representative character4 ,their number1 twice twelve1 i4 e4 twice the national number of ,israel1 aptly symbolizes the glorified church of all the ages47#cgb7 ,some find in these elders a group of angelic beings who are attendants of the divine glory and whose presence in the heavenly temple was a part of ancient ,jewish tradition1 as in the ,judgment of ,peter1 where it is said1 8,for there are four and twenty elders1 twelve upon the right hand and twelve upon the left407#cgc7 ,there is no reason to infer1 however1 that the ,greek term 8presbyters01 or 8elders01 with its definite meaning in the ,new ,testament church1 is otherwise used in the ,apocalypse1 even though the elders are here the representatives of a class4 ,it is quite possible that the earlier use of the four and twenty elders in ,apocalyptic literature may have been the occasion of their introduction here1 but there was nothing in the usage of the past to prevent its modified application in a ,christian sense so natural as this in the first century2 on the contrary it is quite in accord with the gradually progressive method of ,apocalyptic thought that they should be introduced here to represent the church enlarged by ,new ,testament accessions4 ,it is certainly quite beside the mark to affirm that this idea of the church as a combination of the ,old and ,new ,testament saints is 8medieval027#cgd7 when it is found so clearly in the ,epistles of ,paul4 #c ,the ,seven ,lamps of ,fire 7or ,torches71 ,ch4 #d3e;b ,these lamps are seen burning before the throne which they serve to illumine1 recalling the sevenbranched candlestick in the tabernacle1 and they are seven in number1 doubtless1 to indicate their fulness or completeness4 ,we are told that the lamps 8are i4 e4 are the symbol of the seven ,spirits of ,god02 they are1 therefore1 evidently designed to represent the ,holy ,spirit throughout the ,revelation1 the seven ,spirits that are before the throne 7ch4 #a3d7 and that serve to denote the fulness of the ,spirit's operation1 his manifold energy in contradistinction to the unity of his person4 ,the fitness of fire1 or a flaming torch1 to symbolize the illuminative influence of the ,spirit is quite evident1 throwing light upon the throne and revealing ,god to men1 but the use of seven torches1 like that of seven ,spirits1 is peculiar to the ,revelation1 and is introduced1 one is constrained to think1 for a special purpose4 ,that the ,holy ,spirit is indicated by this symbol throughout is shown by the context 7cf4 chs4 #a3d and #c3a71 but it is evidently used here to set forth the ,spirit from a particular point of view1 i4 e4 to represent in a concrete form the divine perfection of the ,spirit as displayed in his multiple activities4 ,it seems to be an echo from the vision of ,zechariah 7ch4 #c3i1 and #d3aj7 where the divine pervasive insight is represented by the 8seven eyes of the ,lord01 7cf4 also ,rev4 #e3f1 8the seven eyes of the ,lamb074 #d ,the ,four ,living ,creatures1 ,ch4 #d4 #f;b#i ,the four living creatures 7cf4 ,ezek4 #a3e;f471--which are not to be thought of as 8beasts0 even in a good sense1 as in the ,authorized ,version1 but rather as in the ,greek1 8the living ones01 which gives a better idea1--are seen 8in the midst of the throne and round about the throne01 evidently indicating their function in the heavenly court1 to wait upon the divine ,person1 though their exact arrangement in the vision is not so clear47#cge7 ,these are composite creatureforms that are manifestly to be identified with the cherubim of the ,old ,testament4 ,each creature consists of four representative forms of animal life combined in one1 viz4 that of the lion1 the ox1 the eagle1 and man1 together producing a strange1 anomalous figure which is generally thought to personify wild animals1 domestic animals1 birds1 and man1 as possessing a common physical life1 or created life in its entirety represented by its higher and more notable forms4 ,in the ,revelation each has a different face1 according to the animal form which is made prominent1 and not four faces as in ,ezekiel 7,ezek4 #a3ead71 the individual life being thereby made more manifest4 ,these living ones are ideal symbols of the physical creation1 especially of all created life1 and represent in the vision the entire earthly creation as sharing in the benefits of redemption17#cgf7 manifesting the divine glory1 and waiting upon ,god4 ,they are used in the ,old ,testament as impressive symbols of the divine presence1 and ,jehovah is known as 8he that dwelleth between the cherubim01 7,am4 ,r4 ,v4 8sitteth above0--marg4 8is enthroned01 i4 e4 upon the cherubim717#cgg7 a reflection of the thought embodied in the arrangement of the ark of the covenant1 where the mercy seat with the shekinah flame was placed between the cherubim4 ,in ,john's vision the living creatures are seen in closest proximity to the throne1 and they lead the heavenly choir in an unceasing song of praise 7the ,creation ,chorus1 v4 #haa71 the closing verse of the song indicating their function in the heavenly court to glorify ,god1 as also the part they subsequently have in the song of the redeemed 7the ,redemption ,chorus1 ch4 #e3ac7 reflects the nature of their worship4 ,they are full of eyes1 the sign of their allseeing watchfulness2 they have three pairs of wings1 the symbol of their spiritual ministry1 for three is the sign of the spiritual as the wings are of activity2 and they are four in number while each is fourfold to indicate their relation to the organic world1 for four is always the earth number4 ,also1 they rest not day and night1 showing the characteristic of life in its fullest energy and ceaseless activity1 saying 8,holy1 holy1 holy10 i4 e4 8holy0 thrice repeated1--three a symbol of the divine1--corresponding to the ,trisagion of ,isaiah's prophecy 7ch4 #f3c71 declaring the holiness of ,god1 the ,all,ruler1 as especially revealed in creation1 all created beings ministering to the manifestation of the divine glory4 ,the identity of the living creatures with the cherubim of the ,old ,testament is generally recognized1 but the origin of the idea of the cherubim in connection with the worship of ,jehovah is as obscure as the actual form is indefinite1 though probably derived from a primitive stage of religious thought among the ,semitic people1 and early incorporated as a symbol in the religion of ,israel4 ,apparently the form and conception varied somewhat through time1 as will be seen by comparing ,ezekiel's description with that which is given here1 though the general idea remained the same4 ,some think the cherubim to have been originally the stormclouds personified1 regarded as supporting the divine throne and surrounding the divine ,person1 while the seraphim represented the lightningflash revealing ,god to men4 ,others regard them as unidentified natureforces idealized in forms of life1 and traditionally associated with the throne of ,god4 ,but whatever their origin1 their meaning in ,scripture is plain1 viz4 the physical creation waiting upon ,god47#cgh7 #e ,the ,sealed ,book 7or ,scroll71 ,ch4 #e3ae ,a new phase of the vision now begins with chapter five1 indicated by the words 8,and ,i saw01 setting forth the glory and honor of the exalted ,redeemer1 and indicating the divine purpose through him to throw light upon the plan of ,god for the ages4 ,a sealed book or scroll1 the sign that its contents are hidden1 and written within and without1 i4 e4 upon both sides1 or within and also on the back1--filled to its very margins like the roll in ,ezekiel 7ch4 #b3iaj71--;indicating the exceeding fulness of its contents and the completeness of the divine plan1 is seen lying 8in or upon the right hand of him that sat on the throne04 ,this book1 which at first no one can be found to open1 apparently contains ,god's multitudinous and unrevealed purposes concerning the future course of the church in the world1--as is afterward more fully indicated by the nature of the things portrayed when the seals are broken1--for it evidently pertains to the mysteries of the kingdom of ,god on earth1 part of which are about to be disclosed to ,john47#cgi7 ,the book is closed by seven seals1 a perfect number1 the symbol implying that it is perfectly sealed or fully closed17#chj7 a roll apparently sealed in sections1 perhaps with the end of the parchment fastened down by the seals to its staff so that it cannot be opened except by one having authority to break the seals47#cha7 ,the book itself1 it should be noted1 is never read at any period of the vision1 showing that what it contains is not fully disclosed1 but as the seals are broken the general nature of the contents of each section is symbolically portrayed in the form set forth in the succeeding vision of the seals4 #f ,the ,lamb1 ,ch4 #e3fh;a ,at this point in the vision the divine ,redeemer1 ,jesus ,christ1 appears in order to open the seals1 portrayed as the ,lamb of ,god1 the recognized atoner for sin1 a symbol of striking power to every one familiar with the ,old ,testament system of sacrifices4 ,the importance of opening the seals had been already indicated in the vision 7ch4 #e3b;f47 by the appearance of a strong or mighty angel1 the sign of high rank and great power1 proclaiming with a great voice1 8,who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof80 ,and when no one was found 8in the heaven1 or on the earth1 or under the earth01 i4 e4 in the place of the spirits of the dead--a phrase equivalent to saying that no one could be found in all the universe--the prophet wept much1 showing his deep interest and bitter disappointment when his expectation seemed about to fail4 ,but one of the elders1 a representative of the redeemed church1 points out to ,john him who is able to open the book because he 8hath overcome01 indicating the glorified ,redeemer as the source of help47#chb7 ,he is described by the elder as 8the ,lion that is of the tribe of ,judah0 7,gen4 #di3i71 and 8the ,root of ,david0 7,isa4 #aa3a71 indicating his kingly7#chc7 and prophetic relations to ,israel2 but when he appears to ,john's wondering view it is in sacrificial form as the ,lamb of ,god17#chd7 the sign of his priestly relation to his people1 bearing marks as though he had been slain1 but now standing in living power in the midst of the throne1 the center of all attention and the glorified object of all worship1 alike the agent of redemption and the consummation of sacrifice4 ,the words 8in the midst of the throne0 may mean in the center of the throne and encircled by it1 or between the throne and those surrounding it4 ,some regard the throne as a semicircle in the open side of which the ,lamb stands1 and within which are placed two of the living creatures1 with the other two at the back1 while the elders surround the throne1 and the many angels form the outer circle17#che7 a view that is helpful to those who wish detail in such matters1 for the chief thought in the symbolism is sufficiently plain4 ,it may also be worth while to note how clearly this symbolism implies that the redeemed church1 represented by the elders1 stands nearer to the throne of ,god than even the angels47#chf7 ,the seven horns of the ,lamb symbolize the fulness of his power1 for the horn is the ,hebrew emblem of power as seven is of fulness or completeness of quality2 and his seven eyes represent the perfection of his vision and knowledge1 seeing with the omniscient eyes of the ,holy ,spirit 7,zech4 #d3aj7 who proceedeth alike from the ,father and the ,son47#chg7 ,he takes the book out of the right hand of ,god as a token of his rightful authority1 an act full of meaning1 for he alone has prevailed and has power to open the book and to reveal ,god's purposes because he has redeemed the church and himself directs the path of her history4 ,in this sublime vision of the ,lamb in the midst of the throne we may be truly said to have reached 8the point of highest dramatic interest in the whole book04 #g ,the ,heavenly ,worship1 ,ch4 #e3h;b#ad ,the taking of the book is followed by an act of profound worship2 the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fall down before the ,lamb1 having each one a harp1 the instrument of praise1 and a golden bowl full of incense1 representing the prayers of the saints1 which they offer before ,god4 ,then they voice their thought in a new song1 the song of the redeemed 7the ,redemption ,chorus71 which is rendered unto him that sitteth upon the throne1 and unto the ,lamb1 declaring him worthy that hath been slain to take the book and to open the seals1 and 8to receive the power1 and riches1 and wisdom1 and might1 and honor1 and glory1 and blessing01--a sevenfold or complete ascription of praise--who hath redeemed his people with his blood out 8of every tribe1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation01--a fourfold or worldwide redemption for all peoples7#chh7--8;and madest them to be unto our ,god a kingdom and priests2 and they reign upon the earth01 even now in the midst of trials1 in a spiritual sense which though imperfect foreshadows and assures their complete spiritual reign in the new world wherein dwelleth righteousness4 ,this song is sung by the four living creatures as the representatives of the whole creation who unitedly rejoice in the work of redemption together with man1 and by the four and twenty elders who represent the church of all time1 the personal subjects of redemption2 and it is chorused by an innumerable company of angels1 ,god's sinless creation1 who are described as consisting of 8ten thousand times ten thousand01 i4 e4 the square of a myriad1 a hundred millions in number 7or1 as the words may mean1 8myriads of myriads0 i4 e4 hundreds of millions71 and in addition 8thousand of thousands01 i4 e4 millions more1--a symbolical expression for a numberless host2 and it is echoed by 8every created thing which is in the heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea01 i4 e4 it is reechoed from every created being throughout the universe4 ,thus the ,chorus of ,creation1 wonderful as it was1 is surpassed by the ,chorus of ,redemption3 and the four living creatures who represent creation said in full accord1 8,amen01 while the four and twenty elders 8fell down and worshipped0 him that liveth forever and ever4 ,the opening of the seals then follows1 and because of its widely different bearing from that which precedes1 is usually considered as forming a separate vision1 though the transition is not otherwise marked than by a change of action and progress of thought4 ,,ii ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,seals 7,a ,vision of ,trial74 ,ch4 #f3aag1 and #h3a ,the vision of the seven seals is a prophetic delineation of the trials and triumphs of the church of ,christ throughout all her history1 especially from the days of ,john to the end of the world1 depicted in the symbols of ,apocalyptic4 ,these trials fall upon all men in common1 and from another point of view are also judgments upon the sinful world1 but they are regarded here chiefly as involving the church in suffering1 and as preparing the way for the triumph of the kingdom of ,god1 the coming of our ,lord1 and the final consummation of all things4 ,the opening of the seals by ,christ indicates his purpose of revealing the hidden contents of the book which he had taken from the right hand of ,god 7ch4 #e3g71 and the number of the seals 7seven7 shows the completeness of the series4 ,the order of the seals is progressive1 but they have no definite or categorical timerelation2 they regard only the ceaseless swing of the ages ever sweeping on toward the final consummation4 ,the underlying divine purpose of testing men by moral struggle is apparent throughout2 the trials set forth are disciplinary to those who believe1 but punitive to those who resist4 ,the form of trials in the vision is that of an illustrative symbolism which should not be limited in interpretation to the few particular kinds of trouble that are described1 but should be taken as representative of the whole round of sorrows endured by ,god's people throughout all time1 a prophetic forecast which1 though receiving an immediate fulfilment in the experience of the early church1 has yet had and will have a further and wider fulfilment throughout the course of the ages4 ,the subordinate element of judgment upon the wicked in the vision is implied rather than stated1 except under the sixth seal2 nevertheless upon further reflection it may be clearly seen1 for the advancing conquest of ,christ includes the overthrow of the wicked1 while the sorrows of war1 famine1 and death fall upon them without any consolation like the recompense of the righteous1 the avenging of the martyrs is foretold as eventually to be visited upon them1 and amidst the terrors of the final judgment they find no availing refuge1 but cry to the mountains and to the rocks to fall upon them to hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the throne1 and from the wrath of the ,lamb4 ,this bearing of the trials of the seals1 revealing judgment upon the world1 should not be overlooked in our interpretation1 though we should not lay special stress upon it1 for it is not the foremost thought in mind4 ,in entering upon the more obscure portions of the book it may be well to remind the reader that the interpretation will be much simplified1 and many of the difficulties will disappear1 if we regard all the mysterious action in these visions as in the broadest sense symbolical1 and not requiring detailed application4 ,and although an effort may well be made to recover what has been called the 8groundview0 of the ,apostle1 i4 e4 the natural application of the prophecy that lay in the immediate horizon of history and belonged to the conditions of his time1 yet this cannot be regarded as absolutely essential to the correct interpretation for us and for all ages4 ,we should not forget that we are dealing with what is really a great creative poem in prose1 containing idealized conceptions of widely pervasive principles1 and therefore its true interpretation lies in facts of universal experience rather than in the special circumstances which helped to give it form in the mind of the writer1 but beyond which he passed with poetic freedom to grasp the larger ideal--for to deny that ,john had any such ideal in mind is to do injustice both to his prophetic and poetic insight4 ,and if in our anxiety to reproduce the author's native horizon1 we allow the basis of historical fact to become the chief matter of concern1 we are sure to lose in literary insight in the interpretation of the book far more than we gain through clearness of local perspective4 ,for it is always to be reckoned 8amongst the impediments to the study of literature 444 that the personality of the author1 and the circumstances of actual life1 are forever being allowed to interpose between a creative poem and the mind of the reader017#chi7 to the constant hindrance of any free following of the author's constructive idealization4 ,and it is only by avoiding this narrowing influence of realism that we are at all likely to reach the heart of the ,apocalypse4 #a ,the ,opening of the ,first ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3a1 #b ,the ,lamb as the ruler and revealer of destiny opens the seals4 ,at the call of one of the four living creatures1 8come017#cij7 a white horse and his rider1 who bears a bow1 the sign of warfare1 and receives a crown1 the token of victory1 appear in view1 representing ,christ going forth conquering and to conquer17#cia7 a vision depicting the beginning and trend of the gospel age3 the symbol of the victory of ,christ's cause attained through conflict1 ,christianity triumphing in the earth1--for the progress of the life of the church is viewed like that of the national life of ,israel as marked by constant conflict4 ,the assurance of victory is made to precede the revelation of trial as a ground of comfort and confidence throughout the succeeding seals4 ,we may properly regard the contents of this seal as a present view of the onward course of the church1 the details of which are to be imagined rather than described1 a suggestive picture which stamps itself upon the mind1 for the figure of the crowned and conquering ,christ once distinctly seen can never be effaced but marks all our afterthought of him4 ,this vision was realized in some measure in the splendid growth of the church in the first and following centuries1 but the full realization of its promise lies in the fulness of the ages 7ch4 #ai3aaba7--;,christ is ever moving on through the years to final victory4 ,many historical interpreters find in this rider the symbol of conquest1 especially of judgment on the ,roman ,empire by the ,parthians1 indicated by the bow1 their usual weapon1 and premonitory of the end47#cib7 ,in that case the first seal1 like the succeeding ones1 would indicate a form of trial to the church4 ,others see in the rider the sign of ,roman conquest1 and in the subsequent seals precursors of the destruction of ,jerusalem1 assuming the earlier date of the book4 ,these views1 however1 fail to recognize the close similarity and apparent identity of the rider in this vision with the one on the white horse in chapter nineteen 7v4 #aa7 who is evidently divine27#cic7 nor do they agree with the above view as to the scope of the seals1 but limit them to the first century1 while in the interpretation given in this work they reach forward throughout the history of the church to the end of time4 ,we must be duly careful1 according to the symbolic view1 not to limit the prophecy to too narrow a scope in its complete fulfilment1 and especially not to exclude the worldwide and universal reference1 even though it be regarded as the secondary meaning1 since to many minds this is the essential and larger thought in the vision4 ,for we should not forget that while the visions of the ,apocalypse1 like the voices of prophecy and the parables and teachings of our ,lord1 had their immediate occasion and purpose1 yet this becomes in turn the ground and instrument of a wider and permanent divine message to all mankind1 and that this is the message which is our chief concern4 #b ,the ,opening of the ,second ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3c1 #d ,at the call of the second living creature1 8,come01 a red horse and his rider appear1 to whom is given a great sword1 and power to take peace from the earth3 the symbol of war1 and of consequent trial to the church4 ,the bloodred horse with his armed rider betokens the carnage of battle1 and suggests all the horrors of bloodshed with its accompanying train of suffering4 ,it is a prediction not of any particular war or wars1 but of war in general1 as the 8wars and rumors of wars0 in our ,saviour's discourse 7,mt4 #bd3f74 ,and it was only as it was 8given unto him0 7v4 #d71 we are told1 that the rider could accomplish his mission1 thereby indicating the divine authority1 limitation1 and restraint4 ,the sword is the same as the sacrificial knife1 and the term used for slaying in the passage is the ,greek term for killing the sacrificial victim1 which may be intended to imply that the slaughter of the saints is to be included with others47#cid7 ,the contents of this seal were realized to some extent in the ,jewish war connected with the fall of ,jerusalem1 and in the subsequent wars of the ,roman ,empire which entailed great suffering upon the church as well as upon the world4 ,the form of the prophecy1 however1 does not preclude reference to the then past as well as to present and to future events2 it points to the experience of ,god's children in every age1 to the ,jewish as well as the ,christian church1 though doubtless with the future specially in view4 ,these sorrows have been repeated again and again in the numberless wars of history1 and may be repeated afresh in the future1 for war is a constant trial of the church throughout the centuries4 ,the symbol of the armed rider on the bloodred horse presents a vivid picture of the horrors of war4 ,it was a figure which spoke to the imaginative ,eastern mind with a power superior to words1 especially to those who had known in their own experience the destructive ravages of war2 but the details were left to be supplied by individual thought4 #c ,the ,opening of the ,third ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3e1 #f ,at the call of the third living creature1 8,come01 a black horse and his rider appear1 weighing out grain with a balance3 the symbol of famine1 want1 and consequent suffering by the church4 ,this expressive figure of the black horse and his rider with a balance foretold in a form that surpassed the power of language to describe1 the prevailing gloom and distress of famine4 ,grain is sold by weight instead of measure1 thereby indicating its scarcity 7,ezek4 #d3af71 and the price is from eight to twelve times its usual cost1 the food of a working man requiring his entire wages1 and leaving those dependent on him without support47#cie7 ,the famine indicated is not1 however1 any special season of want1 but recurrent famine as a condition of trial1 and is limited in its extent1 as indicated by preserving the oil and the wine which may be regarded as typical articles of food1 or the best of the things of common life7#cif7--;a famine affecting the poor rather than the rich1 the multitude rather than the few4 ,the contents of this seal were realized in prevailing famines such as that under ,claudius1 that at the siege of ,jerusalem1 and many other seasons of want which have occurred at different times throughout the ages1 but especially in the ancient world and in the ,far ,east4 ,the emaciation and terror produced by hunger and want was a form of suffering too well known among the inhabitants of those lands to need any further emphasis--it spoke a language of its own to all those who had felt its power4 #d ,the ,opening of the ,fourth ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3g1 #h ,at the call of the fourth living creature1 8,come01 a pale1 ashen colored1 or green horse1 and his rider ,death appear1 with ,hades following after1 i4 e4 the world of departed spirits accompanying death as his afterpart to swallow up his victims1 both personified1 and with power given them to kill with the sword and with famine and with death in all its forms3 the symbol of mortality in the church1 destroying the forces of the kingdom4 ,the pale green or livid horse1 the color of a corpse1 reflects the ghastliness of a dead body bordering on dissolution1 and points to the ruin wrought by death4 ,death is here considered as in itself a trial1 and some of the more terrible and widespread agencies by which it is brought about are mentioned in order to make its ravages more impressive4 ,among other forms death by sword and famine are included1 evils already introduced under the two former seals as the occasion of suffering1 but here regarded as leading to death and constituting a separate trial4 ,the trial of this seal is also limited1 and affects only one fourth of men1 i4 e4 a fractional part1 not an actual fourth1 the fourth being perhaps suggested by the four horsemen4 ,the contents of this seal were realized in the fearful mortality of ,roman times by means of the fourfold scourge of sword1 famine1 pestilence1 and wild beasts1 the crown of all sorrows to the ,jewish mind2 but they have also been realized in a similar way1 though different form1 through the many dread visitations of death in later days4 ,it will be noticed that almost every part of the symbolism in these visions has a meaning of its own4 ,the horse in motion seems to indicate the swift progress and triumphal march through the earth of the things represented in the first four seals1 viz4 of ,christianity the conquering religion1 and also of war1 famine1 and death1 the widespread terrors which are impersonated by the riders as treading the path of the centuries4 ,the color of the different horses1 too1 is not without significance2 white is the sign of victory 7white horses were not uncommonly ridden by ,roman conquerors77#cig7 and it is also the symbol of purity1 while red is the symbol of bloodshed1 black of want1 and pale or ashen green of death1 each of the latter betokening something of the nature of the scourge which they bring to men4 ,the whole content of the seals presents a bare outline of various forms of suffering1 and is intended to typify a multitude of sorrows that are unnamed4 ,it should be noted1 too1 that at the close of the fourth seal a division of the seals is apparent into two groups with four and three in each4 ,the first four relate to the sphere of the natural world1 as the number four indicates1 and the fact also that they are ushered in by the four living creatures who represent creation4 ,these seals are chiefly designed to show that during the period in which ,christ is carrying forward his conquest unto victory1 both trial and suffering in this world form part of the divine purpose of discipline for his people which cannot be escaped from but should be endured with patience and hope4 ,the last three seals relate to the things of the spiritual life1 of which three is the symbol1 and point forward to the future and great reward in the world to come which is about to be realized by those who are faithful4 ,the same division into four and three1 pertaining to the natural and the spiritual1 though with a distinctive application1 is found in the visions of the trumpets and vials 7see ,app'x4 ,d74 #e ,the ,opening of the ,fifth ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3iaa ,at the opening of the fifth seal a vision of the souls of the martyrs appears1 viz4 of those 8that had been slain for the word of ,god1 and for the testimony which they held0 7cf4 ch4 #ai3aj71 who are now seen underneath the altar 7i4 e4 the equivalent of the great brazen altar of sacrifice in the ,jewish service1 at the foot of which the blood of the sacrificial victims was poured7 as the sign of their having sacrificed their lives for the truth4 ,the altar is in the heavenly temple1 which to the ,jewish mind was the archetype of the earthly1 where they are found crying to ,god as their master7#cih7 to judge and avenge them1 i4 e4 calling for vindication1 not for vengeance in the earthly sense2 and they receive each a white robe1 the recognized symbol of purity and victory1 and are bidden to rest until the roll of martyrs is complete37#cii7 the symbol of martyrdom so often experienced by the church throughout the ages4 ,these saints of ,god have not been delivered from death1 but they have been delivered through death4 ,the limit of this trial is the 8little time0 of the church's further conflict1 a period looked upon as relatively short in the whole course of the centuries1 though not in itself necessarily short or definitely limited1 for the 8little time0 is practically the whole period of this and the preceding seals4 ,the contents of this seal were partly realized in the ten persecutions of the early church1 especially those under ,nero1 and under ,domitian1 belonging to the period of the ,apocalypse2 but they have also been realized in every subsequent persecution that has followed the planting of the gospel in heathen lands4 ,the martyrs belong to all ages and all nations1 and include every man who has given his life as a testimony for the truth2 and this seal looks along the whole line and comprehends every martyr of every age4 #f ,the ,opening of the ,sixth ,seal1 ,ch4 #f3abag ,at the opening of the sixth seal a vision of an earthquake appears1 in which the sun became black as sackcloth of hair1 the whole moon as blood1 and the stars of heaven fell1 while even the heaven itself was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up1 and every mountain and island were moved out of their places1 for we are told that the day1 the great day1 of divine wrath is come3 the symbol of judgment and retribution1 especially of the last judgment1 and of the destruction of the world4 ,the terrors of the judgment thus described are sevenfold1 affecting the earth1 the sun1 the moon1 the stars1 the heavens1 the mountains1 and the islands2 and seven classes of men are mentioned1 who call to the rocks and the mountains to fall upon them and to hide them from the wrath of the ,lamb1 viz4 the kings of the earth1 the princes1 the chief captains1 the rich1 the strong1 and every bondman1 and every freeman1--additional signs of universality and completeness4 ,the contents of this seal have been realized in one way in the crises of history and the fall of empires1 which we may regard as described here after the analogy of ,jewish ,apocalyptic1 under the form of a great catastrophe of nature bringing to an end the existing order of things--the fortunes of the people of ,god1 though not their fate1 being conceived of as inseparably interwoven with the world of nature2 but this is only a temporary and passing fulfilment which foreshadows and points to the final day of wrath 7called in ,greek 7v4 #ag71 8the day1 the great day of their wrath01 i4 e4 of the wrath of ,god and of the ,lamb71 or the day of the ,lord17#djj7 and the end of the world4 ,the ,end is a constant element in all ,apocalyptic writings1 as it is the recurrent point of interest with ,john in the ,apocalypse2 and it was undoubtedly due to the influence of ,jewish ,apocalyptic conceptions that an expectation commonly prevailed in the primitive church that the ,end was close at hand1 and that it would come not through development but through crises of judgment47#dja7 ,the important part which the ,end has in the ,apocalypse may be regarded as owing in some degree to the place it must necessarily occupy in any exhaustive scheme of the course of the world2 but it is perhaps more largely due to the peculiar viewpoint of ,apocalyptic1 which exalted the ,end out of proportion to the present in order to impress more deeply its lessons47#djb7 ,all the visions of the six seals had a particular application and an undoubted though partial fulfilment in the first age in which they were given2 but they have a wider and more perfect fulfilment in all subsequent time1 and perhaps will have an especially complete fulfilment in the last time1 such as we know that the sixth seal will surely have4 ,to seek constantly1 however1 for a merely literal fulfilment is surely to emphasize the least important part of their meaning1 and to limit them narrowly to a definite historical event is to rob them of their larger purpose1 for they are wideflung types that speak as with a thousand tongues to the open ear and ready mind4 ,in the order of the ,revelation the connection is at this point interrupted and the climax suspended by introducing the ,episode of the ,sealed ,ones 7ch4 #g3aag71 which will be found under ,i,ib4 ,the episodes are given separately in this outline1 and outside of their proper position in the text1 for the sake of clearness and emphasis4 #g ,the ,opening of the ,seventh ,seal1 ,ch4 #h3a ,at the opening of the seventh seal a vision of heaven wrapped in perfect silence appears3 the symbol of mystery1 the unrevealed1 the unspoken1 the ineffable bliss of heaven which cannot be told in human words or portrayed in physical form1 the great sabbath of the church's history1--a significant sign of the deep1 unbroken rest from conflict and toil into which the people of ,god shall enter at the end of the earthly trial1 and of the fulness of joy to be realized in the future life of the redeemed when the conflict and judgment of this world are over1 all of which now lies beyond the power of words or vision to describe or display4 ,the form of the vision is remarkably suggestive2 the silence indicates that which cannot be spoken2 it gives time for thought that is beyond expression1 deepens 8the sense of trembling suspense01 and serves to quicken anticipation of the revelation to follow47#djc7 ,the contents of this seal are to be realized in the future life of the redeemed after the conflict and judgment of this world are over1 and they cannot now be revealed except in symbol2 they lie beyond the sphere of earthly thought4 ,the halfhour is a broken1 fractional number1 implying a limited period1 and is here the sign of the relatively brief time during which ,john beheld the vision1--for the period covered by the thought of the vision is the whole period of eternity1 the future endless life with ,god1 and only a glimpse of it is given at this point in order to reassure the hearts of ,god's children in the midst of conflict1--thus affording an impressive break between the seals and the trumpets1 which1 though short in itself1 must have seemed relatively long to the beholder in the midst of such stirring scenes4 ,the silence may have been suggested to ,john's mind by that which the people kept during the time when the priest offered incense in the temple1 for we find that the offering of incense by an angel immediately follows 7v4 #be717djd7 and the solemnity of that time in ,john's own experience of the ritual worship may well have left its impress upon his mind4 ,in closing the series it remains to be said that the last seal1 notwithstanding that its contents are incompletely developed1 yet joins with the first1 and serves to mark out the whole course of the church's history through all the dread and storm of the other seals1 as ever advancing from opening conquest to final peace1 all the trials of the seals leading on to deep quiet in the end1 the symbol of the great and enduring peace of ,god4 ,it may be well for us before entering upon the episode of consolation in the seventh chapter1 to review rapidly the steps by which the prime purpose of the ,apocalypse has been thus far wrought out in the vision of the seven seals1 viz4 to encourage the hearts of weak and suffering ,christians and to fortify their patience on the upward way in the midst of trial and distress by pointing out the path of faith and hope alike to the certainty of victory in the future days of the church upon earth1 and to the fulness of joy reserved for the redeemed in the far and fadeless glory beyond4 ,the deeper lesson of the first four seals is one of absolute trust in ,god when the way1 as then1 was dark and the hearts of men terror stricken4 ,god has not in any sense forsaken his people1 the vision proclaims1 though his path and purpose lie hidden in the night4 ,amid all the trials of the earthly life his plan is working out unseen through the way to final victory4 ,his people must learn the lesson of discipline in the path by which he leads1 and strive to trust and be patient and obey1 while he with unerring wisdom rules and works and wins4 ,the closing three seals contain a more direct revelation of hope and comfort4 ,under the fifth seal the peace of the future life and the guarantee of recompense to the saints is reassured2 the vision of the sixth leads to the episode of consolation which portrays the safe gathering of the redeemed on ,god's right hand at last1 while the contents of the seal itself point to the surety and justice of divine judgment that shall inevitably fall upon sin and sinners2 and the seventh reveals the endless and unbroken peace and glory of the future life with ,god4 ,thus1 contrary to all appearances in the world of men1 the perplexing trials of the ,christian life are seen in the apocalyptic vision to be not in vain2 the painful discipleship of ,jesus has its abundant reward hereafter2 the certain and unfailing victory of the righteous lies at the very heart of the eternal purpose of ,god2 and this triumphant hope is presented as an abiding consolation for the ,christian mind in the midst of prevailing trial and distress4 ,i,ib ,the ,episode of the ,sealed ,ones 7,a ,vision of ,salvation ,assured74 ,ch4 #g3aag ,the episode of the sealed ones is a vision of consolation1 that is introduced as a digression between the sixth and seventh seals1 elaborating the idea of redemption inwrought with judgment1 and showing the safety1 even in the midst of tribulation1 of ,god's people who are divinely sealed1 as also the certainty of their final reward4 ,it is given for the encouragement of tried and suffering ,christians who cannot understand why they suffer1 and as an answer to the question in ch4 #f3ag1 8who shall be able to stand80 i4 e4 in the midst of such judgment as is depicted under the sixth seal4 ,there is1 of course1 a manifest element of consolation for the saints in the contents of the seals themselves1 as indicated above1 viz4 the certainty of victory under the first1 the divine limitation and control signified in the second1 third1 and fourth1 the promise of peace and reward in the fifth1 of vindication and judgment in the sixth1 and of the heavenly rest in the seventh2 but this word of comfort receives such a distinct reinforcement and emphasis in the episode interposed as to indicate clearly its purpose4 ,the blessed consolation for ,god's people in all ages given in the book of ,revelation has not1 perhaps1 been sufficiently emphasized in the past17#dje7 yet this has always made it a cherished message for those in affliction4 ,the episode is found to consist of two parts1 corresponding in some degree to the two dispensations1 the ,old and the ,new1 the first setting forth the surety of salvation in the divine choice out of ,israel 7v4 #ah71 and the second the fulness of salvation in the restoration to the divine presence of the entire body of the redeemed out of all nations 7v4 #iag71 the two together manifesting the consoling thought that redemption triumphs in the midst of judgment4 ,a ,the ,sealed of ,israel1 ,ch4 #g3ah ,the first part of the episode shows ,israel's share in the sure and unfailing results of ,god's elective and redemptive purpose1 and through this the wider truth that ,god seals and keeps all his own 7cf4 ,ezek4 #i3af747djf7 #a ,the ,angels ,holding the ,winds1 ,ch4 #g3ac ,at the bidding of another angel who ascends from the sunrising as the sign that he brings light and hope1 and who bears the seal of the living ,god as the token of his authority1 8the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea0 restrain the winds1 which are apparently those of destruction and judgment1 until the act of sealing has been accomplished3 the symbol of the delay of ,god's final judgment upon the world until all his chosen ones are sealed1 i4 e4 are marked as the subjects of redemption1 or until his redemptive purpose is complete--the choice beginning with ,israel4 ,four1 the earth number1 is the number of the angels1 corners1 and winds in the vision1 indicating the worldwide character of the judgment2 and the sealing is upon earth1 though apparently not to be thought of as occurring in any particular point of time1 and not therefore to be placed1 as by some1 just preceding the final judgment1 for in a wider sense the sealing stands as a symbol of redemption as a whole1 viewed in effect as a process concurrent with the trials of the seals1 and illustrated by its operation in ,israel47#djg7 ,the time of holding back the winds is the entire period of divine grace1 and the sealing shows the brighter side of the former picture of trial and suffering--,god is ever doing what he did in ,israel4 #b ,the ,number of the ,sealed1 ,ch4 #g3dh ,the redeemed are sealed upon the forehead1 the sign of the visible and personal ownership of ,christ1 but the act of sealing is not revealed2 as the act of ,god it is hidden1 and only the number of the sealed is given1 a hundred and fortyfour thousand1 i4 e4 the square of twelve1 the national number1 multiplied by a thousand1 the cube of ten1 the number of completeness1--twelve thousand from each tribe1 or twelve1 the number of the tribes of ,israel1 multiplied by a thousand1 the number of heavenly completeness3 the symbol of a vast1 complete1 but indefinite number chosen from the people of ,israel and kept unto eternal life as the firstfruits unto ,god and the ,lamb1 the true or ideal people of ,israel1 who are in a sense representative of all the redeemed4 ,other interpreters1 accepting the apocalyptictraditional view of late writers1 regard the first section of the episode 7v4 #ah7 as a reproduction in form or substance from a ,jewish apocalypse1 while the second section 7v4 #iag71 where there is so manifest an expansion of the horizon1 is the ,christian development of the same idea1 showing how the older vision may be understood in our time47#djh7 ,such views evidently have strong attraction for the modern mind1 but it may well be doubted whether such a view solves as many difficulties as it creates1 for it assumes the existence of documents that have no evidence on which to rest except the theory which assumes them4 ,b ,the ,redeemed ,out of ,all ,nations1 ,ch4 #g3iag ,in this section is presented a view of all the glorified in heaven1 showing the worldwide results of redemption1 and the ultimate felicity of the redeemed1 a scene of triumph in vivid contrast with the trials and sufferings of the church upon earth1 and a striking illustration of the difference which ,christ has brought about through his atoning work47#dji7 #a ,the ,innumerable ,multitude1 ,ch4 #g3i ,with the opening of the second part of the episode there is a sudden expansion of the horizon2 every barrier of race and nation has disappeared1 and a triumphant multitude of the saved from all peoples1 a company which no man could number1 far surpassing that of ,israel1 is seen standing before the throne and before the ,lamb1 arrayed in white robes1 the symbol of purity17#daj7 and having palms in their hands1 the token of joy as well as victory 7cf4 ,i ,macc4 #ac4ea71 and perhaps1 also1 as a sign of triumphant homage to the ,lamb4 ,the use of palms in the ,feast of ,tabernacles may have been foremost in thought here1 but we need not confine the significance of the figure to the ,jewish symbolism of joy4 ,it probably includes all the ideas connected with palms that were familiar to the thought of the time1 without regard to their origin2 for it is not justifiable to assume that the ,apocalypse contains no ideas borrowed from heathen antiquity1 but moves exclusively within the circle of sacred1 that is1 ,jewish imagery and symbols47#daa7 ,this represents an opinion which in the light of later studies in ,apocalyptic cannot be maintained1 though manifestly everything has been assimilated by the ,jewish conception1 from whatever source it may have been derived4 ,the phase of the vision presented in the ninth verse1 affords a view of the redeemed church in its fulness1 the multitude of the saved from both covenants now joined in one body in which no distinction of race or nation exists1 a view much wider in its scope than the former one of the sealing47#dab7 ,many commentators1 it must be recognized1 view this passage differently 7v4 #di71 and maintain the full identity of the hundred and fortyfour thousand and the great multitude by a somewhat strained exegesis1 making the hundred and fortyfour thousand the symbol of the ,christian church47#dac7 ,in the interpretation of such symbols1 however1 we must always allow a latitude of view1 for different interpretations appeal with varying force to different minds2 and it should be remembered in holding the view accepted in this work1 that while the symbol is taken from the case of ,israel1 and is therefore correctly interpreted as applying primarily to the people of ,israel1 yet it is not ,jews as distinguished from ,gentiles that are meant1 but the saints of the ,old ,testament as distinguished from those of the ,new1 the few in contrast with the many2 and that in a wider sense the figure symbolizes salvation as a whole1 represented here by a part in which it is shown to be effective1 the main idea being salvation made certain and efficient by the divine act of sealing1 while in the great multitude the symbol is that of salvation become worldwide in its results4 ,the question of the identity of the two groups is therefore subordinate1 and cannot be regarded as of any special importance4 ,it may be well at this point1 in view of the great and radiant multitude of the redeemed1 the innumerable company out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues1 who stand before the throne and join in the cry of 8,salvation unto our ,god 444 and unto the ,lamb0 7v4 #aj71 for us to emphasize the widespread and triumphant effect of the gospel in the world of men which is here foreshown4 ,it has been too often asserted by modern critics that the outlook of the ,revelation is narrow and ,jewish1 and its view limited and discouraging4 ,as against this it is well to remember the lesson of these verses1 as well as that of many other similar passages throughout the book 7cf4 chs4 #e3i2 #ba3bd2 #bb3g1 et al474 ,we should also clearly see that the ,revelation from its nature and purpose deals chiefly with the plan of ,god for the ages1 and with the causes and events which lead on to the end of the world1 and that therefore its essential message is not addressed to evangelistic effort or to missionary enterprise1 but to faith in ,god when days are dark and storms fill the sky1 and to preparation for meeting him in a fairer world when earthly days are done4 ,yet the book just as clearly shows that the divine plan both includes and prepares for the essentially worldwide and universal mission of ,christianity2 and the message of the gospel to every creature is repeated and emphasized throughout in such a way as to make plain that the great work and chief purpose of the ,kingdom of ,god in the earth is to redeem and to save the lost4 ,and surely this important truth should never be left out of view in our perusal of the book4 #b ,the ,cry of the ,church ,triumphant1 ,ch4 #g3ajab ,the whole body of the redeemed1 the saved out of both covenants1 the united company which no man could number1 that includes both ,jews and ,gentiles1 is heard unitedly to cry with a loud voice1 8,salvation unto our ,god 444 and unto the ,lamb01 i4 e4 salvation is attributed unto ,god and the ,lamb7#dad7 7the ,salvation ,chorus71 while all the heavenly court join them in a sevenfold symphony of praise4 ,this is the last in a series of growing doxologies4 ,in ch4 #a3f the praise ascribed is twofold1 in ch4 #d3aa it is threefold1 in ch4 #e3ac it is fourfold1 and now in ch4 #g3ab it is sevenfold--8,blessing1 and glory1 and wisdom1 and thanksgiving1 and honor1 and power1 and might1 be unto our ,god forever and ever04 ,it should also be noted that in the ,salvation ,chorus1 for the first of three times in the book1 salvation is ascribed by a voice from heaven to ,god1 or to ,god and to ,christ1 viz4 in chs4 #g3aj2 #ab3aj2 and #ai3a4 #c ,the ,redeemed ,before the ,throne1 ,ch4 #g3acag ,john's attention is at this point specially directed to the triumphant company that is before the throne of ,god by one of the elders 7v4 #ac;f477#dae7 in order to emphasize that they of that company have come victorious out of the great tribulation of the earthly life1 and therefore they are ever before the throne serving ,god day and night in his temple1 i4 e4 in the 1 the shrine of the temple in heaven1 and sharing in the exceeding blessedness of the divine presence as their great reward4 8,and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them 444 and ,god shall wipe away every tear from their eyes407#daf7 ,it is not likely that by the great tribulation in v4 #ad is meant a special period of trial such as is implied in ch4 #c3aj1 and by the words of our ,lord in ,mat4 #bd3ba1 but rather the worldtribulation that belongs to the earthly life of the ,christian throughout all time1 8the tribulation of ,jesus0 7ch4 #a3i7 in which ,john felt that he had a share4 ,some1 however1 think that it is the same period of trial referred to before as preceding the end of the world47#dag7 ,thus with a prophetic view of the redeemed before the throne the episode closes1 and the seventh seal is opened 7ch4 #h3a74 ,,iii ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,trumpets 7,a ,vision of ,threatening74 ,ch4 #h3bi3ba1 and #aa3adai ,the vision