,transcriber's ,notes ,punctuation1 including ,greek accents1 have been standardized4 ,non-printable characteristics have been given the following transliteration3 ,italicized text3 -- text ,non-italicized word4 in italic phrase3 -- text ,this book was written in a period when many words had not become standardized in their spelling4 ,words may have multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in the text4 ,these have been left unchanged unless indicated with a ,transcriber's ,note4 ,the page numbers from the original book are shown in braces for reference purposes4 ,book numbering is from ilxii and then starts ,decimal numbering from #ca4 #acj are not used4 ,footnotes are identified in the text with a number in brackets #b and have been accumulated in a single section at the end of the text4 ,transcriber's ,notes are used when making corrections to the text or to provide additional information for the modern reader4 ,these notes are not identified in the text1 but have been accumulated in a single section at the end of the book4 ,illustration3 ,drawn by ,s4 ,bough ,engraved by ,t4 ,flemming ,,patmos4 ,,the ,,port ,,of ,,scala ,,town ,,of ,,patino i ,,notes ,,on ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,,explanatory ,,and ,,practical ,,by ,,albert ,,barnes ,,enlarged ,,type ,,edition ,,edited ,,by ,,robert ,,frew1 ,d4,d4 ,,with ,,numerous ,,additional ,,notes ,,and ,a ,,series ,,of ,,engravings ,,revelation ,,baker ,,book ,,house ,,grand ,,rapids #f1 ,,michigan #aiea ii ,photo-,lithoprint ,reproduction ,,edwards ,,brothers1 ,,inc4 ,lithoprinters ,,ann ,,arbor1 ,,michigan1 ,u4,s4,a4 #aiea iii ,,contents4 ,,page ,,author',s ,,preface vx ,,editor',s ,,preface3 ,,introduction4 ,author's qualifications for ,apocalyptic exposition,author's plan in preparing his ,commentary1 affords assurance of his sobriety as an interpreter1 and rebukes the scorn of hostile critics,peculiarities of this edition1 xixiii ,,year-,,day ,,principle4 ,importance of the question regarding,protestant theory of ,apocalyptic interpretation stands or falls with it,rival schemes1 nature and origin of,advocates on both sides,views of ,dr4 ,davidson and ,professor ,stuart1 xiiixiv ,,arguments ,,in ,,favour ,,of ,,year-,,day ,,theory4 #a4 ,concurrent ,testimony of ,protestant ,interpreters,objection of ,dr4 ,davidson,reply,use which the ,reformers made of the ,apocalypse,views of ,walter ,brute,views of ,luther1 xivxvi #b4 ,symbolical ,character of the ,predictions in ,daniel and the ,apocalypse,laws of symbolic propriety,dr4 ,maitland's famous objection1 that a day is no symbol for a year,general principles on which ,year-day view rests,ground occupied by ,mede,principle of ,bush and ,faber,true basis,view of ,birks and ,elliott1 xvixx #c4 ,indications of the ,year-day ,principle in ,scripture,the case of the spies in the book of ,numbers,ezekiel's typical siege,objection of ,professor ,stuart,professor ,bush's reply,objection of ,bishop ,horsley,objections from ,isaiah1 ch4 xx4 #b1 #c;,daniel's seventy weeks,diverse views of opponents,outlines of ,discussion1 xxxxiv #d4 ,exigency of ,passages in which ,prophetic ,times occur,saracenic woe in ,rev4 ix4 #eaj,turkish woe in ,rev4 ix4 #ae,the forty-two months of the ,gentiles in ch4 xi4 #b,the times of the two witnesses in ch4 xi4 #caa,the times of the woman in the wilderness1 in ch4 xii4 #fad;,forty-two months of the ,beast1 in ch4 xiii4 #e;,danielic periods,objections alleged1 novelty of the ,year-day principle1 xxivxxviii ,,author',s ,,introduction3,,sect4 ,i4 ,the ,writer of the ,book of ,revelation4,,sect4 ,,ii4 ,the ,time of ,writing the ,apocalypse4,,sect4 ,,iii4 ,the ,place where the ,book was written4,,sect4 ,,iv4 ,the ,nature and ,design of the ,book4,,sect4 ,v4 ,the ,plan of the ,apocalypse1 xxixlv ,,analysis1 lvilxii ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,revelation1 #cadfd iv ,,list ,,of ,,engravings4 ,,page ,,patmos,,the ,,port ,,of ,,scala1 ,,and ,,town ,,of ,,patino1 ,frontispiece4 ,the ,site of ,ephesus1 from the ,theatre1 #fj ,the ,castle and ,port of ,smyrna1 #gj ,ruins of the ,church of ,st4 ,john1 ,pergamos1 #gd ,thyatira,general ,view1 #ha ,sardis,remains of ,ancient ,temple1 c41 #hh ,philadelphia,general ,view1 #ib ,petrified ,cascades at ,hierapolis1 ,colos4 #bhe ,the ,ruins of ,laodicea1 #ig ,map of ,n4 ,italy1 #dto,scene of the ,third ,trumpet and ,third ,vial1 #bjc1 #cfa ,engravings ,printed in the ,text4 ,egyptian ,calf-idol1 ,rev4 #aae ,human-headed ,winged ,lion2 from the ,nineveh ,sculptures1 ,rev4 #aaf ,eagle-headed ,winged ,lion2 from the ,nineveh ,sculptures1 ,rev4 #aag ,medal of the ,emperor ,nerva wearing ,crown1 ,rev4 #ade ,medal of the ,emperor ,valentinian wearing ,diadem1 ,rev4 #ade ,symbolic ,bas-reliefs from a ,roman ,triumphal ,arch1 ,rev4 #adf ,emblem of a ,roman ,procurator1 ,rev4 #aed ,symbolical ,locust1 according to ,elliott1 ,rev4 #bah ,standard-bearer of a ,turkish ,pasha1 ,rev4 #bcg ,roman ,standard1 from ,montfauon1 ,rev4 #cje ,medal of ,pope ,leo ,,xii41 ,rev4 #chd v ,,preface4 ,when ,i began the preparation of these 8,notes0 on the ,new ,testament1 now more than twenty years ago1 ,i did not design to extend the work beyond the ,gospels1 and contemplated only simple and brief explanations of that portion of the ,new ,testament1 for the use of ,sunday-school teachers and ,bible classes4 ,the work originated in the belief that ,notes of that character were greatly needed1 and that the older commentaries1 having been written for a different purpose1 and being1 on account of their size and expense1 beyond the reach of most teachers of ,sunday-schools1 did not meet the demand which had grown up from the establishment of such schools4 ,these ,notes1 contrary to my original plan and expectation1 have been extended to eleven volumes1 and embrace the whole of the ,new ,testament4 ,having1 at the time when these ,notes were commenced1 as ,i have ever had since1 the charge of a large congregation1 ,i had no leisure that ,i could properly devote to these studies1 except the early hours of the morning2 and ,i adopted the resolutiona resolution which has since been invariably adhered toto cease writing precisely at nine o'clock in the morning4 ,the habit of writing in this manner1 once formed1 was easily continued2 and having been thus continued1 ,i find myself at the end of the ,new ,testament4 ,perhaps this personal allusion would not be proper1 except to show that ,i have not intended1 in these literary labours1 to infringe on the proper duties of the pastoral office1 or to take time for these pursuits on which there was a claim for other purposes4 ,this allusion may perhaps also be of use to my younger brethren in the ministry1 by showing them that much may be accomplished by the habit of early rising1 and by a diligent use of the early morning hours4 ,in my own case1 these ,notes on the ,new ,testament1 and also the ,notes on the books of ,isaiah1 ,job1 and ,daniel1 extending in all to sixteen volumes1 have all been written before nine o'clock in the morning1 and are the fruit of the habit of rising between four and five o'clock4 ,i do not know that by this practice ,i have neglected any duty which ,i should otherwise have performed2 and on the score of health1 and1 ,i may add1 of profit in the contemplation of a portion of divine truth at the beginning of each day1 the habit has been of inestimable advantage to me4 ,it was not my original intention to prepare ,notes on the book of ,revelation1 nor did ,i entertain the design of doing it until ,i came up to it in the regular course of my studies4 ,having written on all the other portions of the ,new ,testament1 there remained only this book to vi complete an entire commentary on this part of the ,bible4 ,that ,i have endeavoured to explain the book at all is to be traced to the habit which ,i had formed of spending the early hours of the day in the study of the sacred ,scriptures4 ,that habit1 continued1 has carried me forward until ,i have reached the end of the ,new ,testament4 ,it may be of some use to those who peruse this volume1 and it is proper in itself1 that ,i should make a brief statement of the manner in which ,i have prepared these ,notes1 and of the method of interpretation on which ,i have proceeded2 for the result which has been reached has not been the effect of any preconceived theory or plan1 and if in the result ,i coincide in any degree with the common method of interpreting the volume1 the fact may be regarded as the testimony of another witnesshowever unimportant the testimony may be in itselfto the correctness of that method of interpretation4 ,up to the time of commencing the exposition of this book1 ,i had no theory in my own mind as to its meaning4 ,i may add1 that ,i had a prevailing belief that it could not be explained1 and that all attempts to explain it must be visionary and futile4 ,with the exception of the work of the ,rev4 ,george ,croly1#a which ,i read more than twenty years ago1 and which ,i had never desired to read again1 ,i had perused no commentary on this book until that of ,professor ,stuart was published1 in #ahde4 ,in my regular reading of the ,bible in the family and in private1 ,i had perused the book often4 ,i read it1 as ,i suppose most others do1 from a sense of duty1 yet admiring the beauty of its imagery1 the sublimity of its descriptions1 and its high poetic character2 and though to me wholly unintelligible in the main1 finding so many striking detached passages that were intelligible and practical in their nature1 as to make it on the whole attractive and profitable1 but with no definitely formed idea as to its meaning as a whole1 and with a vague general feeling that all the interpretations which had been proposed were wild1 fanciful1 and visionary4 ,in this state of things1 the utmost that ,i contemplated when ,i began to write on it1 was to explain1 as well as ,i could1 the meaning of the language and the symbols1 without attempting to apply the explanation to the events of past history1 or to inquire what is to occur hereafter4 ,i supposed that ,i might venture to do this without encountering the danger of adding another vain attempt to explain a book so full of mysteries1 or of propounding a theory of interpretation to be set aside1 perhaps1 by the next person that should prepare a commentary on the book4 vii ,beginning with this aim1 ,i found myself soon insensibly inquiring whether1 in the events which succeeded the time when the book was written1 there were not historical facts of which the emblems employed would be natural and proper symbols1 on the supposition that it was the divine intention1 in disclosing these visions1 to refer to them2 and whether1 therefore1 there might not be a natural and proper application of the symbols to these events4 ,in this way ,i examined the language used in reference to the first1 second1 third1 fourth1 fifth1 and sixth seals1 with no anticipation or plan in examining one as to what would be disclosed under the next seal1 and in this way also ,i examined ultimately the whole book3 proceeding step by step in ascertaining the meaning of each word and symbol as it occurred1 but with no theoretic anticipation as to what was to follow4 ,to my own surprise ,i found1 chiefly in ,gibbon's ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire1 a series of events recorded1 such as seemed to me to correspond1 to a great extent1 with the series of symbols found in the ,apocalypse4 ,the symbols were such as it might be supposed would be used1 on the supposition that they were intended to refer to these events2 and the language of ,mr4 ,gibbon was often such as he would have used1 on the supposition that he had designed to prepare a commentary on the symbols employed by ,john4 ,it was such1 in fact1 that if it had been found in a ,christian writer1 professedly writing a commentary on the book of ,revelation1 it would have been regarded by infidels as a designed attempt to force history to utter a language that should conform to a predetermined theory in expounding a book full of symbols4 ,so remarkable have these coincidences appeared to me in the course of this exposition1 that it has almost seemed as if he had designed to write a commentary on some portions of this book2 and ,i have found it difficult to doubt that that distinguished historian was raised up by an overruling ,providence to make a record of those events which would ever afterwards be regarded as an impartial and unprejudiced statement of the evidences of the fulfilment of prophecy4 ,the historian of the ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire had no belief in the divine origin of ,christianity1 but he brought to the performance of his work learning and talent such as few ,christian scholars have possessed4 ,he is always patient in his investigations2 learned and scholar-like in his references2 comprehensive in his groupings1 and sufficiently minute in his details2 unbiassed in his statements of facts1 and usually cool and candid in his estimates of the causes of the events which he records2 and1 excepting his philosophical speculations1 and his sneers at everything1 he has probably written the most candid and impartial history of the times that succeeded the introduction of ,christianity that the world possesses2 and even after all that has been written since his time1 his work contains the best ecclesiastical history that is to be found4 ,whatever use of it can be made in viii explaining and confirming the prophecies1 will be regarded by the world as impartial and fair2 for it was a result which he least of all contemplated1 that he would ever be regarded as an expounder of the prophecies in the ,bible1 or be referred to as vindicating their truth4 ,it was in this manner that these ,notes on the ,book of ,revelation assumed the form in which they are now given to the world2 and it surprises meand1 under this view of the matter1 may occasion some surprise to my readersto find how nearly the views coincide with those taken by the great body of ,protestant interpreters4 ,and perhaps this fact may be regarded as furnishing some evidence that1 after all the obscurity attending it1 there is a natural and obvious interpretation of which the book is susceptible4 ,whatever may be the value or the correctness of the views expressed in this volume1 the work is the result of no previously-formed theory4 ,that it will be satisfactory to all1 ,i have no reason to expect2 that it may be useful to some1 ,i would hope2 that it may be regarded by many as only adding another vain and futile effort to explain a book which defies all attempts to elucidate its meaning1 ,i have too much reason1 judging from the labours of those who have gone before me1 to fear4 ,but as it is1 ,i commit it to the judgment of a candid ,christian public1 and to the blessing of ,him who alone can make any attempt to explain his ,word a means of diffusing the knowledge of truth4 ,i cannot conceal the fact that ,i dismiss it1 and send it forth to the world1 as the last volume on the ,new ,testament1 with deep emotion4 ,after more than twenty years of study on the ,new ,testament1 ,i am reminded that ,i am no longer a young man2 and that1 as ,i close this work1 so all my work on earth must at no distant period be ended4 ,i am sensible that he incurs no slight responsibility who publishes a commentary on the ,bible2 and ,i especially feel this now in view of the factso unexpected to me when ,i began these laboursthat ,i have been permitted in our own country to send forth more than two hundred and fifty thousand volumes of commentary on the ,new ,testament1 and that probably a greater number has been published abroad4 ,that there are many imperfections in these ,notes no one can feel more sensibly than ,i do2 but the views which ,i have expressed are those which seem to me to be in accordance with the ,bible1 and ,i send the last volume forth with the deep conviction that these volumes contain the truth as ,god has revealed it1 and as he will bless it to the extension of his church in the world4 ,i have no apprehension that the sentiments which ,i have expressed will corrupt the morals1 or destroy the peace1 or ruin the souls of those who may read these volumes2 and ,i trust that they may do something to diffuse abroad a correct knowledge of that blessed gospel on which the interests of the church1 the welfare of our country1 and the happiness of the world ix depend4 ,in language which ,i substantially used in publishing the revised edition of the volumes of the ,gospels 7,preface to the ,seventeenth ,edition1 #ahdj71 ,i can now say1 8,i cannot be insensible to the fact that1 in the form in which these volumes now go forth to the public1 ,i may continue1 though dead1 to speak to the living2 and that the work may be exerting an influence on immortal minds when ,i am in the eternal world4 ,i need not say that1 while ,i am sensitive to this consideration1 ,i earnestly desire it4 ,there are no sentiments in these volumes which ,i wish to alter2 none that ,i do not believe to be truths that will abide the investigations of the great day2 none of which ,i am ashamed4 ,that ,i may be in error1 ,i know2 that a better work than this might be prepared by a more gifted mind1 and a purer heart1 ,i know4 ,but the truths here set forth are1 ,i am persuaded1 those which are destined to abide1 and to be the means of saving millions of souls1 and ultimately of converting this whole world to ,god4 ,that these volumes may have a part in this great work is my earnest prayer2 and with many thanks to the public for their favours1 and to ,god1 the great source of all blessing1 ,i send them forth1 committing them to ,his care1 and leaving them to live or die1 to be remembered or forgotten1 to be used by the present generation and the next1 or to be superseded by other works1 as shall be in accordance with his will1 and as he shall see to be for his glory40 ,,albert ,,barnes4 ,,washington ,,square1 ,,philadelphia1 ,march #bf1 #ahea4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the works which ,i have had most constantly before me1 and from which ,i have derived most aid in the preparation of these ,notes1 are the following4 ,they are enumerated here1 as some of them are frequently quoted1 to save the necessity of a frequent reference to the ,editions in the ,notes3 ,a ,commentary on the ,apocalypse4 ,by ,moses ,stuart1 ,professor of ,sacred ,literature in the ,theological ,seminary at ,andover1 ,mass4 ,andover1 #ahde4 ,hor ,apocalyptic2 or1 a ,commentary on the ,apocalypse1 ,critical and ,historical4 ,by the ,rev4 ,e4 ,b4 ,elliott1 ,a4,m41 late ,vicar of ,tuxford1 and ,fellow of ,trinity ,college4 ,third ,edition4 ,london1 #ahdg4 ,the ,works of ,nathaniel ,lardner1 ,d4,d4 ,in ten volumes4 ,london1 #ahbi4 ,the ,history of the ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire4 ,by ,edward ,gibbon1 ,esq4 ,fifth ,american1 from the last ,london edition4 ,complete in four volumes4 ,new ,york1 ,j4 and ,j4 ,harper1 #ahbi4 ,history of ,europe4 ,by ,archibald ,alison1 ,f4,r4,s4,e4 ,new ,york1 ,harper ,brothers1 #ahdc4 ,an ,exposition of the ,apocalypse4 ,by ,david ,n4 ,lord4 ,harpers1 #ahdg4 x ,hyponoia2 or1 ,thoughts on a ,spiritual ,understanding of the ,apocalypse1 a ,book of ,revelation4 ,new ,york1 ,leavitt1 ,trow1 and ,co41 #ahdd4 ,the ,family ,expositor4 ,by ,philip ,doddridge1 ,d4,d4 ,london1 #ahca4 ,apocalypsios ,joannis ,apostoli1 etc4 ,auctore ,campegio ,vitringa1 ,theol4 et ,hist4 ,professore4 ,amsterdam1 #afbi4 ,kurtzgefasstes exegetisches ,handbuch zum ,neuen ,testament4 ,von ,dr4 ,w4 ,m4 ,l4 ,de ,wette4 ,leipzig1 #ahdg4 ,rosenmller1 ,scholia in ,novum ,testamentum4 ,dissertations on the ,opening of the ,sealed ,book4 ,montreal1 #ahdh4 ,two ,new ,arguments in ,vindication of the ,genuineness and ,authenticity of the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john4 ,by ,john ,collyer ,knight4 ,london1 #ahdb4 ,the ,seventh ,vial3 being an ,exposition of the ,apocalypse1 and in particular of the pouring out of the ,seventh ,vial1 with special reference to the present ,revolution in ,europe4 ,london1 #ahdh4 ,die ,offenbarung des ,heiligen ,joannes4 ,von ,g4 ,w4 ,hengstenberg4 ,berlin1 #ahej4 ,the ,works of the ,rev4 ,andrew ,fuller4 ,newhaven1 #ahbe4 ,novum ,testamentum4 ,editio ,koppiana1 #ahba4 ,dissertation on the ,prophecies4 ,by ,thomas ,newton1 ,d4,d4 ,london1 #ahcb4 ,the ,apocalypse of ,st4 ,john4 ,by the ,rev4 ,george ,croly1 ,a4,m4 ,philadelphia1 #ahbg4 ,the ,signs of the ,times1 as denoted by the fulfilment of ,historical ,predictions1 from the ,babylonian ,captivity to the present time4 ,by ,alexander ,keith1 ,d4,d4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,edinburgh1 #ahdg4 ,christ's ,second ,coming3 will it be ,pre-millennial8 ,by the ,rev4 ,david ,brown1 ,a4,m41 ,st4 ,james's ,free ,church1 ,glasgow4 ,new ,york1 #ahea4 ,apocalyptical ,key4 ,an extraordinary ,discourse on the ,rise and ,fall of the ,papacy4 ,by ,robert ,fleming1 ,v4,d4,m4 ,new ,york1 ,american ,protestant ,society4 ,a ,treatise on the ,millennium4 ,by ,george ,bush1 ,a4,m4 ,new ,york1 #ahcb4 ,a ,key to the ,book of ,revelation4 ,by ,james ,m',donald1 minister of the ,presbyterian ,church1 ,jamaica1 ,l4 ,i4 ,second ,edition4 ,new ,london1 #ahdh4 ,das ,alte und ,neue ,morgenland4 ,rosenmller4 ,leipzig1 #ahbj4 ,the ,season and ,time2 or1 an ,exposition of the ,prophecies which relate to the two periods subsequent to the #abjj years now recently expired1 being the time of the ,seventh ,trumpet1 c4 ,by ,w4 ,ettrick1 ,a4,m4 ,london1 #ahaf4 ,einleitung in das ,neue ,testament4 ,von ,johann ,gottfried ,eichhorn4 ,leipzig1 #ahaa4 ,for a very full view of the history of the interpretation of the ,apocalypse1 and of the works that have been written on it1 the reader is referred to ,elliott's ,hor ,apocalyptic1 vol4 iv4 pp4 #cjgdhg1 and ,prof4 ,stuart1 vol4 i4 pp4 #dejdge4 ,see1 for a condensed view1 ,editor's ,preface4 xi ,,editor',s ,,preface4 ,,year-,,day ,,principle4 ,professor ,bush1 in the ,hierophant for ,january1 #ahde1 at the close of a review of ,barnes on the ,hebrews1 thus wrote38,we sincerely hope ,mr4 ,barnes may be enabled to accomplish his plan to its very ultimatum1 and furnish a commentary of equal merit on the remaining books of the ,new ,testament2 with the exception1 however1 of the ,apocalypse1 to which1 we think1 his rigid ,calvinian austerity of reason is not so well adapted2 and which1 we presume to think1 would fare better under our own reputed fanciful and allegorical pen40#b ,the indefatigable author has lived to accomplish his plan1 and has ventured to include within it the mysterious prophecy1 for the elucidation of which the reviewer imagined the severe character of his mind disqualified him4 ,many will think the supposed disqualification a foremost requisite in an ,apocalyptic commentator1 inasmuch as the ,apocalypse has been too long interpreted on fanciful and allegorical principles2 and it is now 8high time for principle to take the place of fancy1 for exegetical proof to thrust out assumption40#c ,the advocates of what has been called the ,protestant ,historic ,scheme of ,interpretation1 have been supposed peculiarly liable to delusions of this nature4 ,it is1 therefore1 gratifying to find that this new defender of that scheme has been distinguished by a 8,calvinian austerity of reason10 which may help to preserve both him and his readers from being in like manner led astray1 and at the same time secure a more respectful tone from critics who have espoused opposite views4 ,bush1 who has himself so ably defended the ,protestant scheme on the other side of the ,atlantic1 now that he finds ,barnes on the same ground1 will think that the spirit of severe logic and searching inquiry which he has brought with him to the contest1 render him all the more valuable an associate4 ,in examining the former volumes of ,mr4 ,barnes1 we found it was no part of his system of interpretation to admit typical and mystical senses where the literal one could at all be adopted4 ,we had to complain that his tendency was too strong in the opposite direction4#d ,the plan which the author tells us he adopted in preparing his commentary1 is a singular illustration of his judgment and caution2 and therefore affords another assurance of his sobriety as an interpreter of the symbols of ,john4 ,up to the time of commencing the exposition of this book1 he tells us he had no theory in his mind as to its meaning4 ,the utmost he contemplated1 when he began1 was to explain the meaning of its language and symbols1 without attempting to apply that explanation to historical events4 ,but1 to his own surprise1 he found a series of events1 recorded chiefly in ,gibbon1 such as seemed to correspond1 to a great extent1 with the series of symbols found in the ,apocalypse4 ,farther examination exhibited this correspondence still xii more strikingly2 and the result was1 that his views ultimately took the shape of those given by the great body of ,protestant interpreters4 ,he therefore justly claims to be another and independent witness in favour of the common interpretation4#e ,these statements1 while they cannot but increase the reader's confidence in the guide who now offers to lead him through the mazes of the ,apocalypse1 ought also to mitigate the scorn with which some have affected to regard all expositions of this schoolspeaking of them as 8hariolations0 and 8surmises10 which set the reader 8afloat upon a boundless ocean of conjecture and fancy1 without rudder or compass40#f ,it is easy to say such things1 and they are therefore too often said by the followers of ,eichhorn and ,stuart2 but accurate inquiry into the non-,protestant scheme will speedily convince anyone that the hariolations do by no means all belong to one side4 ,we venture to say1 that nothing so much deserving the name occurs in the whole series of ,protestant expositions1 as the absurd and unfounded guesses of the last-named writer regarding the witnesses in chap4 xi41 and the explanation of chap4 xvii4 #h1 by an unfounded heathen rumour regarding the reappearance of ,nero after he had been slain4#g ,with this edition of the ,notes on the ,book of ,revelation we have not found it expedient to present any accompanying or supplementary notes4 ,the author's text has been carefully revised1 and many errors which had crept both into the ,american and ,english editions have been corrected4 ,on certain points we could have wished a little more fulness4 ,the important question of the date of the book2 the history of apocalyptic interpretation2 and the principles of prophetic interpretation1 particularly as regards designations of time1 are matters lying at the very foundation of just views of the ,apocalypse4 ,the first of these points has1 indeed1 a page or two allotted to it in the 8,introduction10 and is also incidentally noticed in the commentary2 the second is less or more touched on in the exposition of difficult passages2 but the last is almost entirely overlooked1 on the ground that the author intends a full discussion of the subject in his forthcoming volume on ,daniel4 ,we somewhat regret this1 because of the importance of the ,year-day principle itself1 and because every reader of the ,notes on the ,book of ,revelation may not possess1 or have immediately at hand1 those on ,daniel4 ,we have no doubt that the author's defence of this part of the ,protestant citadel will prove one of the most able that has yet been given4 ,it will1 beyond a doubt1 avoid the errors of those who have weakened the argument by insisting on points which1 at best1 are uncertain2 and place the theory on a basis sufficiently broad to admit of rational and hopeful maintaining of it1 in spite of numerous learned and able assaults4 ,in the meantime1 that our edition may not be without something1 however brief and imperfect1 on a point which on xiii all hands is allowed to be fundamental1 we purpose to devote the following pages to an examination of the ,year-day principle4 ,the importance of the question on which we now enter can scarcely be overestimated4 ,if the prophetic periods of ,daniel and ,john2 if the famous #abfj days1 the time1 times1 and the dividing of time1 are to be understood literally1 and explained of the limited term of three and a half years1 during the days of ,nero and ,antiochus ,epiphanes1 or days yet to come1 towards the consummation and era of the second advent1#h then clearly the ideas that have been long current among ,protestants are untenable4 ,there is no figuration of ,papal ,rome1 in the ,apocalypse or in ,daniel1 existing through long and dreary ages1 wearing out the saints of the ,most ,high4 ,there are no witnesses during that period of gloom ever and anon lifting up their testimony against the grand apostasy4 ,there is no cheering assurance1 derived from an infallible oracle1 that the ,papal system is doomed1 that its days are numbered1 and must now be drawing to a close4 ,all the arguments against this 8mystery of iniquity10 derived from ,daniel and ,john1 must be abandoned2 and ,protestants must1 with shame1 retire from a field so long and so successfully occupied by them1 whilst the ,romanists triumph in their overthrow4 8,if10 says ,bush in his animadversions on ,stuart1 8your hypothesis be correct1 not only has nearly the whole ,christian world been led astray for ages by a mere ignis fatuus of false hermeneutics1 but the church is at once cut loose from every chronological mooring1 and set adrift in the open sea1 without the vestige of a beacon1 lighthouse1 or star1 by which to determine her bearings or distances from the desired millennial haven to which she was tending4 ,she is deprived of the means of taking a single celestial observation1 and has no possible data for ascertaining1 in the remotest degree1 how far she is yet floating from the ,ararat of promise4 ,upon your theory the ,christian world has no distinct intimation given it as to the date of the downfall of the ,roman despotism1 civil or ecclesiastical1 of ,mahometanism1 or of ,paganism2 no clue to the time of the conversion of the ,jews or of the introduction of the millennium4 ,on all these points the church is shut up to a blank and dreary uncertainty1 which1 though it may not extinguish1 will tend greatly to diminish the ardour of her present zeal in the conversion of the world40#i ,strange1 indeed1 it must be regarded1 that while the ,old ,testament church was cheered by her chronological promises or predictions1 marking her progress as she floated down the stream of time1 and indicating1 at any stage of it1 how far she was yet distant from the happy times of deliverance that awaited her1 everything of this kind should be systematically excluded from the sublime predictions of the ,new ,dispensation4 ,strange1 too1 that the grand symbols of ,daniel and ,johnthat their glorious predictions1 confessedly allowed to reach onwards to the consummation of all things1 should embrace a brief chapter in the lives of such men as ,nero or ,antiochus1 and give no notice of that gigantic apostasy which for ages has cast its dark xiv shadow over ,christendom1 and no comfort to a sorrowing church walking amid the gloom4 ,yet if the ,protestant exposition of ,daniel and the ,apocalypse has proceeded on false principles1 the sooner a return is made to the right path the better1 however humbling may be the confession of error1 and grieving the loss of imagined advantage in our controversy with ,rome4 ,truth is great1 and must prevail4 ,none of her friends would assail even the worst cause with weapons she did not approve4 ,on both sides of this question1 the importance of which has been set forth in the preceding paragraph1 we find men of the very highest character for learning and skill in biblical science4 8,on one side ,maitland and ,burgh are the most able2 on the other ,faber1 ,elliott1 and ,birks4 ,in ,america the indefatigable ,stuart has taken up the same ground as the former1 and has met with a formidable antagonist in ,bush40 ,to the first classthe literal day class1 namelymust now be added the name of the author who has thus specified the chief combatants,dr4 ,davidson of the ,lancashire ,independent ,college4 ,he has taken up the subject in the third volume of his ,introduction to the ,new ,testament1 and discussed it with all the learning and ability which his high position among ,english critics might have led us to anticipate4 8,si ,pergama dextra defendi possent1 etiam hoc defensa fuissent40 ,we think we can discern in his able defence some symptoms of progress in the controversy4 ,the line which ,dr4 ,davidson pursues is essentially different in many respects from that of ,professor ,stuart4 ,the ,american professor insists on many points which the ,english divine seems to have abandoned4#aj ,everything like dogmatism in the discussion of a question so circumstanced is of course to be carefully avoided4 ,there are difficulties on both sides1 of which no satisfactory solution has as yet been given4 ,our aim shall be to ascertain1 if possible1 on which side the greater amount of truth lies4 ,while avowing a decided leaning to the ,year-day theory1 we shall endeavour to do justice to the arguments of its opponents1 and shall frankly allow it whenever the arguments of its supporters seem to us weak or dubious4 ,first1 then1 it must be allowed that the concurrent testimony of the great mass of ,protestant interpreters1 the nearly unanimous voice of the ,protestant church1 furnishes a prestige in favour of the ,year-day principle4 ,if it do not supply an argument it creates a favourable feeling1 which is worthy of a better name than 8prejudice40 ,it is a prepossession1 but a prepossession founded on perfectly just ground1 namely1 that wherever men of learning and research1 as well as ,christian people at large1 have long and tenaciously held any particular view1 there must be something in that view that has a better foundation than its assailants are willing to allow4 ,this is certainly very different from 8calling up the names of illustrious dead1 as the infallible expounders of the ,bible20 and from 8giving our language the semblance of xv assuming that1 to differ from current opinions1 is to disown ,protestantism and favour ,romanism40 ,that there is something in this presumptive argument1 which we seek to build on ,protestant opinion1 is obvious from the anxiety that is manifested to make out that the principle or theory in question has1 in reality1 no connection with the reformers and the ,protestant cause4 8,the statement10 it is said1 8that certain applications of the ,apocalypse caused or promoted the ,reformation is wholly incorrect4 ,it is absolutely false4 ,a spiritual apprehension of the simple gospel1 accompanied with the power of the ,spirit1 led these illustrious men to separate from the ,romish church4 ,and then it should be remembered1 by those who write like ,bush of the reformers and the #8,protestant' interpretation1 that not one of the reformers understood a day in prophecy to mean a year4 ,to talk of the reformers1 therefore1 in connection with this so-called #8,protestant' notion1 is worse than trifling4 ,it conveys a false impression40#aa ,two questions are involved here3,how far the reformers made use of the ,apocalypse in their controversy with ,papists8 and whether the ,year-day principle may be regarded as a 8,protestant0 notion8 ,the fact is1 in regard to the first question1 that the ,waldenses and ,wickliffites1 previous to the ,reformation1 drew their weapons from the ,apocalypse2 and if we do not present references or quotations to prove it1 it is just because the matter seems too plain to admit of any doubt4 ,one testimony shall suffice1 namely1 that of ,walter ,brute1 ,a4,d4 #acia4 ,according to ,foxe1 the martyrologist1 he was 8a layman1 and learned and brought up in the ,university of ,oxford1 being there a graduate40 ,he was accused of saying1 among sundry other things1 that the ,pope is ,antichrist1 and a seducer of the people4 ,being called to answer1 he put in1 first1 certain more brief 8exhibits20 then another declaration1 more ample1 explaining and setting forth the grounds of his opinion4 ,his defence was grounded very mainly on the ,apocalyptic prophecy4 ,for he at once bases his justification on the fact1 as demonstrable1 of the pope answering alike to the chief of the false ,christs1 prophesied of by ,christ as to come in his name2 to the man of sin1 prophesied of by ,st4 ,paul2 and to both the first beast and beast with the two lamb-like horns1 in the ,apocalypse2 the city of ,papal ,rome1 also answering similarly to the ,apocalyptic ,babylon4#ab ,indeed1 we may learn much as to how far the ,apocalypse had1 even in these times1 come to be used against the ,church of ,rome1 from the fears of the ,papists themselves1 which prompted the fifth council of ,lateran authoritatively to prohibit all writing or preaching on the subject of ,antichrist1 and all speculation regarding the time of the expected evils8,tempus quoque prefixum futurorum malorum vel ,antichristi adventum1 aut certum diem judicii predicare vel asserere nequaquan presumant40#ac ,as to the reformers1 properly so called1 they appear in the field next1 using the same weapons with increasing skill and energy1 as the two great prophecies whence they were drawn came to be better understood4 ,the pages of ,milner1 ,d',aubign1 or other historians of the period1 abound with evidence2 and ,mr4 ,barnes has collected part of it under chap4 x4 #f1 to which the reader is referred4 ,luther and his ,german associates seem to have drawn more upon ,daniel1 while in ,switzerland and ,england the ,apocalypse1 for the most part1 was appealed to4 ,we might multiply proofs1 were it necessary1 from the writings of ,leo ,juda1 xvi ,bullinger1 ,latimer1 ,bale1 ,foxe1 c4 ,it is enough to refer to the very copious extracts given in the last volume of the ,hor ,apocalyptic4#ad ,as to the other question1 namely1 whether the ,year-day principle can be regarded as a 8,protestant0 notion1 opportunity will be found for the consideration of it when we come to consider the objection against that principle1 drawn from its alleged novelty4 ,meantime we shall only remark1 that while ,luther certainly had arrived at no definite conclusions regarding the ,apocalyptic designations of time1 his mind nevertheless was in search of some principle by which he should be enabled to extend the times beyond the literal sense4 ,nor need it in any way surprise us1 that definite ideas on this subject should only have been obtained when the notion became settled and prevalent that the ,popedom was the ,apocalyptic ,antichrist1 and the interpretation of the times on a scale suited to the duration of that system became1 in consequence1 imperative4 #b4 ,the next consideration we advance is1 the symbolical character of most of the predictions in which the disputed designations of time occur4 ,in ,daniel and the ,apocalypse1 things pictured to the eye are the signs or representations of a hidden sense intended to be conveyed by them4 ,now1 it seems reasonable to conclude1 that in this symbolic or picture writing the times should be hidden under some veil1 as well as the associated events4 ,nay1 one would imagine that these were just the very things that specially required concealment1 in accordance with the design of the predictions1 especially such as relate to the future deliverance and glory of the church2 which is1 that the saints should understand as much as may sustain their hope1 yet in a way of diligence1 watchfulness1 and prayer4 ,it is said1 indeed1 that symbolical times are not essential to this partial concealment4 ,it may be so1 yet they are doubtless fitted to serve this purpose2 and there cannot but appear a manifest impropriety in associating symbolical events with literal or natural times4 ,why the veil in the one case and not in the other8 ,is not this system of mixing the symbolic and the literal fitted to mislead8 and1 according to the theory of ,maitland and others1 has it not1 in point of fact1 led astray the greater part of the ,protestant world8 ,is it wonderful1 that when times are found 8imbedded in symbols10 a symbolical character should have been attached to them too4 ,let it be observed also1 that in cases of what has been called miniature symbolization1 as where an empire is represented by a man or a beast1 long periods1 such as might very well be attributed to an empire1 or to any great political or ecclesiastical system1 could not1 in consistency with symbolical propriety1 have been expressed otherwise than we find them4 ,on the supposition that long periods were designed to be expressed1 they must necessarily have been symbolized by shorter ones4 8,nothing is more obvious than that the prophets have frequently1 under divine prompting1 adopted the system of hieroglyphic representation1 in which a single man represents a community1 or a wild beast an extended empire4 ,consequently1 since the mystic exhibition of the community or empire is in miniature1 symbolical propriety requires that the associated chronological periods should be exhibited in miniature also4 ,the intrinsic fitness of such a mode of presentation is self-evident4 ,in predicating of a nation a long term of #djj or even #djjj years1 there is nothing revolting to verisimilitude or decorum2 but to assign such a period to the actings of a xvii symbolical man or animal would be a grievous outrage on all the proprieties of the prophetic style4 ,the character of the adjuncts should evidently correspond with those of the principal1 or the whole picture is at once marred by the most palpable incongruity40#ae ,it appears1 then1 in regard to dates occurring in passages where this principle of miniature symbolization is adopted1 there is a strong presumption in favour of the ,year-day theory1 or some theory suitably extending the times4 ,dr4 ,maitland has attempted to dislodge his antagonists from this intrenchment4 ,his argument is subtle1 and must have been deemed triumphant1 for it is repeated and praised as a master-stroke by almost every subsequent writer on the same side4 ,allowing even that symbols of time might be expected in symbolic predictions1 along with symbols of events1 he denies that a day can in any way be regarded as the symbol of a year4 ,it is not1 he argues1 a symbol at all4 ,we give the argument in his own words1 premising only that the advocates of the ,year-day principle1 as we shall by and by see1 appeal to ,ezek4 iv4 #di in proof of it38,when you speak of the beasts ,i know what you mean1 for you admit that ,daniel saw certain beasts2 but when you speak of #8the days1' ,i know not what days you refer to1 for your system admits of no days3 you take1 if ,i may so speak1 the word #8goat' to mean the thing #8goat1' and the thing goat to represent the thing #8king2' but you take the word #8day' not to represent the thing #8day1' but at once to represent the thing year4 ,and this is precisely the point which distinguishes this case from that of ,ezekiel's1 which has been so often brought forward as parallel to it4 ,the whole matter lies in this1 that the one is a case of representing1 the other of interpreting4 ,a goat1 not the word goat1 represented a king2 a day1 that is the word day1 is interpreted to mean a year40#af ,the pith of the argument seems to lie in this1 that while1 in ,daniel1 kingdoms are represented by certain visible symbolsbeasts1 namelythere is no visible symbol of a year4 ,we may interpret a day of a year1 but we cannot say a day symbolizes a year4 ,the objector appears to have been met1 in the first instance1 by the alleged difficulty of symbolizing times in a visible way2 but the case of ,pharaoh and his officers was at once appealed to1 in whose dreams three years are represented by three branches and three baskets2 and seven years by seven kine1 and seven ears of corn4#ag ,a writer in the ,investigator rejoined1 that large numbers1 such as the #abfj or #bcjj1 could not easily be represented in the same way2 a statement which seems so very simple and obvious1 that we cannot but wonder it should have elicited such a burst of indignation as this3 8,what6 shall it be affirmed that he who called up a vision in which seven kine symbolized seven years1 could not employ visible and equally intelligible representations of #abfj years8 ,this were to limit the power of the ,almighty1 by arrogantly assuming1 that though he presented a few years by outward pictures to the eye1 ,he could not1 with equal facility1 and like intelligibleness to men1 have painted a much larger number by external emblems4 ,we refer the writer in the ,investigator to ,rev4 xiv4 #a1 and ask him how the apostle ,john knew there were exactly #add1jjj4 ,on his principle that large number could not have been presented to the eye4 ,how then did he know that there were #add1jjj80ah ,does the critic mean that ,john must have come to the knowledge of it by picture representation8 xviii ,is he sure of this8 ,the number is the same1 and the company is the same as in chap4 vii4 #d1 and there we read1 8,and ,i heard the number of them which were sealed1 and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of ,israel40 ,the question is by no means one regarding what ,god could do1 but one regarding merely the powers and capabilities of symbolic language2 and we do not feel ourselves at all guilty of any unwarrantable 8daring10 when we aver that large numbers could not be visibly represented like small ones4 ,the real solution of the difficulty which the objection presents1 seems to us to have been given by ,birks1 in his ,first ,elements of ,prophecy4 8,the beasts were conceptions visually suggested to the eye of the prophet1 and nothing more2 and the days1 in like manner1 were conceptions suggested by the words of the vision to his ear4 ,the only difference is in the sense by which the mental image is conveyed2 for it is plain that a day1 when used as a symbol1 must be mentioned1 and could not appear visibly to the eye40#ai ,but whatever may be thought of this1 and of the preceding observations1 we have still our appeal to the matter of fact4 ,if it be the fact1 that in ,scripture a day does represent a year1 we have no concern about speculations regarding modes of representing4 ,the only question is1 ,what is the ,bible mode8 and to that question we shall very shortly apply ourselves4 ,meanwhile1 we would remark1 ere leaving this part of the subject1 that although we affirm that wherever we find the principle of miniature symbolization of events1 there we have a strong presumption in favour of the times1 if such there be1 being also expressed on a miniature scale1 yet we do not exalt this into a principle embracing the entire case4 ,we shall endeavour to ascertain here1 what such general principle is4 ,it need not be disguised that the ground of it has been shifted more than once during the progress of discussion4 ,mede himself seems to have occupied ground by far too wide2 and few or none now choose to defend the ,year-day principle on the platform chosen by him who has been erroneously regarded as its originator4 ,he maintained that1 8alike in ,daniel1 and1 for aught he knew1 in all the other prophets1 times of things prophesied1 expressed by days1 are to be understood of years40 ,but prophecies can be quoted almost without number in which the predicted times must be understood literally2 and against this position1 somewhat doubtingly and casually assumed by an illustrious interpreter1 the artillery of ,stuart and ,maitland would be most successful1 if any were found so foolish as to intrench themselves within it4 ,professor ,stuart1 however1 chooses to write as if it were an essential part of the ,year-day theory4 ,he fights with a man of straw1 and expends his logic and his ridicule alike in vain4 ,he asks in triumph1 ,if the #abj years1 predicted as the period that should elapse before the flood1 must be extended into a respite for the ante-diluvians of #dc1bjj years8 and if the predicted bondage of ,abraham's posterity in ,egypt1 for #djj years1 must be extended into #add1jjj years8 if the seven years of plenty1 and seven of famine to ,egypt1 must mean #bebj years of each8 if ,israel's forty years' wilderness-wanderings are to last #ad1djj years8#bj ,no1 truly6 and yet the times in ,daniel and ,john may be symbolical xix times notwithstanding4 ,by ,bush and ,faber1 the principle is much narrowed4 ,the ground assumed is that of miniature symbolization4 ,this covers a large part of the field within which the ,year-day theory is applied2 still1 it must be allowed1 that both in ,daniel and the ,apocalypse1 there are passages where the times are construed symbolically1 or according to the longer reckoning1 without being associated with symbols of events4 ,of this kind is ,daniel's famous prophecy of the seventy weeks4 ,what1 then1 is the true principle or basis of the ,year-day theory8 ,we are disposed to reply1 as we find ,mr4 ,barnes in one place has done1 that it is the manner of the symbolical books of ,daniel and ,john1 to express times on the scale of a day for a year2 and that in regard to those places1 if such there be1 where the times are literal1 the circumstances of the case1 or some expressions in the text1 prevent the possibility of mistake1 and leave the principle untouched4 ,the circumstances of the case1 for example1 forbid us to explain ,dan4 iv4 #cb in accordance with the principle of a day for a year4 8,according to this1 ,nebuchadnezzar must have been mad and eat grass #bebj years40#ba ,the limited life of man renders any such extension of times here positively absurd4 ,so also with the other case1 so much insisted on by the ,day-day theorists1 of ,daniel fasting three weeks4#bb 8,surely no one will contend that ,daniel fasted twenty-one years40 ,no1 but not to mention that this is not a prophecy at all1 the circumstances of the case forbid it2 and besides1 in this place1 we have the addition of 7weeks of days71 8inserted expressly to bar any such interpretation as would assign to it1 as its first sense1 the meaning of years40#bc ,it would1 therefore1 be most unwise#bd to argue from these exceptive passages1 where there can be no danger of mistakes1 against the application of the ,year-day principle to the great leading prophecies in ,daniel and ,john1 regarding the glorious epochs of the church1 and the times especially of the consummation4 ,nor can anyone rationally contend1 that because these prophets have adopted this style of a day for a year1 in predictions of the character above specifiedpredictions which form the chief part of their writingsthat they are in no single instance to depart from that stylethat they are never to lay aside xx the symbolic and assume the natural4 ,birks and ,elliott1 it may be noticed finally1 find1 in those passages where the ,year-day theory is applicable1 a purpose of temporary concealment2 it being 8the express design of ,god1 that the church should be kept in the constant expectation of ,christ's advent10 and that1 8yet as the time of the consummation drew near1 there should be evidence of it sufficiently clear to each faithful inquirer40 8,this10 adds the latter writer1 8sets aside1 from its very nature1 the objections that have been drawn from sundry prophetic periods1 known to be literally expressed1 in prophecies where no such temporary concealment was intended40#be #c4 ,having seen that the symbolical character of the predictions in which the disputed times for the most part occur1 affords a strong presumption1 amounting as nearly as possible to proof1 in favour of some such principle as that involved in the ,year-day theory1 we inquire next whether there be any indications of such principle in ,scripture8 ,the case of the spies in the book of ,numbers#bf has been appealed to by nearly all writers on the ,year-day side1 and by some of them with no little confidence4 8,they returned from searching the land after forty days4444 ,after the number of the days in which ye searched the land1 even forty days1 each day for a year1 shall ye bear your iniquities1 even forty years1 and ye shall know my breach of promise40 ,we confess1 however1 that if this passage were the only one of its kind1 we should not be disposed to build much on it4 ,it has been too much pressed2 and many will find it difficult to see anything typical or mystical in it4 ,it cannot be proved that the spies were types of the whole nation1 or that the days were meant to represent years4 ,dr4 ,davidson seems to give the true account of the passage when he says1 8,it is a simple historical prophecy1 in which ,god ordained that as the spies had wandered forty days1 so the ,israelites should wander forty years in the wilderness because of their sins40#bg ,taken in connection with other passages1 however1 it may serve to show that the 8,year-day scale0 readily occurs in ,scripture1 when another might as easily have been adopted4 ,the very fact of the punishment of ,israel in this case being on the precise scale of a year for a day1 seems to indicate something of this kind4 ,ezekiel's typical siege presents a much stronger case4 ,we give the passage at length4 ,ezekiel having been commanded to portray the city of ,jerusalem on a tile1 and conduct a symbolic siege against it1 is further enjoined8,lie thou also upon thy left side1 and lay the iniquity of the house of ,israel upon it3 according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity4 ,for ,i have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity1 according to the number of the days1 three hundred and ninety days3 so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of ,israel4 ,and when thou hast accomplished them1 lie again on thy right side1 and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of ,judah forty days3 ,i have appointed thee each day for a year40#bh ,ezekiel was ordered to assume this painful position that he might be a sign or symbol of the sufferings of the ,jewish nation2 and the number of days during which he lay prostrate was declared to symbolize the years of their punishment4 ,here1 then1 we have a plain precedent showing that in symbolical representations days stand for years4 ,the argument is equally valid whether we suppose the symbolical xxi actions represented things past or things future4 ,the principle is the same4 ,the probability is1 that at the time of the representation a few years of the #cij had yet to run2 and the design was to show that ,jerusalem should be destroyed1 and the inhabitants led away captive into ,babylon4 ,it is not our province1 however1 to enter into any exposition of the prophecy4 ,the grand objection made to the argument from this passage is1 that in it the symbolic significancy of the days 8is expressly stated at the outset40#bi 8,it is expressly stated that ,god had appointed a day for a year1 whereas in ,daniel and ,john no such information is given40#cj ,but what if there had not been an 8express statement0 of the principle8 ,that omission1 we imagine1 would have been eagerly laid hold on as an evidence that no such principle was contained in it4 ,the 8express statement10 then1 so far from being an argument against using this passage as a precedent1 is in reality a strong argument in favour of so doing4 ,can anything be more unreasonable than to object to the passages furnishing a clue or key for certain difficulties elsewhere1 that they are plain and express8 ,nothing1 we apprehend1 unless to object next that the passages for which a key is sought are not plain and express4 ,we had thought that it belonged to the very nature of key-passages that they should be plain1 and to the very nature of the passages for which the key was needed1 that they should not be plain4 ,the demand that there shall be the express statement in these latter which belongs to the former1 is just to demand that there shall be no mystery about the times at all1that they shall be revealed with perfect clearness1 and that no wisdom and diligence be called for in evolving a principle and applying it to special cases4 ,bush's reply to ,stuart on this point is1 we think1 triumphant4 8,the obvious reply to all this 7the want of express statement in ,daniel and the ,apocalypse7 is1 that the instances now adduced are to be considered as merely giving us a clue to a general principle of interpretation4 ,here are two or three striking examples of predictions constructed on the plan of miniature symbolic representation in which the involved periods of time are reduced to a scale proportioned to that of the events themselves4 ,what1 then1 more natural or legitimate1 than that1 when we meet with other prophecies constructed on precisely the same principle1 we should interpret their chronological periods by the same rule8 ,instead of yielding to a demand to adduce authority for this mode of interpretation1 ,i feel at liberty to demand the authority for departing from it4 ,manente ratione manet lex is an apothegm which is surely applicable here if anywhere4 ,you repeatedly1 in the course of your pages1 appeal to the oracles of common sense1 as the grand arbiter in deciding upon the principles of hermeneutics4 ,i make my appeal to the same authority in the present case4 ,i demand1 in the name of common sense1 a reason why the symbolical prophecies of ,daniel and ,john should not be interpreted on the same principle with other prophecies of the same class4 ,but however loud and urgent my demand on this head1 ,i expect nothing else than that hill and dale will re-echo it1 even to the #8crack of doom1' before a satisfactory response from your pages falls on my ear4 ,all the answer ,i obtain is the following3#8,instead of being aided by an appeal to ,ezekiel iv4 #e1 #f1 we find that a principle is recognized there which makes directly against the interpretation we are calling in question4 ,the express exception as to the usual modes of reckoning goes directly to show1 that the xxii general rule would necessitate a different interpretation4' ,i may possibly be over sanguine1 but ,i cannot well resist the belief1 that the reader will perceive that that which you regard as the exception1 is in fact the rule40#ca ,dr4 ,maitland's famous objection1 that in ,ezekiel the case is one of representing1 whereas in ,daniel and the ,apocalypse it is one of interpreting1 has already been met in a previous part of this ,preface4 ,the objection of ,bishop ,horsley is not very gravenamely1 that because the day of temptation in the wilderness was forty years1 and one day is with the ,lord as a thousand years1 and a thousand years as one day1 we might as well conclude that a day is forty years or a thousand years1 as that it represents but one year4 ,so might we1 indeed1 if a number of passages could be produced in which a day has such significancy1 and another set of passages could be produced to which the first set furnish a key that seems exactly to answer4 ,in the meantime1 we must recognize the difference between what is merely figurative language1 and therefore loose and shifting1 and the language of symbol4 ,but the case of ,isaiah#cb has been supposed to neutralize any argument built upon that of ,ezekiel3 8,the ,lord spake by ,isaiah1 go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins1 and put off thy shoe from thy foot4 ,and he did so1 walking naked and barefoot4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,like as my servant ,isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years1 for a sign and wonder upon ,egypt and upon ,ethiopia1 so shall the king of ,assyria lead away the ,egyptians prisoners40 ,now1 it is argued that here 8three years correspond to three years1 not three days to three years4 ,it is arbitrary to suppose with ,lowth that the original reading was three days1 or to supply three days1 with ,vitringa4 ,the text must stand as it is40#cc ,but the interpretation of ,lowth and ,vitringa is not the only mode in which we may escape from the difficulty1 as this learned writer seems to hint4 ,we are not shut up to conjectural emendations4 ,the 8three years0 in the third verse may be connected with what follows1 as well as with what goes before2 then the verse will run1 8,like as my servant ,isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot2 a three years' sign and wonder10 which relieves us entirely from the supposition that ,isaiah walked three years barefoot1 and1 by consequence1 from the objection that is founded on it4 ,all that is intimated is1 that in some way or other 7the passage does not say how7 the prophet was a three years' signa sign1 that is1 of a calamity that would last during that time1 or commence from that time4 ,in proof of the justice of this arrangement1 it may be noticed that the ,masoretic interpunction throws the three years into the second clause2 that the ,septuagint gives both solutions1 by repeating 2#cd and that in a period of such alarm1 when ,ashdod was taken and the ,assyrian pressing on them1 it is not likely the symbolical representation would be continued so long4 ,indeed1 this opinion seems to meet with little or no countenance4#ce ,the opinion that seems generally to prevail is1 that ,isaiah indicated the three years' captivity either by exhibiting himself in the manner described in the text for three days1 which would intimate three years1 or by appearing in this manner once only1 and at the same time verbally declaring his design in so doing4 ,we come next to what is confessedly a main pillar of the ,year-day theory1 the prophecy of the seventy weeks in ,daniel4#cf 8,seventy weeks are determined xxiii upon thy people1 and upon thy holy city1 to finish the transgression1 and to make an end of sins1 and to make reconciliation for iniquity1 and to bring in everlasting righteousness1 and to seal up the vision and prophecy1 and to anoint the most holy4 ,know therefore and understand1 that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build ,jerusalem1 unto ,messiah the prince1 c40 ,now1 the all but universal agreement that this prophecy was fulfilled in a period of #dij years1 usually reckoned from the #gth of ,artaxerxes1 and extending to ,a4,d4 #cc1 the year in which ,christ died1 seems at once to settle the question regarding the mode of computation4 ,there are1 indeed1 those#cg who maintain that this prediction has yet to be fulfilled1 and they profess to look for its fulfilment in seventy weeks of days2 but the number holding this opinion is exceedingly small4 ,the great mass of writers1 even of those who contend for literal times1 reject it as quite untenable4 ,this mode of cutting the knot1 however1 indicates the difficulty that is felt by some 8,day-dayists0 in reconciling the passage with their theory1 and their dissatisfaction with the more usual method of reconciliation4 ,that method adopts a new rendering4 ,the words1 it is said1 ought to be translated seventy sevens2 and these are assumed to be sevens of years1 because in the early part of the chapter ,daniel had been meditating on ,jeremiah's prophecy regarding the seventy years' captivity4 ,by thus understanding the sevens at once of years1 without the intervention of symbolic days or weeks1 the argument for the ,year-day principle1 it will be seen1 is entirely destroyed4 ,it would be difficult and tedious to trace the course of discussion fully to which the passage has given rise4 ,a very general outline must suffice4 ,it had been maintained by some who contended for 8sevens of years10 that the word translated weeks 7 shabuim7 was the regular masculine plural of 7sheba71 seven1 and ought1 therefore1 to be translated sevens4#ch ,but 7shabuim71 as was alleged in reply1 8is not the normal plural of the ,hebrew term for seven40 ,the normal plural is 7shibim72 but that is the term for seventy1 and cannot mean sevens4#ci ,it seems now admitted on all hands1 that both 7shabuim7 and the feminine form 7shabpuoth7 are plural forms of 7shabua71 which1 according to the etymology of the word1 signifies a hebdomad or septemized period4#dj ,the only question that remains1 therefore1 regards the use of the word4 ,what is its use8 ,so that after much controversy1 the matter stands very much as ,mede left it4 8,the question10 says he1 8lies not in the etymology1 but in the use1 wherein 7shabua7 always signifies sevens of days1 and never sevens of years4 ,wheresoever it is absolutely put1 it means of days2 it is nowhere thus used of years40#da ,besides the places in ,daniel1 the word occurs absolutely elsewhere1 in some one or other of its forms1 eleven times1 and in every one of these cases with the sense of weeks of days4#db ,it is true that if we except the places in ,daniel1 there is no instance in ,scripture where the masculine plural 7shabuim7 is used to denote weeks4 ,the word elsewhere used for that purpose is uniformly 7shabpuoth7 in the feminine4 ,but we confess ourselves at a loss to understand xxiv why so much should be made of this4 ,the word which ,daniel uses is confessedly the masculine plural#dc of the same word1 which in the singular is translated 8week10 and in the feminine plural 8weeks20 and although there are instances in various languages of the masculine and feminine plurals having different significations1 yet1 in the absence of anything like proof that such is the case here1 we must be guided by the use of the word in its other forms throughout the ,scripture1 when we come to interpret the peculiar form that occurs in ,daniel4 ,what good reason can be given for departing from the analogy of the other forms8 ,this1 it must be confessed1 is entirely on the side of the ,year-day principle2 and the objection resolves itself into nothing more than this1 that it is a peculiar form of the word which ,daniel uses4 ,as to what is said of the qualifying word 1 yamim 7days71 twice occurring in chap4 x4 #b1 #c1dd in connection with 7shabuim71 giving the literal sense three weeks1 days1 or three weeks as to days1 we cannot see that it furnishes any grave objection to our argument4 ,it seems rather to strengthen it4 ,for here we have two places in which the word in question1 and the form of it in question1 are declared to mean weeks of days4 ,does not this intimate that such is the ordinary and primary sense8 ,are we not as much entitled to draw this conclusion1 as other parties to conclude that the qualifying word is added because the usual sense is sevens of years8 ,let us only suppose that the qualifying word had been years instead of days 7sevens as to years71 would it not very readily have been said in that case1 ,here is a plain declaration that sevens of years are to be understood2 and certainly the places where no qualifying word occurs must be ruled by this8 ,gesenius supposes the addition of 7days7 is merely pleonastic2 but if any other reason must be found for it1 that of ,bush seems as satisfactory as any1 which regards it as an intimation that the primary sense is the only admissible one in the circumstances4 #d4 ,we entitle our next head of evidence1 ,exigency of the passages in which the prophetic times occur4 ,the very best plan of arriving at the truth in the question1 whether the shorter or longer reckoning be the right one1 is to test both by application to the disputed passages4 ,try the two keys1 and see which best suits the lock4 ,one section of the literal dayists have here1 however1 a great advantage over their opponents1 inasmuch as their plan of placing the ,apocalyptic fulfilments entirely in the future 7with the exception1 on the part of some of them1 of the epistles to the seven churches71 relieves them from every embarrassment that might arise from any specific historical application4 ,of course it is impossible to argue with men of this school1 that their literal times do not answer to their historical events1 for historical events they have none1 and we cannot prove that their ideal fulfilments may not be realized4 ,to discuss fully this part of our subject1 however1 would require a volume embracing an exposition of nearly all the more important passages in ,daniel and the ,apocalypse4 ,we intend only to offer a few passing remarks on one or two of these1 referring such as wish to prosecute the subject1 to the 8,notes0 in this volume4 ,let us take first the ,saracenic woe4#de ,we say not1 in the meantime1 that the interpretation which has given rise to this name is necessarily the right one4 ,we merely wish to institute a comparison between it and another interpretation1 xxv which proceeds on the principle of the shorter dates4 ,if the reader will turn to our author's exposition1 and attentively study it1 he will1 we think1 be disposed to acquiesce in the justice of his closing remark1 that1 on the supposition that it was the design of ,john to symbolize these events 7the ,arabian conquests71 the symbol has been chosen which of all others is best adapted to the end4 ,moreover1 it will be seen that the ,arabian history1 according to the requirements of the passage1 on the ,year-day principle1 furnishes a period of five months1 or #aej years of intense stinging oppression1 and immediately thereafter exhibits a gradual decline in power1 along with a disinclination to persecute4 ,now what have we to oppose to this view on the part of those who advocate literal times8 ,we turn to ,professor ,stuart4 ,he tells us he can find no event in history that1 with any good degree of probability1 will correspond to a period of #aej years4 8,and10 adds he1 8if we count five literal months1 we are still involved in the same difficulty4 ,hence the tropical use of the expression five months1 seems to be most probable and facile40 ,his conclusion is that 8the meaning must be a short period40 ,we cannot think that this 8tropical use0 is very 8probable20 it is however abundantly 8facile20 and we know not how to argue with those who1 when events will not correspond with their literal times1 immediately take refuge in tropes4 ,when ,professor ,stuart can find events that suit1 his times are literal1 as we shall immediately see2 when he cannot find such events1 his times are tropical4 ,but a principle so 8facile10 however it may suit his convenience1 is not fitted to guide us in an inquiry into the prophetic periods4 8,the proper laws of interpretation10 our author has justly observed in his exposition of the place1 8demand that one or the other of these periods should be found1 either that of five months literally1 or that of a hundred and fifty years40 ,take next the ,turkish woe4#df ,we refer the reader again to the author's exposition1 that he may see how 8the hour1 day1 month1 and year0 of this predictionthat is1 the #cia years1 and a #abth or #bdth of a yearfind their fulfilment in the history of the ,turkish empire4 ,but on the supposition that the times are literal1 what events can be fixed on as occupying this period of little more than a year8 or how1 in transactions so great1 should a single hour be mentioned8 ,these questions are evaded by assigning a new sense to the clause 1 c4 ,it is said to mean only1 8that at the destined hour1 and destined day1 and destined month1 and destined year10 the calamity should happen2 that is to say1 it should occur simply at the appointed time4 ,we venture to say that such a periphrasis for an idea so simple has no parallel elsewhere4 ,for the criticism of the passage1 we refer to ,barnes and ,elliott1 who have successfully contended that the words completely reject this sense4 ,the latter appeals also to the parallel passage in ,dan4 xii4 #g1 where 8for a time1 times1 and half a time0 is universally understood of the aggregate period of three years and a half4#dg ,the forty-two months of the ,gentiles is another and remarkable ,apocalyptic period4#dh ,if we do not1 with our author1 apply the passage in which this notation of time occurs1 to the trampling down of the church by the ,papacy during her long and oppressive reign of #abfj years1 but seek an explanation from those who deny the ,year-day principle1 shall we find events that will better answer on the principle of literal times8 ,let us try4 ,professor ,stuart1 in this place1 abandons the idea he sometimes resorts to1 of supposing the periods xxvi 8figurative modes of expressing a short time40 ,he thinks a 8literal and definite period0 is here meant2 and he even condescends1 in spite of all his hatred of historical comments1 on historical events answering to this definite period4 8,it is certain10 says he1 8that the invasion of the ,romans lasted just about the length of the period named until ,jerusalem was taken40 ,and again1 in his ,excursus on ,designations of ,time1 he says that in the spring of ,a4,d4 #fg1 ,vespasian was sent by ,nero to subdue ,palestine2 and that on the #ajth of ,august1 ,a4,d4 #gj1 ,jerusalem was taken and destroyed by ,titus4 ,thus he makes out the literal period of forty-two months or three and a half years4 ,he is1 however1 compelled to admit that the war actually began some time before ,vespasian's mission4 ,but allowing all this to be correct1 there was1 as ,mr4 ,barnes remarks1 8no precise period of three years and a half1 in respect to which the language here used would be applicable to the literal ,jerusalem4 ,judea was held in subjection1 and trodden down by the ,romans for centuries1 and never1 in fact1 gained its independence40 ,it is trodden down still4 ,and yet we are told1 in a laboured article written on purpose to set aside the ,year-day principle1 that there can scarcely be a doubt that the period in question 7the forty-two months7 is designed to mark the time during which the conquest of ,palestine and of the ,holy ,city was going on4 ,in close connection with this prediction1 we have the times of the two witnesses4#di ,they were to 8prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days1 clothed in sackcloth40 ,again1 we think the longer reckoning meets the requirements of the passage1 and is consistent with the historical events offered in explanation4 ,during all the dark period of ,papal rule1 there has been a competent number of witnesses testifying in favour of the truth4 ,the reader will find ample details in the exposition within4 ,let us turn now to the exposition offered by the great chief of the ,literal-day theorists4 ,his theory requires him to find the witnesses in ,jerusalem immediately previous to its fall4 ,but where the witnesses in ,jerusalem prophesying during three and a half literal years8 ,history is quite silent in regard to any such parties2 nay more1 the accounts which we have of the period render it exceedingly improbable that any such parties could have existed in ,jerusalem at that time4 ,the ,christians1 warned by their ,master1 had fled to ,pella1 and thereby escaped the calamity in which their unbelieving countrymen were overwhelmed4 ,yet1 in the absence of history1 and in spite of history1 suppositions are made to stand in its place4 ,we are told that some of the faithful and zealous teachers of ,christianity would certainly remain in spite of their ,lord's warning4 ,these1 it is supposed next1 would be slain by the ,zealots1 who would1 notwithstanding1 be unable to destroy ,christianity4 ,the truth should ever have a resurrection4 ,we offer no further remark on this1 than that if pure imaginations are to be alleged1 where history fails1 there can be no difficulty in meeting the requirements of any theory1 inasmuch as inventions are much more 8facile0 than facts4 ,but the exposure of the dead bodies of the witnesses is supposed to be perfectly fatal to the ,year-day principle in this passage4 8,what now10 it is asked1 8if we should insist on interpreting this 7the three days and a half of exposure7 as meaning three and a half years8 ,it would bring out an absurdity2 for a single month in the climate of ,palestine would in one way or another destroy any dead body1 not to speak of its being devoured40 ,doubtless this is an absurdity2 but it is an absurdity obtained xxvii by subjecting a symbolical passage to a very singular process1 in which one part of the symbol is explained1 and then read along with the unexplained part4 ,but explain both parts of the passage1 the lying exposed1 as well as the days1 and then we have no incongruous sense1 but an intimation1 that for three and a half years the witnesses should be silenced1 and be treated with great indignity1 as if unworthy of ,christian burial4 ,or if the question be regarding symbolical propriety1 let the symbolical representation stand as it isboth parts unexplained2 and what inconsistency is there in supposing dead bodies exposed for three and a half days in the climate of ,palestine8 ,if we choose to proceed on a principle like this1 we may make as many absurdities as there are passages in the ,apocalypse4 ,next in order1 we have the times of the woman in the wilderness1#ej the thousand two hundred and threescore days1 or time1 times1 and half a time1 during which she was protected and nourished by ,god4 ,once more we refer to the author's exposition of this passage for a defence of the ,protestant interpretation1 which explains it of the preservation of the church in a state of comparative obscurity during the long period of ,papal oppression4 ,but on the principle of literal days1 that is1 8if the period of the woman's sojourn be only three years and six months1 the preparation must be either quite disproportionate to the event1 or the steps of the preparation will be crowded into the narrowest compass4 ,the spiritual deliverance1 the dejection of ,satan1 the renewed persecution1 the protection1 the flood1 its absorption by the friendly earth1 and the persevering rage of the dragon1 will all be crushed into the space of two or three years4 ,surely nothing but the most distinct revelation could make us receive such an exposition of the true reference of so glorious a prophecy40#ea ,it is difficult1 indeed1 to conceive that a prophecy of this nature should find its fulfilment in any three and a half years of the church's history2 and our difficulties certainly are not diminished1 when we come to consider the special interpretations that are constructed on this principle4 ,we are told that the woman is the ,jewish ,theocratic church4 ,but that church never dwelt #abfj days in the wilderness1 nor can any historical event be alleged in illustration of such a view that does not bear its refutation on the face of it4 ,the ,christians who fled to ,pella1 will the reader believe it1 are1 for the sake of a theory1 made to stand for the church1 symbolized by the woman2 and their protection1 during the continuance of the ,jewish war1 is the woman's wilderness sojourn4 ,the flight is the flight of the woman1 or ,jewish ,theocratic church1 in the first instance4 ,but the ,jewish church1 to answer the necessities of the case1 is at once transformed into the ,christian2 and finally1 a comparatively small body of ,christians in the neighbourhood of ,jerusalem is elevated into the dignity of the church1 to the exclusion of the numerous societies of ,christians existing elsewhere4 ,these are the assumptions set forth in antagonism to the ,protestant view2 set forth1 too1 not as modest guesses1 but as certain verities1 to reject which1 brings down on us the charge of ignorance of history1 and of exegetical science4 ,our limits forbid us to speak of the forty-two months of the beast1#eb or of the periods in ,daniel4 ,of the beast1 it is manifest1 that it is a power of no brief duration2 but one which1 existing through a long previous period1 appears again at the great final battle immediately previous to the millennium1 and is then destroyed4 ,great care is taken1 in the chapter which describes xxviii the closing struggle1 to identify the beast which was then slain with that which had previously appeared on the stage4#ec ,as to the view which explains the beast of ,nero1 and the times of the three and a half years of his persecution1 it is certainly enough to observe1 that it requires the aid of a heathen hariolation to make it out1 and may1 therefore1 be dismissed without argument4 ,of the periods in ,daniel1 particularly those in the seventh and twelfth chapters1#ed we can only say that the mode of authoritatively asserting that the reference is to ,antiochus ,epiphanes1 and then ridiculing the idea of any one man living through #abfj years1#ee is a mode which must be abandoned by such as would secure a favourable reception for their views4 ,we believe the sublime predictions of ,daniel and ,john are occupied with far higher subjectssubjects of infinitely more concern to the church and the world than the history of the two tyrants1 ,antiochus and ,nero4 ,we had intended to consider some of the current objections against the ,year-day theory1 particularly that founded on its alleged novelty8,the spiritual common sense of the church10 according to ,dr4 ,maitland1 8being set in array against it1 from the days of ,daniel to those of ,wickliffe40 ,mr4 ,elliott has thoroughly examined this position2 and the conclusion to which he comes1 after a most painstaking inquiry1 is8,that from the time of ,cyprian1 near the middle of the #c;d century1 even to the time of ,joachim and the ,waldenses1 in the #abth century1 there was kept up1 by a succession of expositors1 a recognition of the precise ,year-day principle40 ,we have carefully examined the grounds of this opinion1 and compared them with certain recent and able adverse criticisms1 without having had our conviction shaken that1 in the main1 it is correct4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,site ,,of ,,ephesus1 ,from the ,theatre4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,castle ,,and ,,port ,,of ,,smyrna4 ,illustration3 ,,ruins ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,st4 ,,john1 ,,pergamos4 ,illustration3 ,,thyatira4 ,illustration3 ,,philadelphia4 ,illustration3 ,,sardis4 ,illustration3 ,,petrified ,,cascades ,,at ,,heirapolis4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,ruins ,,of ,,laodicea4 xxix ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,revelation ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,i4,the ,writer of the ,book of ,revelation4 ,much has been written on the question who was the author of this book4 ,to enter into an extended investigation of this would greatly exceed the limits which ,i have1 and would not comport with my design in these ,notes4 ,for a full examination of the question ,i must refer to others1 and would mention particularly1 ,prof4 ,stuart1 ,com4 i4 #bhcdbg2 ,lardner1 ,works1 vi4 #cahcbg2 ,hug1 ,intro4 to the ,new ,testament1 pp4 #fejfgc1 ,andover1 #ahcf2 ,michaelis1 ,intro4 to the ,new ,testament1 iv4 #degedd2 and the article 8,revelation10 in ,kitto's ,cyclopdia of ,biblical ,literature4 ,i propose to exhibit1 briefly1 the evidence that the apostle ,john was the author1 according to the opinion which has been commonly entertained in the church2 the proof of which seems to me to be satisfactory4 ,this may be considered under these divisions3 the direct historical evidence1 and the insufficiency of the reason for doubting it4 ,i4 ,the direct historical evidence4 ,the sum of all that is to be said on this point is1 that to the latter half of the third century it was not doubted that the apostle ,john was the author4 ,why it was ever afterwards doubted1 and what is the force and value of the doubt1 will be considered in another part of this ,introduction4 ,there may be some convenience in dividing the early historical testimony into three periods of half a century each1 extending from the death of ,john1 about ,a4,d4 #ih1 to the middle of the third century4 #a4 ,from the death of ,john1 about ,a4,d4 #ih to ,a4,d4 #aej4 ,this period embraces the last of those men who conversed1 or who might have conversed1 with the apostles2 that is1 who were1 for a part of their lives1 the contemporaries of ,john4 ,the testimony of the writers who lived then would1 of course1 be very important4 ,those embraced in this period are ,hermas1 ,ignatius1 ,polycarp1 and ,papias4 ,the evidence of this period is not indeed very direct1 but it is such as it would be on the supposition that ,john was the author1 and there is nothing contradictory to that supposition4 ,,hermas1 about ,a4,d4 #ajj4;,in the ,shepherd or ,pastor1 ascribed to this writer1 there are several allusions which are supposed to refer to this book1 and which resemble it so much as to make it probable that the author was acquainted with it4 ,dr4 ,lardner thus expresses the result of his examination of this point3 8,it is probable that ,hermas had read the book of ,revelation1 and imitated it4 ,he has many things resembling it0 7vol4 ii4 pp4 #figb74 ,there is no direct testimony1 however1 in this writer that is of importance4 ,,ignatius4,he was bishop of ,antioch1 and flourished ,a4,d4 #gjajg4 ,in the latter year he suffered martyrdom1 in the time of ,trajan4 ,little1 however1 can xxx be derived from him in regard to the ,apocalypse4 ,he was a contemporary of ,john1 and it is not a little remarkable that he has not more directly alluded to him4 ,in the course of a forced and hurried journey to ,rome1 the scene of his martyrdom1 he wrote several epistles to the ,ephesians1 ,magnesians1 ,trallians1 ,romans1 ,philadelphians1 ,smyrneans1 and to ,polycarp4 ,there has been much controversy respecting the authenticity of these epistles1 and it is generally admitted that those which we now possess have been greatly corrupted4 ,there is no direct mention of the ,apocalypse in these epistles1 and ,michaelis makes this one of the strong grounds of his disbelief of its genuineness4 ,his argument is1 that the silence of ,ignatius shows1 either that he did not know of the existence of this book1 or did not recognize it as a part of the sacred ,scriptures4 ,little1 however1 can be ever inferred from the mere silence of an author2 for there may have been many reasons why1 though the book may have been in existence1 and recognized as the writing of ,john1 ,ignatius did not refer to it4 ,the whole matter of the residence of ,john at ,ephesus1 of his banishment to ,patmos1 and of his death1 is unnoticed by him4 ,there are1 however1 two or three allusions in the epistles of ,ignatius which have been supposed to refer to the ,apocalypse1 or to prove that he was familiar with that workthough it must be admitted that the language is so general1 that it furnishes no certain proof that he designed to quote it4 ,they are these3 ,epis4 to the ,romans8,in the patience of ,jesus ,christ10 comp4 ,rev4 i4 #i2 and ,epis4 to the ,ephesians8,stones of the temple of the ,father prepared for the building of ,god10 comp4 ,rev4 xxi4 #bai4 ,to these ,mr4 ,john ,collyer ,knight1 of the ,british ,museum1 in a recent publication 7,two ,new ,arguments in ,vindication of the ,genuineness and ,authenticity of the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john1 ,london1 #ahdb71 has added a third3 ,epis4 to the ,philadelphians8,if they do not speak concerning ,jesus ,christ1 they are but sepulchral pillars1 and upon them are written only the names of men40 ,comp4 ,rev4 iii4 #ab1 8,him that overcometh will ,i make a pillar in the temple of my ,god2 and he shall go no more out3 and ,i will write upon him the name of my ,god40 ,it must be admitted1 however1 that this coincidence of language does not furnish any certain proof that ,ignatius had seen the ,apocalypse1 though this is such language as he might have used if he had seen it4 ,there was no known necessity1 however1 for his referring to this book if he was acquainted with it1 and nothing can be inferred from his silence4 ,,polycarp4,he was bishop of ,smyrna1 and suffered martyrdom1 though at what time is not certain4 ,the ,chronicon ,paschale names ,a4,d4 #afc2 ,eusebius1 #afg2 ,usher1 #afi2 and ,pearson1 #adh4 ,he died at the age of eighty-six1 and consequently was contemporary with ,john1 who died about ,a4,d4 #ih4 ,there is but one relic of his writings extanthis epistle to the ,philippians4 ,there is in ,eusebius 7iv4 #ae71 an epistle from the church in ,smyrna to the churches in ,pontus1 giving an account of the martyrdom of ,polycarp4 ,it is admitted that in neither of these is there any express mention1 or any certain allusion1 to the book of ,revelation4 ,but from this circumstance nothing can be inferred respecting the ,apocalypse1 either for or against it1 since there may have been no occasion for ,polycarp or his friends1 in the writings now extant1 to speak of this book2 and from their silence nothing more should be inferred against this book than against the epistles of ,paul1 or the ,gospel by ,john4 ,there is1 however1 what may1 without impropriety1 be regarded as an important testimony of ,polycarp in regard to this book4 ,polycarp was1 as there is every reason to xxxi suppose1 the personal friend of ,john1 and ,irenus was the personal friend of ,polycarp 7,lardner1 ii4 #idif74 ,now ,irenus1 as we shall see1 on all occasions1 and in the most positive manner1 gives his clear testimony that the ,apocalypse was written by the apostle ,john4 ,it is impossible to suppose that he would do this if ,polycarp had not believed it to be true2 and certainly he would not have been likely to hold this opinion if one who was his own friend1 and the friend of ,john1 had doubted or denied it4 ,this is not indeed absolute proof1 but it furnishes strong presumptive evidence in favour of the opinion that the book of ,revelation was written by the apostle ,john4 ,the whole history of ,polycarp1 and his testimony to the books of the ,new ,testament1 may be seen in ,lardner1 ii4 #idaad4 ,,papias4,papias was bishop of ,hierapolis1 near ,colosse1 and flourished1 according to ,cave1 about ,a4,d4 #aaj2 according to others1 about the year #aae or #aaf4 ,how long he lived is uncertain4 ,irenus asserts that he was the intimate friendof ,polycarp1 and this is also admitted by ,eusebius 7,ecc4 ,hist4 iii4 #ci74 ,he was the contemporary of ,john1 and was probably acquainted with him4 ,eusebius expressly says that he was 8a hearer of ,john0 7,lardner1 ii4 #aag74 ,of his writings there remain only a few fragments preserved by ,eusebius1 by ,jerome1 and in the ,commentary of ,andrew1 bishop of ,csarea1 in ,cappadocia4 ,he was a warm defender of the ,millennarian doctrines4 ,in his writings preserved to us 7see ,lardner1 ii4 #abjabe71 there is no express mention of the ,apocalypse1 or direct reference to it2 but the commentator ,andrew of ,csarea reckons him among the explicit witnesses in its favour4 ,in the ,preface to his ,commentary on the ,apocalypse1 ,andrew says1 8,in regard now to the inspiration of the book1 we think it superfluous to extend our discourse1 inasmuch as the blessed ,gregory1 and ,cyril1 and moreover the ancient writers ,papias1 ,irenus1 ,methodius1 and ,hippolytus bear testimony to its credibility40 ,see the passage in ,hug1 ,intro4 p4 #feb2 and ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cje4 ,and in nearly the same words does ,arethas1 the successor of ,andrew1 bear the like testimony4 ,the evidence1 therefore1 in this case is the same as in the case of ,polycarp1 and it cannot be supposed that ,papias would have been thus referred to unless it was uniformly understood that he regarded the book as the production of the apostle ,john4 ,these are all the testimonies that properly belong to the first half century after the death of ,john1 and though not absolutely positive and conclusive in themselves1 yet the following points may be regarded as established37a7 ,the book was known2 7b7 so far as the testimony goes1 it is in favour of its having been composed by ,john2 7c7 the fact that he was the author is not called in question or doubted2 7d7 it was generally ascribed to him2 7e7 it was probably the foundation of the ,millennarian views entertained by ,papiasthat is1 it is easier to account for his holding these views by supposing that the book was known1 and that he founded them on this book1 than in any other way4 ,see ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cjd4 #b4 ,the second half century after the death of ,john1 from ,a4,d4 #aej to ,a4,d4 #bjj4 ,this will include the names of ,justin ,martyr1 the ,narrator of the ,martyrs of ,lyons1 ,irenus1 ,melito1 ,theophilus1 ,apollonius1 ,clement of ,alexandria and ,tertullian4 ,,justin ,,martyr4,he was a ,christian philosopher1 born at ,flavia ,neapolis1 anciently called ,sichem1 a city of ,samaria1 it is supposed about ,a4,d4 #ajc2 was converted to ,christianity about ,a4,d4 #acc1 and suffered martyrdom about xxxii ,a4,d4 #afe 7,lardner1 ii4 #abeadj74 ,he was partly contemporary with ,polycarp and ,papias4 ,he travelled in ,egypt1 ,italy1 and ,asia ,minor1 and resided some time at ,ephesus4 ,he was endowed with a bold and inquiring mind1 and was a man eminent for integrity and virtue4 ,tatian calls him an 8admirable man40 ,methodius says1 that he was a man 8not far removed from the apostles in time or in virtue40 ,photius says1 that he was 8well acquainted with the ,christian philosophy1 and especially with the heathen2 rich in the knowledge of history1 and all other parts of learning0 7,lardner74 ,he was1 therefore1 well qualified to ascertain the truth about the origin of the book of ,revelation1 and his testimony must be of great value4 ,he was an advocate of the doctrine of ,chiliasmor1 the doctrine that ,christ would reign a thousand years on the earthand in defence of this he uses the following language3 8,and a man from among us1 by name ,john1 one of the ,apostles of ,christ1 in a ,revelation made to him has prophesied that the believers in one ,christ shall live a thousand years in ,jerusalem2 and after that shall be the general1 and1 in a word1 the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men together40 ,there can be no doubt whatever that there is an allusion here to the book of ,revelationfor the very name ,revelationis used2 that ,justin believed that it was written by the apostle ,john2 and that there is express reference to what is now chap4 xx4 of that book4 ,the book was1 therefore1 in existence in the time of ,justinthat is1 in about fifty years after the death of ,john2 was believed to be the work of the apostle ,john2 was quoted as such1 and by one who had lived in the very region where ,john lived1 and by a man whose character is unimpeached1 and who1 in a point like this1 could not have been mistaken4 ,the testimony of ,justin ,martyr1 therefore1 is very important4 ,it is positive2 it is given where there was every opportunity for knowing the truth1 and where there was no motive for a false testimony2 and it is the testimony of one whose character for truthfulness is unimpeached4 ,,the ,,narrative ,,of ,,the ,,martyrs ,,of ,,vienne ,,and ,,lyons4,lardner1 ii4 #afjafe4 ,in the reign of ,marcus ,antoninus1 ,christians suffered much from persecution4 ,this persecution was particularly violent at ,lyons1 and the country round about4 ,the churches of ,lyons and ,vienne sent an account of their sufferings1 in an epistle1 to the churches of ,asia and ,phrygia4 ,this1 according to ,lardner1 was about ,a4,d4 #agg4 ,the epistle has been preserved by ,eusebius4 ,in this epistle1 among other undoubted allusions to the ,new ,testament1 the following occurs4 ,speaking of ,vettius ,epigathus1 they say8,for he was indeed a genuine disciple of ,christ1 following the ,lamb whithersoever he goes40 ,comp4 ,rev4 xiv4 #b3 8,these are they which follow the ,lamb whithersoever he goeth40 ,there can be no doubt that this passage in ,revelation was referred to2 and it proves that the book was then known1 and that the writers were accustomed to regard it as on a level with the other sacred writings4 ,,iren,,us4,the testimony of this father has already been referred to when speaking of ,polycarp4 ,he was bishop of ,lyons1 in ,gaul4 ,his country is not certainly known1 but ,lardner supposes that he was a ,greek1 and1 from his early acquaintance with ,polycarp1 that he was from ,asia4 ,when a youth1 he was a hearer of ,polycarp1 and also a disciple of ,papias4 ,he was born about the beginning of the second century1 and it is commonly supposed that he suffered martyrdom in extreme old age4 ,he became bishop of ,lyons after xxxiii he was seventy years of age1 and wrote his principal work1 ,contra ,hreses1 after this4 ,his testimony is particularly valuable1 as he was in early life acquainted with ,polycarp1 who was a contemporary and friend of the apostle ,john 7,lardner1 ii4 #afeaib74 ,of his reference to the book of ,revelation1 ,lardner says3 8,the ,apocalypse1 or ,revelation1 is often quoted by him as the ,revelation of ,john1 the disciple of the ,lord40 ,in one place he says3 8,it was seen no long time ago1 but almost in our age1 at the end of the reign of ,domitian40 ,and again1 he spoke of the exact and ancient copies of the book1 as if it was important to ascertain the true reading1 and as if it were then possible to do this4 ,thus ,eusebius 7,lardner1 ii4 #afg7 says of him3 8,in his fifth book he thus discourses of the ,revelation of ,john1 and the computation of the name of ,antichrist3 #8,these things being thus1 and this number being in all the exact and ancient copies1 and they who saw ,john attesting to the same things1 and reason teaching us that the number of the name of the beast1 according to the acceptation of the ,greeks1 is expressed by the letters contained in it4'0 ,here is an undoubted reference to ,revelation xiii4 #ah4 ,this evidence is clear and positive4 ,its value consists in these things3 7a7 ,that he was familiar with one who was the friend of ,john2 7b7 that he must have known his views on the subject2 7c7 that he must have been intimately acquainted with the common opinion on the subject of the authorship of the book2 7d7 that a spurious work could not have been palmed upon the world as the production of ,john2 7e7 that he bears unequivocal testimony to the fact that it was written by ,john2 7f7 and that he speaks of the 8most exact0 copies being then in existence1 and testified to by those who had seen ,john himself4 ,,melito4,lardner1 ii4 #aegafj4 ,he was bishop of ,sardis1 one of the churches to which the book of ,revelation was directed4 ,he is supposed to have flourished about ,a4,d4 #agj4 ,he was a man greatly distinguished for learning and piety1 and ,jerome says that ,christians were accustomed to name him a prophet4 ,he was1 moreover1 remarkably inquisitive respecting the sacred books2 and1 at the request of ,onesimus1 he made extracts from the ,scriptures respecting the ,messianic prophecies1 and also a complete list of the books of the ,old ,testament1 which is still extant in ,eusebius1 ,ecc4 ,hist4 iv4 #bf4 ,he wrote a ,treatise or ,commentary on the ,book of ,revelation4 ,dr4 ,lardner says of this1 8,what it contained we are not informed4 ,i will say it was a commentary on that book4 ,it is plain he ascribed that book to ,john1 and very likely to ,john the apostle4 ,i think it very probable he esteemed it a book of canonical authority40 ,hug says 7p4 #fec71 8,melito himself calls it the ,apocalypse of ,john40 ,even ,michaelis 7,intro4 to the ,new ,testament1 iv4 #dff7 reckons ,melito among the witnesses in favour of the book4 ,the value of this testimony is this3 7a7 ,melito was bishop of one of the churches to which the ,apocalypse was directed2 7b7 he lived near the time of ,john2 7c7 he was a diligent student on this very subject2 7d7 he had every opportunity of ascertaining the truth on the subject2 7e7 he regarded it as the work of the apostle ,john2 7f7 and he wrote a treatise or commentary on it as an inspired book4 ,it is not easy to conceive of stronger testimony in favour of the book4 ,,theophilus4,lardner1 ii4 #bjcbae4 ,he was bishop of ,antioch1 and flourished about ,a4,d4 #afiahj4 ,he wrote a work against the 8heresy0 of ,hermogenes1 referred to by ,eusebius1 ,ecc4 ,hist4 iv4 #bd4 ,in that work he expressly speaks of the ,apocalypse as the production of ,john2 and ,lardner xxxiv says of his testimony1 8,that the book of ,revelation was owned by him is undoubted from ,eusebius4 ,eusebius has assured us that ,theophilus1 in his book against ,hermogenes1 brought testimonies from the ,apocalypse of ,john10 pp4 #bad1 #bae4 ,the value of this testimony is1 that ,theophilus doubtless expressed the current opinion of his time1 and that he had ample opportunity for ascertaining the truth4 ,there is also a passage in the writings of ,theophilus which seems to be a direct allusion to the book of ,revelation3 8,this ,eve1 because she was deceived by the serpentthe evil demon1 who is also called ,satan1 who thus spoke to her by the serpentdoes not cease to accuse2 this demon is also called the dragon40 ,comp4 ,rev4 xii4 #i4 ,,apollonius4,lardner1 ii4 #ciacic4 ,he flourished about ,a4,d4 #aib4 ,eusebius says of him1 8,he makes use of testimonies out of the ,revelation of ,john40 ,the value of this testimony is1 7a7 that he quotes the book as of authority2 and 7b7 that he ascribes it to ,john1 evidently meaning the apostle ,john4 ,,clement ,,of ,,alexandria4,lardner1 ii4 #bbbbei4 ,he flourished about ,a4,d4 #aibbbj4 ,many of his writings are extant4 ,lardner 7p4 #bde7 says of him1 8,the book of ,revelation is several times quoted by him1 and once in this manner3 #8,such an one1 though here on earth he be not honoured with the first seat1 shall sit upon the four and twenty thrones judging the people1 as ,john says in the ,revelation4'0 ,comp4 ,rev4 iv4 #d2 xi4 #af4 ,lardner adds1 8,and that he supposed this writer to be ,john the apostle appears from another place1 where he refers to ,rev4 xxi4 #ba1 as the words of the apostle40 ,professor ,stuart says 7i4 #cag71 8,there is no good ground for doubt1 from anything which is found in the work1 that he received and admitted the ,apocalypse as a work of ,john the apostle40 ,the known character of ,clement makes this testimony of great value4 ,,tertullian4,he was the contemporary of ,clement1 and was the most ancient1 and one of the most learned1 of the ,latin fathers 7,lardner1 ii4 #bfgcjf74 ,he was born at ,carthage about the middle of the second century1 and died about ,a4,d4 #bbj4 ,he was reared in the study of the ,greek and ,latin languages1 of philosophy and the ,roman law1 and possessed extensive information4 8,his testimony to the ,apocalypse is most full and ample4 ,he quotes1 or refers to it in more than seventy passages in his writings1 appealing to it expressly as the work of the apostle ,john0 7,elliott1 i4 #bg74 8,the declarations of ,tertullian are so frequent and plain1 that no doubt can possibly remain as to his belief0 7,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cah74 8,the ,revelation of ,john is often quoted4 ,i put together two or three passages1 which show his full persuasion that it was written by the apostle and evangelist of that name0 7,lardner1 ii4 #bie74 ,one of the passages referred to by ,lardner is the following3 8,the apostle ,john1 in the ,apocalypse1 describes a sharp two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of ,god40 ,another is1 8,though ,marcion rejects his revelation1 the succession of bishops traced to the original will assure us that ,john is the author40 ,there can be no doubt1 therefore1 that ,tertullian regarded the apostle ,john as the author of the book of ,revelation2 and his confident assertion may be considered as expressive of the prevailing opinion of his time4 ,thus far1 to the end of the second century1 the testimony of the fathers of the church1 as far as we now have it1 was uniform and unbroken2 and so far as historical testimony is concerned1 this should be permitted to decide the xxxv question4 ,marcion1 indeed1 who lived in the time of ,polycarp1 and whom ,polycarp called 8the first-born of ,satan0 7,lardner1 ii4 #ie71 rejected the book of ,revelation 7see the declaration of ,tertullian in ,lardner1 ii4 #bge72 but it is also to be remembered that he rejected the whole of the ,old ,testament1 the account of the genealogy and baptism of the ,saviour1 the ,acts of the ,apostles1 the ,epistles to ,timothy1 ,titus1 the ,hebrews1 and the ,catholic ,epistles 7,lardner1 vi4 #adbaea1 #cdgcej2 viii4 #dhieac74 ,besides the opinion of ,marcion1 the testimony was uniform1 with the exception of the heretical sect of the ,alogi1 if there was any such sect1 which is generally supposed to have arisen in the latter half of this century1 who derived their name from their antipathy to the name of ,logos1 and who on this account denied both the ,gospel of ,john and the book of ,revelation4 ,see ,lardner1 iv4 #aij1 #aia2 viii4 #fbg1 #fbh4 ,lardner1 however1 maintains that there never was any such sect 7viii4 #fbh74 #c4 ,the third half century after the death of ,john1 ,a4,d4 #bjjbej4 ,among the names embraced in this period are those of ,hippolytus1 who flourished about ,a4,d4 #bbj2 ,nepos1 an ,egyptian bishop2 the well-known ,origen1 the most acute critic of all the early fathers1 and who devoted his life to the study of the ,scriptures2 ,cyprian1 bishop of ,carthage1 who flourished about ,a4,d4 #bdf2 and ,methodius1 bishop of ,olympia in ,lycia4 ,all these1 without exception1 have left a clear and decided expression of their belief that the apostle ,john was the author of the ,apocalypse4 ,see that testimony at length in ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cbacbf4 ,it is unnecessary to pursue the historical evidence further4 ,if the testimony in favour of the work is unbroken and clear for an hundred and fifty years1 the testimony of those who lived subsequent to that period would add little to its strength4 ,to the names already mentioned1 however1 there might be added those of ,epiphanius1 ,basil1 ,cyril of ,alexandria1 ,ephrem the ,syrian1 ,ambrose1 ,jerome1 ,augustine1 ,hilary of ,poictiers1 ,gregory ,nazianzen1 ,chrysostom1 and many others4 ,such is the external positive testimony in favour of the opinion that the book of ,revelation was written by the apostle ,john4 ,to this might be added certain internal marks1 or certain facts in the life of ,john which accord with this supposition1 and seem to confirm it4 ,they are such that if they did not exist there might be some room for plausible doubt1 though it must be admitted that1 in themselves1 they do not amount to positive proof of any considerable strength that he was the author4 ,there is not room to dwell upon them1 and they can only be briefly referred to4 ,they are such as these37#a7 ,that the author calls himself ,john1 evidently with the design of representing himself as the apostle of that name2 for 7a7 his supposed relation to the churches of ,asia ,minor is such as the relation of the apostle ,john was1 and 7b7 the name ,john1 unless there was something to qualify it1 would be naturally understood as referring to the apostle of that name4 7#b7 ,the fact that ,john lived at ,ephesus1 and was well known to the seven churches of ,asia ,minor4 7#c7 ,the fact that he lived to extreme old ageto the time when the book was supposed to have been written4 ,see ,,ii4 7#d7 ,the fact that there was a persecution in the time of ,domitian1 when this book is supposed to have been written2 and 7#e7 what might be derived from a comparison of this book with the acknowledged writings of ,john4 ,,ii4 ,to confirm the argument1 it is necessary to show the insufficiency of the reasons for doubting that ,john was the author4 ,this point may be considered xxxvi under two headsthe alleged grounds for doubting that it was written by ,john by the ancients2 and the reasons alleged by the moderns4 7#a7 ,the ancients4 7a7 ,it has been maintained that it was rejected by ,caius1 a presbyter at ,rome4 ,he flourished1 according to ,cave1 about ,a4,d4 #baj4 ,see ,lardner1 ii4 #ciddaj4 ,there is a single passage in his writings1 from which it has been inferred that he designed to reject the ,apocalypse4 ,this is in the following words8,and ,cerinthus also1 who by his revelations1 as if written by some great apostle1 imposes upon us monstrous relations of things of his own invention1 as shown him by an angel1 says1 #8that after the resurrection there shall be a terrestrial kingdom of ,christ1 and that men shall live again in ,jerusalem1 subject to sensual desires and pleasures4 ,and being an enemy to the divine ,scriptures1 and desirous to seduce mankind1 he says there will be a term of a thousand years spent in nuptial entertainments'0 7,lardner1 ii4 #djj1 #dja74 ,the whole force of this depends on the supposition that ,caius meant to refer to ,rev4 xx4 #df4 ,but in regard to this the following remarks may be made37a7 ,caius was strongly opposed to ,cerinthus1 and to his views2 7b7 he was opposed to the prevailing doctrine of ,chiliasm1 or the doctrine of the millennium1 as then extensively heldthat ,christ would reign personally on the earth with his saints for a thousand years2 7c7 it may be possible that ,cerinthus may have forged a work pretending to be of apostolic origin1 in which these doctrines were affirmed2 7d7 it is possible that the book of ,revelation1 as left by ,john1 may have been interpolated and corrupted by ,caius thus4 ,some one of these suppositions is more probable than the supposition that ,caius meant to reject the book of ,revelation2 for1 #a4 ,the views referred to by ,caius1 as held by ,cerinthus1 are not the views which are found in ,rev4 xx4 ,he spoke of a 8terrestrial kingdom of ,christ20 says that 8men would again live in ,jerusalem20 that they 8would be subject to sensual pleasures20 and that the 8term of a thousand years would be spent in nuptial entertainments40 ,none of these opinions are found in the book of ,revelation as we now have it4 #b4 ,the title given by ,caius to the book,revelations instead of ,revelationas we find it in the book itself1 chap4 i4 #a1 would seem to indicate a different work from that of ,john4 ,eusebius always refers to the ,apocalypse by the noun singular 7,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cda71 and this is the general manner in which the work has been designated4 ,if ,caius had designed to refer to this1 it is probable that he would have used the common term to designate it4 #c4 ,these views receive some confirmation from a passage in ,theodoret1 8who spoke of ,cerinthus in such a way as seems to imply that he had forged an ,apocalypse for the promotion of his designs40 ,that passage is1 8,cerinthus forged certain revelations as if he himself had seen them1 and added descriptions of certain terrible things1 and declares that the kingdom of the ,lord will be established on the earth10 c4 ,see ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cdb4 ,on the whole1 nothing of material importance can be derived from the testimony of ,caius in proof that the ,apocalypse was not believed to have been written by ,john4 7b7 ,dionysius of ,alexandria doubted the genuineness of the ,apocalypse as xxxvii being the production of ,john1 though he did not deny its inspiration4 ,he was made bishop of the see of ,alexandria ,a4,d4 #bdg or #bdh1 and died about ,a4,d4 #bfd or #bfe4 ,see ,lardner1 ii4 #fdcgbb4 ,he was a pupil of ,origen1 and enjoyed a high reputation4 ,the full testimony of ,dionysius in regard to this book may be seen in ,lardner1 ii4 #ficfig4 ,i will copy all that is material to show his opinion4 ,he says1 8,some who were before us have utterly rejected and confuted this book1 criticising every chapter2 showing it throughout unintelligible and inconsistent2 adding1 moreover1 that the inspiration is false1 forasmuch as it is not ,john's2 nor is a revelation which is hidden under so obscure and thick a veil of ignorance40 ,prof4 ,stuart 7i4 #cdf7 translates this1 8,it contains1 moreover1 no revelation2 for it is covered with a strong and thick veil of ignorance40 8,and this not only no apostle1 but not so much as any holy or ecclesiastical man was the author of this writing1 but that ,cerinthus1 founder of the heresy called after him the ,cerinthian1 the better to recommend his own forgery1 prefixed to it an honourable name4 ,for this1 they say1 was one of his particular notions1 that the kingdom of ,christ should be earthly2 consisting of those things which he himself1 a carnal and sensual man1 most admired1 the pleasures of the belly and its concupiscence2 that is1 eating1 and drinking1 and marriage2 and for the more decent procurement of these1 feastings1 and sacrifices1 and slaughters of victims4 ,but1 for my part1 ,i dare not reject the book1 since many of the brethren have it in high esteem2 but allowing it to be above my understanding1 ,i suppose it to contain throughout some latent and wonderful meaning2 for though ,i do not understand it1 ,i suspect there must be some profound sense in the words2 not measuring and judging these things by my own reason1 but ascribing more to faith1 ,i esteem them too sublime to be comprehended by me40 ,then1 having quoted some passages from the book1 he adds1 speaking of the author1 8,i do not deny1 then1 that his name is ,john1 and that this is ,john's book2 for ,i believe it to be the work of some holy and inspired person4 ,nevertheless1 ,i cannot easily grant him to be the apostle1 the son of ,zebedee1 brother of ,james1 whose is the ,gospel ascribed to ,john1 and the ,catholic ,epistle2 for ,i conclude from the manner of each1 and the term of expression1 and the conduct of the book1 as we call it1 that he is not the same person2 for the ,evangelist nowhere puts down his name1 nor does he speak of himself either in the ,gospel or the ,epistle4 ,i think1 therefore1 that he the author is another1 one of them that dwelleth in ,asia2 forasmuch as it is said1 that there are two tombs at ,ephesus1 each of them called ,john's tomb4 ,and from the sentiment1 and words1 and disposition of them1 it is likely that he differed from him who wrote the ,gospel and ,epistle40 ,this is the sum of all that ,dionysius says in regard to the genuineness of the book4 ,respecting this the following remarks may be made3 #a4 ,dionysius1 though he did not regard the work as the work of ,john the apostle1 yet received it as an inspired book1 though far above his comprehension4 #b4 ,he does not agree with those who altogether rejected it1 as if it were no revelation1 and contained no inspired truth4 #c4 ,he did not ascribe it1 as it has been supposed by some that ,caius did1 to ,cerinthus4 #d4 ,all the objections that he urges to its being the work of the apostle xxxviii ,john are derived from the book itself1 and from the difficulty of supposing that the ,gospel of ,john1 and the ,first ,epistle of ,john1 should have been written by the same author4 ,he refers to no historical proof on that point2 and does not even intimate that its genuineness had been called in question by the early writers4 ,it is clear1 therefore1 that the objections of ,dionysius should not be allowed to set aside the strong and clear proofs of a historical nature already adduced from the early ,christian writers4 ,see the opinion of ,dionysius examined more at length in ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #cddced4 ,comp4 ,hug1 ,intro4 pp4 #fedfef4 7c7 ,it may be added1 in regard to the historical testimony from the ancients1 that the book is not found in many of the early catalogues of the books of the ,new ,testament1 and that this has been made an objection to its authenticity4 ,thus ,gregory of ,nazianzen1 in a piece composed in verse1 containing a catalogue of the canonical ,scriptures1 omits the book of ,revelation2 in the catalogue of sacred writings annexed to the canons of the council of ,laodicea1 ,a4,d4 #cfc1 it is also omitted2 in the so-called ,canons of the ,apostles1 a supposititious work of the latter part of the fourth century1 it is also omitted2 it is also omitted in a catalogue of sacred books published by ,cyril of ,jerusalem1 ,a4,d4 #cfj2 and it is mentioned by ,amphilocus1 bishop of ,iconium1 ,a4,d4 #chj1 as among the books that were doubtful4 8,some10 says he1 8admit the ,apocalypse of ,john1 but most persons say it is spurious40 ,see ,michaelis1 ,intro4 ,new ,test4 iv4 #dhi2 ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #ceg1 seq4 ,in regard to these omissions1 and the doubts entertained by later writers on the subject1 it may be remarked in general1 7#a7 ,that it is well known that in the latter part of the fourth century and onward many doubts were entertained as to the canonical authority of the ,apocalypse1 and that1 together with the ,epistle to the ,hebrews1 the ,second ,epistle of ,peter1 and the ,second and ,third ,epistles of ,john1 it was reckoned among the books called ,antilegomena2 that is1 books spoken against1 or books whose canonical authority was not admitted by all4 7#b7 ,this fact shows1 as has been often remarked1 the great vigilance of the church in the early ages1 in settling the canon of ,scripture1 and in determining what books were to be admitted1 and what were to be rejected4 7#c7 ,these doubts1 entertained in a later age1 cannot affect the clear historical testimony of the early writers1 as we now have it2 for the question of the origin of the ,apocalypse1 so far as the historical testimony is concerned1 must be determined by the testimony of the writers who lived near the time when it is alleged to have been written4 7#d7 ,the objections alleged against the ,apocalypse in later times were wholly on internal grounds1 and were mainly derived from the fact that it was supposed to countenance the doctrine of ,chiliasm1 or the doctrine of the personal reign of ,christ and the saints1 for a thousand years1 in ,jerusalem2 and from the fact that the followers of ,cerinthus appealed to this book in support of their pernicious errors4 ,the book seemed 7see chap4 xx47 to countenance the views early entertained by many on the subject of the millennium1 and1 in accordance with a common method of controversy1 its canonical authority was therefore called in question4 ,thus ,hug 7,intro4 p4 #fed7 says1 8,it was amidst the disputes concerning the millennium that the first explicit and well-authenticated denial of the ,apocalypse occurred40 ,nepos1 bishop of the ,arsinoitic prfecture in ,egypt1 had maintained that the doctrine of the millennium could be defended from the book of ,revelation by a literal exposition4 xxxix ,dionysius opposed this view1 and1 in the violence of the dispute on the subject1 the authority of the ,apocalypse itself was called in question by ,dionysius1 on the grounds referred to above4 8,he did this1 however10 says ,hug1 8with such moderation1 that he might not offend those who had so readily agreed to a compromise20 that is1 a compromise by which1 as bishop1 he had endeavoured to reconcile the contending parties4 ,hug has shown conclusively 7pp4 #fedfef7 that this constitutes no objection to the genuineness of the book4 ,it was on such internal grounds entirely that the authenticity of the book was called in question1 and that it was ever placed among the disputed books4 ,that objection is1 of course1 of no importance now4 7#e7 ,it is well known that1 mainly by the influence of ,jerome and ,augustine 7see ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #ccd71 all these doubts were removed1 and that the ,apocalypse after their time was all but universally received1 until ,luther1 for reasons derived from the book itself1 in the early part of his life1 again called it in question4 ,such is a summary of the historical argument in favour of the genuineness of the book of ,revelation2 and such is the nature of the evidence which has satisfied the ,christian world at large that it is the work of the apostle ,john1 and is1 therefore1 entitled to a place as an inspired book in the canon of ,scripture4 ,in ancient times there were no objections to it on historical grounds1 and it is unnecessary to say that there can be none on these grounds now4 7#b7 ,the objections to its genuineness and authenticity in modern times are wholly derived from the contents of the book itself4 ,these objections1 as stated by ,de ,wette1 and as expressing the substance of all that is urged by ,ewald1 ,lcke1 ,credner1 and others1 are the following3 #a4 ,that the ,apocalyptical writer calls himself ,john1 which the evangelist never does4 ,it is added1 also1 by ,ewald1 ,credner1 and ,hitzig1 that in chap4 xviii4 #bj and xxi4 #ad the writer expressly excludes himself from the number of the apostles4 #b4 ,that the language of the book is entirely different from that of the fourth ,gospel1 and the three ,epistles of ,john the apostle4 ,it is said to be characterized by strong ,hebraisms1 and by ruggedness2 by negligence of expression1 and by grammatical inaccuracies2 and that it exhibits the absence of pure ,greek words1 and of the apostle's favourite expressions4 #c4 ,that the style is unlike that which appears in the ,gospel and the ,epistles4 ,in the latter it is said there is calm1 deep feeling2 in the ,apocalypse a lively creative power of fancy4 #d4 ,that the doctrinal aspect of the book is different from that of the apostle's acknowledged writings4 ,it is said that we find in the latter nothing of the 8sensuous expectations of the ,messiah and of his kingdom10 which are prominent in the ,apocalypse2 that the views inculcated respecting spirits1 demons1 and angels are foreign to ,john2 and that there is a certain spirit of revenge flowing throughout the ,apocalypse quite inconsistent with the mild and amiable disposition of the beloved disciple4 ,for a full consideration of these points1 and a complete answer to these objections1 the reader is referred to the ,commentary of ,prof4 ,stuart1 vol4 i4 pp4 #cgadbb4 ,a more condensed reply is found in ,kitto's ,cyclopdia of ,biblical ,literature1 in an article by the ,rev4 ,s4 ,davidson1 ,,ll4,d41 ,professor of ,biblical ,literature and ,oriental ,languages in the ,lancashire ,independent ,college1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #fadfah4 xl ,the objections do not seem to me to have the importance which has been attached to them by many persons1 but it may be satisfactory to see the manner in which they are disposed of by ,dr4 ,davidson2 ,i therefore copy his answer to them4 8,let us now consider the internal evidence in favour of ,john the ,apostle1 beginning with an examination of the arguments adduced on the other side by ,de ,wette4 ,these do not possess all the weight that many assign to them4 ,we shall follow the order in which they have been already stated4 8#a4 ,we attach no importance to this circumstance4 ,why should not a writer be at liberty to name himself or not as he pleases8 above all1 why should not a writer1 under the immediate inspiration of the ,almighty1 omit the particulars which he was not prompted to record8 ,how could he refrain from doing so8 ,the ,holy ,spirit must have had some good reason for leading the writer to set forth his name1 although curiosity is not gratified by assigning the reason4 ,the ,old ,testament prophets usually prefixed their names to the visions and predictions which they were prompted to record2 and ,john does the same4 ,but instead of styling himself an apostle1 which carries with it an idea of dignity and official authority1 he modestly takes to himself the appellation of a servant of ,christ1 the brother and companion of the faithful in tribulation4 ,this corresponds with the relation which he sustained to ,christ in the receiving of such visions1 as also with the condition of the ,redeemer himself4 ,in the ,gospel ,john is mentioned as the disciple whom ,jesus loved1 for then he stood in an intimate relation to ,christ1 as the ,son of man appearing in the form of a servant2 but in the book before us ,christ is announced as the glorified ,redeemer who should quickly come to judgment1 and ,john is his servant1 intrusted with the secrets of his house4 ,well did it become the apostle to forget all the honour of his apostolic office1 and to be abased before the ,lord of glory4 ,the resplendent vision of the ,saviour had such an effect upon the seer that he fell at his feet as dead2 and therefore it was quite natural for him to be clothed with profound humility1 to designate himself the servant of ,jesus ,christ1 the brother and companion of the faithful in tribulation4 ,again1 in chap4 xviii4 #bj the prophets are said to be represented as already in heaven in their glorified condition1 and therefore the writer could not have belonged to their number4 ,but this passage neither affirms1 nor necessarily implies1 that the saints and apostles and prophets were at that time in heaven4 ,neither is it stated that all the apostles had then been glorified4 ,chap4 xxi4 #ad is alleged to be inconsistent with the modesty and humility of ,john4 ,this is a questionable assumption4 ,the official honour inseparable from the person of an apostle was surely compatible with profound humility4 ,it was so with ,paul2 and we may safely draw the same conclusion in regard to ,john4 ,in describing the heavenly ,jerusalem it was necessary to introduce the twelve apostles4 ,the writer could not exclude himself 7see ,lcke1 p4 #chi2 and ,guerike's ,beitrge1 p4 #cg1 seq474 8#b4 ,to enter fully into this argument would require a lengthened treatise4 ,let us briefly notice the particular words1 phrases1 and expressions to which ,ewald1 ,lcke1 ,de ,wette1 and ,credner specially allude4 ,much has been written by ,ewald concerning the ,hebraistic character of the language4 ,the writer1 it is alleged1 strongly imbued with ,hebrew modes of thought1 frequently inserts ,hebrew words1 as in chap4 iii4 #ad2 ix4 #aa2 xii4 #i1 #aj2 xix4 #a1 #c1 #d1 #f2 xx4 #b2 xxii4 #bj2 while the influence of cabbalistic artificiality is obvious xli throughout the entire book1 and particularly in chap4 i4 #d1 #e2 iv4 #b2 xiii4 #ah2 xvi4 #ad4 ,the mode of employing the tenses is foreign to the ,greek language1 and moulded after the ,hebrew 7chap4 i4 #g2 ii4 #e1 #af1 #bb1 #bc1 #bg2 iii4 #i2 iv4 #iaa2 xii4 #bd2 xvi4 #ae1 #ba2 xvii4 #ac1 #ad2 xviii4 #aa1 #ae2 xxii4 #g1 #ab74 ,so also the use of the participle 7chap4 i4 #af2 iv4 #a1 #e1 #h2 v4 #f1 #ac2 vi4 #b1 #e2 vii4 #i1 #aj2 ix4 #aa2 x4 #b2 xiv4 #a1 #ad2 xix4 #ab1 #ac2 xxi4 #ad72 and of the infinitive 7chap4 xii4 #g74 ,the awkward disposition of words is also said to be ,hebraistic2 such as a genitive appended like the construct state2 the stringing together of several genitives 7chap4 xiv4 #h1 #aj1 #ai2 xvi4 #ai2 xviii4 #c1 #ad2 xix4 #ae2 xxi4 #f2 xxii4 #ah1 #ai72 and the use of the ,greek cases1 which are frequently changed for prepositions 7chap4 ii4 #aj2 iii4 #i2 vi4 #a1 #h2 viii4 #g2 ix4 #ai2 xi4 #f1 #i2 xii4 #e2 xiv4 #b1 #g72 incorrectness in appositions 7chap4 i4 #e2 ii4 #bj2 iii4 #ab2 iv4 #bd2 vi4 #a2 vii4 #i2 viii4 #i2 ix4 #ad2 xiii4 #ac2 xiv4 #b1 #ab1 #ad1 #bj1 c472 a construction formed of an put after the relative pronoun 7chap4 iii4 #h2 vii4 #b1 #i2 xiii4 #ab2 xx4 #h72 frequent anomalies in regard to number and gender 7chap4 ii4 #bg2 iii4 #d1 #e2 iv4 #h2 vi4 #i1 #aj2 ix4 #ac1 #ad2 xi4 #ae2 xiv4 #a1 #c2 xvii4 #af2 xix4 #ad2 and viii4 #aa2 xi4 #ah2 xv4 #d2 xvii4 #ab1 #ae2 xviii4 #ad2 xix4 #ba2 xx4 #ab2 xxi4 #d1 #bd2 also chap4 xvi4 #aj2 xix4 #a1 #h1 #i74 ,in addition to this1 it is alleged by ,credner1 that the use made of the ,old ,testament betrays an acquaintance on the part of the writer with the ,hebrew text 7comp4 chap4 vi4 #ac1 #ad1 with ,isa4 xxxiv4 #d2 chap4 xviii4 #b1 with ,isa4 xiii4 #ba1 xxi4 #i1 xxxiv4 #ad1 ,jer4 l4 #ci2 chap4 xviii4 #d1 #e1 with ,jer4 li4 #f1 #i1 #de2 chap4 xviii4 #g1 with ,isa4 xlvii4 #g1 #h2 chap4 xviii4 #babc1 with ,jer4 xxv4 #aj1 li4 #fc1 #fd74 ,in contrast with all this1 we are reminded of the fact that1 according to ,acts iv4 #ac1 ,john was an unlearned and ignorant man4 8,the book is deficient in words and turns of expression purely ,greek1 such as 1 1 2 compound verbs1 as 1 1 2 the double negation2 the genitive absolute2 the attraction of the relative pronoun2 the regular construction of the neuter plural with the verb singular 7except chap4 viii4 #c2 ix4 #bj2 xiv4 #ac2 xviii4 #bd2 xix4 #ad2 xxi4 #ab72 with the genitive4 ,favourite expressions1 such as occur in the ,gospel and ,epistles1 are seldom found1 as 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7an adverb of time71 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 77 2 the historic present4 ,there are also favourite expressions of the writer of the book1 such as do not occur in ,john's authentic writings3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 in the beginning of a sentence4 ,the conjunction 1 so common in the ,gospel1 does not occur in the ,apocalypse2 but only 1 1 and 4 ,the frequent joining of a substantive with 1 as 1 1 1 1 rather reminds one of ,luke than ,john2 1 so frequent in the ,gospel1 is not found in the ,revelation2 and1 on the contrary1 1 which occurs seven times in the ,apocalypse1 is foreign to the ,gospel4 8,the following discrepancies between the language of the ,gospel and that of the ,epistles have been noticed3 is used of ,god both in the ,gospel and the ,apocalypse1 but in different senses2 so also 1 and 2 instead of the ,apocalypse has only 2 instead of only 2 instead of 1 as in the ,gospel1 2 1 so often used by ,john1 occurs only once in the ,apocalypse1 and that too in relation to place2 is xlii used in the plural4 ,words denoting seeing are differently used in the ,gospel and ,apocalypse2 thus1 for the present we find in the latter 1 1 2 for the aorist of the active 1 1 and 2 for the future 1 and for the aorist of the passive also 2 has a different meaning from that which it bears in the ,gospel2 instead of 1 and 1 we find 1 1 4 8,such is a summary statement of an argument drawn out at great length by ,lcke1 ,de ,wette1 ,ewald1 and ,credner4 8,some have attempted to turn aside its force by resorting to the hypothesis that the book was originally written in ,hebrew and then translated into ,greek4 ,this1 however1 is contradicted by the most decisive internal evidence1 and is in itself highly improbable4 ,the ,apocalypse was written in the ,greek language1 as all antiquity attests4 ,how1 then1 are we to account for its ,hebraistic idioms and solecisms of language1 its negligences of diction1 and ungrammatical constructions8 ,one circumstance to be taken into account is1 that the nature of the ,gospel is widely different from that of the ,apocalypse4 ,the latter is a prophetic booka poetical composition2 while the former is a simple record in prose1 of the discourses of ,jesus in the days of his flesh4 ,it is apparent1 too1 that ,john in the ,apocalypse imitates the manner of ,ezekiel and ,daniel4 ,the ,new ,testament prophet conforms to the diction and symbolic features of the former seers4 #8,if the question should be urged why ,john chose these models1 the obvious answer is1 that he conformed to the taste of the times in which he lived4 ,the numerous apocryphal works of an ,apocalyptical nature1 which were composed nearly at the same time with the ,apocalypsesuch as the book of ,enoch1 the ,ascension of ,isaiah1 the ,testament of the ,twelve ,patriarchs1 many of the ,sibylline ,oracles1 the fourth book of ,ezra1 the ,pastor of ,hermas1 and many others which are lostall testify to the taste and feelings of the times when1 or near which1 the ,apocalypse was written4 ,if this method of writing was more grateful to the time in which ,john lived1 it is a good reason for his preferring it4'#ef ,in consequence of such imitation1 the diction has an ,oriental character2 and the figures are in the highest style of imagery peculiar to the ,east4 ,but it is said that ,john was an illiterate man4 ,illiterate1 doubtless1 he was as compared with ,paul1 who was brought up at the feet of ,gamaliel2 yet he may have been capable of reading the ,old ,testament books2 and he was certainly inspired4 ,wrapt in ecstasy1 he saw wondrous visions4 ,he was in the ,spirit4 ,and when writing the things he beheld1 his language was to be conformed to the nature of such marvellous revelations4 ,it was to be adapted to the mysterious disclosures1 the vivid pictures1 the moving scenes1 the celestial beings and scenery of which he ,was privileged to tell4 ,hence it was to be lifted up far above the level of simple prose or biographic history1 so as to correspond with the sublime visions of the seer4 ,nor should it be forgotten that he was not in the circumstances of an ordinary writer4 ,he was inspired4 ,how often is this fact lost sight of by the ,german critics6 ,it is1 therefore1 needless to inquire into his education in the ,hebrew language1 or his mental culture while residing in ,asia ,minor1 or the smoothness of the ,greek language as current in the place where he lived1 before and after he wrote the ,apocalypse4 ,the ,holy ,spirit qualified him beyond and irrespective of ordinary means for the work of writing4 ,however elevated the theme he undertook1 he was assisted in xliii employing diction as elevated as the nature of the subject demanded4 ,we place1 therefore1 little reliance upon the argument derived from the time of life at which the ,apocalypse was composed1 though ,olshausen and ,guerike insist upon it4 ,written1 as they think1 twenty years before the ,gospel or ,epistles1 the ,apocalypse exhibits marks of inexperience in writing1 of youthful fire1 and of an ardent temperament4 ,it exhibits the first essays of one expressing his ideas in a language to which he was unaccustomed4 ,this may be true2 but we lay far less stress upon it than these authors seem inclined to do4 ,the strong ,hebraized diction of the book we account for on the ground that the writer was a ,jew2 and1 as such1 expressed his ,jewish conceptions in ,greek2 that he imitated the later ,old ,testament prophets1 especially the manner of ,daniel2 and that the only prophetic writing in the ,new ,testament naturally approaches nearer the ,old ,testament1 if not in subject1 at least in colouring and linguistic features4 8,these considerations may serve to throw light upon the language of the book1 after all the extravagancies of assertion in regard to anomalies1 solecisms1 and ruggednesses1 have been fairly estimated4 ,for it cannot be denied that many rash and unwarrantable assumptions have been made by ,de ,wette and others relative to the impure ,greek said to be contained in the ,apocalypse4 ,winer has done much to check such bold assertions1 but with little success in the case of those who are resolved to abide by a strong and prevalent current of opinion4 ,we venture to affirm1 without fear of contradiction1 that there are books in the ,new ,testament almost as ,hebraizing as the ,apocalypse2 and that the anomalies charged to the account of the ,hebrew language may be paralleled in other parts of the ,new ,testament1 or in classical ,greek4 ,what shall be said1 for instance1 to the attempt of ,hitzig to demonstrate from the language of ,mark's ,gospel1 as compared with that of the ,apocalypse1 that both proceeded from one author1 viz4 ,john ,mark8 ,this author has conducted a lengthened investigation with the view of showing that all the peculiarities of language found in the ,apocalypse are equally presented in the second ,gospel1 particularly that the ,hebraisms of the one correspond with those of the other4 ,surely this must lead to new investigations of the ,apocalyptic diction1 and possibly to a renunciation of those extravagant assertions so often made in regard to the harsh1 rugged1 ,hebraized ,greek of the ,apocalypse4 ,who ever dreamed before of the numerous solecisms of ,mark's language8 and yet ,hitzig has demonstrated its similarity to the ,apocalyptic as plausibly as ,ewald1 ,lcke1 and others have proved the total dissimilarity between the diction of the ,apocalypse and that of ,john's ,gospel4 8,the length allotted to this article will not allow the writer to notice every term and phrase supposed to be peculiar4 ,this can only be done with success by him who takes a concordance to the ,greek ,testament in his hand1 with the determination to test each example2 along with a good syntax of classical ,greek1 such as ,bernhardy's4 ,in this way he may see whether the alleged ,hebraisms and anomalies have not their parallels in classical ,greek4 ,some of the allegations already quoted are manifestly incorrect1 e4g41 that with the genitive is not found in the ,apocalypse4 ,on the contrary1 it occurs eight times with the genitive4 ,other words are adduced on the principle of their not occurring so frequently in the book before us as in the ,gospel and ,epistles4 ,but by this mode of reasoning it might be shown1 that the other acknowledged writings of the apostle ,john1 for instance his ,first ,epistle1 are not xliv authentic4 ,thus 1 one of the words quoted1 though frequently found in the ,gospel1 is not in any of the three ,epistles2 therefore1 these ,epistles were not written by ,john4 ,it is found once in the ,apocalypse4 ,again1 1 which is found seven times in the ,gospel1 and once in the ,apocalypse1 as also once in each of the ,second and ,third ,epistles1 is not in the ,first ,epistle2 therefore the ,first ,epistle proceeded from another writer than the author of the ,second and ,third4 ,the same reasoning may be applied to 4 ,again1 it is alleged that the regular construction of neuters plural with singular verbs is not found1 with the exception of six instances4 ,to say nothing of the large list of exceptions1 let it be considered1 that the plural verb is joined with plural nouns where animate beings1 especially persons1 are designated4 ,apply now this principle1 which regularly holds good in classical ,greek1 to the ,apocalypse1 and nothing peculiar will appear in the latter4 ,should there still remain examples of neuters plural designating things without life1 we shall find similar ones in the ,greek writers4 ,another mode in which the reasoning founded upon the use of peculiar terms and expressions may be tested is the following4 ,it is admitted that there are words which occur in the ,gospel and ,epistles1 but not in the ,apocalypse4 ,the adverb is an example4 ,on the same principle1 and by virtue of the same reasoning1 it may be denied1 as far as language is concerned1 that #a ,timothy was written by ,paul1 because 1 which is found in his other epistles1 does not occur in it4 ,in this manner we might individually take up each word and every syntactical peculiarity on which the charge of harshness1 or solecism1 or ,hebraizing has been fastened4 ,it is sufficient to state1 that there are very few real solecisms in the ,apocalypse4 ,almost all that have been adduced may be paralleled in ,greek writers1 or in those of the ,new ,testament4 ,the words of ,winer1 a master in this department1 are worthy of attention3 #8,the solecisms that appear in the ,apocalypse give the diction the impress of great harshness1 but they are capable of explanation1 partly from anacoluthon and the mingling of two constructions1 partly in another manner4 ,such explanation should have been always adopted1 instead of ascribing these irregularities to the ignorance of the author1 who1 in other constructions of a much more difficult nature in this very book1 shows that he was exceedingly well acquainted with the rules of grammar4 ,for most of these anomalies1 too1 analogous examples in the ,greek writers may be found1 with this difference alone1 that they do hot follow one another so frequently as in the ,apocalypse1' 7,grammatik1 fnfte ,auflage1 pp4 #bgc1 #bgd74 ,should the reader not be satisfied with this brief statement of ,winer1 he is referred to his ,exeget4 ,studien1 i4 #aed1 seq41 where the professor enters into details with great ability4 8,the following linguistic similarities between ,john's ,gospel and the ,apocalypse deserve to be cited3 1 ,apoc4 i4 #ai2 iv4 #a2 vii4 #a1 #i2 ix4 #ab2 xv4 #e2 xviii4 #a2 xix4 #a2 xx4 #c2;,gosp4 iii4 #bb2 v4 #a1 #ad2 vi4 #a2 vii4 #a2 xix4 #ch2 xxi4 #a4 1 ,apoc4 i4 #b1 #i2 vi4 #i2 xi4 #g2 xii4 #aa1 #ag2 xix4 #aj2 xx4 #d2;,gosp4 7 or 7 i4 #g1 #h1 #ae1 #ai1 #cb1 #cd2 ii4 #be2 iii4 #aa1 #bf1 #bh1 #cb1 #cc2 iv4 #c1 #i1 #dd2 v4 #cacd1 #cf1 #cg1 #ci2a ,epist4 i4 #b2 iv4 #ad2 v4 #faa4 1 ,apoc4 ii4 #aj1 #ba2 iii4 #i1 #aa1 #ah2 vi4 #b1 #d1 #aa2 vii4 #a1 c42,gosp4 vi4 #e1 #g1 #ab1 #ae1 #bhcj1 #chdj1 #ej2 xi4 #d1 #aa1 #ae1 #af1 #ai1 #ca1 #cg1 #db1 #ej1 #eb1 #ec1 #ee1 #eg2 xii4 #i1 #aj1 #bj1 #bc1 #ce1 c42#a ,epist4 of ,john i4 #c1 #d1 #i2 ii4 #a1 #ai1 #bg1 #bh4 1 ,gosp4 vii4 #bd2 xi4 #dd2;,apoc4 i4 #af4 1 ,apoc4 xix4 #bj2;,gosp4 vii4 #cj1 #cb1 #dd2 viii4 #bj2 x4 #ci2 xi4 #eg2 xxi4 #c1 #aj4 1 1 or some similar expression1 ,apoc4 iii4 #h1 #aj2 xii4 #ag2 xiv4 #ab2 xxii4 #g1 #i2;,gosp4 viii4 #ea1 #ee2 xlv xiv4 #ae2 xxiii4 #bd1 c4 1 ,apoc4 ii4 #g1 #aa1 #ag1 #bf2 iii4 #e1 #ab1 #ba2 xv4 #b2 xxi4 #g4 ,this verb is quite common in the ,first ,epistle1 chap4 ii4 #ac1 #ad2 iv4 #d2 v4 #d1 #e2;,gosp4 xvi4 #cc4 1 ,apoc4 xxi4 #f2 xxii4 #ag2 comp4 ,gosp4 vii4 #ch4 ,compare also the joining together of the present and the future in ,apoc4 ii4 #e1 and ,gosp4 xiv4 #c4 ,the assertion of the same thing positively and negatively1 ,apoc4 ii4 #b1 #f1 #h1 #ac2 iii4 #h1 #ag1 #ba2 ,gosp4 i4 #c1 #f1 #g1 #bj1 #dh2 iii4 #ae1 #ag1 #bj2 iv4 #db2 v4 #ai1 #bd2 viii4 #ce1 #de2 x4 #bh2 xv4 #eg2 #a ,epist4 ii4 #bg1 c4 ,in several places in the ,apocalypse ,christ is called the ,lamb2 so also in the ,gospel1 chap4 i4 #bi1 #cf4 ,christ is called 1 ,apoc4 xix4 #ac1 and in the ,gospel of ,john only has he the same epithet4 1 ,apoc4 iii4 #aj2 ,gosp4 xvii4 #ae4 1 ,apoc4 v4 #f1 #i1 #ab2 vi4 #d1 #i2 xiii4 #c1 #h2 xviii4 #bd2 only in the #ast ,epistle of ,john1 chap4 iii4 #ab4 1 ,apoc4 xx4 #f2 ,gosp4 xiii4 #h4 1 ,apoc4 iii4 #d2 ,gosp4 vi4 #ff4 1 ,apoc4 vii4 #ae2 xii4 #ab2 xiii4 #f2 xxi4 #c2 ,gosp4 i4 #ad4 ,the expulsion of ,satan from heaven is expressed thus in the ,apoc4 xii4 #i3 2 in the ,gosp4 it is said1 1 chap4 xii4 #ca4 7,see ,scholz1 ,die ,apokalypse des heilig4 ,johannes bersetzt1 erklrt1 u4 s4 w4 ,frankfurt am ,main1 #ahbh1 #hvo2 ,schulz1 ,ueber den ,schriftsteller1 ,character und ,werth des ,johannes1 ,leipzig1 #ahjc1 #hvo2 ,donker ,curtius1 ,specimen hermeneuticotheologicum de ,apocalypsi ab indole1 doctrina1 et scribendi genere ,johannis ,apostoli non abhorrente1 ,trajecti ,batav4 #agii1 #hvo2 ,kolthoff1 ,apocalypsis ,joanni ,apostolo vindicata1 ,hafni1 #ahcd1 #hvo2 ,stein1 in ,winer and ,engelhardt's ,kritisch4 ,journal1 v4 i42 and the ,jena ,literatur-,zeitung for ,april1 #ahcc1 ,no4 #fa47 ,it is true that some of these expressions are said1 by ,lcke1 ,de ,wette1 and ,credner1 to be used in a different sense in the ,apocalypse2 others not to be characteristic1 but rather accidental and casual2 others not original1 but borrowed4 ,such assertions1 however1 proceed more from priori assumption than from any inherent truth they possess4 ,in regard to the charge of cabbalism1 especially in the use of numbers1 it is easily disposed of4 ,the cabbala of the ,jews was widely different from the instances in the ,apocalypse that have been quoted4 ,perhaps ,john's use of the number #fff comes the nearest to one kind of the cabbala2 but still it is so unlike as to warrant the conclusion that the apostle did not employ the cabbalistic art4 ,his mysterious indications of certain facts1 and the reasons of their being in some measure involved in darkness1 are explicable on other than ,jewish grounds4 ,there is no real cause for believing that the apostle had recourse to the artificial and trifling conceits of the ,rabbins4 ,in short1 this argument is by no means conclusive4 ,as far as the language is concerned1 nothing militates against the opinion that the ,apocalypse proceeded from ,john1 who wrote the ,gospel4 ,the contrary evidence is not of such a nature as to demand assent4 ,when rigidly scrutinized1 it does not sustain the conclusion so confidently built upon it4 8,but it is also affirmed1 that the doctrinal views and sentiments inculcated in the ,apocalypse are quite different from those found in the ,gospel4 ,this may be freely allowed without any detriment to their identity of authorship4 ,how slow the ,germans are in learning that a difference in the exhibition of truths substantially the same is far from being a contradiction6 ,a difference of subject in connection with a different plan1 demands correspondent dissimilarity of treatment4 ,besides1 there must be a gradual development of the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god on earth4 ,sensuous expectations of the ,messiah1 such as are alleged to abound in the ,apocalypse1 may be perfectly xlvi consistent with the spirituality of his reign1 though it appears to us that the representations so designated are figurative1 shadowing forth spiritual realities by means of outward objects4 8,but what is to be said of the pneumatological1 demonological1 and angelogical doctrines of the book8 ,the object for which ,john's ,gospel was primarily written did not lead the apostle to introduce so many particulars regarding angels and evil spirits4 ,the intervention of good and the malignant influence of evil spirits are clearly implied in the ,old ,testament prophets1 particularly in ,zechariah and ,daniel4 ,it is therefore quite accordant with the prophetic ,hebraistic character of the ,apocalypse1 to make angelic agency a prominent feature in the book4 ,and that such agency is recognized in the ,gospels1 is apparent to the most cursory reader4 ,the special object with which the fourth ,gospel was written was different from that which prompted the composition of the ,apocalypse1 and therefore the subject-matter of both is exceedingly diverse4 ,but still there is no opposition in doctrine4 ,the same doctrinal views lie at the foundation of all the representations contained in them4 ,in the one1 the ,redeemer is depicted in his humble career on earth2 in the other1 in his triumphs as a kingor rather1 in the victorious progress of his truth in the world1 notwithstanding all the efforts of ,satan and wicked men to suppress it4 ,as to a spirit of revenge in the ,apocalyptic writer1 it is not found4 ,the inspired prophet was commissioned to pronounce woes and judgments as soon to befall the enemies of ,christ1 in consequence of their persevering1 malignant efforts4 ,as well might an evil disposition be attributed to the blessed ,saviour himself1 in consequence of his denunciation of the ,scribes and ,pharisees4 ,the same ,john who wrote the ,apocalypse says1 in the ,second ,epistle1 ver4 #aj1 #8,if there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine1 receive him not into your house1 neither bid him ,god speed4' ,it must ever strike the simple reader of the ,apocalypse as a positive ground for attributing the authorship to ,john the apostle1 that he styles himself ,,the servant of ,god by way of eminence1 which none other at that time would have ventured to do2 and that he employs the expression1 ,i ,john1 after the manner of ,daniel1 as if he were the only prophet and person of the name4 ,nor can it be well believed that a disciple of the apostle1 or any other individual1 should have presumed to introduce ,john as the speaker1 thus deceiving the readers4 ,the apostle was well known to the ,christians of his time1 and especially to the ,asiatic churches4 ,he did not therefore think it necessary to say ,john the ,apostle for the sake of distinguishing himself from any other4 ,see ,zllig's ,die ,offenbarung ,johannis1 ,stuttgart1 #ahcd1 #hvo1 p4 #acf40 ,,ii4,the ,time of ,writing the ,apocalypse4 ,the evidence as to the date of the ,apocalypse may be considered as external or historical1 and internal4 #a4 ,external or historical4 ,on this point the testimony of the early ,christian fathers is almost or quite uniform1 that it was in the latter part of the life of the apostle ,john1 and towards the end of the reign of ,domitian2 that is1 about ,a4,d4 #ie or #if4 ,the principal testimony to this fact is that of ,irenus4 ,it will be recollected that he was a disciple of ,polycarp1 bishop of ,smyrna1 who was himself the disciple of the apostle ,john4 ,see ,i4 7b74 ,he had1 therefore1 every opportunity of obtaining correct information1 and doubtless expresses the common xlvii sentiment of his age on the subject4 ,his character is unexceptionable1 and he had no inducement to bear any false or perverted testimony in the case4 ,his testimony is plain and positive that the book was written near the close of the reign of ,domitian1 and the testimony should be regarded as decisive unless it can be set aside4 ,his language in regard to the book of ,revelation is3 8,it was seen no long time ago1 but almost in our age1 at the end of the reign of ,domitian0 7,lardner1 ii4 #aha74 ,or1 as the passage is translated by ,prof4 ,stuart3 8,the ,apocalypse was seen not long ago1 but almost in our generation1 near the end of ,domitian's reign40 ,there can be no doubt1 therefore1 as to the meaning of the passage1 or as to the time when ,irenus believed the book to have been written4 ,domitian was put to death ,a4,d4 #if1 and consequently1 according to ,irenus1 the ,apocalypse must have been written not far from this time4 ,this testimony of ,irenus is confirmed by that of ,clement of ,alexandria4 ,relating the well-known story of ,john and the robber1 he speaks of the event as having occurred on his return from exile in ,patmos 8after the death of the tyrant10 and represents him as then an infirm old man4 ,the testimony in the book itself 7chap4 i4 #i7 is clear1 that ,john was on the island of ,patmos when these visions were seen4 ,the 8tyrant0 whose death is here referred to must necessarily be either ,nero or ,domitian1 as these were1 up to the end of the first century1 the only imperial persecutors of the ,christians4 ,it cannot be supposed to be ,nero1 since at the time of his persecution 7,a4,d4 #fd7 ,john could not be supposed to be an 8infirm old man20 being probably not much above1 if indeed so much as sixty years of age4 ,see ,eusebius1 ,ecc4 ,hist41 b4 iii4 chap4 #bc4 ,of this testimony ,prof4 ,stuart1 who himself supposes that the ,apocalypse was written before the death of ,nero1 says 7i4 #bfd71 8,the tyrant here meant is probably ,domitian2 at least1 although he is not named by ,clement1 it is clear that ,eusebius so understands the matter40 ,victorinus1 bishop of ,pettaw and martyr in ,diocletian's persecution1 in his ,commentary on the ,apocalypse1 written towards the close of the third century1 says twice expressly that the ,apocalypse was seen by the apostle ,john in the isle of ,patmos1 when banished thither by the ,roman emperor ,domitian4 ,see the passages quoted in ,elliott1 i4 #ci1 and in ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #bfd4 ,the testimony is unequivocal4 ,to these testimonies from the early fathers may be added that of ,jerome1 who says that 8,john saw the ,apocalypse on the island of ,patmos1 to which he was sent by ,domitian10 and in another place he says that this occurred in the fourteenth year of the reign of ,domitian 7,adv4 ,jovin4 lib4 i41 ,lardner1 iv4 #ddf1 #ddg74 ,and to these plain testimonies may be added those of ,sulpicius ,severus and ,orosius1 contemporaries of ,augustine2 ,gregory ,turonensis 7cent4 vi471 ,isidorus ,hispalensis 7cent4 vii471 ,marianus ,scotus1 ,primasius1 and others4 ,see ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #bfd1 #bfe1 and ,elliott1 i4 #ch1 #ci4 ,such is the positive testimony that the book was written near the end of the reign of ,domitian and about ,a4,d4 #if4 ,it is true1 that notwithstanding this positive testimony1 there were some writers who assigned it to an earlier date4 ,thus ,epiphanius1 bishop of ,salamis in ,cyprus1 in the latter half of the fourth century1 speaks of ,john as having prophesied in the isle of ,patmos in the days of the emperor ,claudius 7,a4,d4 #daed72 a time when1 as ,michaelis observes1 it does not appear from history that there was any imperial persecution of ,christians xlviii whatever1 and when1 moreover1 the probability is that1 of the seven ,apocalyptic churches1 scarcely one was in existence1 and the apostle ,john was in no way associated with them4 ,lardner 7iv4 #aij7 seems to suspect that1 in the passage referred to1 the name ,claudius was a fault of the transcriber4 ,epiphanius1 however1 received the ,apocalypse as the work of ,john and as an inspired book 7,lardner1 iv4 #aij74 ,others have ascribed the date of the book of ,revelation to the time of ,nero4 ,thus1 in the later ,syriac version1 the title-page declares that it was written in ,patmos1 whither ,john was sent by ,nero ,csar4 ,this version1 however1 was made in the beginning of the sixth century1 and can have little authority in determining the question4 ,it is not known by whom the version was made1 or on what authority the author relied1 when he said that ,john was banished to ,patmos in the time of ,nero4 ,so also ,andreas and ,arethas1 commentators on the book of ,revelation1 one of them in the beginning of the sixth century and the other in the middle of the sixth century1 make quotations from the book in such a manner as to show that they supposed that it was written before the destruction of ,jerusalem4 ,they1 however1 made no express declaration on that point1 and their testimony at anyrate1 at that late period1 is of little value4 ,a few other later writers also supposed that the book was written at an earlier period than the reign of ,domitian4 ,see ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #bfh1 #bfi4 ,such is the sum of the historical testimony as to the time when the ,apocalypse was written2 and that testimony1 it seems to me1 is so clear as to settle the point so far as the historical evidence is concerned1 that the book was written near the end of the reign of ,domitian1 that is1 about ,a4,d4 #ie or #if4 ,my exposition of the book proceeds on the supposition that it was written at that time4 #b4 ,there is another inquiry1 however1 as to the internal evidence1 for on this ground it has been maintained that it must have been written before the destruction of ,jerusalem and in the time of ,nero4 ,see the argument in ,prof4 ,stuart1 i4 #bgjbhb4 ,now1 in regard to this it may be remarked in general1 that on the supposition that it was written near the close of the life of ,john1 and in the time of ,domitian1 it can be shown that there is no internal improbability or inconsistency2 that is1 in other words1 all the known circumstances in regard to ,john1 and to the condition of the church at that time1 would accord with that supposition4 ,for1 7a7 ,it is known that ,john spent many of the later years of his life at ,ephesus1 in the midst of the seven churches to which the book was addressed1 and the epistles in the book are such as they would be on that supposition4 7b7 ,it is admitted that there was a persecution of ,christians in the time of ,domitian2 and of the persecution which he excited against ,christians1 ,mosheim remarks that 8he was an emperor little inferior to ,nero in baseness of character and conduct4 ,this persecution undoubtedly was severe2 but it was of short continuance1 as the emperor was soon murdered0 7,mosheim1 i4 #fi74 ,it commenced about ,a4,d4 #ic or #id4 ,it is not certainly known how far it extended1 but as the ground of the persecution was a fear of ,domitian that he would lose his empire from some person among the relatives of ,christ who would attempt a revolution 7,mosheim1 i4 #fi2 ,milman1 ,hist4 of ,christianity1 #aic71 ere is every probability that it would be directed particularly to the ,east and the countries near where the ,saviour lived and died4 xlix 7c7 ,it is not improbable that ,john would be banished in this persecution4 ,he was a man of great influence among ,christians1 and it is to be presumed that he would not escape the notice of those who were actively engaged in carrying on the persecution4 ,moreover1 it is as probable that he would be banished as that he would be put to death2 for1 though we have few facts respecting this persecution1 and few names are mentioned1 yet we have one recorded instance in which banishment on account of professing the ,christian religion took place4 ,thus ,milman 7,hist4 of ,christianity1 p4 #aic71 speaking of two of the cousin-germans of ,domitian1 says1 8,the one fell an early victim to his jealous apprehensions4 ,the other1 ,flavius ,clemens1 is described as a man of the most contemptible indolence of character4 ,his powerful kinsman1 instead of exciting the fears1 enjoyed for some time the favour of ,domitian4 ,he received in marriage ,domitilla1 the niece of the emperor2 his children were adopted as heirs to his throne2 ,clemens himself obtained the consulship4 ,on a sudden these harmless kinsmen became dangerous conspirators2 they were arraigned on the unprecedented charge of ,atheism and ,jewish manners2 the husband ,clemens was put to death2 the wife ,domitilla banished to the desert island of either ,pontia or ,pandataria40 ,nothing is more probable1 therefore1 than that ,john the apostle should be also banished to a desert islandand ,patmos was admirably adapted to such a purpose4 ,see ,notes on chap4 i4 #i4 ,there is1 therefore1 everything in the circumstances to make it probable that the book was written at the time in which it is so uniformly said by the early historians to have been4 ,those things seem to me to make it proper to acquiesce in the general opinion so long entertained in regard to the date of the ,apocalypse1 for there is1 perhaps1 no book of the ,new ,testament whose date is better determined on historical grounds than this4 ,these considerations also make it unnecessary to examine the alleged internal evidence from the book that it was written before the destruction of ,jerusalem1 especially as it will be shown in the ,notes that the passages usually relied on 7chap4 vi4 #i1 #aj2 vii42 xi4 #c1 #h2 xvii4 #h1 #aa2 and chap4 i4 #a1 #c2 xxii4 #g1 #bj7 are susceptible of an easy and satisfactory explanation on the supposition that the book was written in the time of ,domitian1 or after the destruction of ,jerusalem4 ,see also ,editor's ,preface4 ,,iii4,the ,place where the ,book was ,written4 ,the book itself purports 7chap4 i4 #i7 to have been written in the island of ,patmos1 where the writer says he was 8for the word of ,god1 and for the testimony of ,jesus ,christ20 that is1 clearly1 where he had been banished for his attachment to the ,saviour4 ,for an account of this island1 see ,notes on chap4 i4 #i4 ,the only question that has ever been raised on this point is1 whether this was a reality1 or a poetical fictionthat is1 whether the writer in his visions merely seemed to have been transferred to the place1 and this was made the imaginary scene of the vision4 ,the latter supposition has been entertained by ,eichhorn in his ,introduction to the ,new ,testament 7#ahaj71 and by some other writers4 ,in favour1 however1 of understanding this as a literal fact1 the following considerations may be suggested3 #a4 ,the clear statement of the writer himself 7chap4 i4 #i7;a statement that should be received as literally true1 unless there is something in the character of the composition1 or some intrinsic improbability in the case1 to set it aside4 l ,if the composition were avowedly fictitious or poetical1 then it would be understood that such a statement was not to be received literally4 ,and thus1 in a prophetic record1 it might be clear that it was a mere visionary representation1 in which the prophet seemed to be transported to some place where there would be no danger of misunderstanding it4 ,undoubtedly1 on this principle1 some of the visions of ,ezekiel and ,jeremiah are to be regarded as located at some place remote from that where the prophet was2 and thus many of the visions in this book are located in heaven or elsewhere4 ,but these cases are wholly different from the statement in chap4 i4 #i4 ,patmos is not represented as the mere scene of a vision4 ,the statement occurs in a plain prose narrative1 and there is no intrinsic improbability that it is true4 #b4 ,this accords with the representation of history1 and with the probabilities of the case1 that ,john was actually banished to ,patmos in a time of persecution4 ,see ,,ii4 ,on this point the representations of history are uniform1 and they are such1 that if a writer had designed to forge a book in the name of ,john1 he would1 in all probability1 have fixed on ,patmos as the scene of the vision1 from the fact that he was actually banished there4 #c4 ,if ,patmos was merely a fictitious place1 why should ,john select it8 ,what was there in that island that would have occurred to him as a proper place to be the scene of such visions8 ,it was little known2 it had no sacred associations2 it had never been represented as a place visited by the ,most ,high1 and it had no particular relation to the scenes which are referred to4 ,one born in ,judea1 and trained under the influence of the ,hebrew religion2 one who was a disciple of ,christ1 and who had witnessed the scene of the transfiguration or the ascension1 would have been much more likely to select ,sinai1 ,carmel1 ,hermon1 ,tabor1 or ,olivet1 as the scene where the visions were to be laid4 ,these were consecrated spots4 ,on these ,god had manifested himself in a peculiar manner2 had conversed with men1 and had given glorious exhibitions of his character and plans4 ,why should not one of these spotsany one of them in itself is as well adapted to be the scene of such visions as the lonely isle of ,patmoshave been selected8 ,why was a ,grecian island chosena place not once named in all the sacred writings1 and so small and so desolate as to have been almost entirely1 before this1 unknown even in the heathen world8 #d4 ,all the circumstances have the aspect of reality4 ,it was a real persecution to which the writer refers1 and it was a real affliction which he was experiencing1 and the concinnity of the passage requires us to understand this as a real transfer to a lonely island4 ,if that were a mere vision1 then we should be required also to understand the statement that he was 8a companion of others in tribulation0 as a vision also1 and his affliction as an account of an ideal transfer to that island4 ,but this is contrary to the spirit of the passage in chap4 i4 #i2 and the whole1 therefore1 should be understood as the statement of a literal fact4 ,these considerations are sufficient to show1 that the common opinion1 that the visions were seen in the island of ,patmos1 has every probability in its favour1 and should be received as correct4 ,whether the record was actually made on that island1 or was made afterwards1 is a point on which no light can be observed1 and which is of no importance4 ,from such passages1 however1 as those in chap4 x4 #d2 xiv4 #ac2 xix4 #i2 and xxi4 #e1 it would seem probable li that the record was made as soon as the visions were seen1 and that the book was actually written in ,patmos4 ,,iv4,the ,nature and ,design of the ,book4 ,this must be learned from an examination of the book itself1 and the views entertained on this point will be determined1 in a great measure1 by the principles which are adopted in interpreting it4 ,from the examination which ,i have given of the book1 and the methods of interpretation which ,i have adopted1 it seems to me that the matter and design of the book may be expressed in the following specifications3 #a4 ,it was composed in a time of persecution1 and in view of the persecutions and hostilities1 external and internal1 to which the church was then1 and would be exposed4 ,christianity was then in its infancy4 ,it was comparatively feeble4 ,it encountered the opposition of the world4 ,the arm of the civil power was raised to crush it4 ,it was also exposed to the attacks of internal foes1 and persecutions would arise from its own bosom1 and formidable enemies in future times would seem to endanger its very existence4 ,heresies1 and divisions1 and corruptions of doctrine and of practice1 might be expected to exist in its own bosom2 times of