of the seven trumpets sets forth in pictorial form a divine proclamation of the judgments of ,god upon the sinful world1 especially those to be experienced throughout the prospective history of mankind until the final consummation of all things4 ,it consists of another group of seven that are parallel in a certain sense to the vision of the seals1 covering like them the path of the ages1 but that form a separate series complete in themselves and that are issued for a different purpose1 the seals specially manifesting ,god's care of his people in the midst of trial1 while the trumpets reveal the divine punishment visited upon the sinful4 ,these two lines of judgment are conceived of as occurring mainly in the same period1 but looked at from another point of view3 or1 perhaps1 it might better be said1 that we have here another group of seven which follow the whole course of history and develop a new line of divinely ordered occurrences that neither follow nor precede1 but are quite independent of any timerelation to the preceding series of the seals4 ,the number of the trumpets1 like that of the seals1 is intended to indicate the completeness of the series1 for seven is the number of completeness4 ,they are general indications of ,god's judgments1 and though particular events may be partial fulfilments1 the complete fulfilment is in all time47#dah7 ,a ,the ,preparation for the ,trumpets1 ,ch4 #h3bf ,in a short intervening section preparatory to the trumpets1 we are shown that the prayers of the saints lead to the manifestation of divine wrath against sin4 ,these verses1 it may be said1 form a transition from the vision of the seals to that of the trumpets1 and are in fact included by some under the seventh seal1 though not properly belonging to it4 ,the former vision reaches a fitting close in the period of eternal rest which is looked upon under the seventh seal1 and we wait in the quiet that it brings1 expecting the end to be announced at once4 ,but instead of that a further vision is revealed to the seer1 and we again traverse the course of history by a different path to its ending4 ,in another series of seven under the trumpets the punishment of the ungodly is reviewed1 and divine wrath is seen to fall upon the heads of the sinful4 ,this succeeding series of trumpet visions is introduced by verses two to six in the eighth chapter4 #a ,an ,angel ,offers ,incense upon the ,golden ,altar1 ,ch4 #h3ce ,the incense is added unto the prayers of all the saints which are thus typically purified1 and they are straightway presented before the throne of ,god in heaven4 ,incense was the symbol of prayer under the ,old ,testament1 but it becomes here1 by a further development of the symbol1 the vehicle for bearing the prayers to the throne1 and the action apparently follows the form of the ,jewish ritual worship4 ,an angel standing over the brazen altar of sacrifice1 takes fire from it in a golden censer or firepan1 and much incense is then given him to add unto the prayers of all the saints1 evidently for their purification and that he may offer them at the golden altar of incense which is before the throne of ,god4 ,completing this action1 the angel returns again to the brazen altar to take fire from it that he may cast it as the symbol of judgment upon the earth 7cf4 ,ezek4 #aj3b;f74 ,others1 however1 think that only one altar1 that of incense1 is referred to in the action47#dai7 ,in either case the worship of the ,old ,testament is the basis of the figure1 though the scene is laid in heaven4 8,and there followed thunders1 and voices1 and lightnings1 and an earthquake01 the tokens of ,god's presence and of the approaching divine judgment4 #b ,the ,seven ,angels ,prepare to ,sound1 ,ch4 #h3b1 #f ,to the seven angels are given seven trumpets with charge of the series of impending woes2 and the angels put the trumpets to their lips ready to sound1 mention of which is made in order to emphasize the importance to be attached to their action as angels who stand before ,god4 ,their position implies special service1 and their number doubtless indicates the perfection of their ministry47#dbj7 ,the trumpet1 which was the common instrument for public announcement1 and often connected with the idea of judgment17#dba7 may be here intended to recall its use at the fall of ,jericho 7,josh4 #f3d;f74 ,the seven angels may also be taken to represent the whole body of angel ministrants who serve before ,god1 just as the seven churches symbolize the whole church4 ,b ,the ,trumpets ,sounded1 ,ch4 #h3gi3ba2 and #aa3adai ,the sounding of the trumpets represents the proclamation of signal and destructive judgments upon the ungodly world4 ,the form of these judgments in the vision was adapted to current conceptions of great calamities1 and may be regarded as symbolizing all the terrible woes in store for all the wicked in all the ages--wide worldpictures of the divine purpose of punishment4 ,the latter half of the first century was marked by many terrible visitations1 such as earthquakes1 famines1 and plagues1 and it should not be thought strange to find these events reflected in such a book as the ,apocalypse at a time when they were fresh in the public mind4 ,that they had some such source is evident1 for the graphic descriptions of appalling disaster by earthquake in ,martinique 7#aija71 and in ,messina 7#aijh71 have served to illumine many passages in the ,revelation1 as have also other similar occurrences previously known4 ,these judgments in the visions constitute not only the divine means of punishment1 but become the divine test of character1 revealing the essential nature of evil men2 for the effect of the judgments1 unlike that of the seals1 falls mainly upon the evil4 #a ,the ,sounding of the ,first ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3g ,the sounding of the first trumpet is followed by hail and fire mingled in blood cast upon the earth3 the symbol of disaster visited upon the land1 and men punished by such means as in the days of ,pharaoh1--for fire is a symbol of the divine presence and wrath1 and the blood indicates the destructive effects about to be wrought upon both the animate and inanimate creation for the chastisement of man4 ,the resemblance of the first four judgments of the trumpets and also of the vials to the plagues of ,egypt1 is too manifest to escape the attention of any careful reader of ,scripture1 and affords a ready proof of their representative character4 ,these wellknown historic incidents of judgment1 belonging to the birth period of the ,hebrew nation1 which are so deeply inwrought in the ,old ,testament story1 and whose significance was so well understood1 become the ready types of other judgments that are sent with a similar purpose and that belong to the divine order1 but the intimate nature of which it was not the divine purpose to disclose4 ,they are widely suggestive of ,god's power over things the most permanent and stable4 ,the destruction of but a third part of the objects affected as the result of the trumpet series1 represents a limited judgment1 not an actual third but a fractional portion destroyed1 a great but not the greater part4 ,the earth1 the sea1 the rivers1 and the heavenly bodies1 on which the first four judgments fall1 are parts of a fourfold division of the universe which is common in this book1 and are intended to designate the entire created world1 both here and in the vision of the vials47#dbb7 ,in this comprehensive designation the earth1 or the land1 was thought of as the nourishing mother and the dwellingplace of man2 the sea as the agent and arena of commerce2 the rivers as the seat of cities1 the centres of population1 the arteries of trade1 and the source of water supply2 and the heavenly bodies as the source of light1 and as the rulers of destiny--together representing in common thought the great things of life to the world of men4 ,disaster to these1 the sources of wealth and wellbeing1 has always been among ,oriental nations the type of all that is most terrible4 #b ,the ,sounding of the ,second ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3hi ,the sounding of the second trumpet is followed by1 as it were1 a great mountain burning with fire cast into the sea1 thereby working widespread ruin3 the symbol of disaster visited upon the sea1 one part of creation which is used as ,god's agent for punishing mankind4 ,to move a mountain was a token of divine power1 and it was blazing with fire as a sign of the divine presence and wrath--another ,sinai in effect flung into the sea4 ,this striking figure of a mountain of fire was perhaps suggested to ,john's mind by a volcano1 with which he must have become familiar while resident in ,asia2 but attention is directed more particularly in these visions1 especially the first four1 to the effect produced rather than to the means used1 whether hail and fire1 or a mountain1 or a star1 or the smiting of the planets47#dbc7 ,the effect produced is one of great terror1 though the way in which it applies to men is left to be inferred1 and is not attempted to be described4 ,such an incident was well adapted to the thought of the first century1 and could not but strike terror in the mind of the beholder because of the complete helplessness of men in the presence of such a disaster4 ,it presents a wide field for thought1 the limits of which are not defined4 ,it is in fact one way of saying that ,god will make all nature to strive against man because of sin4 #c ,the ,sounding of the ,third ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3ajaa ,the sounding of the third trumpet is followed by the falling of a great star from heaven1 called ,wormwood1 upon the waters1 burning as a torch and making them bitter3 the symbol of disaster visited upon the rivers and fountains of waters1 still another part of creation1 as an act of divine judgment upon sinful men who dwell by the waters4 ,as under the former trumpets only a third part was affected3 8,and many men died of the waters1 because they were made bitter40 ,the falling of a star was regarded as a sign of some great disaster about to happen1 and is here apparently intended to be typical of judgment sent from heaven1 while the name ,wormwood signifies the bitterness of the trouble which it entails upon men4 ,but beyond this all is indefinite1 a quality characteristic of ,apocalyptic which often heightens rather than lessens the general effect4 ,the bitter waters expressed the moral bitterness that men must taste because of their sin3 the wide result is thus covered by an unspoken appeal to thought through a significant symbol4 #d ,the ,sounding of the ,fourth ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #h3ab ,the sounding of the fourth trumpet is followed by the smiting of the sun1 moon1 and stars3 the symbol of disaster visited upon the heavenly bodies1 not only destroying their light but inflicting a punishment peculiarly terrifying to the ,oriental mind because of the occult influence which these bodies were supposed to exert upon the future destinies of men4 ,we need not necessarily regard ,john as personally sharing in this opinion1 but only as using the language and appealing to the thought of his time1 as in the preceding reference to the falling star4 ,he seems to look upon these strange occurrences mainly as signs of the divine purpose1 as 8wonders in the heavens and in the earth0 7,joel #b3cj7 through which ,god wrought in manifesting his will4 ,the evils resulting from this visitation in the vision1 as in the former judgments1 are suggested rather than named2 but they lie before the mind in a haunting way to be filled in by a vivid imagination with scenes of terror and wrath4 7#a7 ,the ,eagle and ,its ,message1 ,ch4 #h3ac ,at this point an eagle 7not an angel1 as in the ,authorized ,version71 the symbol of carnage1 appears flying high in midheaven1 crying1 8,woe6 ,woe6 ,woe60 and indicating by its rapid flight and thrice repeated call of terror the swiftness of the three coming woes of the remaining trumpets47#dbd7 ,also three1 the number of the spiritual in contrast with the material1 serves to indicate the sphere to which these judgments belong4 ,these three1 the fifth1 sixth1 and seventh1 are often called the 8woetrumpets01 and their effects are visited directly upon men1 not indirectly through natural objects as under the preceding four of the series4 #e ,the ,sounding of the ,fifth ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #i3aab ,the sounding of the fifth trumpet is followed by a vision of a star from heaven1 fallen unto earth1 the symbolic representation of ,satan cast out of heaven for his sin1 and by smoke as of a great furnace enveloping a swarm of locusts that ascend from the pit of the abyss1 the present dwellingplace of ,satan and the familiar haunt of demons3 the symbol of disaster to men through ,satan and his multitudinous host1 8the spiritual hosts of wickedness0 7,eph4 #f3ab71 the demons from the pit4 ,these are permitted to torment men1 producing bitter anguish for five months1 the usual life of the locust1 and the symbol of an incomplete or limited period of time1 which may here refer to the time of man's existence upon the earth4 ,five1 the half of ten the complete number1 is a symbol of incompleteness or indefiniteness4 ,the invading army of locusts is a well known figure of widespread disaster1 as in the prophecy of ,joel 7ch4 #b3aaa74 ,in accordance with general apocalyptic usage the pit of the abyss is regarded as the present abode of the ,devil and his angels1 and is conceived of as a vast subterranean depth connecting with the surface of the earth by a great shaft or well which can be opened or closed from above1 and the entrance to which may be locked or unlocked by a key47#dbe7 ,that which at first seems to be a cloud of smoke proves to be teeming with forms of life1 an evident token of the hidden nature of the source of evil4 ,the power of the locusts is directed immediately against the wicked1 such men as have not the seal of ,god on their foreheads1 while their sting seems to be the type of the poison of sin which they infuse into the veins of men1 and the torment which they inflict to refer to the visitation of sins that bring terrible punishment upon the offenders so that men prefer death rather than life4 ,the description of the locusts as 8like unto horses prepared for war etc401 is a realistic touch intended to heighten the sense of terror1 but not to identify them with any objects in human experience4 ,also the statement that 8their faces were as men's faces01 implies only that they were like men in appearance1 though some think this points to human agents4 ,the star is here used in a quite different sense from that under the third trumpet1--for to insist that all objects must have a single symbolism1 and that the star must mean the same in every case1 i4 e4 a person1 there as well as here1 is to neglect one of the clearest lessons of ,apocalyptic4 ,here it is a personification or symbol of ,satan 7,isa4 #ad3ab71 the angel of the abyss1 who is named ,apollyon17#dbf7 i4 e4 one who causes perdition to mankind1 or in ,hebrew1 ,abaddon1 i4 e4 the destroyer1 a sufficient identification for the reader of the ,old ,testament4 ,the awful woe that the world of evil men suffers at the hands of ,satan and his legions is the ideal content of this trumpet2 and we notice that the severity of the judgments seems to increase as they progress toward the end4 ,the first woe is now declared to be past 7v4 #ab71 but two others are foretold as yet to come4 #f ,the ,sounding of the ,sixth ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #i3acba1 and #aa3ad ,the sounding of the sixth trumpet is followed by the loosing of four angels from the bed of the ,euphrates 7which is done at the bidding of a voice from the four horns7#dbg7 of the golden altar of incense that is before ,god1 and underneath which are the souls of them that had been slain for the ,word of ,god--evidently a divine command7 who had been prepared for an appointed time1 even 8for the hour and day and month and year1 that they should kill the third part of men0 from the earth1 and by the coming of a vast invading army of horsemen1 the double square of a myriad1 or two hundred millions in all1 the largest number used in the ,apocalypse1 the type of an innumerable multitude1 which apparently act under direction of the four angels1 and destroy a third part of men from the earth37#dbh7 the symbol of disaster to men through the worldforces of heathenism1 which are under direction of the worldrulers of the darkness 7,eph4 #f3ab74 ,the unbinding of the angels is the symbol of evil let loose among men1 for the angels are evil as is indicated by their being bound1 by their number1 and by the place of their imprisonment1 i4 e4 the binding is the symbol of divine restraint until the appointed time2 their number is four1 the earth number1 indicating that they belong to this world which is usually thought of as evil2 and the ,euphrates1 the place where they are bound1 is the old seat of the worldpower1 and the representative of heathenism with its multitudinous host4 ,the evils inflicted by the heathen nations upon mankind1 especially the evils of war with their concomitant results1 are here indicated by this forceful figure2 yet these1 though deep and terrible1 entirely fail to turn the rest of men1 who escape death1 from idol worship and its attendant impurities--a marvelous forecast of the path of history1 for the heathen powers have time and again become the agents of woe to mankind1 yet the people have not awakened to the true source of their sorrow in idolatry4 ,the description of the horses and of their riders in the vision is purely an ideal one1 intended to make them the objects of greatest terror1 a true ,oriental touch1 appealing to the vivid ,eastern imagination as such figures do with us to the minds of children4 ,the woes of men at the hands of heathen nations is the evident content of this trumpet1 as is clearly indicated in the twentieth verse of the chapter4 ,at this point the second woe is declared to be past1 and the third to be about to come quickly 7ch4 #aa3ad72 but between them intervenes a vision of divine help1 and of the value of the church's witness 7ch4 #aj3aaa3ac74 ,this view of the fifth and sixth trumpets seems to meet more fully the statements of the text than other views1 and to conform best to the general character of the whole series2 for notwithstanding the recognized obscurity of the trumpet visions1 we can surely discern divine judgments for wrongdoing in the first four1 under forms of physical evil visited upon the natural creation1 and in the remaining three1 manifestations of moral evil visited upon men for their sin4 ,that the pit or abyss points to demoniacal forces1 and the ,euphrates to human agencies1 is sufficiently evident without discussion47#dbi7 ,the application of the incidents of the fifth and sixth trumpets to ,mohammedans and ,turks by some of the historical school1 who have even interpreted the tails of the horses as a prophetic reference to these wellknown symbols of authority used by ,turkish ,pashas1 is a curious example of capricious fancy4 ,the fact that the events predicted under the sixth trumpet find a wide exemplification in the incursions of ,turk and ,mohammedan1 ,goth and ,vandal1 is only a clearer proof of their ideal character4 ,and it is surely better to leave these highly wrought imaginative symbols of the trumpets1 with their deep suggestiveness of appalling forms of coming evil1 in the vague indefiniteness in which we find them1 rather than to mar their beauty by weak and narrow interpretations4 ,the ,episode ,i,i,ib1 which in this work is given after the seventh trumpet1 occurs at the present point in the vision covering chs4 #aj3a to #aa3ac4 ,the connection is resumed in ch4 #aa3ad1 for the second woe found in that verse belongs in order of thought at the close of the sixth trumpet1 the intervening part being parenthetical--see the ,scripture text as paragraphed in this volume4 #g ,the ,sounding of the ,seventh ,trumpet1 ,ch4 #aa3aeai ,the sounding of the seventh trumpet is followed by great voices in heaven1 declaring that the kingdom of the world is now become the kingdom of our ,lord and of his ,christ27#dcj7 by the elders praising ,god that the time of judgment and reward has come 7the ,victory ,chorus72 by the ark of the covenant1 the token of ,god's abiding presence1 being revealed in the opened temple in heaven--a traditional sign in the later ,judaism of the coming of the ,messiah27#dca7 and by lightnings1 voices1 thunders1 and an earthquake with great hail1 the necessary accompaniments in ,jewish thought of the great and final day of wrath3 the multiple symbol of the final judgment1 and of the glorious triumph of ,god's kingdom4 ,the contents of the seventh trumpet are not fully developed1 perhaps because they are too great for description1 but in it we reach the climax and issue of the whole process of judgment that is exhibited in the series1 the full and final establishment of the kingdom4 ,the result is viewed in its entirety1 and the millennial period of victory is not brought separately into view4 ,the unveiling of the ark of covenant mercy and the ushering in of the kingdom close the vision1 and constitute an informal transition to the vision of conflict through which the triumph has been effected4 ,if we now rapidly recall the whole course of the seven trumpets1 we can see how with progressive movement they increase in severity as they go forward2 the judgments they prefigure fall first upon the land1 and then consecutively upon the sea1 upon the fountains of water1 and upon the heavenly bodies1 as signs of ,god's judgment upon the physical universe1 and thus upon men who in their earthly lives form part of the natural world2 then with the fifth trumpet the judgments take a wider trend1 and point to and include the setting free of numberless demonic forces of evil from the pit of the abyss to prey upon men1 and under the sixth trumpet the loosing of the multitudinous worldforces of heathenism from the banks of the ,euphrates to bring worldwide judgments upon the race1 thus preparing the way for the blowing of the seventh trumpet which ushers in the day of cumulative wrath upon sin1 and the final triumph of ,god's kingdom4 ,this onward progress of the plan of the ages is only broken by a passing view of the possibility of recovery for men in the episode of the angel and the book1 and of the two witnesses1 which follows4 ,the whole sweep of the judgments of the trumpets1 in the view of ,apocalyptic perspective1 is toward the end of the present world and the triumph of righteousness in the final judgment4 ,there the redeemed are left with ,god in his glorious kingdom2 the after life is not attempted to be described2 its blessings are evidently too great for our present comprehension4 ,but the triumph would not be so definite1 without the vision of conflict which follows1 for it presents the path to victory through prevailing trial and opposition as ever leading on to complete and final triumph in the end1 that is to be realized in the glorious presence of the ,lamb who is revealed as standing upon ,mount ,zion in the midst of the redeemed4 ,i,i,ib ,the ,episode of the ,angel with the ,book2 and of the ,two ,witnesses 7,a ,vision of ,divine ,help74 ,ch4 #aj3aaa3ac ,this twofold vision forms a digression between the sixth and seventh trumpets1 similar to the episode between the sixth and seventh seals1 setting forth the opportunities which ,god has afforded men of escaping his wrath1 showing the divine method of help through the institutions of religion1 and affirming the permanent value of the church's witness1--a paragraph that notwithstanding its acknowledged difficulty1 is manifestly interposed for the comfort of the church as well as to prepare the way for the last woe of the remaining trumpet47#dcb7 ,the restraint of wrath indicated by the destruction of only the third part under the trumpets1 is now further developed by showing the divine offer of escape2 and also man's common neglect of that offer1 which leads at length to final doom under the seventh trumpet4 ,the episode1 it will be seen1 differs in theme from the one under the seals1 the former setting forth the divine side of redemption1 and the surety of its accomplishment through the act of sealing1 the latter showing the human side of redemption as it is made known to men through the institutions of religion1 and the failure of its universal operation through unbelief1 leaving the world without excuse to bear the weight of judgment--the one throwing light upon ,god's relation to the church1 and the other upon his relation to the world1 in accordance with the general theme of the seals and the trumpets4 ,though many are unable to agree that ,john had such a comprehensive view in mind1 or that it is to be looked for in a writing of this class1 yet when we consider the various marks of elaborate structure in the book1 exhibited in the relation of its different parts1 and the deep prophetic insight and poetic intuition manifested by the author in his idealization of the course of the church1 we need not be surprised to find a broad and perspicuous view of redemption such as this1 especially since the plan of salvation had already been so fully elaborated in an earlier period by the great ,apostle to the ,gentiles4 ,a ,the ,angel with the ,little ,open ,book1 ,ch4 #aj3aaa ,the first part of the episode exhibits the revelation of ,god's will and purpose as a source of help4 ,the little book in the vision is evidently the ,apocalypse1 though in a broader sense it doubtless represents as well the general purpose and beneficent effects of all ,god's revelations to men2 and the book is found open to indicate that its contents are made known to the world4 ,some regard the little book to be the remaining part of the ,apocalypse1 beginning with the succeeding chapter27#dcc7 by others its contents are considered to begin with chapter twelve1 the first break in continuity after the episode2 but it seems more likely that the whole book is intended4 ,in any case it is clear that the prophetic form in which the writer's ministry is to be realized 7viz4 8thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings01 v4 #aa7 serves to link the center of the book 7ch4 #aj3aa7 with both the beginning 7ch4 #a3c7 and the end 7ch4 #bb3ai717dcd7 and thereby furnishes an incidental proof of its unity of design4 #a ,the ,angel ,foretells the ,end1 ,ch4 #aj3ag ,a mighty angel1 the representative of ,christ and bearing his insignia17#dce7 having a book in his hand1 and standing both upon sea and land as a sign of his worldwide mission1 declares the coming end under the seventh trumpet1 when the mystery of ,god's method and purpose in human life and redemption shall be fully revealed and finally manifested in the establishment of his universal kingdom4 ,the manner of the angel is scenic and impressive1 and the message is one of undoubted power4 7#a7 ,the ,thunder ,voices1 ,ch4 #aj3c;b and #d ,seven thunders utter their voices7#dcf7 in token of the approaching judgment1 but ,john is directed by a voice from heaven to seal them up and is forbidden to record them1 probably indicating that the terrors of ,god's voice in judgment are for the present hidden from men2 though some regard the voices as introduced only to emphasize the element of mystery with which the ,apocalyptic form always delighted to clothe its thought4 ,the voice1 declared to be from heaven in verse four1 is apparently not intended to indicate by whom the words were spoken1 but only the source from which they came2 some1 however1 attribute them to ,christ4 #b ,the ,book ,delivered to ,john1 ,ch4 #aj3haa ,the book is ,christ's revelation to ,john in the ,apocalypse1 a little open book or scroll 7v4 #b71 evidently set in contrast with the great sealed book of ,god's purposes in chapter five2 and it is taken by the ,apostle1 in obedience to a voice out of heaven1 from the hand of the angel1 who commands him to eat it1 thereby indicating that ,john should digest the prophecy therein contained 7,ezek4 #c3ac747dcg7 ,though it was sweet to his taste at first as a message from ,christ1 it became bitter afterward when its deeper meaning was understood1 for it told of long continued trial and conflict instead of speedy triumph and victory4 ,the prophecy is declared to be 8over i4 e4 concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings01 a fourfold prediction1 showing its worldwide application and indicating its ideal content4 ,it was the common thought of the early church that the period of the ,christian dispensation would be very brief2 and it may have been in order to dispel in some measure this illusion1 and at the same time to inculcate patience and hope by showing the ideal shortness of the ,christian age in ,god's eternal plan1 that we are to find one of the many purposes of the ,apocalypse4 ,for it should be noted that by the end of the first century the viewpoint on this subject shows a material change4 ,the attitude of ,john's ,gospel toward the second coming of ,christ is manifestly different from that of the ,synoptists27#dch7 the significant predictions of ,christ concerning his own return are omitted1 notably the discourse on the last things 7,mt4 #bd2 ,mk4 #ac2 ,lk4 #ba72 and the only references to his coming again are indirect 7,jn4 #ad3c1 #ah1 #bh2 #af3bb2 and #bb3bbc71 though from these it is evident that it is subsumed throughout1 a view that is confirmed by the ,epistles 7,i ,jn4 #b3bh2 and #c3b74 ,this is far from showing1 as some hold1 that the coming predicted was only figurative1 and was fulfilled at the destruction of ,jerusalem1 an event already past when ,john's ,gospel was written2 but seems rather to indicate that the earlier stage of thought1 shared in by all the apostles1 which expected the ,lord's return within the first generation1 had given way to a new and wider outlook which emphasized the continuous coming that is present and spiritual more than the personal coming that is future and outward1 though without losing faith in the surety of that coming4 ,and even if the later date of the ,apocalypse be not conceded1 yet coming from the same source as the ,fourth ,gospel1 we might not unnaturally expect to find in it some anticipation of this view involving delay1 for the coming thought of in the visions is undoubtedly personal and future4 ,b ,the ,two ,witnesses1 ,ch4 #aa3aac ,the second part of the episode sets forth the indestructibility and permanent value of the two special divine institutions for human help1 viz4 revealed religion and the church2 and shows the triumph of enduring witness for the truth4 #a ,the ,measurement of the ,temple1 ,ch4 #aa3ab ,the 1 or inner sanctuary of the temple of ,god1 is at this point introduced in the vision1 a term which applied to the apartments of the temple building proper1 including the holy of holies1 the holy place1 and in this case by implication the inner court1 as distinguished from the which applied to the whole temple and included all the buildings with the outer courts4 ,the in classical ,greek is the sanctuary or cell of a temple where the image of the god was placed4 ,in ,hebrew usage1 as applied to the temple at ,jerusalem1 it signifies the sacred edifice so called1 including the holy and most holy place47#dci7 ,thus it is the true temple with the altar and them that worship therein1 i4 e4 the entire contents of the inner court1 the combined symbol of revealed religion and of those who accept its truths1 especially the revelation and worshippers according to the ,old ,testament1 which is here introduced in the vision4 ,this is directed to be measured1 i4 e4 it is to be subjected to careful scrutiny1 and its proportions are to be observed1 the sign as in ,zechariah 7ch4 #b3a;f47 of preservation and renewal1 and not of destruction4 ,the measurement apparently applies to the heavenly temple1 though it may be interpreted either of the temple at ,jerusalem or its counterpart in heaven1 for to the ,jewish mind the earthly temple was the type and shadow of the heavenly 7,heb4 #i3e747ddj7 ,in either case the meaning is the same1 viz4 only that which corresponds to the outer court of the earthly17#dda7 the unessential portion1 is given up by the fall of ,jerusalem to be trodden underfoot of the nations 7,lk4 #ba3bd7 during fortytwo months 7v4 #b71 the indefinite period of the world's conflict with the church 7see ,app'x4 ,e74 ,the true temple with its worshippers1 the heart and center of the religious life of ,israel1 is indestructible and reappears in heaven with the ark of the covenant restored 7v4 #ai74 ,this is a symbolic expression of the important truth that the revealed religion of ,israel is to endure1 the best in ,judaism is imperishable1 all that is fundamental and essential is preserved though the outer form be destroyed27#ddb7 and it was designed to be a vision of comfort for the ,jewish ,christians1 who naturally regarded the ruin of the temple as a profound calamity4 ,the vision has been regarded by many interpreters as indicating that the temple and the city of ,jerusalem were still standing when this was written1 thus confirming the earlier date of the ,revelation 7circ4 ,a4 ,d4 #fi72 but the weight of evidence to be attached to an ,apocalyptic vision as testimony in such a case is very small1 and is quite insufficient when compared with other evidences of the historical situation found in the book47#ddc7 ,it is evident1 also1 that there is a reference in the symbolism here used1 i4 e4 in the preservation not only of the altar1 but 8of them that worship therein01 to the preservation of the ,jews as a people1 and their future restoration when the times of the ,gentiles shall be fulfilled 7,lu4 #ba3bd71 though not necessarily to ,palestine17#ddd7 and surely not to a rebuilded temple1 which in any case would be mere incidents1 but to the richer blessings of renewed fellowship with ,god1 of which the temple and its service were to the ,jewish mind the truest type 7cf4 ,rom4 #aa3a;f474 ,the late ,apocalyptic,traditional view1 it may be mentioned1 attributes verses one and two to a former ,jewish apocalypse that has been lost1 which is here quoted as an introduction to the prophecy of the two witnesses that follows4 ,it may well be doubted1 however1 whether this theory of the origin of the passage adds anything effective to its interpretation4 #b ,the ,two ,witnesses and their ,martyrdom1 ,ch4 #aa3cac ,the two witnesses who prophesy1 i4 e4 bear witness for ,god1 and whom ,god ever preserves throughout all vicissitudes1 and delivers even out of seeming destruction1 are the churches of the ,old and ,new ,dispensations which have been divinely called to witness for the truth47#dde7 ,the two olive trees represent the ,old and ,new ,testament revelations which supply oil1 the symbol of grace1 to the two candlesticks1 i4 e4 to the two churches17#ddf7 the ,jewish and ,christian1 that have been and are ,god's special witnesses throughout the ages 7cf4 ,zech4 #d3b;f474 ,the identity of the candlesticks and witnesses is shown both by the connection1 and by the explicit statement of verse four3 8,these two witnesses are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks1 standing before the ,lord of the earth10 i4 e4 the witnesses are1 in a sense1 both the ,old and ,new ,testament revelations and the churches of the ,old and ,new ,dispensations1 which alike witness for the truth of ,god1 though the connection shows that the churches are specially intended47#ddg7 ,two is the number of confirmation in witnessbearing 7,jn4 #h3ag72 hence the two witnesses may also be considered to symbolize the sufficiency of the testimony of the ,old and ,new ,testament churches1 as also a sufficient number in the church in every age who witness for ,god and truth4 ,these have power that is not of man but divinely given1 as is indicated in symbolic language 7v4 #ef71 yet when their testimony is finished1 the ,beast out of the abyss1 the worldpower of chapter thirteen1 introduced here by anticipation1 accomplishes their apparent overthrow4 ,out of this deadly conflict with the world1 and the apparent defeat and eventually the death of the witnesses1 with the exposure of their dead bodies and contemptuous refusal of burial1 a personal indignity and sign of hatred and contempt1 the fitting type of the world's treatment of the church in all ages and times1 which in the vision occurs in ,babylon1 8the great city01 the type of the godless world1--out of all this seeming defeat comes ultimate victory4 ,after three and a half days the breath of life from ,god enters into them1 and they live again1 and go up to heaven in a cloud4 ,this points to the experience of grave peril by the church preceding her triumph1 including temporary and seeming extinction at the hands of her enemies1 and forming the occasion for an expression of their supreme contempt1 an experience such as has occurred at different periods in her history1 and which may1 indeed1 occur again in the future--the church persecuted1 scattered1 peeled1 seemingly destroyed1 but revived and restored by the power of ,god4 ,three and a half days of defeat1--a broken number1 indicating a short but indefinite period in contrast with the three and a half years1 or forty two months1 or a thousand two hundred and three score days1 7v4 #c71 the length of the entire worldconflict1--a time of rejoicing by them that dwell upon the earth1 is followed1 as in the case of our ,lord1 by resurrection1 ascension1 and triumph1 a parallel that is apparently suggested by the similarity and was doubtless intended4 ,this is true not only of individual saints who have borne witness and suffered death only to rise again in the witness of others and in their own personal resurrection1 but is especially true of the church in a collective sense1 both under the ,old ,testament and the ,new1 which always rises triumphant after every great disaster in her history1 and shall rise again in all her members at the resurrection of the last day after her witness is complete47#ddh7 ,god avenges his own1 as is indicated in the vision by the fall of the tenth part of the city1 which is the share of the tithe under the ,mosaic law1 and by the death of seven thousand men1 a great and complete number1 seven multiplied by a thousand1 who bear the punishment of their sin4 ,as the result of the martyrdom and avengement the rest of men1 give glory to ,god1 a manifest attestation of the value of the church's witness4 ,the world's persecution1 though bitter and continued1 fails to accomplish its end2 the church of ,christ survives1 and rises again in power1 and its witness becomes effective4 ,historical interpreters1 however1 generally regard the two witnesses as persons1 futurists identifying them as ,moses 7or ,enoch7 and ,elijah1 whom they regard as yet to come1 and preterists finding in them two leading characters during the siege of ,jerusalem by ,titus1 a view that restricts the vision to very narrow limits4 ,others1 catching the larger view1 interpret as 8,the ,christian church and the ,christian state01 and still others as 8,the law and the prophets01 or 8,the prophets and the priesthood01--i4 e4 the whole spiritual authority of the old dispensation which1 8though perverted and destroyed by the ,jews 7some of the best representatives of each being put to death71 yet rose to new life and enthronement in ,christianity04 ,in any case the obvious teaching is the triumph of faithful testimony for ,god1 a principle of inestimable value for the church when in the throes of persecution4 ,and now1 having looked on the vision of the angel and the book1 and of the two witnesses1 the way is open for the sounding of the seventh trumpet4 ,it may be noted in closing our study of this episode that many commentators interpret 8the great city01 in verse eight of this chapter1 as referring to ,jerusalem1 because of the designation 8where also their ,lord was crucified0--,jerusalem being regarded as a worldcity4 ,the decisive reason against this1 however1 is the uniform usage of the book17#ddi7 for the interpretation is not otherwise materially affected4 ,jerusalem is everywhere else in the ,revelation the type of that which is holy1 and is nowhere else called 8the great city01 while this name is applied seven times elsewhere to ,babylon 7or ,rome71 the type of the ungodly world1 in which and by which our ,lord may be truly said to have been crucified2 and there seems to be no adequate reason for regarding this passage as containing an exceptional use of the phrase4 ,whether1 however1 we interpret of ,jerusalem or of ,babylon the general sense remains the same4 ,in the one case the apparent defeat and contempt for the church of ,god1 or its witness and witnesses1 occurs in ,babylon1 the type of the godless world1 while in the other it happens in ,jerusalem1 in that case the type of unbelieving ,judaism4 ,either symbolism1 it will be seen1 is suitable to the context4 ,,iv ,the ,vision of ,conflict 7,a ,vision of ,warfare74 ,ch4 #ab3aad3bj ,a discursive view of moral and spiritual conflict as the key to man's redemptive history1 the prime thought which underlies the whole book1 and which is portrayed in this central fourfold vision as a pervasive church historic worldconflict of the evil against the just1 now forms the essential climax of the ,revelation1 disclosing a divine panorama of the world in process of redemption with the great opposing forces which contend against ,christ and his kingdom2 a discriminating outlook upon the significant worldmovements of all time from the spiritual point of view1 for it is everywhere assumed that the forces which mould history are spiritual1 and that the master key to life is found in the supernatural4 ,and1 whatever the form in which these movements became apparent to ,john in his time1 we may rest assured that the divinely inspired prophetic insight led him to perceive1 at least in some measure1 that in their essence they were timeless and repeated themselves in every age4 ,this central vision is in part the most difficult portion of the ,revelation1 containing seven mystic figures1 viz4 the ,sun,clothed ,woman1 the ,great ,red ,dragon1 the ,all ,ruling ,man,child1 the ,first ,beast 7the ,beast from the ,sea71 the ,second ,beast 7the ,beast from the ,land71 the ,lamb on ,mount ,zion1 and the ,son of ,man on the ,cloud1 each one of whom is invested with a special symbolism4 ,the difficulties of interpretation belonging to this part of the ,revelation1 it will be seen1 are scarcely lessened in any degree by referring different parts of the section to various ,jewish apocalypses which are supposed to have contained the gist of the thought in this portion1 according to the ,apocalyptic,traditional view27#dej7 for1 apart from the fact that no such apocalypses are now extant1 these sections1 even if they were originally derived from such a source1 have an application here that is distinctively new and specifically ,christian4 ,the vision itself is properly divisible into four parts or sections1 as indicated in the arrangement that follows4 ,a ,the ,woman and the ,dragon1 ,ch4 #ab3af1 and #acag ,this is a vision of ,satan persecuting the church and the ,messiah1 and of the effective divine deliverance1 which although permitting a continuance of the conflict yet provides help for overcoming and anticipates final victory4 ,the scene opens in heaven1 but is afterward transferred to the earth--see verse six4 #a ,the ,sun,clothed ,woman1 ,ch4 #ab3ab1 #ef1 and #ac;f4 ,a great sign is seen in heaven1 a ,woman glorious and crowned1 arrayed with the sun1 the bearer of light1 and having the moon under her feet1 i4 e4 triumphing over time and change1 who evidently represents the church of ,god on earth which was first ,jewish and then ,christian--8the ideal community of ,god's people04 ,the moon was the ,jewish divider of time1 and the phases of it being marked by recurrent changes1 it naturally formed a ready type of both these ideas2 and it may here also include the thought of stability of existence in the midst of change of outward appearance47#dea7 ,the sun and moon have been thought by some to indicate the relative light of the ,new and ,old ,dispensations1 though it is more probable that both have been introduced mainly to enhance the conception of the church's ideal glory4 ,the crown of twelve stars is the sign of the covenant people1--the crown is 1 the crown of victory1 which ,god designs to give the church1 and the number1 twelve1 is the number of the tribes of ,israel--while the woman's travail anguish is the figure of ,jewish affliction1 and of deep longing for the ,messiah4 ,some interpret the figure of the woman as representing the ,virgin ,mary27#deb7 but the symbol is clearly wider than a person1 as is shown by the whole course of the persecution with its transference to the rest of her seed when the ,man ,child has escaped1 and evidently applies to 8the mystical mother of ,christ01 the church whose seed are many1 though the source and appropriateness of the figure is doubtless found in the fact that ,christ was born of a woman4 #b ,the ,great ,red ,dragon1 ,ch4 #ab3cd1 and #ac;f4 ,the ,dragon1 a mythical animal of traditionary terror1 the symbol to the ,jewish world of all that which was hideous and harmful1 and described as red in color to indicate his sanguinary and destructive character1 is introduced in order to represent the ,old ,serpent1 the ,devil1 and ,satan 7v4 #i717dec7 the lord of the present world and the adversary of ,christ4 ,his seven heads with diadems1 and the ten horns1 are symbols of his full dominion and absolute power over evil in the world during the period of conflict4 ,the head with a crown or diadem is the natural symbol of dominion1 which in the ,apocalyptic literature usually signifies kings or empires 7cf4 ,dan4 #b3cb2 and #g3f71 and the horn is a recognized ,jewish emblem of power4 ,the crown is the 1 the sign of royalty1 not the 1 or garland crown of victory--a distinction that is carefully observed in the ,revelation1 as is indicated in the ,revised ,versions by the translation 8diadem047#ded7 ,this symbolism of the seven heads and ten horns was evidently chosen to indicate the manifestation of ,satan's power in the kings and kingdoms of this world which are adverse to the kingdom of ,god1 as is clearly shown by their use in chapter thirteen1--that through which ,satan operates and makes his power felt being attributed to him as an essential part of his being4 ,the use of seven and ten together implies a twofold completeness1 i4 e4 completeness of kind and completeness of parts 7see ,app'x4 ,e74 ,this combination of seven1 the symbol of perfection of quality which is usually moral1 with ten the symbol of completeness which is usually earthly1 though without necessarily implying any moral element1 is used with an evil significance throughout in the ,revelation1 and creates some difficulty of interpretation2 but it is doubtless best explained as indicating that that which was originally designed for moral perfection1 signified by seven1 has been combined with and prostituted to purely earthly ends1 as signified by ten1 which ends are in this case notably sinful4 ,the suitability of the seven heads and ten horns belonging alike to the ,dragon1 who represents ,satan1 and to the ,beast 7ch4 #ac3a71 who represents anti,christian national government1 is thus quite manifest1 for both are evil4 ,if we compare this with the combination of seven with seven in the horns and eyes of the ,lamb1 where the idea of a twofold spiritual perfection is indicated1 something of the peculiar combination and significance of numbers in the ,revelation will become apparent4 ,the ,dragon's casting down the third part of the stars from heaven 7v4 #d71 i4 e4 a considerable number but not the larger part1 is another sign of his power 7,dan4 #h3aj71 and may allude to the angels who lost their first estate and fell with him4 ,he stands waiting in the vision before the ,woman1 the church1 in order to destroy her child1 the ,messiah1 as soon as the child is born1 a purpose that he does not prove able to carry out4 #c ,the ,all,ruling ,man,child1 ,ch4 #ab3e ,the ,man,child is ,jesus ,christ1 who was born of a woman1 and whom ,satan endeavors to destroy1 but who was brought forth to rule or to shepherd all the nations with a rod of iron 7,ps4 #b3i71 i4 e4 with irresistible power1 and who was caught up to heaven by his resurrection and ascension4 ,in this symbolic action the sufferings and death of ,christ are passed over in silence in order to set forth at once the triumphant escape as the chief thought in mind1 and the futility of the ,dragon's effort4 #d ,the ,wilderness ,refuge1 ,ch4 #ab3f;a1 and #ad;a ,the wilderness represents the present evil world as the place of trial during the period in which the church1 like ,israel1 continues her pilgrimage toward the promised fulness of the messianic kingdom4 ,there may also be a reference in this to the lands of the ,gentiles1 called a wilderness in contrast with ,canaan the glorious land to the ,jewish patriot1 where the church 8hath a place prepared of ,god01 and is now nourished like ,israel of old in the wilderness2 or1 by a change of figure1 like the prophet ,elijah was fed for twelve hundred and sixty days1 the equivalent of fortytwo months1 or three and a half years1--the time1 two times1 and half a time1 i4 e4 three and a half times1 of verse fourteen1--the symbol of the indefinite period of the church's conflict with the world1 or of the worldtriumph1 which is a shortened time1 a term that will end 7see ,app'x ,e74 ,it may be mentioned here that the preterist interpreters usually regard the wilderness refuge as a reference to the flight of the ,christians to ,pella before ,jerusalem was destroyed1 by which they escaped the three and a half years of the siege7#dee7--;certainly a remarkable coincidence1 though not serving to establish that interpretation--a meaning that is narrow and local instead of broad and universal4 #e ,the ,persecution of the ,woman and her ,seed1 ,ch4 #ab3df1 and #acag ,the persecution of the ,woman with her seed represents ,satan's malign but fruitless attempts to destroy the church4 ,the two wings of the great eagle1 i4 e4 the number of added strength and surety1 are those of divine preservation which are given her to escape from the destroying flood cast out of the mouth of the ,dragon1 the apt symbol of ,satan's persistent effort to overwhelm the church4 ,to ,john's mind the eagle1 which was inscribed upon the ,roman standards1 may have seemed the symbol of the ,roman ,empire that at first protected ,christianity from ,jewish persecution17#def7 or the symbol may have been suggested by that fact2 but it represents as well what ,god is ever doing through human and earthly means for the church's deliverance4 ,by the exceptional statement that 8the earth helped the woman01 we are evidently to understand that natural causes helped ,christianity1 a fruitful suggestion that is remarkably exemplified in history4 ,the ,dragon making war upon the rest of the ,woman's seed1 i4 e4 all of her seed except ,jesus ,christ1 who was caught up to heaven1 indicates his continued attack upon the church and its members4 ,b ,war in ,heaven1 ,ch4 #ab3gab ,we have in this incident a digression in the midst of the account of the persecution of the ,woman in order to show the origin of ,satan's hatred1 and the beginning of the conflict in the far past47#deg7 ,michael the archangel1 regarded as the presiding angel of the ,jews from the time of ,daniel1 together with the angels under him1 warred with the ,dragon and his angels2 and ,satan1 being cast out of heaven1 transferred the conflict to earth4 ,a great voice is then heard in heaven declaring his downfall together with the triumph of the kingdom of ,god1 and recounting the suffering of the saints because of him 7v4 #ajab74 ,this term which