conflict and darkness would come2 changes would occur in governments that would deeply affect the welfare of the church2 and there might be periods when it would seem to be doubtful whether the true church would not become wholly extinct4 ,the faith of ,christians was1 doubtless1 sorely tried in the persecution which existed when the book was written1 and would be in like manner often sorely tried in the corruptions and persecutions of future ages4 #b4 ,the ,apocalypse is designed to meet this state of feeling by furnishing the assurance that the gospel would ultimately prevail2 that all its enemies would be subdued1 and the kingdom of the ,messiah set up over all the world4 ,it was intended to impart consolation to the people of ,god in all ages1 and in all forms of persecution and trial1 by the assurance that the true religion would be at last triumphant1 thus furnishing an illustration of the truth of the declarations of the ,saviour respecting the church1 that the 8gates of hell should not prevail against it10 ,mat4 xvi4 #ah4 ,hence everything in the book tends to the final triumph of the gospel2 and hence at the close 7chap4 xx471 we have the assurance of its far-spread diffusion over the earth1 for a period of a thousand years1 and 7chap4 xxi41 xxii47 a graphic view of the state of the redeemed when they shall be delivered from sin and woe1 and when all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes4 #c4 ,the method of doing this is by giving a rapid glance at the great events of history1 bearing on the church in all coming times1 till it should be triumphant2 or by sketching a bold outline of the principal things that would serve to endanger the church1 and the principal divine interpositions in behalf of the church1 until its triumph should be secured upon the earth4 ,this might have been done by direct statement1 or by plain and positive assertion1 as it was by many of the prophets2 but the end1 in this case1 would be better secured by a glance at future history1 in such a way1 that while the great fact of the final triumph of the gospel would be kept before the church1 there might be furnished a clear demonstration1 in the end1 of the divine origin and inspiration of the book itself4 ,this latter object1 indeed1 would have been in fact accomplished by a plain declaration1 but it would be best lii accomplished by such details as would show that the whole course of events was comprehended by the ,holy ,spiritthe real author of the whole4 ,a general view of these details may be seen1 according to the principles which ,i have adopted in the interpretation of the work1 in the ,analysis at the close of the ,introduction1 ,v4 #d4 ,the method in which this is mainly done in this book is by pictures or symbols2 for1 above all the other books in the ,bible1 the ,apocalypse is characterized by this method of representation1 and it may eminently be called a book of symbols4 ,it is this which has made it appear to be so obscure2 and this particularly which has given occasion for so great a variety in the methods of interpreting itfor there is no kind of representation that furnishes occasion for so much fanciful interpretation as that of symbolical writing4 ,the true principle of interpreting symbolical language has been hitherto little understood1 and consequently every writer has indulged his own fancy in affixing such a meaning to the symbol as he chose4 ,the result has been1 that there has been no generally admitted principle of interpretation respecting this book1 and that the variety of conjectures indulged1 and the wild and vain theories advanced1 have produced the impression that the book is not susceptible of a plain and sensible exposition4 ,a very common belief is1 that symbolical language must1 from the nature of the case1 be obscure and unintelligible1 and that a book1 written in the manner of the ,apocalypse1 must always be liable to the wild vagaries of imagination which have been so commonly exhibited in the attempts to explain this book4 ,these considerations make it proper to offer a few remarks here about the nature of symbolical language1 and on the question whether a book written in that language is necessarily unintelligible1 or incapable of a plausible interpretation4 ,a symbol is properly a representation of any moral thing by the images or properties of natural things4 ,thus a circle is a symbol of eternity1 as having neither beginning nor end2 an eye is a symbol of wisdom2 a lion1 of courage2 a lamb1 of meekness and gentleness4 ,this general idea of symbols is found in types1 enigmas1 parables1 fables1 allegories1 emblems1 hieroglyphics1 c4 ,the symbols mostly used in the book of ,revelation are pictures1 and could be paintedand1 indeed1 a great part of the book could be represented in a panorama1 and would constitute a series of the most splendid drawings that the world can conceive4 ,the following remarks may throw some light on the reason why this mode of representation was adopted1 and on the question whether a book written in this manner is necessarily unintelligible4 7a7 ,this method of representation is not uncommon in the ancient prophecies4 ,a considerable portion of ,daniel and ,ezekiel is written in this way2 and it is often resorted to by ,isaiah and the other prophets4 ,it was a method of representation which accorded well with the warm and glowing imagination of the ,orientals1 and with the character of mind in the early periods of the world4 ,it was supposed to be capable of conveying ideas of important events1 although it was doubtless understood that there might be some degree of obscurity in the representation1 and that study and ingenuity might be requisite in understanding itas is always the case with parables and enigmas4 ,we have frequent instances in the ,bible of a certain kind of trial of skill in expounding dark sayings and riddles1 when the sense was intentionally so conveyed as to demand acuteness of thought in the explanation4 ,the liii utterance of truths in symbolic language accorded much with this prevailing bent of mind in the ancient and the oriental worldas we see in the symbolical representations in ,egypt4 ,if the use of symbols1 therefore1 in the ,apocalypse be urged as an objection to the book1 the objection would lie with equal force against no small part of the writings of the ancient ,hebrew prophets1 and against a method of writing which was actually in extensive use in the early ages of the world4 ,to object to it1 must be to object that our own methods and views were not the views and methods of all past ages2 that the improved modes of communication in existence now were not in existence always4 7b7 ,such a method of representation may be1 however1 clear and intelligible4 ,the purpose of prophecy does not require that there should be in all cases an explicit statement of what will occur1 or a particular detail of names1 dates1 and circumstancesfor if such a statement were made1 it is plain that it would be possible1 on the one hand1 for an impostor so to shape his conduct as to seem to fulfil the prophecy1 and1 on the other1 for wicked men1 knowing exactly what was predicted1 to prevent its fulfilment4 ,all that is demanded in such predictions is1 7#a7 such a statement as undoubtedly refers to the future event2 7#b7 such a statement as1 when fairly interpreted1 describes such an event2 and 7#c7 such a statement as that1 when the event occurs1 it shall be clear that this was the event referred to1 or that the prediction cannot properly be referred to any other event2 that is1 so that they shall compare with each other as the two parts of a tally do4 ,now1 that symbolical language may have these characteristics1 and may be in these respects sufficiently clear and plain1 is evident from the following considerations3 #a4 ,a picture may be a correct representation of an event4 ,it was thus among the ,mexicans1 who1 by means of pictures1 were enabled to give a correct representation of the landing of the ,spaniards1 and to convey to their monarch a correct idea of the number and character of the ,spanish forces4 ,the following extract from ,dr4 ,robertson's ,history of ,america1 book v41 xii41 referring to the landing of the ,spaniards in ,mexico1 will illustrate this38,during this interview an interview between ,cortes and the ambassadors of ,montezuma1 some painters in the train of the ,mexican chiefs had been diligently employed in delineating1 upon white cotton cloths1 figures of the ships1 the horses1 the artillery1 the soldiers1 and whatever else attracted their eyes as singular4 ,when ,cortes observed this1 and was informed that these pictures were to be sent to ,montezuma1 in order to convey to him a more lively idea of the strange and wonderful objects now presented to their view than any words could communicate1 he resolved to render the representation still more animated and interesting1 by exhibiting such a spectacle as might give both them and their monarch an awful impression of the extraordinary prowess of his followers1 and the irresistible force of their arms40 #b4 ,a symbol may be as definite in its signification as the arbitrary character which constitutes a letter with us1 or the arbitrary character which denotes a syllable or a word with the ,chinese4 ,there is some reason to believe that the letters in most languages were at first pictures or symbols2 but whether this is true or not1 it is easy to conceive that such might have been the case1 and that as definite ideas might have been attached to the symbols employed as to the arbitrary marks or signs4 ,thus1 it is easy to suppose that a circle1 a lion1 an eagle1 a horse1 a banner1 an axe1 a lamb1 might have been so employed liv as always to denote the same thing1 in the same way as the letters of the alphabet do1 and thus1 consequently1 the number of symbols employed might have been very numerous1 though still retaining their definite character4 #c4 ,the truth of these remarks has been illustrated by the recent investigations of the symbolical language or hieroglyphical signs in ,egypt4 ,on the celebrated ,rosetta stone1 an inscription was found in three compartments of the stone1 in three different languagesthe first in hieroglyphical or symbolical language1 the language used by the priests2 the second in enchorical or demotic languagethe language in common use among the ,egyptian people2 and the third in ,greek4 ,it was conjectured that the inscription in each language was the same1 and that consequently there might be a key for explaining the symbols or the hieroglyphics so common in ,egypt4 ,acting on this suggestion1 ,champollion was enabled to read the inscription in the ,egyptian language1 and to determine the meaning of the symbols in so common use in the ancient inscriptions1 and the symbolical language of ,egypt became as intelligible as other ancient forms of recordas it was undoubtedly when it was at first employed4 ,each of the symbols had a well-known signification1 and was adapted to convey a definite idea4 ,an account of this stone1 and of the symbols of ,egypt generally1 may be seen in ,gliddon's ,ancient ,egypt1 chap4 i4 ,the symbols employed by the ,hebrew prophets may have had1 as used by them1 as definite a meaning1 and may be as susceptible of as clear an interpretation now1 as the symbols employed in ,egypt1 or as any other language4 ,the only real difficulty in interpreting them may have arisen from the fact that they referred to future events 7see ,notes on ,rev4 xvi4 #ab72 the employment of such methods of writing was in accordance with the genius of the ,orientals1 and gave great poetic beauty to their compositions4 #d4 ,it should be added1 however1 that peculiar care is necessary in the interpretation of writings of this character4 ,there is much room for the indulgence of the imagination1 and facts have shown that in almost nothing has so much indulgence been given to the fancy as in the interpretation of such books as ,daniel and the ,apocalypse4 ,indeed1 the explanations of these books have been so loose and wild1 as1 with many1 to bring the whole science of interpretation of the prophecies into contempt1 and to produce the very common impression that a rational and consistent exposition of such books as ,daniel and the ,apocalypse is impossible4 ,a better mode of interpretation1 it is hoped1 however1 is to prevaila mode in which there will be more careful attention to the true meaning of symbols and to the proper laws of symbolic language4 ,the true method may not have been reached1 and many errors may occur before it shall be reached4 ,for many ages the meaning of the ,egyptian hieroglyphics was entirely unknown4 ,thousands of conjectures had been made as to the method of reading those symbols2 vast ingenuity had been exhausted2 the hope was sometimes entertained that the clue had been discovered1 but it was at last felt that all those proposed methods were fanciful1 and the world had settled down in despair as to the possibility of deciphering their meaning4 ,the accidental discovery of the ,rosetta stone1 and the patient labours of ,de ,sacy1 ,akerblad1 ,tychsen1 and especially of ,champollion1 have changed the views of the world on that subject1 and the hieroglyphics of ,egypt have become as intelligible as any other language4 ,it is possible that the same may be true in regard to the meaning of the symbols of the sacred prophets2 and that although those of ,daniel and ,john may lv have seemed to be as obscure as those of ,egypt1 and although the most wild and extravagant opinions may have been entertained in regard to their meaning1 yet the time may come when those books shall take their place among the well-understood portions of the ,bible1 and when the correspondence of the predictions couched under these symbols with the events shall be so clear1 that there shall be no lingering doubt on any mind that they are a part of the divine communications to mankind4 ,whether this attempt to explain one of those books will contribute anything to a better understanding of the true meaning of the symbolical language employed by the prophets1 must be submitted to the judgment of the reader4 ,v4,the ,plan of the ,apocalypse4 ,the book of ,revelation may be regarded as divided into seven portions1 embracing the following general points3,the introduction1 chap4 i42 the epistles to the seven churches1 chap4 ii41 iii42 the preparatory vision1 chap4 iv42 the relation of the church to the external world1 embracing the outward or secular aspect of things as bearing on the church1 chap4 v4xi4 #aah2 the internal state of the church1 embracing the rise and destiny of ,antichristor1 the internal history of the church until the overthrow of that formidable power and the permanent and triumphant establishment of the kingdom of ,christ1 the last temporary apostasy1 and the general judgment1 chap4 xi4 #ai2 xii4xx42 the final condition of the righteous in their state of triumph and glory1 chap4 xxi41 xxii4 #ae2 and the epilogue or conclusion1 chap4 xxii4 #fba4 ,this plan1 as pursued in this attempt to explain the book1 may be seen more in detail in the ,,analysis on the following pages4 lvi ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,revelation ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,,showing ,,the ,,design ,,and ,,argument ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,showing ,,the ,,design ,,and ,,argument ,,of ,,the ,,book ,i4 ,,general ,i4 ,the title and design of the book1 chap4 i4 #ac4 ,,introduction1 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,ii4 ,dedication to the seven churches of ,asia1 chap4 i4 #dh4 ,,iii4 ,vision of the ,redeemer1 chap4 i4 #iah4 ,,iv4 ,commission to write to the seven churches1 chap4 i4 #ai1 #bj4 ,,ii4 ,,epistles ,,to ,i4 ,epistle to the church at ,ephesus1 chap4 ,,the ,,seven ii4 #ag4 ,,churches ,,of ,,asia1 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,epistle to the church at ,smyrna1 chap4 ,,asia1 ,,chap4 ii4 #haa4 ,,ii4 ,,iii4 ,,iii4 ,epistle to the church at ,pergamos1 chap4 ii4 #abag4 ,,iv4 ,epistle to the church at ,thyatira1 chap4 ii4 #ahbi4 ,v4 ,epistle to the church at ,sardis1 chap4 iii4 #af4 ,,vi4 ,epistle to the church at ,philadelphia1 chap4 iii4 #gac4 ,,vii4 ,epistle to the church at ,laodicea1 chap4 iii4 #adbb4 ,,iii4 ,,preparatory ,i4 ,the scene laid in heaven1 chap4 iv4 #a1 #b4 ,,vision1 ,,chap4 ,,iv4 ,,ii4 ,the vision of ,god1 of the elders1 and of the living creatures1 ch4 iv4 #ch4 ,,iii4 ,the worship rendered to ,god1 chap4 iv4 #iaa4 ,,iv4 ,,the ,,external ,i4 ,the ,sealed book1 containing the record of ,,relations ,,of these events1 in the hand of him that sat on ,,the ,,church the throne4 ,the ,lamb of ,god only could open ,,the ,,relation it4 ,the joy in heaven that one was found who ,,to ,,secular could open the seals1 chap4 v4 ,,affairs ,,political ,,ii4 ,the opening #a4 ,the opening of the first seal1 ,,changes ,,and of the seals chap4 vi4 #a1 #b4 ,,revolutions1 ,the white horse4,peace1 ,,as ,,bearing prosperity1 and triumph1 ,,on ,,the fulfilled in the state of ,,church1 ,,chap4 the ,roman empire from the ,v4,,xi4 #aah4 death of ,domitian1 ,a4,d4 #if1 to the accession of ,commodus1 ,a4,d4 #ahj4 #b4 ,the opening of the second seal1 chap4 vi4 #c1 #d4 ,the red horse4,bloodshed1 discord1 civil strife2 fulfilled in the state of the ,roman empire from the death of ,commodus1 ,a4,d4 #aic1 and onward4 #c4 ,the opening of the third seal1 chap4 vi4 #e1 #f4 ,the black horse4,calamity1 distress1 want1 trouble2 fulfilled in the ,roman empire1 in the scarcity of food that prevailed2 the excessive taxation2 the special order not to destroy the olive-yards and vineyards2 the sources of revenue1 in the time of ,caracalla1 ,a4,d4 #baa1 and onward4 #d4 ,the opening of the fourth seal1 chap4 vi4 #g1 #h4 ,the pale horse4,the reign of death1 in the form of famine1 pestilence1 disease2 fulfilled in the ,roman empire in the bloodshed1 famine1 and pestilence that prevailed in the time of ,decius1 ,gallus1 milianus1 ,valerian1 and ,gallianus1 ,a4,d4 #bdcbfh4 #e4 ,the opening of the fifth seal1 chap4 vi4 #iaa4 ,the martyrs4,fulfilled in the ,roman empire in the persecutions1 particularly in the time of ,diocletian1 ,a4,d4 #bhdcjd2 the last of the efforts in the ,pagan world to extinguish the ,christian name4 #f4 ,the opening of the sixth seal1 chap4 vi4 #abag4 ,consternation and alarm as if the world was coming to an end2 fulfilled in the ,roman empire in the threatening invasions of the ,goths in the neighbourhood of the ,danube1 pressed on by the ,huns1 and producing universal alarm and consternation1 ,a4,d4 #cfe1 and onwards4 lvii ,intermediate vision between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals4 ,a view of the persecution of the church1 and the glory of the saints in heaven1 designed to sustain the mind in the midst of so much gloom1 and to furnish the assurance that innumerable multitudes of men would be brought to glory1 chap4 vii4 7a7 ,the impending storm of wrath that seemed to threaten universal destruction is suspended in order that the servants of ,god might be sealed1 chap4 vii4 #ac4 7b7 ,the sealing process1 indicating the preservation of the church in these times of danger1 and the influences that would designate and save the true people of ,god in all time to come1 chap4 vii4 #dh4 7c7 ,a vision of an immense host before the throne1 gathered out of all people and all lands1 chap4 vii4 #iab4 7d7 ,a view of the martyrs who would be saved2 a view designed to give comfort in the trials that would come upon the people of ,god in this world1 chap4 vii4 #ac1 #ad4 7e7 ,a view of the happiness of heaven1 where all suffering will cease1 and all tears be wiped away1 chap4 vii4 #aeag4 #g4 ,the opening of the seventh seal1 chap1 viii4xi4 #aah4 ,seven trumpets given to seven angels to sound1 and the preparatory arrangements for sounding1 chap4 viii4 #af4 ,two series of events referring to the ,west and the ,east in the downfall of the ,roman empire3 ,a4 ,,the ,,westto the fall of the ,western empirefour trumpets4 7#a7 ,the first trumpet sounded1 chap4 viii4 #g4 ,the invasion of the ,roman empire by ,alaric1 king of the ,goths1 ,a4,d4 #ciedaj4 7#b7 ,the second trumpet sounded1 chap4 viii4 #h1 #i4 ,the invasion of the ,roman empire by ,genseric1 king of the ,vandals1 ,a4,d4 #dbhdfh4 7#c7 ,the third trumpet sounded1 chap4 viii4 #aj1 #aa4 ,the invasion of the ,roman empire by ,attila1 king of the ,huns1 the 8,scourge of ,god10 ,a4,d4 #dccdec4 7#d7 ,the fourth trumpet sounded1 chap4 viii4 #ab1 #ac4 ,the final conquest of ,rome and the ,western empire by ,odoacer1 king of the ,heruli1 ,a4,d4 #dgfdij4 ,b4 ,,the ,,eastto the fall of the ,eastern empiretwo trumpets1 chap4 ix4 7#e7 ,the fifth trumpet sounded1 chap4 ix4 #aab4 ,the ,mahometans1 or ,saracens4 7#f7 ,the sixth trumpet sounded1 chap4 ix4 #acai4 ,the ,turkish power4 ,the interval between the fall of the ,eastern empire and the sounding of the seventh trumpet1 chap4 ix4 #bj2 xi4 #ac3 7a7 ,the result of these judgments1 chap4 ix4 #bj1 #ba4 ,they produce no change in the moral condition of the world2 fulfilled in the state of the ,papal world after the conquest of ,constantinople1 and before the ,reformation4 7b7 ,an angel is seen descending from heaven with emblems of majesty1 joy1 and peace1 chap4 x42 fulfilled in the ,reformation3 77 ,the angel with the rainbow on his head1 and his face like the sun1 a proper symbol of the ,reformation as a work of peace1 and accompanied with light and knowledge1 chap4 x4 #a4 lviii 77 ,the little book in his hand1 a symbol of the principal agent in the ,reformationa bookthe ,bible1 chap4 x4 #b4 77 ,his crying with a loud voice1 symbolical of the ,reformation as arresting the attention of the nations1 chap4 x4 #c4 77 ,the seven thundersthe anathemas of ,papal ,romethe thunder of the seven-hilled city1 chap4 x4 #c4 77 ,the purpose of ,john to record what the seven thunders had uttered1 and the command not to write2 the mistake which the ,reformers were in danger of making1 by regarding the doctrine of the ,papacy as the truth of ,god1 chap4 x4 #d4 77 ,the solemn oath of the angel that the time predicted would not then occur1 but would occur in the time when the seventh angel should sound1 chap4 x4 #eg2 fulfilled in the anticipations of the ,reformers that the world was about to come to an end1 and the reign of ,christ about to commence1 and the assurance of the angel that this would not then occur1 but that a long and important interval must take place4 77 ,the command given to ,john to go and take the little book from the hand of the angel1 chap4 x4 #h2 fulfilled in the delivery of the ,bible again to the church4 77 ,the command to eat it1 and the consequencessweet in the mouth1 and bitter to the belly1 chap4 x4 #i1 #aj2 the effect of the pure word of ,god on the soul indicated by the one2 the bitter consequences1 in persecution and opposition1 that would result from the attempt to make the truth known to the world1 indicated by the other4 77 ,the assurance that he would yet prophesy before many people1 and nations1 and tongues1 and kings1 chap4 x4 #aj2 fulfilled in the restoration of preaching in the church1 founded on the ,bible1 and in the immediate and ultimate influence of the ,bible in making the gospel known to the world4 7c7 ,the measuring of the holy city1 chap4 xi4 #a1 #b2 the determining of what constituted the true church at the time of the ,reformation4 7d7 ,the two witnesses1 chap4 xi4 #cac4 ,those who bore faithful testimony to the truth in all the corruptions of the church2 their trials and their triumph2 fulfilled in the succession of true and sincere ,christians whom ,god raised up from time to time to testify to the truth4 ,they would be persecuted1 and many of them would be put to death2 they would seem to be finally silenced1 and would be treated with great indignity1 as if their dead bodies should remain unburied2 they would1 however1 come to life again1 that is1 at the time of the ,reformation they would rise and testify against the corruptions of the ,papacy1 and would triumph as if they ascended visibly and gloriously to heaven4 7#g7 ,the sounding of the seventh trumpet4 ,the final triumph of the church1 and the establishment of the kingdom of ,god in the overthrow of all its enemies1 chap4 xi4 #adah4 ,this ends the first series of visions2 and this expresses in general terms what is drawn out more in detail in the next series of visions1 ,part ,v41 embracing more particularly the rise and progress of ,antichrist4 lix ,v4 ,,the ,,church ,,internally ,i4 ,general #a4 ,a new vision of the temple ,,the ,,rise ,,of ,introduction of ,god opened in heaven1 chap4 ,,antichrist1 to this xi4 #ai4 ,,and ,,the series of ,,effect visions1 #b4 ,a representation of the church1 ,,of ,,that ,chap4 under the image of a beautiful ,,formidable xi4 #ai2 woman1 chap4 xii4 #a4 ,,power ,,on xii4 ,,the ,,internal #c4 ,the particular thing designed ,,history ,,of to be representedthe church ,,the ,,church1 about to increase and to fill ,,to ,,the the world1 chap4 xii4 #b4 ,,time ,,of ,,the ,,overthrow #d4 ,the deadly hostility of ,satan ,,of ,,that to the church1 and his purpose ,,great ,,power1 to destroy it1 represented by ,,and ,,the a great red dragon waiting to ,,triumphant destroy the man-child1 chap4 ,,establishment xii4 #c1 #d4 ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of #e4 ,the ultimate safety of the ,,god1 ,,chap4 church1 represented by the ,,xi4 #ai2 child caught up to heaven1 ,,xii4,,xx4 chap4 xii4 #e4 #f4 ,the fact that the church would be a long time obscure and hiddenrepresented by the woman fleeing into the wilderness1 chap4 xii4 #f4 #g4 ,a scenic representation of the great contest going on in the universe about the churchrepresented by a conflict in heaven between ,michael1 the protector of the church1 with his angels1 and ,satan1 the great enemy of the church1 with his angels1 chap4 xii4 #g4 #h4 ,the ultimate discomfiture of ,satan1 represented by his being overcome and cast out of heaven1 chap4 xii4 #h1 #i4 #i4 ,a song of victory in view of this triumph1 chap4 xii4 #aj1 #aa4 #aj4 ,the fact that ,satan would be allowed1 for a limited time1 to persecute the church1 chap4 xii4 #ab1 #ac4 #aa4 ,the church in the wilderness1 chap4 xii4 #adag4 7a7 ,the church would be driven into obscurity1 like a woman fleeing into a desertrepresenting the condition of the church while the ,papacy should have the ascendency1 ver4 #ad4 7b7 ,the church would still be preserved1 though in obscurityrepresented by the woman nourished by some unseen power1 ver4 #ad4 7c7 ,satan would still rage against the churchrepresented by the dragon pouring forth a flood of waters to overwhelm the woman1 ver4 #ae4 7d7 ,the church would be protected1 as if the earth should open its mouth to swallow up the waterrepresenting the interpositions from an unexpected quarter in delivering the church from its perils1 ver4 #af4 7e7 ,the wrath of ,satan against the remnantrepresenting the attempts of the ,papacy to cut off individuals when open and general persecution no longer raged1 ver4 #ag4 ,,ii4 ,the two #a4 ,the first beast1 representing beasts1 the ,roman civil or secular representing power that sustained the ,papacy the great in its career of persecution1 persecuting chap4 xiii4 #aaj4 power in the church1 #b4 ,the second beast1 representing ,chap4 xiii4 the ,papal ecclesiastical power1 giving life to the former1 and perpetuating its influence on the earth1 chap4 xiii4 #aaah4 ,,iii4 ,a #a4 ,a vision of the redeemed in representation heaven1 triumphant and designed1 rejoicing1 ver4 #ae4 under a gospel #b4 ,the ultimate spread of succession the through all the world1 of symbols1 ver4 #f1 #g4 to cheer and sustain #c4 ,the fall of ,babylon1 the great the church ,antichristian power1 ver4 #h4 in its present and #d4 ,the final overthrow of prospective all the upholders of trials1 with that ,antichristian power1 the assurance ver4 #iab4 of its final triumph1 and #e4 ,the blessed state of those who the ultimate should die in the ,lord in any destruction time1 whether of persecution of all its or peace1 ver4 #ac4 foes1 ,chap4 xiv4 #f4 ,the consummation of all lx thingsthe final triumph of the church1 and the overthrow of the wicked1 ver4 #adbj3 7a7 ,the great harvest of the world by the ,son of ,godthe gathering in of the righteous1 ver4 #adaf4 7b7 ,the final overthrow and destruction of the wicked1 ver4 #agbj4 ,,iv4 ,preparation #a4 ,a new wonder is seen in heaven2 for the final seven angels appear1 having the judgment on seven last plagues1 to fill up the beast and or complete the wrath of ,god1 his image1 ver4 #a4 ,chap4 xv4 #b4 ,those who in former times had suffered from persecution by the power represented by the beast1 but who1 in the midst of trial and temptation1 had maintained their faith steadfast1 now appear to celebrate with a song of victory the prospective downfall of the great foe1 ver4 #bd4 #c4 ,arrangements made for executing the wrath of ,god4 ,the temple is open in heaven2 seven angels come out having the seven last plagues2 one of the four living creatures gives command to them to go and execute the divine purpose1 presenting seven golden bowls full of the wrath of ,god2 the temple is forthwith filled with smoke1 preventing all access to the mercy-seat1 and indicating that the divine purpose was inexorable1 ver4 #eh4 ,v4 ,the #a4 ,the first vial1 ver4 #a1 #b4 ,the execution of first blow struck on the ,papacy the purpose1 in the ,french ,revolution4 ,chap4 xvi4 #b4 ,the second vial1 ver4 #c4 ,the scenes of blood and carnage in that ,revolution4 #c4 ,the third vial1 ver4 #dg4 ,the calamities brought by the ,french invasions upon the countries where the most bloody persecutions had been wagedthe north of ,italy4 #d4 ,the fourth vial1 ver4 #h1 #i4 ,the overturning of the governments that sustained the ,papal power1 in the wars consequent on the ,french ,revolution4 #e4 ,the fifth vial1 ver4 #aj1 #aa4 ,the direct assault on the ,papal power2 the capture of the pope himself1 and the temporary entire subjugation of ,rome by the ,french arms4 #f4 ,the sixth vial1 ver4 #abaf4 ,the decline of the ,turkish power2 the rapid extension of the gospel in the ,east2 the rallying of the strength of ,paganism1 ,mahometanism1 and ,romanismrepresented by the three frogs that came out of the mouth of the dragon1 the beast1 and the false prophet3 the preparation of those powers as if for some great conflict1 and the decisive struggle between the church and its foes1 as if the issue were staked on a single battlein ,armageddon4 #g4 ,the seventh vial1 ver4 #agba4 ,the complete and final overthrow of the ,papal power1 as if in a tremendous storm of hail1 lightning1 and thunder1 accompanied with an earthquake4 ,,vi4 ,a #a4 ,introduction to the ,episode2 particular the vision of the woman sitting description on many waters1 ver4 #ac4 of the judgment #b4 ,a particular description of the on this ,antichristian power referred to1 formidable under the image of an abandoned ,antichristian and gaily-attired woman1 power1 under ver4 #cf4 a new image of a harlot #c4 ,a particular explanation 7,chap4 xvii47 of what is designed to be in the form represented by the image of of an the scarlet-coloured woman1 explanatory ver4 #gah3 ,episode4 7a7 ,the angel promises to explain it1 ver4 #g4 7b7 ,a symbolical representation of the design of the vision1 ver4 #had4 7c7 ,a more literal statement of what is meant1 ver4 #aeah4 ,the whole designed to characterize ,papal ,rome1 and to describe the manner of its rise and the means of its ultimate destruction4 lxi ,,vii4 ,a #a4 ,a vision of an angel coming description from heaven1 ver4 #ac4 of the effect of #b4 ,a warning voice calling on that judgment the people of ,god to come out in pouring of the mystical ,babylon1 and out the not to partake of her sin and seventh vial her doom1 ver4 #dh4 on that formidable #c4 ,lamentation over her fate3 ,antichristian power1 under 7a7 ,by kings1 that had the image of lived delicately with her1 a rich and ver4 #i1 #aj4 luxurious city2 a 7b7 ,by merchants that had been further enriched by her1 ver4 #aaag4 explanatory ,episode1 7c7 ,by mariners that had ,ch4 xviii4 trafficked with her1 ver4 #agai4 #d4 ,rejoicing over her fate1 ver4 #bj4 #e4 ,the final destruction of the mystical ,babylonthe ,papal powerrepresented by a millstone cast by an angel into the sea1 ver4 #babd4 ,,viii4 ,a further #a4 ,a hymn of the heavenly hosts episodical in view of the destruction of representatation the mystical ,babylon1 of the ver4 #ag3 effects that would result 7a7 ,a voice of many people in from the fall heaven1 shouting ,hallelujah1 of the powers ver4 #a1 #b4 that opposed the reign of 7b7 ,the sound echoed and the ,son of repeated as the smoke of her ,god and the torment ascends1 ver4 #c4 introduction of the 7c7 ,the four and twenty elders1 ,millennium1 and the four living creatures with an unite in the song1 ver4 #d4 account of the final 7d7 ,a voice heard commanding destruction them to praise ,god1 ver4 #e4 of these powers1 7e7 ,the mighty shout of ,chap4 xix4 ,hallelujah echoed and repeated from unnumbered hosts1 ver4 #f1 #g4 #b4 ,the marriage of the ,lamb as the reason of this increased joy1 ver4 #h1 #i4 #c4 ,john1 overcome with this scene1 and filled with rapturous joy in view of the final triumphs of the church1 prostrates himself before the angel to worship him1 ver4 #aj4 #d4 ,the final conquest over the beast and the false prophet1 ver4 #aaba3 7a7 ,a description of the conquerorthe ,son of ,godas he goes forth to victory1 attended by the armies of heaven1 ver4 #aaaf4 7b7 ,an angel is seen standing in the sun1 calling on all the fowls of heaven to come to the great feast prepared for them in the destruction of the enemies of ,god1 ver4 #ag1 #ah4 7c7 ,the final war1 ver4 #aiba4 ,the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gather together for the battle2 the beast and the false prophet taken1 and cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone2 the remainder of the enemies of the church slain4 ,the last enemy of the church on earth is destroyed1 and the way is prepared for its universal triumph4 ,,ix4 ,the #a4 ,the binding of ,satan1 ver4 #ac4 ,millennial period and #b4 ,the ,millennium1 ver4 #df4 the final ,thrones are placed as if judgment1 there were to be a judgment2 ,ch4 xx4 the spirit of the martyrs and saints is revived again as if they were raised from the dead1 and lived again on the earth2 ,satan is confined1 and the church enjoys a state of repose and prosperity1 for the period of a thousand years4 #c4 ,the release of ,satan for a little time4 ver4 #g1 #h4 ,after the thousand years are expired1 he is permitted to go forth again among the nations1 and to awaken a new form of hostility to ,christ and the church4 #d4 ,the final overthrow1 subjugation1 and punishment of ,satan and those opposing hosts1 and the final triumph1 therefore1 of the church1 ver4 #i1 #aj4 #e4 ,the final judgment on all mankind1 ver4 #aaae4 ,all the dead are raised2 the sea gives up its dead2 ,death and ,hades give up their dead1 and a solemn and just judgment is pronounced on all mankind1 and the wicked are consigned to the lake of fire4 lxii ,,vi4 ,,the ,,final ,i4 ,a vision of the new heavens and new earth1 as the ,,condition final abode of the righteous1 chap4 xxi4 #a4 ,,of ,,the ,,righteous,,the ,,ii4 ,that blessed future abode represented under the ,,state ,,of image of a beautiful city descending from heaven1 ,,future chap4 xxi4 #bd4 ,,blessedness1 ,,chap4 ,,xxi42 ,,iii4 ,a particular description of the city1 as ,,xxii4 #ae4 the final abode of the righteous2 its general appearance1 its walls1 its gates1 its foundations1 its size1 its light1 its inmates1 c41 chap4 xxi4 #ibg2 xxii4 #ae ,,vii4 ,,the ,i4 ,a solemn declaration that the things revealed in ,,epilogue1 ,,or this book are true1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,,conclusion1 ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,the effect of those revelations on ,john1 ,,xxii4 #fbj4 ver4 #h1 #i4 ,,iii4 ,a command not to seal up what had been revealed1 ver4 #aj4 ,,iv4 ,the unchangeable condition of the righteous and the wicked in the future state1 ver4 #ad1 #ae4 ,v4 ,the blessedness of those who have a right to enter into the ,holy ,city1 ver4 #ae4 ,,vi4 ,jesus declares himself to be the author of all these revelations1 ver4 #af4 ,,vii4 ,the free invitations of the gospel to all men1 ver4 #ag4 ,,viii4 ,a solemn injunction not to change anything that had been written in this book1 ver4 #ah1 #ai4 ,,ix4 ,the assurance of the ,saviour that he would come quickly1 and the joyous assent of ,john to this1 and prayer that it might occur1 ver4 #bj4 ,x4 ,the benediction1 ver4 #ba4 #ca ,,the ,,revelation ,,of ,,st4 ,,john ,,the ,,divine4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter contains a general introduction to the whole book1 and comprises the following parts3 ,i4 ,the announcement that the object of the book is to record a revelation which the ,lord ,jesus ,christ had made of important events which were shortly to occur1 and which were signified by an angel to the author1 ,john1 ver4 #ac4 ,a blessing is pronounced on him who should read and understand the book1 and special attention is directed to it because the time was at hand when the predicted events would occur4 ,,ii4 ,salutation to the seven churches of ,asia1 ver4 #dh4 ,to those churches1 it would seem from this1 the book was originally dedicated or addressed1 and two of the chapters 7ii4 and iii47 refer exclusively to them4 ,among them evidently the author had resided 7ver4 #i71 and the whole book was doubtless sent to them1 and committed to their keeping4 ,in this salutation1 the author wishes for them grace1 mercy1 and peace from 8him which is1 and which was1 and which is to come0the original fountain of all light and truthreferring to the ,father2 8from the seven ,spirits which are before the throne0referring to the ,holy ,spirit 7see ,note on ver4 #d71 by whom all grace is communicated to men2 and from the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 by whom the revelation is imparted4 ,as it is his revelation1 as it is designed peculiarly to glorify him1 and as it predicts the final triumph of his religion1 the author appends to this reference to him a special ascription of praise1 ver4 #eh4 ,he refers to the great work which he had done for his people in redeeming them1 and making them kings and priests to ,god2 he assures those to whom he wrote that he would come in glory to the world again1 and that all eyes would see him2 and he represents the ,redeemer himself as applying to his own person a title8,alpha and ,omega10 8the beginning and the ending0which indicates his exalted nature1 and his supreme authority4 ,,iii4 ,the commission of the writer1 or his authority for thus addressing the churches of ,asia1 ver4 #ibj4 ,his authority to do this is derived from the fact that the ,lord ,jesus had appeared to him personally in his exile1 and had directed him to reveal what he saw in vision1 and to send it to those churches4 ,the statement of this commission is made as impressive as it well could be4 7a7 ,the writer was an exilebanished to a lonely island on account of the common faith1 ver4 #i4 7b7 ,on the day of ,christian restthe day set apart to the memory of the ,saviour1 and which he sacredly observed in his solitude as holy timewhen in the spirit of calm contemplation on the truths appropriate to this day1 he suddenly heard the voice of his ,redeemer1 like a trumpet1 commanding him to record what he saw1 and to send it to the seven churches of ,asia1 ver4 #aj1 #aa4 7c7 ,then follows 7ver4 #abah7 a magnificent description of the appearance of the ,saviour1 as he appeared in his glory4 ,he is seen standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks1 clothed in a long white robe1 girded with a girdle of gold1 his hair white1 his eyes like a flame of fire1 his feet like brass1 and his voice like the roaring of mighty waters4 ,in his hand are seven stars1 and from his mouth goes a sharp sword1 and his countenance is like the sun in the full splendour of its shining4 ,john falls at his feet as if he were dead2 and the ,saviour lays his right hand upon him1 and animates him with the assurance that though he had himself been dead he is now alive1 and would for ever live1 and that he has the keys of hell and death4 7d7 ,then follows the commission itself1 ver4 #ai1 #bj4 ,he was to make a record of the things which he saw4 ,he was especially to unfold the meaning of the seven stars which he saw in the right hand of the ,saviour1 and of the seven golden candlesticks1 as referring to the seven churches of ,asia ,minor2 and was then to describe #cb the series of visions which pertained to the future history and destiny of the church at large4 ,in the scene represented in this chapter1 there is some imagery which would be suggested by the arrangements in the temple at ,jerusalem1 and it has been supposed 7,elliott1 i4 #gb1 #gc7 that the vision was laid there1 and that ,christ is represented as walking among the seven lamps 8habited as the ancient high-priest40 ,but the vision is not such an one as would have been presented in the holy place in the temple4 ,in that place there was but one lamp-stand1 with seven sconces2 here1 there were seven separate lamp-stands2 there were there no 8stars10 and the vestments of the ,jewish high-priest were not those in which the ,saviour is represented as appearing4 ,he had no mitre1 no ephod1 no breastplate1 and no censer4 ,the object was not to represent ,christ as a priest1 or as superseding the ,jewish high-priest1 but to represent him with costume appropriate to the ,son of ,godas having been raised from the dead1 and received to the glory of heaven4 ,his vestments are neither those of a prophet1 a king1 nor a priest2 not with such garments as the ancient prophets wore1 nor with crown and sceptre such as monarchs bear1 nor yet with the usual habiliments of a priest4 ,he appears as the ,son of ,god1 irrespective of the offices that he bears1 and comes as the glorified ,head of the ,church to declare his will in regard to the seven churches of ,asia1 and to disclose the future for the guidance and comfort of his church at large4 ,the scene appears to be laid at ,patmos1 and the apostle in the vision of the ,saviour does not appear to have regarded himself as transferred to any other place4 ,the view which is to be kept before the mind in the description of 8the things that are0 7ch4 ii41 iii471 is that of seven burning lamps1 and the ,son of ,god standing among them4 ,thus1 amidst these lamps1 representing the churches1 he dictates to the apostle what he shall write to the churches2 thus1 with seven stars in his hand1 representing the angels of the churches1 he dictates what shall be said to them4 ,is it unnatural to suppose that the position of those lamps might have been arranged in the vision in a manner resembling the geographical position of the churches themselves8 ,if so1 the scene would be more significant1 and more sublime4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 which ,god gave unto him1 to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass2 and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant ,john3 #a4 ,the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is evidently a title or caption of the whole book1 and is designed to comprise the substance of the whole2 for all that the book contains would be embraced in the general declaration that it is a revelation of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the word rendered ,revelation1 whence we have derived our word ,apocalypsemeans properly an uncovering2 that is1 nakedness2 from 1 to uncover4 ,it would apply to anything which had been covered up so as to be hidden from the view1 as by a veil1 a darkness1 in an ark or chest1 and then made manifest by removing the covering4 ,it comes then to be used in the sense of disclosing or revealing1 by removing the veil of darkness or ignorance4 8,there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed40 ,it may be applied to the disclosing or manifesting of anything which was before obscure or unknown4 ,this may be done7a7 ,by instruction in regard to that which was before obscure2 that is1 by statements of what was unknown before the statements were made2 as in ,lu4 ii4 #cb1 where it is said that ,christ would be 8a light to lighten the ,gentiles0 2 or when it is applied to the divine mysteries1 purposes1 or doctrines1 before obscure or unknown1 but made clear by light revealed in the gospel1 ,ro4 xvi4 #be2 #a ,co4 ii4 #aj2 xiv4 #f2 ,ep4 iii4 #e4 7b7 ,by the event itself2 as the manifestation of the wrath of ,god at the day of judgment will disclose the true nature of his wrath4 8,after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of ,god10 ,ro4 ii4 #e4 8,for the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation 7,gr4 revelation7 of the sons of ,god10 ,ro4 viii4 #ai2 that is1 till it shall be manifest by the event what they who are the children of ,god are to be4 ,in this sense the word is frequently applied to the second advent or appearing of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as disclosing him in his #cc glory1 or showing what he truly is2 8,when the ,lord ,jesus shall be revealed10 #b ,th4 i4 #g in the revelation of ,jesus ,christ2 8,waiting for the coming 7the revelation 7 of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ10 #a ,co4 i4 #g2 8,at the appearing 7,gr4 revelation7 of ,jesus ,christ10 #a ,pe4 i4 #g2 8,when his glory shall be revealed10 #a ,pe4 iv4 #ac4 7c7 ,it is used in the sense of making known what is to come1 whether by words1 signs1 or symbols1 as if a veil were lifted from that which is hidden from human vision1 or which is covered by the darkness of the unknown future4 ,this is called a revelation1 because the knowledge of the event is in fact made known to the world by ,him who alone can see it1 and in such a manner as he pleases to employ2 though many of the terms or the symbols may be1 from the necessity of the case1 obscure1 and though their full meaning may be disclosed only by the event4 ,it is in this sense1 evidently1 that the word is used here2 and in this sense that it is more commonly employed when we speak of a revelation4 ,thus the word 7gl7 is used in ,am4 iii4 #g1 8,surely the ,lord ,god will do nothing1 but he revealeth his secret unto his servants40 ,so ,job xxxiii4 #af1 8,then he openeth 7marg4 revealeth or uncovereth2 ,heb4 7 the ears of men20 that is1 in a dream1 he discloses to their ears his truth before concealed or unknown4 ,comp4 ,da4 ii4 #bb1 #bh1 #bi2 x4 #a2 ,de4 xxix4 #bi4 ,these ideas enter into the word as used in the passage before us4 ,the idea is that of a disclosure of an extraordinary character1 beyond the mere ability of man1 by a special communication from heaven4 ,this is manifest1 not only from the usual meaning of this word1 but by the word prophecy1 in ver4 #c1 and by all the arrangements by which these things were made known4 ,the ideas which would be naturally conveyed by the use of this word in this connection are two3 7#a71 that there was something which was before hidden1 obscure1 or unknown2 and1 7#b71 that this was so disclosed by these communications as to be seen or known4 ,the things hidden or unknown were those which pertained to the future2 the method of disclosing them was mainly by symbols4 ,in the ,greek1 in this passage1 the article is wantinga ,revelation1 not 1 the ,revelation4 ,this is omitted because it is the title of a book1 and because the use of the article might imply that this was the only revelation1 excluding other books claiming to be a revelation2 or it might imply some previous mention of the book1 or knowledge of it in the reader4 ,the simple meaning is1 that this was 8a ,revelation20 it was only a part of the revelation which ,god has given to mankind4 ,the phrase1 8the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ10 might1 so far as the construction of the language is concerned1 refer either to ,christ as the subject or object4 ,it might either mean that ,christ is the object revealed in this book1 and that its great purpose is to make him known1 and so the phrase is understood in the commentary called ,hyponoia 7,new ,york1 #ahdd72 or it may mean that this is a revelation which ,christ makes to mankind1 that is1 it is his in the sense that he communicates it to the world4 ,that this latter is the meaning here is clear1 7#a71 because it is expressly said in this verse that it was a revelation which ,god gave to him2 7#b71 because it is said that it pertains to things which must shortly come to pass2 and1 7#c71 because1 in fact1 the revelation is a disclosure of events which were to happen1 and not of the person or work of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,which ,god gave unto him4 ,which ,god imparted or communicated to ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is in accordance with the representations everywhere made in the ,scriptures1 that ,god is the original fountain of truth and knowledge1 and that1 whatever was the original dignity of the ,son of ,god1 there was a mediatorial dependence on the ,father4 ,see ,jn4 v4 #ai1 #bj1 8,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the ,son can do nothing of himself1 but what he seeth the ,father do3 for whatsoever he doeth1 these also doeth the ,son likewise4 ,for the ,father loveth the ,son1 and showeth him 7 7 all things that himself doeth40 8,my doctrine is not mine1 but his that sent me10 ,jn4 vii4 #af4 8,as my ,father hath taught me 7 71 ,i speak these things10 ,jn4 viii4 #bh4 8,for ,i have not spoken of myself2 but the ,father which sent me1 he gave me a commandment1 what ,i should say1 and what ,i should speak10 ,jn4 xii4 #di4 ,see also ,jn4 xiv4 #aj2 xvii4 #g1 #h2 ,mat4 xi4 #bg2 ,mar4 xiii4 #cb4 ,the same mediatorial dependence the apostle teaches us still subsists in heaven in his glorified state1 and will continue until he has subdued all things 7#a ,co4 xv4 #bdbh72 and hence1 even in that state1 he is represented #cd as receiving the ,revelation from the ,father to communicate it to men4 ,to show unto his servants4 ,that is1 to his people1 to ,christians1 often represented as the servants of ,god or of ,christ1 #a ,pe4 ii4 #af2 ,re4 ii4 #bj2 vii4 #c2 xix4 #b2 xxii4 #c4 ,it is true that the word is sometimes applied1 by way of eminence1 to the prophets 7#a ,ch4 vi4 #di2 ,da4 vi4 #bj71 and to the apostles 7,ro4 i4 #a2 ,ga4 i4 #aj2 ,phi4 i4 #a2 ,tit4 i4 #a2 ,ja4 i4 #a72 but it is also applied to the mass of ,christians1 and there is no reason why it should not be so understood here4 ,the book was sent to the churches of ,asia1 and was clearly designed for general use2 and the contents of the book were evidently intended for the churches of the ,redeemer in all ages and lands4 ,comp4 ver4 #c4 ,the word rendered to show 77 commonly denotes to point out1 to cause to see1 to present to the sight1 and is a word eminently appropriate here1 as what was to be revealed was1 in general1 to be presented to the sight by sensible tokens or symbols4 ,things which must shortly come to pass4 ,not all the things that will occur1 but such as it was deemed of importance for his people to be made acquainted with4 ,nor is it certainly implied that all the things that are communicated would shortly come to pass1 or would soon occur4 ,some of them might perhaps lie in the distant future1 and still it might be true that there were those which were revealed in connection with them1 which soon would occur4 ,the word rendered 8things0 77 is a pronoun1 and might be rendered what2 8he showed to his servants what things were about to occur10 not implying that he showed all the things that would happen1 but such as he judged to be needful that his people should know4 ,the word would naturally embrace those things which1 in the circumstances1 were most desirable to be known4 ,the phrase rendered 8must come to pass0 7 71 would imply more than mere futurity4 ,the word used 77 means it needs1 there is need of1 and implies that there is some kind of necessity that the event should occur4 ,that necessity may either arise from the felt want of anything1 as where it is absent or wanting1 ,xen4 ,cyr4 iv4 #aj2 ib4 vii4 #e1 #i2 or from the nature of the case1 or from a sense of duty1 as ,mat4 xvi4 #ba1 8,jesus began to show to his disciples that he must go 7 7 to ,jerusalem0 7comp4 ,mat4 xxvi4 #ce2 ,mar4 xiv4 #ca2 ,lu4 ii4 #di72 or the necessity may exist1 because a thing is right and just1 meaning that it ought to be done1 as ,lu4 xiii4 #ad1 8,there are six days in which men ought to work0 7 74 8,and ought not this woman 7 71 whom ,satan hath bound1 c41 be loosed from this bond10 ,lu4 xiii4 #af 7comp4 ,mar4 xiii4 #ad2 ,jn4 iv4 #bj2 ,ac4 v4 #aa1 #bi2 #b ,ti4 ii4 #f2 ,mat4 xviii4 #cc2 xxv4 #bg72 or the necessity may be that it is conformable to the divine arrangement1 or is made necessary by divine appointment1 as in ,jn4 iii4 #ad1 8,as ,moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness1 even so must 77 the ,son of man be lifted up40 8,for as yet they knew not the ,scriptures1 that he must 77 rise again from the dead10 ,jn4 xx4 #i2 comp4 ,ac4 iv4 #ab2 xiv4 #bb1 et al4 ,in the passage before us1 it is implied that there was some necessity that the things referred to should occur4 ,they were not the result of chance1 they were not fortuitous4 ,it is not1 however1 stated what was the ground of the necessity2 whether because there was a want of something to complete a great arrangement1 or because it was right and proper in existing circumstances1 or because such was the divine appointment4 ,they were events which1 on some account1 must certainly occur1 and which1 therefore1 it was important should be made known4 ,the real ground of the necessity1 probably1 was founded in the design of ,god in redemption4 ,he intended to carry out his great plans in reference to his church1 and the things revealed here must necessarily occur in the completion of that design4 ,the phrase rendered shortly 7 7 is one whose meaning has been much controverted1 and on which much has been made to depend in the interpretation of the whole book4 ,the question has been whether the phrase necessarily implies that the events referred to were soon to occur1 or whether it may have such an extent of meaning as to admit the supposition that the events referred to1 though beginning soon1 would embrace in their development far distant years1 and would reach the end of all things4 ,those who maintain1 as ,professor ,stuart1 that the book was written before the destruction of ,jerusalem1 and that the portion in ch4 iv4xi4 has special reference to ,jerusalem and ,judea1 and the portion in ch4 xii4xix4 to persecuting and heathen ,rome1 maintain the former opinion2 #ce those who suppose that ch4 iv4xi4 refers to the irruption of ,northern barbarians in the ,roman empire1 and ch4 xii41 seq41 to the rise and the persecutions of the ,papal power1 embrace the latter opinion4 ,all that is proper in this place is1 without reference to any theory of interpretation1 to inquire into the proper meaning of the language1 or to ascertain what idea it would naturally convey4 7a7 ,the phrase properly and literally means1 with quickness1 swiftness1 speed2 that is1 speedily1 quickly1 shortly 7,rob4 ,lex42 ,stuart1 in loco74 ,it is the same in meaning as 4 ,comp4 #a ,co4 iv4 #ai1 8,but ,i will come to you shortly1 if the ,lord will40 8,go out quickly into the streets10 ,lu4 xiv4 #ba4 8,sit down quickly1 and write fifty10 ,lu4 xvi4 #f4 8,she rose up hastily 77 and went out10 ,jn4 xi4 #ca4 8,that ye are so soon removed 77 from him that called you10 ,ga4 i4 #f4 8,lay hands suddenly on no man10 #a ,ti4 v4 #bb4 ,see also ,phi4 ii4 #ai1 #bd2 #b ,th4 ii4 #b2 #b ,ti4 iv4 #i4 ,the phrase used here 7 7 occurs in ,lu4 xviii4 #h1 8,he will avenge them speedily0 7lit4 with speed74 8,arise up quickly10 ,ac4 xii4 #g4 8,get thee quickly out of ,jerusalem10 ,ac4 xxii4 #ah4 8,would depart shortly10 ,ac4 xxv4 #d4 8,bruise ,satan under your feet shortly10 ,ro4 xvi4 #bj2 and ,re4 i4 #a2 xxii4 #f4 ,the essential idea is1 that the thing which is spoken of was soon to occur1 or it was not a remote and distant event4 ,there is the notion of rapidity1 of haste1 of suddenness4 ,it is such a phrase as is used when the thing is on the point of happening1 and could not be applied to an event which was in the remote future1 considered as an independent event standing by itself4 ,the same idea is expressed1 in regard to the same thing1 in ver4 #c1 8,the time is at hand0 2 that is1 it is near1 it is soon to occur4 ,yet 7b7 it is not necessary to suppose that the meaning is that all that there is in the book was soon to happen4 ,it may mean that the series of events which were to follow on in their proper order was soon to commence1 though it might be that the sequel would be remote4 ,the first in the series of events was soon to begin1 and the others would follow on in their train1 though a portion of them1 in the regular order1 might be in a remote futurity4 ,if we suppose that there was such an order1 that a series of transactions was about to commence1 involving a long train of momentous developments1 and that the beginning of this was to occur soon1 the language used by ,john would be that which would be naturally employed to express it4 ,thus1 in case of a revolution in a government1 when a reigning prince should be driven from his kingdom1 to be succeeded by a new dynasty1 which would long occupy the throne1 and involving1 as the consequence of the revolution1 important events extending far into the future1 we would naturally say that these things were shortly to occur1 or that the time was near4 ,it is customary to speak of a succession of events or periods as near1 however vast or interminable the series may be1 when the commencement is at hand4 ,thus1 we say that the great events of the eternal world are near2 that is1 the beginning of them is soon to occur4 ,so ,christians now speak often of the millennium as near1 or as about to occur1 though it is the belief of many that it will be protracted for many ages4 7c7 ,that this is the true idea here is clear1 whatever general view of interpretation in regard to the book is adopted4 ,even ,professor ,stuart1 who contends that the greater portion of the book refers to the destruction of ,jerusalem1 and the persecutions of heathen ,rome1 admits that 8the closing part of the ,revelation relates beyond all doubt to a distant period1 and some of it to a future eternity0 7ii4 p4 #e72 and1 if this be so1 then there is no impropriety in supposing that a part of the series of predictions preceding this may lie also in a somewhat remote futurity4 ,the true idea seems to be that the writer contemplated a series of events that were to occur1 and that this series was about to commence4 ,how far into the future it was to extend1 is to be learned by the proper interpretation of all the parts of the series4 ,and he sent4 ,gr41 8,sending by his angel1 signified it to his servant ,john40 ,the idea is not precisely that he sent his angel to communicate the message1 but that he sent by him1 or employed him as an agent in doing it4 ,the thing sent was rather the message than the angel4 ,and signified it4 ,he indicated it by signs and symbols4 ,the word occurs in the ,new ,testament only in ,jn4 xii4 #cc2 xviii4 #cb2 xxi4 #ai2 ,ac4 xi4 #bh2 xxv4 #bg1 and in the passage before us1 in all which places it is rendered signify1 signifying1 or signified4 ,it properly refers to some sign1 signal1 or token by which anything is made known #cf 7comp4 ,mat4 xxvi4 #bh2 ,ro4 iv4 #aa2 ,ge4 ix4 #ab1 #ac2 xvii4 #aa2 ,lu4 ii4 #ab2 #b ,co4 xii4 #ab2 #a ,co4 xiv4 #bb71 and is a word most happily chosen to denote the manner in which the events referred to were to be communicated to ,john1 for nearly the whole book is made up of signs and symbols4 ,if it be asked what was signified to ,john1 it may be replied that either the word 8it0 may be understood1 as in our translation1 to refer to the ,apocalypse or ,revelation1 or what he saw 7 71 as ,professor ,stuart supposes2 or it may be absolute1 without any object following1 as ,professor ,robinson 7,lex4 supposes4 ,the general sense is1 that1 sending by his angel1 he made to ,john a communication by expressive signs or symbols4 ,by his angel4 ,that is1 an angel was employed to cause these scenic representations to pass before the mind of the apostle4 ,the communication was not made directly to him1 but was through the medium of a heavenly messenger employed for this purpose4 ,thus1 in ,re4 xxii4 #f1 it is said1 8,and the ,lord ,god of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done40 ,comp4 ver4 #h1 #i of that chapter4 ,there is frequent allusion in the ,scriptures to the fact that angels have been employed as agents in making known the divine will1 or in the revelations which have been made to men4 ,thus1 in ,ac4 vii4 #ec1 it is said1 8,who have received the law by the disposition of angels40 8,for if the word spoken by angels was stedfast10 c41 ,he4 ii4 #b2 8,and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator10 ,ga4 iii4 #ai4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ac4 vii4 #ch1 #ec4 ,there is almost no further reference to the agency of the angel employed for this service in the book1 and there is no distinct specification of what he did1 or of his great agency in the case4 ,john is everywhere represented as seeing the symbols himself1 and it would seem that the agency of the angel was1 either to cause those symbols to pass before the apostle1 or to convey their meaning to his mind4 ,how far ,john himself understood the meaning of these symbols1 we have not the means of knowing with certainty4 ,the most probable supposition is1 that the angel was employed to cause these visions or symbols to pass before his mind1 rather than to interpret them4 ,if an interpretation had been given1 it is inconceivable that it should not have been recorded1 and there is no more probability that their meaning should have been disclosed to ,john himself1 for his private use1 than that it should have been disclosed and recorded for the use of others4 ,it would seem probable1 therefore1 that ,john had only that view of the meaning of what he saw which anyone else might obtain from the record of the visions4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #ajab4 ,unto his servant ,john4 ,nothing could be learned from this expression as to what ,john was the author of the book1 whether the apostle of that name or some other4 ,comp4 ,intro4 #a4 ,it cannot be inferred from the use of the word servant1 rather than apostle1 that the apostle ,john was not the author1 for it was not uncommon for the apostles to designate themselves merely by the words servants1 or servants of ,god4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ro4 i4 #a4 #b ,who bare record of the word of ,god1 and of the testimony of ,jesus ,christ1 and of all things that he saw4 #b4 ,who bare record of the word of ,god4 ,who bore witness to1 or testified of 77 the word of ,god4 ,he regarded himself merely as a witness of what he had seen1 and claimed only to make a fair and faithful record of it4 8,this is the disciple which testifieth 7 7 of these things1 and wrote these things10 ,jn4 xxi4 #bd4 8,and he that saw it bare record01 ,jn4 xix4 #ce4 ,compare also the following places1 where the apostle uses the same word of himself3 #a ,jn4 i4 #b2 iv4 #ad4 ,the expression here1 8the word of ,god10 is one the meaning of which has been much controverted1 and is important in its bearing on the question who was the author of the book of ,revelation4 ,the main inquiry is1 whether the writer refers to the 8testimony0 which he bears in this book respecting the 8word of ,god20 or whether he refers to some testimony on that subject in some other book with which those to whom he wrote were so familiar that they would at once recognize him as the author2 or whether he refers to the fact that he had borne his testimony to the great truths of religion1 and especially respecting ,jesus ,christ1 as a preacher who was well known1 and who would be characterized by this expression4 ,the phrase 8the word of ,god0 occurs frequently in the ,new ,testament 7comp4 ,jn4 x4 #ce2 #cg ,ac4 iv4 #ca2 vi4 #b1 #g2 xi4 #a2 xii4 #bd72 and may either mean the word or doctrine respecting ,godthat which teaches what ,god isor that which he speaks or teaches4 ,it is more commonly used in the latter sense 7comp4 the passages referred to above71 and especially refers to what ,god speaks or commands in the gospel4 ,the fair meaning of this expression would be1 that ,john had borne faithful witness to1 or testimony of1 the truth which ,god had spoken to man in the gospel of ,christ4 ,so far as the language here used is concerned1 this might apply either to a written or an oral testimony2 either to a treatise like that of his gospel1 to his preaching1 or to the record which he was then making4 ,vitringa and others suppose that the reference here is to the gospel which he had published1 and which now bears his name2 ,lcke and others1 to the revelation made to him in ,patmos1 the record of which he now makes in this book2 ,professor ,stuart and others1 to the fact that he was a teacher or preacher of the gospel1 and that 7comp4 ver4 #i7 the allusion is to the testimony which he had borne to the gospel1 and for which he was an exile in ,patmos4 ,is it not possible that these conflicting opinions may be to some extent harmonized1 by supposing that in the use of the aorist tensethe writer meant to refer to a characteristic of himself1 to wit1 that he was a faithful witness of the word of ,god and of ,jesus ,christ1 whenever and however made known to him8 ,with an eye1 perhaps1 to the record which he was about to make in this book1 and intending to include that1 may he not also refer to what had been and was his well-known character as a witness of what ,god communicated to him8 ,he had always borne this testimony4 ,he always regarded himself as such a witness4 ,he had been an eyewitness of what had occurred in the life and at the death of the ,saviour 7see ,notes on #b ,pe4 i4 #ag1 #ah71 and had1 in all his writings and public administrations1 borne witness to what he had seen and heard2 for that 7ver4 #i7 he had been banished to ,patmos3 and he was now about to carry out the same characteristic of himself by bearing witness to what he saw in these new revelations4 ,this would be much in the manner of ,john1 who often refers to this characteristic of himself 7comp4 ,jn4 xix4 #ce2 xxi4 #bd2 #a ,jn4 i4 #b71 as well as harmonize the different opinions4 ,the meaning1 then1 of the expression1 8who bare record of the word of ,god10 as ,i understand it1 is1 that it was a characteristic of the writer to bear simple but faithful testimony to the truth which ,god communicated to men in the gospel4 ,if this be the correct interpretation1 it may be remarked1 7a7 that this is such language as ,john the apostle would be likely to use1 and yet 7b7 that it is not such language as an author would be likely to adopt if there was an attempt to forge a book in his name4 ,the artifice would be too refined to occur probably to anyone1 for although perfectly natural for ,john1 it would not be so natural for a forger of a book to select this circumstance and weave it thus unostentatiously into his narrative4 ,and of the testimony of ,jesus ,christ4 ,that is1 in accordance with the interpretation above1 of the testimony which ,jesus ,christ bore for the truth2 not of a testimony respecting ,jesus ,christ4 ,the idea is1 that ,jesus ,christ was himself a witness to the truth1 and that the writer of this book was a witness merely of the testimony which ,christ had borne4 ,whether the testimony of ,jesus ,christ was borne in his preaching when in the flesh1 or whether made known to the writer by him at any subsequent period1 it was his office to make a faithful record of that testimony4 ,as he had always before done that1 so he was about to do it now in the new revelation made to him in ,patmos1 which he regarded as a new testimony of ,jesus ,christ to the truth1 ver4 #a4 ,it is remarkable that1 in confirmation of this view1 ,john so often describes the ,lord ,jesus as a witness1 or represents him as having come to bear his faithful testimony to the truth4 ,thus in ver4 #e3 8,and from ,jesus ,christ1 who is the faithful and true witness40 8,i am one that bear witness of myself10 ,jn4 viii4 #ah4 8,to this end was ,i born1 and for this cause came ,i into the world1 that ,i should bear witness to the truth10 ,jn4 xviii4 #cg4 8,these things saith the ,amen1 the faithful and true witness0 1 4441 ,re4 iii4 #ad4 ,of this testimony which the ,lord ,jesus came to bring to man respecting eternal realities1 the writer of this book says that he regarded himself as a witness4 ,to the office of bearing such testimony he had been dedicated2 that testimony he was now to bear1 as he had always done4 ,and of all things that he saw4 4 ,this #ch is the common reading in the ,greek1 and according to this reading it would properly mean1 8and whatsoever he saw20 that is1 it would imply that he bore witness to 8the word of ,god10 and to 8the testimony of ,jesus ,christ10 and to 8whatever he saw0meaning that the things which he saw1 and to which he refers1 were things additional to those to which he had referred by 8the word of ,god10 and the 8testimony of ,christ40 ,from this it has been supposed that in the former part of the verse he refers to some testimony which he had formerly borne1 as in his gospel or in his preaching1 and that here he refers to what he 8saw0 in the visions of the ,revelation as something additional to the former4 ,but it should be remembered that the word rendered andis wanting in a large number of manuscripts 7see ,wetstein71 and that it is now omitted in the best editions of the ,greek ,testamentas by ,griesbach1 ,tittmann and ,hahn4 ,the evidence is clear that it should be omitted2 and if so omitted1 the reference is to whatever he had at any time borne his testimony to1 and not particularly to what passed before him in the visions of this book4 ,it is a general affirmation that he had always borne a faithful testimony to whatever he had seen respecting the word of ,god and the testimony of ,christ4 ,the correct rendering of the whole passage then would be1 8,and sending by his angel1 he signifies it to his servant ,john1 who bare record of0 i4e4 whose character and office it was to bear his testimony to 8the word of ,god0 the message which ,god has sent to me1 8and the testimony of ,jesus ,christ0 the testimony which ,christ bore to the truth1 8whatsoever he saw40 ,he concealed nothing2 he held nothing back2 he made it known precisely as it was seen by him4 ,thus interpreted1 the passage refers to what was a general characteristic of the writer1 and is designed to embrace all that was made known to him1 and to affirm that he was a faithful witness to it4 ,there were doubtless special reasons why ,john was employed as the medium through which this communication was to be made to the church and the world4 ,among these reasons may have been the following3 7a7 ,that he was the 8beloved disciple40 7b7 ,that he was the only surviving apostle4 7c7 ,that his character was such that his statements would be readily received4 ,comp4 ,jn4 xix4 #ce2 xxi4 #bd2 #c ,jn4 #ab4 7d7 ,it may be that his mind was better fitted to be the medium of these communications than that of any other of the apostleseven if they had been then alive4 ,there is almost no one whose mental characteristics are less correctly understood than those of the apostle ,john4 ,among the most gentle and amiable of men2 with a heart so fitted for love as to be known as 8the beloved disciple0he yet had mental characteristics which made it proper that he should be called 8a son of thunder0 7,mar4 iii4 #ag72 a mind fitted to preserve and record the profound thoughts in his gospel2 a mind of high poetic order1 fitted for the magnificent conceptions in this book4 #c ,blessed#eg is he that readeth1 and they that hear the words of this prophecy1 and keep those things which are written therein3 #eh;for the time is at hand4 #c4 ,blessed is he that readeth4 ,that is1 it is to be regarded as a privilege attended with many blessings1 to be permitted to mark the disclosures to be made in this book2 the important revelations respecting future times4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that this refers to a public reading1 and that the phrase 8those who hear the words of this prophecy10 refers to those who listened to the public reader1 and that both the reader and hearer should regard themselves as highly favoured4 ,it is1 however1 more in accordance with the usual meaning of the word rendered 8read10 to suppose that it refers to the act of one's reading for himself2 to learn by reading4 ,so ,robinson 7,lex47 understands it4 ,the ,greek word1 indeed1 would bear the other interpretation 7see ,lu4 iv4 #af2 ,ac4 xiii4 #bg2 xv4 #ba2 #b ,co4 iii4 #ae72 but as this book was sent abroad to be read by ,christians1 and not merely to be in the hands of the ministers of religion to be read by them to others1 it is more natural to interpret the word in the usual sense4 ,and hear the words of this prophecy4 ,as they shall be declared or repeated by others2 or perhaps the word hear is used in a sense that is not uncommon1 that of giving attention to2 taking heed to4 ,the general sense is1 that they were to be regarded as highly favoured who became #ci acquainted in any way with what is here communicated4 ,the writer does not say that they were blessed who understood it1 or that they who read or heard it would fully understand it2 but it is clearly implied1 that there would be so far an understanding of its meaning as to make it a felicitous condition to have been made acquainted with it4 ,an author could not be supposed to say that one should regard his condition as a favoured one who merely heard words that he could not understand1 or who had placed before him magnificent symbols that had to him no meaning4 ,the word prophecy is used here in its more strict sense as denoting the disclosure of future eventsa large portion of the book being of this nature4 ,it is here synonymous with ,revelation in ver4 #a4 ,and keep those things which are written therein4 ,keep in mind those things which relate to the future2 and obey those things which are required as truth and duty4 ,the blessing which results from having in possession the revealed truth of ,god is not merely in reading it1 or in hearing it3 it results from the fact that the truth is properly regarded1 and exerts a suitable influence over our lives4 ,comp4 ,ps4 xix4 #aa3 8,and in keeping of them there is great reward40 ,for the time is at hand4 ,see ver4 #a4 ,the word here usedhas the same signification substantially as the word 8shortly0 in ver4 #a4 ,it would apply to any event whose beginning was soon to occur1 though the end might be remote1 for the series of events might stretch far into the future4 ,it cannot be doubted1 however1 that the writer meant to press upon them the importance of attending to these things1 from the fact that either entirely or in part these things were soon to happen4 ,it may be inferred from this verse1 that it is possible so to understand this book1 as that it may convey useful instruction4 ,this is the only book in the ,bible of which a special blessing is pronounced on him who reads it2 but assuredly a blessing would not be pronounced on the perusal of a book which is entirely unintelligible4 ,while1 therefore1 there may be many obscurities in this book1 it is also to be assumed that it may be so far understood as to be useful to ,christians1 in supporting their faith1 and giving them elevated views of the final triumph of religion1 and of the glory of the world to come4 ,anything is a blessing which enables us with well-founded hope and joy to look forward to the heavenly world4 #d ,,john to the #eiseven churches which are in ,asia3 ,grace be unto you1 and peace1 #fj;from him which is1 and which was1 and which is to come2 and from the #faseven ,spirits which are before his throne2 #d4 ,john to the seven churches which are in ,asia4 ,the word ,asia is used in quite different senses by different writers4 ,it is used 7#a7 as referring to the whole eastern continent now known by that name2 7#b7 either ,asia or ,asia ,minor2 7#c7 that part of ,asia which ,attalus ,,iii41 king of ,pergamos1 gave to the ,romans1 viz4 ,mysia1 ,phrygia1 ,lycaonia1 ,lydia1 ,caria1 ,pisidia1 and the southern coastthat is1 all in the western1 south-western1 and southern parts of ,asia ,minor2 and 7#d71 in the ,new ,testament1 usually the south-western part of ,asia ,minor1 of which ,ephesus was the capital4 ,see ,notes1 ,ac4 ii4 #i4 ,the word ,asia is not found in the ,hebrew ,scriptures1 but it occurs often in the books of ,maccabees1 and in the ,new ,testament4 ,in the ,new ,testament it is not used in the large sense in which it is now1 as applied to the whole continent1 but in its largest signification it would include only ,asia ,minor4 ,it is also used1 especially by ,luke1 as denoting the country that was called ,ionia1 or that which embraced the provinces of ,caria and ,lydia4 ,of this region ,ephesus was the principal city1 and it was in this region that the 8seven churches0 were situated4 ,whether there were more than seven churches in this region is not intimated by the writer of this book1 and on that point we have no certain knowledge4 ,it is evident that these seven were the principal churches1 even if there were more1 and that there was some reason why they should be particularly addressed4 ,there is mention of some other churches in the neighbourhood of these4 ,colosse was near to ,laodicea2 and from ,col4 iv4 #ac1 it would seem not improbable that there was a church also at ,hierapolis4 ,but there may have been nothing in their circumstances that demanded particular instruction or admonition1 and they may have been on that account omitted4 ,there is also some reason to suppose #dj that1 though there had been other churches in that vicinity besides the seven mentioned by ,john1 they had become extinct at the time when he wrote the book of ,revelation4 ,it appears from ,tacitus 7,annal4 xiv4 #bg2 comp4 also ,pliny1 ,n4 ,h4 v4 #bi71 that in the time of ,nero1 ,a4,d4 #fa1 the city of ,laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake1 in which earthquake1 according to ,eusebius1 the adjacent cities of ,colosse and ,hierapolis were involved4 ,laodicea was1 indeed1 immediately rebuilt1 but there is no evidence of the re-establishment of the church there before the time when ,john wrote this book4 ,the earliest mention we have of a church there1 after the one referred to in the ,new ,testament by ,paul 7,col4 ii4 #a2 iv4 #ac1 #ae1 #af71 is in the time of ,trajan1 when ,papias was bishop there1 sometime between ,a4,d4 #ih and #aag4 ,it would appear1 then1 to be not improbable that at the time when the ,apocalypse was written1 there were in fact but seven churches in the vicinity4 ,professor ,stuart 7i4 #bai7 supposes that 8seven1 and only so many1 may have been named1 because the sevenfold divisions and groups of various objects constitute a conspicuous feature in the ,apocalypse throughout40 ,but this reason seems too artificial2 and it can hardly be supposed that it would influence the mind of ,john1 in the specification by name of the churches to which the book was sent4 ,if no names had been mentioned1 and if the statement had occurred in glowing poetic description1 it is not inconceivable that the number seven might have been selected for some such purpose4 ,grace be unto you and peace4 ,the usual form of salutation in addressing a church4 ,see ,notes on ,rom4 i4 #g4 ,from him which is1 and which was1 and which is to come4 ,from him who is everlastingembracing all duration1 past1 present1 and to come4 ,no expression could more strikingly denote eternity than this4 ,he now exists2 he has existed in the past2 he will exist in the future4 ,there is an evident allusion here to the name ,,jehovah1 the name by which the true ,god is appropriately designated in the ,scriptures4 ,that name 1 from 1 to be1 to exist1 seems to have been adopted because it denotes existence1 or being1 and as denoting simply one who exists2 and has reference merely to the fact of existence4 ,the word has no variation of form1 and has no reference to time1 and would embrace all time3 that is1 it is as true at one time as another that he exists4 ,such a word would not be inappropriately paraphrased by the phrase 8who is1 and who was1 and who is to come10 or who is to be2 and there can be no doubt that ,john referred to him here as being himself the eternal and uncreated existence1 and as the great and original fountain of all being4 ,they who desire to find a full discussion in regard to the origin of the name ,,jehovah1 may consult an article by ,prof4 ,tholuck1 in the ,biblical ,repository1 vol4 iv4 pp4 #hiajh4 ,it is remarkable that there are some passages in heathen inscriptions and writings which bear a very strong resemblance to the language here used by ,john respecting ,god4 ,thus ,plutarch 7,de ,is4 et ,osir41 p4 #ced71 speaking of a temple of ,isis1 at ,sais1 in ,egypt1 says1 8,it bore this inscription#8,i am all that was1 and is1 and shall be1 and my vail no mortal can remove4'0 1 1 4 ,so ,orpheus 7in ,auctor4 ,lib4 de ,mundo71 8,jupiter is the head1 ,jupiter is the middle1 and all things are made by ,jupiter40 ,so in ,pausanias 7,phocic4 #ab71 8,jupiter was2 ,jupiter is2 ,jupiter shall be40 ,the reference in the phrase before us is to ,god as such1 or to ,god considered as the ,father4 ,and from the seven ,spirits which are before his throne4 ,after all that has been written on this very difficult expression1 it is still impossible to determine with certainty its meaning4 ,the principal opinions which have been held in regard to it are the following3,i4 ,that it refers to ,god1 as such4 ,this opinion is held by ,eichhorn1 and is favoured by ,ewald4 ,no arguments derived from any parallel passages are urged for this opinion1 nor can any such be found1 where ,god is himself spoken of under the representation of a sevenfold ,spirit4 ,but the objections to this view are so obvious as to be insuperable4 7#a7 ,if it refers to ,god as such1 then it would be mere tautology1 for the writer had just referred to him in the phrase 8from him who was10 c4 7#b7 ,it is difficult to perceive in what sense 8seven spirits0 could be ascribed to ,god1 or how he could be described as a being of 8,seven ,spirits40 ,at least1 if he could be spoken of as such1 there would be no objection to applying the phrase to the ,holy #da ,spirit4 7#c7 ,how could it be said of ,god himself that he was 8before the throne80 ,he is everywhere represented as sitting on the throne1 not as before it4 ,it is easy to conceive of angels as standing before the throne2 and of the ,holy ,spirit it is more easy to conceive as being represented thus as ready to go forth and convey a heavenly influence from that throne1 but it is impossible to conceive in what sense this could be applied to ,god as such4 ,,ii4 ,the opinion held by ,grotius1 and by ,john ,henry ,heinrichs1 that it refers to 8the multiform providence of ,god10 or to ,god considered as operating in seven or many different ways4 ,in support of this ,grotius appeals to ch4 v4 #ab2 vii4 #ab4 ,but this opinion is so far-fetched1 and it is so destitute of support1 as to have found1 it is believed1 no other advocates1 and to need no further notice4 ,it cannot be supposed that ,john meant to personify the attributes of the ,deity1 and then to unite them with ,god himself1 and with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and to represent them as real subsistences from which important blessings descend to men4 ,it is clear that as by the phrase1 8who is1 and who was1 and who is to come10 and by 8,jesus ,christ1 the faithful and true witness10 he refers to real subsistences1 so he must here4 ,besides1 if the attributes of ,god1 or the modes of divine operation1 are denoted1 why is the number seven chosen8 ,and why are they represented as standing before the throne8 ,,iii4 ,a third opinion is1 that the reference is to seven attending and ministering presence-angelsangels represented as standing before the throne of ,god1 or in his presence4 ,this opinion was adopted among the ancients by ,clemens of ,alexandria2 ,andreas of ,cesarea1 and others2 among the moderns by ,beza1 ,drusius1 ,hammond1 ,wetstein1 ,rosenmller1 ,clarke1 ,professor ,stuart1 and others4 ,this opinion1 however1 has been held in somewhat different forms2 some maintaining that the seven angels are referred to because it was a received opinion among the ,hebrews that there were seven angels standing in the presence of ,god1 as seven princes stood in the ,persian court before the king2 others1 that the angels of the seven churches are particularly referred to1 represented now as standing in the presence of ,god2 others1 that seven angels1 represented as the principal angels employed in the government of the world1 are referred to2 and others1 that seven archangels are particularly designated4 ,compare ,poole1 ,synop4 in loco4 ,the arguments which are relied on by those who suppose that seven angels are here referred to are briefly these3 7#a7 ,the nature of the expression here used4 ,the expression1 it is said1 is such as would naturally denote beings who were before his thronebeings who were different from him who was on the throneand beings more than one in number4 ,that it could not refer to one on the throne1 but must mean those distinct and separate from one on the throne1 is argued from the use of the phrases 8before the throne10 and 8before ,god10 in ,re4 iv4 #e2 vii4 #i1 #ae2 viii4 #b2 xi4 #d1 #af2 xii4 #aj2 xiv4 #c2 xx4 #ab2 in all which places the representation denotes those who were in the presence of ,god1 and standing before him4 7#b7 ,it is argued from other passages in the book of ,revelation which1 it is said 7,professor ,stuart71 go directly to confirm this opinion4 ,thus in ,re4 viii4 #b3 8,and ,i saw the seven angels which stood before ,god40 ,so ,re4 iv4 #e3 the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne1 are said to be 8the seven ,spirits of ,god40 ,in these passages1 it is alleged that the article 8the0 designates the well-known angels2 or those which had been before specified1 and that this is the first mention of any such angels after the designation in the passage before us4 7#c7 ,it is said that this is in accordance with what was usual among the ,hebrews1 who were accustomed to speak of seven presence-angels1 or angels standing in the presence of ,jehovah4 ,thus in the book of ,tobit 7xii4 #ae71 ,raphael is introduced as using this language3 8,i am ,raphael1 one of the seven holy angels1 which present the prayers of the saints1 and which go in and out before the glory of the ,holy ,one40 ,the apocryphal book of ,enoch 7chap4 xx47 gives the names of the seven angels who watch2 that is1 of the watchers 7comp4 ,notes on ,da4 iv4 #ac1 #ag7 who stand in the presence of ,god waiting for the divine commands1 or who watch over the affairs of men4 ,so in the ,zendavesta of ,zoroaster1 seven amshaspends1 or archangels1 are mentioned4 ,see ,professor ,stuart1 in loco4 ,to these views1 however1 there are objections of great weight1 if they are not in fact quite insuperable4 ,they are such as the following3 7#a7 ,that the same rank should be given to them #db as to ,god1 as the source of blessings4 ,according to the view which represents this expression as referring to angels1 they are placed on the same level1 so far as the matter before us is concerned1 with 8him who was1 and is1 and is to come10 and with the ,lord ,jesus ,christa doctrine which does not elsewhere occur in the ,scriptures1 and which we cannot suppose the writer designed to teach4 7#b7 ,that blessings should be invoked from angelsas if they could impart 8grace and peace40 ,it is evident that1 whoever is referred to here by the phrase 8the seven ,spirits10 he is placed on the same level with the others mentioned as the source of 8grace and peace40 ,but it cannot be supposed that an inspired writer would invoke that grace and peace from any but a divine being4 7#c7 ,that as two persons of the ,trinity are here mentioned1 it is to be presumed that the third would not be omitted2 or to put this argument in a stronger form1 it cannot be supposed that an inspired writer would mention two of the persons of the ,trinity in this connection1 and then not only not mention the third1 but refer to angelsto creaturesas bestowing that which would be appropriately sought from the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the incongruity would be not merely in omitting all reference to the ,spiritwhich might indeed occur1 as it often does in the ,scripturesbut in putting in the place which that ,spirit would naturally occupy an allusion to angels as conferring blessings4 7#d7 ,if this refer to angels1 it is impossible to avoid the inference that angel-worship1 or invocation of angels1 is proper4 ,to all intents and purposes1 this is an act of worship2 for it is an act of solemn invocation4 ,it is an acknowledgment of the 8seven ,spirits10 as the source of 8grace and peace40 ,it would be impossible to resist this impression on the popular mind2 it would not be possible to meet it if urged as an argument in favour of the propriety of angel-invocation1 or angel-worship4 ,and yet1 if there is anything clear in the ,scriptures1 it is that ,god alone is to be worshipped4 ,for these reasons1 it seems to me that this interpretation cannot be well founded4 ,,iv4 ,there remains a fourth opinion1 that it refers to the ,holy ,spirit1 and in favour of that opinion it may be urged1 7#a7 ,that it is most natural to suppose that the ,holy ,spirit would be invoked on such an occasion1 in connection with him 8who was1 and is1 and is to come10 and with 8,jesus ,christ40 ,if two of the persons of the ,trinity were addressed on such an occasion1 it would be properly supposed that the ,holy ,spirit would not be omitted1 as one of the persons from whom the blessing was to descend4 ,comp4 #b ,co4 xiii4 #ad3 8,the grace of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the love of ,god1 and the communion of the ,holy ,ghost1 be with you all40 7#b7 ,it would be unnatural and improper1 in such an invocation1 to unite angels with ,god as imparting blessings1 or as participating with ,god and with ,christ in communicating blessings to man4 ,an invocation to ,god to send his angels1 or to impart grace and favour through angelic help1 would be in entire accordance with the usage in ,scripture1 but it is not in accordance with such usage to invoke such blessings from angels4 7#c7 ,it cannot be denied that an invocation of grace from 8him who is1 and was1 and is to come10 is of the nature of worship4 ,the address to him is as ,god1 and the attitude of the mind in such an address is that of one who is engaged in an act of devotion4 ,the effect of uniting any other being with him in such a case1 would be to lead to the worship of one thus associated with him4 ,in regard to the ,lord ,jesus1 8the faithful and true witness10 it is from such expressions as these that we are led to the belief that he is divine1 and that it is proper to worship him as such4 ,the same effect must be produced in reference to what is here called 8the seven ,spirits before the throne40 ,we cannot well resist the impression that someone with divine attributes is intended2 or1 if it refer to angels1 we cannot easily show that it is not proper to render divine worship to them4 ,if they were thus invoked by an apostle1 can it be improper to worship them now8 7#d7 ,the word used here is not angels1 but spirits2 and though it is true that angels are spirits1 and that the word spirit is applied to them 7,he4 i4 #g71 yet it is also true that that is not a word which would be understood to refer to them without designating that angels were meant4 ,if angels had been intended here1 that word would naturally have been used1 as is the case elsewhere in this book4 7#e7 ,in ,re4 iv4 #e1 where there is a reference to 8the seven lamps before the throne10 it is said of them that they 8are10 that is1 they represent 8the seven ,spirits of ,god40 ,this passage may be understood as referring to #dc the same thing as that before us1 but it cannot be well understood of angels2 for1 7a7 if it did1 it would have been natural to use that language for the reason above mentioned2 7b7 the angels are nowhere called 8the spirits of ,god10 nor would such language be proper4 ,the phrase1 8,spirit of ,god0 naturally implies divinity1 and could not be applied to a creature4 ,for these reasons it seems to me that the interpretation which applies the phrase to the ,holy ,spirit is to be preferred2 and though that interpretation is not free from difficulties1 yet there are fewer difficulties in that than in either of the others proposed4 ,though it may not be possible wholly to remove the difficulties involved in that interpretation1 yet perhaps something may be done to diminish their force4 7#a7 ,first1 as to the reason why the number seven should be applied to the ,holy ,spirit4 7a7 ,there would be as much propriety certainly in applying it to the ,holy ,spirit as to ,god as such4 ,and yet ,grotius1 ,eichhorn1 ,ewald1 and others saw no difficulty in such an application considered as representing a sevenfold mode of operation of ,god1 or a manifold divine agency4 7b7 ,the word seven often denotes a full or complete number1 and may be used to denote that which is full1 complete1 or manifold2 and might thus be used in reference to an all-perfect ,spirit1 or to a spirit which was manifold in its operations4 7c7 ,the number seven is evidently a favourite number in the book of ,revelation1 and it might be used by the author in places1 and in a sense1 such as it would not be likely to be used by another writer4 ,thus there are seven epistles to the seven churches2 there are seven seals1 seven trumpets1 seven vials of the wrath of ,god1 seven last plagues2 there are seven lamps1 and seven ,spirits of ,god2 the ,lamb has seven horns and seven eyes4 ,in ch4 i4 #af1 seven stars are mentioned2 in ch4 v4 #ab1 seven attributes of ,god2 ch4 xii4 #c1 the dragon has seven heads2 ch4 xiii4 #a1 the beast has seven heads4 7d7 ,the number seven1 therefore1 may have been given to the ,holy ,spirit with reference to the diversity or the fulness of his operations on the souls of men1 and to his manifold agency on the affairs of the world1 as further developed in this book4 7#b7 ,as to his being represented as 8before the throne10 this may be intended to designate the fact that the ,divine ,spirit was1 as it were1 prepared to go forth1 or to be sent forth1 in accordance with a common representation in the ,scriptures1 to accomplish important purposes on human affairs4 ,the posture does not necessarily imply inferiority of nature1 any more than the language does respecting the ,son of ,god1 when he is represented as being sent into the world to execute an important commission from the ,father4 #e ,and from ,jesus ,christ1 who is the #fb;faithful witness1 and the #fc;first-begotten of the dead1 and the prince of the kings of the earth4 ,unto #fd;him that loved us1 and #fewashed us from our sins in his own blood1 #e4 ,and from ,jesus ,christ1 who is the faithful witness4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,he is faithful in the sense that he is one on whose testimony there may be entire reliance1 or who is entirely worthy to be believed4 ,from him 8grace and peace0 are appropriately sought1 as one who bears such a testimony1 and as the first-begotten from the dead1 and as reigning over the kings of the earth4 ,thus grace and peace are invoked from the infinite ,god in all his relations and operations3as the ,father1 the ,source of all existence2 as the ,sacred ,spirit1 going forth in manifold operations upon the hearts of men2 and as the ,son of ,god1 the one appointed to bear faithful testimony to the truth respecting ,god and future events4 ,and the first-begotten of the dead4 ,the same ,greek expressionoccurs in ,col4 i4 #ah4 ,see it explained in the ,notes on that passage4 ,comp4 ,notes1 #a ,co4 xv4 #bj4 ,and the prince of the kings of the earth4 ,who has over all the kings of the earth the pre-eminence which kings have over their subjects4 ,he is the ,ruler of rulers2 ,king of kings4 ,in ch4 xvii4 #ad1 xix4 #af1 the same thought is expressed by saying that he is the 8,king of kings40 ,no language could more sublimely denote his exalted character1 or his supremacy4 ,kings and princes sway a sceptre over the millions of the earth1 and the exaltation of the ,saviour is here expressed by supposing that all those kings and princes constitute a community over which he is the head4 ,the exaltation of the ,redeemer is elsewhere expressed in different language1 but the idea is one that everywhere prevails in regard to him in the ,scriptures4 ,comp4 ,mat4 #dd xxviii4 #ah2 xi4 #bg2 ,jn4 xvii4 #b2 ,ep4 i4 #bjbb2 ,phi4 ii4 #iaa2 ,col4 i4 #aeah4 ,the word prince means properly1 ruler1 leader1 the first in rank4 ,we often apply the word prince to an heir to a throne who is not invested with absolute sovereignty4 ,the word here1 however1 denotes that he actually exercises dominion over the rulers of the earth4 ,as this is an authority which is claimed by ,god 7comp4 ,is4 x4 #e1 seq42 xlv4 #a1 seq42 ,ps4 xlvii4 #b2 xcix4 #a2 ciii4 #ai2 ,da4 iv4 #cd71 and which can only appertain to ,god1 it is clear that in ascribing this to the ,lord ,jesus it is implied that he is possessed of divine attributes4 ,as much of the revelations of this book pertained to the assertion of power over the princes and rulers of this world1 there was a propriety that1 in the commencement1 it should be asserted that he who was to exert that power was invested with the prerogative of a ruler of the nations1 and that he had this right of control4 ,unto him that loved us4 ,this refers undoubtedly to the ,lord ,jesus1 whose love for men was so strong that nothing more was necessary to characterize him than to speak of him as the one 8who loved us40 ,it is manifest that the division in the verses should have been made here1 for this commences a new subject1 not having any special connection with that which precedes4 ,in ver4 #d1 and the first part of this verse1 the writer had invoked grace from the ,father1 the ,spirit1 and the ,saviour4 ,in the latter clause of the verse there commences an ascription of praise to the ,redeemer2 an ascription to him particularly1 because the whole book is regarded as a revelation from him 7ver4 #a72 because he was the one who especially appeared to ,john in the visions of ,patmos2 and because he was to be the great agent in carrying into execution the purposes revealed in this book4 ,and washed us from our sins in his own blood4 ,he has removed the pollution of sin from our souls by his blood2 that is1 his blood has been applied to cleanse us from sin4 ,blood can be represented as having a cleansing power only as it makes an expiation for sin1 for considered literally its effect would be the reverse4 ,the language is such as would be used only on the supposition that he had made an atonement1 and that it was by the atonement that we are cleansed2 for in what sense could it be said of a martyr that he 8had washed us from our sins in his blood80 ,how could this language be used of ,paul or ,polycarp2 of ,ridley or ,cranmer8 ,the doctrine that the blood of ,christ cleanses us from sin1 or purifies us1 is one that is common in the ,scriptures4 ,comp4 #a ,jn4 i4 #g2 ,he4 ix4 #ad4 ,the specific idea of washing1 howeverrepresenting that blood as washing sin awayis one which does not elsewhere occur4 ,it is evidently used in the sense of cleansing or purifying1 as we do this by washing1 and as the blood of ,christ accomplishes in respect to our souls1 what washing with water does in respect to the body4 #f ,and hath made us #ffkings and priests unto ,god and his ,father2 #fgto him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4 #f4 ,and hath made us kings and priests unto ,god4 ,in #a ,pe4 ii4 #i the same idea is expressed by saying of ,christians that they are 8a royal priesthood40 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,the quotation in both places is from ,ex4 xix4 #f3 8,and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests40 ,this idea is expressed here by saying that ,christ had made us in fact kings and priests2 that is1 ,christians are exalted to the dignity and are invested with the office1 implied in these words4 ,the word kings1 as applied to them1 refers to the exalted rank and dignity which they will have2 to the fact that they1 in common with their ,saviour1 will reign triumphant over all enemies2 and that1 having gained a victory over sin and death and hell1 they may be represented as reigning together4 ,the word priests refers to the fact that they are engaged in the holy service of ,god1 or that they offer to him acceptable worship4 ,see ,notes on #a ,pe4 ii4 #e4 ,and his ,father4 ,even his ,father2 that is1 the ,saviour has redeemed them1 and elevated them to this exalted rank1 in order that they may thus be engaged in the service of his ,father4 ,to him be glory4 ,to the ,redeemer2 for so the construction 7ver4 #e7 demands4 ,the word #de 8glory0 here means praise1 or honour1 implying a wish that all honour should be shown him4 ,and dominion4 ,this word means literally strength2 but it here means the strength1 power1 or authority which is exercised over others1 and the expression is equivalent to a wish that he may reign4 #g ,behold1 he #fh;cometh with clouds2 and every eye shall see him1 and #fithey also which pierced him3 and all kindreds of the earth #gjshall wail because of him4 #ga;,even so1 ,amen4 #g4 ,behold he cometh with clouds4 ,that is1 the ,lord ,jesus1 when he returns1 will come accompanied with clouds4 ,this is in accordance with the uniform representation respecting the return of the ,saviour4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxiv4 #cj4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xxvi4 #fd2 ,mar4 xiii4 #bf2 xiv4 #fb2 ,ac4 i4 #i1 #aa4 ,clouds are appropriate symbols of majesty1 and ,god is often represented as appearing in that manner4 ,see ,ex4 xix4 #ah2 ,ps4 xviii4 #aa1 seq42 ,is4 xix4 #a4 ,so1 among the heathen1 it was common to represent their divinities as appearing clothed with a cloud3 8tandem venias1 precamur1 ,nube candentes humeros amictus ,augur ,apollo40 ,the design of introducing this representation of the ,saviour1 and of the manner in which he would appear1 seems to be to impress the mind with a sense of the majesty and glory of that being from whom ,john received his revelations4 ,his rank1 his character1 his glory were such as to demand respect2 all should reverence him1 and all should feel that his communications about the future were important to them1 for they must soon appear before him4 ,and every eye shall see him4 ,he will be made visible in his glory to all that dwell upon the earth2 to all the children of men4 ,everyone1 therefore1 has an interest in what he says2 everyone has this in certain prospect1 that he shall see the ,son of ,god coming as a ,judge4 ,and they also which pierced him4 ,when he died2 that is1 they who pierced his hands1 his feet1 and his side4 ,there is probably an allusion here to ,zec4 xii4 #aj3 8,they shall look upon me whom they have pierced1 and they shall mourn40 ,the language here is so general that it may refer to any act of looking upon the pierced ,saviour1 and might be applied to those who would see him on the cross and to their compunctious visitings then2 or to their subsequent reflections1 as they might look by faith on him whom they had crucified2 or to the feeling of any sinners who should reflect that their sins had been the cause of the death of the ,lord ,jesus2 or it might be applied1 as it is here1 more specifically to the feelings which his murderers will have when they shall see him coming in his glory4 ,all sinners who have pierced his heart by their crimes will then behold him and will mourn over their treatment of him2 they1 in a special manner1 who imbrued their hands in his blood will then remember their crime and be overwhelmed with alarm4 ,the design of what is here said seems to be1 to show that the coming of the ,saviour will be an event of great interest to all mankind4 ,none can be indifferent to it1 for all will see him4 ,his friends will hail his advent 7comp4 ch4 xxii4 #bj71 but all who were engaged in putting him to death1 and all who in any manner have pierced his heart by sin and ingratitude1 unless they shall have repented1 will have occasion of bitter lamentation when he shall come4 ,there are none who have a more fearful doom to anticipate than the murderers of the ,son of ,god1 including those who actually put him to death1 and those who would have engaged in such an act had they been present1 and those who1 by their conduct1 have done all they could to pierce and wound him by their ingratitude4 ,and all kindreds of the earth4 ,gr41 8,all the tribesof the earth40 ,this language is the same which the ,saviour uses in ,mat4 xxiv4 #cj4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,the word tribes is that which is commonly applied to the twelve tribes of ,israel1 and thus used1 it would describe the inhabitants of the ,holy ,land2 but it may be used to denote nations and people in general1 as descended from a common ancestor1 and the connection requires that it should be understood in this sense here1 since it is said that 8every eye shall see him20 that is1 all that dwell on the face of the earth4 ,shall wail because of him4 ,on account of him2 on account of their treatment of him4 ,the word rendered wailmeans properly to beat1 to cut2 then #df to beat or cut one's self in the breast as an expression of sorrow2 and then to lament1 to cry aloud in intense grief4 ,the coming of the ,saviour will be an occasion of this1 7a7 because it will be an event which will call the sins of men to remembrance1 and 7b7 because they will be overwhelmed with the apprehension of the wrath to come4 ,nothing would fill the earth with greater consternation than the coming of the ,son of ,god in the clouds of heaven2 nothing could produce so deep and universal alarm4 ,this fact1 which no one can doubt1 is proof that men feel that they are guilty1 since1 if they were innocent1 they would have nothing to dread by his appearing4 ,it is also a proof that they believe in the doctrine of future punishment1 since1 if they do not1 there is no reason why they should be alarmed at his coming4 ,surely men would not dread his appearing if they really believed that all will be saved4 ,who dreads the coming of a benefactor to bestow favours on him8 ,who dreads the appearing of a jailer to deliver him from prison2 of a physician to raise him up from a bed of pain2 of a deliverer to knock off the fetters of slavery8 ,and how can it be that men should be alarmed at the coming of the ,saviour1 unless their consciences tell them that they have much to fear in the future8 ,the presence of the ,redeemer in the clouds of heaven would destroy all the hopes of those who believe in the doctrine of universal salvationas the approach of death now often does4 ,men believe that there is much to be dreaded in the future world1 or they would not fear the coming of ,him who shall wind up the affairs of the human race4 ,even so1 ,amen1 4 8,a double expression of so be it1 assuredly1 certainly1 one in ,greek and the other in ,hebrew0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,comp4 ,ro4 viii4 #af1 8,abba1 ,father01 4 ,the idea which ,john seems to intend to convey is1 that the coming of the ,lord ,jesus1 and the consequences which he says will follow1 are events which are altogether certain4 ,this is not the expression of a wish that it may be so1 as our common translation would seem to imply1 but a strong affirmation that it will be so4 ,in some passages1 however1 the word 77 expresses assent to what is said1 implying approbation of it as true1 or as desirable4 8,even so1 ,father3 for so it seemed good in thy sight10 ,mat4 xi4 #bf2 ,lu4 x4 #ba4 ,so in ,re4 xvi4 #g1 8,even so 771 ,lord ,god ,almighty40 ,so in ,re4 xxii4 #bj1 8,even so 771 come1 ,lord ,jesus40 ,the word ,amen here seems to determine the meaning of the phrase1 and to make it the affirmation of a certainty1 rather than the expression of a wish4 #h ,i #gb;am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the ending1 saith the ,lord1 which is1 and which was1 and which is to come1 #gcthe ,almighty4 #h4 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega4 ,these are the first and the last letters of the ,greek alphabet1 and denote properly the first and the last4 ,so in ,re4 xxii4 #ac1 where the two expressions are united1 