is here introduced1 8the kingdom of our ,god01 though used but twice in the book of the ,revelation1 is the most notable phrase in the ,new ,testament4 ,it occurs nearly a hundred times1 either as 8the kingdom of ,god01 or 8the kingdom of heaven01 a term which signifies the rule of ,god in the earth1 ,god becoming king among men4 ,the kingdom of ,god1 it should be seen1 has a far broader meaning and wider sweep than the church1 for it serves to include all that ,god is ever doing the ages through for the spiritual uplift and permanent betterment of mankind4 ,in the broadest sense this beneficent kingdom may be defined as all that divinely directed movement and control in human life and history which has for its object the ultimate accomplishment of the mind and will of ,god in the hearts and lives of men--for this glorious kingdom on the earthly side has its ultimate seat within the human heart 7,lu4 #ag3ba74 ,jesus by his luminous teaching lifted that name1 8the kingdom of ,god01 out of the older and narrower phases of its ,jewish use1 and gave it a broader and more beneficent meaning for all succeeding time4 ,the casting out of ,satan1 which is related in this section1 is introduced as a contributive event to the glorious coming of the kingdom4 ,his defeat in heaven foreshadows his defeat on earth1 and though he still has 8great wrath0 which he pours out upon men1 yet 'he hath but a short time' 7v4 #ab71 i4 e4 a time that is relatively short1 until ,christ shall reign in power4 ,they who are our brethren overcame him1 we are told 7v4 #aa71 8because of the blood of the ,lamb01 therefore they are called upon to rejoice4 ,in connection with this interpretation it should not be forgotten that the timerelation is1 in this view1 ignored in the vision1 as commonly throughout the book1 for ,apocalyptic often does not separate the near and the far1 and events widely separated in time are viewed as contemporaneous in the timeless sequence of prophetic perspective4 ,thus the incident before us without any intimation takes us back to the period anterior to creation1 and then recurs as suddenly to the experience of persecution by faithful ,christians47#deh7 ,in all ,apocalyptic writings there is a manifest indifference to formal consistency that we do well to bear in mind4 ,according to another view the account in this section is to be regarded as continuous with the last1 verse seven following verse six in natural order1 and the conflict described is to be placed after the resurrection of ,christ1 making the victory a shortening of ,satan's power following upon ,christ's redemptive work1 and depriving him of such opportunity as he hitherto had in heaven of accusing the brethren1 thereby limiting his sphere to this world4 ,notwithstanding the attractiveness of this view1 however1 and what may be said in its favor from several passages in the ,gospels 7cf4 ,lk4 #aj3ah2 ,jn4 #ab3ca2 #ad3cj;b2 and #af3aa717dei7 the former interpretation is upon the whole to be preferred as agreeing best with the general sense of the chapter47#dfj7 ,such a symbol of victory over ,satan1 whatever the period to which the victory may be attributed1 was not out of accord with ideas current at that time2 for 8this feature impossible in modern conceptions of heaven1 shows itself from time to time in pre ,christian and also early ,christian conceptions1 viz4 the belief in the presence of evil1 or the possibility of its appearance1 in the heavens0 i4 e4 in the lower heavens47#dfa7 ,in any case this section places in clear perspective the great truth that leadership in the antagonism of evil with righteousness belongs to and takes its rise from the supernatural world1 and what we constantly see here has its source and occasion there1 in the deeper spiritual vision of prophecy4 ,in the interpretation of this section a manifest parallelism has been pointed out between the conflict of ,marduk with ,timat in ,babylonian mythology1 and the war between ,michael and the ,dragon in the ,apocalypse47#dfb7 ,others pursuing this idea still further1 though without sufficient ground for their conclusion1 have attributed to ,babylonian origin a body of ,jewish apocalyptic traditions which they assume to have been one of the sources of the ,revelation and to have furnished the incident of this section47#dfc7 ,in correction of this position it should be seen that even when we recognize to the fullest extent the necessary influence of contact with ,babylon1 both early and late1 upon ,jewish thought1 and the introduction of ideas from that source as natural and inevitable1 it does not follow that there was any such use made of ,babylonian mythology in the later ,jewish writings as this would imply1 for the ,jew was exceedingly wary of any religious ideas that did not spring from his own ancestral heritage4 ,it is indeed quite probable that particular concepts1 or thoughtelements1 like that of the ,dragon and of the two ,beasts in this vision1 are of ,babylonian origin2 but 8the hypothesis of a ,jewish messianic use of an entire heathen sunmyth1 and then the ,christian adaptation of the ,jewish form017#dfd7 is in itself highly improbable at so late a period in ,jewish development1 and can scarcely be accepted by those who maintain the inspiration of the ,apocalypse in any essential sense4 ,it is much more likely that the author1 if using such material at all1 incorporated the thought rather than the form of such floating ,babylonian fragments as belonged to his time1 in accordance with his usual method of employing the ,hebrew literature1 though this is wholly a matter of hypothesis47#dfe7 ,c ,the ,two ,beasts1 ,ch4 #ac3aah ,the vision now sets forth two of the principal forms of the world's opposition to ,christ and his kingdom1 which are represented as ,beasts1 monsters that are terrible and revolting in appearance1 that are placed in notable contrast with the ,lamb1 and that are inspired by ,satan who stands watching in his dragon form on the sands of the sea--for according to the corrected reading of the ,revised ,version1 it is the ,dragon and not the ,apocalyptist that stands upon the seashore47#dff7 ,this vision affords an interesting example of ,john's use of already existing material1 for the idea of two wild beasts opposing the ,messiah is found elsewhere in apocalyptic writings1 although not in exactly the same form17#dfg7 and is here made the basis of an illustration of undoubted power4 ,the ,beasts in the ,apocalypse are the natural and fitting embodiment of brute force operating to control men in the sphere of religion4 ,some would prefer the translation of as a 8monster0 rather than a 8beast017#dfh7 and perhaps1 it is technically more accurate1 but the long use of the term 8beast0 in this connection has made it familiar to our minds and also intelligible1 for it is a beast in the bad sense that is intended1 and to the average reader this term undoubtedly conveys the proper meaning4 #a ,the ,first ,beast--the ,beast from the ,sea1 ,ch4 #ac3aaj ,a wild ,beast fierce and bloodthirsty1 and ideal composite creature1 8like unto a leopard and his feet were as the feet of a bear1 and his mouth as the mouth of a lion0 7v4 #b71 evidently formed from the beasts in ,daniel's vision 7ch4 #g3c;f471 is seen coming up out of the tempestuous sea of the nations1 and is manifestly the same as the ,scarlet ,beast of chapter seventeen1 the one constantly referred to as 8the ,beast0 without any other qualification4 ,this is the symbol of the universal worldpower1 i4 e4 all the worldkingdoms are considered as one and personified in this ,beast in open hostility to the church27#dfi7 national opposition to ,christianity1 exemplified by heathen ,rome in ,john's day which supplied the groundwork of the conception1 but extending far beyond that and applying equally to all persecuting nations during the whole fortytwo months1 or three and a half years1 of worlddomination1 which represents the duration of the church historic period of trial 7v4 #e71 a period that is broken and incomplete 7see ,app'x ,e74 ,the ,beast is described as having ten horns and seven heads1 the symbol of a twofold completeness1 both that of parts 7ten7 and that of quality or kind 7seven71 the same number as the ,dragon1 though in inverse order1 indicating that the ,beast is the agent of the ,dragon1 i4 e4 of ,satan1 and is possessed of like dominion and power1--for 8the ,dragon gave him his power1 and his throne1 and great authority04 ,the heads seem to symbolize the worldpower taking form1 and the horns the exercise of that power4 7,for the further development of this symbolism1 see ch4 #ag3i;f47 ,and it should be noted that the ten horns and seven heads are common not only to the ,dragon and the ,beast1 but are also the sum total of those belonging to the four beasts in ,daniel's vision1 i4 e4 to all the worldpowers there designed1 a symbolism which suggests that it properly applies to more than one nation1 and which here seems intended to portray the persistent opposition of the ,devil to the church of ,god1 working through the power of the world in all time and in all nations4 ,the ten crowns or diadems upon his horns denote the fulness of his sovereignty1 and imply the extent of his earthly rule2 the names of blasphemy upon his heads seem to refer to the divine titles and honors assumed by earthly kings1 especially those of ,rome1 as ,domitian who ordered that in official documents he should be styled 8,our ,lord and ,god0--a figure that is perhaps suggested here by the mitre of the high priest on which was written 8,holiness to the ,lord01 to which this was antipodal27#dgj7 while the wounded head that is healed refers to the death stroke1 given to the worldpower by the life1 death1 and resurrection of ,jesus ,christ1 from which there has been seeming recovery17#dga7 for this was a true deathblow to the worldpower1 even though it failed of immediate realization and thereby disappointed ,jewish ,christian hopes of early victory4 ,the ,beast blasphemes against ,god1 8his name1 and his tabernacle1 even them that dwell in the heavens01 i4 e4 the inhabitants of the tabernacle4 8,and it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to overcome them3 and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation02 but it is only as it is 8given unto him0 that he can exercise his power1 i4 e4 he is subject to divine control4 ,and every one1 8whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the ,lamb that hath been slain01 shall worship him4 ,thus is depicted not only the fierce antagonism of the ,roman ,empire to the church in that age1 but the perpetual hostility and unceasing opposition of the universal worldpower in all ages and nations to the growth of the kingdom of ,god among men4 ,the symbol of the ,beast1 notwithstanding the difficulty of its interpretation1 has certain distinguishing features that help to interpret its meaning4 ,the close resemblance to ,daniel's vision gives a clue to the thought in mind1 and serves to indicate the proper method of interpretation4 ,that the worldpower in some form is symbolized in the vision1 is clearly indicated2 on this point all interpreters are agreed1 though the majority of modern interpreters regard the ,beast as the ,roman ,empire4 ,that ,john had ,rome primarily in mind can scarcely be doubted2 but1 in the view accepted by the symbolic interpreters1 the ,roman ,empire served only to supply the groundwork for an idealized conception1 in which the ordinary and limited view of sense has become transformed under the influence of prophetic insight into the wider vision of a worldpower belonging to all time and pervading all history that rises beastlike in strength and might to oppress the people of ,god4 ,the ,beast1 according to this interpretation1 is the persecuting worldpower in any and every age antagonizing the kingdom of ,god2 the national and political forces of the world in their organized form arraying themselves against our ,lord and his ,christ2 that phase of the world's life which finds expression for its opposition to the children of the kingdom under the forms of law and government1 the most sovereign and irresistible of all kinds of persecution4 ,this symbol naturally found a ready and satisfactory interpretation by the early church in the prevailing surveillance of the ,roman authority2 but it is an interpretation none the less true of heathen nations everywhere and always1 who constantly persecute the church of ,god4 ,the interpretation thus given is the one accepted by the symbolist school as the most natural and satisfactory of all1 having a worldwide application and universal content2 and it may be confidently adopted with an adequate degree of assurance that it conveys the meaning intended4 ,the preterist interpreters1 on the other hand1 limit the meaning of the ,first ,beast to the ,roman ,empire1 using its power to oppose and oppress ,christianity1 and construe the wounded head as a reference to the death of ,nero 7see notes on chapter seventeen74 7#a7 ,an ,admonition to ,patience1 ,ch4 #ac3iaj ,john adds a word of warning concerning the need of patience and perseverance for the saints4 ,if any one is ordained to captivity1 into captivity let him go as the lot appointed him2 resist not1 for he that taketh the sword shall perish by the sword2 this is the test of 8the patience and the faith of the saints04 ,when we compare this message contained in the tenth verse1 which is an exhortation to patience under persecution1 with that in the eighteenth verse of this same chapter1 where the exhortation is to wisdom against deception1 we get a glimpse of the different kind of danger that is to be apprehended from each of the two beasts1 the first persecuting men1 the second deceiving them4 #b ,the ,second ,beast1--the ,beast from the ,land1 ,ch4 #ac3aaah4 ,another wild ,beast1 also an ideal and composite creature1 like unto yet different from the first1 is seen coming up out of the earth17#dgb7 i4 e4 out of established and wellordered society2 the ,twohorned ,beast in whom the exercise of personal power or force is less prominent than in the ,first ,beast with ten horns to whom he is subordinate1 for the power he exerciseth is 8all the power of the ,first ,beast04 ,this ,beast is the symbol of the universal worldreligion1 i4 e4 all the worldreligions are considered as one and personified in the ,second ,beast1 in disguised hostility to the church of ,christ27#dgc7 the ,false ,prophet of chs4 #af3ac and #ai3bj1 assuming to be what he is not1 and using his authority for evil ends1 who 8deceiveth them that dwell on the earth047#dgd7 ,his two horns like a lamb1 but voice like a dragon1 indicate that he has the external characteristics of a lamb1 but the inner nature of a dragon1 and are evidently intended to signify that he appears to be like ,christ1 while he is like ,satan2 he represents the forms of religion that assume to save men1 but in fact only bind them to evil4 8,he doeth great signs that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men01 i4 e4 not a literal bringing down of fire1 but a power counterfeiting the power of ,god as shown of old in fire from heaven1 a great sign to ,israel 7,num4 #af3ce2 ,i ,k4 #ah3ch71 and sembling that of the two witnesses 7ch4 #aa3e74 ,and he required of 8them that dwell on the earth1 that they should make an image to the ,beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived01 i4 e4 the false religions of the world1 which the ,second ,beast represents1 operate to make the people subservient to the worldpower1 the ,first ,beast which had the stroke of the sword and lived1 with which these religions always stand connected whether in ,rome or in other nations27#dge7 and the people render worship as they are directed4 8,and it was given unto him to give breath to the image of the ,beast that it should speak and cause as many as should not worship the image to be killed01 i4 e4 the heathen religions give life and authority to national worship1 give vitality to the worldpower that it should command and compel men to join in its idolatrous forms or lose their lives by refusal4 ,thus the whole figure seems to indicate the spirit of the world operating against the church through the forms of religion1 especially as seizing upon the natural and ethnic religions1 permeating them with deceit1 and subverting them to worldly ends 7v4 #ad71 the element of religion being a prominent feature throughout4 ,actuated by worldly wisdom1 which is 8earthly1 sensual1 and devilish0 7,jas4 #c3ae71 this ,beast1 we are told1 bids all men worship the image of the ,first 7v4 #ab and #ad71 i4 e4 worship the deification of the worldpower1 thereby insidiously rehabilitating the worldpower in another form1 a figure likely drawn from the worship of the ,emperor's image1 a cult prevailing at the time1 and showing how false religions rest upon and are upheld by heathen governments4 ,john doubtless had primarily in mind the heathen priesthood of that period1 especially the priesthood of ,caesarworship1 which afforded the best example of the then existing worldreligions1 but this only formed the groundwork of the larger thought of the vision4 ,preterist interpreters1 as a rule1 would limit the meaning of the ,second ,beast to the heathen priesthood of that time1 but this is too restricted a view4 ,any religion anywhere rejecting the ,christ and crowning the worldpower is represented by the ,second ,beast4 ,it has also been suggested that the ,second ,beast represents the ,asiarch1 or chief priest of ,asia1 the director and instigator of ,emperor worship47#dgf7 ,this may possibly have been the source of ,john's idea2 but however formed we should regard it as a universal and poetic conception of one continuous phase of the world's opposition to ,christ and his kingdom1 and not limit it to any particular historic manifestation of that opposition4 ,others1 without sufficient grounds1 have referred the title to the papacy1 interpreting the ,first and ,second ,beasts as ,rome pagan and papal4 ,another interpretation is that the ,first ,beast is the secular persecuting power1 pagan or ,christian1 and the ,second ,beast is the sacerdotal persecuting power1 pagan and ,christian2 while still another and better interpretation is that worldforce is the first1 and worldworship1 i4 e4 worldreligion and superstition1 the second47#dgg7 ,symbolist interpreters always prefer the wider to a narrower symbolism in accordance with their general view of the book4 ,according to this view1 which is the one accepted in the present volume1 all the worldreligions which profess to be holy but are controlled by the same spirit1 belong to the ,second ,beast and contribute to his power4 ,the aspect of heathenism which here presented itself to ,john's mind is the most general and obvious of all its many characteristics2 and although we now recognize more fully the elements of truth in the ethnic religions1 and their relative value in the moral education of mankind when without the gospel1 yet ,john's view still holds good1 and is confirmed by the worldwide testimony of the mission field4 ,the worldspirit which lies at the door of the worldreligions is and always has been evil1 and will always be degrading to the soul1 that spirit which subordinates the moral and spiritual to purely selfish and worldly ends4 ,the forms of the ,twohorned ,beast today are just as deceiving and defiling to men1 and as much opposed to the kingdom of ,god1 as they ever were of old4 ,and not only are all the worldreligions the abiding manifestation of the ,second ,beast1 but even the ,christian church also1 whether ,catholic or ,protestant1 may become subservient thereto1 whenever or wherever it1 or any part of it1 may be dominated by the spirit of the worldreligions1 and thereby yields its ,godgiven prestige to this ,beast4 ,the forms of human learning1 too1 as philosophy1 science1 literature1 and art1 when they trench upon the sphere of religion and become atheistic1 agnostic1 materialistic1 or ,goddefying1 exhibit the spirit of the worldreligions in opposition to ,christ1 and are manifestations of the same ,beast4 ,this power is worldwide and agelong1 and the vision seems to look through and beyond the forces then at work to their wider manifestation in history4 ,for the ,second ,beast is the incarnation of the permanent and universal worldreligion in each and all of its forms1 and while presenting one aspect of the worldreligions of ,john's time1 yet goes far beyond that and portrays the principle of opposition to the church of ,christ which underlies them all1 and which would develop new forms in the period when ,christianity had nominally triumphed1 continuing the conflict upon different lines from the violent persecutions of the earlier ages2 a period when the world's opposition to ,god would be expressed 8by affiliation with the religion of ,jesus1 and by penetrating its life with false ideals01 producing a faithlessness within the church even more deadly in its results than the fatal furor of persecution1 for the world within the church is one of the forms of the ,second ,beast1 and there is nothing so dangerous to the life of the soul as irreligious religion47#dgh7 7#a47 ,an ,admonition to ,wisdom1 ,ch4 #ac3ah 8,here is wisdom01 ,john says3 8,he that hath understanding1 let him count the number of the ,beast2 for it is the number of a man01--or rather1 8the number of man01 for there is no article in the ,greek1 implying that the reference is not to any particular man--7#dgi7 i4 e4 it is a human number4 ,the mark of the ,beast1 like that of an ancient devotee to his idol1 is put upon both the hand and brain 7v4 #af77dhj7 of all the people who accept his authority1 without any distinction of rank1 rich and poor1 bond and free1 small and great1 all alike1 showing that their powers are uniformly devoted to the service of this world4 ,john exhorts the church to wisdom in discerning this ,beast1 indicating the subtleness of his hidden power4 ,the number of his name1 i4 e4 designation1 is six hundred and sixtysix 7some manuscripts read six hundred and sixteen1 but this is almost certainly an error of transcription71 the symbol of a threefold1 composite power of evil which includes the ,dragon1 the ,first ,beast1 and the ,second1 and which culminates in the last1 viz3--#fjj1 a hundredfold of six1 a numerical designation of the ,dragon1 plus #fj1 tenfold of six1 a similar designation of the ,first ,beast1 plus #f1 onefold of six1 a like designation of the ,second ,beast1 if considered alone1 which together1 equal #fff1 the numerical designation of the full power which the ,second ,beast represents4 ,the key to the mystical designation #fff1 according to this interpretation17#dha7 is found in the number six1 the number of evil1 one short of seven or perfection1 ,satan's number1 whether multiplied by ten or not1 here thrice repeated1 six1 six1 six1 each repetition multiplying the previous number tenfold1 or six a hundredfold added to six tenfold added to six a single fold1 producing a triple symbol of the full power of evil4 ,in this symbolism we seem to have the thought of a trinity of evil striving in antagonism to the divine trinity2 and though we cannot be sure that ,john had this in mind1 yet it seems quite in accord with the apocalyptic method of depicting truth4 ,if the reading #faf is preferred1 the ,first ,beast is then designated by #aj1 the symbol of earthly completeness1 instead of #fj as above1 a much less likely symbolism1 but not affecting the general meaning4 ,the mark of the ,beast is one of the most disputed points in the whole book1 and some commentators1 while suggesting a probable interpretation1 prefer to leave the meaning unsolved4 ,certainly all interpretations finding in the number a cryptic name1 such as ,neron ,caesar1 or ,lateinos1 notwithstanding their wide acceptance by modern interpreters1 should be discarded as fanciful47#dhb7 ,the number was evidently intended as a designation rather than a name2 it is a symbol like every other number in the ,revelation1 and any attempt to solve it by reference to the ,jewish gematria1 or numerical indication of names1 is foreign to the method of the book1 and only involves it in greater obscurity1 as the different answers obtained in that way will show47#dhc7 ,while that interpretation has been the generally accepted view with preterists1 a revolt against its arbitrariness is manifest in late writers1 and cannot but be felt by the attentive student47#dhd7 ,that six hundred and sixtysix is a triple symbol of the full power of evil1 has found acceptance with a multitude of readers1 and is the most satisfactory interpretation to those who hold the symbolic view4 ,in conclusion it should be said that the identification of this ,beast1 or of the former one1 with the ,antichrist of ,john's ,epistles is of more than doubtful value in arriving at the meaning intended2 for the ,apocalyptist studiously avoided the use of that term though quite familiar with it 7,i ,jn4 #b3ah2 #b3bb2 #d3c2 and ,,ii ,jn4 #a3g71 and we surely cannot do better than to follow his example4 ,indeed the entire interpretation of the ,apocalypse will be permanently advanced when all direct reference to a personal ,antichrist is finally eliminated as foreign to the purpose1 if not the thought of the book4 ,in the broad sense of the term the ,antichrist is the ,against,christ in any and every form4 ,john tells us 7,i ,jn4 #b3ah7 there are 8,many antichrists0 7 71 a term peculiar to ,john in the ,new ,testament2 our ,lord said 7,mat4 #bd3bd7 8,there shall arise false christs0 771 a different term in the ,greek1 and evidently referring to more than one2 and it may well be doubted whether the prediction is anywhere intended to refer to a single person4 ,the term may be understood in a general way to include the ,two ,beasts1 the ,harlot1 and all other forms of antichristianity1 but no more definite identification can with any probability be made4 ,d4 ,the ,lamb on ,mount ,zion1 ,ch4 #ad3abj ,the closing part of this fourfold vision1 revealing the final outcome of the preceding conflict in the glorious triumph of the ,lamb and his followers1 is now given for the comfort of the church1 and to relieve the sombre shadows of the earlier parts of the vision by a foregleam of victory4 #a4 ,the ,redeemed with the ,lamb1 ,ch4 #ad3ae ,we see here a vast and virgin multitude1 a hundred and fortyfour thousand1 a large and perfect number1 the former symbol of the complete firstfruits from ,israel 7ch4 #g3d71 now used by synecdoche to represent all the redeemed who have been chosen from among men1 the best of their race1 who are called 8the firstfruits unto ,god and unto the ,lamb017#dhe7 and who stand with the ,lamb upon ,mount ,zion1 in the city of the living ,god1 the heavenly ,jerusalem1 having his name and the name of his ,father written upon their foreheads1 signifying to whom they belong and marking them as antipodal to those who have received the mark of the ,beast 7ch4 #ac3af71 and who sing a new song1 the song of victory 7the ,incommunicable ,chorus71 known only to the redeemed4 ,of this blessed company it is said that 8they are without blemish01 i4 e4 they are sinless before ,god1 which is apparently an explanation of the symbolism used in saying that they are 8virgins01 and 8not defiled with women01--or 8among women04 ,roman ,catholic commentators1 however1 usually interpret literally1 and apply the passage to those women who have never entered into wedlock for the kingdom of heaven's sake--a construction that it scarcely seems to bear47#dhf7 ,futurists generally maintain that the vision refers to the earthly ,zion1 and connect the incident with the second advent1 making the hundred and fortyfour thousand to consist of ,jews alone4 #b4 ,the ,three ,angel ,messages1 ,ch4 #ad3faa ,these are distinct notes of divine warning1 prelusive of the ,end1 which are given by the mouth of three different angels1 showing their separate and individual importance2 they are three in number1 the symbol of the spiritual1 indicating the nature of their contents2 and they are introduced as preparatory to the scenes of anticipated judgment in verses fourteen to twenty1 and are premonitory of the ,end4 ,the ,end is an ever recurrent note that always finds place in the deeper strains of ,apocalyptic literature4 ,the ,end that victory may come1 was the natural cry of a spirit that despaired of the present world1 and believed that ,god could only be vindicated by the consummation of all things4 ,this was a fundamental weakness of the ,apocalyptic point of view1 which found the proper design of the world in its speedy ending and not in its longer continuance1 a mistake that unfortunately has been perpetuated in ,christian thought as though it were fundamental to it1 whereas the victory and the ,end may well be as far apart as the creation from the victory4 ,the ,apocalypse sounds the note of the ,end without hesitancy or discussion4 ,the difficulties that embarrass us did not enter into the thought of that time4 7#a7 ,the ,message of the ,eternal ,gospel1 ,ch4 #ad3fg 8,another angel0 and the first of the three which follow1 flying in mid heaven proclaims the 7or an7 eternal gospel to every nation and tribe and tongue and people before the time of judgment1 the symbol of the fulfilment of the words of our ,lord3 8,this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations2 and then shall the end come0 7,mat4 #bd3ad74 ,the angel exhorts men to 8fear ,god and give him glory2 for the hour of his judgment is come01 i4 e4 is now at hand4 7#b7 ,the ,message of ,babylon's ,fall1 ,ch4 #ad3h ,a second angel proclaims the fall of ,babylon1 the city of the world1 the dwellingplace and symbol of the world of sinful men1 and the antithesis of ,jerusalem1 which is the city of ,god1 the dwellingplace and symbol of the holy4 ,the destruction of ,babylon is a necessary prelude to the ,end1 for the sinful worldly life which finds its fitting type in this great city must be broken down before ,christ can triumph4 7#c7 ,the ,message of ,doom for the ,beast and his ,followers1 ,ch4 #ad3iaa ,the third angel proclaims the doom of divine wrath upon the worshippers of the ,beast and his image1 i4 e4 upon those who glorify the blasphemous worldpower1 or share in the deceit of the worldreligion2 and the terms of the message are full of terror and foreboding4 ,thus in a concise and triple message is foreshadowed the universal proclamation of the gospel1 the overthrow of the world's social and communal life adverse to ,god1 and the final destruction of those forces in national and religious thought that withstand the full and final triumph of the ,christ4 #c4 ,the ,blessedness of the ,holy ,dead1 ,ch4 #ad3abac ,the author at this point expresses his sympathy with the church1 setting forth the need of patience in the conflict 7v4 #ab72 and then he records a voice heard from heaven 7v4 #ac71 declaring that the dead who die in the ,lord are blessed 8henceforth01 i4 e4 after death1 for they have both rest and reward17#dhg7 and possibly including1 also1 the additional thought that they have thereby escaped from the great tribulation even though by martyrdom4 ,thus once more the redeemed are placed in opposition to the unredeemed1 the saved are set over against the lost1 as those who have secured the better part4 #d4 ,the ,harvest of the ,elect1 ,ch4 #ad3adaf ,one like unto the ,son of ,man 7or a son of man71 i4 e4 one sharing our humanity--a designation of the ,messiah after the time of ,daniel7#dhh7--;is seen sitting upon a white cloud1 the traditional covering of the divine majesty and a symbol of the divine presence1 having on his head a golden crown1 the token of glory and of victory1 and in his hand a sharp sickle1 the instrument for reaping4 ,and on the announcement of another angel7#dhi7 from out the temple that the hour was come1 he cast his sickle upon the earth and gathered all the faithful into his kingdom as a harvest that was ripe1 a symbol of the ingathering of all the redeemed preceding the punishment of the wicked 7cf4 ,mat4 #be3cadf74 ,the action set forth in this part of the vision is preparatory to and anticipates the judgment1 yet the process of judgment is not described4 ,the vision is occupied rather with pointing out how the path of history inevitably leads to the judgment bar4 ,the incident serves to introduce the seventh and last of the mystic figures of this wonderful vision of conflict1 the ,son of ,man on the ,cloud1 who represents ,christ as the theanthropic ,redeemer and ,judge1 a quite different aspect of his character from the ,man,child where he is set forth subject to the conditions of his mysterious incarnation1 and therefore requiring an entirely different symbol4 #e4 ,the ,vintage of ,wrath1 ,ch4 #ad3agbj ,still another angel came out from the shrine or sanctuary of the temple in heaven1 at the summons of the angel who had power over fire1 i4 e4 the fire of the altar1 which is here the symbol of judgment1 and gathered all the ungodly as vintage from the earth1 and cast them into the winepress1 the great winepress1 of the wrath of ,god1 a figure of the ingathering and fearful punishment of the wicked at the end of the world4 ,according to this view the two gatherings described in verses fourteen to twenty1 are regarded as depicting the opposite fate in store for the faithful and the wicked1 instead of a twofold account of the same event repeated in different form for the purpose of emphasis4 ,this interpretation agrees best with the general tenor of the chapter and the common method of contrast throughout the book2 others1 however1 regard the passage as a double figure of the judgment47#dij7 ,the scene is laid outside the city1 i4 e4 ,jerusalem1 most likely the ,new ,jerusalem1 the home of ,god's people1 without the gates of which are the wicked who perish 7ch4 #bb3ae74 ,the figure may have been drawn from the scenes of terror and bloodshed which attended the fall of the earthly city under ,titus1 a view quite possible if the later date of authorship be accepted1 though possibly there may have been no definite city in mind4 ,some connect this passage with the struggle in chapter twenty 7v4 #gaj71 where the nations compass the beloved city1 and connect both with the advent1 interpreting literally1--a view common with the futurists4 ,and we are told that when the winepress was trodden 8there came out blood1 from the winepress1 even unto the bridles of the horses107#dia7 a symbol of the terrible destruction of life that ensued1 a flowing stream that reached as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs1 i4 e4 almost two hundred ,roman miles1 or somewhat farther than the entire length of ,palestine1 a ,jewish synonym for a great distance4 ,sixteen hundred is also the square of four1 the earth number1 multiplied by the square of ten1 the number of completeness1 which perhaps indicates that the punishment is complete throughout the whole created world4 ,the passage in its essential thought is an echo from the rhapsody of ,joel 7ch4 #c3ac71 combined with the vision of judgment in ,isaiah's ,zion redeemed 7ch4 #fc3cf71 and recalls his ,assyrian flood1 reaching even to the neck 7,isa4 #h3gh747dib7 ,the transition to the vision of vials is now made by a sudden change of theme1 and a return to the worldprocess of judgment that is agelong and worldwide in its scope and purpose4 ,v4 ,the ,vision of the ,seven ,vials or ,bowls 7,a ,vision of ,judgment74 ,ch4 #ae3aaf3ab1 and #af3agba ,the vision of the seven vials is a revelation of ,god's last plagues upon the ungodly1 a final view of the divine providential purpose concerning the wicked1 another group of seven that are set forth in a form similar to the judgments under the trumpets1 but of increased severity1 and that are promptly executed4 ,they are called 8another sign01 and may be regarded as another line of judgments of similar character to the trumpets1 or as the complete fulfilment of the contents of the trumpetjudgments presented in another way1 which are given for increased emphasis under figures that are analogous1 and that indicate their inner connection2 and1 so far as the vials have any timerelation1 they may be regarded as belonging to the same general period as the trumpets1 i4 e4 the time of man's existence on the earth1 especially the period of conflict1 though shown by their progressive and destructive character to culminate in the closing period of human history4 ,the vials are marked by an intensity of form and rapidity of movement1 especially as they approach the end1 and they are not limited like the trumpets to a part of men1 but affect all the evil4 ,they are vivid symbolic presentations of deep and terrible punishments1 and are called 'the last plagues' because in them is fulfilled or completed the wrath of ,god upon the earth--a new and final view of the divine purpose concerning the wicked which may be looked at quite apart from any previous view4 ,some preterists1 who find in the seals a prophetic description of the trials of the church in the first age1 regard the trumpets as a typical presentation of the fall of ,jerusalem1 and the vials as a portrayal of the fall of ,rome47#dic7 ,this opinion1 it is affirmed1 accords best with the general method of the ,apocalyptic writings1 which have for the most part a definite and local interpretation1 and avoids the difficulty of an apparent repetition of similar judgments upon the same objects under the trumpets and the vials4 ,but1 upon the other hand1 the prophetic outlook of ,john appears to the majority of devout minds to have a far wider sweep than that of other ,apocalyptic writers outside the ,scriptures1 and to embrace a worldview that is universal1 and that is not at all met by these limited historical fulfilments4 ,still1 even if the former view were correct in its main assumption1 8that does not preclude us10 as has been well said17#did7 8from interpreting the inspired words as referring not only to events near ,john's time1 but also to other events of which they were the foretaste and figures4 ,to us the meaning in that case is that the type of the end has been foretold and has come1 but that the end itself which has been equally foretold the full end must be watched for in all seriousness40 ,if we have a correct view of prophecy we can readily assent to these words of wisdom which cannot be too strongly emphasized4 ,it should be noted in passing that the revelation of these worldjudgments in the visions of the seals1 the trumpets1 and the vials1 notwithstanding their separate character1 may be seen to follow a certain line of development1 showing an inner connection2 and also1 that the divine purpose of judgment may be considered as being in a general way partially disclosed under the seals1--for judgment is one phase of the seals though a subordinate one--as being publicly proclaimed by the trumpets1 and as being fully executed in the pouring out of the vials1 each series presenting a different view1 complete in itself1 of ,god's punitive inflictions for sin throughout the whole history of mankind4 ,they are seen1 also1 to reflect ,god's longsuffering patience with the sinner1 first making known his wrath in an order of providences which affect his people as well as those of the world2 then in threatening and manifesting his purpose to punish evil by an order of events which affect only a part of mankind1 i4 e4 the sinful because they are sinful1 and that afford abundant opportunity for repentance2 and1 finally1 by the swift execution of a divinely just though terrible punishment upon all the obdurately wicked that refuse to repent4 ,this last is the great1 impressive1 and aweinspiring thought of the vision of the vials4 ,a4 ,the ,preparation for the ,vials1 ,ch4 #ae3ah ,the preparation for the vials1 which is now entered upon1 is a connecting link with the former vision1 and a prelude to the plagues that follow4 ,it is introduced by an inspiring view of the saints who have come victorious out of the conflict depicted in that vision1 and is intended for the comfort of ,god's people in the midst of trials to which they cannot be indifferent1 and which in affecting the world of nature and of men must in some degree also affect the righteous as well1 though delivered from their destroying power4 ,the comfort afforded in trial by the promise of deliverance1 an element which has no small share in the purpose of the ,apocalypse1 is clearly brought out in this introductory passage before the vials have begun to be poured out1 and is not interjected between them1 as in the episodes that occur in the seals and trumpets--the episode in the vision of the vials being a warning of danger4 ,the vision1 too1 is followed immediately by the comforting vision of victory beginning in the seventeenth chapter4 #a4 ,the ,angels with the ,plagues1 ,ch4 #ae3ab;a ,seven angels appear1 to whom is entrusted the execution of the seven plagues1 which are called 8the last0 because they lead to the end of the world and to the bar of judgment27#die7 and the sea of glass1 formerly described as 8like unto crystal01 now becomes 8mingled with fire01 the sign of the flushing of victory through anticipated judgment felt by all those who share in that great boundless life which exists before the throne1 and whose experience is symbolized by the sea with its wide relation to the people of ,god in the past 7cf4 notes on ch4 #d3f747dif7 #b4 ,the ,victors by the ,sea1 ,ch4 #ae3b;b ,the victors over the ,beast and his image stand by rather than upon the sea17#dig7 indicating their close relation to it1 having harps of ,god prepared for tuneful melody4 ,the figure seems to be drawn from the triumph of ,israel at the ,red ,sea1 though the significance of the sea cannot be quite the same1 for in the old sense 'the sea is no more' 7ch4 #ba3a72 it has here become the symbol of the calm and fulness of life and joy in the presence of ,god4 #c4 ,the ,song of the ,redeemed1 ,ch4 #ae3cd ,the united song of all the redeemed before ,god1 7the ,adoration ,chorus of ,moses and the ,lamb7 who belong alike to the ,old ,dispensation and the ,new1 to ,moses and to ,christ1 represents the essential unity of faith and life under both parts of ,god's redemptive plan which is now about to be completed4 ,it is an outburst of praise and adoration addressed to the ,lord ,god1 the ,almighty1 the ,king of the ,ages1 whose wondrous works and righteous judgments have been and are about to be made manifest before all nations4 ,the song is the counterpart of the song of deliverance by the shore of the ,red ,sea1 but it has a new and deeper fulness that is consonant with its theme4 #d4 ,the ,judgment ,made ,ready1 ,ch4 #ae3eh ,the temple1 the or inner shrine of the tabernacle of the testimony 7i4 e4 of the tabernacle of the law of ,god71 is seen in heaven opened1 and the seven angels who are clothed as priests and have charge of the plagues come out of it as the vindicators of that law4 ,these are 8arrayed with precious stone01 according to the variant reading adopted in the ,revised ,version1 which has the weight of manuscript authority in its favor2 but1 as this reading differs from the ,authorized ,version only by a single letter in the ,greek word1 and only yields sense by the insertion of the word 8precious01 it is best to regard it as due to a very early mistake of a copyist1 and keep the old reading1 8clothed in linen01 7,ezek4 #i3b747dih7 ,the thought is in either case practically the same1 viz4 that these angels are clothed like priests1 for the phrase 8arrayed with precious stone01 if we adhere to that reading1 recalls the breastplate of the highpriest1 as the phrase 8clothed in linen0 evidently refers to the garments of the priesthood4 ,there are seven angels in the vision to symbolize the universal character of the punishments1 and there are given unto them by one of the four living creatures who represent all created life1 seven golden vials or bowls full of the wrath of ,god 7cf4 ,jer4 #be3ae;f7 to indicate the nature of their mission4 8,and the temple was filled with smoke01 the sign of the presence and glory and terror of the ,lord2 and1 as at ,sinai1 no one could enter his presence while the judgments were being manifested4 ,b4 ,the ,vials ,poured ,out1 ,ch4 #af3aab1 and #agba ,the vials or bowls in the vision1 which are apparently the same as the basons used in the temple service for receiving the sacrificial blood and the wine of the drinkoffering1 are made the symbolic receptacles of the judicial wrath of ,god against sin1 called 8the wine of the fierceness of his wrath0 in verse nineteen1 which is evidently conceived of as stored up through long periods to be suddenly and violently poured out4 ,the golden bowls seem to indicate broad shallow vessels quite unlike our modern vials1 probably of a deep saucerlike shape so that their contents could be poured out at once and suddenly47#dii7 ,the name 8vials0 has1 however1 been retained in these notes1 notwithstanding the change to 8bowls0 in the ,revised ,version1 because of its associations and wide use in commentaries4 ,the translation of as 8bowls0 is doubtless more accurate1 but the term used is relatively indifferent if the proper meaning be attached to it4 ,they are not vials in the modern sense1 but in the original sense of the word in the ,greek1 which is the source of our ,english word 8vial01 but which meant a shallow cup or bowl4 ,the pouring out of the vials or bowls is the symbol of the execution of divine wrath upon the world4 ,the vague description given in the vision of the nature of the inflictions which finally fall upon men as the result of the pouring out of the vials1 forbids our attempting any very definite interpretation of them beyond the most general one that the world of nature and of men is made to abound with terrors which distress the evil4 ,in this interpretation we can be absolutely confident1 and the general effect seems to be the chief matter of importance4 ,the abiding impression of the judgments of the vials1 despite their obscurity1 is one of deep and pervasive solemnity4 7#a47 ,the ,command to ,pour ,out the ,vials1 ,ch4 #af3a ,preceding the opening of the series a great voice is heard out of the temple1 i4 e4 from the inner shrine of the temple in heaven1 apparently from ,god himself1 though possibly from one of the ,angels of the ,presence1 saying to the seven angels1 8,go ye and pour out the seven bowls or vials of the wrath of ,god into the earth02 and in obedience to this command each angel empties his vial into1 or upon1 an appointed object4 ,the first three vials are poured into the objects named1 while the last four are poured upon them1 as indicated by the prepositions and 2 but1 so far as can be seen1 no special purpose is served by this use4 #a ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,first ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3b ,the first angel poured out his vial into the earth2 and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the ,beast3 the symbol of wrath poured out on the earth1 and thus upon the men who are of it and belong to it1 producing suffering that is bitter and intense4 ,the form of the judgment is doubtless purposely indefinite1 but the object on which it falls is made plain3 the men who have attached themselves to the company of the ,beast bear their punishment to the full1 and it is poured out upon them by divine authority4 #b ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,second ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3c ,the second angel poured out his vial into the sea2 and it became blood as of a dead man1 i4 e4 clotted and putrefying1 and it caused every living thing in the sea to die--a form of judgment that was very repulsive to the ,jewish mind3 the symbol of wrath poured out on the sea1 one part of the fourfold division of creation noted under the trumpets1 and thus upon men who are made to suffer by this means for their evil doing4 ,as under the trumpets the first four vials are poured out upon the earth1 the sea1 the rivers and fountains1 and the sun1 a figurative form indicating their worldwide character--they affect the whole created world4 #c ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,third ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3dg ,the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters2 and they became blood3 the symbol of wrath poured out on the sources of water supply for the people1 thereby punishing men retributively for the righteous blood which they had shed1 and calling forth voices of approval from heaven1 viz4 from the angel of the waters17#ejj7 and from the altar1 i4 e4 from the place where the martyrs rest 7ch4 #f3i74 ,retribution is declared to be the judicial result of divine wrath for sin2 those who poured out the blood of saints and of prophets are given blood to drink as their just desert--a fearful punishment to the ,eastern mind4 #d ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,fourth ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3hi ,the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun2 and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire3 the symbol of wrath poured out on the heavenly bodies1 especially upon the sun the source of light and heat1 that they may become the agent of punishment to men4 ,and men blasphemed the name of ,god1 who is recognized as having power over these plagues2 and they repented not to give him glory1 exhibiting the aspect of punishment which embitters and does not lead to repentance4 ,it is a curious coincidence that the parts of creation which are made the subjects of judgment under the fourth vial and the fourth trumpet are described in ,genesis as having been created on the fourth day4 #e ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,fifth ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3ajaa ,the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the ,beast2 and his kingdom was darkened2 and men gnawed their tongues for pain1 and blasphemed the ,god of heaven1 and they repented not of their works3 the symbol of wrath poured out on the throne of the ,beast as the representative of ,satan's power in the world1 thus afflicting the worshippers of the ,beast and his image4 ,under the fifth vial it will be seen that the plagues pass from the physical to the spiritual sphere of action1 just as they did in the seals and trumpets2 and they are found to be cumulative rather than successive1 while1 as under the preceding vial1 they do not lead to repentance but to wrath and punishment4 ,also1 throughout the vials1 it is not the third part only that is affected1 as under the trumpets1 but the punishment falls upon the whole created world1 showing the universal character of the judgments4 #f ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,sixth ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3ab ,the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river1 the ,euphrates2 and the water thereof was dried up17#eja7 that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising3 the symbol of wrath poured out on the ,euphrates1 the center and seat of heathenism1 or on the world forces of evil1 thereby opening the way for the influx of the ,kings of the ,east to march to their ruin4 ,the ,kings of the ,east evidently belong to the 8kings of the whole world0 7v4 #ad71 and are instruments of the ,dragon and of the ,beast who go up to war1 not against ,babylon1 but against believers47#ejb7 ,the ,euphrates was the center and stronghold of heathenism to the ,jewish mind1 and behind that lay the indefinite worldpower which is here represented by the ,kings of the ,east2 upon these the angel poured out the vial of the retributive wrath of ,god4 ,at this point the ,episode ,vb1 given in verses thirteen to sixteen1 occurs in the order of the vision1--a paragraph which though of limited extent has yet a clear relation to the course of the vials as an intervening vision of warning to the redeemed1 and preparing the way for the approaching end4 #g ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,seventh ,vial1 ,ch4 #af3agba ,the seventh angel poured out his vial upon the air2 and there came forth a great voice out of the temple1 from the throne1 saying1 8,it is done37#ejc7 and there were lightnings1 and voices1 and thunders2 and there was a great earthquake1 such as was not since there were men upon the earth03 the symbol of wrath poured out on the air as the familiar abode of evil spirits17#ejd7 and also of the coming of the ,end1 which is depicted by the fall of cities1 especially of ,babylon the great city1 the type of the godless world1 which is divided asunder into three parts1 a symbol of completeness1--also three a symbol of the divine1 perhaps implying ,god hath wrought it1--and is given to drink of the cup of the wine of the fierceness of ,god's wrath2 by the destruction of islands and mountains1 and by a plague of great hail1 exceeding great1 every stone of which was about the weight of a talent1 i4 e4 from #ajh to #acj pounds2 8and men blasphemed ,god because of the plague of the hail047#eje7 ,the ,end itself is unrecorded2 but with the infliction of the seven vials it is declared that 8the wrath of ,god is spent047#ejf7 ,the whole course of the vials is toward the ,end1 which though not described1 yet stands out in singular prominence as the inevitable result of the ruin wrought by sin2 and here1 as in the vision of the trumpets1 the millennial period is not brought into view as a preceding stage4 ,the transition to the scene of victory in the seventeenth chapter is after this immediately made by one of the vialangels 7ch4 #ag3a74 ,if we now recall the path of the seven vials1 we can see how in their course they rapidly and intensively press on to the end of the ages and to the final ruin of the world1 and also how they aptly prefigure the progressive punitive inflictions of ,god for sin4 ,they are both worldwide in their character and relentless in their execution4 ,they fall upon the land1 and upon the sea1 upon the rivers and fountains of waters1 and upon the sun the source of light1--the figurative representatives of the created universe4 ,then1 like the judgments of the seals and of the trumpets1 they pass from the natural world to the sphere of the spiritual1 and are seen to fall upon the farreaching kingdom of the ,beast1 i4 e4 upon the world powers operating under ,satan's direction in open hostility to the church2 afterward they fall upon the ,euphrates1 the old center of heathenism and seat of spiritual darkness in the far ,east1 the typical center of the worldforces of evil2 and finally under the seventh vial they lead to the end of the world1 the conclusion of the centuries1 and the day of complete recompense for sin4 ,the distinction between the kingdom of the ,beast1 i4 e4 the worldpowers of all time1 and the forces represented by the ,euphrates1 the center and seat of heathenism1 is not so clearly drawn under the fifth and sixth vials1 as that between ,satan with his host1 and the worldforces of heathenism1 under the fifth and sixth trumpets4 ,but the kingdom of the ,beast1 here1 as elsewhere1 evidently represents the worldkingdoms in their organized form 7or if taken in a narrower sense the then kingdom of ,rome that foreshadowed them all71 which forces are spiritually opposed to the kingdom of ,god2 whereas the ,euphrates1 the center and seat of spiritual darkness in the historic past1 apparently represents heathenism in the great ,east1 which is here regarded as a far reaching spiritual force operating against ,christianity--the judgments under these vials falling upon the worldforce operating in the sphere of the spiritual1 and upon the worldreligions opposing ,christianity4 ,and no one surely can read the record of the vials without being impressed with the unerring certainty and absolute terror of the final punishment for sin2 so that even if the vision of the vials did point primarily1 as most preterists insist1 to the destruction of ,rome and its temporal power1 it surely points yet more decisively to the great era of judgment upon the powers of evil that culminates in the closing period of human history4 ,the vision depicts ,god punishing the evil in a progressive course to the very end1 and this end is only effectively reached in the day of final judgment4 ,vb ,the ,episode of the ,froglike ,spirits 7,a ,vision of ,warning74 ,ch4 #af3acaf ,this passage1 it will be seen1 is a minor digression between the sixth and seventh vials1 corresponding to the episodes in the vision of the seals and of the trumpets1 though not like them a vision of comfort1 but a vision of danger to the church from the combined forces of evil in the world1 yet not without anticipation of the glorious outcome which is given in the nineteenth chapter 7v4 #aiba71 for these forces1 we are told1 are gathered together unto 8the war of the great day of ,god1 the ,almighty0 7v4 #ad71 the outcome of which in the ,revelation is never at any time in doubt4 #a ,the ,unclean ,spirits of ,evil1 ,ch4 #af3acad1 and #af ,at this point three unclean spirits1 as it were frogs17#ejg7--three1 the symbol of the spiritual1 used in this case exceptionally of the spirits of demons1--come out of the mouths of the ,dragon1 the ,beast1 and the ,false ,prophet 7or ,second ,beast71 representing the malign influences by which these powers of evil incite the kings of the earth to the great world conflict against ,christianity1 described here under the figure of a battle of the war of the great day of ,god1 the ,almighty1 taking place at ,har ,magedon1 i4 e4 either the fortified city1 or the mountain of ,megiddo1 by the edge of the plain of ,esdraelon1 the great historic battleground of ,jewish history 7cf4 ,joel #c3b;f2 also ,bk4 of ,enoch #ef4eh717ejh7 probably referred to because of the notable victory attained there over the kings of ,canaan 7,jg4 #e3ai74 ,in this culminating scene of conflict we have what may be regarded as a symbolic view of the entire struggle between sin and holiness which is ever going on in the world the ages through1 but more particularly of its triumphant ending in the last age when the ,dragon and the kings of the earth shall be completely and finally overthrown27#eji7 but beyond this partial interpretation we cannot safely go in any trustworthy exposition of this truly impressive figure4 ,the symbol of battle and victory1 it depicts the conflict of the centuries1 and points to the assured triumph that awaits the people of ,god in the end of the world1 while it incites men to persistent faith and hope2 but like many other prophetic predictions1 its explicit interpretation can only be definitely given after the events themselves have been openly fulfilled4 #b ,john's ,word of ,warning1 ,ch4 #af3ae ,in the midst of the episode a word of warning is given by ,john to the reader1 as from ,christ himself1 declaring the importance of watching in the presence of such trial1 and announcing a blessing upon him that watcheth and keepeth his garments4 ,then with the closing words of the episode in the sixteenth verse1 the vision recurs to the seventh vial which is at once poured out4 ,,vi ,the ,vision of ,victory 7,a ,vision of ,vindication74 ,ch4 #ag3abj3ae ,the vision of victory is a revelation of complete and enduring triumph in the final issue of the conflict between sin and righteousness1 showing the doom of ,christ's enemies1 the vindication of the righteous1 and the consummation of the ages4 ,the vision consists of three parts1 viz4 7#a7 the mystic ,babylon and her fall1 7#b7 the triumph of the redeemed1 and 7#c7 the last things1 which are seven in number1 implying a sevenfold completeness4 ,this triple division of the contents of the section before us1 into a description of ,babylon's fall1 redemption's triumph1 and the things of the end1 is one that is clearly indicated in the thought of the text1 whatever plan of division we may adopt1 and as these all belong to the final victory in its completeness1 they may well be presumed to constitute parts of one vision4 ,opinions differ1 however1 concerning the correct division of this part of the book almost as much as they do in regard to the interpretation4 ,the division adopted here1 though not coinciding in all its parts with any single authority1 is one of the simplest and most natural1 and it is believed will commend itself to the reader47#eaj7 ,in entering upon this section it will be noted that the transition from the vision of vials to the vision of victory is made in the first verse of the seventeenth chapter by one of the seven vialangels1 who offers to show ,john the judgment of the great ,harlot1 or of ,babylon1 i4 e4 the complete and final judgment of the seventh vial wrought out1 thus leading by a natural connection of thought to a fuller view of one phase of the judgment of the world1 and through this on to victory and to the ,end4 ,a ,the ,mystic ,babylon and ,her ,fall1 ,ch4 #ag3aah3bd ,in these two chapters there is given an impressive portrayal of the sinful world as she lures men to evil1 under the symbol of ,babylon1 or the ,harlot1 and of the final punishment inflicted upon her2 it is1 in fact1 an elaboration of the judgment of the seventh vial1 foreshadowing the downfall of the most insidious1 seductive1 and persistent form of the world's opposition to ,christ and his kingdom1 viz4 corrupt society4 ,this passage forms a subclimax of rare beauty and power1 and one that is of prime importance in the interpretation of the book1 for it contains one of the chief ideas of the ,revelation1 and necessarily affects our conception of the prophecy throughout4 ,that pagan ,rome in its social debasement and spiritual degradation was in the foreground of ,john's thought can scarcely be doubted27#eaa7 but in the light of prophetic vision it formed an ideal groundwork for the larger thought of the godless world1 the world from the standpoint of its material and social forces adverse to ,god and his kingdom1 the perpetual ,rome4 ,some interpreters limit the meaning of ,babylon to the coeval city of ,rome1 or to the nation that centered in the city1 pagan ,rome1 others refer it to the ,roman church1 papal ,rome1 and still others to ,jerusalem1 the ,jewish ,rome1 while a common interpretation makes it the apostate church in a fallen age1 a prophetic ,rome4 ,but the figure is more correctly interpreted as the ideal and universal world city1 a symbol designed to include every city or community that exalts itself against the dominion of ,christ1 the perpetual ,rome1 the ever recurring ,babylon whose spirit never dies1 the city being regarded as the highest expression of the world's social and communal life47#eab7 ,with the portrayal of ,babylon is completed the cycle of great worldforces that we find depicted in the ,revelation as arrayed against our ,lord and his ,christ4 ,the entire opposition of the present evil world to ,christ and his kingdom is presented in these visions under four separate and distinct symbols1--four the earthnumber--viz4 7#a7 the ,dragon or ,satan1 the ,world ,lord1 the prime antagonist and representative leader of the spiritual forces of evil1 who incites the world to resist the rule of ,christ1 the world taking its cue and color from ,satan1 the archenemy of all good2 7#b7 the ,first ,beast1 the ,world,power1 the national and political forces of the world in their organized form opposing and persecuting ,christ and the church1 the world acting through the elements of civic and social order1 of law and government1 making them the agents of persecution2 7#c7 the ,second ,beast1 the ,world,religion1 the national and racial false religious forces of the world1 with their moral and intellectual thraldom over the minds of men1 contending against ,christianity and the kingdom1 the world acting through the elements of the natural and ethnic religions1 and of superstition and priestcraft their innate cogeners1 permeating them with deceit and making them the agents of delusion and oppression2 and 7#d7 the ,harlot ,babylon1 the ,world,city1 society in its commercial1 impure1 and godless life resisting the progress of the kingdom1 the world acting through the elements of the social1 sexual1 and commercial relations of men1 making them the agents of sin4 ,this fourfold form of worldopposition to ,christ and the church is a fundamental conception of the ,apocalypse1 and lies at the core of any correct interpretation of the book47#eac7 ,for1 notwithstanding their close relation1 to identify ,babylon with the first ,beast1 or the second1 or both1 as is often done1 is to confuse ideas that are essentially distinct1 and measurably to miss the proper significance of the lesson contained4 ,and if we fail to perceive the proper meaning of any part of this fourfold symbolism1 we lose in some measure at least the complete and general effect of the whole sublime creation of the ,apocalyptic vision4 #a ,the ,harlot and the ,interpretation1 ,ch4 #ag3aah ,the vision of the ,harlot is a figurative and profoundly significant view of the world's sin as unfaithfulness to ,god1 described under the analogue of unfaithfulness to the marriage relation1 according to the familiar method of ,hebrew thought4 ,the world is presented as a spiritual harlot1 one that has proved untrue to her ,lord and that merits condign punishment4 7#a7 ,the ,judgment of the ,harlot ,announced1 ,ch4 #ag3ab ,one of the seven angels having the seven vials1 calls ,john in order to show him the judgment about to be inflicted upon the great ,harlot4 ,the agency of a vialangel in revealing this vision1 indicates a connection between the vialjudgments and the fall of ,babylon2 and1 as stated above1 it is an elaboration of those judgments1 especially that of the seventh vial4 7#b7 ,the ,view of the ,harlot1 ,ch4 #ag3cf ,the angel carries ,john in the ,spirit away into a wilderness where he sees in the vision an impure ,woman arrayed in purple1 the royal color1 and in scarlet1 the sign of bloodshed1 while she is decked with gold and jewels1 the tokens of her wealth1 and has in her hand a golden cup1 full of the abominations of her fornications2 and she is seated on a scarletcolored ,beast that is covered with names full of blasphemy1 i4 e4 she rests upon and is allied with the worldpower1 for the scarlet ,beast is the same as the ,beast from the sea in chapter thirteen 7v4 #aaj72 and upon her forehead her name is written17#ead7 8,,mystery1 ,,babylon ,,the ,,great1 ,,the ,,mother ,,of ,,the ,,harlots ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,abominations ,,of ,,the ,,earth01 and she is 8drunken with the blood of the saints1 and with the blood of the martyrs of ,jesus04 7#c7 ,the ,interpretation ,given1 ,ch4 #ag3gah ,the angel declares the mystery of the ,woman of ,sin to ,john's waiting ears4 ,the ,harlot whose home is in the wilderness1 i4 e4 in this world 7perhaps so called from the thought of the wilderness as the place of temptation of ,israel1 of ,elijah1 and of ,christ1 and as the haunt of demons where the scapegoat was sent forth to ,azazel71 is definitely identified with ,babylon 7v4 #e and #ah71 the great ,world,city1 the dwellingplace and representative of corrupt society tempting men to evil4 ,the great ,harlot is the ideal personification of the great city4 ,there is in fact a double symbolism2 the great ,harlot symbolizes the great city1 as the great city symbolizes the great world1 for the ,harlot1 the city1 and the world are one and the same in the wider thought of the ,revelation4 ,she is the combined incarnation of commercialism1 lust1 and irreligion17#eae7 the unbelieving world and not the apostate church1 humanity untrue to ,god1 the social life of men adverse to the kingdom47#eaf7 ,the ,harlot is the manifest impersonation of lust and sexual impurity1 a form of the world's sin that has always been the source of ruin to a multitude of souls--her traffic1 we are told1 is in the 8souls of men0 7ch4 #ah3ac74 ,she represents the world tempting men through the sexual appetite1 though the figure does not stop with that1 as the story of the fall of her wealth and the punishment of her irreligious life clearly shows4 ,all the social side of life that tends to sin is represented by this impressive figure before which the ,apocalyptist 8wondered with a great wonder0 7v4 #f74 ,the interpretation of the ,harlot ,babylon as the ,roman ,catholic ,church1 a method so prevalent in the period that succeeded the ,reformation1 is happily in its decadence1 for it has no justification in the text4 ,but to find in this figure a symbol and portent of apostasy prevailing in the church universal that shall increase as the centuries go on17#eag7 is equally unfortunate and imparts a tone of pessimism to the entire prophecy which cannot be too strongly deprecated4 ,no sign of apostasy is anywhere given in the account of ,babylon's fall1 for there is no indication that the ,harlot was ever holy4 ,her sin is worldliness1 impurity1 idolatry1 and persecution of the saints4 ,for an apostate church the fitting symbol for that age would have been not ,babylon but ,samaria1 the city of the faithless ,israel4 ,and we may be confidently assured that ,babylon represents here what it always stood for to the ,hebrew mind1 the typical worldcity1 the hereditary enemy of the church from without and not from within1 whose harlotry is the sign of her unfaithfulness to ,god and truth4 ,for even though a majority of ,protestant interpreters until within a late period have made ,babylon the apostate church1 following the traditional opinion1 it is nevertheless a mistaken view1 since it is based upon the ,old ,testament use of harlotry as a figure of apostasy and idolatry in ,israel1 a figure assumed to be identical throughout1 ignoring the manifest difference in its present use in connection with a heathen city4 ,the modern view that ,babylon is ,rome in ,john's day is nearer correct1 but is too narrow in its application4 ,babylon is the abiding ,rome with its worldly life striving to supplant the ,christ1 the worldcity in all ages and times4 ,the ,scarlet ,beast on which the ,woman is seated1 the color of the ,dragon 7ch4 #ab3c7 and the sign of the blood which it has shed1 is referred to as the one that 8was1 and is not2 and is about to come up out of the abyss0 7v4 #h71 a description showing it to be the same as the ,first ,beast which received the deadly wound that was healed 7ch4 #ac3c71 i4 e4 the world power1 and apparently designed to place it in marked antithesis with the divine designation1 8who is and who was and who is to come10 in the first chapter of the book 7v4 #d and #h74 ,the enigmatical phrase 8was1 and is not2 and is about to come up out of the abyss1 and to go into perdition01 may also refer to a lull in the persecution by the worldpower1 subsequently to be renewed and leading to its final destruction as a power1 though its wider reference is perhaps to the persistence and reappearance of the worldpower after any one of its forms has been overthrown1 together with the certainty of its final ruin4 ,most preterists interpret the ,beast that 8was1 and is not2 and is about to come01 as a reference to ,nero whose return was generally expected 7a superstitious phantasy of a ,nero redivivus71 by a change of figure1 the emperor previously referred to as the fifth head of the ,beast becoming the ,beast itself--a questionable interpretation1 apparently wrought out by a keen fancy to fit the words of the prophecy1 but lacking efficient support in the text4 ,the ,beast in the vision carries the ,harlot1 i4 e4 the worldcity rests upon and is upheld by the worldpower1 an unhallowed union in striking contrast with that of the ,lamb and the ,bride4 ,this symbolism indicates the near relation existing between the worldcity and the worldpower exemplified in history1 the world in its social and irreligious form allying itself with and relying upon the persecuting worldpower4 ,it should be noted here that the symbolism used in the chapter before us is shown to be very wide in its application4 ,the seven heads of the ,beast have first of all their proper symbolic meaning of full or universal dominion1 i4 e4 dominion over this present evil world2 but they are further interpreted to have other and different significance4 ,we are told in verse nine that they are 8seven mountains01 evidently in the primary meaning those of the city of ,rome1 which was seated on seven hills2 but symbolizing besides this all mountains and hills which are the seat of worldcities1 in accordance with the common apocalyptic usage of seven 7cf4 ,,ii ,esdr4 #b4ai2 and ,bk of ,enoch #ah4f74 ,the seven heads are also in a sense identified with the 8many waters0 on which the ,woman sitteth 7v4 #ae71 which we are told1 are 8peoples1 and multitudes1 and nations1 and tongues01 the many dwellers in worldcities--for she spreads her power over all mountains and all waters47#eah7 ,they are also 8seven kings0 7v4 #aj71 the king representing the throne and all it stands for1 i4 e4 seven kingdoms1 a complete number1 the totality of kind1 all the kingdoms of the world throughout history1 though probably1 like the seven churches1 conceived of as individual kingdoms which are taken as representative of all47#eai7 ,perhaps in ,john's thought they were ,egypt1 ,assyria1 ,babylonia1 ,persia1 and ,greece1 the five known to him that were already fallen and ,rome1 the one then existing--the nations connected with ,israel's past4 ,the past was history1 but the future was seen only in outline1 and ,john groups it all under one great worldpower1 completing the number seven1 which was yet to appear4 ,this last 8must continue a little while01 i4 e4 during the remaining time of the world's existence1 the usual sense of 8a little while0 in the ,revelation1 a period short in comparison with eternity4 ,the ,beast is also 8an eighth01 we are told1 i4 e4 when it is regarded apart from the seven heads17#ebj7 for the worldpower may be conceived of as in itself a unit1 comprising all its different manifestations1 and yet separate from them and giving rise to them4 ,the remark is1 however1 parenthetic and incidental1 and ought not to be regarded as creating any special difficulty1 for no reference is anywhere else made to an eighth1 and it is probably introduced here simply because eight is the symbol of culmination 7see ,app'x ,e74 ,we are further told that the ,beast is 8of the seven0 7v4 #aa71 i4 e4 he is formed--,gr4 --8out of seven01 or in other words the ,beast is the seven kingdoms regarded as a unit1 the world power as it exists in all ages47#eba7 ,also the ten horns 7v4 #ab7 which symbolize complete earthly power1 ten symbolizing completeness and usually applying to the earthly1 are representative of various subdivisions of the worldpower1 minor kingdoms with their kings1 which are added to the seven heads as an additional symbol of worldwide empire4 ,these are evidently thought of as yet to rise after ,john's day1 for they are denominated 8kings1 who have received no kingdom as yet1 but they receive authority as kings with the ,beast for one hour01 i4 e4 each one for an hour1 or for a time that is relatively short17#ebb7 an indefinite period1 the ten kingdoms reaching in this case1 apparently1 to the end of the world--not definitely ten kingdoms or kings any more than one hour is a definite time limit1 but rather ten1 the number of completeness of all the parts1 representing all kings and kingdoms yet to rise throughout succeeding time4 8,it seems probable10 as has been well said1 8that ,john foresees that the hostile worldpower will not be always preminently wielded by one nation as in his time2 but will be divided into many parts1 here represented by the number ten which is a complete number and not necessarily implying only ten in all4 ,this indeed exactly describes what has really been the case since ,st4 ,john's time1 and what1 humanly speaking1 seems likely to continue to the end of the world407#ebc7 ,it may1 also1 be pointed out that the ruin of the worldcity described by ,john has been the fate of every such city known to history4 ,thus the ten horns would seem to be identical with the seventh king or kingdom which is apparently the last1 the world power divided into many parts and continuing to the end of time4 ,these divisions of the worldpower1 though originally hostile to ,christ 7v4 #ad71 shall yet under divine direction eventually destroy the worldcity in all lands and make her desolate 7v4 #af and #ag71 i4 e4 the corrupt society1 centered in cities1 which opposes ,christ and his kingdom4 8,and the ,lamb shall overcome them2 for he is ,lord of lords and ,king of kings01 i4 e4 while ,god is seen to work through the multiple worldpower1 the ten horns or kingdoms1 and eventually to destroy the ,harlot1 corrupt society in the world1 he yet finally overcomes the kingdoms of this world that war against him1 and makes them his own2 he triumphs on the earth in the fulness of time1 for the kingdoms of the world1 we are told1 shall 8become the kingdom of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ3 and he shall reign forever and ever0 7ch4 #aa3ae74 8,and they also shall overcome that are with him1 called and chosen and faithful0 7v4 #ad7--the promise of success for the believing4 ,in the preteristhistorical view the overthrow of the great city1 or the ,harlot1 by the ten subordinate rulers or kings1 the ten horns1 is commonly interpreted as a reference to the current expectation that ,eastern nations1 especially the ,parthians1 were likely to march against the city of ,rome and overthrow it1 an application of the prophecy quite possible in the minds of the generation which first received it1 but not reaching its deeper and essential meaning1 and failing of any actual realization4 ,at this point it may be not inapt to remark that the wide latitude with which the symbolism of the seven heads is interpreted by the angel in this chapter1 is a valuable guide to the general method of the ,apocalypse1 and should put us on our guard against limiting the significance of the symbols strictly to a single thought1 where more than one may properly be intended4 ,at the same time this does not give us the liberty of unlimited freedom1 but prevents our being too positive in many cases as to the exact limits of the symbolism4 ,other interpretations make the ,beast the ,roman ,empire1 and the seven heads seven different forms of ,roman government known to history1 or seven individual kings1 and the ten horns the various parts1 subdivisions1 or subordinate rulers of the ,empire4 ,the current interpretation of the preterist school accepts unqualifiedly the seven heads as seven kings of the ,roman ,empire and identifies ,nero with the fifth head or king who is now 8fallen01 i4 e4 is now dead1 but is about to be restored again1 according to a widespread expectation of that time1 and to become the eighth head or king4 ,this view1 though supported by many eminent authorities1 especially those of the later critical school1 involves serious difficulties4 ,it is dependent upon the earlier date of the ,apocalypse1 or at least this portion of it1 i4 e4 just after the death of ,nero1 the only time fitting such a prophecy--a matter by no means assured2 and the prophecy1 if it had this meaning1 was falsified by subsequent events within a generation1 a contingency which would necessarily have discredited the book before the church1 and would make its acceptance as a genuine prophetic writing extremely difficult1 if not impossible1 to account for4 ,these considerations serve to nullify the surety and positiveness with which this interpretation is generally urged by its advocates1 and late writers indicate a healthful reaction against the view47#ebd7 ,another similar view makes the emperors who are intended by the heads of the ,beast to be 7#a7 ,augustus1 7#b7 ,tiberius1 7#c7 ,caligula1 7#d7 ,claudius1 7#e7 ,nero 7now 8fallen01 or dead--,galba1 ,otho1 and ,vitellius who succeeded ,nero for short periods being omitted as pretenders71 7#f7 ,vespasian 7the one who now 8is01 i4 e4 now is on the throne71 7#g7 ,titus 7who 8must continue a little while01 i4 e4 have a short reign71 and 7#h7 ,domitian 7a second ,nero--8an eighth0 who 8is of the seven074 ,this interpretation1 though quite possible from one point of view1 necessarily limits the vision to a narrow horizon2 and while1 like the former view1 it tends to bring the teaching of the book into closer harmony with ,jewish ,apocalyptic1 yet it obscures to some extent at least the wider and universal teaching which seems to the average ,christian mind to belong essentially to the prophetic insight4 ,it should be remembered1 too1 that the seven heads and ten horns belong originally to the ,dragon or ,satan1 as symbols of his worldwide power1 and are here transferred to the ,beast as ,satan's representative2 and therefore it is more likely that they have a universal reference than that they apply to a single empire1 for ,satan's sphere of influence is confessedly worldwide 7cf4 ch4 #ac3a1 note74 ,besides it is fruitless to attempt to interpret with any positiveness the heads and horns as individual nations and kings1 as the diverse results have shown1 each interpreter having his own application1 and no one interpretation being generally accepted47#ebe7 ,but even if we cannot be so positive as to the primary meaning1 we should not allow the larger and more important meaning to escape us1 the meaning for us and for all time4 ,this is the fundamental principle of interpretation according to the symbolical school1 which should be kept in mind throughout2 and it is remarkable how often the general meaning is plain when the original reference1 as in this case1 is obscure4 ,for even if ,john had primarily in mind certain phases of the ,roman ,empire1 we must not lose sight of his idealization of the symbolism4 ,the numbers seven and ten are not to be interpreted literally but symbolically as elsewhere throughout the book4 ,whatever kings and kingdoms are in the first instance intended1 they are introduced as the type of all kings and kingdoms of this world throughout all time1 in accordance with the prevalent use of numbers in the ,apocalypse2 so that in any case the chief thought established is essentially the same1 viz4 that the antichristian worldpower attains its fulness and completeness under the numbers seven and ten1 and then wanes and is eventually destroyed4 ,if we interpret of ,rome1 then the ruin of the one empire with its rulers and parts foreshadows that of every other earthpower that opposes the rule of ,christ among men1 and the overthrow of the one city with its social and civic forces allied with evil1 prefigures that of the entire antichristian social and civic power throughout the world4 #b ,the ,fall of the ,city ,proclaimed1 ,ch4 #ah3abd ,the mystery of the ,harlot and of the ,beast having been revealed1 another angel now declares the doom which awaits them4 ,the downfall of the city and the destruction of her wealth is set forth as the type of the overthrow of corrupt society with all pertaining to it1 in order that the fulness of ,christ's kingdom may be ushered in among men4 ,in the vision of the prophet the ruin is viewed as already complete2 attention is centered so fully upon the result attained that the method by which it is accomplished is left quite out of view4 ,but the closing verses of the preceding chapter serve to indicate the source of her destruction1 viz4 in the ten horns1 or subdivisions of the worldkingdom1 which rise against the ,harlot and overthrow her 7ch4 #ag3afag71--the historic fate of world empires and worldcities in revolution and ruin4 ,it is here worthy of note how clearly we find in this chapter reverberating echoes from ,isaiah's ,doom of ,babylon and of ,tyre 7,isa4 ch4 #ac3bc1 #dg71 and from ,jeremiah's ,doom of ,babylon 7,jer4 chs4 #ej and #ea71 as well as from ,ezekiel's ,doom of ,tyre 7,ezek4 chs4 #bfbh747ebf7 ,though the fall of the heathen city of ,rome was doubtless foremost in ,john's mind1 let us not forget that it only formed the basis of the wider thought of the ultimate fate and fall of the great godless world which it so clearly foreshadowed1 the foresight of which was a part of the prophetic vision47#ebg7 7#a7 ,the ,announcement of ,her ,overthrow1 ,ch4 #ah3ac ,an angel--called here 8another angel0 in distinction from the one designated as 8one of the seven angels0 in chapter seventeen 7v4 #a7--;is seen coming down out of heaven1 having great authority1 and crying with a mighty voice1 8,fallen6 fallen is ,babylon the great60 and recounting the story of her crimes as the abundant cause of her ruin4 7#b7 ,the ,warning to ,god's ,people1 ,ch4 #ah3dh ,yet another voice from heaven bids the people of ,god come out of her before the final retribution1 that they be not made partakers of her sins and receive not of her plagues1 for her sins have reached even unto heaven2 and urges the executors of her judgment to reward her double1 i4 e4 to exact full legal retribution for her sins 7,ex4 #bb3dg74 ,and she shall be utterly destroyed1 shall be 8burned with fire2 for strong is the ,lord ,god who judged her04 7#c7 ,the ,lament of the ,kings of the ,earth over ,her ,doom1 ,ch4 #ah3iaj ,the rulers of the worldpowers who have shared in her sin are seen standing afar off for fear of her torment1 witnessing her fall2 and their cry is heard1 8,woe1 woe1 the great city1 ,babylon1 the strong city6 for in one hour i4 e4 in a short time or suddenly is thy judgment come01--mourning over her ruin which is sudden and complete4 7#d7 ,the ,lament of the ,merchants1 ,ch4 #ah3aaag;a ,the merchants of the earth also weep and mourn over her1 for no man buyeth their merchandise or cargo any more4 ,the articles of merchandise enumerated are many1 indicating her wealth1 and seem to be arranged in a progressive order of importance1 and to fall naturally into six classes1 7,babylon's number1 the symbol of evil--ch4 #ac3ah71 which may be divided as follows1 viz4 7#a7 those of personal adornment2 7#b7 of furniture2 7#c7 of sensual gratification2 7#d7 of food2 7#e7 of animate forms2 and 7#f7 of souls 7i4 e4 persons7 of men47#ebh7 ,all have perished2 and the merchants cry aloud1 8,woe1 woe1 the great city6 444 for in one hour so great riches is made desolate40 7#e7 ,the ,lament of the ,seamen1 ,ch4 #ah4 #ag;b#ai ,all those who gained their living by the sea1 shipmasters1 mariners1 and every one that saileth any whither1 stood afar off and cried1 8,what city is like the great city80 ,and they cast dust upon their heads1 weeping and mourning1 the sign of their deep though worldly sorrow1 saying1 8,woe1 woe1 the great city1 wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her costliness6 for in one hour is she made desolate40 ,in this triple mourning of the kings of the earth1 of the merchants1 and of the seamen1 is shown the wide relations of ,babylon1 too wide in fact for any single city4 ,the darkly shadowed terms of poetic description used throughout the chapter1 set forth the completeness of her destruction1 and are an echo from the ,fall of ,tyre in ,ezekiel's prophecy 7chs4 #bfbh74 7#f7 ,a ,call to ,heaven and to the ,church to ,rejoice1 ,ch4 #ah3bj ,by a voice1 evidently from above1 the holy are bidden to rejoice1 i4 e4 heaven with its inhabitants1 and the saints or the church1 and her two highest orders of ministers in the past1 the apostles and the prophets1 are called upon to rejoice because ,god hath judged ,babylon with the judgment which is her due for her treatment of the saints4 ,this invitation to the 8saints1 the apostles1 and the prophets01 to rejoice over the judgment of ,babylon1 which to that age doubtless meant ,rome1 is regarded by some as a possible allusion to the martyrdom of the ,apostles ,peter and ,paul who met death under ,nero47#ebi7 7#g7 ,the ,symbol of ,her ,irretrievable ,ruin1 ,ch4 #ah3babd ,a strong or mighty angel1 taking up a stone like a great millstone1 casts it into the sea as the sign of her total extinction1 and rehearses the fate of the city in the ominous words of ancient prophecy1 which are here enlarged and made more terrible 7cf4 ,jer4 #ea3fafd74 ,the symbolism used throughout this chapter1 it will be noted1 is largely drawn from the ,old ,testament prophecies concerning the ancient cities of ,babylon and ,tyre4 8,and in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints1 and of all that have been slain upon the earth40 ,thus in terms that are as wide as the earth and as farreaching as history1 is set forth the sin of the godless and unbelieving world in all ages1 which concludes the pronouncement of the judgment upon ,babylon2 and the judgment seems to belong properly in seven parts as a sign of its completeness4 ,b ,the ,triumph of the ,redeemed1 ,ch4 #ai3aaj ,a hymn of praise 7the ,hallelujah ,chorus71 such as follows each crisis in the ,apocalypse1 and forms a relief to the sombreness of the visions1 is sung in heaven by a great voice of a great multitude as the sequel to the fall of the city and the lament of the world--the seventh and last great chorus in the ,revelation 7see ,app'x ,c73 and then the marriage supper of the ,lamb is announced for the delight of the redeemed in heaven4 ,the final triumph1 it will be seen1 is here viewed as a whole1 without distinction of parts such as are found in the succeeding section which treats of the last things4 #a ,the ,choral ,song of ,hallelujahs1 ,ch4 #ai3ah ,in response to the heavenly summons to rejoice 7ch4 #ah3bj71 a thrice repeated note of victory1 the ,hebrew 8,hallelujah01 ,praise ye ,jehovah6 is heard in heaven2 first from the voice of a great multitude1 who say a second time1 8,hallelujah01 and then from the four and twenty elders1 the representatives of the redeemed church1 together with the four living creatures1 the representatives of all created life1 who reply1 8,amen2 ,hallelujah40 ,after this again1 in response to a message from the throne 7v4 #e71 another 8,hallelujah0 is heard from the voice of another multitude 7v4 #fh71 as the sound of many waters1 the voice of those who are praising ,god in full and joyful chorus because he has avenged the blood of his servants1 and who are now rejoicing with exceeding gladness 7v4 #g7 because 8the marriage of the ,lamb is come01 i4 e4 the complete and final union of ,christ with the redeemed church1 for his wife1 the church1 hath made herself ready4 ,the word 8,hallelujah0 occurs four times in this passage1 and is not found elsewhere in the ,new ,testament3 it should be noted1 too1 that it is used here1 as it is chiefly used in the ,old ,testament17#ecj7 in connection with the punishment of the wicked4 ,the first voice in this chorus of hallelujahs 7v4 #a;f7 is apparently that of the great multitude of the angelic host in heaven1 which is responded to by the four and twenty elders1 and the four living creatures2 while the second voice 7v4 #f;f7 is that of the multitude of the universal church who have been redeemed by the blood of the ,lamb4 ,the description of the pure array of the ,bride 7v4 #h71 which is the symbol of her righteousness and is in such marked contrast with the clothing of the ,harlot1 may be an explanation added by the ,apostle1 as indicated in the text of the ,revelation given in the preceding part of this book by including the verse in a parenthesis1 though it was apparently regarded by the ,american ,revisers as part of the words of the redeemed church4 #b ,the ,blessedness of the ,marriage ,supper1 ,ch4 #ai3i ,john is directed by the angel to record a blessing upon those who are bidden to the marriage supper1 i4 e4 who are invited to share in the nearer fellowship of the redeemed with ,christ1 and to partake of the rich and abundant spiritual food that awaits them in the new relations of the heavenly life--a further symbol of the spiritual union of the church with ,christ added to that of the bride and the marriage1 setting forth the joys of the heavenly life under the familiar figure of a marriage feast1 the great social event of the ,east1 and the popular type of the highest enjoyment1 as well as the public acknowledgement of the consummation of the union4 ,the marriage of the ,lamb is put in vivid contrast with the fornication of the ,harlot1 in the usual method of the ,apocalypse4 #c ,worship ,refused by the ,angel1 ,ch4 #ai3aj ,the ,apostle is so overwhelmed by the impression of the vision that he falls at the feet of the angel to worship him--probably the interpreting angel of the opening verse of the book1 though some think identical with the vialangel of chapter seventeen2 but the worship is refused17#eca7 because1 as the angel declares1 he is only a fellowservant with ,john1 and shares in 8the testimony of ,jesus0 which 8is the spirit of prophecy04 ,this significant phrase is characteristic of the ,revelation17#ecb7 and we find in it a key to the general interpretation1 a principle to be applied throughout1 viz4 that the mysteries of the ,old ,dispensation find their only proper solution and fulfilment in the clearer teaching of the ,new4 8,the testimony of ,jesus0 is the witness for the truth borne by ,christ in the world1 which gathers up into one and gives expression to the essential and animating thought of all prophecy4 ,others interpret the passage as applying to the witness borne for ,christ and the truth by his disciples in the world2 and it is possible that both meanings are included1 for if broadly interpreted they both merge into one47#ecc7 ,c ,the ,last ,things1 ,ch4 #ai3aabj3ae ,a new phase of the vision of victory now opens1 which presents the final culmination and crisis of judgment and redemption1 a rapid preview of the closing events of human history1 a forecast of the triumph and completion of the gospel age4 ,these events form a series of climaxes that are progressive and catastrophic1 and usher in the final consummation of ,god's worldplan of the ages1 a feature that is prominent in all apocalyptic writings4 ,it is important for us to note afresh at this point1 what should be apparent to our minds in the study of the book throughout1 viz4 that the element of climax1 which enters so largely into the thought of the ,revelation1 belongs essentially to the mood and temper of ,apocalyptic2 and we should avoid emphasizing too much that which pertains chiefly to literary form and spiritual mood1 as though it were intended to set forth the intimate nature of the divine method4 ,upon careful reflection it must become more and more apparent that the emphasis here laid upon the climactic side of the divine way of working1 was only intended to be in proportion to the apparent hopelessness of the historical outlook without such manifest and repeated divine interpositions for human help1 and was not intended to indicate that the chief effects to be wrought out will be accomplished by other than the method displayed in history1 viz4 by long periods of quiet progress and patient waiting1 broken now and then by short and decisive periods of crisis4 ,the apocalyptic writers followed the general mode of conception prevalent in the ,old ,testament1 according to which 8the final condition of men and the world is regarded less as the perfect issue of a gradual ethical advancement 444 than as the result of an interposition or chain of interpositions on the part of ,god017#ecd7 which is only one side of the truth--a view growing out of their idea of ,god as the immediate author of all movements in nature and history1 and fitting in well with the increased emphasis laid upon climax in ,apocalyptic4 ,there is also a distinct foreshortening of the future which is very evident throughout this section1 and this is a well known and characteristic feature of all prophecy4 ,the extreme brevity with which are described and grouped together so many great events of the far future that so deeply affect the ,christian hope1 serves to indicate that the chief aim of the ,revelation does not consist in fully manifesting these events which lie hidden in the hand of ,god1 but in preparing the church for what precedes them1 both of trial and of conflict4 8,like a flash of lightning in the darkness the vision lights up the whole line of ,god's purposes to the end02 but how much of the actual form and manner of the events it was the divine purpose to disclose through this ideal and scenic presentation must continue to be1 pending the manifestation of the events themselves1 to some extent at least1 a matter of diverse opinion4 #a ,the ,end of the ,holy ,war1 ,ch4 #ai3aaba ,this part of the vision sets forth the final victory over all the powers of this world which is eventually to be attained by the supreme power of 8,the ,word of ,god01 the ever conquering ,christ1 who is here described by this transcendental name for our ,lord which is a distinctive title with the ,apostle ,john47#ece7 ,beginning with a view of the triumphant ,word going forth to conquer as under the first seal 7ch4 #f3b71 ,christ appears in the opened heaven riding on a white horse2 he is called 8,faithful and ,true01 and in righteousness he doth judge and make war4 ,his eyes are a flame of fire1 the type of purity and judgment2 upon his head are many diadems1 the crowns of conquered nations2 he hath a name written which no man knoweth but himself1--evidently the 8new name0 of chapter three 7v4 #ab7 which ,john cannot interpret2 and he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood1 the token of his redemptive work4 ,the armies of heaven1 which apparently include the redeemed1 such as have already entered there1 follow him on white horses17#ecf7 clothed in fine linen white and pure2 out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the nations17#ecg7 for he shall rule them then with a rod of iron2 and he treadeth the winepress of the wine of the fierceness of the wrath of ,god1 the ,almighty1 thereby bringing punishment upon the evil4 ,his divine right is clearly seen1 for he hath on his garment and on his thigh 7i4 e4 both on the garment and on the thigh1 or else on the garment covering the thigh71 a name written1 8,,king ,,of ,,kings1 ,,and ,,lord ,,of ,,lords04 ,and the ,beast1 and the kings of the earth1 and their armies1 are gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse and against his army1 i4 e4 against ,christ and his kingdom to attempt to overcome them4 ,thus with sublime imagery the vision leads up and on to the close of the great battle with the worldforces1 which was briefly described before in chapter sixteen as occurring at ,har,magedon2 the war is the same1 the battle between the sinful world and the hosts of ,god which is ever going on through the ages to final victory in the end4 ,now1 by a further view1 the ,beast1 and the ,false ,prophet 7or ,second ,beast7 who misguides the people in spiritual things1 are seen to be taken1 and they twain are cast alive into the lake of fire1 while all their followers are slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse1 even the sword which came forth out of his mouth 7v4 #ae72 and all the birds that fly in midheaven are called by an angel standing in the sun to feed upon their flesh1 as in ,ezekiel's prophecy of the ,judgment of ,gog 7ch4 #ci3agbb71 a judgment exceedingly repulsive to the ,hebrew mind4 ,the lake of fire is only a more fully developed form of the ,jewish conception of ,gehenna as a furnace of fire 7,mat4 #ac3db1 and #ej74 ,the symbolism here used may have been suggested to ,john's mind by the appearance of a sea or lake during the eruption of a volcano1 a view not unfamiliar to those resident in ,asia47#ech7 ,this lake in the ,revelation is the place of final punishment of the wicked1 and is clearly distinguished from the pit of the abyss1 the abode of ,satan during the present world period4 ,thus is signified the triumphant overthrow of the ,world,power and of the ,world,religion as manifested in history4 ,these together with the ,world,city are now broken and destroyed1 while only the ,world,lord1 or ,satan1 remains to carry on the conflict1 and the way is thereby prepared for the great millennial victory4 ,this section is considered by many to refer to ,christ's second coming1 the ,parousia1 and1 if that view were established1 it would serve to support the opinion of those who hold that the second advent will be premillennial2 but such an interpretation is beset with many difficulties and cannot be sustained by what is said in these verses4 ,the description does not correspond with the account of ,christ's coming again which is given in the ,synoptic ,gospels and the ,epistles1 nor with the passing foregleams of it in the preceding chapters1 but rather with the delineation of ,christ's conflict with the world as it is set forth in this book1 which is depicted in its beginnings under the first seal where ,christ goes forth conquering and to conquer1 and which is now seen to pass through the thick of battle to the crowning of victory4 ,for while the second coming is manifestly the one great objective event ever retained in the background of the visions1 overshadowing and interpenetrating every part of the ,apocalypse1 yet it is at no time definitely introduced or particularly described2 and the most accurate and impartial interpretation throughout is that which regards both the time of its occurrence and the position it occupies in relation to other events of the last days as nowhere revealed in the ,apocalyptic vision4 ,with the present author this view has grown through time from that of a possible solution of a much vexed question into a settled conviction of its correctness47#eci7 ,and it should be seen1 that with this section 7ch4 #ai3aaba7 in grave doubt1 to say the least1 concerning its application to the advent1 if indeed it should not be regarded as entirely inapplicable1 there is nothing definitely taught in the ,revelation in regard to the time of ,christ's second coming2 for whatever opinion we may entertain concerning the time of that glorious event so dear to the ,christian heart1 we cannot regard this passage as decisive in the matter unless we interpolate into it a meaning which it does not necessarily contain4 #b ,satan ,bound1 ,ch4 #bj3ac;a ,the temporary destruction of ,satan's power is here indicated by his being bound for a season2 and this marks another advance in the triumphal march of events4 ,an angel coming down from heaven with the key of the abyss1 and a great chain in his hand1 lays hold upon the ,dragon1 the ,old ,serpent1 ,satan1 and binds him for a thousand years1 and then shuts him up in the abyss1 his present dwellingplace1 from which he can now emerge at will during the period of conflict1 and seals it over him that his power may be restrained until the end of that time4 ,the binding of ,satan indicates the limiting of his authority over the nations1 with the subsequent ushering in of the triumph of the gospel among men1 when1 according to the announcement of the seventh trumpet1 8,the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our ,lord and of his ,christ0 7ch4 #aa3ae71 a promise partially fulfilled at this stage1 but awaiting its complete fulfilment in the final consummation4 ,the limiting of ,satan's power is a preparatory stage to the events that follow1 and precedes the first resurrection1 as it also precedes the millennium4 #c ,the ,first ,resurrection1 ,ch4 #bj3df ,the resurrection1 which is the effective redemption of the body from death1 that is necessary for complete victory over sin and for the full consummation of man's life in eternity17#edj7 is at this point begun17#eda7 and is marked in the ,revelation by two successive stages1 the first accompanying the triumph of the messianic kingdom1 and the second preparatory to the final judgment4 ,these two parts of the resurrection are separated in the vision by the whole millennial period4 ,the first resurrection is special and compensative 7scil4 8the resurrection out of the dead0--,gr4 --,phil4 #c3aa71 consisting of certain of the saints and martyrs who by reason of their enduring resistance of the forces of evil in their lives and deaths are adjudged worthy to attain unto this