8,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the end1 the first and the last40 ,so in ch4 i4 #ag1 the speaker says of himself1 8,i am the first and the last40 ,among the ,jewish ,rabbins it was common to use the first and the last letters of the ,hebrew alphabet to denote the whole of anything1 from beginning to end4 ,thus it is said1 8,adam transgressed the whole law1 from to 0from ,aleph to ,tv4 8,abraham kept the whole law1 from to 40 ,the language here is that which would properly denote eternity in the being to whom it is applied1 and could be used in reference to no one but the true ,god4 ,it means that he is the beginning and the end of all things2 that he was at the commencement1 and will be at the close2 and it is thus equivalent to saying that he has always existed1 and that he will always exist4 ,comp4 ,is4 xli4 #d1 8,i the ,lord1 the first1 and with the last20xliv4 #f1 8,i am the first1 and ,i am the last2 and beside me there is no ,god20xlviii4 #ab1 8,i am he2 ,i am the first1 ,i also am the last40 ,there can be no doubt that the language here would be naturally understood as implying divinity1 and it could be properly applied to no one but the true ,god4 ,the obvious interpretation here would be to apply this to the ,lord ,jesus2 for 7a7 it is he who is spoken of in the verses preceding1 and 7b7 there can be no doubt that the same language is applied to him in ver4 #aa4 ,as there is1 however1 a difference of reading in this place in the ,greek text1 and as it cannot be absolutely certain that the writer meant to refer to the ,lord ,jesus specifically #dg here1 this cannot be adduced with propriety as a proof-text to demonstrate his divinity4 ,many ,,mss41 instead of 8,lord10 1 read 8,god10 2 and this reading is adopted by ,griesbach1 ,tittman1 and ,hahn1 and is now regarded as the correct reading4 ,there is no real incongruity in supposing1 also1 that the writer here meant to refer to ,god as such1 since the introduction of a reference to him would not be inappropriate to his manifest design4 ,besides1 a portion of the language here used1 8which is1 and was1 and is to come10 is that which would more naturally suggest a reference to ,god as such1 than to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,see ver4 #d4 ,the object for which this passage referring to the 8first and the lastto him who was1 and is1 and is to come10 is introduced here evidently is1 to show that as he was clothed with omnipotence1 and would continue to exist through all ages to come as he had existed in all ages past1 there could be no doubt about his ability to execute all which it is said he would execute4 ,saith the ,lord4 ,or1 saith ,god1 according to what is now regarded as the correct reading4 ,which is1 and which was1 c4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,the ,almighty4 ,an appellation often applied to ,god1 meaning that he has all power1 and used here to denote that he is able to accomplish what is disclosed in this book4 #i ,i ,john1 who also am your brother1 and companion in tribulation1 and in the kingdom and patience of ,jesus ,christ1 was in the isle that is called ,patmos1 for the word of ,god1 and for the testimony of ,jesus ,christ4 #i4 ,i ,john1 who also am your brother4 ,your ,christian brother2 who am a fellow-,christian with you4 ,the reference here is doubtless to the members of the seven churches in ,asia1 to whom the epistles in the following chapters were addressed1 and to whom the whole book seems to have been sent4 ,in the previous verse1 the writer had closed the salutation1 and he here commences a description of the circumstances under which the vision appeared to him4 ,he was in a lonely island1 to which he had been banished on account of his attachment to religion2 he was in a state of high spiritual enjoyment on the day devoted to the sacred remembrance of the ,redeemer2 he suddenly heard a voice behind him1 and turning saw the ,son of man himself1 in glorious form1 in the midst of seven golden lamps1 and fell at his feet as dead4 ,and companion in tribulation4 ,your partner in affliction4 ,that is1 he and they were suffering substantially the same kind of trials on account of their religion4 ,it is evident from this that some form of persecution was then raging1 in which they were also sufferers1 though in their case it did not lead to banishment4 ,the leader1 the apostle1 the aged and influential preacher1 was banished2 but there were many other forms of trial which they might be called to endure who remained at home4 ,what they were we have not the means of knowing with certainty4 ,and in the kingdom and patience of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the meaning of this passage is1 that he1 and those whom he addressed1 were not only companions in affliction1 but were fellow-partners in the kingdom of the ,redeemer2 that is1 they shared the honour and the privileges pertaining to that kingdom2 and that they were fellow-partners in the patience of ,jesus ,christ1 that is1 in enduring with patience whatever might follow from their being his friends and followers4 ,the general idea is1 that alike in privileges and sufferings they were united4 ,they shared alike in the results of their attachment to the ,saviour4 ,was in the isle that is called ,patmos4 ,patmos is one of the cluster of islands in the gean ,sea anciently called the ,sporades4 ,it lies between the island of ,icaria and the promontory of ,miletus4 ,it is merely mentioned by the ancient geographers 7,plin4 ,hist4 ,nat4 iv4 #bc2 ,strabo1 x4 #dhh74 ,it is now called ,patino or ,patmoso4 ,it is some six or eight miles in length1 and not more than a mile in breadth1 being about fifteen miles in circumference4 ,it has neither trees nor rivers1 nor has it any land for cultivation1 except some little nooks among the ledges of rocks4 ,on approaching the island1 the coast is high1 and consists of a succession of capes1 which form so many ports1 some of which are excellent4 ,the only one in use1 however1 is a deep bay1 sheltered by high mountains on every side but one1 where it is protected by a projecting cape4 ,the town attached to this port is situated upon a high rocky mountain1 rising immediately from the sea1 and this1 with the ,scala below upon the shore1 consisting of some ships and houses1 forms the only inhabited site of the island4 ,though ,patmos is deficient in trees1 it abounds in flowery plants #dh and shrubs4 ,walnuts and other fruit trees are raised in the orchards1 and the wine of ,patmos is the strongest and the best flavoured in the ,greek islands4 ,maize and barley are cultivated1 but not in a quantity sufficient for the use of the inhabitants and for a supply of their own vessels1 and others which often put into their good harbour for provisions4 ,the inhabitants now do not exceed four or five thousand2 many of whom are emigrants from the neighbouring continent4 ,about half-way up the mountain there is shown a natural grotto in a rock1 where ,john is said to have seen his visions and to have written this book4 ,near this is a small church1 connected with which is a school or college1 where the ,greek language is taught2 and on the top of the hill1 and in the centre of the island1 is a monastery1 which1 from its situation1 has a very majestic appearance 7,kitto's ,cyclopdia of ,bib4 ,lit474 ,the annexed engraving is supposed to give a good representation of the appearance of the island4 ,it is commonly supposed that ,john was banished to this island by ,domitian1 about ,a4,d4 #id4 ,no place could have been selected for banishment which would accord better with such a design than this4 ,lonely1 desolate1 barren1 uninhabited1 seldom visited1 it had all the requisites which could be desired for a place of punishment2 and banishment to that place would accomplish all that a persecutor could wish in silencing an apostle1 without putting him to death4 ,it was no uncommon thing1 in ancient times1 to banish men from their country2 either sending them forth at large1 or specifying some particular place to which they were to go4 ,the whole narrative leads us to suppose that this place was designated as that to which ,john was to be sent4 ,banishment to an island was a common mode of punishment2 and there was a distinction made by this act in favour of those who were thus banished4 ,the more base1 low1 and vile of criminals were commonly condemned to work in the mines2 the more decent and respectable were banished to some lonely island4 ,see the authorities quoted in ,wetstein1 in loco4 ,for the word of ,god4 ,on account of the word of ,god2 that is1 for holding and preaching the gospel4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,it cannot mean that he was sent there with a view to his preaching the word of ,god2 for it is inconceivable that he should have been sent from ,ephesus to preach in such a little1 lonely1 desolate place1 where indeed there is no evidence that there were any inhabitants2 nor can it mean that he was sent there by the ,spirit of ,god to receive and record this revelation1 for it is clear that the revelation could have been made elsewhere1 and such a place afforded no peculiar advantages for this4 ,the fair interpretation is1 in accordance with all the testimony of antiquity1 that he was sent there in a time of persecution1 as a punishment for preaching the gospel4 ,and for the testimony of ,jesus ,christ4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,he did not go there to bear testimony to ,jesus ,christ on that island1 either by preaching or recording the visions in this book1 but he went because he had preached the doctrines which testified of ,christ4 #aj ,i was #gd;in the ,spirit on the #ge,lord's day1 and heard behind me a great voice1 as of a trumpet1 #aj4 ,i was in the ,spirit4 ,this cannot refer to his own spirit1 for such an expression would be unintelligible4 ,the language then must refer to some unusual state1 or to some influence that had been brought to bear upon him from without1 that was appropriate to such a day4 ,the word ,spirit may refer either to the ,holy ,spirit1 or to some state of mind such as the ,holy ,spirit producesa spirit of elevated devotion1 a state of high and uncommon religious enjoyment4 ,it is clear that ,john does not mean here to say that he was under the influence of the ,holy ,spirit in such a sense as that he was inspired1 for the command to make a record1 as well as the visions1 came subsequently to the time referred to4 ,the fair meaning of the passage is1 that he was at that time favoured1 in a large measure1 with the influences of the ,holy ,spiritthe spirit of true devotion2 that he had a high state of religious enjoyment1 and was in a condition not inappropriate to the remarkable communications which were made to him on that day4 ,the state of mind in which he was at the time here referred to1 is not such as the prophets are often represented to have been in when under the prophetic inspiration 7comp4 ,eze4 i4 #a2 viii4 #c2 xl4 #b2 ,je4 xxiv4 #a71 and which was often accompanied #di with an entire prostration of bodily strength 7comp4 ,nu4 xxiv4 #d2 #a ,sa4 xix4 #bd2 ,eze4 i4 #bh2 ,da4 x4 #haj2 ,re4 i4 #ag71 but such as any ,christian may experience when in a high state of religious enjoyment4 ,he was not yet under the prophetic ecstasy 7comp4 ,ac4 x4 #aj2 xi4 #e2 xxii4 #ag71 but was1 though in a lonely and barren island1 and far away from the privileges of the sanctuary1 permitted to enjoy1 in a high degree1 the consolations of religionan illustration of the great truth that ,god can meet his people anywhere2 that1 when in solitude and in circumstances of outward affliction1 when persecuted and cast out1 when deprived of the public means of grace and the society of religious friends1 ,he can meet them with the abundant consolations of ,his grace1 and pour joy and peace into their souls4 ,this state was not inappropriate to the revelations which were about to be made to ,john1 but this itself was not that state4 ,it was a state which seems to have resulted from the fact1 that on that desert island he devoted the day to the worship of ,god1 and1 by honouring the day dedicated to the memory of the risen ,saviour1 found1 what all will find1 that it was attended with rich spiritual influences on his soul4 ,on the ,lord's day4 ,the word here rendered ,lord's 771 occurs only in this place and in #a ,co4 xi4 #bj1 where it is applied to the ,lord's supper4 ,it properly means pertaining to the ,lord2 and1 so far as this word is concerned1 it might mean a day pertaining to the ,lord1 in any sense1 or for any reason2 either because he claimed it as his own1 and had set it apart for his own service1 or because it was designed to commemorate some important event pertaining to him1 or because it was observed in honour of him4 ,it is clear1 7#a7 ,that this refers to some day which was distinguished from all other days of the week1 and which would be sufficiently designated by the use of this term4 7#b7 ,that it was a day which was for some reason regarded as peculiarly a day of the ,lord1 or peculiarly devoted to him4 7#c7 ,it would further appear that this was a day particularly devoted to the ,lord ,jesus2 for1 7a7 that is the natural meaning of the word ,lord as used in the ,new ,testament 7comp4 ,notes on ,ac4 i4 #bd72 and 7b7 if the ,jewish ,sabbath were intended to be designated1 the word ,sabbath would have been used4 ,the term was used generally by the early ,christians to denote the first day of the week4 ,it occurs twice in the ,epistle of ,ignatius to the ,magnesians 7about ,a4,d4 #aja71 who calls the ,lord's day 8the queen and prince of all days40 ,chrysostom 7on ,ps4 cxix47 says1 8,it was called the ,lord's day because the ,lord rose from the dead on that day40 ,later fathers make a marked distinction between the ,sabbath and the ,lord's day2 meaning by the former the ,jewish ,sabbath1 or the seventh day of the week1 and by the latter the first day of the week1 kept holy by ,christians4 ,so ,theodoret 7,fab4 ,haeret4 ii4 #a71 speaking of the ,ebionites1 says1 8,they keep the ,sabbath according to the ,jewish law1 and sanctify the ,lord's day in like manner as we do0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,the strong probability is1 that the name was given to this day in honour of the ,lord ,jesus1 and because he rose on that day from the dead4 ,no one can doubt that it was an appellation given to the first day of the week2 and the passage1 therefore1 proves 7#a7 that that day was thus early distinguished in some peculiar manner1 so that the mere mention of it would be sufficient to identify it in the minds of those to whom the apostle wrote2 7#b7 that it was in some sense regarded as devoted to the ,lord ,jesus1 or was designed in some way to commemorate what he had done2 and 7#c7 that if this book were written by the apostle ,john1 the observance of that day has the apostolic sanction4 ,he had manifestly1 in accordance with a prevailing custom1 set apart this day in honour of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,though alone1 he was engaged on that day in acts of devotion4 ,though far away from the sanctuary1 he enjoyed what all ,christians hope to enjoy on such a day of rest1 and what not a few do in fact enjoy in its observance4 ,we may remark1 in view of this statement1 7a7 that when away from the sanctuary1 and deprived of its privileges1 we should nevertheless not fail to observe the ,christian ,sabbath4 ,if on a bed of sickness1 if in a land of strangers1 if on the deep1 if in a foreign clime1 if on a lonely island1 as ,john was1 where we have none of the advantages of public worship1 we should yet honour the ,sabbath4 ,we should worship ,god alone1 if we have none to unite with us2 we should show to those around us1 if we are with strangers1 by our dress and our conversation1 by a serious and devout manner1 by abstinence from labour1 #ej and by a resting from travel1 that we devoutly regard this day as set apart for ,god4 7b7 ,we may expect1 in such circumstances1 and with such a devout observance of the day1 that ,god will meet with us and bless us4 ,it was on a lonely island1 far away from the sanctuary and from the society of ,christian friends1 that the ,saviour met 8the beloved disciple10 and we may trust it will be so with us4 ,for on such a desert island1 in a lonely forest1 on the deep1 or amid strangers in a foreign land1 he can as easily meet us as in the sanctuary where we have been accustomed to worship1 and when surrounded by all the privileges of a ,christian land4 ,no man1 at home or abroad1 among friends or strangers1 enjoying the privileges of the sanctuary1 or deprived of those privileges1 ever kept the ,christian ,sabbath in a devout manner without profit to his own soul2 and1 when deprived of the privileges of public worship1 the visitations of the ,saviour to the soul may be more than a compensation for all our privations4 ,who would not be willing to be banished to a lonely island like ,patmos1 if he might enjoy such a glorious vision of the ,redeemer as ,john was favoured with there8 ,and heard behind me a great voice4 ,a loud voice4 ,this was of course sudden1 and took him by surprise4 ,as of a trumpet4 ,loud as a trumpet4 ,this is evidently the only point in the comparison4 ,it does not mean that the tones of the voice resembled a trumpet1 but only that it was clear1 loud1 and distinct like a trumpet4 ,a trumpet is a well-known wind-instrument1 distinguished for the clearness of its sounds1 and was used for calling assemblies together1 for marshalling hosts for battle1 c4 ,the ,hebrew word employed commonly to denote a trumpet 7shophar7 means bright and clear1 and is supposed to have been given to the instrument on account of its clear and shrill sound1 as we now give the name 8clarion0 to a certain wind-instrument4 ,the ,hebrew trumpet is often referred to as employed1 on account of its clearness1 to summon people together1 ,ex4 xix4 #ac2 ,nu4 x4 #aj2 ,ju4 vii4 #ah1 c42 #a ,sa4 xiii4 #c2 #b ,sa4 xv4 #aj4 #aa ,saying1 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the first and the last3 and1 ,what thou seest1 write in a book1 and send it unto the seven churches which are in ,asia2 unto #gf;,ephesus1 and unto #gg,smyrna1 and unto #gh,pergamos1 and unto #gi,thyatira1 and unto #hj,sardis1 and unto #ha,philadelphia1 and unto #hb,laodicea4 #aa4 ,saying4 ,that is1 literally1 8the trumpet saying40 ,it was1 however1 manifestly the voice that addressed these words to ,john1 though they seemed to come through a trumpet1 and hence the trumpet is represented as uttering them4 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega4 ,ver4 #h4 ,the first and the last4 ,an explanation of the terms ,alpha and ,omega4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,and1 ,what thou seest4 ,the voice1 in addition to the declaration1 8,i am ,alpha and ,omega10 gave this direction that he should record what he saw4 ,the phrase1 8what thou seest10 refers to what would pass before him in vision1 what he there saw1 and what he would see in the extraordinary manifestations which were to be made to him4 ,write in a book4 ,make a fair record of it all2 evidently meaning that he should describe things as they occurred1 and implying that the vision would be held so long before the eye of his mind that he would be able to transfer it to the 8book40 ,the fair and obvious interpretation of this is1 that he was to make the record in the island of ,patmos1 and then send it to the churches4 ,though ,patmos was a lonely and barren place1 and though probably there were few or no inhabitants there1 yet there is no improbability in supposing that ,john could have found writing materials there1 nor even that he may have been permitted to take such materials with him4 ,he seems to have been banished for preaching1 not for writing2 and there is no evidence that the materials for writing would be withheld from him4 ,john ,bunyan1 in ,bedford jail1 found materials for writing the ,pilgrim's ,progress1 and there is no evidence that the apostle ,john was denied the means of recording his thoughts when in the island of ,patmos4 ,the word book here 771 would more properly mean a roll or scroll1 that being the form in which books were anciently made4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 iv4 #ag4 ,and send it unto the seven churches which are in ,asia4 #ea ,the churches which are immediately designated1 not implying that there were no other churches in ,asia1 but that there were particular reasons for sending it to these4 ,he was to send all that he should 8see20 to wit1 all that is recorded in this volume or book of 8,revelation40 ,part of this 7ch4 ii41 iii47 would appertain particularly to them2 the remainder 7ch4 iv4xxii47 would appertain to them no more than to others1 but still they would have the common interest in it which all the church would have1 and1 in their circumstances of trial1 there might be important reasons why they should see the assurance that the church would ultimately triumph over all its enemies4 ,they were to derive from it themselves the consolation which it was fitted to impart in time of trial1 and to transmit it to future times1 for the welfare of the church at large4 ,unto ,ephesus4 ,perhaps mentioned first as being the capital of that portion of ,asia ,minor2 the most important city of the seven2 the place where ,john had preached1 and whence he had been banished4 ,for a particular description of these seven churches1 see the ,notes on the epistles addressed to them in ch4 ii41 iii4 #ab ,and ,i turned to see the voice that spake with me4 ,and being turned1 ,i saw #hcseven golden candlesticks2 #ab4 ,and ,i turned to see the voice that spake with me4 ,he naturally turned round to see who it was that spake to him in this solitary and desolate place1 where he thought himself to be alone4 ,to see the voice here means to see the person who spake4 ,and being turned1 ,i saw seven golden candlesticks4 ,these were the first things that met his eye4 ,this must have been in vision1 of course1 and the meaning is1 that there seemed to be there seven such lamps or candelabras4 ,the word rendered candlesticks 77 means properly a light-stand1 lamp-standsomething to bear up a light4 ,it would be applied to anything that was used for this purpose2 and nothing is intimated1 in the use of the word1 in regard to the form or dimensions of the light-bearers4 ,lamps were more commonly used at that time than candles1 and it is rather to be supposed that these were designed to be lamp-bearers1 or lamp-sustainers1 than candlesticks4 ,they were seven in number2 not one branching into seven1 but seven standing apart1 and so far from each other that he who appeared to ,john could stand among them4 ,the lamp-bearers evidently sustained each a light1 and these gave a peculiar brilliancy to the scene4 ,it is not improbable that1 as they were designed to represent the seven churches of ,asia1 they were arranged in an order resembling these churches4 ,the scene is not laid in the temple1 as many suppose1 for there is nothing that resembles the arrangements in the temple except the mere fact of the lights4 ,the scene as yet is in ,patmos1 and there is no evidence that ,john did not regard himself as there1 or that he fancied for a moment that he was translated to the temple in ,jerusalem4 ,there can be no doubt as to the design of this representation1 for it is expressly declared 7ver4 #bj7 that the seven lamp-bearers were intended to represent the seven churches4 ,light is often used in the ,scriptures as an emblem of true religion2 ,christians are represented as 8the light of the world0 7,mat4 v4 #ad2 comp4 ,phi4 ii4 #ae2 ,jn4 viii4 #ab71 and a ,christian church may be represented as a light standing in the midst of surrounding darkness4 #ac ,and in the midst of the seven candlesticks #hdone like unto the ,son of man1 clothed with a garment down to the foot1 and girt about the paps with a golden girdle4 #ac4 ,and in the midst of the seven candlesticks4 ,standing among them1 so as to be encircled with them4 ,this shows that the representation could not have been like that of the vision of ,zechariah 7,zec4 iv4 #b71 where the prophet sees 8a candlestick all of gold1 with a bowl upon the top of it1 and his seven lamps thereon40 ,in the vision as it appeared to ,john1 there was not one lamp-bearer1 with seven lamps or branches1 but there were seven lamp-bearers1 so arranged that one in the likeness of the ,son of man could stand in the midst of them4 ,one like unto the ,son of man4 ,this was evidently the ,lord ,jesus ,christ himself1 elsewhere so often called 8the ,son of man40 ,that it was the ,saviour himself is apparent from ver4 #ah4 ,the expression rendered 8like unto the ,son of man10 should have been 8like unto #eb a son of man20 that is1 like a man1 a human being1 or in a human form4 ,the reasons for so interpreting it are1 7a7 that the ,greek is without the article1 and 7b7 that1 as it is rendered in our version1 it seems to make the writer say that he was like himself1 since the expression 8the ,son of man0 is in the ,new ,testament but another name for the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the phrase is often applied to him in the ,new ,testament1 and always1 except in three instances 7,ac4 vii4 #ef2 ,re4 i4 #ac2 xiv4 #ad71 by the ,saviour himself1 evidently to denote his warm interest in man1 or his relationship to man2 to signify that he was a man1 and wished to designate himself eminently as such4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 viii4 #bj4 ,in the use of this phrase in the ,new ,testament1 there is probably an allusion to ,da4 vii4 #ac4 ,the idea would seem to be1 that he whom he saw resembled 8the ,son of man0the ,lord ,jesus1 as he had seen him in the days of his fleshthough it would appear that he did not know that it was he until he was informed of it1 ver4 #ah4 ,indeed1 the costume in which he appeared was so unlike that in which ,john had been accustomed to see the ,lord ,jesus in the days of his flesh1 that it cannot be well supposed that he would at once recognize him as the same4 ,clothed with a garment down to the foot4 ,a robe reaching down to the feet1 or to the ankles1 yet so as to leave the feet themselves visible4 ,the allusion here1 doubtless1 is to a long1 loose1 flowing robe1 such as was worn by kings4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 vi4 #a4 ,and girt about the paps4 ,about the breast4 ,it was common1 and is still1 in the ,east1 to wear a girdle to confine the robe1 as well as to form a beautiful ornament4 ,this was commonly worn about the middle of the person1 or 8the loins10 but it would seem also that it was sometimes worn around the breast4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #chda4 ,with a golden girdle4 ,either wholly made of gold1 or1 more probably1 richly ornamented with gold4 ,this would naturally suggest the idea of one of rank1 probably one of princely rank4 ,the raiment here assumed was not that of a priest1 but that of a king4 ,it was very far from being that in which the ,redeemer appeared when he dwelt upon the earth1 and was rather designed to denote his royal state as he is exalted in heaven4 ,he is not indeed represented with a crown and sceptre here1 and perhaps the leading idea is that of one of exalted rank1 of unusual dignity1 of one fitted to inspire awe and respect4 ,in other circumstances1 in this book1 this same ,redeemer is represented as wearing a crown1 and going forth to conquest4 ,see ch4 xix4 #abaf4 ,here the representation seems to have been designed to impress the mind with a sense of the greatness and glory of the personage who thus suddenly made his appearance4 #ad ,his head and his hairs were white like wool1 as white as snow2 and #he;his eyes were as a flame of fire2 #ad4 ,his head and his hairs were white like wool1 as white as snow4 ,exceedingly or perfectly whitethe first suggestion to the mind of the apostle being that of wool1 and then the thought occurring of its extreme whiteness resembling snowthe purest white of which the mind conceives4 ,the comparison with wool and snow to denote anything peculiarly white is not uncommon4 ,see ,is4 i4 #ah4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that this means1 not that his hairs were literally white1 as if with age1 which he says would be incongruous to one just risen from the dead1 clothed with immortal youth and vigour1 but that it means radiant1 bright1 resplendentsimilar to what occurred on the transfiguration of the ,saviour1 ,mat4 xvii4 #b4 ,but to this it may be replied1 7a7 ,that this would not accord well with that with which his hair is comparedsnow and wool1 particularly the latter4 7b7 ,the usual meaning of the word is more obvious here1 and not at all inappropriate4 ,the representation was fitted to signify majesty and authority2 and this would be best accomplished by the image of one who was venerable in years4 ,thus1 in the vision that appeared to ,daniel 7ch4 vii4 #i71 it is said of him who is there called the 8,ancient of ,days10 that 8his garment was white as snow1 and the hair of his head like the pure wool40 ,it is not improbable that ,john had that representation in his eye1 and that therefore he would be impressed with the conviction that this was a manifestation of a divine person4 ,we are not necessarily to suppose that this is the form in which the ,saviour always appears now in heaven1 any more than we are to suppose that ,god appears always in the form in which he was manifested #ec to ,isaiah 7ch4 vi4 #a71 to ,daniel 7ch4 vii4 #i71 or to ,moses and ,aaron1 ,nadab and ,abihu in the mount1 ,ex4 xxiv4 #aj1 #aa4 ,the representation is1 that this form was assumed for the purpose of impressing the mind of the apostle with a sense of his majesty and glory4 ,and his eyes were as a flame of fire4 ,bright1 sharp1 penetrating2 as if everything was light before them1 or they would penetrate into the thoughts of men4 ,such a representation is not uncommon4 ,we speak of a lightning glance1 a fiery look1 c4 ,in ,da4 x4 #f1 it is said of the man who appeared to the prophet on the banks of the river ,hiddekel1 that his eyes were 8as lamps of fire40 ,numerous instances of this comparison from the ,greek and ,latin classics may be seen in ,wetstein1 in loco4 #ae ,and #hf;his feet like unto fine brass1 as if they burned in a furnace2 and #hg;his voice as the sound of many waters4 #ae4 ,and his feet like unto fine brass4 ,comp4 ,da4 x4 #f1 8,and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass40 ,see also ,eze4 i4 #g1 8and they0 the feet of the living creatures 8sparkled like the colour of burnished brass40 ,the word here usedoccurs in the ,new ,testament only here and in ch4 ii4 #ah4 ,it is not found in the ,septuagint4 ,the word properly means white brass 7probably compounded of 1 brass1 and 1 whiteness1 from the ,hebrew 1 white74 ,others regard it as from 1 brass1 and 1 clear4 ,the metal referred to was undoubtedly a species of brass distinguished for its clearness or whiteness4 ,brass is a compound metal1 composed of copper and zinc4 ,the colour varies much according to the different proportions of the various ingredients4 ,the ,vulgate here renders the word aurichalcum1 a mixture of gold and of brassperhaps the same as the the electrum of the ancients1 composed of gold and of silver1 usually in the proportion of four parts gold and one part silver1 and distinguished for its brilliancy4 ,see ,robinson1 ,lex41 and ,wetstein1 in loco4 ,the kind of metal here referred to1 however1 would seem to be some compound of brassof a whitish and brilliant colour4 ,the exact proportion of the ingredients in the metal here referred to cannot now be determined4 ,as if they burned in a furnace4 ,that is1 his feet were so bright that they seemed to be like a beautiful metal glowing intensely in the midst of a furnace4 ,anyone who has looked upon the dazzling and almost insupportable brilliancy of metal in a furnace1 can form an idea of the image here presented4 ,and his voice as the sound of many waters4 ,as the roar of the ocean1 or of a cataract4 ,nothing could be a more sublime description of majesty and authority than to compare the voice of a speaker with the roar of the ocean4 ,this comparison often occurs in the ,scriptures4 ,see ,eze4 xliii4 #b1 8,and behold the glory of the ,god of ,israel came from the east3 and his voice was like the sound of many waters3 and the earth shined with his glory40 ,so ,re4 xiv4 #b2 xix4 #f4 ,comp4 ,eze4 i4 #bd2 ,da4 x4 #f4 #af ,and he had in his right hand seven stars2 and out of his mouth went #hh;a sharp two-edged sword3 and his countenance was as #hithe sun shineth in his strength4 #af4 ,and he had in his right hand seven stars4 ,emblematic of the angels of the seven churches4 ,how he held them is not said4 ,it may be that they seemed to rest on his open palm2 or it may be that he seemed to hold them as if they were arranged in a certain order1 and with some sort of attachment1 so that they could be grasped4 ,it is not improbable that1 as in the case of the seven lamp-bearers 7,notes1 ver4 #ac71 they were so arranged as to represent the relative position of the seven churches4 ,and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword4 ,on the form of the ancient two-edged sword1 see ,notes on ,ep4 vi4 #ag4 ,the two edges were designed to cut both ways2 and such a sword is a striking emblem of the penetrating power of truth1 or of words that proceed from the mouth2 and this is designed undoubtedly to be the representation herethat there was some symbol which showed that his words1 or his truth1 had the power of cutting deep1 or penetrating the soul4 ,so in ,is4 xlix4 #b1 it is said of the same personage1 8,and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword40 #ed ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,so in ,he4 iv4 #ab1 8,the word of ,god is quick and powerful1 sharper than any two-edged sword10 c4 ,so it is said of ,pericles by ,aristophanes3 8,his powerful speech ,pierced the hearer's soul1 and left behind ,deep in his bosom its keen point infixt40 ,a similar figure often occurs in ,arabic poetry4 8,as arrows his words enter into the heart40 ,see ,gesenius1 ,comm4 zu1 ,is4 xlix4 #b4 ,the only difficulty here is in regard to the apparently incongruous representation of a sword seeming to proceed from the mouth2 but it is not perhaps necessary to suppose that ,john means to say that he saw such an image4 ,he heard him speak2 he felt the penetrating power of his words2 and they were as if a sharp sword proceeded from his mouth4 ,they penetrated deep into the soul1 and as he looked on him it seemed as if a sword came from his mouth4 ,perhaps it is not necessary to suppose that there was even any visible representation of thiseither of a sword or of the breath proceeding from his mouth appearing to take this form1 as ,professor ,stuart supposes4 ,it may be wholly a figurative representation1 as ,heinrichs and ,ewald suppose4 ,though there were visible and impressive symbols of his majesty and glory presented to the eyes1 it is not necessary to suppose that there were visible symbols of his words4 ,and his countenance4 ,his face4 ,there had been before particular descriptions of some parts of his faceas of his eyesbut this is a representation of his whole aspect2 of the general splendour and brightness of his countenance4 ,was as the sun shineth in his strength4 ,in his full splendour when unobscured by clouds2 where his rays are in no way intercepted4 ,comp4 ,ju4 v4 #ca3 8,but let them that love him the ,lord be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might20 #b ,sa4 xxiii4 #d1 8,and he shall be as the light of the morning1 when the sun ariseth1 even a morning without clouds20 ,ps4 xix4 #e1 8,which the sun is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber1 and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race40 ,there could be no more striking description of the majesty and glory of the countenance than to compare it with the over-powering splendour of the sun4,this closes the description of the personage that appeared to ,john4 ,the design was evidently to impress him with a sense of his majesty and glory1 and to prepare the way for the authoritative nature of the communications which he was to make4 ,it is obvious that this appearance must have been assumed4 ,the representation is not that of the ,redeemer as he rose from the deada middle-aged man2 nor is it clear that it was the same as on the mount of transfigurationwhere1 for anything that appears1 he retained his usual aspect and form though temporarily invested with extraordinary brilliancy2 nor is it the form in which we may suppose he ascended to heavenfor there is no evidence that he was thus transformed when he ascended2 nor is it that of a priestfor all the peculiar habiliments of a ,jewish priest are wanting in this description4 ,the appearance assumed is1 evidently1 in accordance with various representations of ,god as he appeared to ,ezekiel1 to ,isaiah1 and to ,danielthat which was a suitable manifestation of a divine beingof one clothed in the majesty and power of ,god4 ,we are not to infer from this1 that this is in fact the appearance of the ,redeemer now in heaven1 or that this is the form in which he will appear when he comes to judge the world4 ,of his appearance in heaven we have no knowledge2 of the aspect which he will assume when he comes to judge men we have no certain information4 ,we are necessarily quite as ignorant of this as we are of what will be our own form and appearance after the resurrection from the dead4 #ag ,and when ,i saw him1 ,i fell at his feet as dead4 ,and he laid his right hand upon me1 saying unto me1 ,fear not2 ,i am the first and the last3 #ag4 ,and when ,i saw him1 ,i fell at his feet as dead4 ,as if ,i were dead2 deprived of sense and consciousness4 ,he was overwhelmed with the suddenness of the vision2 he saw that this was a divine being2 but he did not as yet know that it was the ,saviour4 ,it is not probable that in this vision he would immediately recognize any of the familiar features of the ,lord ,jesus as he had been accustomed to see him some sixty years before2 and if he did1 the effect would have been quite as over-powering as is here described4 ,but the subsequent revelations of this divine #ee personage would rather seem to imply that ,john did not at once recognize him as the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the effect here described is one that often occurred to those who had a vision of ,god4 ,see ,da4 viii4 #ah1 8,now as he was speaking with me1 ,i was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground2 but he touched me1 and set me upright20 ver4 #bg1 8,and ,i ,daniel fainted1 and was sick certain days2 afterwards ,i rose up1 and did the king's business40 ,comp4 ,ex4 xxxiii4 #bj2 ,is4 vi4 #e2 ,eze4 i4 #bh2 xliii4 #c2 ,da4 x4 #gi1 #ag4 ,and he laid his right hand upon me4 ,for the purpose of raising him up4 ,comp4 ,da4 viii4 #ah1 8,he touched me and set me upright40 ,we usually stretch out the right hand to raise up one who has fallen4 ,saying unto me1 ,fear not4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xiv4 #bg1 8,it is ,i2 be not afraid40 ,the fact that it was the ,saviour1 though he appeared in this form of overpowering majesty1 was a reason why ,john should not be afraid4 ,why that was a reason1 he immediately addsthat he was the first and the last2 that though he had been dead he was now alive1 and would continue ever to live1 and that he had the keys of hell and of death4 ,it is evident that ,john was overpowered with that awful emotion which the human mind must feel at the evidence of the presence of ,god4 ,thus men feel when ,god seems to come near them by the impressive symbols of his majestyas in the thunder1 the earthquake1 and the tempest4 ,comp4 ,hab4 iii4 #af2 ,lu4 ix4 #cd4 ,yet1 amidst the most awful manifestations of divine power1 the simple assurance that our ,redeemer is near us is enough to allay our fears1 and diffuse calmness through the soul4 ,i am the first and the last4 ,notes1 ver4 #h4 ,this is stated to be one of the reasons why he should not fearthat he was eternal3 8,i always livehave lived through all the past1 and will live through all which is to comeand therefore ,i can accomplish all my promises1 and execute all my purposes40 #ah ,i am #ij;he that liveth1 and was dead2 and1 behold1 ,i am alive for evermore1 ,amen2 and have #iathe keys of hell and of death4 #ah4 ,i am he that liveth1 and was dead4 ,i was indeed once dead1 but now ,i live1 and shall continue to live for ever4 ,this would at once identify him who thus appeared as the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 for to no one else could this apply4 ,he had been put to death2 but he had risen from the grave4 ,this also is given as a reason why ,john should not fear2 and nothing would allay his fears more than this4 ,he now saw that he was in the presence of that ,saviour whom more than half a century before he had so tenderly loved when in the flesh1 and whom1 though now long absent1 he had faithfully served1 and for whose cause he was now in this lonely island4 ,his faith in his resurrection had not been a delusion2 he saw the very ,redeemer before him who had once been laid in the tomb4 ,behold1 ,i am alive for evermore4 ,i am to live for ever4 ,death is no more to cut me down1 and ,i am never again to slumber in the grave4 ,as he was always to live1 he could accomplish all his promises1 and fulfil all his purposes4 ,the ,saviour is never to die again4 ,he can1 therefore1 always sustain us in our troubles2 he can be with us in our death4 ,whoever of our friends die1 he will not die2 when we die1 he will still be on the throne4 ,amen4 ,a word here of strong affirmationas if he had said1 it is truly1 or certainly so4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,this expression is one that the ,saviour often used when he wished to give emphasis1 or to express anything strongly4 ,comp4 ,jn4 iii4 #c2 v4 #be4 ,and have the keys of hell and of death4 ,the word rendered hell1 hadesrefers properly to the underworld2 the abode of departed spirits2 the region of the dead4 ,this was represented as dull and gloomy2 as inclosed with walls2 as entered through gates which were fastened with bolts and bars4 ,for a description of the views which prevailed among the ancients on the subject1 see ,notes on ,lu4 xvi4 #bc1 and ,job x4 #ba1 #bb4 ,to hold the key of this1 was to hold the power over the invisible world4 ,it was the more appropriate that the ,saviour should represent himself as having this authority1 as he had himself been raised from the dead by his own power 7comp4 ,jn4 x4 #ah71 thus showing that the dominion over this dark world was intrusted to him4 ,and of death4 ,a personification4 ,death reigns in that world4 ,but to his wide-extended realms the ,saviour holds the key1 and can have access to his empire when he pleases1 releasing all whom he chooses1 and confining there still #ef such as he shall please4 ,it is probably in part from such hints as these that ,milton drew his sublime description of the gates of hell in the ,paradise ,lost4 ,as ,christ always lives2 as he always retains this power over the regions of the dead1 and the whole world of spirits1 it may be further remarked that we have nothing to dread if we put our trust in him4 ,we need not fear to enter a world which he has entered1 and from which he has emerged1 achieving a glorious triumph2 we need not fear what the dread king that reigns there can do to us1 for his power extends not beyond the permission of the ,saviour1 and in his own time that ,saviour will call us forth to life1 to die no more4 #ai ,write the things which thou hast seen1 and the things which are1 and the things which shall be hereafter2 #ai4 ,write the things which thou hast seen4 ,an account of the vision which thou hast had1 ver4 #ajah4 ,and the things which are4 ,give an account of those things which thou hast seen as designed to represent the condition of the seven churches4 ,he had seen not only the ,saviour1 but he had seen seven lamp-stands1 and seven stars in the hand of the ,saviour1 and he is now commanded to record the meaning of these symbols as referring to things then actually existing in the seven churches4 ,this interpretation is demanded by ver4 #bj4 ,and the things which shall be hereafter4 ,the ,greek phrase rendered hereafter means 8after these things20 that is1 he was to make a correct representation of the things which then were1 and then to record what would occur 8after these things30 to wit1 of the images1 symbols1 and truths1 which would be disclosed to him after what he had already seen4 ,the expression refers to future times4 ,he does not say for how long a time2 but the revelations which were to be made referred to events which were to occur beyond those which were then taking place4 ,nothing can be argued from the use of this language in regard to the length of time embraced in the revelationwhether it extended only for a few years or whether it embraced all coming time4 ,the more natural interpretation1 however1 would seem to be1 that it would stretch far into future years1 and that it was designed to give at least an outline of what would be the character of the future in general4 #bj ,the mystery of #ibthe seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand1 and the seven golden candlesticks4 ,the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches3 and #icthe seven candlesticks which thou sawest1 are the seven churches4 #bj4 ,the mystery of the seven stars4 ,on the word mystery1 see ,notes on ,ep4 i4 #i4 ,the word means1 properly1 that which is hidden1 obscure1 unknownuntil it is disclosed by one having the ability to do it1 or by the course of events4 ,when disclosed1 it may be as clear1 and as capable of comprehension1 as any other truth4 ,the meaning here1 as applied to the seven stars1 is1 that they were symbols1 and that their meaning as symbols1 without a suitable explanation1 would remain hidden or unknown4 ,they were designed to represent important truths1 and ,john was directed to write down what they were intended in the circumstances to signify1 and to send the explanation to the churches4 ,it is evidently implied that the meaning of these symbols would be beyond the ordinary powers of the human mind to arrive at with certainty1 and hence ,john was directed to explain the symbol4 ,the general and obvious truths which they would serve to convey would be that the ministers of the churches1 and the churches themselves1 were designed to be lights in the world1 and should burn clearly and steadily4 ,much important truth would be couched under these symbols1 indeed1 if nothing had been added in regard to their signification as employed here by the ,saviour2 but there were particular truths of great importance in reference to each of these 8stars0 and 8lamp-bearers10 which ,john was more fully to explain4 ,which thou sawest in my right hand4 ,gr41 8upon my right hand0 3 giving some support to the opinion that the stars1 as they were seen1 appeared to be placed on his handthat is1 on the palm of his hand as he stretched it out4 ,the expression in ver4 #af is1 that they were 8in 77 his right hand20 but the language here used is not decisive as to the position of the stars4 ,they may have been held in some way by the hand1 or #eg represented as scattered on the open hand4 ,the seven golden candlesticks4 ,the truth which these emblematic representations are designed to convey4 ,the seven stars are4 ,that is1 they represent1 or they denotein accordance with a common usage in the ,scriptures4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxvi4 #bf4 ,the angels of the seven churches4 ,gr41 8,angels of the seven churches30 the article being wanting4 ,this does not refer to them as a collective or associated body1 for the addresses are made to them as individualsan epistle being directed to 8the angel0 of each particular church1 ch4 ii4 #a1 #ab1 c4 ,the evident meaning1 however1 is1 that what was recorded should be directed to them1 not as pertaining to them exclusively as individuals1 but as presiding over or representing the churches1 for what is recorded pertains to the churches1 and was evidently designed to be laid before them4 ,it was for the churches1 but was committed to the 8angel0 as representing the church1 and to be communicated to the church under his care4 ,there has been much diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of the word angels here4 ,by the advocates of ,episcopacy1 it has been argued that the use of this term proves that there was a presiding bishop over a circle or group of churches in ,ephesus1 in ,smyrna1 c41 since it is said that it cannot be supposed that there was but a single church in a city so large as ,ephesus1 or in the other cities mentioned4 ,a full examination of this argument may be seen in my work on the ,apostolic ,church pp4 #aiaaii1 ,london ed44 ,the word angel properly means a messenger1 and is thus applied to celestial beings as messengers sent forth from ,god to convey or to do his will4 ,this being the common meaning of the word1 it may be employed to denote anyone who is a messenger1 and hence1 with propriety1 anyone who is employed to communicate the will of another2 to transact his business1 or1 more remotely1 to act in his placeto be a representative4 ,in order to ascertain the meaning of the word as used in this place1 and in reference to these churches1 it may be remarked1 7#a7 ,that it cannot mean literally an angel1 as referring to a heavenly being1 for no one can suppose that such a being presided over these churches4 7#b7 ,it cannot be shown to mean1 as ,lord 7in loco7 supposes1 messengers that the churches had sent to ,john1 and that these letters were given to them to be returned by them to the churches2 for1 7a7 there is no evidence that any such messenger had been sent to ,john2 7b7 there is no probability that while he was a banished exile in ,patmos such a thing would be permitted2 7c7 the message was not sent by them1 it was sent to them8,unto the angel of the church in ,ephesus write10 c4 7#c7 ,it cannot be proved that the reference is to a prelatical bishop presiding over a group or circle of churches1 called a diocese2 for1 7a7 ,there is nothing in the word angel1 as used in this connection1 which would be peculiarly applicable to such a personageit being as applicable to a pastor of a single church1 as to a bishop of many churches4 7b7 ,there is no evidence that there were any such groups of churches then as constitute an episcopal diocese4 7c7 ,the use of the word 8church0 in the singular1 as applied to ,ephesus1 ,smyrna1 c41 rather implies that there was but a single church in each of those cities4 ,comp4 ch4 ii4 #a1 #h1 #ab1 #ah2 see also similar language in regard to the church in ,corinth1 #a ,co4 i4 #b2 in ,antioch1 ,ac4 xiii4 #a2 at ,laodicea1 ,col4 iv4 #af2 and at ,ephesus1 ,ac4 xx4 #bh4 7d7 ,there is no evidence1 as ,episcopalians must suppose1 that a successor to ,john had been appointed at ,ephesus1 if1 as they suppose1 he was 8bishop0 of ,ephesus2 and there is no probability that they would so soon after his banishment show him such a want of respect as to regard the see as vacant1 and appoint a successor4 7e7 ,there is no improbability in supposing that there was a single church in each of these citiesas at ,antioch1 ,corinth1 ,rome4 7f7 ,if ,john was a prelatical 8bishop10 it is probable that he was 8bishop0 of the whole group of churches embracing the seven3 yet here1 if the word 8angel0 means 8bishop10 we have no less than seven such bishops immediately appointed to succeed him4 ,and 7g7 the supposition that this refers to prelatical bishops is so forced and unnatural that many ,episcopalians are compelled to abandon it4 ,thus ,stillingfleetthan whom an abler man1 or one whose praise is higher in ,episcopal churches1 as an advocate of prelacy1 is not to be foundsays of these angels3 8,if many things in the epistles be directed to the angels1 but yet so as to concern the whole body1 then1 of necessity1 the angel must be taken as a representative of the whole body2 and then #eh why may not the angel be taken by way of representation of the body itself1 either of the whole church1 or1 which is far more probable1 of the concessors1 or order of presbyters in this church80 7#d7 ,if the word does not mean literally an angel2 if it does not refer to messengers sent to ,john in ,patmos by the churches2 and if it does not refer to a prelatical bishop1 then it follows that it must refer to some one who presided over the church as its pastor1 and through whom a message might be properly sent to the church4 ,thus understood1 the pastor or 8angel0 would be regarded as the representative of the church2 that is1 as delegated by the church to manage its affairs1 and as the authorized person to whom communications should be made in matters pertaining to itas pastors are now4 ,a few considerations will further confirm this interpretation1 and throw additional light on the meaning of the word4 7a7 ,the word angel is employed in the ,old ,testament to denote a prophet2 that is1 a minister of religion as sent by ,god to communicate his will4 ,thus in ,haggai 7i4 #ac7 it is said1 8,then spake ,haggai1 the ,lord's messenger ,heb4 angel1 ,sept4 1 in the ,lord's message unto the people10 c4 7b7 ,it is applied to a priest1 as one sent by ,god to execute the functions of that office1 or to act in the name of the ,lord4 ,mal4 ii4 #g1 8,for the priest's lips should keep knowledge1 for he is the messenger of the ,lord of hosts0 that is1 8angel of the ,lord of hosts40 7c7 ,the name prophet is often given in the ,new ,testament to the ministers of religion1 as being appointed by ,god to proclaim or communicate his will to his people1 and as occupying a place resembling1 in some respects1 that of the prophets in the ,old ,testament4 7d7 ,there was no reason why the word might not be thus employed to designate a pastor of a ,christian church1 as well as to designate a prophet or a priest under the ,old ,testament dispensation4 7e7 ,the supposition that a pastor of a church is intended will meet all the circumstances of the case3 for1 7#a7 it is an appropriate appellation2 7#b7 there is no reason to suppose that there was more than one church in each of the cities referred to2 7#c7 it is a term which would designate the respect in which the office was held2 7#d7 it would impress upon those to whom it was applied a solemn sense of their responsibility4 ,further1 it would be more appropriately applied to a pastor of a single church than to a prelatical bishop2 to the tender1 intimate1 and endearing relation sustained by a pastor to his people1 to the blending of sympathy1 interest1 and affection1 where he is with them continually1 meets them frequently in the sanctuary1 administers to them the bread of life1 goes into their abodes when they are afflicted1 and attends their kindred to the grave1 than to the union subsisting between the people of an extended diocese and a prelatethe formal1 unfrequent1 and1 in many instances1 stately and pompous visitations of a diocesan bishopto the unsympathizing relation between him and a people scattered in many churches1 who are visited at distant intervals by one claiming a 8superiority in ministerial rights and powers10 and who must be a stranger to the ten thousand ties of endearment which bind the hearts of a pastor and people together4 ,the conclusion1 then1 to which we have come is1 that the 8angel of the church0 was the pastor1 or the presiding presbyter in the church2 the minister who had the pastoral charge of it1 and who was therefore a proper representative of it4 ,he was a man who1 in some respects1 performed the functions which the angels of ,god do2 that is1 who was appointed to execute his will1 to communicate his message1 and to convey important intimations of his purposes to his people4 ,to no one could the communications in this book1 intended for the churches1 be more properly intrusted than to such an one2 for to no one now would a communication be more properly intrusted than to a pastor4 ,such is the sublime vision under which this book opens2 such the solemn commission which the penman of the book received4 ,no more appropriate introduction to what is contained in the book could be imagined2 no more appropriate circumstances for making such a sublime revelation could have existed4 ,to the most beloved of the apostles1 now the only surviving one of the number2 to him who had been a faithful labourer for a period not far from sixty years after the death of the ,lord ,jesus1 who had been the bosom friend of the ,saviour when in the flesh1 who had seen him in the mount of transfiguration1 who had seen him die1 and who had seen him ascend into heaven2 to him #ei who had lived while the church was founded1 and while it had spread into all lands2 and to him who was now suffering persecution on account of the ,saviour and his cause1 it was appropriate that such communications should be made4 ,in a lonely island2 far away from the abodes of men2 surrounded by the ocean1 and amid barren rocks2 on the day consecrated to the purposes of sacred repose and the holy duties of religionthe day observed in commemoration of the resurrection of his ,lord1 it was most fit that the ,redeemer should appear to the 8beloved disciple0 in the last ,revelation which he was ever to make to mankind4 ,no more appropriate time or circumstance could be conceived for disclosing1 by a series of sublime visions1 what would occur in future times2 for sketching out the history of the church or the consummation of all things4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter comprises four of the seven epistles addressed to the seven churches2 those addressed to ,ephesus1 ,smyrna1 ,pergamos1 and ,thyatira4 ,a particular view of the contents of the epistles will be more appropriate as they come separately to be considered1 than in this place4 ,there are some general remarks in regard to their structure1 however1 which may be properly made here4 7#a7 ,they all begin with a reference to some of the attributes of the ,saviour1 in general some attribute that had been noted in the first chapter2 and while they are all adapted to make a deep impression on the mind1 perhaps each one was selected in such a way as to have a special propriety in reference to each particular church4 ,thus in the address to the church at ,ephesus 7ch4 ii4 #a71 the allusion is to the fact that he who speaks to them 8holds the seven stars in his right hand1 and walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks20 in the epistle to the church at ,smyrna 7ch4 ii4 #h71 it is he who 8is the first and the last1 who was dead and is alive20 in the epistle to the church at ,pergamos 7ch4 ii4 #ab71 it is he 8which hath the sharp sword with the two edges20 in the epistle to the church at ,thyatira 7ch4 ii4 #ah71 it is 8the ,son of ,god1 who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire1 and his feet like fine brass20 in the epistle to the church at ,sardis 7ch4 iii4 #a71 it is he who 8hath the seven ,spirits of ,god1 and the seven stars20 in the epistle to the church at ,philadelphia 7ch4 iii4 #g71 it is 8he that is holy1 he that is true1 he that hath the key of ,david1 he that openeth and no man shutteth1 and shutteth and no man openeth20 in the epistle to the church at ,laodicea 7ch4 iii4 #ad71 it is he who is the 8,amen1 the faithful and true witness1 the beginning of the creation of ,god40 7#b7 ,these introductions are followed with the formula1 8,i know thy works40 ,the peculiar characteristics1 then1 of each church are referred to1 with a sentiment of approbation or disapprobation expressed in regard to their conduct4 ,of two of the churches1 that at ,smyrna 7ii4 #i71 and that at ,philadelphia 7iii4 #aj71 he expresses his entire approbation2 to the churches of ,sardis 7iii4 #c71 and ,laodicea 7iii4 #aeah71 he administers a decided rebuke2 to the churches of ,ephesus 7ii4 #cf71 ,pergamos 7ii4 #acaf71 and ,thyatira 7iii4 #ai1 #bj1 #bd1 #be71 he intermingles praise and rebuke1 for he saw much to commend1 but1 at the same time1 not a little that was reprehensible4 ,in all cases1 however1 the approbation precedes the blame2 showing that he was more disposed to find that which was good than that which was evil4 7#c7 ,after the statement of their characteristics1 there follows in each case counsel1 advice1 admonition1 or promises1 such as their circumstances demandedencouragement in trial1 and injunctions to put away their sins4 ,the admonitions are addressed to the churches as if ,christ were at hand1 and would ere long come and sit in judgment on them and their deeds4 7#d7 ,there is a solemn admonition to hear what the ,spirit has to say to the churches4 ,this is in each case expressed in the same manner1 8,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches0 7ch4 ii4 #g1 #aa1 #ag1 #bi2 iii4 #f1 #ac1 #bb74 ,these admonitions were designed to call the attention of the churches to these things1 and1 at the same time1 they seemed designed to show that they were not intended for them alone4 ,they are addressed to anyone who 8has an ear10 and therefore had some principles of general application to others1 and to which all should attend who were disposed to learn the will of the ,redeemer4 ,what was addressed to one church1 at any time1 would be equally applicable to all #fj churches in the same circumstances2 what was adapted to rebuke1 elevate1 or comfort ,christians in any one age or land1 would be adapted to be useful to ,christians of all ages and lands4 7#e7 ,there then is1 either following or preceding that call on all the churches to hear1 some promise or assurance designed to encourage the church1 and urge it forward in the discharge of duty1 or in enduring trial4 ,this is found in each one of the epistles1 though not always in the same relative position4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,at ,,ephesus4 ,the contents of the epistle to the church at ,ephesusthe first addressedare these3 7#a7 ,the attribute of the ,saviour referred to is1 that he 8holds the stars in his right hand1 and walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks10 ch4 ii4 #a4 7#b7 ,he commends them for their patience1 and for their opposition to those who are evil1 and for their zeal and fidelity in carefully examining into the character of some who claimed to be apostles1 but who were1 in fact1 impostors2 for their perseverance in bearing up under trial1 and not fainting in his cause1 and for their opposition to the ,nicolaitanes1 whom1 he says1 he hates1 ver4 #b1 #c1 #f4 7#c7 ,he reproves them for having left their first love to him1 ver4 #d4 7#d7 ,he admonishes them to remember whence they had fallen1 to repent1 and to do their first works1 ver4 #e4 7#e7 ,he threatens them that1 if they do not repent1 he will come and remove the candlestick out of its place1 ver4 #e2 and 7#f7 he assures them1 and all others1 that whosoever overcomes1 he will 8give him to eat of the tree of life1 which is in the midst of the paradise of ,god10 ver4 #g4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,unto the angel of the church of ,ephesus write2 ,these things saith #id;he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand1 who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks2 #a4 ,unto the angel4 ,the minister2 the presiding presbyter2 the bishopin the primitive sense of the word bishopdenoting one who had the spiritual charge of a congregation4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,of the church4 ,not of the churches of ,ephesus1 but of the one church of that city4 ,there is no evidence that the word is used in a collective sense to denote a group of churches1 like a diocese2 nor is there any evidence that there was such a group of churches in ,ephesus1 or that there was more than one church in that city4 ,it is probable that all who were ,christians there were regarded as members of one churchthough for convenience they may have met for worship in different places4 ,thus there was one church in ,corinth 7#a ,co4 i4 #a72 one church in ,thessalonica 7#a ,th4 i4 #a71 c4 ,of ,ephesus4 ,on the situation of ,ephesus1 see ,notes on ,ac4 xviii4 #ai1 and the ,intro4 to the ,notes on the ,epistle to the ,ephesians1 #a1 and the engraving there4 ,it was the capital of ,ionia2 was one of the twelve ,ionian cities of ,asia ,minor in the ,mythic times1 and was said to have been founded by the ,amazons4 ,it was situated on the river ,cayster1 not far from the ,icarian ,sea1 between ,smyrna and ,miletus4 ,it was one of the most considerable cities of ,asia ,minor1 and while1 about the epoch when ,christianity was introduced1 other cities declined1 ,ephesus rose more and more4 ,it owed its prosperity1 in part1 to the favour of its governors2 for ,lysimachus named the city ,arsine1 in honour of his second wife1 and ,attalus ,philadelphus furnished it with splendid wharves and docks4 ,under the ,romans it was the capital not only of ,ionia1 but of the entire province of ,asia1 and bore the honourable title of the first and greatest metropolis of ,asia4 ,john is supposed to have resided in this city1 and to have preached the gospel there for many years2 and on this account1 perhaps1 it was1 as well as on account of the relative importance of the city1 that the first epistle of the seven was addressed to that church4 ,on the present condition of the ruins of ,ephesus1 see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,we have no means whatever of ascertaining the size of the church when ,john wrote the book of ,revelation4 ,from the fact1 however1 that ,paul1 as is supposed 7see ,intro4 to the ,epistle to the ,ephesians1 #b71 laboured there for about three years2 that there was a body of 8elders0 who presided over the church there 7,ac4 xx4 #ag72 and that the apostle ,john seems to have spent a considerable part of his life there in preaching the gospel1 it may be presumed that there was a large and flourishing church in that city4 ,the epistle before us shows also that it was characterized #fa by distinguished piety4 ,these things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #af4 ,the object here seems to be to turn the attention of the church in ,ephesus to some attribute of the ,saviour which deserved their special regard1 or which constituted a special reason for attending to what he said4 ,to do this1 the attention is directed1 in this case1 to the fact that he held the seven starsemblematic of the ministers of the churchesin his hand1 and that he walked in the midst of the lamp-bearersrepresenting the churches themselves2 intimating that they were dependent on him1 that he had power to continue or remove the ministry1 and that it was by his presence only that those lamp-bearers would continue to give light4 ,the absolute control over the ministry1 and the fact that he walked amidst the churches1 and that his presence was necessary to their perpetuity and their welfare1 seem to be the principal ideas implied in this representation4 ,these truths he would impress on their minds1 in order that they might feel how easy it would be for him to punish any disobedience1 and in order that they might do what was necessary to secure his continual presence among them4 ,these views seem to be sanctioned by the character of the punishment threatened 7ver4 #e71 8that he would remove the candlestick representing their church out of its place40 ,see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,who walketh in the midst1 c4 ,in ch4 i4 #ac he is represented simply as being seen amidst the golden candlesticks4 ,see ,notes on that place4 ,here there is the additional idea of his 8walking0 in the midst of them1 implying perhaps constant and vigilant supervision4 ,he went from one to another1 as one who inspects and surveys what is under his care2 perhaps also with the idea that he went among them as a friend to bless them4 #b ,i#ie know thy works1 and thy labour1 and thy patience1 and how thou canst not bear them which are evil2 and #ifthou hast tried them which say they are apostles1 #ig;and are not1 and hast found them liars3 #b4 ,i know thy works4 ,the common formula with which all the epistles to the seven churches are introduced4 ,it is designed to impress upon them deeply the conviction that he was intimately acquainted with all that they did1 good and bad1 and that therefore he was abundantly qualified to dispense rewards or administer punishments according to truth and justice4 ,it may be observed that1 as many of the things referred to in these epistles were things pertaining to the heartthe feelings1 the state of the mindit is implied that he who speaks here has an intimate acquaintance with the heart of man1 a prerogative which is always attributed to the ,saviour4 ,see ,jn4 ii4 #be4 ,but no one can do this who is not divine2 and this declaration1 therefore1 furnishes a strong proof of the divinity of ,christ4 ,see ,ps4 vii4 #i2 ,je4 xi4 #bj2 xvii4 #aj2 #a ,sa4 xvi4 #g2 #a ,ki4 viii4 #ci4 ,and thy labour4 ,the word here used 77 means properly a beating1 hence wailing1 grief1 with beating the breast2 and then it means excessive labour or toil adapted to produce grief or sadness1 and is commonly employed in the ,new ,testament in the latter sense4 ,it is used in the sense of trouble in ,mat4 xxvi4 #aj1 8,why trouble ye literally1 why give ye trouble to the woman80 7comp4 also ,mar4 xiv4 #f2 ,lu4 xi4 #g2 xviii4 #e2 ,ga4 vi4 #ag72 and in the sense of labour1 or wearisome toil1 in ,jn4 iv4 #ch2 #a ,co4 iii4 #h2 xv4 #eh2 #b ,co4 vi4 #e2 x4 #ae2 xi4 #bc1 #bg1 et al4 ,the connection here would admit of either sense4 ,it is commonly understood1 as in our translation1 in the sense of labour1 though it would seem that the other signification1 that of trouble1 would not be inappropriate4 ,if it means labour1 it refers to their faithful service in his cause1 and especially in opposing error4 ,it seems to me1 however1 that the word trouble would better suit the connection4 ,and thy patience4 ,under these trials2 to wit1 in relation to the efforts which had been made by the advocates of error to corrupt them1 and to turn them away from the truth4 ,they had patiently borne the opposition made to the truth1 they had manifested a spirit of firm endurance amidst many arts of those opposed to them to draw them off from simple faith in ,christ4 ,and how thou canst not bear them which are evil4 ,canst not endure or tolerate them4 ,comp4 ,notes on #b ,jn4 #aj1 #aa4 ,that is1 they had no sympathy with their doctrines or their practices1 they were utterly opposed to them4 ,they had lent them no countenance1 but had in every way shown that they #fb had no fellowship with them4 ,the evil persons here referred to were1 doubtless1 those mentioned in this verse as claiming that 8they were apostles10 and those mentioned in ver4 #f as the ,nicolaitanes4 ,and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles4 ,thou hast thoroughly examined their claims4 ,it is not said in what way they had done this1 but it was probably by considering attentively and candidly the evidence on which they relied1 whatever that may have been4 ,nor is it certainly known who these persons were1 or on what grounds they advanced their pretensions to the apostolic office4 ,it cannot be supposed that they claimed to have been of the number of apostles selected by the ,saviour1 for that would have been too absurd2 and the only solution would seem to be that they claimed either 7#a7 that they had been called to that office after the ,saviour ascended1 as ,paul was2 or 7#b7 that they claimed the honour due to this name or office1 in virtue of some election to it2 or 7#c7 that they claimed to be the successors of the apostles1 and to possess and transmit their authority4 ,if the first of these1 it would seem that the only ground of claim would be that they had been called in some miraculous way to the rank of apostles1 and1 of course1 an examination of their claims would be an examination of the alleged miraculous call1 and of the evidence on which they would rely that they had such a call4 ,if the second1 then the claim must have been founded on some such plea as that the apostolic office was designed to be elective1 as in the case of ,matthias 7,ac4 i4 #bcbf71 and that they maintained that this arrangement was to be continued in the church2 and then an examination of their claims would involve an investigation of the question1 whether it was contemplated that the apostolic office was designed to be perpetuated in that manner1 or whether the election of ,matthias was only a temporary arrangement1 designed to answer a particular purpose4 ,if the third1 then the claim must have been founded on the plea that the apostolic office was designed to be perpetuated by a regular succession1 and that they1 by ordination1 were in a line of that succession2 and then the examination and refutation of the claim must have consisted in showing1 from the nature of the office1 and the necessary qualifications for the office of apostle1 that it was designed to be temporary1 and that there could be properly no successors of the apostles1 as such4 ,on either of these suppositions1 such a line of argument would be fatal to all claims to any succession in the apostolic office now4 ,if each of these points should fail1 of course their claims to the rank of apostles would cease2 just as all claims to the dignity and rank of the apostles must fail now4 ,the passage becomes thus a strong argument against the claims of any persons to be 8apostles10 or to be the 8successors0 of the apostles1 in the peculiarity of their office4 ,and are not4 ,there were never any apostles of ,jesus ,christ but the original twelve whom he chose1 ,matthias1 who was chosen in the place of ,judas 7,ac4 i4 #bf71 and ,paul1 who was specially called to the office by the ,saviour after his resurrection4 ,on this point1 see my work on the ,apostolic ,church pp4 #dieg1 ,london ed44 ,and hast found them liars4 ,hast discovered their pretensions to be unfounded and false4 ,in #b ,co4 xi4 #ac1 8false apostles0 are mentioned2 and1 in an office of so much honour as this1 it is probable that there would be not a few claimants to it in the world4 ,to set up a claim to what they knew they were not entitled to would be a falsehood1 and as this seems to have been the character of these men1 the ,saviour1 in the passage before us1 does not hesitate to designate them by an appropriate term1 and to call them liars4 ,the point here commended in the ,ephesian church is1 that they had sought to have a pure ministry1 a ministry whose claims were well founded4 ,they had felt the importance of this1 had carefully examined the claims of pretenders1 and had refused to recognize those who could not show1 in a proper manner1 that they had been designated to their work by the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the same zeal1 in the same cause1 would be commended by the ,saviour now4 #c ,and hast borne1 and hast patience1 and for my name's sake hast laboured1 and #ih;hast not fainted4 #c4 ,and hast borne4 ,hast borne up under trials2 or hast borne with the evils with which you have been assailed4 ,that is1 you have not given way to murmuring or complaints in trial1 you have not abandoned the principles of truth and yielded to the prevalence of error4 ,and hast patience4 ,that is1 #fc in this connection1 hast shown that thou canst bear up under these things with patience4 ,this is a repetition of what is said in ver4 #b1 but in a somewhat different connection4 ,there it rather refers to the trouble which they had experienced on account of the pretensions of false apostles1 and the patient1 persevering1 and enduring spirit which they had shown in that form of trial2 here the expression is more general1 denoting a patient spirit in regard to all forms of trial4 ,and for my name's sake hast laboured4 ,on account of me1 and in my cause4 ,that is1 the labour here referred to1 whatever it was1 was to advance the cause of the ,redeemer4 ,in the word rendered 8hast laboured0 77 there is a reference to the word used in the previous verse8thy labour0 7 72 and the design is to show that the 8labour10 or trouble there referred to1 was on account of him4 ,and hast not fainted4 ,hast not become exhausted1 or wearied out1 so as to give over4 ,the word here used 77 occurs in only three places in the ,new ,testament3 8,lest ye be wearied1 and faint10 ,he4 xii4 #c2 8,the prayer of faith shall save the sick10 ,ja4 v4 #ae2 and in the passage before us4 ,it means properly to become weary and faint from toil1 c42 and the idea here is1 that they had not become so wearied out as to give over from exhaustion4 ,the sense of the whole passage is thus rendered by ,professor ,stuart38,thou canst not bear with false teachers1 but thou canst bear with troubles and perplexities on account of me2 thou hast undergone wearisome toil1 but thou art not wearied out thereby40 ,the state of mind1 considered as the state of mind appropriate to a ,christian1 here represented1 is1 that we should not tolerate error and sin1 but that we should bear up under the trials which they may incidentally occasion us2 that we should have such a repugnance to evil that we cannot endure it1 as evil1 but that we should have such love to the ,saviour and his cause as to be willing to bear anything1 even in relation to that1 or springing from that1 that we may be called to suffer in that cause2 that while we may be weary in his work1 for our bodily strength may become exhausted 7comp4 ,mat4 xxvi4 #da71 we should not be weary of it2 and that though we may have many perplexities1 and may meet with much opposition1 yet we should not relax our zeal1 but should persevere with an ardour that never faints1 until our ,saviour calls us to our reward4 #d ,nevertheless ,i have somewhat against thee1 because thou hast left thy first love4 #d4 ,nevertheless ,i have somewhat against thee4 ,notwithstanding this general commendation1 there are things which ,i cannot approve4 ,because thou hast left thy first love4 ,thou hast remitted 77 or let down thy early love2 that is1 it is less glowing and ardent than it was at first4 ,the love here referred to is evidently love to the ,saviour2 and the idea is1 that1 as a church1 they had less of this than formerly characterized them4 ,in this respect they were in a state of declension2 and1 though they still maintained the doctrines of his religion1 and opposed the advocates of error1 they showed less ardour of affection towards him directly than they had formerly done4 ,in regard to this we may remark1 7#a7 ,that what is here stated of the church at ,ephesus is not uncommon1 7a7 ,individual ,christians often lose much of their first love4 ,it is true1 indeed1 that there is often an appearance of this which does not exist in reality4 ,not a little of the ardour of young converts is often nothing more than the excitement of animal feeling1 which will soon die away of course1 though their real love may not be diminished1 or may be constantly growing stronger4 ,when a son returns home after a long absence1 and meets his parents and brothers and sisters1 there is a glow1 a warmth of feeling1 a joyousness of emotion1 which cannot be expected to continue always1 and which he may never be able to recall again1 though he may be ever growing in real attachment to his friends and to his home4 7b7 ,churches remit the ardour of their first love4 ,they are often formed under the reviving influences of the ,holy ,spirit when many are converted1 and are warm-hearted and zealous young converts4 ,or they are formed from other churches that have become cold and dead1 from which the new organization1 embodying the life of the church1 was constrained to separate4 ,or they are formed under the influence of some strong and mighty truth that has taken possession of the mind1 and that gives a peculiar character to the church #fd at first4 ,or they are formed with a distinct reference to promoting some one great object in the cause of the ,redeemer4 ,so the early ,christian churches were formed4 ,so the church in ,germany1 ,france1 ,switzerland1 and ,england came out from the ,roman communion under the influence of the doctrine of justification by faith4 ,so the ,nestorians in former ages1 and the ,moravians in modern times1 were characterized by warm zeal in the cause of missions4 ,so the ,puritans came out from the established church of ,england at one time1 and the ,methodists at another1 warmed with a holier love to the cause of evangelical religion than existed in the body from which they separated4 ,so many a church is formed now amidst the exciting scenes of a revival of religion1 and in the early days of its history puts to shame the older and the slumbering churches around them4 ,but it need scarcely be said that this early zeal may die away1 and that the church1 once so full of life and love1 may become as cold as those that went before it1 or as those from which it separated1 and that there may be a necessity for the formation of new organizations that shall be fired with ardour and zeal4 ,one has only to look at ,germany1 at ,switzerland1 at various portions of the reformed churches elsewhere2 at the ,nestorians1 whose zeal for missions long since departed2 or even at the ,moravians1 among whom it has so much declined2 at various portions of the ,puritan churches1 and at many an individual church formed under the warm and exciting feelings of a revival of religion1 to see that what occurred at ,ephesus may occur elsewhere4 7#b7 ,the same thing that occurred there may be expected to follow in all similar cases4 ,the ,saviour governs the church always on essentially the same principles2 and it is no uncommon thing that1 when a church has lost the ardour of its first love1 it is suffered more and more to decline1 until 8the candlestick is removed0until either the church becomes wholly extinct1 or until vital piety is wholly gone1 and all that remains is the religion of forms4 #e ,remember therefore from whence thou art fallen2 and repent1 and #ii;do the first works2 or else ,i will come unto thee quickly1 and will #ajjremove thy candlestick out of his place1 except thou repent4 #e4 ,remember therefore from whence thou art fallen4 ,the eminence which you once occupied4 ,call to remembrance the state in which you once were4 ,the duty here enjoined is1 when religion has declined in our hearts1 or in the church1 to call to distinct recollection the former statethe ardour1 the zeal1 the warmth of love which once characterized us4 ,the reason for this is1 that such a recalling of the former state will be likely to produce a happy influence on the heart4 ,nothing is better adapted to affect a backsliding ,christian1 or a backsliding church1 than to call to distinct recollection the former conditionthe happier days of piety4 ,the joy then experienced1 the good done1 the honour reflected on the cause of religion1 the peace of mind of that period1 will contrast strongly with the present1 and nothing will be better fitted to recall an erring church1 or an erring individual1 from their wanderings than such a reminiscence of the past4 ,the advantages of thus 8remembering0 their former condition would be many2 for some of the most valuable impressions which are made on the mind1 and some of the most important lessons learned1 are from the recollections of a former state4 ,among those advantages1 in this case1 would be such as the following37a7 ,it would show how much they might have enjoyed if they had continued as they began1 how much more real happiness they would have had than they actually have enjoyed4 7b7 ,how much good they might have done1 if they had only persevered in the zeal with which they commenced the ,christian life4 ,how much more good might most ,christians do than they actually accomplish1 if they would barely1 even without increasing it1 continue with the degree of zeal with which they begin their course4 7c7 ,how much greater attainments they might have made in the divine life1 and in the knowledge of religion1 than they have made2 that is1 how much more elevated and enlarged might have been their views of religion1 and their knowledge of the ,word of ,god4 ,and 7d7 such a recollection of their past state as1 contrasted with what they now are1 would exert a powerful influence in producing true repentance2 for there is nothing better adapted to do this than a just view of what we might have been1 as compared with what we now are4 ,if a man has become cold towards his wife1 nothing is better fitted to reclaim him #fe than to recall to his recollection the time when he led her to the altar1 the solemn vow then made1 and the rapture of his heart when he pressed her to his bosom and called her his own4 ,and repent4 ,the word here used means to change one's mind and purposes1 and1 along with that1 the conduct or demeanour4 ,the duty of repentance here urged would extend to all the points in which they had erred4 ,and do the first works4 ,the works which were done when the church was first established4 ,that is1 manifest the zeal and love which were formerly evinced in opposing error1 and in doing good4 ,this is the true counsel to be given to those who have backslidden1 and have 8left their first love10 now4 ,often such persons1 sensible that they have erred1 and that they have not the enjoyment in religion which they once had1 profess to be willing and desirous to return1 but they know not how to do ithow to revive their ardour1 how to rekindle in their bosom the flame of extinguished love4 ,they suppose it must be by silent meditation1 or by some supernatural influence1 and they wait for some visitation from above to call them back1 and to restore to them their former joy4 ,the counsel of the ,saviour to all such1 however1 is to do their first works4 ,it is to engage at once in doing what they did in the first and best days of their piety1 the days of their 8espousals0 7,je4 ii4 #b7 to ,god4 ,let them read the ,bible as they did then2 let them pray as they did then2 let them go forth in the duties of active benevolence as they did then2 let them engage in teaching a ,sabbath-school as they did then2 let them relieve the distressed1 instruct the ignorant1 raise up the fallen1 as they did then2 let them open their heart1 their purse1 and their hand1 to bless a dying world4 ,as it was in this way that they manifested their love then1 so this would be better fitted than all other things to rekindle the flame of love when it is almost extinguished4 ,the weapon that is used keeps bright2 that which has become rusty will become bright again if it is used4 ,or else ,i will come unto thee quickly4 ,on the word rendered quickly 771 see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a4 ,the meaning is1 that he would come as a ,judge1 at no distant period1 to inflict punishment in the manner specifiedby removing the candlestick out of its place4 ,he does not say in what way it would be done2 whether by some sudden judgment1 by a direct act of power1 or by a gradual process that would certainly lead to that result4 ,and will remove thy candlestick out of his place1 except thou repent4 ,on the meaning of the word candlestick see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ab4 ,the meaning is1 that the church gave light in ,ephesus2 and that what he would do in regard to that place would be like removing a lamp1 and leaving a place in darkness4 ,the expression is equivalent to saying that the church there would cease to exist4 ,the proper idea of the passage is1 that the church would be wholly extinct2 and it is observable that this is a judgment more distinctly disclosed in reference to this church than to any other of the seven churches4 ,there is not the least evidence that the church at ,ephesus did repent1 and the threatening has been most signally fulfilled4 ,long since the church has become utterly extinct1 and for ages there was not a single professing ,christian there4 ,every memorial of there having been a church there has departed1 and there are nowhere1 not even in ,nineveh1 ,babylon1 or ,tyre1 more affecting demonstrations of the fulfilment of ancient prophecy than in the present state of the ruins of ,ephesus4 ,a remark of ,mr4 ,gibbon 7,decline and ,fall1 iv4 #bfj7 will show with what exactness the prediction in regard to this church has been accomplished4 ,he is speaking of the conquests of the ,turks4 8,in the loss of ,ephesus the ,christians deplored the fall of the first angel1 the extinction of the first candlestick of the ,revelations2 the desolation is complete2 and the temple of ,diana1 or the ,church of ,mary will equally elude the search of the curious traveller40 ,thus the city1 with the splendid temple of ,diana1 and the church that existed there in the time of ,john1 has disappeared1 and nothing remains but unsightly ruins4 ,these ruins lie about ten days' journey from ,smyrna1 and consist of shattered walls1 and remains of columns and temples4 ,the soil on which a large part of the city is supposed to have stood1 naturally rich1 is covered with a rank1 burnt-up vegetation1 and is everywhere deserted and solitary1 though bordered by picturesque mountains4 ,a few cornfields are scattered along the site of the ancient city4 ,towards the sea extends the ancient port1 a pestilential marsh4 ,along the slope of the mountain1 and over the plain1 are scattered fragments of masonry and detached ruins1 but nothing #ff can now be fixed on as the great temple of ,diana4 ,there are ruins of a theatre2 there is a circus1 or stadium1 nearly entire2 there are fragments of temples and palaces scattered around2 but there is nothing that marks the site of a church in the time of ,john2 there is nothing to indicate even that such a church then existed there4 ,about a mile and a half from the principal ruins of ,ephesus there is indeed now a small village called ,asalook1 a ,turkish word1 which is associated with the same idea as ,ephesus1 meaning1 ,the ,city of the ,moon4 ,a church1 dedicated to ,john1 is supposed to have stood near1 if not on the site of the present mosque4 ,dr4 ,chandler 7p4 #aej1 #dto7 gives us a striking description of ,ephesus as he found it in #agfd38;,its population consisted of a few ,greek peasants1 living in extreme wretchedness1 dependence1 and insensibility1 the representatives of an illustrious people1 and inhabiting the wreck of their greatness4 ,some reside in the substructure of the glorious edifices which they raised2 some beneath the vaults of the stadium1 and the crowded scenes of these diversions2 and some in the abrupt precipice1 in the sepulchres which received their ashes4 ,its streets are obscured and overgrown4 ,a herd of goats was driven to it for shelter from the sun at noon1 and a noisy flight of crows from the quarries seemed to insult its silence4 ,we heard the partridge call in the area of the theatre and of the stadium4444 ,its fate is that of the entire country2 a garden has become a desert4 ,busy centres of civilization1 spots where the refinements and delights of the age were collected1 are now a prey to silence1 destruction1 and death4 ,consecrated first of all to the purposes of idolatry1 ,ephesus next had ,christian temples almost rivalling the ,pagan in splendour1 wherein the image of the great ,diana lay prostrate before the cross2 after the lapse of some centuries ,jesus gives way to ,mahomet1 and the crescent glittered on the dome of the recently ,christian church4 ,a few more scores of years1 and ,ephesus has neither temple1 cross1 crescent1 nor city1 but is desolation1 a dry land1 and a wilderness40 ,see the article 8,ephesus0 in ,kitto's ,cyclopedia1 and the authorities there referred to4 ,what is affirmed here of ,ephesus has often been illustrated in the history of the world1 that when a church has declined in piety and love1 and has been called by faithful ministers to repent1 and has not done it1 it has been abandoned more and more1 until the last appearance of truth and piety has departed1 and it has been given up to error and to ruin4 ,and the same principle is as applicable to individuals1 for they have as much reason to dread the frowns of the ,saviour as churches have4 ,if they who have 8left their first love0 will not repent at the call of the ,saviour1 they have every reason to apprehend some fearful judgment1 some awful visitation of his ,providence that shall overwhelm them in sorrow1 as a proof of his displeasure4 ,even though they should finally be saved1 their days may be without comfort1 and perhaps their last moments without a ray of conscious hope4 ,the accompanying engraving1 representing the present situation of ,ephesus1 will bring before the eye a striking illustration of the fulfilment of this prophecy1 that the candlestick of ,ephesus would be removed from its place4 ,see also the engravings prefixed to the ,notes on the ,epistle to the ,ephesians4 #f ,but this thou hast1 that thou hatest the deeds of the #aja,nicolaitanes1 which ,i also hate4 #f4 ,but this thou hast4 ,this thou hast that ,i approve of1 or that ,i can commend4 ,that thou hatest the deeds of the ,nicolaitanes4 ,gr41 works 7 74 ,the word ,nicolaitanes occurs only in this place1 and in the #aeth verse of this chapter4 ,from the reference in the latter place it is clear that the doctrines which they held prevailed at ,pergamos as well as at ,ephesus2 but from neither place can anything now be inferred in regard to the nature of their doctrines or their practices1 unless it be supposed that they held the same doctrine that was taught by ,balaam4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ae4 ,from the two passages1 compared with each other1 it would seem that they were alike corrupt in doctrine and in practice1 for in the passage before us their deeds are mentioned1 and in ver4 #ae their doctrine4 ,various conjectures1 however1 have been formed respecting this class of people1 and the reasons why the name was given to them4 ,i4 ,in regard to the origin of the name1 there have been three opinions4 7#a7 ,that mentioned by ,irenus1 and by some of the other fathers1 that the name was derived from ,nicolas1 one #fg of the deacons ordained at ,antioch1 ,ac4 vi4 #e4 ,of those who have held this opinion1 some have supposed that it was given to them because he became apostate and was the founder of the sect1 and others because they assumed his name1 in order to give the greater credit to their doctrine4 ,but neither of these suppositions rests on any certain evidence1 and both are destitute of probability4 ,there is no proof whatever that ,nicolas the deacon ever apostatized from the faith1 and became the founder of a sect2 and if a name had been assumed1 in order to give credit to a sect and extend its influence1 it is much more probable that the name of an apostle would have been chosen1 or of some other prominent man1 than the name of an obscure deacon of ,antioch4 7#b7 ,vitringa1 and most commentators since his time1 have supposed that the name ,nicolaitanes was intended to be symbolical1 and was not designed to designate any sect of people1 but to denote those who resembled ,balaam1 and that this word is used in the same manner as the word ,jezebel in ch4 ii4 #bj1 which is supposed to be symbolical there4 ,vitringa supposes that the word is derived from 1 victory1 and 1 people1 and that thus it corresponds with the name ,balaam1 as meaning either 1 lord of the people1 or 1 he destroyed the people2 and that1 as the same effect was produced by their doctrines as by those of ,balaam1 that the people were led to commit fornication and to join in idolatrous worship1 they might be called ,balaamites or ,nicolaitanes1 that is1 corrupters of the people4 ,but to this it may be replied1 7a7 that it is far-fetched1 and is adopted only to remove a difficulty2 7b7 that there is every reason to suppose that the word here used refers to a class of people who bore that name1 and who were well known in the two churches specified2 7c7 that in ch4 ii4 #ae they are expressly distinguished from those who held the doctrine of ,balaam1 ver4 #ad1 8,so hast thou also 77 those that hold the doctrine of the ,nicolaitanes40 7#c7 ,it has been supposed that some person now unknown1 probably of the name ,nicolas1 or ,nicolaus1 was their leader1 and laid the foundation of the sect4 ,this is by far the most probable opinion1 and to this there can be no objection4 ,it is in accordance with what usually occurs in regard to sects1 orthodox or heretical1 that they derive their origin from some person whose name they continue to bear2 and as there is no evidence that this sect prevailed extensively1 or was indeed known beyond the limits of these churches1 and as it soon disappeared1 it is easily accounted for that the character and history of the founder were so soon forgotten4 ,,ii4 ,in regard to the opinions which they held1 there is as little certainty4 ,irenus 7,adv4 ,hres4 i4 #bf7 says that their characteristic tenets were the lawfulness of promiscuous intercourse with women1 and of eating things offered to idols4 ,eusebius 7,hist4 ,eccl4 iii4 #bi7 states substantially the same thing1 and refers to a tradition respecting ,nicolaus1 that he had a beautiful wife1 and was jealous of her1 and being reproached with this1 renounced all intercourse with her1 and made use of an expression which was misunderstood1 as implying that illicit pleasure was proper4 ,tertullian speaks of the ,nicolaitanes as a branch of the ,gnostic family1 and as1 in his time1 extinct4 ,mosheim 7,de ,rebus ,christian ,ante4 ,con4 #fi7 says that 8the questions about the ,nicolaitanes have difficulties which cannot be solved40 ,neander 7,history of the ,christian ,religion1 as translated by ,torrey1 i4 pp4 #deb1 #dec7 numbers them with ,antinomians2 though he expresses some doubt whether the actual existence of such a sect can be proved1 and rather inclines to an opinion noticed above1 that the name is symbolical1 and that it is used in a mystical sense1 according to the usual style of the book of ,revelation1 to denote corrupters or seducers of the people1 like ,balaam4 ,he supposes that the passage relates simply to a class of persons who were in the practice of seducing ,christians to participate in the sacrificial feasts of the heathens1 and in the excesses which attended themjust as the ,jews were led astray of old by the ,moabites1 ,nu4 xxv4 ,what was the origin of the name1 however1 ,neander does not profess to be able to determine1 but suggests that it was the custom of such sects to attach themselves to some celebrated name of antiquity1 in the choice of which they were often determined by circumstances quite accidental4 ,he supposes also that the sect may have possessed a life of ,nicolas of ,antioch1 drawn up by themselves or others from fabulous accounts and traditions1 in which what had been imputed to ,nicolas was embodied4 ,everything1 #fh however1 in regard to the origin of this sect1 and the reason of the name given to it1 and the opinions which they held1 is involved in great obscurity1 and there is no hope of throwing light on the subject4 ,it is generally agreed1 among the writers of antiquity who have mentioned them1 that they were distinguished for holding opinions which countenanced gross social indulgences4 ,this is all that is really necessary to be known in regard to the passage before us1 for this will explain the strong language of aversion and condemnation used by the ,saviour respecting the sect in the epistles to the churches of ,ephesus and ,pergamos4 ,which ,i also hate4 ,if the view above taken of the opinions and practices of this people is correct1 the reasons why he hated them are obvious4 ,nothing can be more opposed to the personal character of the ,saviour1 or to his religion1 than such doctrines and deeds4 #g ,he#ajb that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches2 ,to him that overcometh will ,i give to eat of the #ajctree of life1 which is in the midst of the paradise of ,god4 #g4 ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear1 c4 ,this expression occurs at the close of each of the epistles addressed to the seven churches1 and is substantially a mode of address often employed by the ,saviour in his personal ministry1 and quite characteristic of him4 ,see ,mat4 xi4 #ae2 ,mar4 iv4 #bc2 vii4 #af4 ,it is a form of expression designed to arrest the attention1 and to denote that what was said was of special importance4 ,what the ,spirit saith unto the churches4 ,evidently what the ,holy ,spirit saysfor he is regarded in the ,scriptures as the ,source of inspiration1 and as appointed to disclose truth to man4 ,the 8,spirit0 may be regarded either as speaking through the ,saviour 7comp4 ,jn4 iii4 #cd71 or as imparted to ,john1 through whom he addressed the churches4 ,in either case it is the same ,spirit of inspiration1 and in either case there would be a claim that his voice should be heard4 ,the language here used is of a general character8,he that hath an ear20 that is1 what was spoken was worthy of the attention not only of the members of these churches1 but of all others4 ,the truths were of so general a character as to deserve the attention of mankind at large4 ,to him that overcometh4 ,gr41 8,to him that gains the victory1 or is a conqueror0 4 ,this may refer to any victory of a moral character1 and the expression used would be applicable to one who should triumph in any of these respects37a7 over his own easily-besetting sins2 7b7 over the world and its temptations2 7c7 over prevalent error2 7d7 over the ills and trials of life1 so as1 in all these respects1 to show that his ,christian principles are firm and unshaken4 ,life1 and the ,christian life especially1 may be regarded as a warfare4 ,thousands fall in the conflict with evil2 but they who maintain a steady warfare1 and who achieve a victory1 shall be received as conquerors in the end4 ,will ,i give to eat of the tree of life4 ,as the reward of his victory4 ,the meaning is1 that he would admit him to heaven1 represented as paradise1 and permit him to enjoy its pleasuresrepresented by being permitted to partake of its fruits4 ,the phrase 8the tree of life0 refers undoubtedly to the language used respecting the ,garden of ,eden1 ,ge4 ii4 #i2 iii4 #bbwhere the 8tree of life0 is spoken of as that which was adapted to make the life of man perpetual4 ,of the nature of that tree nothing is known1 though it would seem probable that1 like the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 it was a mere emblem of lifeor a tree that was set before man in connection with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 and that his destiny turned on the question whether he partook of the one or the other4 ,that ,god should make the question of life or death depend on that1 is no more absurd or improbable than that he should make it depend on what man does nowit being a matter of fact that life and death1 happiness and misery1 joy and sorrow1 are often made to depend on things quite as arbitrary apparently1 and quite as unimportant as an act of obedience or disobedience in partaking of the fruit of a designated tree4 ,does it not appear probable that in ,eden there were two trees designated to be of an emblematic character1 of life and death1 and that as man partook of the one or the other he would live or die8 ,of all the others he might freely partake without their affecting his condition2 of one of thesethe tree of lifehe might have partaken before the fall1 and lived for ever4 ,one was forbidden on pain of death4 ,when the #fi law forbidding that was violated1 it was still possible that he might partake of the other2 but1 since the sentence of death had been passed upon him1 that would not now be proper1 and he was driven from the garden1 and the way was guarded by the flaming sword of the cherubim4 ,the reference in the passage before us is to the celestial paradiseto heavenspoken of under the beautiful image of a garden2 meaning that the condition of man1 in regard to life1 will still be the same as if he had partaken of the tree of life in ,eden4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xxii4 #b4 ,which is in the midst of the paradise of ,god4 ,heaven1 represented as paradise4 ,to be permitted to eat of that tree1 that is1 of the fruit of that tree1 is but another expression implying the promise of eternal life1 and of being happy for ever4 ,the word paradise is of ,oriental derivation1 and is found in several of the ,eastern languages4 ,in the ,sanskrit the word paradsha and paradisha is used to denote a land elevated and cultivated2 in the ,armenian the word pardes denotes a garden around the house planted with grass1 herbs1 trees for use and ornament2 and in the ,hebrew form 1 and ,greek 1 it is applied to the pleasure gardens and parks1 with wild animals1 around the country residences of the ,persian monarchs and princes1 ,ne4 ii4 #h4 ,comp4 ,ec4 ii4 #e2 ,ca4 iv4 #ac2 ,xen4 ,cyro4 i4 #c1 #ad 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,here it is used to denote heavena world compared in beauty with a richly cultivated park or garden4 ,comp4 #b ,co4 xii4 #d4 ,the meaning of the ,saviour is1 that he would receive him that overcame to a world of happiness2 that he would permit him to taste of the fruit that grows there1 imparting immortal life1 and to rest in an abode fitted up in a manner that would contribute in every way to enjoyment4 ,man1 when he fell1 was not permitted to reach forth his hand and pluck of the fruit of the tree of life in the first ,eden1 as he might have done if he had not fallen2 but he is now permitted to reach forth his hand and partake of the tree of life in the paradise above4 ,he is thus restored to what he might have been if he had not transgressed by eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil2 and in the ,paradise ,regained1 the blessings of the ,paradise ,lost will be more than recoveredfor man may now live for ever in a far higher and more blessed state than his would have been in ,eden4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,at ,,smyrna4 ,the contents of the epistle to the church at ,smyrna are these3 7#a7 ,a statement1 as in the address to the church at ,ephesus1 of some of the attributes of the ,saviour1 ver4 #h4 ,the attributes here referred to are1 that he was 8the first and the last10 that 8he had been dead1 but was alive0attributes fitted to impress the mind deeply with reverence for him who addressed them1 and to comfort them in the trials which they endured4 7#b7 ,a statement 7ver4 #i71 as in the former epistle1 that he well knew their works and all that pertained to themtheir tribulation1 their poverty1 and the opposition which they met with from wicked men4 7#c7 ,an exhortation not to be afraid of any of those things that were to come upon them1 for1 although they were to be persecuted1 and some of them were to be imprisoned1 yet1 if they were faithful1 they should have a crown of life1 ver4 #aj4 7#d7 ,a command to hear what the ,spirit said to the churches1 as containing matter of interest to all persons1 with an assurance that any who would 8overcome0 in these trials would not be hurt by the second death1 ver4 #aa4 ,the language addressed to the church of ,smyrna is throughout that of commiseration and comfort4 ,there is no intimation that the ,saviour disapproved of what they had done2 there is no threat that he would remove the candlestick out of its place4 ,smyrna was a celebrated commercial town of ,ionia 7,ptolem4 v4 #b71 situated near the bottom of that gulf of the gean ,sea which received its name from it 7,mela1 i4 #ag1 #c71 at the mouth of the small river ,meles1 #cbj stadia1 or about forty miles north of ,ephesus 7,strabo1 xv4 p4 #fcb74 ,it was a very ancient city2 but having been destroyed by the ,lydians1 it lay waste four hundred years to the time of ,alexander the ,great1 or1 according to ,strabo1 to that of ,antigonus4 ,it was rebuilt at the distance of twenty stadia from the ancient city1 and in the time of the first ,roman emperor it was one of the most flourishing cities of ,asia4 ,it was destroyed by an earthquake1 ,a4,d4 #agg1 but the emperor ,marcus ,aurelius caused it to be rebuilt with more than its former splendour4 ,it afterwards1 however1 suffered greatly from earthquakes and conflagrations1 and has #gj declined from these causes1 though1 from its commercial advantages1 it has always been a city of importance as the central emporium of the ,levantine trade1 and its relative rank among the cities of ,asia ,minor is probably greater than it formerly bore4 ,the engraving in this vol4 will give a representation of ,smyrna4 ,the ,turks now call it ,izmir4 ,it is better built than ,constantinople1 and its population is computed at about #acj1jjj1 of which the ,franks compose a greater proportion than in any other town in ,turkey1 and they are generally in good circumstances4 ,next to the ,turks1 the ,greeks form the most numerous portion of the inhabitants1 and they have a bishop and two churches4 ,the unusually