resurrection1 viz4 8of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of ,jesus1 and for the word of ,god1 and such as worshipped not the ,beast1 neither his image1 and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand40 ,the first resurrection which is evidently limited to this particular class1 and is compensative in character for evils endured1 precedes the second or general resurrection by a thousand years1 or the whole duration of the millennium1 which is not a definite1 numerical thousand years1 but in accordance with the general use of numbers in the ,apocalypse is a period of vast but indefinite length4 ,the cry of the martyrs 7ch4 #f3i7 has been heard1 and they who have part in this resurrection shall live and reign with ,christ throughout the whole millennial era1 i4 e4 shall share in his presence and glory as a reward for their superior faithfulness1 shall be with him where he is1 evidently in heaven1 for nothing is said of any new or different relation of ,christ or of the saints to those who dwell upon the earth as now begun1 or as entered upon at any time during this period4 ,we are simply told that the redeemed saints shall live and reign with ,christ1 i4 e4 they shall enter upon the new and fuller life with ,christ which follows the resurrection of the body1 and they shall share in the triumphant rulership of ,christ in heaven4 ,the main thought in the phrase 8with ,christ01 it will be seen1 is not so much that of location1 as of association with him in messianic rule47#edb7 ,the statement here made that 8they shall be priests of ,god and of ,christ0 7v4 #f7 evidently does not mean that they are to exercise the function of mediators for the rest of mankind during that intermediate period1--for no such service in heaven is anywhere taught in ,scripture--but only that they are granted familiar access to and fellowship with ,god and ,christ such as the priests had who drew near under the old covenant2 they stand in his presence as the priests of old stood in the temple and waited and served and worshipped4 #d ,the ,millennium1 ,ch4 #bj43 #b;b1 #c;b1 #d;b1 #e;a1 #f;b and #g;a ,the millennium is the ,latin equivalent of the ,greek phrase or a thousand years1 which has now attained a permanent place in ,christian thought4 ,in the prophetic view of the apocalyptic vision this is the crowning period of the church upon earth so long looked for and foretold1 the triumphant realization of messianic prophecy1 the dnouement of redemptive history in the world1 a time of rest and victory when evil shall be restrained though not extinguished1 and righteousness shall rule among men4 ,the millennial reign of the saints with ,christ1 while ,satan is limited in his sphere1 as is indicated by his being bound with a great chain1 is evidently intended to represent the period of the church's triumph4 ,the length of time implied by the millennium is a period of multiple completeness which is represented by a thousand1 the cube of ten1 the symbol of a duration that is of great but indefinite extent1 covering a long period of time1 stretching to untold generations1 during which the rule of ,christ shall be triumphantly established upon the earth47#edc7 ,the chief thought in the thousand years is doubtless that of great and enduring victory4 ,this period1 as has been effectively said1 8may well be of such an indefinite length as to lead to the salvation of unnumbered multitudes--multitudes so vast and countless that all the lost of all the ages will be but an infinitesimal fraction in comparison407#edd7 ,such a view serves to lighten in a measure the dark places of ,scripture and history with a vision of blessing and hope1 though it cannot be said to disperse to any great extent that impenetrable shadow which hangs over ,god's purpose in the world's long deep night of sin and death4 ,no other passage in the ,new ,testament has taken a deeper or more permanent hold upon the minds of believing men than this pregnant prophecy of a millennium1 in which the thousand years is six times named in as many verses4 ,unfortunately interpreters have not been agreed concerning the meaning of the passage2 in fact no part of the ,word of ,god has1 perhaps1 been so much in dispute as these verses in the ,revelation4 ,it may be worth while1 therefore1 to say that in the interpretation we should clearly recognize upon the one hand that the promise of a millennium was intended to create in the minds of men a pervasive hope of ultimate divine triumph in the world2 while upon the other hand we should avoid making this glorious promise the groundwork of purely human fancy4 ,the blessings of the millennial period here set forth evidently pertain both to the saints in glory and to the kingdom of ,god in this world4 ,the particular nature of the reign of the saints with ,christ during the thousand years is not revealed2 but we know assuredly that ,christ and his kingdom have prevailed upon the earth4 ,the millennium manifestly presents a natural and complete antithesis to the long period in which the church suffered oppression under domination of the worldpowers4 ,the part allotted to the saints in the triumph of the kingdom in which they live and reign with ,christ1 is set forth in terms of long prevailing and deeply cherished ,jewish ideals4 ,to occupy 8thrones of judgment0 was part of the recognized hope of ,israel 7,ps4 #abb3e71 and is clearly a human way of conceiving of superhuman relations4 ,that this hope is to be realized in the final spiritual supremacy of ,god's children1 specially promised to the twelve of the inner circle 7,mat4 #ai3bh2 and ,lu4 #bb3cj71 and evidently to be shared in a particular degree by all those who have part in the first resurrection1 though ultimately in some measure also by all the redeemed1 does not admit of serious doubt1 but the exact form in which it will be realized is not made plain4 ,according to the usual premillennial view the first resurrection is interpreted as consisting of all believers who have died previous to that time1 and not of those only who share in it by reason of special service and testimony2 and the millennial reign of those who rise from their graves in this resurrection is held to be upon the earth1 and is to be ushered in by the second coming of ,christ who will establish a new dispensation in which he will be personally manifest1 and will rule in the world1 either from an earthly capital as ,jerusalem1 or from heaven in close communication with the saints47#ede7 ,this view1 it will be seen1 rests upon ,jewish conceptions1 and derives its support from a sternly literal interpretation of ,old ,testament prophecies4 ,but1 notwithstanding its natural attractiveness to the minds of men1 it fails of adequate confirmation in the text4 ,upon the other hand most of the symbolical school interpret the first resurrection figuratively1 as a resurrection to spiritual life1 and regard the millennium as now in progress4 ,the prevalence of this view seems to be largely due to the early influence of ,augustine17#edf7 who identified the millennium with the period of the ,christian church on earth1 and held that for those who belong to the true church the first resurrection is past already1 making it the equivalent of the resurrection to spiritual life spoken of in ,john's ,gospel 7,jn4 #e3be71--;a passage which1 though showing that a spiritual resurrection is a distinct ,johannine conception1 does not serve to break the natural force of these words in their present connection4 ,the usual interpretation of the thousand years given by the symbolical school cannot be considered as satisfactory17#edg7 viz4 that the phrase expresses a quality1 i4 e4 completeness1 and not a period of time2 and that the meaning of the phrase 8bound him for a thousand years0 is that ,satan was completely bound4 ,the symbolical use of the number one thousand is evident1 but that does not deprive it of all quantitative value1 it only affects its literal significance2 and the denial that the word 8years0 has any reference to time is without proper exegetical support and must be rejected47#edh7 ,according to the current symbolical interpretation the entire passage 7ch4 #bj3aaj7 is regarded as an episode which is descriptive of the complete safety and spiritual deliverance of ,christ's people throughout the whole period of the agelong conflict27#edi7 and thus the millennium as a period of triumph and blessedness for the saints on earth1 preceding and distinct from the final blessedness of the world to come1 fades away into a figure of speech1 while the triumph of the gospel is obscured4 ,but this view cannot be sustained except by a sacrifice of the natural1 if we may not certainly say the correct exegesis2 for the paragraph will not fit a purely figurative interpretation47#eej7 ,this view would dispose of the question of a pre or postmillennial coming by denying that there is any millennium1 in the historic sense of the term1 taught in the ,revelation4 ,but the expedient is a fallacious one1 if ,john spoke as a prophet by the inspiration of the ,spirit1 for his words incorporated the thought of his time in which the millennium had a definite meaning2 and that he foresaw and described it as such is fairly evident1 though he manifestly modified its extravagances4 ,the idea of a triumphal period of the ,messiah's reign is too deeply inwrought in the ,apocalyptic literature which preceded the present ,apocalypse to be put aside lightly as a symbol of completeness47#eea7 ,the duration of this time was a frequent and favorite subject of ,jewish speculation27#eeb7 and according to the general laws of language1 the phrase used in the text1 8a thousand years01 necessarily carries with it the conception of a period of time1 but in accordance with the usage of the author1 it loses its definite numerical significance and indicates a period of long but unmeasured duration2 it becomes the symbol of a period that is complete4 ,it will be recognized by the attentive student of the ,word of ,god that this passage and its connections form the crux interpretum of the whole book of ,revelation2 and it is well1 perhaps1 not to speak with too much positiveness on a subject so differently understood by many of the most eminent scholars and interpreters4 ,the view presented above seems to be the most natural meaning that can be given to the words of the vision1 and seems also to accord more fully than any other with the many promises of ,god concerning the outcome of all that great and progressive movement among men which we call the ,kingdom of ,heaven in the earth4 ,for without such a period of victory1 the whole evolutionary movement in human life and history1 which so manifestly marks the purpose of ,god and the plan of redemption1 would somehow seem to fail of any proper consummation2 while in this view the millennium1 marking the triumph of the gospel1 would vindicate the present method of history and redemption1 just as the premillennial view would abandon it and introduce a different order4 ,indeed1 it may be well here to say1 what should be clearly seen by every student of the ,revelation1 that the premillennial view introduces practically three dispensations into the plan of redemption1 viz4 the first1 that of ,moses which measurably failed2 the second1 that of ,christ which is also to fail of complete success2 and the third1 that of the ,holy ,spirit which shall absolutely triumph4 ,whether1 indeed1 such a view is justified by what the ,gospels teach and the ,epistles indicate1 is a question that each interpreter of ,scripture must determine for himself2 though it must be said that the large majority of ,christians in all ages have not so understood the message of the ,word4 ,and it would certainly be remarkable if ,christ1 who was so wonderful a teacher1 had intended to predict a premillennial coming to his own1 and yet left it in such an indefinite form that the majority of earnest ,christians would forever fail to apprehend it4 ,but1 in any case1 to give up the expectation of the final supremacy of the gospel in the world1 whether we look for it to be attained before or after the coming of the ,lord1 through the method of history or contrary to it1 is to empty of its richest content the ,christian hope for the world of men1 and to contradict the deepest longing of the pious heart47#eec7 #e ,satan ,loosed ,again and ,overthrown1 ,ch4 #bj3c;c1 and #gaj ,a renewal of ,satan's activity is permitted by divine authority1 as is indicated by his being loosed again out of his prison1 and seems to be of the nature of a reaction in favor of evil1 a sequence for which we are scarcely prepared at this juncture1 after the millennial period of ,christian ascendancy4 ,we find described in these verses a recrudescence of organized opposition to ,christ and his kingdom1 indicated by ,satan coming forth again out of the abyss1 according to the prevailing method of the ,apocalypse by which evil comes in periodic onsets4 ,in the elucidation of the passage most interpreters1 who regard the millennium as representing the triumphal period of ,christ's kingdom upon earth1 consider this incident1 together with ,satan's previous binding without the complete destruction of his power until the end when he is cast into the lake of fire1 as showing conclusively that opposition to ,christ has only been subdued during the millennial period but not extinguished1 so that like a smouldering fire it bursts forth into flame again before the end47#eed7 ,it can scarcely be denied that such is the underlying assumption of the passage1 as is generally conceded1 though the usual symbolist view1 relying upon this1 minimizes the character of the millennial triumph1 and regards the opposition to ,christ as being subdued only so far as believers are concerned1 toward whom ,satan is then completely bound1 the millennium and the conflict going on simultaneously--a view that is not adequately sustained by the text4 ,on the other hand the futurist view magnifies the nature of the millennial triumph1 and leaves no reasonable room for this final outburst of sin2 for the millennium with ,christ dwelling among his people upon earth is heaven already begun1 and the ,scriptures nowhere teach either the continuance of evil after ,christ's second coming1 or the existence of an interval between ,christ's coming and the judgment4 ,the interpretation here given is accepted by many modern scholars and follows a median line1 regarding the millennium as a period of relative triumph followed by a fresh outbreak of sin1 as seems to be indicated in this passage4 ,if we compare these verses with that strange apocalyptic passage in ,paul's ,second ,epistle to the ,thessalonians 7,,ii ,thess4 #b3c;f471 we find that he there predicts a falling away from the faith and the coming of the ,man of ,sin before the advent1 which seems to refer in the figurative language of ,apocalyptic to this same period of final struggle preceding the end4 ,and the ,man of ,sin there foretold may perhaps be regarded as an ideal personification of the sin of man then prevailing1 8whom the ,lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth04 ,this last struggle is1 however1 only for a little time 7v4 #c71 i4 e4 for a season that is short in comparison with the millennial period1 and is apparently permitted in order to bring about the triumphal termination of the conflict that ,satan may be completely and forever overthrown and flung into the lake of fire 7v4 #aj71 the final place of punishment1 together with the ,beast and the ,false ,prophet whose destruction has been already described4 ,though the general idea of the paragraph is relatively plain1 the particular meaning of the prediction is involved in much obscurity1 viz4 that of a war in which ,satan deceives the nations of the earth1 ,gog and ,magog17#eee7 whose number is as the sand of the sea1 and who go up under his leadership to compass the camp of the saints and the beloved city1 but who are destroyed by divine intervention through fire from heaven4 ,the description is evidently symbolic1 and ,gog and ,magog were doubtless not intended to be identified as particular nations2 nor can the fulfilment be literally understood4 ,like many of the prophecies of the past it is surrounded by a haze of indefiniteness that prevents its full interpretation until its meaning is revealed by the course of events4 ,the source of the symbolism is found in the ,old ,testament invasion of ,gog1 a passage in ,ezekiel 7ch4 #chci71 a prophetic scene of war1 which becomes here the formal type of the last struggle between the hosts of sin and those of righteousness1 and seems to refer to some new1 national1 and worldwide form of opposition to ,christ and his kingdom in which all the earthforces of evil are gathered together for their extinction--a final stage of the conflict necessary for the completeness of the victory1 which is to be postmillennial1 and in which all the powers of evil shall be speedily and finally overthrown47#eef7 ,it may also be that the view of battle here given is intended to be partly retrospective in its purpose1 and to link this struggle with the agelong conflict which culminates when the ,beast and the ,false ,prophet are taken1 giving another view of ,har ,magedon in which now1 after a period of quiescence1 ,satan's overthrow forms the final part4 #f ,the ,second ,resurrection1 ,ch4 #bj3aaab;a1 and #ac;a ,this is the final and complete resurrection which occurs at the end of the world1 and comprises all those1 whether believers or not1 who failed to participate in the first resurrection4 ,the completeness of this resurrection is specially emphasized4 ,even the sea gave up the bodies of the dead that were in it2 and death and ,hades gave up the souls of the dead that were in them 7v4 #ac;a71 in preparation for the judgment4 ,the description here given of the second or general resurrection1 it will be seen1 presents the ordinary view of ,scripture1 while that of the first resurrection introduces a new and different conception1 viz4 that of a special resurrection4 ,the main distinction between the two resurrections may be regarded as chiefly one of order rather than time1 though the precedence of the first in point of time is also included4 ,in each case a resurrection of the body is meant1 but the first is partial in extent1 consisting of a particular class1 while the second is universal1 comprising all classes47#eeg7 ,the paragraph1 when thus interpreted1 affords a clearer view of the resurrection as a whole1 showing its proper order or sequence1 and separating into two main parts that which is mostly regarded in the ,new ,testament in its entirety as a single event occurring at the last day4 ,in fact the doctrine of two resurrections taught in this passage1 and the clearness with which the resurrection of the wicked for judgment is set forth1 together constitute the most notable contribution of the ,apocalypse to the eschatology of the ,new ,testament27#eeh7 for 8whatever may be the difficulties involved1 and however they may be solved1 we must recognize that ,john here predicts an anticipative and limited resurrection of the same character as the general resurrection which is to follow407#eei7 ,this was undoubtedly the thought presented to ,john's mind in the vision1 whether we attach any didactive significance to it or not1 and it ought not to be overlooked in our interpretation4 ,at this point it may be not amiss to say1 what must be apparent to every careful student of ,scripture1 that it was not the divine purpose in the book of ,revelation to reveal the intimate nature or detail of the great events which lie at the close of man's history on the earth2 but rather to give a general outline of the divine order1 which would serve to invigorate our faith and stimulate our hope in the onward path of ,christian duty4 ,and while it is for the most part fruitless to inquire particularly concerning that which is not clearly revealed1 at the same time the general bearing of this passage should not be allowed to escape our attention1 for it is one of the most significant in the book of ,revelation1 and we may well pause a moment to consider its proper meaning4 ,we have here1 apparently1--if one may offer an opinion on so obscure a subject1--a hint that the resurrection which has just been described as occurring in two periods1 first and second1 is to be regarded as a process rather than as an event that is single and separate in itself1 one which in its entirety covers a long period of time1 and is to be accomplished in progressive stages in which the righteous share first according to their relative worth--a process which is apparently marked by two principal periods that are specially in mind in the description before us4 ,in the light of this view it may be well to recall some of the events in the ,scripture record which seem to support it4 ,the translation of ,enoch and ,elijah in the ,old ,testament1 the equivalent of an immediate resurrection1 which anticipated the victory of ,christ over death1 would otherwise be an unexplained anomaly4 ,but according to this interpretation it forms a part of the divine order2 their resurrection was not anomalous2 it was only one step in the ever progressive plan of the ages4 ,the mysterious hiding1 too1 of ,moses' grave in the valley of the land of ,moab1 finds an adequate explanation if he was subsequently translated when the divine purpose in his burial was accomplished--the burial vindicating the divine honor1 while his resurrection was immediate and triumphant4 ,the record1 also1 in the closing chapter of ,daniel 7,dan4 #ab3ac7 though obscure1 points to a stage in the resurrection in which not all but many shall rise1 and includes as well those who rise to shame and everlasting contempt1 though no indication of the time when this will occur is given by the prophet4 ,but more particularly in ,matthew's account of the crucifixion of our ,lord 7,mat4 #bg3ebc71 we find that his death was followed not only by the rending of the veil in the temple1 indicating the departure of the divine glory1 but that 8the tombs were opened1 and many bodies of the saints which had fallen asleep were raised1 and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection1 they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many40 ,it is a weak exegesis that interprets their resurrection as merely spectral1 or as only temporary and transient1 even though it were for the purpose of witnessing to the divinity of our ,lord4 ,the natural meaning is that they arose as a part of the victory of ,christ1 and were ready to enter with him into the rest that remaineth for the people of ,god4 ,these passages all seem to point to a progressive resurrection that is to be accomplished in successive stages1 and they cannot well be otherwise interpreted except by indirection4 ,it is true that the subject is only incidentally touched upon in the ,new ,testament1 yet it seems to be here clearly implied that precedence in resurrection is divinely accorded to those who are prepared for it1 as a part of the reward of righteousness1 and that this belongs to the divine order47#efj7 ,beyond this we cannot safely go1 for it is not well to be too confident in maintaining any view that depends so largely upon the interpretation of single passages1 even though the inference1 as in this case1 seems to be natural and conclusive4 #g ,the ,last ,judgment1 ,ch4 #bj3aaae ,the final divine inquiry into the sum and fruitage of each and every life1 which is retributive in its purpose1 is entered into at the end of the world when all the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god to be judged1 after the resurrection is complete47#efa7 ,the great judgment throne in the vision is white1 the symbol of purity1 and he that sat upon it is not named1 but throughout the book the judge is the ,father as distinguished from the ,son4 ,the two principles of the judgment given in this graphic account1 which is a reflection of the ,vision of ,judgment in the prophecy of ,daniel 7,dan4 #g and #ab71 are first 8according to their works0 which are written in the books of record that are now open2 and second according to the divine purpose which is 8written in the book of life04 ,the 8book of life0 was originally the name used for the roll of ,jewish citizens kept from at least the ninth century before ,christ 7cf4 ,ezr4 #b3fb2 ,neh4 #g3e1 #fd2 and #ab3bb1 #bc7 from which the names of the dead were erased1 that is now applied to the ,lamb's book of life 7ch4 #ba3bg71 the roll of living citizens of the ,new ,jerusalem47#efb7 ,those not found in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire together with death and ,hades1 both of which are now merged into this final and fitting retribution for sin1 i4 e4 physical death as experienced by men in this world1 and ,hades the abode of the dead during the intermediate state1 are both abolished as temporary conditions in preparation for the new heaven and the new earth of the righteous1 and are succeeded by the lake of fire for the sinful4 ,this is the last event of time1 the issue of the earthly life1 the ,end7#efc7 foretold by prophecy1 the crisis that marks the transition to eternity1 the closing scene in the great drama of human history4 ,the view now passes at once from this scene of terror and judgment to the sublime vision of joy and triumph in the far and fadeless glory beyond4 ,,vii ,the ,vision of the ,new ,jerusalem 7,a ,vision of ,triumph74 ,ch4 #ba3abb3e ,the vision of the ,new ,jerusalem is a crowning picture of redemption consummated1 a vision of triumph and peace after the conflict is over and the victory won1 portraying the eternal bliss of the redeemed in the immediate presence of ,god1 whose glory is realized in the intimate fellowship and ultimate wellbeing of his creatures that have been finally recovered from sin and fully confirmed in righteousness4 ,in this closing vision of the ,revelation we reach the goal of ,christian hope in the future life with ,god4 ,some futurehistorical interpreters have1 however1 regarded this section as describing the millennial glory upon earth1 preceding the final consummation of all things2 but the view is involved in so many difficulties that relatively few have accepted it4 ,on the contrary the ,christian mind of all ages has instinctively found in the vision a perspective view of the heavenly glory1 an opinion that it may be confidently said is not a mistaken one47#efd7 ,the ,new ,jerusalem presents the resultant condition of victory following the long struggle against sin1 8the world to come0 already ushered in1 which lies beyond the millennium and the resurrection4 ,at this point it may be well to call attention to the fact that the millennium in ,hebrew thought is the culmination of 8the age to come01 i4 e4 the age which is the triumphing period of the ,messiah upon earth2 whereas the ,new ,jerusalem is the realization of 8the world to come01 i4 e4 of the world that is future and eternal4 ,these ideas were quite distinct in ,jewish thought1 and they ought also to be distinct with us4 ,the wonderful account of the new heaven and the new earth speaks of other conditions than those of the present time2 and the view of the glorious city in this closing vision 7ch4 #ba3bbb3e7 is aptly divisible into eight parts1 the symbol of culmination1 or of a new life or period begun1 the division indicated in the comments that follow4 #a ,the ,new ,heaven and the ,new ,earth1 ,ch4 #ba3a ,in this verse we are presented with a view of the new creation which environs the ,new ,jerusalem1 the sign of the changed and exalted conditions of future existence which await those that are ,christ's1 the creation redeemed as well as the creature1 8for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away01 and all things have become new47#efe7 ,this idea1 which coincides with that of ,paul in the ,epistle to the ,romans 7ch4 #h3aibc71 is not1 however1 further developed1 but the view turns at once to the heavenly city1 for the vision has its proper center in the city1 and is designed to present a view of redeemed humanity in the presence of ,god to which that of the redeemed creation is merely incidental4 #b ,the ,holy ,city1 ,ch4 #ba3bbb3e ,heaven1 its joys and its inhabitants1 is described under the type of a city1 the ,new ,jerusalem1 the counterpart of the ,old whose warfare has been accomplished1 a civic and social dwellingplace that is new1 holy1 and glorious1 an ideally perfect city in the midst of an ideally perfect world27#eff7 the symbol of the glorious conditions of the redeemed and purified church in the midst of the new life of eternity1 and the antithesis of ,babylon1 the type of the old sinful and polluted world4 ,the description is full of echoes from the ,isaian rhapsody of ,zion ,redeemed 7,isa4 #ed1 #fj1 and #fe71 and ,ezekiel's vision of ,jerusalem ,restored 7,ezek4 #dj and #dh747efg7 7#a7 ,the ,tabernacle of ,god with ,men1 ,ch4 #ba3cd ,the city in its entirety becomes the antitype of the tabernacle of ,israel1 especially of the inner sanctuary or holy of holies1 where ,god forever dwells with men1 and they shall be his peoples17#efh7 and sorrow1 pain1 and death shall be no more1 for the former things are passed away4 ,this is authoritatively declared by a voice out of the throne1 a divine message1 possibly given by one of the ,angels of the ,presence1 as a comforting and assuring promise of the divine nearness and guardianship in the future life of ,god's people4 7#b7 ,the ,bride1 the ,lamb's ,wife1 ,ch4 #ba3b1 #iaj ,the city1 the dwellingplace of the redeemed1 and the symbol of the new conditions of the glorified church in the midst of eternity1 becomes now by metonymy the symbol of the redeemed church herself1 the ,bride of ,christ1 the inhabitants being thought of to the exclusion of all else4 ,the great city1 the holy ,jerusalem1 is seen coming down out of heaven from ,god17#efi7 as a bride adorned for her husband on her marriage day1--a figure of the intimate and tender relation of ,christ with his people in the final state of the blessed4 ,the city in these verses 7#iaj7 is manifestly the symbol of the church that dwells within it2 but the view that makes the ,new ,jerusalem the symbol solely of the redeemed church1 not only here but throughout the entire passage17#egj7 fails to realize the flexibility of prophetic usage4 ,the idea of place and local surroundings in the general description of the city undoubtedly stands first in the ,apocalyptist's thought1 and would seldom be questioned by the ordinary reader1 though it includes also the inhabitants as well1 and may be used for the inhabitants alone1 as is done in this part of the passage1 without invalidating the general meaning4 ,in the ninth verse1 with the announcement of the angel1 8,come hither1 ,i will show thee the bride1 the wife of the ,lamb01 the account in verse second is resumed1 and is wrought out in detail4 ,one of the vialangels carries ,john away in the ,spirit into a mountain great and high that he may see the vision more fully1 an indication of its importance4 7#c7 ,the ,city of ,new ,things1 ,ch4 #ba3eh ,all things are declared new and changed1 and to be the inheritance of those that shall overcome17#ega7 to whom also the fulness of divine sonship is awarded2 but the craven and unbelieving1 the sinful and impure1 shall be cast into the lake of fire which is the second death4 ,these words of authority1 promise1 and threatening1 are spoken by him who sitteth on the throne1 the ,alpha and the ,omega1 the ,beginning and the ,end1 who now himself1 when all is fulfilled1 speaks openly instead of through those mysterious voices that have hitherto issued from out the throne and temple1 another token of the nearer communion of the saints with ,god in the new heaven and the new earth47#egb7 ,and ,john is again commanded to write1 for the words spoken are 8faithful and true01 and 8they are come to pass01 i4 e4 all ,god's promises and threatenings have been fulfilled1 even the things of the new creation have already come into being1 and the mystery of ,god is ended1 according to the prediction of the angel with the book 7ch4 #aj3g71 i4 e4 the mystery of the divine purpose in the great work of creation and redemption has now been fully made known4 7#d7 ,the ,city of ,glory7#egc71 ,ch4 #ba3aaba 8,having the glory of ,god01 i4 e4 the glory of his abiding presence1 which is reflected in the glory of gate and wall and street1 yet the city is described for our better understanding in terms of the earthly creation4 ,its light is like unto a stone most precious1 and the materials of its structure are most costly2 the building of the wall is of jasper1 the city and the street of pure gold1 and the foundations of the wall adorned with all manner of precious stones17#egd7 while the several gates are each of a single pearl1--the mingled symbols of brilliancy1 glory1 costliness1 and beauty4 ,the city lies foursquare1 a perfect figure1 the distinctive number of the earthly creation still1 though new1 with twelve foundations1 gates1 and angels1 the church number1 reflecting the number of the tribes of ,israel and of the apostles of the ,lamb1 and with walls one hundred and fortyfour cubits high1 the square of the church number1 and twelve thousand furlongs in length on each of the four sides17#ege7 the church number multiplied by a thousand1 and the number of the sealed in each tribe 7ch4 #g3e;f471--pertinent symbols1 all of these1 of the perfect home of the redeemed1 as well as of the symmetry of the perfect church4 ,the city is further described as a perfect cube like the holy of holies in the sanctuary1 the length and breadth and the height of it being equal 7v4 #af7 which perhaps means that in the height is included the eminence on which it stands1 though others think that there is an intentional absence of all verisimilitude47#egf7 ,the symbolical meaning of the cubical dimensions is evidently that of a symmetrical and ideal perfection which is proportional in all its parts1 and like to the holy of holies in the earthly temple47#egg7 ,the circuit of the walls is fortyeight thousand stadia1 i4 e4 four times twelve thousand furlongs or stadia1 and seems to be a designed reference to the city of ,babylon1 the greatest city of the ancient world1 the circuit of which was four hundred and eighty stadia1 i4 e4 four times one hundred and twenty furlongs or stadia1 while that of the ,new ,jerusalem is greater a hundredfold1 which is evidently the language of symbolism47#egh7 ,the city which is first seen from afar1 coming down out of heaven 7v4 #aaad71 is afterward measured1 and its glories pointed out by the angel 7see the divisions indicated by paragraphs in the text of the ,revelation given in the first part of the volume74 7#e7 ,the ,city of ,many ,nations1 ,ch4 #ba3bd1 and #bf ,the nations walk amidst the light thereof1 and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it1 a description which seems to reflect the thought of a new earth that will be peopled as well as the holy city1 as implied in the first verse of the chapter1 and perhaps designed to show the cosmopolitan character of the ,new ,jerusalem4 7#f7 ,the ,city of ,exclusions1 ,ch4 #ba3a1 #d1 #bb1 #bc1 #be1 #bg2 and #bb3c1 #e ,the city has no more sea1 i4 e4 the old1 earthly1 turbulent sea of conflict and unrest 7v4 #a72 no more death1 neither mourning1 crying1 nor pain any more 7v4 #d72 no separate temple or inner sanctuary of partial access to ,god1 for the city is all temple1 and ,god forever dwells among his people 7v4 #bb72 no sun1 nor moon1 nor night1 for the ,lamb is the light thereof1 his spiritual light superseding the physical 7v4 #bc1 #be1 and ch4 #bb3e72 no shut gates of defence or hindrance1 for there is no longer either night or enemy abroad 7v4 #be72 and no more curse1 nor any unholy to renew the conflict1 nor anything unclean or that maketh an abomination and a lie1 for ,christ is throned as victor 7v4 #bg1 and ch4 #bb3c74 ,in this final view of heaven not only has the temple disappeared1 but also the elders1 and the four living creatures1 and all that accessory symbolism of the earlier visions which was appropriate to the churchhistoric period4 ,these are no longer needed1 for the conditions which they served to symbolize have passed away4 ,even the angels are no longer seen within1 for this is a vision of redeemed men who look upon the face of their ,redeemer4 7#g7 ,the ,city of ,life1 ,ch4 #bb3ab ,as the antidote of death the eternal city is seen to possess a 8river of water of life0 that flows out from the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb in the midst of the street thereof1 the source of enduring life to all the holy 7,ps4 #df3de74 ,the city is1 also1 seen to have the 8tree of life017#egi7 the seal of ,god's first covenant in ,eden 7,gen4 #b3i2 #c3bb71 bearing twelve crops of fruit1 yielding its fruit every month1 and with leaves for the healing of the nations1 which has at last wrought its beneficent results and forever removed the curse4 ,the word tree is in the singular1 but the context shows that it is to be understood generically1 i4 e4 a tree of life which is found on this side of the river and on that1 or trees of life growing by the riverside47#ehj7 ,we notice1 also1 that the river1 which in the earthly ,paradise was parted and became four heads when traced to its source1 is now replaced by a single river of water of life in the heavenly2 and the ,scripture story of man1 viewed from its beginning to its close1 is seen to finally lead up from the lost ,paradise of creation to the ,paradise regained by redemption4 ,and in that city forever dwell only those 8that are written in the ,lamb's book of life04 7#h7 ,the ,city of ,god1 ,ch4 #bb3ce ,the crowning glory of the holy city is the abiding presence of ,jehovah1 for the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb shall be therein1 and the redeemed shall see his face7#eha7 in the beatific vision1 and his name shall be upon their foreheads1 and they shall reign for ever and ever4 ,then and there man redeemed1 who has so long been separated from the face of ,god by the ruinous results of sin1 shall be at last restored to the fulness of the divine presence to abide throughout eternity47#ehb7 ,whether1 indeed1 ,god in his essential being can ever be directly apprehended by the finite spirit1 is a question that with our present light we cannot definitely determine4 ,it may well be in eternity as in time1 there as well as here1 that for us to see the ,son is to see the ,father1 and that the beatific vision for which men have so often longed and hoped and prayed in the past1 is to be realized in a way quite different from the common thought1 by the blessed vision of the glorified and exalted ,christ in the fadeless life of the perfected kingdom of ,god in heaven4 ,the name which shall be upon the foreheads of the redeemed is evidently the 8new name0 of chapter three 7v4 #ab7 which sums up in itself all the fulness of the future revelation of ,god to the glorified1 the transcendental and ineffable name to men upon earth 8which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it01 i4 e4 in the future life of the heavenly kingdom4 ,it is surely worthy of our attention here to note in closing1 how all ,god's revelations of himself have not only tended to grow in intensity and clearness1 but also to center in the name by which he is made known4 ,beginning with the announcement of his sacred name ,jehovah1 as distinct from his former name ,elohim1 in connection with the great events of ,israel's redemptive history1 there is a manifest movement in the historical selfrevelation of ,god to men that is marked by progressive steps which lead on through all the promise and mystery of the incarnate ,christ to this final revelation of himself1 lying beyond history1 that shall be made to the redeemed under the 8new name0 when redemption is complete4 ,he who was first promised to men1 to be born 8of the seed of the woman01 and 8of the seed of ,abraham01 and was afterward more clearly revealed to ,israel as 8the son of ,david01 8the servant of ,jehovah01 8,immanuel01 8the ,son of ,man01 and 8the ,messiah01 and who was made known to men in his incarnation as 8,jesus01 8the ,christ01 and 8our ,lord01 was finally recognized by the church under his full redemptive title as 8the ,lord ,jesus ,christ01 by which name he shall be known throughout all the centuries to the end of time4 ,but the vision of the city of ,god reaches far beyond this1 and tells of his name to be then written upon the foreheads of the redeemed1 manifestly his 8own new name0 7ch4 #c3ab7 that is to be revealed to the glorified when redemption is complete1 which stands for the full1 final1 and complete revelation of ,god in ,christ in the new relations of the great future life in heaven4 ,thus1 with the redeemed enthroned in power1 and dwelling in the unveiled presence of ,god revealed1 there is completely fulfilled the ultimate divine purpose of man's creation and redemption4 ,this1 in ,john's view1 is the consummation of all things1 that 8,one faroff divine event1 ,to which the whole creation moves40 ,the transition to the closing part of the book is now made1 but it is not very definitely marked1 and in the division into chapters it was overlooked entirely1 for the twentysecond chapter should begin at this point4 ,some would make the break at the close of verse seven1 but it more properly belongs at the close of verse five1 where the description of the ,new ,jerusalem ends4 ,,iii ,,the ,,epilogue1 ,ch4 #bb3fba ,the epilogue consists of a recapitulation of the authority and contents of the book1 instructions for its use1 and an enforcement of its lessons4 ,it is a brief but impressive conclusion1 giving the final words of the angel1 with the promise of ,christ to the victors1 and the closing testimony of ,john4 ,a ,the ,final ,words of the ,angel1 with the ,promise of ,christ1 ,ch4 #bb3faf ,these words should be regarded as spoken for ,christ1 and the promise to the victors as made in his name1 by the angel that he sent to testify these things unto ,john1 the interpreting angel of chapter one 7v4 #a71 who now looks back over the entire revelation that has been given1 returning from the series of visions revealing the future to the standpoint of the introductory vision47#ehc7 #a ,the ,message ,reaffirmed1 ,ch4 #bb3fi ,the importance of the message is recognized and its trustworthiness emphasized by repeated affirmation4 ,an effort is thereby made to impress indelibly its lessons upon the heart of the church4 7#a7 ,the ,witness of the ,angel1 ,ch4 #bb3fg ,the sayings of the book are declared to be true and faithful1 and of divine authority2 the speedy coming of ,christ is announced17#ehd7 i4 e4 8quickly0 in the divine view which covers all eternity1 but not to be understood as at once or soon from the ordinary or human point of view2 and a blessing is pronounced upon those who keep the words of the prophecy of this book in anticipation of their complete fulfilment4 7#b7 ,the ,witness ,confirmed by ,john1 ,ch4 #bb3h;a ,to the declaration of the angel is added the direct testimony of ,john that he saw and heard these things1 a parenthetical remark1 strengthening the statement of the angel and confirming the words of the book4 7#c7 ,worship from ,john again ,refused1 ,ch4 #bb3h;b#i ,the form and presence and message of the angel overwhelm ,john with awe1 and he tenders his worship2 but the angel1 as before 7ch4 #ai3aj71 acknowledges himself a fellowservant with ,john1 and bids the ,apostle worship ,god--probably a protest against angel worship which may already have begun4 #b ,the ,book ,not to be ,sealed1 ,ch4 #bb3ajaa ,the words of the prophecy are not to be sealed1 i4 e4 they are not to be kept secret1 evidently not even their deeper meaning1 so far as it was known1 was to be veiled in secrecy1 but was to be openly communicated to the churches1 for the time of inevitable reward is declared to be at hand 7v4 #ajaa7 both for the righteous and the wicked1 when the present opportunity shall be ended47#ehe7 ,the opposite direction1 it will be noticed1 was given concerning the ,book of ,daniel 7ch4 #ab3d1 #i71 which was commanded to be 8shut up and sealed till the time of the end01 because as had been previously explained1 8it belongeth to many days to come0 7,dan4 #h3bf74 ,but this book is to be given at once to men1 an evident indication that its contents were not regarded as secret or veiled1 but were intended to be read and understood by all4 #c ,the ,promise of ,christ to the ,victors1 ,ch4 #bb3abaf 8,behold1 ,i come quickly27#ehf7 and my reward is with me10 is the gracious promise of recompense to be given to the faithful1 for he will 8render to each man according as his work is0--a fundamental principle of the final judgment that is everywhere emphasized throughout the book4 8,i am the ,alpha and the ,omega1 the ,first and the ,last1 the ,beginning and the ,end01 is a recapitulation of these three comprehensive titles descriptive of ,christ which have hitherto been used separately 7chs4 #a3h1 #ag2 #b3h2 #ba3f71 but are now massed together in impressive solemnity4 ,it is the equivalent of saying1 8,i am the ,source1 and through me will be the ,consummation1 of all that which is and was and shall be the ages through0--an affirmation of absolute supremacy in the universe47#ehg7 ,the declaration of the next verse 7v4 #ad71 8,blessed are they that wash their robes1 that they may have the right to come to the tree of life1 and may enter in by the gates into the city01 is the seventh and last of the wonderful ,benedictions of the book 7see ,app'x ,c74 ,in contrast with these that are blessed1 are all the wicked of every class who are left without1 including 8every one that loveth and maketh a lie04 ,he who sent his angel to testify to these things is ,jesus 7v4 #af71 once born of the family of ,david1 the bright and morning star1 the glorious harbinger of the day of redemption47#ehh7 ,the words are in the form of direct address1 and are undoubtedly from ,christ himself1 though as there is no apparent indication of a change of speaker from verse six1 where the voice is clearly that of the angel1 we may regard them either as given by the angel who repeats what ,christ has said1 or as personally spoken by ,christ himself47#ehi7 ,it is well for us at this point to remember the interesting fact1 generally known by students of the ,greek ,testament1 that in verse sixteen1 8at the word #8,david'1 the manuscript #a1 from which ,erasmus compiled the ,textus ,receptus1 ends4 ,in order to supply the remainder1 which is deficient1 ,erasmus retranslated the ,vulgate ,version into ,greek4 ,the ,greek1 therefore1 of the ,textus ,receptus from this point onwards is the ,greek of ,erasmus017#eij7 and hence lacks the authority of the original text4 ,b ,the ,closing ,testimony of ,john1 ,ch4 #bb3agbj ,these verses contain the final witness1 warning1 and exhortation of the ,apostle1 which is given to the churches before the book is closed1 concerning all the things which are written therein4 #a ,a ,last ,universal ,invitation of ,grace1 ,ch4 #bb3ag 8,come60 8,come60 8,come60 ,a thrice repeated call to all men to come to ,christ for the free gift of life eternal1 is fervently uttered before the book is closed forever4 ,the beloved disciple with ardent zeal sends out this final call to the unsaved1 and thus the message of judgment throughout the book reaches a fitting close in a full1 free1 and urgent invitation to all men of every class to accept the offer of salvation4 ,this certainly appears to be the natural meaning of the passage1 as is made clear by the appeal in the latter part of the verse1 which would otherwise lack coherence1 viz4 8,and he that is athirst let him come3 he that will1 let him take of the water of life freely40 ,the verse is1 however1 regarded by many as belonging to the words of ,christ just preceding 7v4 #abaf71 though it is more likely1 but we cannot say certainly1 spoken by ,john4 ,either connection is possible1 and does not materially affect the sense4 ,another1 perhaps the more common though less likely interpretation1 makes the word 8,come01 repeated in the first half of the verse1 a call to ,christ to come again1 referring to his promise in the twelfth verse2 and regards the passage either as the words of ,christ affirming the witness of the ,spirit and the ,bride who entreat him to come1 or as an answering cry from ,john on behalf of the church47#eia7 #b ,a ,last ,impressive ,warning of ,exhortation1 ,ch4 #bb3ahai 8,if any man shall add unto these things1 ,god shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book3 and if any man shall take away 444 ,god shall take away his part from the tree of life1 and out of the holy city40 ,these are the authoritative words of a messenger conscious of divine authority1 and are intended to preserve the integrity of his message47#eib7 ,they are similar in form to the warning given in ,deuteronomy 7,deut4 #d3b2 #ab3cb71 guarding against the deliberate falsification1 or misinterpretation1 of a divine message4 #c ,a ,last ,assuring ,promise of ,hope1 ,ch4 #bb3bj;a 8,yea3 ,i come quickly0 is the final and repeated assurance of ,christ to the church of his personal coming4 ,the promise of the ,lord ,jesus that he will come again quickly1 which was introduced almost at the beginning of the book1 and which recurs at intervals throughout1 is thus solemnly emphasized and repeated once more at the close1 a clear indication of the place which it occupied in the mind of the ,apostle4 ,as before it is not 8quickly0 in the earthly sense1 else ,christ would have come long since1 but from the divine point of view1 for ,god's plan is never slow in its accomplishment47#eic7 #d ,a last ,ecstatic ,prayer of ,yearning1 ,ch4 #bb3bj;b 8,amen3 come1 ,lord ,jesus01 is the ,apostle's closing rejoinder of rapturous faith and hope4 8,in this final assurance of the ,lord1 #8,i come quickly'1 the ,book of ,revelation finds its keynote again1 and so sinks to rest with the acquiescent and triumphant reply of faith1 #8,amen3 come1 ,lord ,jesus4' 07#eid7 ,c ,the ,author's ,benediction1 ,ch4 #bb3ba ,the apostolic blessing of the human author of the ,apocalypse is added as a final word to the message of the book1 invoking the grace or favor of the ,lord ,jesus1 the divine ,saviour1 upon all the saints1 the usual closing words of the ,new ,testament ,epistles4 ,the benediction1 though unusual in apocalypses1 is here no doubt added because the book was intended to be read in the churches4 ,and thus in words familiar to every believer is brought to a close the great ,apocalyptic writing of the ,christian church1 the last message of the glorified ,christ to his faithful disciples upon earth1 a deep and soulinspiring view of the past1 the present1 and the future1 beheld in the light of ,apocalyptic vision4 ,moved by its manifold lessons of faith and hope1 we surely cannot but join with fervent accord and repetition in its last word of appeal and blessing1 ,,amen ,,and ,,amen4 ,,appendix ,a3 ,,some ,,fundamental ,,conceptions ,,of ,,the ,,apocalypse 7,the ,conditions of the ,present ,age7 ,i ,a ,duality of ,forces in the ,moral ,world ,the ,good 444 vs444 ,the ,evil2 444 or 444 ,the ,kingdom of ,god 444 vs444 ,the ,counter,kingdom of ,satan4 ,,ii ,a ,triple ,antagonism of ,moral ,life #a ,between ,god and ,satan1 the ,evil ,angels1 and ,the ,men of the ,earth4 #b ,between ,good ,angels and ,satan1 ,evil ,angels1 and ,the ,men of the ,earth4 #c ,between ,the ,saints and ,satan1 ,evil ,angels1 and ,the ,men of the ,earth4 ,,iii ,a ,trinal ,antithesis of ,moral ,character #a ,of the ,lamb and the ,dragon1 i4 e4 of ,christ and ,satan1 or in the ,greek and 4 ,the same antithesis is implied between the ,lamb and the two ,beasts to whom the ,dragon gives his power1 as shown by the ,greek names and 4 #b ,of the ,bride and the ,harlot1 i4 e4 of the ,true ,church and the ,faithless ,world1 or in the ,greek and 4 ,a like antithesis also exists between the ,woman 7cf4 ch4 #ab7 and the ,harlot1 and 4 #c ,of ,jerusalem and ,babylon1 i4 e4 of the ,holy ,city and the ,unholy or the ,great ,city1 and 4 ,the full antithesis is found in the final contrast between the ,new ,jerusalem and the ,old ,babylon1 the ,city of ,god and the ,city of ,sin1 or the ,redeemed ,church and the ,godless ,world4 ,,iv ,a ,threefold ,theocratic ,method in ,man's ,redemptive ,history #a ,by ,moral ,conflict--the ,evil against the ,good2 #b ,through ,divine ,preservation--,god ,caring for his ,own2 #c ,unto ,christian ,triumph--the ,victory of the ,redeemed4 ,,appendix ,b3 ,,current ,,questions ,,of ,,divided ,,opinion ,i ,the ,four ,schools of ,interpretation #a ,the ,preterist1 or ,contemporaneous,historical ,school2 #b ,the ,progressivist1 or ,continuous,historical ,school2 #c ,the ,futurist1 or ,future,historical ,school2 #d ,the ,symbolist1 or ,spiritual ,school4 ,the wide diversity of prevailing opinion is well indicated by the existence of four separate schools of interpreters1 who represent as many different viewpoints that are currently attributed to the prophecy1 and that are based upon two fundamentally different methods of regarding its purpose1 viz4 the ,historical which specializes1 and the ,symbolical which idealizes the message of the book1 conveniently referred to as the ,historical and ,symbolical ,schools4 ,,ii ,the ,seven ,shibboleths of ,interpreters #a ,the ,personal ,anti,christ2 #b ,the ,emperor ,nero2 #c ,the ,roman ,church2 #d ,the ,mohammedan ,power2 #e ,the ,restoration of the ,jews to ,palestine2 #f ,the ,time1 ,purpose1 and ,circumstances of ,christ's ,second ,coming2 #g ,the ,personal ,millennial ,reign of ,christ on the ,earth4 ,these are the main subjects of disagreement among interpreters1 and mark the dividing lines of opinion4 ,the ,historical ,school1 in its various forms1 usually makes one or more of these central to the thought of the book2 while the ,symbolical ,school1 for the most part1 does not regard any of them as either distinctly indicated1 or certainly implied4 ,it is fortunate1 however1 that the main teaching is not materially affected by the view we may take concerning these subjects of disagreement4 ,,appendix ,c3 ,,heptachords ,,of ,,song ,,and ,,blessing ,i ,the ,seven ,choral ,symphonies of the ,revelation #a ,the ,creation ,chorus ,ch4 #d3h;b#aa #b ,the ,redemption ,chorus ,ch4 #e3iad #c ,the ,salvation ,chorus ,ch4 #g3ajab #d ,the ,victory ,chorus ,ch4 #aa3agah #e ,the ,new and ,incommunicable ,chorus ,ch4 #ad3bc #f ,the ,adoration ,chorus 7of ,moses and the ,lamb7 ,ch4 #ae3cd #g ,the ,hallelujah ,chorus ,ch4 #ai3ag ,,ii ,the ,seven ,benedictions of the ,revelation #a ,the ,benediction upon the ,receivers of the ,book ,ch4 #a3c #b ,the ,benediction upon the ,holy ,dead ,ch4 #ad3ac #c ,the ,benediction upon the ,watchers for their ,lord ,ch4 #af3ae #d ,the ,benediction upon the ,guests at the ,marriage ,supper ,ch4 #ai3i #e ,the ,benediction upon the ,sharers in the ,first ,resurrection ,ch4 #bj3f #f ,the ,benediction upon the ,keepers of the ,prophecy ,ch4 #bb3g #g ,the ,benediction upon the ,purified ,ch4 #bb3ad ,,appendix ,d3 ,,the ,,formal ,,series ,,of ,,sevens ,i ,the ,initial ,series of ,seven 7,messages of ,christ to the ,church ,universal7 #a ,a ,message to the ,church when ,declining1 as in ,ephesus3--8,remember 444 and ,repent40 #b ,a ,message to the ,church when ,suffering1 as in ,smyrna3--8,fear not 444 ,be ,faithful40 #c ,a ,message to the ,church when ,impure1 as in ,pergamus3--8,repent1 or ,i ,come with the ,sword40 #d ,a ,message to the ,church when ,struggling1 as in ,thyatira3--8,hold ,fast till ,i ,come40 #e ,a ,message to the ,church when ,dying1 as in ,sardis3--8,stablish the ,things that ,remain40 #f ,a ,message to the ,church when ,steadfast1 as in ,philadelphia3--8,hold ,fast 444 ,that ,no ,one ,take thy ,crown40 #g ,a ,message to the ,church when ,self,deceived1 as in ,laodicea3--8,be ,zealous 444 and ,repent40 ,,appendix ,e3 ,,the ,,symbolism ,,of ,,numbers 7,a ,key to ,scripture ,interpretation7 ,the value of the symbolism of numbers in the general interpretation of ,scripture is variously estimated1 but its importance in interpreting the ,revelation is almost universally conceded1 for without it we cannot understand aright the symbolic teaching of the book4 ,the attentive student will not fail to notice the wide use of numbers throughout1 and the effect of addition1 subtraction1 multiplication1 and division1 upon the symbolism of the simpler numbers4 ,the author believes that a cautious use can often be made of numbers in the interpretation not only of the ,revelation where their use is so manifest1 but of many other parts of ,scripture1 if not too much stress be laid on the symbolic meaning1 for the ,hebrew mind delighted itself in symbols4 ,the value of this knowledge lies in the fact that an additional thought may often be caught in this way that would otherwise escape our attention1 though it is usually subordinate and does not occupy so prominent a place as in the ,revelation4 ,the symbolism of the numbers used in the book is concisely stated in this appendix for the convenience of the reader4 ,,one 7a unit71 the ,primary ,number4 ,the symbol of that which is single1 alone1 or representative4 ,one hour1 and one day1 in the ,revelation stand for a relatively short time1 and a halfhour for a clearly limited period1 even though these may not be actually short from the human point of view4 ,the fractions onehalf1 onethird1 and onefourth do not represent definite parts1 but in a general way portions less than the whole1 that which is of limited extent in relation to the whole4 ,,two 7a pair71 the ,lowest ,plural ,number4 ,the symbol of confirmation1 of added strength and surety1 especially the number of confirmation in witnessbearing4 ,the ,two ,witnesses in chapter eleven1 and the ,two ,beasts in chapter thirteen1 it will be seen1 serve to strengthen each other4 ,,three 7a triad71 the ,divine ,number4 ,the symbol of the ,trinity2 of the spiritual as contrasted with the material2 of blessing in the ,old ,testament4 ,a small total that is deemed sufficient2 a limited plurality2 spiritual completeness4 ,the smallest number with a beginning1 a middle1 and an end--a fact that impressed the ,jewish mind4 ,,three ,,and ,,one,,half 7onehalf of seven71 a ,broken ,number1 the half of the ,perfect ,number4 ,the symbol of the finite or undetermined2 a broken and uncertain period without a fixed limit2 a shortened period of time when applied to duration1 and usually one of tribulation2 a period of trial and judgment4 ,three and a half years is the period of the church's conflict in the ,revelation1 the age of the church militant1 the churcheon2 and three and a half days is the short and indefinite period of worldtriumph in which the church suffers oppression--the equivalent of the halfweek in ,daniel4 ,three and a half years1 the period of drought in ,elijah's time1 of the little horn in ,daniel1 and of ,christ's public ministry1 is introduced four times in the ,revelation1 viz4 it is the period of the ,two ,witnesses 7ch4 #aa3c71 of the ,woman in the wilderness 7ch4 #ab3f1 #ad71 of the ,dragon's rage 7ch4 #ab3ad71 and of the power of the ,beast 7ch4 #ac3e71 each of which is a time of tribulation4 ,,four 7the four corners or sides of a square71 the ,earth ,number4 ,the symbol of the physical creation1 having relation to this present world which is usually thought of as evil2 also used of worldwideness1 universality of extent1 as all parts of the earth without any moral significance4 ,,five 7onehalf of ten71 an ,incomplete ,number4 ,the symbol of the indefinite1 the uncertain1 with the suggestion of smallness2 as a measure of time an incomplete period4 ,,six 7one less than seven2 and onehalf of twelve71 an ,imperfect ,number4 ,the symbol of evil1 of incompleteness of quality1 or of imperfection2 ,satan's number1 the signature of nonperfection2 the representative of that which is earthly as opposed to that which is heavenly2 falling short of the fulness of seven1 the perfect number1 and but the half of twelve1 the church number4 ,,seven 7the number of days in a week2 also four plus three71 the ,perfect ,number4 ,the symbol of perfection1 or completeness of quality2 of totality of kind1 fulness1 or universality4 ,a sacred number with the ,jews2 the number of the covenant in the ,old ,testament2 the ethical number1 for it often has a moral significance1 and1 as will be seen1 is composed of the earth number 7four7 added to the divine number 7three74 ,the number seven occurs fiftyfour times in the ,revelation1 indicating that it occupied an important place in the mind of the writer1 and should receive special attention4 ,,eight 7seven plus one71 a ,reinforced ,number4 ,the symbol of culmination1 of resurrection1 or of a new life or period begun4 ,,ten 7the ten digits2 the ten commandments71 the ,complete ,number4 ,the symbol of completeness of all the parts1 of totality of portions1 entirety1 and absoluteness2 a finite number as contrasted with infinity2 in its larger multiples implying indefiniteness and magnitude4 ,ordinarily used of things that are earthly1 though not necessarily implying any moral significance4 ,it is a relevant fact1 however1 that nothing which is described in heaven is ten in number1 though its multiples are constantly introduced4 ,the combination of seven with ten in the seven heads and ten horns of the ,dragon and the ,beast1 is unusual and has an evil significance throughout1 which is probably intended to indicate that that which was originally designed for moral perfection 7seven7 has been prostituted for earthly ends 7ten71 as is signified by joining one to the other4 ,,twelve 7the twelve sons of ,jacob2 four multiplied by three71 the ,national ,number of ,israel4 ,the symbol of the covenant nation1 the church number--the number of the earth 7four7 multiplied by the number of the divine 7three7 becoming the sign of ,god's people divinely chosen out of the earth4 ,by some it is interpreted as the number of worldwitness for divine truth1 as the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles1 putting the purpose of the church first4 ,,twenty,,four 7twelve multiplied by two71 the ,national ,number ,doubled4 ,the symbol in the ,revelation of the church of both ,dispensations united1 the ,jewish and ,christian1 the church of all the ages4 ,the glorified church in heaven is ideally represented by the four and twenty elders that are before the throne1 i4 e4 the elders represent one phase of that life4 ,,forty 7ten multiplied by four71 the ,probational ,number4 ,the symbol of temptation1 or of the power of the earthly2 often connected with the divine test of character1 the earth number 7four7 multiplied by the complete number 7ten7 signifying the complete power of the earthly which is ever testing men4 ,also1 as forty years was regarded as the period of intellectual maturity in man1 it sometimes stood for a full period1 a complete epoch1 especially a complete period of stress or trial4 ,,forty,,two 7twelve multiplied by three and a half2 or seven multiplied by six71 a ,broken ,number4 ,the symbol of the churchhistoric period of trial1 the worldage1 the duration of the rule of wickedness4 ,three and a half years in months1--the source from which this number is derived in the ,revelation1--serves to indicate the incomplete period of the church 7twelve multiplied by three and a half71 and also the full or complete period of evil 7six multiplied by seven74 ,,seventy 7ten multiplied by seven71 the ,cosmopolitan ,number4 ,the symbol of worldwideness2 of a twofold completeness that is all embracing and comprehensive1 comprising both seven and ten2 the number of the nations4 ,the numbers forty and seventy1 strange to say1 do not occur in the ,revelation1 though forty is common in the ,old ,testament1 and occurs also in the ,new1 and the square of forty 7#afjj7 is found in chapter fourteen 7v4 #bj72 seventy also had a wellknown meaning to the ,hebrew mind1 especially from the period of the ,captivity which lasted seventy years1 and was also the number of disciples sent forth by our ,lord for wider service during his ,perean ministry4 ,it is quite probable1 however1 that these numbers are not used in the ,revelation1 where so much stress is laid on the symbolism of numbers1 simply because their symbolism was not needed1 just as one hundred is not used except in combination with other numbers4 ,,one ,,hundred 7ten multiplied by ten71 the ,complete ,number ,squared2 ten multiplied by itself4 ,the symbol of a multiple completeness that is usually applied to the earthly4 ,,one ,,hundred ,,and ,,forty,,four 7twelve multiplied by twelve71 the ,national ,number of ,israel ,squared4 ,the symbol of the completeness of the redeemed church--the multiplying of a number by itself conveying the idea of a multiple fulness or completeness2 ,israel1 ,god's people1 made complete4 ,six ,hundred and ,sixtysix 7six hundred1 plus sixty1 plus six71 the ,number of the ,beast4 ,the symbol of the threefold form of the world's evil which culminates in the ,second ,beast4 ,six1 the number of imperfection 7one short of the mystic seven71 thrice repeated1 six1 six1 six1 7#fff71 represents the combined force of the ,dragon1 the ,first ,beast1 and the ,second2 or1 differently stated1 six hundred may be taken as the symbol of the ,dragon1 sixty as the symbol of the ,first ,beast1 and six as the symbol of the second1 which gives a total of six hundred1 and sixty1 and six1 representing the combined power of evil incarnated in the ,second ,beast4 ,in this symbolism there may also be included the thought of a triune power in antagonism to the divine ,trinity--a trinity of sin4 ,,one ,,thousand 7ten multiplied by ten multiplied by ten71 the ,cube of ,ten4 ,the symbol of multicompleteness2 a number that is great but indefinite in its symbolism1 and often used of the heavenly4 ,the thousand years of chapter twenty is a great period of time of unknown length1 stretching out to untold generations1 the millennium of the church's history1 the period of the church's triumph and victory4 ,,twelve ,,hundred ,,and ,,sixty 7fortytwo multiplied by thirty2 or twelve multiplied by three and a half and this again by thirty71 the ,time ,number4 ,the symbol of the indefinite period of presentworld duration2 the age of persecution4 ,twelve hundred and sixty days are equivalent to fortytwo months of thirty days each1 or three and a half years of three hundred and sixty days each1 the symbol of the incomplete period of trial during which the church suffers oppression4 ,to this may perhaps be added the combination of twelve multiplied by five1 representing the incompleteness of the church as one factor1 and seven multiplied by three1 representing the completeness of the divine as the other factor1 these multiplied together equalling twelve hundred and sixty and symbolizing ,god working out perfect results through the incomplete period of the church4 ,,sixteen ,,hundred 7forty multiplied by forty2 or one hundred multiplied by sixteen71 the ,square of ,forty2 or the ,square of ,ten multiplied by the ,square of ,four4 ,the symbol of that which is coextensive with the created world4 ,forty is composed of four1 the earth number1 multiplied by ten1 the number of completeness2 and sixteen hundred1 the square of forty1 is the sign of completeness so far as this world is concerned4 ,the square of four multiplied by the square of ten gives the same result1 and conveys the same idea of worldcompleteness4 ,,seven ,,thousand 7one thousand multiplied by seven71 the ,number of ,multi ,completeness1 one thousand1 multiplied by seven1 the ,number of ,fulness or ,perfection4 ,the symbol of a great number that is fully complete2 the number of those put to death in the fall of the great city 7ch4 #aa3ac74 ,,ten ,,thousand 7one thousand multiplied by ten2 the square of one hundred71 the ,superlative ,number4 ,the symbol of innumerability1 or of an innumerable multitude4 ,this is the highest single number in the system of notation used in the ,new ,testament2 ten raised to the fourth power1 a myriad 774 ,,twelve ,,thousand 7one thousand multiplied by twelve71 the ,number of ,multi ,completeness 7one thousand7 multiplied by the ,number of the ,tribes of ,israel 7twelve74 ,the symbol of the complete number saved out of ,israel from each tribe2 or1 as others interpret it1 the complete number saved out of all the nations1 included here under the twelve tribes1 twelve thousand from each tribe2 also the measure of one side of the wall of the ,new ,jerusalem which is multicomplete and encircles the redeemed of ,israel4 ,,one ,,hundred ,,and ,,forty,,four ,,thousand 7one thousand multiplied by one hundred and fortyfour2 or twelve thousand multiplied by twelve2 or the cube of ten multiplied by the square of twelve71 the ,number of ,redemption4 ,the symbol of the multiple completeness of the redeemed church1 whether applied to the redeemed from the ,old ,dispensation1 or by synecdoche to those from all ages and nations4 ,,ten ,,thousand ,,times ,,ten ,,thousand 7ten thousand multiplied by ten thousand71 the ,number of ,multi,completeness 7one thousand7 multiplied by the ,number of ,completeness of ,parts 7ten71 and this again multiplied by itself2 the ,square of a ,myriad1 one hundred millions in number4 ,the symbol of an innumerable multitude which is made more intense by squaring it2 the multiple and innumerable number of the angels in heaven4 ,,twice ,,ten ,,thousand ,,times ,,ten ,,thousand 7ten thousand multiplied by ten thousand1 and this again doubled71 the ,double ,square of a ,myriad1 two hundred millions in number--the largest multiple number in the book of ,revelation1 and the largest number mentioned in the ,bible4 ,the symbol of an innumerable multitude made more intense by multiplication1 becoming thereby an innumerably innumerable multitude1 and this again doubled4 ,the countless number of the vast invading army of horsemen under the sixth trumpet which destroy a third part of men from the earth2 the worldforces which under direction of the worldrulers of the darkness work worldruin among men--a significant figure of the mighty power and destructive agency of the heathen world as it appeared to ,john's mind in the great ,apocalyptic vision4 ,,appendix ,f3 ,,the ,,literary ,,structure ,,of ,,the ,,apocalypse ,a ,diagram showing the relation of its several parts4 ,illustration ,the ,literary ,structure of the ,apocalypse ,,appendix ,g3 ,,the ,,apocalyptic ,,literature7#eie7 ,the ,apocalyptic ,literature is a characteristic product of ,jewish national and religious thought4 ,it was a favorite literary method of a particular age1 and was born of a travail of soul which strove to find expression for those new currents of thought and feeling that came to the surface in later ,judaism4 ,following the decadence of prophecy it belonged to the period of ,jewish oppression1 and voiced the heartcry of a people true to ,god in the midst of national distress4 ,though anticipated in fragmentary parts of earlier prophecies1 as in ,ezekiel and ,zechariah1 the style of ,apocalyptic first found definite form in the book of ,daniel1 which became the type of all subsequent ,writings of this class that flourished so abundantly in the two centuries preceding and the century following the beginning of the ,christian era4 ,couched in language that is characteristically figurative and symbolical the literary form is at once marked and significant1 and reached its highest development in the canonical ,apocalypse which has given name to the whole class4 ,the essential limitations of this class of literature are clearly recognizable2 its ideas move within a narrow range1 its point of view is sombre and unequal1 and its center of interest is mainly eschatological4 ,it occupies a sphere peculiarly its own1 a world of pious and often fantastic dreams--8for prophecy as it lost its footing on the solid earth took refuge in the clouds027#eif7 it wrote the word mystery large across its page1 and revelled in the weird and shadowy2 but beneath its peculiar phantasy lay a profound religious motive--it sought to stay the troubled souls of men in time of storm1 and in its deeper purpose strove to reconcile the righteousness of ,god with the sufferings of his people4 ,in the form of strange and sometimes even grotesque symbolic visions--thought couched in symbols burning and vivid1 which no other figure of speech could so well convey--and under the name of some hero of the past1 it sketched in outline a history of the world1 the origin of evil1 the future victory of righteousness1 and the final consummation of all things through which alone1 according to the ,apocalyptic view1 the providential rule of ,god could be vindicated4 ,there still exists a not inconsiderable remnant of this very interesting literature1 though the greater portion has perished in the wreckage of time4 ,the principal books still extant are the ,apocalypse of ,baruch2 the ,ethiopic and ,slavonic ,books of ,enoch2 the ,ascension of ,isaiah2 the ,book of ,jubilees2 the ,assumption of ,moses2 the ,testaments of the ,,xii ,patriarchs2 ,second ,esdras 7known also as ,fourth ,ezra72 the ,psalms of ,solomon2 and the ,sibylline ,oracles4 ,the late recovery of some of these from apparent oblivion is a matter of history1 and their recension and translation by ,european and ,american scholars is not without interest to the general student4 ,the study of this literature as a distinct class is one of the notable contributions to knowledge by the modern critical school4 ,these ,jewish ,apocalypses were widely read in their day1 and they both partook of and leavened the thought of their time1 for they incorporated and expressed the current mysterious hopes and beliefs of the people4 ,their influence is distinctly traceable in the diction of the ,new ,testament1 and the ,book of ,enoch is obviously quoted in the ,epistle of ,jude4 ,these works ranked very high with the primitive ,christians1 and this led to their being reedited by early ,christian writers1 and1 it is generally thought1 to the interpolation of later ideas4 ,there is1 however1 a very wide variation of opinion concerning the extent to which changes have been introduced1 and this is one of the puzzling questions that confronts the textual critic4 ,then1 also1 beside these changes in the older books1 a new series of ,christian ,apocalypses sprang up1 influenced no doubt by the ,apocalypse of ,john4 ,a considerable number of these have survived1 such as the ,apocalypse of ,peter1 of ,paul1 ,thomas1 ,stephen1 ,cerinthus and others1 but the greater portion have been lost1 and those we have are decidedly inferior both in style and conception to the earlier ,jewish works of which they are a feeble imitation4 ,it is difficult for us to conceive the conditions of mind and thought that gave rise to such a literature4 ,in itself it affords an interesting psychological study4 ,the ,oriental is a mystic by nature1 and many of his ways of thinking can never be quite clear to the ,western mind4 ,the ,jew in times past was the great figure of the ,orient1 as he has also been well named 8the most commanding figure in history02 for whatever he may now be1 the ,hebrew which we find in his literature is enveloped in the atmosphere of the ,east4 ,the ,hebrew writers as a class are unique4 ,although devoid in a large measure of the humanistic idea of literature for its own sake1 they yet subserved the truest aim in that they brought to the surface and made verbal those deeper tides of thought and feeling which move and flow in the universal heart1 those widespread and enduring currents which they instinctively felt were shared by the men of their own generation4 ,writing only for a religious purpose1 and because they had a message for life1 the development of their thoughtforms was more or less incidental1 and was the product alike of the man1 his religion1 and his environment4 ,so that while we especially emphasize the national conditions which contributed so largely to the birth of this literary form1 we should not forget that behind all that which was temporary and passing lay the ,semitic mind and the ,mosaic cult4 ,the rise of ,apocalyptic marks a transition stage in the development of ,hebrew thought that is of momentous significance1 for it led to clearer views of immortality1 and truer conceptions of ,god's relation to the world of men1 as well as to a distinct clarifying of the ,messianic hope4 ,its deeper roots are found in the failure of prophecy4 ,no living voice was heard among the people speaking for ,god as in former days4 ,prophecy had grown senile and was in decay2 it had become a thing of the past1 and in its place had followed the scholastic work of the scribes1 mechanically interpreting the messages of old4 ,but1 as is pointed out by ,charles1 8,scribism could not satisfy the aspirations of the nation3 it represented an unproductive age of criticism1 following a productive age of prophetic genius40 ,and ,apocalyptic was the spontaneous outcry of a hearthunger which refused to be fed on the barren husks of labored interpretation served up by the scribes4 ,it was in the true line of succession to prophecy1 and though it fell far behind the prophetic message both in its form and content1 and was even feeble in comparison1 yet1 as ,charles has said1 8,it attested beyond doubt the reappearance of spiritual genius in the field of thought and action40 ,there is assuredly something that is profoundly pathetic in this deep heartcry of the ,jewish people which rings mournfully out of the far past2 for even at this remote distance of time and space we cannot read without emotion their enduring record of sorrow and suffering1 of longing and hope1 if we share at all in the wider world of religious experience47#eig7 ,the apocalyptists were evidently conscious that they had no new message for their generation1 and this conviction led to certain welldefined results4 ,first of all they fell back upon the old message for most of their ideas2 but with singular skill they contrived to present them in new form4 ,the essential elements of their thought were taken from the ,old ,testament prophecies1 while the material framework was drawn from without4 ,they attempted in their own way to develop an esoteric meaning in the prophecies of the past1 and for this purpose called to their aid the bold and striking imagery of the ,eastern mind4 ,they laid under contribution the luxuriant symbols of ,babylon1 ,persia1 and the surrounding nations2 they gathered the rarest figures from the accumulated stores of poetry1 art1 and religion2 and then with a fertile fancy they interwove these all in the fantastic fabric of their dreams4 ,then1 again1 they hid their own personality1 and masked under the name of some great religious hero of the past4 ,enoch and ,moses1 ,isaiah and ,baruch1 served as a thin disguise for the real authors who remained unknown1--for the ,apocalyptic writings are all pseudonymous so far as known1 with the apparent exception of the ,apocalypse of ,john1 and the ,shepherd of ,hermas1--and yet we cannot say that there was any real motive of deception in this1 if we take into account the views of authorship which then prevailed1 for 8the ethical notion of literary property is a plant of modern growth047#eih7 ,the fashioning of ,apocalyptic was influenced by many different causes1 but the most marked and significant of them all is to be found in the existing national conditions of the time4 ,by the captivity in ,babylon ,judah had been brought within the sweep of the great tide of history2 the world became vaster2 prophecy had a new and broader outlook1 and its thought was forever after interpenetrated by an element of ,apocalyptic4 ,the strange figures of ,babylonian imagery were absorbed by the ,hebrew mind1 and enshrined in their subsequent literature4 ,on the other hand the nation itself was in decay2 the power of the past had been broken and destroyed2 and 8it was terror and oppression01 in good part at least1 as ,stevens has well said1 8that gave this new trend to their thought04 ,they had drunk deeply of the bitter cup of national distress2 the encroachment of the worldempires had envenomed the past1 embittered the present1 and overshadowed the future2 the glorious promises of ,god had thus far failed of any substantial realization1 and the contrast between promise and fulfilment was too wide to be overlooked4 ,but the ,hebrew with sublime courage did not lose faith in ,god because of the delay4 ,apocalyptic voiced his answer to the problems of the time1 and it1 like ,prophecy and the ,wisdom ,literature1 was rooted in certain ethical conceptions which are fundamental to its thought1 such as that ,god is holy1 that the world in which we live is a moral world1 and that righteousness must win47#eii7 ,and this gave to the apocalyptist his theme3--the ,fortunes of the ,kingdom of ,god1 and how they are to be reconciled with all that ,god has said2 for ,god must be vindicated1 he is forever true1 and his word cannot fail4 ,this thesis was maintained in two ways4 ,first1 by attempting a wider view of the problem of sin and righteousness4 ,that became the question no longer of a single nation1 but of the whole race--for under the stimulus of new and wider conditions1 a great enlargement of the ,hebrew spirit took place4 ,there must be a providential and moral order in the universe which if sought out will give the true meaning of history4 ,the divine purpose must be interpreted through the broader sphere of the world's life4 ,this standpoint had now become possible through the wider worldview produced in later ,judaism by contact and intercourse with other nations4 ,and thus ,apocalyptic came to express both a deeply wrought theodicy and a ,semitic philosophy of history4 ,second1 the apocalyptist completed his vindication of ,god by shifting the center of attention from the present to the future4 ,the more certain it became that no present realization of his hopes was possible1 the more surely he turned to a future age that would abundantly recompense all the pain and disappointment of the past4 ,it was this that made the outlook of ,apocalyptic essentially eschatological4 ,beginning with the history of the past veiled under the form of prophecy1 the apocalyptist rushes on to predict the future1 for there he finds the victory4 ,the ,end6 ,the ,end6 is his cry1--the ,end that victory may come--for ,god is to be vindicated only by the consummation of all things1 and history can only be read aright in the light of its finality4 ,the answer of the ,end is the key that ,apocalyptic offers to the mystery of all that 8which was and is and is to come02 and it is this persistent effort to read the mind of ,god concerning the future that gives to ,apocalyptic an element of peculiar interest4 ,for though it is often like the voice of 8an infant crying in the night 99 99 99 99 and with no language but a cry01 it has yet a deep significance all its own2 it was a form of thought by which ,god led his people into clearer views of truth1 and to new and larger vision47#fjj7 ,upon the other hand the shiftingpoint in every apocalypse from history to prediction can usually be made out without essential effort2 for beneath the form of symbols and symbolic actions can ordinarily be discovered the chief actors and principal events of the past and present which correspond to history2 while the things of the future which are predicted1 reach out at once to extravagant proportions4 ,thus each ,jewish apocalypse by its content and movement1 serves to mark out its own horizon and reveal its own environment4 ,the general prevalence of the ,apocalyptic form in the period in which it was used may be accounted for partly by its suitability to the theme which it treated1 and partly by the prevailing conditions of national surveillance4 ,its visions and symbols and dreammovement were peculiarly adapted to meet the conditions of a writing which did not dare to make plain its bitter reproaches of the foes of ,israel4 ,its hidden meaning1 also1 answered well to hint darkly what lay in the future2 and its fantastic imagery appealed to the imagination47#fja7 ,the pervasive element of mystery served to invest these writings with a subtle charm that all the intervening lapse of centuries and even the present temper of a scientific age have wholly failed to dissipate4 ,the effort of most modern ,jewish scholars to attribute the ,apocalyptic ,literature to ,essenism cannot be sustained2 neither can we accept the gratuitous assertion of ,montefiore1 that 8the ,apocalyptic writings lie for the most part outside the line of the purest ,jewish development04 ,schrer and ,charles reflect the opinion of the majority of ,christian scholars in maintaining its nearer relation to ,phariseeism1 though admitting it to be 8a product of free religious thought following older models01 and showing distinctive marks of ,phariseeism in some of its parts and of ,sadduceeism in others4 ,at the same time most authorities are willing to grant the probability of ,wellhausen's suggestion1 that 8the secret literature of the ,essenes was perhaps in no small degree made use of in the ,pseudepigrapha1 and has through them been indirectly handed down to us04 ,the value of ,apocalyptic is increasingly recognized as a storehouse of ,jewish and ,jewish,christian thought in the age preceding and in the early part of the ,christian era4 ,it forms the necessary connecting link between the ,old ,testament and the ,new1 and is especially rich in messianic and eschatological conceptions4 ,it is the chief source of information through which we can trace the changes that occurred in ,jewish belief1 and the later development of ,jewish thought1 in the period immediately preceding the time of ,christ4 ,it carries us back1 in effect1 to the thoughtworld of the first century1 and enables us1 as ,schrer aptly says1 8to reconstruct the thought1 the aspiration1 and the hopes of pious ,jews in the generation that first heard the gospel1 and even of the ,apostles themselves2 for however ,christ's thought transcended the thought of his time1 that of the ,apostles did not1 except so far as the ,holy ,spirit illumined them for special ends40 ,and1 as ,charles remarks1 8,if the ,apocalypses were edited later they only reflect more fully the thought of that age1 and they exhibit what is subsumed throughout in ,christ's teachings40 ,we can see in these writings not only a transition stage in ,judaism preparatory to the gospel1 but how this modified ,jewish thought fits in with the gospel teaching4 ,they show1 for example1 how the ,old ,testament idea of the future life grew in depth and compass in those centuries which precede the ,christian era2 and how this advance was retained and enlarged1 modified and exalted1 by ,christ himself and by the ,apostles2 and how1 also1 the expansive growth of the messianic hope1 which was sometimes almost wholly submerged1 but which always contrived to reappear with increasing clearness1 contributed to that popular expectancy1 though in some degree also to that general misapprehension1 of the ,messiah's mission which the ,new ,testament everywhere reveals4 ,and they enable us to appreciate how the divine method of gradual advance in spiritual knowledge was operating during those prevening centuries which have so often been regarded as barren and fruitless2 and how this advance contributed its due proportion to the marvellous results attained in the life of our blessed ,lord and in the period of the apostolic church4 ,the force of this conclusion is1 of course1 partially annulled if we assume1 as has been done by some1 that many of the clearer messianic references in the ,apocalyptic writings are ,christian interpolations4 ,but the present tendency of critics is toward a less destructive view than formerly prevailed4 ,charles1 for example1 maintains that the possibilities of ,jewish thought should be given full scope1 and nothing attributed to ,christian interpolation1 or to ,persian or other external origin1 except that which cannot be reasonably accounted for from ,jewish sources4 ,the general independence of ,israel's religious development has certainly come out more clearly from the investigation4 ,as has been pointed out by ,fairweather1 8,with the exception of certain modes of thought and expression1 including the visionary style so much employed by ,ezekiel1 the patriotic ,jew apparently brought back with him from ,babylon no new literary possession4444 ,many scholars explain the eschatological development of the ,apocryphal period on the theory of the contact of ,judaism with foreign systems of thought4444 ,but1 as ,nicolas has said1 #8,ideas do not pass ready made and complete from one nation to another like the fruits of industry which are transported in caravans4'444 ,there may be1 however1 stimulus without transference1 and this appears to be what really happened in the case before us407#fjb7 ,the ,apocalyptic ,literature undoubtedly served a splendid purpose1 for its effects were both widespread and in many respects beneficial4 ,it served to rebuke sin1 to maintain righteousness without any present prospect of reward1 to keep alive the rich hopes of the future1 to comfort ,god's children in the midst of distress1 and to cultivate a patriotic spirit that cherished the nobler ideals of the past2 while at the same time it formed a secure depository for those new concepts of truth that sprang up during the long era of preparation for the ,messiah1 and it thereby contributed a rich quota of thought and phrase to that greater future which was then drawing near to its birth4 8,in general ,apocalyptic furnishes the atmosphere of the ,new ,testament4 ,its form1 its language1 and its material are extensively used4444 ,the simplest way to describe the relation is to say that ,jesus and the writers of the ,new ,testament found the forms of thought made use of in ,apocalyptic ,literature convenient vehicles1 and have cast the gospel of ,god's redemptive love into these as into moulds4 ,the ,messianism of the apocalyptists has thus become unfolded into the ,christology of the ,new ,testament407#fjc7 ,but upon the other hand ,apocalyptic reveals a type of thought that can scarcely be regarded as healthful4 ,it had no deep or abiding sympathy with the great overshadowing worldsorrow which it measurably apprehended1 and it proposed no present remedy for the unhappy fortunes of ,judaism4 ,it dealt too largely with the future hopes of the nation1 and did not like prophecy address itself to the immediate possibilities of the present2 and it thereby robbed life of one of its chief incentives to action1 viz4 the hope of present success4 ,for it gave up hope of the world as it was1 and thereby produced a world despair that could not be counteracted by the prospective worldjoy which glowed in the messianic promise4 ,according to ,apocalyptic perspective1 8the present served mainly as a background of shadow for developing the richer light of the coming age20 and1 8the proper design of the world was to be found in its ending and not in its longer continuance40 ,even with the wider worldview which the apocalyptists possessed1 history lost its value2 for they at least partially misread the providential order of the world4 ,as ,stevens has forcibly said1 they 8viewed the method of ,god as ictic and sudden1 and not detailed and patient01--the very opposite of the divine method in history4 ,and such an interpretation of life produced its inevitable results in dreams of an hallucinary but impossible future4 ,it developed and cultured a form of mysticism that has left a permanent impression upon the ,christian church--a mysticism that takes refuge from present evils1 and from worse that are deemed impending1 in the hope of an ultimate and protracted future of blessing wrought by cataclysmic revolutions1 and leading up to a new manifestation of the divine ,person upon earth1 and to new conditions of life in the world of nature47#fjd7 ,for it is in ,apocalyptic rather than in ,scripture that we find the source of that pessimistic view which has prevailed in various circles of the church in all ages1 that looks for the world to grow continually worse as the centuries go on1 until by a great climax of the future a new order of things shall be introduced that is essentially different in its divine manifestations and in its spiritual ordering from all the past4 ,but notwithstanding the many defects of this class of writings1 and their manifest extravagancies1 they were yet divinely used1 and evidently filled an exceptionally large place in the farreaching providential plan of ,god for the education of the ,jewish nation1 and through them of the world1 just as ,god is ever using human and imperfect means for wise and beneficent ends4 ,the importance of some knowledge of ,apocalyptic to the student of ,john's ,revelation cannot well be overestimated1 for it is only in the light of ,apocalyptic ,literature that it can be rightly interpreted4 ,it reproduces the author's native horizon1 and reveals the sources of his mode of thought2 it provides the key to the method of vision and symbol and dream movement2 and it makes clear the inevitable limitations as well as the recognized possibilities of this unique style when it becomes the vehicle of a true instead of an assumed revelation4 ,for although the source of much of the imagery of the ,apocalypse is to be found in the ,old ,testament1 yet it is often materially changed by passing through the medium of later ,jewish thought as reflected in the ,pseudepigrapha2 and although ,new ,testament ideas everywhere prevail in1 through1 and above1 those of the ,old1 yet the whole spirit and movement of the ,apocalypse is moulded by certain underlying pre,christian conceptions that belong to ,jewish ,apocalyptic4 ,we find1 for example1 that the divine method in history is uniformly viewed as in the ,apocalyptic ,literature1 and contrary to general experience1 as chiefly one of crisis and catastrophe rather than of gradual development--the sudden and striking hiding from view the continued and ordinary4 ,and we cannot but inquire how far this conception is with ,john the result of literary form and spiritual mood1 rather than intended to set forth the intimate nature of the divine method2 and how far it is designed to portray vividly the effects to be accomplished1 rather than to signify the manner of their accomplishment4 ,we find1 too1 that ,john1 in common with the apocalyptists1 dwells more upon the future hopes of the kingdom than upon its present possibilities1 keeping his eye ever fixed above the conflict upon the far future of promise4 ,and we cannot but inquire how far this aspect of his worldview was divinely designed as a message of comfort to a people in distress1 rather than as a comprehensive presentation of the progressive worldplan of the ages2 and how far it is given only as one point of view1 rather than as designed to express the fulness of the divine purpose4 ,to these inquiries there can properly be but one answer1 the viewpoint is characteristic of and peculiar to ,apocalyptic4 ,it does not present the normal aspect of life2 it is the product of adverse conditions and breathes the spirit of pain2 its vision is forever saddened by the overwhelming worldsorrow that darkens the horizon of thought4 ,and while all ,hebrew literature is essentially grave1 and devoid of the element of humor1 yet ,apocalyptic is abidingly overshadowed by a weight of worldwoe from which men seek to escape into another sphere and into new and better conditions of life4 ,the larger study of ,apocalyptic ,literature must continue to have its effect upon the interpretation of the ,apocalypse which is indisputably its greatest masterpiece4 ,for by attentive consideration of the peculiarities of this form of composition we are gradually led to perceive that only in so far as we invest ourselves with the atmosphere which produced so strange a coloring of thought1 can we hope to interpret aright that peculiar view of the world1 growing out of the conditions of ,jewish depression1 which regards it as the arena of an allpervasive conflict1 and involved in prevailing sin and suffering1 in order that through these seemingly adverse experiences it may by sovereign control be divinely made ready for the future glory of the ,messiah's kingdom4 ,and we are thus amply assured that a correct apprehension of the form and fashion of ,apocalyptic thought will undoubtedly guide us in all that pertains to the material framework of the ,apocalypse1 though certainly we should not forget that we must always go to the ,old ,testament and to the ,new when we would reach its inner heart4 ,the present general consensus of opinion among modern scholars1 therefore1 seems to be1 that having measurably exhausted inquiry concerning the ,old ,testament references1 whatever progress we are to make in the immediate future in unfolding the thought of the ,revelation must be through a further study of the thoughtforms of the century that gave it birth1 which so richly abound in the ,apocalyptic writings1 but which so long escaped the scholarly and attentive consideration of ,christian thought4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,obvious printer's errors have been corrected4 ,,footnotes #a ,the principal thought in each quotation has been italicized for the sake of emphasis4 #b 8,to pretend to have found an answer to every question raised by the ,apocalypse is the opposite of science40 ,jlicher1 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bia2 also cf4 ,warfield1 art4 8,revelation10 ,schaff,herzog ,enc4 #c ,that meaning for the most part1 as ,farrar has forcibly said concerning the portion of the book which relates to the earthly and historic future1 8is irrevocably lost for us1 and in point of fact has never been known to any age of the church--not even to the earliest1 not even1 so far as our records go1 to ,irenus the hearer of ,polycarp1 or to ,polycarp the hearer of ,st4 ,john40 ,early ,days of ,christianity1 p4 #ebh4 #d ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 vol4 ,rev41 notes1 p4 #aib2 also cf4 ,rev4 ch4 #ai4 #aj1 8,the testimony of ,jesus is the spirit of prophecy40 #e 8,in interpreting symbolism1 as in all the higher forms of allegory1 the first critical requirement is restraint4 ,even with such a poet as ,spenser it is only a rude exegesis which identifies a particular personage with a definite idea3 in the more mystic symbolism of the present poem 7,revelation7 it is a violation of true literary taste to seek a meaning for every detail of complex presentation40 ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib4 ,rev41 p4 #aib1 notes4 #f ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #b4 #g ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 ,intr4 p4 xx4 #h ,cf4 ,davidson1 art4 8,prophecy01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 also see ,scott1 on the distinction between 8,prophecy0 and 8,apocalyptic10 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,intr4 to ,rev41 p4 #bf4 #i 8,the term apocalypse signifies in the first place the act of uncovering1 and thus bringing into sight that which was before unseen1 hence a revelation4444 ,an apocalypse is thus primarily the act of revelation3 in the second place it is the subjectmatter revealed2 and in the third place a book or literary production which gives an account of revelation whether real or alleged4444 ,the term apocalypse is sometimes used1 with an effort at greater precision1 to designate the pictorial portraiture of the future as foreshadowed by the seer4 7,in this sense it denotes the literary style in which the writing is couched74444 ,thus an apocalypse becomes a form of literature precisely in the same manner as an epistle40 ,zenos1 art4 8,apoc4 ,lit410 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 #aj ,chs4 #a4d2 #d4h2 and #bb4h4 ,we may omit ch4 #ba4b 7following the ,revisers7 as without sufficient authority4 #aa 8,the ,divine0 as a title for ,st4 ,john 444 is certainly as old as ,eusebius3 7,praep4 ,evan4 xi #ah71 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #a4 #ab ,so ,lcke1 ,bleek1 ,dsterdieck1 ,jlicher1 and others4 #ac ,dods' ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 pp4 #bdddg3 ,salmon's ,intr41 p4 #b,o#c;f2 ,bacon's ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bc,of2 ,swete1 ,apoc4 ,st4 ,john1 ,intr41 p4 clxxf2 and ,milligan's ,discuss4 on ,apoc41 ch's4 ,,ii and ,,iv4 ,also1 see ,simcox on ,rev41 ,cambr4 ,gr4 ,test41 8,excur4 ,,iii10 for a brief analysis of the theories of composite authorship advanced by ,vischer and ,volter2 ,warfield1 ,presb4 ,review1 ,ap4 '#hd1 p4 #bbh1 in reply to ,volter2 ,moffatt1 ,expositor1 ,mar4 '#ji1 8,wellhausen and ,others on ,apoc02 and same author1 8,intr4 to ,rev401 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 ,v4 pp4 #bibid34 #ad ,the theory current among modern critics of two ,johns in ,asia1 or else of identifying the traditional ,john of ,ephesus with the hypothetical ,john the ,presbyter1 has a very slender foundation4 8,the existence of this second ,john1 the ,presbyter1 if he really did exist1 rests upon a single line of an extract from ,papias1 a writer of the second century40 ,sanday's ,criticism of the ,fourth ,gospel1 p4 #af4 8,either ,john 7the ,apostle7 wrote it 7the ,revelation71 or ,john was never at ,ephesus40 ,holtzman1 quoted in 8,intr4 to ,rev401 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 p4 #cf4 ,for an interesting discussion of 8the two ,johns10 see 8,excur4 ,,xiv0 in ,farrar's ,early ,days of ,christianity2 also ,smith1 8,intr4 to ,ep's of ,john01 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 ,v1 pp4 #aehfb2 and ,strong1 art4 8,john1 ,apostle10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #ae ,this view that the ,apocalypse is pseudonymous is now1 however1 for the most part being given up4 ,with the revival of prophecy under the influence of the life and teachings of ,christ1 8it is only what we would expect when the primitive ,christian prophet1 a ,john1 or a ,hermas1 disdains the pseudonymity of his ,jewish rivals40 ,bacon's ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bcd2 also see ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 ,intr41 p4 #cb4 #af ,charles points out the many ,hebraisms of the ,apocalypse1 and says of the author1 8,while he writes in ,greek he thinks in ,hebrew1 and the thought has naturally affected the vehicle of expression4444 ,he never mastered ,greek idiomatically 444 to him many of its particles were apparently unknown40 ,studies in ,apoc41 p4 #hb4 #ag ,bp4 ,wescott1 8,intr4 to ,john's ,gospel01 ,bib4 ,com41 pp4 lxxxivvii2 cf4 ,swete's discussion of this view1 8,apoc4 ,st4 ,john01 8,authorship01 pp4 clxxviiii4 #ah ,prof4 ,m4 ,b4 ,riddle1 unpublished ,classroom ,lects4 on ,rev4 #ai ,reynolds1 8,intr4 to ,gosp4 of ,john10 ,pulp4 ,com41 p4 lxvii4 #bj ,see ,bacon's ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 pp4 #acfch2 ,briggs' ,messiah of the ,apostles1 p4 #cja2 and tentatively1 ,swete1 ,apoc4 ,st4 ,john1 8,authorship10 pp4 clxxxxxxi4 #ba ,cf4 ,jlicher's ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 chapter on the 8,johannine ,problem40 #bb 8,more than any other class of writings they show signs of having been edited and modified40 ,zenos1 art4 8,apoc4 ,lit410 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 #bc ,holtzmann1 quoted in ,new ,cent4 ,bib42 8,substantially it bears the marks of composition by a single pen2 the blend of original writing and editorial resetting does not impair the impression of a literary unity40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 ,intr41 p4 #bhh4 #bd ,as by ,vischer1 ,harnack1 and others4 #be ,as by ,volter1 ,spitta1 ,pfleiderer1 ,briggs1 and others4 #bf ,as by ,weizscker1 ,jlicher1 ,bousset1 ,moffatt1 and others4 ,for a short consensus of modern theories see ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 ,intr41 pp4 #bibid1 which affords a good illustration of wide and extravagant guessing4 #bg ,this objection to the modern critical view is one of evident force1 and deserves thoughtful consideration1 ,cf4 ,swete's ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 ,intr41 pp4 xlix and cliii1 which maintains the literary unity of the book4 #bh ,as ,porter1 ,scott1 and others4 #bi ,see ,porter's article 8,revelation10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and ,scott's ,intr4 to ,rev41 ,new ,cent4 ,bib4 #cj ,cf4 ,reynolds1 ,intr4 to ,john's ,gosp41 ,pulpit ,com41 p4 lxvii2 ,riddle1 ,s4 ,s4 ,times1 ,jun4 #a1 #aija2 and ,burton1 in ,records and ,letters of the ,apost4 ,age1 notes1 p4 #bbi4 #ca 8,the common opinion has returned to the traditional date1 the closing years of ,domitian's reign 7#haif740 ,votaw1 8,apoc4 of ,john10 ,biblical ,world1 ,nov4 #aijh4 #cb ,see ,weizscker's ,apostolic ,age1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #agcbje2 also ,moffatt's ,hist4 ,new ,test41 p4 #de;f4 #cc ,cf4 ,farrar1 ,early ,days of ,christianity1 pp4 #eajac;f4 #cd 8,nero's massacre was a freak of personal violence10 and 8had nothing whatever to do with the imperial cultus40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 ,intr41 p4 #caj4 ,mommsen's view 7,prov4 ,rom4 ,emp41 vol4 ii1 pp4 #badag note7 is that the historical situation reflected in the ,apocalypse indicates that it was written after ,nero's fall1 and the destruction of ,jerusalem2 and that the references to persecution imply a regular judicial procedure on account of refusal to worship the emperor's image1 a feature quite different from the ,neronian period in which the executions on the ground of alleged incendiarism c41 do not formally belong to the class of religious processes at all4 ,he would not1 however1 date it so late as ,domitian1 preferring a date somewhere between ,a4 ,d4 #fi and #gi1 toward the end of the reign of ,vespasian4 ,bartlett puts the probable date about ,a4 ,d4 #gehj 7see his ,apost4 ,age1 p4 #djd74 ,such views of the date are interesting but exceptional4 #ce ,the book seems to mark a transition in the ,roman ,empire from tolerance to hostility1 when it began to insist upon idolatrous worship1 and that more properly belongs to a period later than the time of ,nero4 ,cf4 ,mommsen's view in the preceding note4 #cf ,see 8,rev4 and ,johan4 ,epist410 by ,a4 ,ramsay1 ,westmin4 ,new ,test41 p4 #h4 #cg ,see map at the beginning of this volume4 #ch ,cf4 ,dean ,stanley's 8,sermons in the ,east10 p4 #bcj1 quoted in ,bib4 ,com41 ,intr41 sec4 #d4 #ci 8,the extreme skepticism which denies even the presence of the ,apostle in ,ephesus 7as ,keim and others71 is purely modern4 ,the tradition of the survival of #8the beloved disciple' in ,ephesus #8down to the times of ,trajan' is widespread1 uncontradicted1 circumstantial 444 the counter evidence is trivial0 7,bacon's ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bca74 8,the proof given by ,irenus from ,polycarp 444 is more than tradition1 it is direct documentary evidence0 7,weizscker1 ,apost4 ,age1 vol4 ii1 p4 #afh74 #dj ,cf4 ,reynolds1 art4 8,john1 the ,gospel of01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 also ,lee ,intr4 to ,rev41 ,bib4 ,com4 #da ,for a discussion of this literature see ,app'x ,g1 also art4 8,apoc4 ,lit40 by ,charles1 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 ,drummond1 ,the ,jewish ,messiah1 pp4 #cacb2 ,schrer1 ,the ,jewish ,people in ,time of ,christ1 ,div4 ,,ii1 vol4 iii1 p4 #dd sqq2 ,stuart ,com4 on ,rev41 ,intr4 pp4 #bjih2 ,driver1 8,bk4 of ,daniel01 in ,camb4 ,bib41 ,intr41 pp4 lxxvi lxxxv2 ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 ,intr41 pp4 #accd2 also art4 8,apocalypse0 in ,jewish ,encyc4 #db ,for a good statement of the present use of the term1 see art4 8,apocalyptic10 ,jewish ,encyc41 vol4 ,i2 also art4 8,apoc4 ,lit401 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 #dc ,see ,knig1 art4 8,symbol0 in ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 vol4 v1 p4 #afi;f41 who says1 8,what the metaphor is in the sphere of speech1 the symbol is in the sphere of things40 ,also see remarks by ,milligan in ,lect's4 on ,apoc41 ch4 ,i1 under the head of 8,visions and ,symbols10 p4 #ac;f4 ,for a fine discriminative view of the place of symbols in ,oriental poetry1 see ,moulton's ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 8,bib4 ,idyls10 ,intr41 pp4 xxxxif4 #dd ,it is not meant by this to imply that symbols as a class can ordinarily be presented to the eye1 or effectively depicted upon canvas4 ,in fact no symbol in the ,apocalypse can be reproduced in scenic form without doing manifest injustice to the thought and purpose of the writer4 #de ,milligan identifies the ,apocalypse of ,john too closely with that discourse1 making it mainly a development of its principal ideas4 ,see his ,lect's4 on ,apoc41 p4 #db;f4 #df ,moulton uses the term 8rhapsody0 in a technical sense to describe the literary form of ,hebrew dramatic prophecy1 which affords a helpful and convenient nomenclature4 ,see ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 vol4 ,john1 notes1 p4 #aia1 also vol4 ,isa41 ,intr41 pp4 viixii4 #dg ,the ,greek words and are commonly used in the ,new ,testament as correlative terms1 signifying the once secret or hidden in contrast with the now discovered or partially revealed4 ,see art4 8,mystery10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #dh ,moulton's ,intr4 to ,litr4 of ,bib41 p4 #cbf4 #di ,see ,append4 ,g1 on ,apocalyptic ,literature4 #ej ,it belongs to the innermost purpose of ,jewish ,apocalyptic 8to attempt to answer the question how and when the dominion of the world possessed so long by heathen nations1 will finally be delivered to the people of ,god401 ,hilgenfeld1 quoted by ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #cd4 #ea ,as ,renan1 and others4 #eb ,purves1 art4 8,rev401 ,davis' ,dict4 of ,bib42 ,milligan1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #aec;f42 and ,lee1 ,bib4 ,com41 ,intr4 to ,rev41 pp4 #diab4 #ec ,with correct insight1 it has been well said1 that 8the ancient commentators beheld in the visions of the ,apocalypse not a prophetic history of the ,christian church1 so much as a figurative representation of the contest going on in the world between the evil and the good4 ,and the moral of the book1 the end for which it was given1 7according to the spirit of these interpretations71 was to assure the righteous of their ultimate triumph1 notwithstanding the apparent or temporary success of the powers of darkness40 ,todd's 8,discourses on ,prophecy01 quoted in ,t4 ,l4 ,scott's ,paragraph ,version of ,revelation1 opening page4 #ed ,as ,milligan1 ,plummer1 ,lee1 ,riddle1 ,purves1 ,warfield1 and others4 #ee ,dods' ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bdd4 #ef ,harnack1 art4 8,rev401 ,encyc4 ,brit42 also ,mc,giffert1 ,apos4 ,age1 p4 #fbd2 and ,porter1 art4 8,rev401 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #eg ,see 8,analytical ,conspectus0 by ,randell on p4 xxvii of vol4 on ,rev4 in ,pulp4 ,com4 #eh ,moulton1 vol4 ,st4 ,john1 notes1 p4 #aie1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib4 #ei 8,most of the prophetic books 7in the ,old ,testament7 lend themselves to a sevenfold arrangement4444 ,all that is implied in such a feature of style is an extreme sense of orderly arrangement2 and to the ,hebrew mind order suggests the number seven0 7the number of fulness or completeness of quality71 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,mat41 ,intr4 p4 xi4 #fj ,see also ,app'x ,f41 diagram4 #fa ,see ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 vol4 ,st4 ,john1 ,intr4 p4 xxii4 #fb ,see ,foreword1 p4 #i4 #fc 8,the influence of the ,bk4 of ,enoch on the ,new ,testament has been greater than that of all the other apocryphal and pseudepigraphical books taken together40 ,book of ,enoch 7,charles74 ,gen4 ,intr41 p4 #da4 ,m#a ,the ,book ,described #fd ,or1 gave unto him1 to show unto his servants the things c4 #fe ,gr4 bondservants4 #ff ,or1 them4 ,m#b ,a ,blessing ,pronounced ,m#c ,the ,address and ,greeting #fg ,or1 who cometh4 #fh ,many authorities1 some ancient1 read washed4 ,heb4 #i4ad2 comp4 ch4 #g4ad4 #fi ,gr4 in4 #gj ,or1 ,god and his ,father4 #ga ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 ,many ancient authorities omit of the ages4 ,m#d ,the ,coming ,christ ,m#e ,the ,responsive ,message #gb ,or1 he who4 ,m#f ,the ,trumpet ,voice #gc ,or1 stedfastness4 ,m#g ,the ,glorious ,king,priest #gd ,gr4 lampstands4 #ge ,gr4 lampstands4 ,m#h ,a ,message of ,reassurance #gf ,gr4 became4 #gg ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 #gh ,gr4 upon4 #gi ,gr4 lampstands4 #hj ,gr4 lampstands4 ,m#i ,the ,epistle to ,ephesus #ha ,gr4 lampstands4 #hb ,or1 stedfastness4 #hc ,or1 stedfastness4 #hd ,gr4 lampstand4 #he ,or1 garden3 as in ,gen4 #b4h4 ,m#aj ,the ,epistle to ,smyrna #hf ,gr4 became4 #hg ,or1 reviling4 #hh ,some ancient authorities read and may have4 #hi ,gr4 a tribulation of ten days4 ,m#aa ,the ,epistle to ,pergamum #ij ,the ,greek text here is somewhat uncertain4 ,m#ab ,the ,epistle to ,thyatira #ia ,or1 stedfastness4 #ib ,many authorities1 some ancient1 read thy wife4 #ic ,gr4 bondservants4 #id ,many ancient authorities read their4 #ie ,or1 pestilence4 ,sept41 ,ex4 #e4c1 c4 #if ,or1 ,gentiles4 #ig ,or1 iron2 as vessels of the potter1 are they broken4 ,m#ac ,the ,epistle to ,sardis #ih ,many ancient authorities read not found thy works4 ,m#ad ,the ,epistle to ,philadelphia #ii ,gr4 given4 #ajj ,the ,greek word denotes an act of reverence1 whether paid to a creature or to the ,creator4 #aja ,or1 stedfastness4 #ajb ,or1 temptation4 #ajc ,gr4 inhabited earth4 #ajd ,or1 tempt4 #aje ,or1 sanctuary4 ,m#ae ,the ,epistle to ,laodicea ,m#af ,a ,door ,opened in ,heaven #ajf ,or1 come to pass4 ,after these things straightway1 c4 ,m#ag ,the ,throne and the ,king ,m#ah ,the ,four and ,twenty ,elders ,m#ai ,the ,seven ,lamps of ,fire ,m#bj ,the ,four ,living ,creatures #ajg ,or1 glassy sea4 #ajh ,or1 before4 ,see ch4 #g4ag4 comp4 #e4f4 #aji ,or1 who cometh4 ,m#ba ,the ,creation ,chorus #aaj ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 #aaa ,the ,greek word denotes an act of reverence1 whether paid to a creature or to the ,creator4 #aab ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 ,m#bb ,the ,sealed ,book #aac ,gr4 on4 ,m#bc ,the ,lamb #aad ,or1 between the throne with the four living creatures1 and the elders4 #aae ,some ancient authorities omit seven4 ,m#bd ,the ,book ,taken and ,worship ,rendered #aaf ,gr4 hath taken4 ,m#be ,the ,redemption ,chorus #aag ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 #aah ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#bf ,the ,first ,seal #aai ,some ancient authorities add and see4 ,m#bg ,the ,second ,seal #abj ,some ancient authorities read the peace of the earth4 ,m#bh ,the ,third ,seal #aba ,or1 ,a choenix 7i4 e4 about a quart17 of wheat for a shilling--implying great scarcity4 ,comp4 ,ezek4 #d4af f42 #e4af4 #abb ,see marginal note on ,mt4 #ah4bh4 ,m#bi ,the ,fourth ,seal #abc ,or1 pestilence4 ,comp4 ch4 #b4bc marg4 ,m#cj ,the ,fifth ,seal #abd ,some ancient authorities read be fulfilled in number4 ,,ii ,esdr4 #d4cf4 ,m#ca ,the ,sixth ,seal #abe ,or1 military tribunes4 ,gr4 chiliarchs4 ,m#cb ,the ,angels ,holding the ,winds #abf ,gr4 bondservants4 ,m#cc ,the ,number ,sealed from the ,tribes ,m#cd ,the ,countless ,multitude ,m#ce ,the ,salvation ,chorus #abg ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #abh ,gr4 ,the blessing1 and the glory1 c4 #abi ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 ,m#cf ,the ,great ,reward #acj ,gr4 have said4 #aca ,or1 sanctuary4 #acb ,or1 before4 ,see ch4 #d4f2 comp4 #e4f4 ,m#cg ,the ,seventh ,seal ,m#ch ,seven ,angels ,given ,seven ,trumpets ,m#ci ,the ,angel with the ,incense #acc ,or1 at4 #acd ,gr4 give4 #ace ,or1 for4 #acf ,gr4 hath taken4 #acg ,or1 into4 ,m#dj ,the ,trumpets ,made ,ready to ,sound ,m#da ,the ,first ,trumpet ,m#db ,the ,second ,trumpet ,m#dc ,the ,third ,trumpet ,m#dd ,the ,fourth ,trumpet ,m#de ,the ,eagle,cry #ach ,gr4 one eagle4 ,m#df ,the ,fifth ,trumpet #aci ,gr4 likenesses4 #adj ,that is1 ,destroyer4 ,m#dg ,the ,first ,woe ,ended ,m#dh ,the ,sixth ,trumpet #ada ,gr4 one voice4 #adb ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#di ,the ,angel ,coming ,down ,out of ,heaven ,m#ej ,the ,thunder,voices ,m#ea ,the ,mystery of ,god to ,end #adc ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 #add ,some ancient authorities omit and the sea and the things that are therein4 #ade ,or1 time4 #adf ,gr4 bondservants4 ,m#eb ,the ,book ,eaten #adg ,or1 concerning4 ,comp4 ,jn4 #ab4af4 ,m#ec ,the ,temple ,measured #adh ,gr4 saying4 #adi ,or1 sanctuary4 #aej ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #aea ,or1 sanctuary4 #aeb ,gr4 cast without4 #aec ,or1 ,gentiles4 ,m#ed ,the ,two ,witnesses with ,power #aed ,gr4 lampstands4 ,m#ee ,their ,testimony ,finished #aee ,gr4 carcase4 ,m#ef ,their ,resurrection and ,ascension #aef ,gr4 names of men1 seven thousand4 ,comp4 ch4 #cd4 ,m#eg ,the ,second ,woe ,ended ,m#eh ,the ,seventh ,trumpet #aeg ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 ,m#ei ,the ,victory ,chorus #aeh ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #aei ,gr4 bondservants4 ,m#fj ,tokens of ,judgment #afj ,or1 sanctuary4 #afa ,or1 sanctuary4 ,m#fa ,the ,woman's ,glory and the ,dragon's ,power ,m#fb ,the ,all,ruling ,man,child #afb ,or1 ,gentiles4 ,m#fc ,the ,woman's ,escape ,m#fd ,michael ,warring with the ,dragon #afc ,gr4 inhabited earth4 ,m#fe ,satan's ,downfall ,proclaimed #afd ,or1 ,now is the salvation1 and the power1 and the kingdom1 become our ,god's1 and the authority is become his ,christ's4 #afe ,gr4 tabernacle4 ,m#ff ,persecution of the ,woman and ,her ,seed #aff ,some ancient authorities read ,i stood1 c4 connecting the clause with what follows4 ,m#fg ,first ,beast--the ,beast from the ,sea #afg ,gr4 slain4 #afh ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #afi ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #agj ,or1 to do his works during4 ,see ,dan4 #aa4bh4 #aga ,gr4 tabernacle4 #agb ,some ancient authorities omit ,and it was given 444 overcome them4 #agc ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #agd ,or1 written in the book 444 slain from the foundation of the world4 ,m#fh ,an ,admonition to ,patience #age ,the ,greek text in this verse is somewhat uncertain4 #agf ,or1 leadethinto captivity4 #agg ,or1 stedfastness4 ,m#fi ,the ,second ,beast--the ,beast from the ,land #agh ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #agi ,some ancient authorities read that even the image of the beast should speak2 and he shall cause c4 #ahj ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#gj ,an ,admonition to ,wisdom #aha ,some ancient authorities read ,six hundred and sixteen4 ,m#ga ,the ,lamb and ,his ,company ,m#gb ,the ,incommunicable ,chorus ,m#gc ,the ,purity of the ,redeemed ,m#gd ,the ,message of the ,eternal ,gospel #ahb ,or1 an eternal gospel4 #ahc ,gr4 sit4 #ahd ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#ge ,the ,message of ,babylon's ,fall ,m#gf ,the ,message of ,doom for the ,beast and ,his ,followers #ahe ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #ahf ,gr4 mingled4 #ahg ,gr4 unto ages of ages4 #ahh ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#gg ,the ,test of ,patience #ahi ,or1 stedfastness4 ,m#gh ,the ,blessedness of the ,holy ,dead #aij ,or1 in the ,lord4 ,from henceforth1 yea saith the ,spirit4 ,m#gi ,the ,harvest of the ,elect #aia ,or1 sanctuary4 #aib ,gr4 become dry4 ,m#hj ,the ,vintage of ,wrath #aic ,or1 sanctuary4 #aid ,gr4 vine4 ,m#ha ,the ,angels with the ,plagues ,m#hb ,the ,victors by the ,sea #aie ,or1 glassy sea4 #aif ,or1 upon4 #aig ,or1 glassy sea4 ,m#hc ,the ,chorus of ,moses and the ,lamb #aih ,gr4 bondservant4 #aii ,many ancient authorities read nations4 ,jer4 #aj4g4 #bjj ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#hd ,the ,temple in ,heaven ,opened #bja ,or1 sanctuary4 #bjb ,or1 sanctuary4 #bjc ,many ancient authorities read in linen1 ch4 #ai4h4 #bjd ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 #bje ,or1 sanctuary4 #bjf ,or1 sanctuary4 ,m#he ,the ,command to ,pour ,out the ,vials #bjg ,or1 sanctuary4 ,m#hf ,the ,first ,vial #bjh ,or1 there came4 #bji ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#hg ,the ,second ,vial #baj ,gr4 soul of life4 ,m#hh ,the ,third ,vial #baa ,some ancient authorities read and they became4 #bab ,or1 judge4 ,because they 444 prophets1 thou hast given them blood also to drink4 ,m#hi ,the ,fourth ,vial #bac ,or1 him4 ,m#ij ,the ,fifth ,vial ,m#ia ,the ,sixth ,vial ,m#ib ,the ,three ,unclean ,spirits #bad ,or1 upon4 #bae ,gr4 inhabited earth4 ,m#ic ,the ,warning ,voice #baf ,or1 ,ar,magedon4 ,m#id ,the ,seventh ,vial #bag ,or1 sanctuary4 #bah ,some ancient authorities read there was a man4 #bai ,or1 ,gentiles4 ,m#ie ,the ,judgment of the ,great ,harlot ,m#if ,babylon the ,harlot ,city #bbj ,or1 names full of blasphemy4 #bba ,gr4 gilded4 #bbb ,or1 and of the unclean things4 #bbc ,or1 a mystery1 ,babylon the ,great4 #bbd ,or1 witnesses4 ,see ch4 #b4ac4 ,m#ig ,the ,mystery of the ,woman and the ,beast is ,told #bbe ,some ancient authorities read and he goeth4 #bbf ,gr4 on4 #bbg ,gr4 shall be present4 ,m#ih ,the ,kings that ,war against the ,lamb #bbh ,or1 meaning4 #bbi ,or1 there are4 ,m#ii ,the ,harlot ,made ,desolate #bcj ,gr4 hath a kingdom4 ,m#ajj ,the ,fall of the ,great ,city ,proclaimed #bca ,or1 prison4 #bcb ,some authorities read of the wine 444 have drunk4 #bcc ,some ancient authorities omit the wine of4 #bcd ,or1 luxury4 ,m#aja ,god's ,people ,called ,out of ,her #bce ,or1 clave together4 #bcf ,or1 luxurious4 #bcg ,some ancient authorities omit the ,lord4 ,m#ajb ,the ,lament of the ,kings of the ,earth over ,her ,doom #bch ,or1 luxuriously4 ,m#ajc ,the ,lament of the ,merchants of the ,earth #bci ,gr4 cargo4 #bdj ,gr4 amomum4 #bda ,gr4 bodies4 ,gen4 #cf4f 7,sept474 #bdb ,or1 lives4 #bdc ,gr4 gilded4 ,m#ajd ,the ,lament of the ,seamen from ,afar #bdd ,gr4 work the sea4 ,m#aje ,the ,holy ,bidden to ,rejoice ,m#ajf ,the ,ruin ,complete #bde ,gr4 one4 #bdf ,some ancient authorities omit of whatsoever craft4 ,m#ajg ,the ,voice of a ,great ,multitude #bdg ,gr4 bondservants4 ,m#ajh ,the ,hallelujah ,chorus #bdh ,gr4 have said4 #bdi ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 #bej ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#aji ,the ,array of the ,bride ,m#aaj ,the ,blessedness of the ,marriage ,supper ,m#aaa ,worship ,refused by the ,angel #bea ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #beb ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#aab ,the ,conqueror on the ,white ,horse 7,the ,beginning of the ,end7 #bec ,some ancient authorities omit called4 #bed ,some ancient authorities read dipped in4 #bee ,gr4 winepress of the wine of the fierceness4 ,m#aac ,the ,call to the ,birds of ,mid ,heaven #bef ,gr4 one4 #beg ,or1 military tribunes ,gr4 chiliarchs4 ,m#aad ,the ,beast and the ,false ,prophet ,taken #beh ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#aae ,satan ,bound #bei ,gr4 upon4 ,m#aaf ,the ,first ,resurrection and the ,millennial ,reign #bfj ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#aag ,the ,blessedness of the ,millennial ,period #bfa ,or1 authority4 #bfb ,some ancient authorities read the4 ,m#aah ,satan ,loosed ,again and ,overthrown 7,the ,war of ,gog and ,magog7 #bfc ,some ancient authorities insert from ,god4 #bfd ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 ,m#aai ,the ,second ,resurrection and the ,final ,judgment ,m#abj ,the ,new ,creation ,m#aba ,the ,holy ,city #bfe ,or1 the holy city ,jerusalem coming down new out of heaven4 ,m#abb ,a ,great ,voice ,out of the ,throne #bff ,gr4 tabernacle4 #bfg ,some ancient authorities omit1 and be their ,god4 ,m#abc ,all ,things ,made ,new #bfh ,or1 ,write1 ,these words are faithful and true4 ,m#abd ,the ,city the ,bride of ,christ ,m#abe ,the ,glory of the ,new ,jerusalem from ,afar #bfi ,gr4 luminary4 #bgj ,gr4 portals4 #bga ,gr4 portals4 ,m#abf ,the ,measure of the ,city ,m#abg ,the ,materials of ,her ,building #bgb ,or1 lapis lazuli4 #bgc ,or1 sapphire4 #bgd ,or1 transparent as glass4 ,m#abh ,the ,glory ,within #bge ,or1 sanctuary4 #bgf ,or1 sanctuary4 #bgg ,or1 and the ,lamb1 the lamp thereof4 #bgh ,or1 by4 #bgi ,gr4 common4 #bhj ,or1 doeth4 ,m#abi ,the ,river and ,tree of ,life #bha ,or1 the ,lamb4 ,in the midst of the street thereof1 and on either side of the river1 was the tree of life1 c4 #bhb ,or1 a tree4 #bhc ,or1 crops of fruit4 ,m#acj ,the ,beatific ,vision #bhd ,or1 no more anything accursed4 #bhe ,gr4 bondservants4 #bhf ,gr4 unto the ages of the ages4 ,m#aca ,the ,message ,reaffirmed ,m#acb ,worship ,again ,refused by the ,angel #bhg ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 #bhh ,see marginal note on ch4 #c4i4 ,m#acc ,the ,book ,not to ,be ,sealed #bhi ,or1 yet more4 ,m#acd ,christ's ,promise to the ,victors #bij ,or1 wages4 #bia ,or1 the authority over ,comp4 ch4 #f4h4 #bib ,gr4 portals4 #bic ,or1 doeth ,comp4 ch4 #ba4bg4 ,m#ace ,christ the ,morning ,star #bid ,gr4 over4 ,m#acf ,a ,universal ,invitation #bie ,or1 ,both4 ,m#acg ,john's ,witness and ,warning #bif ,gr4 upon4 #big ,or1 even from the things which are written4 ,m#ach ,a ,last ,promise of ,hope and ,prayer of ,yearning ,m#aci ,the ,blessing on the ,saints #bih ,some ancient authorities add ,christ4 #bii ,two ancient authorities read with all4 #cjj ,bacon1 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bce2 and ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #afj4 #cja ,as held by ,seiss and others1 following ,heinrich1 who make the topic of the ,revelation ,christ in his ,second ,advent1 contrary to the generally accepted exegesis4 #cjb ,alford1 ,plummer1 ,lee1 ,milligan1 and others1 as against ,dsterdieck1 ,stuart1 and the preterists generally4 #cjc 8,it means the revelation which ,jesus makes1 not that which reveals him4444 ,revelation is a word reserved for the ,gospel2 no ,old ,testament prophecy is called a revelation40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #a2 also cf4 ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 pp4 #idie4 #cjd 8,the testimony of ,jesus ,christ1 like the revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 means that which he gave1 not that which tells about him40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #b4 #cje ,simcox1 ,camb4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #da2 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #b2 also cf4 ,moulton1 ,intr4 to ,litr4 of ,bib41 p4 #cab1 who says1 8,a careful reading will show that these words are to be understood1 not as a part of the revelation1 but as the writer's 7or editor's7 comment upon the book40 ,this view1 it will be seen1 does not affect the sense of the verses1 but only their origin4 #cjf 8,understanding can only know what is1 has been1 or will be4 ,it is impossible for anything to exist for understanding otherwise than as a matter of fact it does exist in those three relations of time40 7,kant1 ,critique of ,pure ,reason1 ,watson's 8,selections10 p4 #ahf2 or1 in a slightly different translation1 ,edition of ,meiklejohn1 p4 #cjg74 ,it is important for us to note that ,god is thus presented as comprehending in himself all the possibilities of existence in human understanding4 #cjg ,for the view that the origin of this conception is to be found in the later ,jewish literature rather than in the ,old ,testament1 see ,scott in ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #abf4 ,swete interprets1 8,here the spirits are seven1 because the churches in which they operate are seven40 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #f4 #cjh ,r4 ,v4 8loosed us from our sins by his blood40 8,the insertion or omission of a single letter 7in the ,greek word7 makes the difference between the ,a4 ,v4 #8washed' and the ,r4 ,v4 #8loosed4' ,the manuscript evidence for each is very evenly balanced2 the other evidence likewise4 ,on the whole1 the old reading1 #8washed1' seems more in harmony with the thought of the book and with ,johannine diction in general40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #abg4 #cji 8,the continuous return 7the coming of the ,lord in the power of the ,spirit7 prefacing1 heralding the full manifestation of his might and glory1 is the grand theme of the ,apocalypse40 ,reynolds1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,john's ,gospel1 ,intr41 p4 lxxxvi4 #caj ,this title1 8the ,almighty10 is used nine times in ,revelation1 and only once elsewhere in the ,new ,testament 7,,ii ,cor4 #f3ah74 #caa ,tribulation is the pervading undertone of the whole book4 8,the moving spirit of the vision in the ,apocalypse is the sufferings of the church0 7,ramsay1 ,the ,church in the ,roman ,empire1 p4 #bie74 8,the ethical keynote is patience0 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #abi74 #cab ,see notes on 8,the ,place0 in the ,introduction to this volume4 #cac 8,the earliest use of the name 7the ,lord's day7 is in this passage10 ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #acj2 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #e4 #cad ,see ,scott1 art4 8,rev410 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 #cae 8,the vision of the ,divine ,christ in ,rev4 #a dominates every subsequent paragraph in the ,apocalypse40 ,reynolds1 art4 8,gosp4 of ,john10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #caf ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #g2 also see ,thayer's ,gr4 ,lex4 of ,new ,test4 #cag 8,the association of angels with stars was a common ,semitic idea40 7,moulton74 ,each star was conceived of by the ,jews as having its angel1 as also every force and phenomenon of nature had its separate angel4 ,it is not strange1 therefore1 that ,john grouped them in his thought4 #cah ,milligan1 ,internat4 ,com41 vol4 iv1 ,rev41 p4 #cf2 also ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev4 p4 #h4 ,for the other view see ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #ehi2 ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 pp4 #dfja2 and ,trench1 ,ep's to ,seven ,ch's1 p4 #ge;f4 #cai 8,this last image is not so strange as it appears at first sight1 for the short ,roman sword was tonguelike in shape40 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 art4 8,sword40 #cbj ,an indication of divine power as well as victory2 for 8it was part of the teaching of the ,rabbinic schools that the key of death was one of four 7the keys of life1 the grave1 food1 and rain7 which were in the hand of ,god alone40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #acc4 #cba 8,the word mystery is not used in the ,bible in the modern sense of #8something that cannot be fathomed or understood1' but on the contrary it indicates either something which is waiting to be revealed or that which when explained conveys understanding4 ,in the latter sense it comes near to our word #8,symbol4' ,and this is the sense in which it is to be taken here and in ch4 xxii4 #g40 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 pp4 #accd74 ,in the general and broader sense1 however1 8,the term in the ,new ,testament means truths once hidden now revealed1 made generally known1 and in their own nature perfectly intelligible40 ,bruce1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 ,i1 p4 #aif4 #cbb ,see art4 8,rev401 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 also 8,new ,test4 ,doctr4 of ,rev40 in the same work1 vol4 ,v4 p4 #ccd;e4 #cbc ,milligan1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #af4 #cbd ,asia in the ,new ,testament 7with the possible exception of ,acts #b3i7 always means the ,roman province of that name1 which embraced only the western part of what we now call ,asia ,minor1 and consisted of ,mysia1 ,lydia1 ,caria1 and part of ,phrygia1 with the islands of the coast1--see the map in the beginning of this volume4 8,asia was one of the most wealthy and populous and intellectually active of the ,roman provinces10 ,ramsay1 art4 8,asia40 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #cbe ,ramsay1 ,letters to ,seven ,ch's41 p4 #ce4 #cbf ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #c2 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 ,intr41 p4 liv1 and p4 #d4 #cbg ,milligan1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #ch2 ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 pp4 #ajaaf1 and ,excur4 ,,ii1 p4 #gdg in same volume2 also see ,app'x ,e in this volume on the 8,symbolism of ,numbers40 #cbh ,sayce1 ,hibbert ,lect's on ,origin and ,growth of ,religion1 p4 #hb4 #cbi ,so ,milligan1 ,plummer1 and others--see notes in ,ch4 #bj3b;f4 #ccj 8,probably the most striking feature of the ,seven ,letters is the tone of unhesitating and unlimited authority which inspires them from beginning to end40 ,ramsay1 ,letters to ,seven ,churches1 p4 #ge4 #cca ,see ,ramsay's ,letters to the ,seven ,churches1 where there will be found much accurate information concerning the seven cities that is based upon an extended residence in those cities1 and careful personal investigation4 ,a more concise account by the same author is given in ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 in the separate articles upon each city4 #ccb ,moulton's ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aif4 #ccc ,the exhortation to 8hear what the ,spirit saith to the churches0 applies not only to what is contained in the seven epistles1 but to the entire ,apocalypse which follows4 ,see ,ramsay's ,letters to ,seven ,ch's1 p4 #ch4 #ccd ,paradise is the word used in the ,septuagint for ,eden4 ,it occurs but three times in the ,new ,testament4 ,it originally signified a park or garden such as was used by ,oriental monarchs for a pleasureground1 but in ,christian usage it becomes a name for the scene of rest and recompense for the righteous after death4 ,see art4 8,paradise0 by ,salmond1 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #cce ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #eifj4 #ccf ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #cj4 #ccg ,pergamus1 though a rarer form1 is preferable to ,pergamos 7,a4 ,v471 or ,pergamum 7,r4 ,v47 as the designation of the city1 owing to its softer sound for the ,english ear1 though the form is otherwise indifferent4 ,see ,ramsay's art4 8,pergamus10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 8 is found in ,xenophon1 ,pausanius1 and ,dion ,cassius1 but in ,strabo1 and ,polybius1 and most other writers1 and in the inscriptions2 the termination is left uncertain in ,apoc4 i4#aa and ii4#ab40 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #cc4 #cch 8,pergamum was the first place in ,asia where as early as the reign of ,augustus was erected a temple to ,rome and the ,emperor10 ,salmon1 ,hist4 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bci4 8,an allusion to the rampant paganism of ,pergamum 444 but chiefly perhaps to the new ,caesar worship in which ,pergamum was preeminent and which above all other pagan rites menaced the existence of the ,church10 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #cd4 #cci 8,the name ,balaam does not indicate a sect1 but a set of principles40 ,briggs1 ,mess4 of ,gospels1 p4 #dea2 also see ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #adc4 #cdj ,this identification is suggested by the present author as a probable one1 for jade is the most notable white stone that was in use in ancient times1 and it is still highly prized for seals1 charms1 and kindred purposes in ,china and the ,far ,east4 ,dr4 ,schlieman found implements made from the coarser kinds of it in the immediate region of ,pergamus among the relics of the oldest of the cities in the excavations at ,hissarlik1 the mound of ancient ,ilium1 near ,troas2 and a jade celt engraved with ,gnostic formul in ,greek characters is preserved in the ,christy collection4 ,see art4 8,jade10 ,encyc4 ,brit4 #cda ,trench1 ,ep's to ,seven ,churches1 pp4 #aghhj4 ,trench's view1 however1 that the ,urim and ,thummim consisted of a single stone is not correct1 though his interpretation of this passage is as usual very suggestive4 ,see art4 8,urim and ,thummim0 in ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #cdb ,see ,trench1 ,stuart1 ,plummer1 ,lee1 ,scott1 and others4 ,lange says concisely1 8,two meanings attached to the white stone among the ,greeks1 viz4 acquittal in judgment1 and the award of some rank or dignity40 ,lange's 7,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #aba74 ,swete says 8,the white stone is the pledge of the divine favor which carries with it such intimate knowledge of ,god and ,christ as only the possessor can comprehend40 7,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #dj74 #cdc ,see art4 8,signet10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #cdd ,hilprecht1 ,s4 ,s4 ,times1 ,sept4 #aj1 #aijd1 art4 8,babylonian ,life in the ,time of ,ezra and ,nehemiah40 #cde ,weizscker thinks the new name is 8the of ,john's ,gospel0 7,apost4 ,age1 vol4 ,,ii p4 #aga72 but by 8new0 is more likely meant a hitherto unknown name4 ,stevens interprets it as 8a symbol for the ,messiah10 7,theol4 of ,new ,test41 p4 #edj74 ,on the other hand ,scott says1 8,a new name stands for a new character40 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #adc72 and ,ramsay regards it as 8perhaps an allusion to the custom of taking new and secret baptismal names10 7art4 8,pergamus10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib472 also ,dsterdieck thinks that the name applies to the ,christian 7,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #adh72 and ,swete holds the same view 7,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #dj74 8,white0 and 8new0 as ,trench points out1 are 8keywords0 in the ,apocalypse 7,ep's to ,seven ,ch's1 p4 #agb74 #cdf ,ramsay explains1 8,there had been a ,jewish colony planted in ,thyatira1 and a hybrid sort of worship had been developed1 half ,jewish1 half pagan1 which is called in ,revelation the woman ,jezebel10 7,paul the ,trav4 and ,rom4 ,cit41 p4 #bae74 ,scott thinks it 8most probable that the reference is to some wellknown and influential woman within the church at ,thyatira1 whose influence on the ,christian community was parallel to that of ,jezebel upon ,ahab--a selfstyled prophetess1 whose teaching and example were alike destructive of ,christian morality10 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #adg74 ,schrer also holds that ,jezebel denoted a definite woman1 7,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 art4 8,thyatira074 ,plummer finds in the name a unity of symbolism with other parts of the book1 thus1 8,jezebel anticipates the harlot of ch4 #ag1 as ,balaam anticipates the false prophet of ch4 #ac0 7,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ff74 #cdg ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #db4 #cdh 8,to become acquainted with #8the depths1' 7i4 e4 the deep things of divinity1 as they would say--called here #8the deep things of ,satan' in irony7 was an essential pretense of the ,gnostics40 ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #aeb4 #cdi 8,i will grant him to see the ,morningstar04 ,moffatt1 ,new ,trans4 of ,new ,test4 #cej 8,the word used is a #8thief1' and not a #8robber1' showing that secrecy1 not violence1 is the point of the similitude40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ajh4 #cea 8,the word #8white' 771 excepting in ,mat4 #e4cf and ,jn4 #d4ce1 is in the ,new ,testament always used of heavenly purity and brightness10 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #aji4 #ceb ,the 8book of life0 is mentioned seven times in the ,revelation1 an indication of the place it occupied in the writer's thought4 #cec ,ramsay1 ,letters to ,seven ,ch's1 pp4 #cgggh4 #ced ,milligan1 ,internat4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dh4 #cee ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #acf4 #cef ,ramsay1 art4 8,sardis10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #ceg ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #ec2 and ,ramsay1 art4 8,philadelphia10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #ceh ,bousset's inference is scarcely justifiable3--8,it is the tone of immediate expectation of the end2 the last great struggle throughout the whole inhabited world is at hand2 the storm is drawing near2 already the seer beholds the lightning flash04 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 pp4 #aecd74 ,swete also interprets similarly1 as referring to 8the troublous times which precede the ,parousia10 and adds1 8,this final sifting of mankind was near at hand40 7,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #ee74 #cei ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #aac2 ,wordsworth1 quoted in ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edg4 #cfj ,ramsay1 art4 8,philadelphia10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and his ,letters to ,seven ,ch's41 p4 #djj4 #cfa 8,the word #8,amen' is here used as a proper name of our ,lord2 and this is the only instance of such an application4444 ,the #8faithful and true witness' is an amplification of the ,amen04 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #aadae4 #cfb 8,the origin of ,god's creation40 ,moffatt1 ,new ,translation of ,new ,testament4 #cfc 8,laodicea was the one famous medical centre in ,phrygia4444 ,the description of the medicine here mentioned is obscured by a mistranslation4 ,it was not an ointment but a kollyrium1 which had the form of small cylinders compounded of various ingredients1 and was used either by simple application or by reduction to a powder to be smeared on the part40 ,ramsay1 ,letters to ,seven ,ch's41 p4 #dbi4 #cfd ,see art4 8,laodicea0 by ,ramsay1 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 pp4 #fab4 #cfe ,see ,app'x ,f1 8,the ,literary ,structure of the ,apocalypse40 #cff ,see ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 art4 8,stones1 ,precious20 also the separate arts4 in the same work on the names of precious stones which we find in the ,revelation4 ,plummer regards the jasper1 which is further described in ch4 #ba3aa as being 8clear as crystal10 to be the modern diamond1 while ,cheyne thinks it the opal1 and ,scott identifies the sardius with our carnelian4 #cfg ,the ,a4 ,v4 reads1 8there was a sea of glass02 the ,r4 ,v4 renders1 8as it were a glassy sea02 and the ,am4 ,r4 ,v4 gives1 8as it were a sea of glass40 ,the ,revisers evidently regarded the phrase as a figurative way of describing the quiet of the sea4 ,alford1 however1 and ,swete interpret literally as 8a sea of glass40 #cfh ,cf4 ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fbe4 #cfi ,see ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #afd4 #cgj ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ade2 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #fh4 #cga 8,throughout the vision no past tense is used4 ,the vision represents the worship of heaven 7so far as it can be presented to human understanding7 as it continues eternally40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ade4 #cgb ,bleek1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #aii2 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ade4 #cgc ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #afc4 #cgd ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #afc4 #cge ,for ,bleek's view of the arrangement see notes on 8,the ,lamb in the ,midst of the ,throne10 under ch4 #e3fh;a4 #cgf 8,no one can authoritatively affirm that created beings of a lower order than man will not in some sense share in the future life40 ,a4 ,a4 ,hodge1 unpublished ,classroom ,lectures4 #cgg ,see in ,am4 ,r4 ,v41 ,i ,sam4 #d3d2 ,,ii ,sam4 #f3b2 ,,ii ,ki4 #a3iae2 ,i ,chr4 #ac3f2 ,ps4 #hj3a1 #ii3a2 ,isa4 #cg3af2 ,ezek4 #aj3abj4 #cgh ,fairbairn regards the cherubim as typifying 8,earth's living creaturehood1 especially man1 its rational and immortal head04 ,see his ,typology1 vol4 #a1 pp4 #abebjh4 ,plummer similarly interprets the living beings as symbolical of all animal life1 and suggests that the human face of the cherubim represents 8humanity as distinct from the church 7which is represented by the four and twenty elders71 and appears to indicate the power of ,god to use for his purposes and his glory that part of mankind which has not been received into the church40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #adf4 ,also see art4 8,cherubim10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and for an apocalyptic description of the cherubim1 ,bk4 of ,enoch 7ed4 ,charles71 #ad3aa1 #ah2 #bj3g2 #fa3aj2 #gf3g4 #cgi ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 p4 #eae2 also cf4 ,dsterdieck1 and ,plummer4 ,other definitions1 though differing in statement1 have a general similarity4 ,for example1 8,the ,book of ,destiny0 7,bacon1 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bhd72 8,the ,book of ,doom0 7,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev4 p4 #chb72 8,the ,book of ,history0 7,temple ,bib41 ,intr4 to ,rev41 p4 xxxvii72 or1 better still1 8,the ,book of ,god's ,counsels0 7,lee1 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #efc74 ,faussett1 following ,de ,burgh1 makes the book 8,the ,titledeed of ,man's ,inheritance ,redeemed by ,christ0 7,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fjb74 ,seiss accepts this interpretation and explains further by reference to ,jewish customs of land tenure 7,lects4 on ,apoc41 vol4 i1 p4 #bff;f474 ,the definition preferred in the present volume is 8,the ,book of ,god's ,plan for the ,ages40 #chj 8,a ,roman will1 when written1 had to be sealed seven times in order to authenticate it1 and some have argued that this explains the symbolism here0 7,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev4 p4 #chc72 but this suggestion is of doubtful value when the ,hebrew use of seven was so well established4 #cha ,see ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #bjg4 #chb 8,the ability to open was a consequence of a former act of victory1 viz4 the redemption40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #afd4 #chc 8,the kingship of ,christ is more clearly set forth in the ,revelation than in any other part of the ,new ,testament1 though not in any single text1 but by the representations of the book throughout10 ,riddle1 unpublished ,classroom ,lectures on ,revelation4 ,also see ,pfleiderer1 ,influence of ,paul on ,christianity 7,hibbert ,lect41 #ahhe71 p4 #acj4 #chd 8,john looked to see a lion and beheld a ,lamb10 the change of symbol seeming to indicate that 8the might of ,christ is the power of love40 ,see ,stevens1 ,new ,test4 ,theol41 p4 #edb4 8,the name which most expresses what ,christ is to the ,christian is the #8,lamb4' 0 8,this is used twentynine times in the book40 ,porter1 art4 ,rev41 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 8,this is a dramatic way of expressing the truth that the efficient factor of history is gentleness40 ,dean1 ,book of ,revelation1 p4 #ajc4 #che ,see ,bleek's ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #bjj;f4 #chf ,cf4 ,bisping1 quoted by ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #afg4 #chg 8,this description of the glorified ,lord1 sublime as a purely mental conception1 becomes intolerable if we give it outward form and expression40 7,trench1 ,ep's to ,seven ,ch's1 p4 #fd74 ,in fact1 8,no scene in the great ,christian ,apocalypse can be successfully reproduced upon canvas2 the imagery 444 is symbolic and not pictorial10 7,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 ,intr41 p4 cxxxiv47 8,symbolism does not appeal to the pictorial sense at all1 but rather to some analytic faculty1 or conventional association of ideas40 7,moulton1 ,bib4 ,idyls1 ,intr4 p4 xx74 ,the incongruity of many of their symbols from the aesthetic point of view does not seem to have occurred to the ,hebrew mind1 for with them the religious idea was predominant4 ,many of the events recorded in the ,revelation are manifestly impossible except in a vision4 #chh 8,here we have the ideas of ch4 #a4 #e repeated 7i4 e4 of the love and redemption of ,christ7 with the further thought that love like that displayed in ,christ's death for man's redemption is worthy not only of all praise1 but of having all the future committed to its care4 ,it is really a pictorial way of saying that redeeming love is the last reality in the universe which all praise must exalt and to which everything else must be subordinate40 ,denney1 ,death of ,christ1 p4 #bdf4 #chi ,moulton's ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,psa4 vol4 i1 ,intr41 p4 xxxiif4 #cij ,the call is most naturally understood as a call for the vision to appear4 ,simcox so interprets3 8,each of the living creatures by turns summons one of the horsemen40 7,cambr4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #he72 ,scott1 also1 holds the same view 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #agf72 and ,moffatt1 prefers it 7,new ,trans4 ,new ,test41 footnote74 ,plummer1 however1 says the call is addressed to ,john1--perhaps a more common view2 on the other hand ,alford1 ,milligan1 and ,swete1 say the call is to ,christ to come4 ,the view that the call is addressed to the rider is more likely correct1 though the interpretation of the seals is not materially affected by the view we may take of this part of the symbolism4 ,in any case1 8,each living being invites attention to the revelation of the future of that creation of which they are all representatives40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ahe4 #cia 8,conquering1 and that he may conquer4 ,this is the key to the whole vision4 ,only of ,christ and his kingdom can it be said that it is to conquer 444 only of ,christ's kingdom shall there be no end40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ahd4 #cib ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #agi2 also see ,mommsen's ,provinces of ,rom4 ,emp41 vol4 ii1 p4 #a 7note71 ,swete regards the first seal as 8a picture of triumphant militarism40 ,apoc4 ,st4 ,john1 p4 #hd4 #cic 8,white is always typical in the ,revelation of heavenly things10 ,plummer1 7,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ahc74 8,if any other than our ,lord is he that goes forth conquering and to conquer1 then1 though the subsequent interpretation may have occasional points of contact with truth 444 the true key of the book is lost40 7,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #bdi74 #cid ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ahe4 ,for a different interpretation see ,milligan1 ,expos4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #ia4 #cie 8,a choenix of wheat for a denarius c4 ,the choenix appears to have been the food allotted to one man for a day2 while the denarius was the pay of a soldier or of a common laborer for one day40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ahe4 #cif ,the oil and the wine are interpreted by some 7as ,wordsworth1 and ,milligan7 to mean spiritual food which will not be lacking in time of famine2 but this opinion is not sustained by anything in the text4 ,swete understands the vision to forbid famine prices1 and to refer only to relative hardships--an unusual view4 #cig ,it is doubtless true1 as pointed out by ,ramsay1 that according to the usual custom in celebrating a triumph 8the ,roman generals were borne in a fourhorse car0 7,letters to ,seven ,churches1 p4 #eh74 ,this1 however1 does not seem to have been necessarily or always the case1 and even when so1 the horses were white4 ,cf4 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #hd2 and ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #agg4 #cih ,it is interesting to note that ,god is here described 7v4 #aj7 as an absolute ruler1 a word implying the divine might and authority1 which occurs but once in the ,apocalypse1 and which is translated 8,lord0 in the ,a4 ,v41 and 8,master0 in the ,r4 ,v4 ,this term1 it should be understood1 is 8strictly the correlative of slave1 1 and hence denotes absolute ownership and uncontrolled power40 7,thayer's ,gr4,eng4 ,lex4 ,new ,test47 ,in its present use 8it would seem to convey the idea of personal relationship1 as ,paul speaks of himself as the slave of ,christ 7740 7,strong1 art4 8,john1 ,apostle10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib47 #cii ,for an interesting parallel passage in ,apocalyptic literature see ,ascension of ,isaiah1 #i4gah1 where the saints1 as here1 receive a preliminary reward2 also1 ,bk of ,enoch1 #bb3e;f1 where the voice of the spirits of the children of men who were dead 8penetrated to heaven and complained40 #djj 8,the day of the ,lord0 is a notable phrase in the ,new ,testament1 and should receive our careful attention1 though it only occurs twice in the ,apocalypse 7ch4 #f3ad2 #af3ad74 ,as ,davidson interprets it1 8,the day of the ,lord is an eschatological idea2 the phrase therefore cannot be rendered #8a day of the ,lord1' as if any great calamity or judgment felt to be impending might be so named3 the day is that of final and universal judgment40 7,see art4 8,eschatol4 of ,old ,test402 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib474 ,this view1 however1 must not be applied too strictly2 for while it is clear that the final day is usually the thought in mind1 yet through long and continuous use the phrase 8the day of the ,lord0 seems to have acquired a wider application1 and to have been applied to any striking crisis in the history of the world1 each day of the ,lord being1 however1 a type of the final and great day4 7,see ,rawlinson1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,isa41 p4 #bbh74 #dja ,cf4 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #abd4 #djb ,see ,app'x ,g1 8,apoc4 ,lit40 #djc ,the view here given1 limiting the contents of the seventh seal to the first verse of the eighth chapter1 is upon the whole the preferable one 7,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bbi2 ,wordsworth1 ,the ,apoc41 p4 #aee2 and ,vaughan1 ,lect4 on ,rev41 pp4 #bjde71 though it is disputed on exegetical grounds by ,dsterdieck and others 7,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev4 p4 #bfa;f474 ,it will be found1 however1 that it is amply sustained by a broad view of the context4 ,this verse 7ch4 #h3a7 might well have been included in chapter seven1 at the close of the episode of the sealed ones where it properly belongs4 #djd ,lee1 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #eie4 #dje ,riddle1 unpublished ,classroom ,lect4 on ,rev4 #djf 8,three kinds of significance appear to be attached to sealing in the ,scriptures1 viz4 7#a7 to authenticate2 7#b7 to assert ownership2 and 7#c7 to assure safety4 ,the significance of sealing in ,revelation seems to combine both the latter ideas40 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aia74 ,possibly all senses of the term may be here included1 which gives a very forcible meaning4 ,in ,charles' view the sealing in ,revelation is to secure the servants of ,god against the attacks of demonic powers1 or against the ,antichrist4 ,see his ,studies in ,apoc41 p4 #acj4 #djg ,the omission of the tribe of ,dan in the enumeration of the twelve tribes of ,israel has been accounted for in various ways2 but most likely it occurred as suggested by ,ewald by an error of transcription1 ,,man1 7the abbreviated form of ,manasses7 being substituted for 1 the correct reading4 ,in favor of this suggestion is the fact that the correct order of birth of the sons of ,jacob would thereby be followed1 except that ,joseph is placed before ,reuben because of the prominent place he occupies as the ancestor of our ,lord4 ,see ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #bjgh4 #djh ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 ,v1 pp4 #cidf2 ,jlicher1 ,new ,test41 ,intr41 pp4 #bhgh2 and ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aib4 #dji 8,perhaps no passage in the ,apocalypse has had so wide an influence on popular eschatology40 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #ih4 #daj ,for a like passage where the sealed wear white garments1 see ,,ii ,esdr4 #b4cddb4 #daa ,as ,trench1 followed by ,milligan4 #dab ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fje2 also ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 pp4 #bdbej1 who aptly says1 8,the number #add1jjj there 7v4 #ah7 although not literal but schematic1 furnishes the idea of numerability1 while here 7v4 #i7 the innumerability of the great multitude is especially emphasized40 #dac ,as ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev4 p4 #bjg1 who says1 8,here1 as elsewhere1 it is the spiritual ,israel which is signified40 #dad 8,saved by our ,god1 who is seated on the throne1 and by the ,lamb60 ,moffatt1 ,new ,trans4 of ,new ,test4 #dae 8,where an explanation is made of visions which refer to the church1 the active part is taken by the elders1 while angels introduce visions of which the signification is unexplained40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bji4 #daf 8,these verses 7v4 #af1 #ag7 are full of reminiscences of the ,o4 ,t4 ,perhaps there is no passage in the whole of literature that so combines simplicity of language and sublimity of thought as these two verses40 ,dean1 ,book of ,revelation1 p4 #aai4 #dag ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #ajj2 ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aie4 #dah ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bcj4 #dai ,for the first view see ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bch2 for the second view see ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 pp4 #bfde2 also ,lange1 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #bjd4 #dbj ,vaughan1 ,lect4 on ,rev41 p4 #bjg2 and ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #efd1 where they are described as 8presenceangels20 also cf4 ,tobit1 #ab3ae1 8,i am ,raphael1 one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints1 and who go in and out before the glory of the ,holy ,one02 and ,bk of ,enoch1 #ia3ba1 8,and the ,lord called those seven first white ones1 etc40 ,these instances serve to show how the ,apocalypse of ,john reflects the current usage of ,apocalyptic literature in his time4 #dba ,cf4 ,i ,thess4 #d3af2 ,i ,cor4 #ae3eb2 and ,,ii ,esdr4 #f4bj1 #be4 #dbb ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cih2 also compare with ch4 #ad3g1 where these terms are apparently used as the sum of creation4 #dbc ,cf4 ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 #d1 ,rev41 p4 #fch4 #dbd ,cf4 ,hos4 #h3a2 ,hab4 #a3h2 and ,apoc4 of ,bar4 #gg4aibb4 #dbe ,cf4 ch4 #bj3ab2 also see arts4 8,abyss01 and 8,pit01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and ,bk of ,enoch1 #ba3aj2 and #ah3aa4 #dbf ,some find in this name a reference to ,apollo1 the pagan deity1 and point out that the locust was one of the symbols of his cult1 certainly a curious coincidence1 but apparently not anything more than a coincidence4 ,see ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bjh4 #dbg 8,the balance of authority seems in favor of retaining #8four1' although the ,revisers omit it4 ,the altar of incense had four horns projecting at the corners40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bfe4 #dbh ,light is thrown upon these perplexing figures by a passage in the ,apocalypse of ,ezra quoted by ,bousset3 8,and a voice was heard3 let these four kings be loosed which are bound beside the great river ,euphrates1 which shall destroy a third part of mankind4 ,and they were loosed1 and there was a great commotion40 ,also in the ,bk of ,enoch 7#ef3e71 8,the angels gather themselves together1 and turn eastward to the ,parthians and ,medes1 and stir up their kings10 as the four angels do here4 ,john's conception is thus seen to be a reflection of existing apocalyptic material4 ,see ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bjh4 #dbi ,see ,bible ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #fag4 #dcj 8,the master thought of the whole ,revelation40 ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 ,intr4 p4 xxvi4 8,the realization of the kingdom of ,god 444 is the end in the light of which ,god's purpose in ,christ is to be read40 ,orr1 art4 8,kingdom of ,god04 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #dca ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bbf2 also cf4 ,,ii ,macc41 #b4ah2 and ,apoc4 ,bar41 #f4gaj4 #dcb 8,the episodes are interposed to give us an insight into the inner aspects of the life of the church in the midst of persecution and distress40 ,ballentine1 ,mod4 ,am4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bge4 #dcc ,cf4 ,plummer and ,alford4 #dcd ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #baf4 #dce ,some1 as ,milligan1 take this angel for ,christ himself2 but 8throughout the book angels are everywhere distinct from the divine persons01 7,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #fdi7--;a general rule that is never deviated from and should not be forgotten4 8,in no passage of the book is our ,lord represented under the form of an angel01 7,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bca74 #dcf 8,the ,jews were accustomed to call thunder the seven voices1 and to regard it as the voice of the ,lord40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bgd2 also cf4 ,ps4 #bi3c;f2 #gg3ah2 and #ajd3g4 #dcg ,humphries1 accepting the modern composite view1 says1 8,the eating of the little book recounted in ch x4 #aj suggests that borrowing from a previous source is to be looked for in what immediately follows40 ,st ,john and ,other ,new ,test4 ,teachers1 p4 #if4 #dch ,see commentaries of ,westcott1 ,reynolds1 and others on the ,gospel of ,john4 #dci ,see ,thayer's ,lex4 ,new ,test4 ,greek for the distinction between the use of and 2 also art4 8,temple01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 at the beginning4 ,the word 1 it will be noticed1 is never used in the ,apocalypse4 #ddj ,plummer thinks that the heavenly temple is indicated1 because 8nowhere else in the book do ,jerusalem and the temple signify the earthly places01--a view that deserves weighty consideration4 #dda 8,the outer court of the temple was the addition of ,herod4444 ,the ,gentiles might come there1 though they might not pass into what was especially the temple1 and which was sacred to ,israelites only4 ,and so it represents here all those outercourt worshippers1 those mixed multitudes which are found associated with ,god's true people everywhere--of them1 but not truly belonging to them40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #cjjja4 #ddb ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 p4 #eij2 and ,lange1 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #bbc1 who somewhat differently regards this as a picture of 8the inner and outer church01 a thought that may perhaps be included2 also see ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bhh1 who says1 8,the temple is here used figuratively of the faithful portion of the church of ,christ 444 placed in antithesis to the outer court1 the faithless portion of the visible church1 which is given over to the ,gentiles--the type of all that is worldly40 ,scott1 ,par4 ,ver4 of ,rev41 p4 #cc says1 8,the inner shrine alone of the house of ,god is truly his1 and abides forever02 and ,ballentine1 ,mod4 ,am4 ,bib41 following ,bp4 ,carpenter1 says1 8,as ,jerusalem and ,babylon 444 so here the ,temple and the court of the ,temple are symbols4 ,the gospel has elevated the history and places of the past into a grand allegory4 ,it has breathed into their dead names the life of an everpresent symbolism40 #ddc ,see ,mommsen's ,prov4 of ,rom4 ,emp41 vol4 ii1 pp4 #badag1 note4 #ddd ,on the return of the ,jews to ,palestine1 expected by many as a fulfilment of prophecy1 see the very satisfactory remarks of ,davidson1 art4 8,eschatology01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 vol4 i1 pp4 #gcgh4 #dde ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bhi2 ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b41 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fac2 ,wordsworth1 ,the ,apoc41 lect4 viii2 and others4 #ddf ,cf4 ch4 #a3ab;f1 where the seven candlesticks are the seven churches4 #ddg ,see ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bhi;f1 who is remarkably clear on this passage4 #ddh 8,the two martyrs represent the martyr church as sharing the royal priesthood of the ,messiah1 and as endowed with the gifts of prophecy and miracleworking like the prophets of old10 ,briggs1 ,mess4 of ,apost41 p4 #cah4 #ddi ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #bia2 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #fci2 ,vincent1 ,word ,stud4 in ,new ,test41 #a c42 also ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #ffa4 #dej ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bcd4 #dea ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #caj4 #deb ,in a footnote of the ,revised ,douay ,version1 however1 the interpretation there given is1 8,the church of ,god4 ,it may also1 by allusion1 be applied to our blessed ,lady0--an interpretation to which no objection can properly be made4 #dec 8,this threefold description 7i4 e4 #8the ,old ,serpent1 he that is called the ,devil1 and ,satan'7 gathers up the primitive1 the prophetic1 and the ,new ,testament conception of the supreme ,power of ,evil40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bcj4 #ded ,see ,thayer's ,gr4 ,lex4 of ,new ,test4 #dee ,see ,farrar1 ,early ,days of ,christianity1 p4 #ebg2 and ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 pp4 #fbgh4 #def ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fai2 and ,maurice1 ,the ,apoc41 p4 #aha4 #deg ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cab2 ,wordsworth1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #bjj1 8,st ,john now reverts to an earlier period40 #deh ,lee says1 8,verses ten and eleven commemorate by anticipation the victory of believers40 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ffb2 ,plummer1 favoring a similar view1 suggests that1 8,the song of the heavenly voices may be intended to end with the word #8,christ' 7v4 #aj71 and the following passages may be the words of the writer of the ,apocalypse1 and may refer to the earthly martyrs40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cab4 #dei ,bleek1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #bfh2 ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 p4 #fbc4 #dfj ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cab4 #dfa ,charles1 art4 8,bk of ,secrets of ,enoch01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 8,the underlying conception here probably is that the ,dragon and his angels attempted to storm the highest heaven1 and in the end were cast out of heaven altogether40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bcj4 #dfb ,sayce1 ,hibbert ,lect's41 7#ahhg71 p4 #ajb4 #dfc ,gunkel1 ,schopfung und ,chaos1 #ahie4 #dfd ,porter1 art4 8,rev41 ,book of01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #dfe 8,to read the ideas of ,rev4 xii into the scattered ,babylonian allusions1 in order to get the ,marduk myth1 is too fragmentary to be relied upon as a basis for such a theory20 ,moffatt1 ,the ,expositor1 ,mar41 '#ji1 art4 8,wellhausen and ,others on the ,apoc40 ,for a statement of ,gunkel's traditionhistorical view see art4 8,rev40 in ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 also art4 8,apoc4 and ,recent ,criticism01 ,barton1 ,am4 ,journ4 of ,theol41 ,oct4 '#ih4 ,delitzsch in his first lecture on ,babel and the ,bible 7#aijb7 regards all references to the ,dragon in ,scriptures as echoes of ,babylonian mythology4 ,davidson in art4 8,angel01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 regards such passages containing accounts of conflicts between ,god and other powerful beings as 8reminiscences of ,cosmic or ,creation myths40 #dff ,moffatt supports the reading1 8,i stood0 7,a4 ,v471 and in this view he is supported by ,ramsay4 #dfg ,see ,apoc4 of ,baruch1 #bi4d and ,,ii ,esdr4 #f4di4 #dfh ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bba4 #dfi ,dsterdieck1 ,plummer1 ,faussett1 and many others4 ,milligan is especially clear in his exposition of this passage1 ,internat4 ,com41 vol4 iv1 p4 #aje4 #dgj ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cca4 #dga ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #ccab4 #dgb ,scott makes the sea out of which the first ,beast emerges to be 8the ,mediterranean1 from beyond which the empire of ,rome rose before the eyes of the ,jews02 and the earth to be the domain of 8the ,roman empire1 from which came the priests of ,caesarworship--a priesthood native born01 which constituted the second ,beast4 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 pp4 #bce and #bci74 ,plummer says1 8,the sea is the type of instability1 confusion1 and commotion1 frequently signifying the ungovernable nations of the world in opposition to the church of ,god4444 ,the other beast pertains to the earth1 thus dividing the whole world between them40 7,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #ccj and #ccd74 #dgc ,cf4 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #cdadc2 ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 pp4 #fba2 and ,vaughan1 ,lect4 on ,rev41 p4 #cdb2 also ,bp4 of ,ripon's 8,excur4 on ,rev401 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #ehbhe4 #dgd ,the identity of the ,second ,beast with the ,false ,prophet of chs4 #af3ac1 and #ai3bj1 can scarcely be doubted when both contexts are considered1 though some historical interpreters have identified the ,false ,prophet with ,mohammed1 the false prophet of ,islam1 apparently without any special reason except that ,mohammed is the most noted of all the false prophets of history1 whereas the ,false ,prophet in ,revelation is the representative of all false religions in all time1 an admirable symbol4 #dge ,we should not forget the great lesson of history here emphasized1 that the natural religions of men are always intertwined with the civil power in heathen lands2 and1 also1 how often in the past1 even in ,christian nations1 the professed faith in ,christ has been inwrought to its great undoing with the authority of the nation4 #dgf ,salmond1 ,hist4 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bde2 ,bousset1 ,bib4 ,encyc41 art4 8,apoc042 also ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bci4 #dgg ,the first is ,alford's view1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 pp4 #fgegi2 the second is ,moulton's ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 pp4 #bjgji4 #dgh ,for a further discussion of the symbolism of the ,second ,beast see notes on ch #ag4 #dgi ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ccf4 #dhj 8,philo reproached ,jewish apostates for allowing themselves to be branded with the signs of idols0 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aia71 an allusion evidently to the same practice as that referred to here in ,revelation1 and showing that the language used is something more than merely a figure of speech4 #dha 8,in apocalyptic writings the interpretation1 if added1 is only a less obscure form of the enigma1 and not a solution of it04 ,schrer1 ,hist4 ,jewish ,peop41 part ,,ii1 vol4 iii1 p4 #dg4 #dhb 8,it is difficult to understand why all this mystery should be about the name of a dead emperor who was no favorite with ,jew or ,roman1 or why the name should be written in ,hebrew for the ,christians of ,asia1 or how so prominent a name should so soon be forgotten1 especially in view of the expectation of his return1 which obtained so long40 7,dean1 ,book of ,revelation1 p4 #aea474 #dhc ,see ,salmon1 ,hist4 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bc,of42 also ,milligan1 ,expos4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bce2 and ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ccg4 ,farrar's interpretation 7following ,reuss1 ,hitzig1 and others7 is ,neron ,kesar1 using ,hebrew letters in the spelling and omitting most of the vowels1 as follows 7see ,early ,days of ,christianity1 p4 #edj71 viz3-- ,n#ej ,r#bjj ,o#f ,n#ej ,n7,e7,,ron#cjf ,k#ajj ,s#fj ,r#bjj ,k7,e7,s7,a7,r#cfj ,this interpretation is the one now generally accepted by the advanced school of commentators in the present day4 ,on the other hand if the last letter of the name 7,n7 be dropped we have the value of #faf1 which is the alternate reading in some manuscripts4 ,moulton1 however1 says the number contains 8probably a temporary allusion of which the point is now lost0 that gave a clue to the general significance1 viz4 8worldreligion and superstition in contradistinction to worldforce40 7,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bji74 8,the nonidentification of ,nero with the #fff by any early writer is significant40 7,cowan1 art4 8,nero01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib474 8,surely not #8,nero ,kaisar1' but #8,ashhur,ramman'60 ,cheyne1 ,fresh ,voyages on ,unfrequented ,waters1 p4 #aga--aiad74 #dhd ,porter1 art4 8,rev41 ,bk4 of10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #dhe ,following the ,hebrew custom of offering the first fruits to ,god1 the term is probably used in this figure as the symbol of that which is given to ,god1 though it may possibly refer to those who share in the first resurrection4 #dhf 8 #8virgins1' is a word equally applicable to men or women10 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cdg2 also ,swete regards the word 8virgins0 as a metaphor for purity1 as most interpreters2 cf4 ,thayer's ,gr4 ,lex4 of ,new ,test41 for the secondary use of the term4 ,it is evident that the phrase 8,these are they that were not defiled with women0--or 8among women0--may properly be interpreted as applying to men who were not so defiled1 though it here apparently represents a class1 whether men or women1 who are declared to be free from impurity1 a phrase that in such a book as the ,apocalypse is more likely to refer to that which is spiritual than to that which is physical4 ,alford1 however1 7,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #fhe71 and ,moffatt1 also1 7,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 v1 p4 #dcf71 both interpret literally as 8virgins40 #dhg 8,the writer is controverting a fear that at the advent of the ,messiah those who survived on earth would have some advantage over those who had already died4444 ,john1 however1 does not share the current pessimistic belief that death was preferable to life 444 but affirms that if death came in the line of religious duty it involved no deprivation40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 pp4 #dcidj4 #dhh 8,in ,jewish ,apocalyptic writings ever since ,daniel1 a ,son of ,man had been spoken of who would come to judge the world in the clouds of heaven10 7,pfleiderer1 ,hibbert ,lect4 7#ahhe71 p4 #cd4 ,an early messianic interpretation was given to the term1 apparently because of its fitness1 though in ,daniel's vision 8the son of man10 a figure in human form1 is understood by most late interpreters to be used as a symbol of ,israel1 whose higher qualities are set in contrast with the four beasts1 and its messianic use is believed to have arisen later1 though1 perhaps1 soon after that period4 ,for an instructive discussion of this familiar title1 8the ,son of ,man01 so difficult to adequately interpret1 see ,charles' edition of the ,bk4 of ,enoch1 app'x ,b2 also art4 8,son of ,man0 in ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and ,sanday's art4 8,jesus ,christ0 in the same2 together with art4 8,son of ,man0 in ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 #dhi 8,another angel2 i4 e4 in addition to those already mentioned1 and not implying that he who sat on the cloud was an angel01 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cej4 #dij ,for the first view see ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cej2 ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #fia;f2 and ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #ahg4 ,for the second view see ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bej2 and ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 pp4 #ddadb4 #dia ,cf4 ,bk4 of ,enoch1 #ajj4c4 #dib ,moulton's ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #baj4 #dic ,see ,intr4 to ,johan4 ,b'ks41 ,temple ,bib4 #did ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #c4 #die 8,the whole of ,god's wrath in final judgment is not exhausted by these vials1 but only the whole of his wrath in sending plagues on the earth previous to the judgment40 ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #fic4 #dif ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aih4 ,lange suggests that 8the crystal sea may appear as though illuminated and reddened by the fiery glare of the ,anger ,vials40 7,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #bij72 ,alford thinks the fire in the sea is significant of judgment1 7,gr4 ,test41 vol iv1 p4 #fic72 and ,swete says1 8,the red glow of the sea spoke of the fire through which the martyrs had passed1 and yet more of the wrath about to fall on the world which had condemned them40 7,apoc4 of ,st ,john1 p4 #aia74 #dig ,so ,dsterdieck1 ,faussett1 ,plummer1 ,alford1 and others2 for the ,greek preposition with the accusative1 see ,thayer's ,gr4 ,lex4 of ,new ,test4 ,swete1 however1 regarding the sea to be of glass1 interprets 8on the sea itself1 which forms the solid pavement of the final approach to the throne10 7,apoc4 of ,st ,john1 p4 #aib71 a view which scarcely accords with our idea of a sea4 #dih ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 pp4 #becd4 ,also see ,westcott and ,hort in ,app'x to ,gr4 ,test41 8,notes on ,select ,readings10 p4 #aci1 who favor the ,revisers' view 772 and ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #aie1 who supports the former reading 774 #dii ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bed2 ,plummer says1 8,the reason of the employment of the term #8vial1' or #8bowl1' is most likely to be found in the expression #8cup of ,god's anger1' in ch4 #ad4aj40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cib4 #ejj ,the term 8the angel of the waters0 reflects the apocalyptic style of thought1 for it is not unusual in apocalyptic writings to assign a presiding spirit to natural phenomena4 ,cf4 ,bk4 of ,enoch 7ed4 ,charles71 #fj4afba2 also ,intr4 to same1 p4 #cd4 ,in the ,apocalypse of ,john1 just as in other writings of the same class1 we find that 8angels are associated with cosmic or elemental forces as fire and water which they direct40 ,davidson1 art4 8,angel10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 ,also cf4 chs4 #g3a2 #i3aa2 and #ad3ah2 in connection with #af3e4 #eja 8,a figure possibly drawn from the action of ,cyrus in diverting the waters of the river when he took the city of ,babylon40 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #gba4 #ejb ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #dai2 also ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #gjj4 ,for a different view see ,milligan1 ,internat4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #abb2 and ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 p4 #cie4 #ejc 8,all is over04 ,moffatt1 ,new ,trans4 of ,new ,test4 #ejd ,see ,ascension of ,isaiah1 ch4 #g1 where the firmament is the abode of evil spirits2 also cf4 ,eph4 #b3b1 in which ,satan is called 8the prince of the power of the air10 apparently reflecting the thought of the time1 which regarded the air as the abiding place of evil spirits4 #eje 8,every ,apocalyptic writer painted the final catastrophe after the model of the catastrophes of his day1 only on a vaster scale and with deepened shadows40 ,harnack1 art4 8,rev410 ,encyc4 ,brit42 also see ,assumption of ,moses1 #aj4h4 #ejf ,twentieth ,cent4 ,new ,test4 in ,modern ,english1 ch4 #ae4a2 the ,am4 ,r4 ,v4 reads1 8,in them is finished the wrath of ,god04 #ejg ,frogs which were unclean to the ,hebrews become here a fitting type of unclean spirits4 #ejh ,see art4 8,har,magedon10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #eji ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #cif4 8,the final worldcombat40 ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bab4 ,see note on ch4 #ai3aaba1 where this same event is again referred to4 #eaj ,see division made by ,purvis in art4 8,rev401 ,davis' ,dict4 of ,bib42 also the analysis given in the introductory part of ,twent4 ,cent4 ,new ,test41 vol4 iii1 ,rev41 8,table of ,contents40 #eaa 8,the comparison of ,rome to ,babylon underlies much of ,jewish apocalyptic literature40 ,chase1 art4 8,babylon1 in ,new ,test401 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #eab ,plummer gives a different idea of ,babylon1 interpreting it as 8,the degenerate portion of the church of ,god 444 all the faithless of ,god's church in all time01 an interpretation that is not accepted by most commentators4 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dac4 #eac ,see ,app'x ,a1 ,division ,v2 also 8,excur4 on ,rev40 by ,bp4 of ,ripon1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ehb4 #ead 8,this practice was customary with harlots0 7,juv41 8,sat401 vi4 #abc2 ,seneca1 8,controv401 #a1 #b74 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dae4 #eae 8,the ,city of the ,world1 the ideal concentration of all this world's splendor and wealth and might4444 ,the ,evil,world,metropolis40 ,scott1 ,paragraph4 ,ver4 of ,rev41 pp4 #ab4 ,for a convincing presentation of this view1 see ,lee1 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #gcdde4 8,the ,anti ,church01--i4 e4 the world in antithesis to the church1 ,seiss1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 vol4 iii1 p4 #aab4 8,by ,babylon the whole ungodly1 anti christianized world is intended 444 an ideal city1 embracing all of antichristianity40 ,lange1 ,com4 on ,rev41 pp4 #bghcjc4 8,under this one name 7,babylon7 444 the whole adverse force is concentrated40 ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bab4 ,in this view of the interpretation which is adopted in the present volume1 the ,harlot is the antichristian world1 the perpetual ,babylon4 #eaf ,for other views see ,pulp4 ,com41 ,j4 ,f4 ,b41 ,com4 on ,rev41 and ,internat4 ,com4 in loco4 #eag ,as with ,milligan and others4 #eah ,this description of the ,woman as 8the great ,harlot that sitteth upon many waters0 is evidently taken from the ,prophecy of ,jeremiah 7,jer4 #ea3ac71 where the many waters refer to the many canals of ,babylon4 ,here the phrase is used figuratively1 referring to the 8many peoples0 7v4 #ae7 that are subject to ,babylon in the ,apocalypse1 and affords a good example of the ,apocalyptic use of ,old ,testament symbols in a sense that is somewhat different from their original meaning4 #eai ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dag2 ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b41 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fcj2 and many others4 ,this is the common view with the symbolist interpreters4 ,it should be remembered that the identification of the particular kings or kingdoms that were first in mind in this symbolism1--for there probably were such1--is not important2 the special thought is that of all kingdoms in all time4 #ebj 8,the absence of the article before #8eighth1' shows that this is not the eighth in a successive series1 in which the kings already mentioned form the first seven40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dag4 #eba 8,the ,beast is the sum total of what has been described under the form of five kings1 then one king1 and then one king again40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #daf;f4 8,this eighth is the ,beast himself in actual embodiment4 ,he is --not #8one of the seven'1 but the successor and result of the seven1 following and springing out of them40 ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv4 p4 #gaa4 ,also1 see ,milligan1 ,internat4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #abgh4 ,to regard the ,beast that is 8an eighth10 and1 of the seven1 as a reference to ,nero is an anomalous interpretation that is without parallel in the book1 and cannot1 therefore1 be sustained4 #ebb 8,one hour denotes #8a short time' 7i4 e4 a time that is relatively short in the measure of eternity74 ,the ,bible in this way constantly describes the period of the world's existence1 especially that period which intervenes between the time of the writer and the judgmentday 7cf4 ,rom4 #af3bj2 ,i ,cor4 #g3bi2 and ,rev4 #f3aa2 #ab3ab2 #bb3bj1 etc4740 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dag4 #ebc ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dag4 #ebd ,see art4 8,rev401 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 vol4 iv4 pp4 #begh4 #ebe ,cf4 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ccc4 #ebf ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bab4 #ebg 8,rome never has been1 and from its very position never could be a great commercial city40 ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #gah4 ,by the universal nature of the figures employed it is evident to most readers1 that 8the whole passage points not to any single city1 at any one single period1 but to the ,world,city throughout all time40 ,lee1 ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #ggj4 #ebh ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #dcb4 #ebi ,see ,chase1 art4 8,peter 7,simon701 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #ecj ,it is to be regretted that the ,hebrew word 8,hallelujah0 is not used in our ,revised ,version of the ,old ,testament as it is used in the ,new1 instead of the translation 8,praise ye ,jehovah10 especially as it occurs in the ,book of ,psalms where its use is so fitting4 ,it is now a wellknown ,english word1 and is entitled to a place in our ,scriptures1 like the ,hebrew word 8,jehovah0 which is recognized by all4 #eca 8,it has been supposed by some that we have in this incident 7which is repeated in ch4 #bb4h7 a protest against the incipient worship of angels which was creeping into the church40 ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bge4 #ecb 8,the book is filled with echoes of prophecy--mystic words through which break memories of the past--that only attain their full significance through the more perfect teachings of ,christ40 ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib4 #ecc 8,the testimony of ,jesus is the sum of the revelation made by him1 the holding of which is so often in this book the signmanual of the saints4444 ,that deposit of truth rather than deny which ,christians were prepared to die4444 ,the testimony of ,jesus thus becomes in turn the burden of his servants' testimony40 ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bge;f4 #ecd ,davidson1 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 art4 8,eschatology40 #ece 8,the ,word0 as a name for ,jesus here introduced1 though it occurs but once in the book1 is used elsewhere in the ,new ,testament only by ,john 7,jn4 #a3a and #a3ad2 ,i ,jn4 #a3a71 and seems to point to the ,johannine authorship of the ,apocalypse4 ,the ,jews in the time of ,christ used the ,greek term 8,the ,word01 as a name for a class of phantasmal beings whom they regarded as existing between ,god and man1 and through whom ,god was supposed to speak2 for to their thought1 ,god was so exalted and transcendent that he could not speak directly to men4 ,but ,john uses 8,the ,word0 as a personal name for ,jesus who is both ,god and man1 and through whom ,god has indeed spoken1 thus bringing ,god near to men and revealing his truth and love4 ,john took their own term and gave it a new application and a real meaning1 and thereby furnished a new thought of ,christ as the revealer of ,god4 ,cf4 ,thayer's ,gr4 ,lex4 of ,new ,test42 and ,burton and ,mathews' ,life of ,christ1 pp4 #agah4 #ecf 8,john takes us to the unseen and heavenly side of things1 and we see the hosts of ,god marshalling themselves in defence of ,his weak and persecuted people1 ,god ,himself standing within the shadow1 #8,keeping watch above ,his own'40 ,humphries1 ,st4 ,john and ,other ,teachers1 p4 #aje4 #ecg 8,the word of ,messiah's mouth is the sole weapon of his victory40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #dfh4 #ech ,bib4 ,com41 p4 #fjg4 #eci ,for a strong confirmation of this opinion see ,stevens1 ,new ,test4 ,theol41 p4 #eee2 also1 supporting the same view1 ,r4 ,d4 ,wilson in unpublished ,princeton ,classroom ,lectures4 #edj ,the fact of the resurrection is constantly emphasized in the ,new ,testament1 but it is entirely unnecessary for us to inquire into the manner of the resurrection for that is nowhere revealed4 ,it is quite enough for us to know that there will be a resurrection1 and that the new body will be a spiritual body4 #eda 8,those who reject the idea of a physical resurrection are obliged therefore to think of a resurrection from hades to heaven1 taking place at the close of the martyr age1 and introducing those who are thus specially honored into a state of heavenly blessedness1 which continues till the close of human history40 ,brown1 art4 8,millennium01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 referring to ,briggs' view in ,mess4 of ,apost41 p4 #ceg4 #edb ,for the use of with the genitive1 see ,thayer's ,greek,english ,lex4 of ,new ,test4 #edc 8,if the twelve hundred and sixty days symbolize the duration of the triumph of heathenism1 the thousand years as clearly symbolize the duration of the triumph of ,christianity01 ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #bfc4 #edd ,a4 ,a4 ,hodge in unpublished ,classroom ,lectures4 #ede ,for a more complete statement of the premillennial view see ,faussett1 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev42 ,seiss1 ,lect4 on ,apoc42 and ,alford's ,gr4 ,test41 in loco4 #edf ,de ,civ4 ,dei1 xx1 #gi4 ,for the prevalent symbolist view see ,milligan1 ,expos4 ,bib41 and ,internat4 ,com42 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com42 and ,lee1 ,bib4 ,com4 ,against this view it is ably contended that 8the interpretation of a symbolic resurrection 7as that of ,israel in ,ezekiel71 or of a spiritual resurrection 7as in regeneration71 is rendered untenable by the explicit reference to the martyrs 7cf4 ch4 #f4iaa1 and #ai4i740 ,brown art4 8,millennium10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #edg ,a careful study of this view1 even when presented by so eminent a commentator as ,plummer1 will convince most readers that it fails to properly satisfy the statements of the text4 #edh ,see ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 pp4 #dfcd2 and ,brown art4 8,millennium01 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 also1 most late authorities4 #edi ,purves1 art4 8,rev401 ,davis' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #eej ,salmond1 art4 8,eschatol4 of ,new ,test401 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #eea ,cf4 ,,ii ,esdr4 #g4bhcb2 and ,bk4 of ,enoch1 #iaajd2 also the ,slavonic ,enoch1 8in which occurs the first mention of the millennium01 7,charles74 #eeb 8,the ,talmud has no fixed doctrine on this point1 but the view most frequently expressed there is that the messianic kingdom will last for a thousand years3 e4 g4 #8,in six days ,god created the world1 on the seventh he rested4 ,but the day of ,god is equal to a thousand years 7,ps4 #ij3d74 ,hence the world will last for six thousand years of toil and labor2 then will come a thousand years of ,sabbath rest for the people of ,god in the kingdom of the ,messiah4' ,this idea must have already been very common in the first century before ,christ40 ,harnack1 art4 8,millennium01 ,encyc4 ,britan4 #eec ,fairbairn ,on ,prophecy1 p4 #de,of42 also ,gloag's ,intr4 to ,johan4 ,writings1 ch4 on 8,millennium02 ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 pp4 #gjbjc2 and many other authorities4 #eed 8,that the world's history will terminate in the culmination of evil1 becomes from the time of ,daniel a permanent factor in ,jewish ,apocalyptic40 ,charles1 ,eschatology1 p4 #aba4 #eee 8,jewish tradition makes use of these names to indicate those nations which are expected to war against ,jerusalem in the last days and to be overthrown by the ,messiah40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 p4 #dgc4 8,in later ,apocalyptic literature these are conventional symbols for the world hostile to ,israel1 or to the people of ,god40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bhd4 #eef 8,the whole delineation is symbolic1 and embodies spiritual truths under material emblems40 ,plumptre1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,ezek41 vol4 ii1 p4 #cjf4 8,the ,invasion of ,gog1 a discourse of ,ezekiel which stands by itself1 is not to be interpreted as a specific prediction of an historical event1 nor on the other hand as merely a parable2 but under the typical names of ,gog1 ,meshech1 and ,tubal1--suggestive of the dimly known confines of the earth--are suggested hostile forces however distinct1 which after the many days of a future however prolonged1 may be massed in opposition to a purified people only to fall in the holy soil by a destruction from on high1 and to trouble ,israel with no more than a notable burying40 ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,ezek41 ,intr41 p4 xiii4 ,also cf4 ,plumptre1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,ezek41 chs4 #chci2 and ,fairbairn1 ,ezek4 and ,book of his ,prophecy4 #eeg ,see ,bleek1 ,lect4 on ,apoc41 p4 #cci3 also ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 ,rev41 p4 #gcb1 who is very clear and convincing as to the literal nature of both resurrections2 and ,stuart1 ,com4 on ,apoc41 pp4 #gjdaj1 with ,excur4 vi in same volume4 #eeh ,see ,salmond1 art4 8,eschatology of ,new ,test402 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib42 and ,bernard1 art4 8,resurrection0 in same work4 #eei ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bhb4 ,in fact this view1 in some form1 finds a place with many modern interpreters who do not accept the usual symbolic interpretation of the book4 ,alford with his accustomed vigor has well said1 8,if in such a passage the first resurrection may be understood to mean spiritual rising with ,christ1 while the second means literal rising from the grave1 then there is an end to all significance in language1 and ,scripture is wiped out as a definite testimony to anything40 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv4 p4 #gcb4 #efj 8,no part of the doctrine of the ,new ,testament has been so inadequately developed by the church as that pertaining to ,eschatology40 ,a4 ,a4 ,hodge in unpublished ,classroom ,lectures4 #efa 8,there is a stern simplicity about the whole description1 and just enough pictorial detail is given to make the passage morally suggestive40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #dgg4 ,for ,apocalyptic conceptions of the judgment1 see ,bk4 of ,enoch1 #ea4a;f42 #ia4ae;f42 ,,ii ,esdr4 #g4cb;f42 and ,test4 of ,,xii ,patriarchs1 ,judah #be1 ,benjamin #aj4 #efb ,see ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #afe2 also ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #aea1 who says1 8,this idea of a book kept in heaven plays a great part in ,jewish ,apocalyptic literature1 in which it is developed to include the deeds as well as the names of ,god's people in the heavenly record40 ,the passage before us1 however1 evidently keeps the two separate1 for the book of life is distinguished from the books of record1 and is mentioned seven times in the ,revelation1 indicating that it held an important place in the ,apocalyptist's thought4 #efc ,the time of the ,end is ,god's secret1 but the fact of the ,end is clearly revealed as the point toward which all history tends4 #efd ,alford places ch4 #ba3abb3e subsequent to the millennium and the final judgment1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #gcf2 and ,faussett1 who also holds the premillennial view1 aptly says1 8,now is the church3 in the millennium will be the kingdom2 and after that the new world wherein ,god shall be all in all04 ,j4 ,f4 ,b4 ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #fdj4 #efe 8,the biblical doctrine of salvation reaches its climax in the conception of the redemption of the universe40 ,brown1 art4 8,salvation10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 8,the fact that the heavens and the earth here spoken of are new1 does not imply that they are now first brought into being4 ,they may be the old heavens and the old earth2 but they have a new aspect and a new character adapted to a new end40 ,milligan1 ,expos4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #cfb2 also ,internat4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #aea4 #eff 8,the description of the heavenly city is probably the most magnificent passage in all ,apocalyptic literature4444 ,it is an ideal pictorially described1 a symbolic picture of the better day seen in prophetic vision1 and cherished with persistent hope and trust40 ,stevens1 ,new ,test4 ,theol41 p4 #efb4 8,the ,revelator used a redeemed city to symbolize heaven--the ,kingdom fully come40 ,strong1 ,challenge of the ,city1 p4 #aii4 ,that heaven as an actual city is1 of course1 only a dream of the baldest realism4 #efg ,moulton1 ,mod4 ,read4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bae4 #efh 8,the plural #8peoples' seems to point to the catholic nature of the ,new ,jerusalem1 which embraces many nations 7cf4 v4 #bd740 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #eaj4 #efi ,the idea of a ,new ,jerusalem coming down from heaven is a familiar one in ,jewish ,apocalypses4 ,cf4 ,bk4 of ,enoch1 #ij4bh1 and #bi1 note by ,charles2 also ,,ii ,esdr4 #g4bf2 and ,apoc4 of ,bar4 #cb4b4 #egj ,as ,milligan1 ,expos4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #cfh2 ,scott1 however1 says1 8,though described as a city1 it is really the figure of a people1 and the #8condition localized' in which they dwell40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #bhg4 #ega 8,he that overcometh shall inherit these things 7v4 #f71 i4 e4 the promises just enumerated4 ,these words show the reason for the words of ver4 #f2 and may be called the text on which the ,apocalypse is based2 for though the words themselves do not often recur1 yet the spirit of them is constantly appearing40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #eaa4 #egb ,see ,reynolds1 art4 8,john the ,apost410 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 who says1 8,the speaker is now1 probably for the first time in the book1 ,god himself20 also see ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #bge4 #egc ,verses #aaba describe the exterior1 and verses #bbbg describe the interior of the city1 while verse #bb;f4ch4 #bb3e further describe the life of the city4 #egd 8,these stones are not arranged in the same order as in the breastplate of the highpriest4 ,instead of this ,st4 ,john has most ingeniously disposed them according to the various shades of the same color 444 showing a technical knowledge and a minute acquaintance with the nicest shades of color of precious stones only possessed by persons with a practical knowledge of their nature40 ,king's ,nat4 ,hist4 of ,prec4 ,stones1 quoted in ,bib4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #hcb4 #ege 8#ab1jjj furlongs or stadia amounting to #acgh ,english miles04 ,dean1 ,book of ,rev41 p4 #ahe4 #egf ,for the first view see ,alford1 ,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #gda1 for the second view ,milligan1 ,internat4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #aed4 #egg 8,a cube was symbolical of perfection to a ,jew as a circle is to ourselves40 ,moffatt1 ,expos4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #dhc4 #egh ,see ,smith's ,dict4 of ,bib41 art4 8,babylon02 and ,swete1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #bhe4 #egi 8,life in each case is 1 the vital principle which man shares with ,god4 not 1 the life which he shares with his fellowmen40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #eb4 #ehj 8,in the old ,paradise there was but one such tree1 in the new one there are many40 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #big4 ,for a similar idea1 not of twelve crops of fruit but of twelve trees with divers fruits for ,israel1 see ,,ii ,esdr4 #b4ah4 #eha 8,by oriental usage1 no condemned or criminal person was allowed to look on the king's face0 7,esth4 #g3h74 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #dhh4 #ehb 8,the whole meaning and value of the ,new ,jerusalem lies in the presence of ,god with men which it guarantees40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #dhj4 #ehc ,dsterdieck1 ,meyer's ,com4 on ,rev41 p4 #dij2 and ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edf4 8,the ,revelation is begun 7ch4 #a4agbj7 and ended 7ch4 #bb4af7 by ,christ himself2 but the main portion is conducted by means of his angel40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #b4 #ehd 8,in the seventh verse1 with the affirmation ,behold1 ,i come quickly1 the narration passes into the words of ,christ himself1 just as in ver4 #ab and ch4 xi4 #c40 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edf4 #ehe 8,the present era1 which is #8a day of salvation'1 is so nearly at an end that there is hardly room for change4444 ,the principle which underlies the whole verse 7v4 #aa7 applies only to the moment before the ,judgment breaks1 the point when the ,bridegroom comes and the door is shut1 when choice is sealed and opportunity ends10 ,scott1 ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #cjj;f4 #ehf 8,all history from the redemptive point of view is summed up in the three sentences1 ,he is coming1 ,he has come1 ,he will come again40 ,ottley1 art4 8,incarnation40 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #ehg 8,when ,christ claims this title for himself1 it is plainly announced that the revelation of ,god in ,christ1 in what he was and what he did1 is the key to the issues of human life4 ,christianity is final40 ,ross1 art4 8,first and ,last40 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 8,the first title is symbolical2 the second is borrowed from the ,old ,testament2 the third is philosophical4 ,the sense is1 #8,i am ,he from whom all ,being has proceeded1 and to whom it will return2--the primal ,cause and final ,aim of all history2--,who have created the world1 and ,who will perfect it4' 0 ,lee1 ,bib4 ,com4 ,rev41 p4 #hdj4 ,also cf4 the view of ,bacon1 art4 8,alpha and ,omega10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,chr4 and ,gosp4 #ehh 8,the ,apocalypse thus closes1 as it began 7ch4 #a4ef71 with a note of ringing emphasis upon the eternal significance of ,christ in the divine plan and purpose40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 p4 #dia4 #ehi ,alford says1 8,the speech passes into the words of ,christ reported by the angel40 7,gr4 ,test41 vol4 iv1 p4 #gdf74 ,scott however1 may be right in his comment on verse sixteen 7,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #cjb71 when he says1 8,the figure which has been behind the angel from the beginning of the visions 7ch4 #a4acag7 444 now steps forth1 as it were1 to authenticate the angel's testimony40 ,swete says1 8,now at length ,christ speaks in his human personal name0 7,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #cje74 ,plummer's comment is made with apparent reserve1 8,the words are spoken as by ,christ himself0 7,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edg71 though elsewhere he says more definitely1 8,the ,revelation is begun and ended by ,christ himself0 7,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #b74 #eij ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edg4 #eia ,plummer says1 8,these words are best understood as uttered by the writer40 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edg2 in ,swete's opinion 8,it is the answer of the church to the voice of ,john in verse twelve40 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john41 p4 #cjf2 ,milligan suggests that the first clause is the answer of the church moved by the ,spirit1 the second is the words of ,john1 and the latter half is ,christ himself speaking--8an interchange of thought and feeling between ,jesus and his church0 ,internat4 ,com41 ,rev41 pp4 #afjafa4 ,there is1 however1 nothing in the context that implies a change of speaker4 #eib 8,this is the fulfilment of the duty laid upon ,st4 ,john in ch4 #a4a1 not an announcement of our ,lord himself01 ,plummer1 ,pulp4 ,com41 ,rev41 p4 #edh4 ,swete1 however1 regards these as the words of ,jesus himself1 ,apoc4 of ,st4 ,john1 p4 #cjg4 #eic 8,it becomes a serious evil when the magnificent confidence and certainty of ,st ,john as to the speedy accomplishment of all these things is distorted into a declaration of the immediate coming of the ,lord and the end of the world4 ,time was not an element in his anticipation4 ,he was gazing upon the eternal1 in which time has no existence40 ,ramsay1 ,letters to ,seven ,ch's1 p4 #aac4 #eid ,new ,cent4 ,bib41 ,rev41 p4 #cjd4 #eie ,for a list of authorities on ,apocalyptic see note under heading of 8,the ,form10 in the ,introduction to this volume4 ,at this point the author feels constrained to say that the account of ,apocalyptic ,literature here given reflects so largely the opinions of others that it must be regarded1 like much else in the book1 as an effort to present concisely and in his own way the best that has been said upon the subject by many others who are more qualified to speak4 #eif ,bacon1 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #bcb4 #eig 8,it has been too readily assumed that these books are wholly without #8evidences of the ,divine ,spirit leading on to ,christ4' 0 ,fairweather1 art4 8,development of ,doctr4 in ,apoc4 ,period410 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 vol4 #e4 #eih ,jlicher1 ,intr4 to ,new ,test41 p4 #eb4 #eii 8,the fundamental idea is the moral one 444 the basis of the religious is ethical40 ,see art4 8,eschatol40 by ,davidson4 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #fjj 8,if we could grasp the underlying faiths that have clothed themselves in these strange forms1 faith in the kingship of ,god1 and the sure triumph of good over evil1 and the heavenly blessedness of those who hold to ,god's side amid whatever shame and abuse and in the face of death2 if through the peculiar imagery and obscure symbolism of the books we could feel the power of the unseen world and gain a fresh sense of its reality1 then this use1 call it literary1 or call it devotional1 would be the best use to which the books could be put1 and even most in accordance with the highest mood and real purpose of their writers40 ,porter1 ,mess4 of ,apoc4 ,writers1 ,pref41 p4 xiii4 #fja 8,in this weird world of fantasy1 peopled by a rich ,oriental imagination with spectral shapes and uncouth figures1 where angels flit1 eagles and altars speak1 and monsters rise from sea and land--in a world of this kind many ,asiatic ,christians of that age evidently were at home1 and there the prophet's message had to find them40 ,moffatt1 ,exp4 ,gr4 ,test41 ,rev41 ,intr41 p4 #cja4 #fjb ,see art4 8,development of ,doctrine in the ,apocryphal ,period10 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib41 vol4 #e2 also art4 8,zoroasterism0 by ,moulton1 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,bib4 #fjc ,zenos1 art4 8,apoc4 ,lit410 ,hastings' ,dict4 of ,christ and the ,gospels4 #fjd 8,the deus ex machina1 an abnormal and effectual interposition of ,god1 is an essential feature of an apocalypse40 ,humphries1 ,st ,john and ,other ,teachers1 p4 #ib4