large portion of ,christians in the city renders it peculiarly unclean in the eyes of strict ,moslems1 and they call it ,giaour ,izmir1 or the ,infidel ,smyrna4 ,there are in it about #bj1 #jjj ,greeks1 #hjjj ,armenians1 #ajjj ,europeans1 and #ijjj ,jews4 ,it is now the seat of important missionary operations in the ,east1 and much has been done there to spread the gospel in modern times4 ,its history during the long tract of time since ,john wrote is not indeed minutely known1 but there is no reason to suppose that the light of ,christianity there has ever been wholly extinct4 ,polycarp suffered martyrdom there1 and the place where he is supposed to have died is still shown4 ,the ,christians of ,smyrna hold his memory in great veneration1 and go annually on a visit to his supposed tomb1 which is at a short distance from the place of his martyrdom4 ,see the article 8,smyrna0 in ,kitto's ,cyclopedia1 and the authorities referred to there4 #h ,and unto the angel of the church in ,smyrna write2 ,these things saith #ajdthe first and the last1 which was dead1 and is alive2 #h4 ,and unto the angel of the church in ,smyrna write4 ,on the meaning of the word angel1 see ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,these things saith the first and the last4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #h1 #ag4 ,which was dead1 and is alive4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ah4 ,the idea is1 that he is a living ,saviour2 and there was a propriety in referring to that fact here from the nature of the promise which he was about to make to the church at ,smyrna3 8,he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death10 ver4 #aa4 ,as he had himself triumphed over death in all its forms1 and was now alive for ever1 it was appropriate that he should promise to his true friends the same protection from the second death4 ,he who was wholly beyond the reach of death could give the assurance that they who put their trust in him should come off victorious4 #i ,i know thy works1 and tribulation1 and poverty1 7but #ajethou art rich17 and ,i know the blasphemy of #ajfthem which say they are ,jews1 and are not1 but are the #ajgsynagogue of ,satan4 #i4 ,i know thy works4 ,the uniform method of introducing these epistles1 implying a most intimate acquaintance with all that pertained to the church4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,and tribulation4 ,this word is of a general signification1 and probably includes all that they suffered in any form1 whether from persecution1 poverty1 or the blasphemy of opposers4 ,and poverty4 ,it would seem that this church1 at that time1 was eminently poor1 for this is not specified in regard to any one of the others4 ,no reason is suggested why they were particularly poor4 ,it was not1 indeed1 an uncommon characteristic of early ,christians 7comp4 #a ,cor4 i4 #bfbh71 but there might have been some special reasons why that church was eminently so4 ,it is1 however1 the only church of the seven which has survived1 and perhaps in the end its poverty was no disadvantage4 ,but thou art rich4 ,not in this world's goods1 but in a more important respectin the grace and favour of ,god4 ,these things are not unfrequently united4 ,poverty is no hindrance to the favour of ,god1 and there are some things in it favourable to the promotion of a right spirit towards ,god which are not found where there is abundant wealth4 ,the ,saviour was eminently poor1 and not a few of his most devoted and useful followers have had as little of this world's goods as he had4 ,the poor should always be cheerful and happy1 if they can hear their ,saviour saying unto them1 8,i know thy povertybut thou art rich40 ,however keen the feeling arising from the reflection 8,i am a poor man10 the edge of the sorrow is taken off if the mind can be turned to a brighter image8but thou art rich40 #ga ,and ,i know the blasphemy4 ,the reproaches2 the harsh and bitter revilings4 ,on the word blasphemy1 see ,notes on ,mat4 ix4 #c2 xxvi4 #fe4 ,the word here does not seem to refer to blasphemy against ,god1 but to bitter reproaches against themselves4 ,the reason of these reproaches is not stated1 but it was doubtless on account of their religion4 ,of them which say they are ,jews4 ,who profess to be ,jews4 ,the idea seems to be that though they were of ,jewish extraction1 and professed to be ,jews1 they were not true ,jews2 they indulged in a bitterness of reproach1 and a severity of language1 which showed that they had not the spirit of the ,jewish religion2 they had nothing which became those who were under the guidance of the spirit of their own ,scriptures4 ,that would have inculcated and fostered a milder temper2 and the meaning here is1 that although they were of ,jewish origin1 they were not worthy of the name4 ,that spirit of bitter opposition was indeed often manifested in their treatment of ,christians1 as it had been of the ,saviour1 but still it was foreign to the true nature of their religion4 ,there were ,jews in all parts of ,asia ,minor1 and the apostles often encountered them in their journeyings1 but it would seem that there was something which had particularly embittered those of ,smyrna against ,christianity4 ,what this was is now unknown4 ,it may throw some light on the passage1 however1 to remark that at a somewhat later periodin the time of the martyrdom of ,polycarpthe ,jews of ,smyrna were among the most bitter of the enemies of ,christians1 and among the most violent in demanding the death of ,polycarp4 ,eusebius 7,eccl4 ,hist4 iv4 #ae7 says1 that when ,polycarp was apprehended1 and brought before the proconsul at ,smyrna1 the ,jews were the most furious of all in demanding his condemnation4 ,when the mob1 after his condemnation to death1 set about gathering fuel to burn him1 8the ,jews10 says he1 8being especially zealous1 as was their custom 1 ran to procure fuel40 ,and when1 as the burning failed1 the martyr was transfixed with weapons1 the ,jews urged and besought the magistrate that his body might not be given up to ,christians4 ,possibly at the time when this epistle was directed to be sent to ,smyrna1 there were ,jews there who manifested the same spirit which those of their countrymen did afterwards1 who urged on the death of ,polycarp4 ,but are the synagogue of ,satan4 ,deserve rather to be called the synagogue of ,satan4 ,the synagogue was a ,jewish place of worship 7comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #bc71 but the word originally denoted the assembly or congregation4 ,the meaning here is plain1 that though they worshipped in a synagogue1 and professed to be the worshippers of ,god1 yet they were not worthy of the name1 and deserved rather to be regarded as in the service of ,satan4 ,satan is the word that is properly applied to the great evil spirit1 elsewhere called the devil4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 xxii4 #c1 and ,job i4 #aj ,fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer3 behold1 the devil shall cast some of you into prison1 that ye may be tried2 and ye shall have tribulation ten days3 be thou #ajh;faithful unto death1 and ,i will give thee a #aji;crown of life4 #aj4 ,fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer4 ,he did not promise them exemption from suffering4 ,he saw that they were about to suffer1 and he specifies the manner in which their affliction would occur4 ,but he entreats and commands them not to be afraid4 ,they were to look to the 8crown of life10 and to be comforted with the assurance that if they were faithful unto death1 that would be theirs4 ,we need not dread suffering if we can hear the voice of the ,redeemer encouraging us1 and if he assures us that in a little while we shall have the crown of life4 ,behold1 the devil shall cast some of you into prison4 ,or1 shall cause some of you to be cast into prison4 ,he had just said that their persecutors were of the 8synagogue of ,satan40 ,he here represents ,satan1 or the devilanother name of the same beingas about to throw them into prison4 ,this would be done undoubtedly by the hands of men1 but still ,satan was the prime mover1 or the instigator in doing it4 ,it was common to cast those who were persecuted into prison4 ,see ,ac4 xii4 #c1 #d2 xvi4 #bc4 ,it is not said on what pretence1 or by what authority1 this would be done2 but1 as ,john had been banished to ,patmos from ,ephesus1 it is probable #gb that this persecution was raging in the adjacent places1 and there is no improbability in supposing that many might be thrown into prison4 ,that ye may be tried4 ,that the reality of your faith may be subjected to a test to show whether it is genuine4 ,the design in the case is that of the ,saviour1 though ,satan is allowed to do it4 ,it was common in the early periods of the church to suffer religion to be subjected to trial amidst persecutions1 in order to show that it was of heavenly origin1 and to demonstrate its value in view of the world4 ,this is1 indeed1 one of the designs of trial at all times1 but this seemed eminently desirable when a new system of religion was about to be given to mankind4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #f1 #g4 ,and ye shall have tribulation ten days4 ,a short time2 a brief period2 a few days4 ,it is possible1 indeed1 that this might have been literally ten days1 but it is much more in accordance with the general character of this book1 in regard to numbers1 to suppose that the word ten here is used to denote a few4 ,comp4 ,ge4 xxiv4 #ee2 #a ,sa4 xxv4 #ch2 ,da4 i4 #ab1 #ad4 ,we are wholly ignorant how long the trial actually lasted2 but the assurance was that it would not be long1 and they were to allow this thought to cheer and sustain them in their sorrows4 ,why should not the same thought encourage us now8 ,affliction in this life1 however severe1 can be but brief2 and in the hope that it will soon end1 why should we not bear it without murmuring or repining8 ,be thou faithful unto death4 ,implying1 perhaps1 that though1 in regard to the church1 the affliction would be brief1 yet that it might be fatal to some of them1 and they who were thus about to die should remain faithful to their ,saviour until the hour of death4 ,in relation to all1 whether they were to suffer a violent death or not1 the same injunction and the same promise was applicable4 ,it is true of everyone who is a ,christian1 in whatever manner he is to die1 that if he is faithful unto death1 a crown of life awaits him4 ,comp4 ,notes on #b ,ti4 iv4 #h4 ,and ,i will give thee a crown of life4 ,see ,notes on ,ja4 i4 #ab4 ,comp4 #a ,pe4 v4 #d2 #a ,co4 ix4 #bdbg4 ,the promise here is somewhat different from that which was made to the faithful in ,ephesus 7ver4 #g71 but the same thing substantially is promised themhappiness hereafter1 or an admission into heaven4 ,in the former case it is the peaceful image of those admitted into the scenes of paradise2 here it is the triumph of the crowned martyr4 #aa ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches2 ,he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the #aajsecond death4 #aa4 ,he that hath an ear1 c4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,he that overcometh4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,the particular promise here is made to him that should 8overcome20 that is1 that would gain the victory in the persecutions which were to come upon them4 ,the reference is to him who would show the sustaining power of religion in times of persecution2 who would not yield his principles when opposed and persecuted2 who would be triumphant when so many efforts were made to induce him to apostatize and abandon the cause4 ,shall not be hurt of the second death4 ,by a second death4 ,that is1 he will have nothing to fear in the future world4 ,the punishment of hell is often called death1 not in the sense that the soul will cease to exist1 but 7a7 because death is the most fearful thing of which we have any knowledge1 and 7b7 because there is a striking similarity1 in many respects1 between death and future punishment4 ,death cuts off from lifeand so the second death cuts off from eternal life2 death puts an end to all our hopes here1 and the second death to all our hopes for ever2 death is attended with terrors and alarmsthe faint and feeble emblem of the terrors and alarms in the world of woe4 ,the phrase1 8the second death10 is three times used elsewhere by ,john in this book 7ch4 xx4 #f1 #ad2 xxi4 #h71 but does not occur elsewhere in the ,new ,testament4 ,the words death and to die1 however1 are not unfrequently used to denote the future punishment of the wicked4 ,the promise here made would be all that was necessary to sustain them in their trials4 ,nothing more is requisite to make the burdens of life tolerable than an assurance that1 when we reach the end of our earthly journey1 we have arrived at the close of suffering1 and that beyond the grave there is no power that can harm us4 ,religion1 indeed1 does not promise to its friends exemption from death in one form4 ,to none of the race has such a promise ever been made1 and to but two has the #gc favour been granted to pass to heaven without tasting death4 ,it could have been granted to all the redeemed1 but there were good reasons why it should not be2 that is1 why it would be better that even they who are to dwell in heaven should return to the dust1 and sleep in the tomb1 than that they should be removed by perpetual miracle1 translating them to heaven4 ,religion1 therefore1 does not come to us with any promise that we shall not die4 ,but it comes with the assurance that we shall be sustained in the dying hour2 that the ,redeemer will accompany us through the dark valley2 that death to us will be a calm and quiet slumber1 in the hope of awakening in the morning of the resurrection2 that we shall be raised up again with bodies incorruptible and undecaying2 and that beyond the grave we shall never fear death in any form4 ,what more is needful to enable us to bear with patience the trials of this life1 and to look upon death when it does come1 disarmed as it is of its sting 7#a ,co4 xv4 #eeeg71 with calmness and peace8 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,at ,,pergamos4 ,the contents of this epistle 7ver4 #abag7 are as follows3 7#a7 ,a reference1 as is usual in these epistles1 to some attribute of ,him who addressed them1 fitted to inspire respect1 and adapted to a state of things existing in the church1 ver4 #ab4 ,that to which the ,saviour here directs their attention is1 that he has 8the sharp sword with two edges0implying 7ver4 #af7 that he had the power of punishing4 7#b7 ,a statement1 in the usual form1 that he was thoroughly acquainted with the state of the church2 that he saw all their difficulties2 all that there was to commend1 and all that there was to reprove1 ver4 #ac4 7#c7 ,a commendation to the church for its fidelity1 especially in a time of severe persecution1 when one of her faithful friends was slain1 ver4 #ac4 7#d7 ,a reproof of the church for tolerating some who held false and pernicious doctrinesdoctrines such as were taught by ,balaam1 and the doctrines of the ,nicolaitanes1 ver4 #ad1 #ae4 7#e7 ,a solemn threat that1 unless they repented1 he would come against them1 and inflict summary punishment on them1 ver4 #af4 7#f7 ,the usual call upon all to hear what the ,spirit says to the churches1 and a promise to those who should overcome1 ver4 #ag4 ,pergamos was a city in the southern part of ,mysia1 the capital of a kingdom of that name1 and afterwards of the ,roman province of ,asia ,propria4 ,it was on the bank of the river ,caicus1 which is formed by the union of two branches meeting thirty or forty miles above its mouth1 and watering a valley not exceeded in beauty and fertility by any in the world4 ,the city of ,pergamos stood about twenty miles from the sea4 ,it was on the northern bank of the river1 at the base and on the declivity of two high and steep mountains4 ,about two centuries before the ,christian era1 ,pergamos became the residence of the celebrated kings of the family of ,attalus1 and a seat of literature and the arts4 ,king ,eumenes1 the second of the name1 greatly beautified the town1 and so increased the number of volumes in the library that they amounted to #bjj1jjj4 ,this library remained at ,pergamos after the kingdom of the ,attali had lost its independence1 until ,antony removed it to ,egypt1 and presented it to ,queen ,cleopatra 7,pliny1 ,hist4 ,nat4 iii4 #b74 ,it is an old tradition1 that1 as the papyrus plant had not begun to be exported from ,egypt 7,kitto71 or as ,ptolemy refused to sell it to ,eumenes 7,professor ,stuart71 sheep and goat skins1 prepared for the purpose1 were used for manuscripts2 and as the art of preparing them was brought to perfection at ,pergamos1 they1 from that circumstance1 obtained the name of pergamena 77 or parchment4 ,the last king of ,pergamos bequeathed his treasures to the ,romans1 who took possession of the kingdom also1 and created it into a province by the name of ,asia ,propria4 ,under the ,romans1 it retained that authority over the cities of ,asia which it had acquired under the successors of ,attalus4 ,the present name of the place is ,bergamos1 and it is of considerable importance1 containing a population of about #ad1jjj1 of whom about #cjjj are ,greeks1 #cjj ,armenians1 and the rest ,turks4 ,macfarlane describes the approach to the town as very beautiful3 8,the approach to this ancient and decayed city was as impressive as well might be4 ,after crossing the ,caicus1 ,i saw1 looking over three vast tumuli1 or sepulchral barrows1 similar to those on the plains of ,troy1 the ,turkish city of ,pergamos1 with its tall minarets1 and its taller cypresses1 situated on the lower declivities and at the foot of the ,acropolis1 whose bold gray brow was crowned by the rugged #gd walls of a barbarous castle1 the usurper of the site of a magnificent ,greek temple4 ,the town consists1 for the most part1 of small and mean wooden houses1 among which appear the remains of early ,christian churches4 ,none of these churches have any scriptural or apocalyptic interest connected with them1 having been erected several centuries after the ministry of the apostles1 and when ,christianity was not an humble and despised creed1 but the adopted religion of a vast empire4 ,the ,pagan temples have fared worse than these ,christian churches4 ,the fanes of ,jupiter and ,diana1 of sculapius and ,venus1 are prostrate in the dust2 and where they have not been carried away by the ,turks1 to be cut up into tombstones or to pound into mortar1 the ,corinthian and ,ionic columns1 the splendid capitals1 the cornices and the pediments1 all in the highest ornament1 are thrown into unsightly heaps0 7,visit to the ,seven ,apocalyptic ,churches1 #ahcb4 ,comp4 ,missionary ,herald for #ahci1 pp4 #bbhbcj74 ,the engraving represents the ruins of one of the ancient churches in ,pergamos4 #ab ,and to the angel of the church in ,pergamos write2 ,these things saith he which hath the #aaasharp sword with two edges2 #ab4 ,and to the angel of the church in ,pergamos4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,these things saith he which hath the sharp sword1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #af4 ,comp4 ,he4 iv4 #ab2 ,ec4 xii4 #aa2 ,is4 xlix4 #b4 ,professor ,stuart suggests that when the ,saviour1 as represented in the vision1 8uttered words1 as they proceeded from his mouth1 the halitus which accompanied them assumed1 in the view of ,john1 the form of an igneous two-edged sword40 ,it is more probable1 however1 that the words which proceeded from his mouth did not assume anything like a form or substance1 but ,john means to represent them as if they were a sharp sword4 ,his words cut and penetrate deep1 and it was easy to picture him as having a sword proceeding from his mouth2 that is1 his words were as piercing as a sharp sword4 ,as he was about to reprove the church at ,pergamos1 there was a propriety in referring to this power of the ,saviour4 ,reproof cuts deep2 and this is the idea represented here4 #ac ,i#aab know thy works1 and where thou dwellest1 even where ,satan's seat is3 and thou holdest fast my name1 and #aac;hast not denied my faith1 even in those days wherein ,antipas was my faithful martyr1 who was slain among you1 where ,satan dwelleth4 #ac4 ,i know thy works4 ,the uniform mode of addressing the seven churches in these epistles4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #b4 ,and where thou dwellest4 ,that is1 ,i know all the temptations to which you are exposed2 all the allurements to sin by which you are surrounded2 all the apologies which might be made for what has occurred arising from those circumstances2 and all that could be said in commendation of you for having been as faithful as you have been4 ,the sense of the passage is1 that it does much to enable us to judge of character to know where men live4 ,it is much more easy to be virtuous and pious in some circumstances than in others2 and in order to determine how much credit is due to a man for his virtues1 it is necessary to understand how much he has been called to resist1 how many temptations he has encountered1 what easily-besetting sins he may have1 or what allurements may have been presented to his mind to draw him from the path of virtue and religion4 ,in like manner1 in order to judge correctly of those who have embraced error1 or have been led into sin1 it is necessary to understand what there may have been in their circumstances that gave to error what was plausible1 and to sin what was attractive2 what there was in their situation in life that exposed them to these influences1 and what arguments may have been employed by the learned1 the talented1 and the plausible advocates of error1 to lead them astray4 ,we often judge harshly where the ,saviour would be far less severe in his judgments2 we often commend much where in fact there has been little to commend4 ,it is possible to conceive that in the strugglings against evil of those who have ultimately fallen1 there may be more to commend than in cases where the path of virtue has been pursued as the mere result of circumstances1 and where there never has been a conflict with temptation4 ,the adjudications of the great day will do much to reverse #ge the judgments of mankind4 ,even where ,satan's seat is4 ,a place of peculiar wickedness1 as if ,satan dwelt there4 ,satan is1 as it were1 enthroned there4 ,the influence of ,satan in producing persecution is that which is particularly alluded to1 as is apparent from the reference which is immediately made to the case of ,antipas1 the 8faithful martyr40 ,and thou holdest fast my name4 ,they had professed the name of ,christ2 that is1 they had professed to be his followers1 and they had steadfastly adhered to him and his cause in all the opposition made to him4 ,the name ,christian1 given in honour of ,christ1 and indicating that they were his disciples1 they had not been ashamed of or denied4 ,it was this name that subjected the early ,christians to reproach4 ,see #a ,pe4 iv4 #ad4 ,and hast not denied my faith4 ,that is1 hast not denied my religion4 ,the great essential element in the ,christian religion is faith1 and this1 since it is so important1 is often put for the whole of religion4 ,even in those days wherein ,antipas was my faithful martyr4 ,of ,antipas we know nothing more than is here stated4 8,in the ,acta ,sanctorum 7ii4 pp4 #c1 #d7 is a martyrology of ,antipas from a ,greek ,,ms42 but it is full of fable and fiction1 which a later age had added to the original story0 7,professor ,stuart1 in loco74 ,who was slain among you4 ,it would seem from this1 that1 though the persecution had raged there1 but one person had been put to death4 ,it would appear also that the persecution was of a local character1 since ,pergamos is described as 8,satan's seat2 0 and the death of ,antipas is mentioned in immediate connection with that fact4 ,all the circumstances referred to would lead us to suppose that this was a popular outbreak1 and not a persecution carried on under the authority of government1 and that ,antipas was put to death in a popular excitement4 ,so ,stephen 7,ac4 vii47 was put to death1 and so ,paul at ,lystra was stoned until it was supposed he was dead1 ,ac4 xiv4 #ai4 ,where ,satan dwelleth4 ,the repetition of this ideavery much in the manner of ,johnshowed how intensely the mind was fixed on the thought1 and how much alive the feelings were to the malice of ,satan as exhibited at ,pergamos4 #ad ,but ,i have a few things against thee1 because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of ,balaam1 #aadwho taught ,balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of ,israel1 to #aae;eat things sacrificed unto idols1 and to #aaf;commit fornication4 #ad4 ,but ,i have a few things against thee4 ,as against the church at ,ephesus1 ch4 ii4 #d4 ,the charge against this church1 however1 is somewhat different from that against the church at ,ephesus4 ,the charge there was1 that they had 8left their first love20 but it is spoken in commendation of them that they 8hated the deeds of the ,nicolaitanes10 ch4 ii4 #f4 ,here the charge is1 that they tolerated that sect among them1 and that they had among them also those who held the doctrine of ,balaam4 ,their general course had been such that the ,saviour could approve it2 he did not approve1 however1 of their tolerating those who held to pernicious practical errorerror that tended to sap the very foundation of morals4 ,because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of ,balaam4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that they professedly held to the same opinion as ,balaam1 or openly taught the same doctrines4 ,the meaning is1 that they taught substantially the same doctrine which ,balaam did1 and deserved to be classed with him4 ,what that doctrine was is stated in the subsequent part of the verse4 ,who taught ,balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of ,israel4 ,the word stumbling-block properly means anything over which one falls or stumbles1 and then anything over which anyone may fall into sin1 or which becomes the occasion of one's falling into sin4 ,the meaning here is1 that it was through the instructions of ,balaam that ,balak learned the way by which the ,israelites might be led into sin1 and might thus bring upon themselves the ,divine malediction4 ,the main circumstances in the case were these3 7#a7 ,balak1 king of ,moab1 when the children of ,israel approached his borders1 felt that he could not contend successfully against so great a host1 for his people were dispirited and disheartened at their numbers1 ,nu4 xxii4 #c1 #d4 7#b7 ,in these circumstances he resolved to send for one who had a #gf distinguished reputation as a prophet1 that he might 8curse0 that people1 or might utter a malediction over them1 in order1 at the same time1 to ensure their destruction1 and to inspirit his own people in making war on them3 in accordance with a prevalent opinion of ancient times1 that prophets had the power of blighting anything by their curse4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job iii4 #h4 ,for this purpose he sent messengers to ,balaam to invite him to come and perform this service1 ,nu4 xxii4 #e1 #f4 7#c7 ,balaam professed to be a prophet of the ,lord1 and it was obviously proper that he should inquire of the ,lord whether he should comply with this request4 ,he did so1 and was positively forbidden to go1 ,nu4 xxii4 #ab4 7#d7 ,when the answer of ,balaam was reported to ,balak1 he supposed that he might be prevailed to come by the offer of rewards1 and he sent more distinguished messengers with an offer of ample honour if he would come1 ,nu4 xxii4 #aeag4 7#e7 ,balaam was evidently strongly inclined to go1 but1 in accordance with his character as a prophet1 he said that if ,balak would give him his house full of silver and gold he could do no more1 and say no more1 than the ,lord permitted1 and he proposed again to consult the ,lord1 to see if he could obtain permission to go with the messengers of ,balak4 ,he obtained permission1 but with the express injunction that he was only to utter what ,god should say2 and when he came to ,balak1 notwithstanding his own manifest desire to comply with the wish of ,balak1 and notwithstanding all the offers which ,balak made to him to induce him to do the contrary1 he only continued to bless the ,hebrew people1 until1 in disgust and indignation1 ,balak sent him away again to his own land1 ,nu4 xxii41 xxiii41 xxiv4 #aj1 seq4 7#f7 ,balaam returned to his own house1 but evidently with a desire still to gratify ,balak4 ,being forbidden to curse the people of ,israel2 having been overruled in all his purposes to do it2 having been1 contrary to his own desires1 constrained to bless them when he was himself more than willing to curse them2 and having still a desire to comply with the wishes of the ,king of ,moab1 he cast about for some way in which the object might yet be accomplishedthat is1 in which the curse of ,god might in fact rest upon the ,hebrew people1 and they might become exposed to the divine displeasure4 ,to do this1 no way occurred so plausible1 and that had such probability of success1 as to lead them into idolatry1 and into the sinful and corrupt practices connected with idolatry4 ,it was1 therefore1 resolved to make use of the charms of the females of ,moab1 that through their influence the ,hebrews might be drawn into licentiousness4 ,this was done4 ,the abominations of idolatry spread through the camp of ,israel2 licentiousness everywhere prevailed1 and ,god sent a plague upon them to punish them1 ,nu4 xxv4 #a1 seq4 ,that also this was planned and instigated by ,balaam is apparent from ,nu4 xxxi4 #af3 8,behold these women caused the children of ,israel1 through the counsel of ,balaam1 to commit trespass against the ,lord1 in the matter of ,peor1 and there was a plague among the congregation of the ,lord40 ,the attitude of ,balaam's mind in the matter was this3 ,i4 ,he had a strong desire to do that which he knew was wrong1 and which was forbidden expressly by ,god4 ,,ii4 ,he was restrained by internal checks and remonstrances1 and prevented from doing what he wished to do4 ,,iii4 ,he cast about for some way in which he might do it1 notwithstanding these internal checks and remonstrances1 and finally accomplished the same thing in fact1 though in form different from that which he had first prepared4 ,this is not an unfair description of what often occurs in the plans and purposes of a wicked man4 ,the meaning in the passage before us is1 that in the church at ,pergamos there were those who taught1 substantially1 the same thing that ,balaam did2 that is1 the tendency of whose teaching was to lead men into idolatry1 and the ordinary accompaniment of idolatrylicentiousness4 ,to eat things sacrificed unto idols4 ,balaam taught the ,hebrews to do thisperhaps in some way securing their attendance on the riotous and gluttonous feasts of idolatry celebrated among the people among whom they sojourned4 ,such feasts were commonly held in idol temples1 and they usually led to scenes of dissipation and corruption4 ,by plausibly teaching that there could be no harm in eating what had been offered in sacrificesince an idol was nothing1 and the flesh of animals offered in sacrifice was the same as if slaughtered for some other purpose1 it would seem that these teachers at ,pergamos had induced professing ,christians #gg to attend on those feaststhus lending their countenance to idolatry1 and exposing themselves to all the corruption and licentiousness that commonly attended such celebrations4 ,see the banefulness of thus eating the meat offered in sacrifice to idols considered in the ,notes on #a ,co4 viii4 ,and to commit fornication4 ,balaam taught this2 and that was the tendency of the doctrines inculcated at ,pergamos4 ,on what pretence this was done is not said2 but it is clear that the church had regarded this in a lenient manner4 ,so accustomed had the heathen world been to this vice1 that many who had been converted from idolatry might be disposed to look on it with less severity than we do now1 and there was a necessity of incessant watchfulness lest the members of the church should fall into it4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ac4 xv4 #bj4 #ae ,so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the ,nicolaitanes1 which thing ,i hate4 #ae4 ,so hast thou also them1 c4 ,that is1 there are those among you who hold those doctrines4 ,the meaning here may be1 either that1 in addition to those who held the doctrine of ,balaam1 they had also another class who held the doctrine of the ,nicolaitanes2 or that the ,nicolaitanes held the same doctrine1 and taught the same thing as ,balaam4 ,if but one class is referred to1 and it is meant that the ,nicolaitanes held the doctrines of ,balaam1 then we know what constituted their teaching2 if two classes of false teachers are referred to1 then we have no means of knowing what was the peculiarity of the teaching of the ,nicolaitanes4 ,the more natural and obvious construction1 it seems to me1 is to suppose that the speaker means to say that the ,nicolaitanes taught the same things which ,balaam didto wit1 that they led the people into corrupt and licentious practices4 ,this interpretation seems to be demanded by the proper use of the word 8so0meaning1 in this manner1 on this wise1 thus2 and usually referring to what precedes4 ,if this be the correct interpretation1 then we have1 in fact1 a description of what the ,nicolaitanes held1 agreeing with all the accounts given of them by the ancient fathers4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #f4 ,if this is so1 also1 then it is clear that the same kind of doctrines was held at ,smyrna1 at ,pergamos1 and at ,thyatira 7ver4 #bj71 though mentioned in somewhat different forms4 ,it is not quite certain1 however1 that this is the correct interpretation1 or that the writer does not mean to say that1 in addition to those who held the doctrine of ,balaam1 they had also another class of errorists who held the doctrine of the ,nicolaitanes4 ,which thing ,i hate4 ,so the common ,greek text 4 ,but the best-supported reading1 and the one adopted by ,griesbach1 ,tittmann1 and ,hahn1 is in like manner2 that is1 8as ,balak retained a false prophet who misled the ,hebrews1 so thou retainest those who teach things like to those which ,balaam taught40 #af ,repent2 or else ,i will come unto thee quickly1 and #aagwill fight against them with the sword of my mouth4 #af4 ,repent4 ,see ver4 #e4 ,or else ,i will come unto thee quickly4 ,on the word quickly1 see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a4 ,the meaning here is1 that he would come against them in judgment1 or to punish them4 ,and will fight against them4 ,against the ,nicolaitanes4 ,he would come against the church for tolerating them1 but his opposition would be principally directed against the ,nicolaitanes themselves4 ,the church would excite his displeasure by retaining them in its bosom1 but it was in its power to save them from destruction4 ,if the church would repent1 or if it would separate itself from the evil1 then the ,saviour would not come against them4 ,if this were not done1 they would feel the vengeance of his sword1 and be subjected to punishment4 ,the church always suffers when it has offenders in its bosom2 it has the power of saving them if it will repent of its own unfaithfulness1 and will strive for their conversion4 ,with the sword of my mouth4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #af2 ii4 #ab4 ,that is1 he would give the order1 and they would be cut as if by a sword4 ,precisely in what way it would be done he does not say2 but it might be by persecution1 or by heavy judgments4 ,to see the force of this1 we are to remember the power which ,christ has to punish the wicked by a word of his mouth4 ,by a word in the last day he will turn all the wicked into hell4 #ag ,he#aah that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches2 ,to him that overcometh will ,i give to eat of the #aai;hidden manna1 and will give him a white stone1 and in the stone a #abjnew name written1#abawhich no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it4 #ag4 ,he that hath an ear1 c4 ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,to him that overcometh4 #gh ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,will ,i give to eat of the hidden manna4 ,the true spiritual food2 the food that nourishes the soul4 ,the idea is1 that the souls of those who 8overcame10 or who gained the victory in their conflict with sin1 and in the persecutions and trials of the world1 would be permitted to partake of that spiritual food which is laid up for the people of ,god1 and by which they will be nourished for ever4 ,the ,hebrews were supported by manna in the desert 7,ex4 xvi4 #afce72 a pot of that manna was laid up in the most holy place1 to be preserved as a memorial 7,ex4 xvi4 #cbcd72 it is called 8angels' food0 7,ps4 lxxviii4 #be71 and 8corn of heaven0 7,ps4 lxxviii4 #bd72 and it would seem to have been emblematical of that spiritual food by which the people of ,god are to be fed from heaven1 in their journey through this world4 ,by the word 8hidden10 there would seem to be an allusion to that which was laid up in the pot before the ark of the testimony1 and the blessing which is promised here is that they would be nourished as if they were sustained by that manna thus laid up before the ark3 by food from the immediate presence of ,god4 ,the language thus explained would mean that they who overcome will be nourished through this life as if by that 8hidden manna20 that is1 that they will be supplied all along through the 8wilderness of this world0 by that food from the immediate presence of ,god which their souls require4 ,as the parallel places in the epistles to the churches1 however1 refer rather to the heavenly world1 and to the rewards which they who are victors shall have there1 it seems probable that this has immediate reference to that world also1 and that the meaning is1 that1 as the most holy place was a type of heaven1 they will be admitted into the immediate presence of ,god1 and nourished for ever by the food of heaventhat which the angels have2 that which the soul will need to sustain it there4 ,even in this world their souls may be nourished with this 8hidden manna20 in heaven it will be their constant food for ever4 ,and will give him a white stone4 ,there has been a great variety of opinion in regard to the meaning of this expression1 and almost no two expositors agree4 ,illustrations of its meaning have been sought from ,grecian1 ,hebrew1 and ,roman customs1 but none of these have removed all difficulty from the expression4 ,the general sense of the language seems plain1 even though the allusion on which it is founded is obscure1 or even unknown4 ,it is1 that the ,saviour would give him who overcame a token of his favour which would have some word or name inscribed on it1 and which would be of use to him alone1 or intelligible to him only3 that is1 some secret token which would make him sure of the favour of his ,redeemer1 and which would be unknown to other men4 ,the idea here would find a correspondence in the evidences of his favour granted to the soul of the ,christian himself2 in the pledge of heaven thus made to him1 and which he would understand1 but which no one else would understand4 ,the things1 then1 which we are to look for in the explanation of the emblem are twothat which would thus be a token of his favour1 and that which would explain the fact that it would be intelligible to no one else4 ,the question is1 whether there is any known thing pertaining to ancient customs which would convey these ideas4 ,the word rendered stonemeans1 properly1 a small stone1 as worn smooth by watera gravel-stone1 a pebble2 then any polished stone1 the stone of a gem1 or ring 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,such a stone was used among the ,greeks for various purposes1 and the word came to have a signification corresponding to these uses4 ,the following uses are enumerated by ,dr4 ,robinson1 ,lex43the stones or counters for reckoning2 dice1 lots1 used in a kind of magic2 a vote1 spoken of the black and white stones or pebbles anciently used in votingthat is1 the white for approval1 and the black for condemning4 ,in regard to the use of the word here1 some have supposed that the reference is to a custom of the ,roman emperors1 who1 in the games #gi and spectacles which they gave to the people in imitation of the ,greeks1 are said to have thrown among the populace dice or tokens inscribed with the words1 8,frumentum1 vestes10 c42 that is1 8,corn1 clothing10 c42 and whosoever obtained one of these received from the emperor whatever was marked upon it4 ,others suppose that allusion is made to the mode of casting lots1 in which sometimes dice or tokens were used with names inscribed on them1 and the lot fell to him whose name first came out4 ,the 8white stone0 was a symbol of good fortune and prosperity2 and it is a remarkable circumstance that1 among the ,greeks1 persons of distinguished virtue were said to receive a 1 stone1 from the gods1 i4e41 as an approving testimonial of their virtue4 ,see ,robinson's ,lex41 and the authorities there referred to2 ,wetstein1 ,n4 ,t41 in loco1 and ,stuart1 in loco4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that the allusion is to the fact that ,christians are said to be kings and priests to ,god1 and that as the ,jewish high-priest had a mitre or turban1 on the front of which was a plate of gold inscribed 8,holiness to the ,lord10 so they who were kings and priests under the ,christian dispensation would have that by which they would be known1 but that1 instead of a plate of gold1 they would have a pellucid stone1 on which the name of the ,saviour would be engraved as a token of his favour4 ,it is possible1 in regard to the explanation of this phrase1 that there has been too much effort to find all the circumstances alluded to in some ancient custom4 ,some well-understood fact or custom may have suggested the general thought1 and then the filling up may have been applicable to this case alone4 ,it is quite clear1 ,i think1 that none of the customs to which it has been supposed there is reference correspond fully with what is stated here1 and that though there may have been a general allusion of that kind1 yet something of the particularity in the circumstances may be regarded as peculiar to this alone4 ,in accordance with this view1 perhaps the following points will embody all that need be said3 7#a7 ,a white stone was regarded as a token of favour1 prosperity1 or success everywherewhether considered as a vote1 or as given to a victor1 c4 ,as such1 it would denote that the ,christian to whom it is said to be given would meet with the favour of the ,redeemer1 and would have a token of his approval4 7#b7 ,the name written on this stone would be designed also as a token or pledge of his favouras a name engraved on a signet or seal would be a pledge to him who received it of friendship4 ,it would be not merely a white stoneemblematic of favour and approvalbut it would be so marked as to indicate its origin1 with the name of the giver on it4 ,this would appropriately denote1 when explained1 that the victor ,christian would receive a token of the ,redeemer's favour1 as if his name were engraven on a stone1 and given to him as a pledge of his friendship2 that is1 that he would be as certain of his favour as if he had such a stone4 ,in other words1 the victor would be assured from the ,redeemer1 who distributes rewards1 that his welfare would be secure4 7#c7 ,this would be to him as if he should receive a stone so marked that its letters were invisible to all others1 but apparent to him who received it4 ,it is not needful to suppose that in the ,olympic games1 or in the prizes distributed by ,roman emperors1 or in any other custom1 such a case had actually occurred1 but it is conceivable that a name might be so engravedwith characters so small1 or in letters so unknown to all others1 or with marks so unintelligible to othersthat no other one into whose hands it might fall would understand it4 ,the meaning then probably is1 that to the true ,christianthe victor over sinthere is given some pledge of the divine favour which has to him all the effect of assurance1 and which others do not perceive or understand4 ,this consists of favours shown directly to the soulthe evidence of pardoned sin2 joy in the ,holy ,ghost2 peace with ,god2 clear views of the ,saviour2 the possession of a spirit which is properly that of ,christ1 and which is the gift of ,god to the soul4 ,the true ,christian understands this2 the world perceives it not4 ,the ,christian receives it as a pledge of the divine favour1 and as an evidence that he will be saved2 to the world1 that on which he relies seems to be enthusiasm1 fanaticism1 or delusion4 ,the ,christian bears it about with him as he would a precious stone given to him by his ,redeemer1 and on which the name of his ,redeemer is engraved1 as a pledge that he is accepted of ,god1 and that the rewards of heaven shall be his2 the world does not understand it1 or #hj attaches no value to it4 ,and in the stone a new name written4 ,a name indicating a new relation1 new hopes and triumphs4 ,probably the name here referred to is the name of the ,redeemer1 or the name ,christian1 or some such appellation4 ,it would be some name which he would understand and appreciate1 and which would be a pledge of acceptance4 ,which no man knoweth1 c4 ,that is1 no one would understand its import1 as no one but the ,christian estimates the value of that on which he relies as the pledge of his ,redeemer's love4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,at ,,thyatira4 ,the contents of this epistle 7ver4 #ahbi7 are as follows3 7#a7 ,a reference1 as is usual in these epistles1 to some attribute of the ,saviour which demanded their particular attention1 or which was especially appropriate to the nature of the message which he was about to send to them1 ver4 #ah4 ,the attributes which he fixes on here are1 that his eyes are like a flame of fireas if they would pierce and penetrate to the recesses of the heart2 and that his feet are like fine brassperhaps indicative of majesty as he moved among the churches4 7#b7 ,a statement1 in the usual form1 that he was entirely acquainted with the church1 and that therefore the judgment which he was about to pronounce was founded on a thorough knowledge of what the church was2 and a general commendation of them for their charity1 service1 faith1 and patience1 ver4 #ai4 7#c7 ,a sever reproof of the church1 notwithstanding1 for their tolerating a teacher of dangerous doctrine1 whom he calls ,jezebel1 with the assurance that she and her children should not go unpunished1 ver4 #bjbc4 7#d7 ,an assurance to all the rest in ,thyatira that no other calamity or burden would come upon the church than what was inevitable in delivering it from the dangerous influence of these doctrines1 and a solemn charge to them to hold fast all the truth which they had until he should come1 ver4 #bd1 #be4 7#e7 ,a promise1 as usual1 to those who should overcome1 or who should be victorious1 ver4 #bfbi4 ,they would have power over the nations2 they would be associated with the ,redeemer in ruling them2 they would have the morning star4 7#f7 ,a call1 as usual1 on all who had ears to hear1 to attend to what the ,spirit said to the churches4 ,thyatira was a city of ,asia ,minor1 on the northern border of ,lydia1 and commonly reckoned as belonging to ,lydia4 ,it was about twenty-seven miles from ,sardis2 about a day's journey from ,pergamos1 and about the same distance from the sea-coast4 ,its modern name is ,ak-hissar1 or the white castle4 ,according to ,pliny1 it was known in earlier times by the name of ,pelopia 7,hist4 ,nat4 v4 #bi74 ,strabo 7xiii4 p4 #ibh7 says that it was a ,macedonian colony4 ,the ,roman road from ,pergamos to ,sardis passed through it4 ,it was noted for the art of dyeing 7,ac4 xvi4 #ad71 and ,luke's account in the ,acts has been confirmed by the discovery of an inscription in honour of ,antonius ,claudius ,alphenus1 which concludes with the words the dyers4 ,the ,rev4 ,pliny ,fisk1 the ,american missionary1 who visited the city1 thus describes it3 8,thyatira is situated near a small river1 a branch of the ,caicus1 in the centre of an extensive plain4 ,at the distance of three or four miles it is almost completely surrounded by mountains4 ,the houses are low2 many of them of mud or earth4 ,excepting the motsellim's palace1 there is scarcely a decent house in the place4 ,the streets are narrow and dirty1 and everything indicates poverty and degradation4 ,we had a letter of introduction to ,economo1 the bishop's procurator1 and a principal man among the ,greeks of this town4444 ,he says the ,turks have destroyed all remnants of the ancient church2 and even the place where it stood is now unknown4 ,at present there are in the town one thousand houses1 for which taxes are paid to the government0 7,memoir of the ,rev4 ,p4 ,fisk2 ,boston1 ,mass41 #ahbh74 ,the following description1 by the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,schneider1 missionary of the ,american ,board1 will give a correct view of ,thyatira1 as it existed in #ahdh3 8,from ,magnesia we proceeded to ,thyatira1 the site of one of the ,apocalyptic churches1 now called ,ak-hissar4 ,the population consists of about seven hundred ,mussulman houses1 two hundred and fifty ,greek1 and fifty ,armenian4 ,the town is located in a plain of considerable size1 and is hardly visible on being approached1 by reason of the profusion of foliage4 ,the plain itself is bounded on all sides by mountains1 and #ha cotton and a kind of reddish root madder1 used for dyeing red1 are raised abundantly4 ,i observed that this root is extensively cultivated in all that region1 and forms an important article of export to ,england1 where it is used for dyeing purposes4 ,in ,ac4 xvi4 #ad we read of ,lydia1 a seller of purple1 of the city of ,thyatira4 ,may not this root be the very article with which her purple was coloured1 which she was selling at ,philippi1 when the ,lord opened her heart to attend to the things spoken by ,paul8 ,it seems to me probable4 ,but1 if it was so1 this art of colouring appears to have been lost1 for ,i could not find that it is now at all practised in that place or that region4 8,the ,christian traveller and missionary naturally looks for something interesting in a place where once existed a true church of ,christ4 ,but1 alas6 how sadly is he disappointed6 ,the place presents an appearance in nothing different from other ,turkish towns4 ,everything wears a ,mussulman aspect4 ,the houses1 streets1 dress1 occupation1 and language of the inhabitants all indicate a predominating ,turkish influence4 ,christianity exists there in name1 but it is the bare name4 ,its spirit has long since fled4 ,the ,greeks1 especially1 seem to be peculiarly superstitious4 ,i visited their church1 and found it full of pictures and other marks of degenerate ,christianity4 ,a long string of these images1 extending from one side of the church to the other1 was suspended so low as to permit the worshipper to approach and kiss them2 and so frequently had this adoration been bestowed on them1 that all appeared soiled from the frequent contact of the lips4 ,over the entrance of the church ,i observed a representation of a grave old man1 with a silvery beard1 surrounded by angels4 ,suspecting the object designed to be shadowed forth1 ,i inquired of a lad standing by what that figure meant4 ,he instantly replied1 #8,it is ,god4' ,i observed two similar representations of the ,deity in the interior of the church4 ,the churchyard is used as a burying-place2 but only those whose friends are able to pay for the privilege of entombing their dead can enjoy it4 ,candles are lighted at the heads of the graves in the night1 and incense is often burned4 ,when the process of decay has proceeded so far as to leave nothing but the bones1 these are taken up and thrown into a sealed vault1 over which a chapel is fitted up1 in which mass is said over these relics of the dead for the benefit of their souls6 ,a feeling of abhorrence came over me as ,i stood in the place where such abominations are committed4 8,the ,armenians are far less superstitious4 ,comparatively only a few pictures are to be seen in their church1 and three or four individuals are more or less enlightened1 and in an inquiring state of mind4 ,we had a long interview with one of them1 the teacher1 and left some books with him4 ,i am not without hopes that a little gospel leaven has been deposited here1 the effects of which will appear at some future day0 7,miss4 ,herald1 ,feb4 #ahdh74 ,the engraving in this volume will give a representation of this city as it now exists4 #ah ,and unto the angel of the church in ,thyatira write2 ,these things saith the ,son of ,god1 who hath #abb;his eyes like unto a flame of fire1 and his feet are like fine brass2 #ah4 ,and unto the angel of the church4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,these things saith the ,son of ,god4 ,this is the first time1 in these epistles1 that the name of the speaker is referred to4 ,in each other instance there is merely some attribute of the ,saviour mentioned4 ,perhaps the severity of the rebuke contemplated here made it proper that there should be a more impressive reference to the authority of the speaker2 and hence he is introduced as the 8,son of ,god40 ,it is not a reference to him as the 8,son of man0the common appellation which he gave to himself when on earthfor that might have suggested his humanity only1 and would not have conveyed the same impression in regard to his authority2 but it is to himself as sustaining the rank1 and having the authority1 of the ,son of ,godone who1 therefore1 has a right to speak1 and a right to demand that what he says shall be heard4 ,who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #ad4 ,before the glance of his eye all is light1 and nothing can be concealed from his view4 ,nothing would be better fitted to inspire awe then1 as nothing should be now1 than such a reference to the ,son of ,god as being able to penetrate the secret recesses #hb of the heart4 ,and his feet are like fine brass4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ae4 ,perhaps indicative of majesty and glory as he walked in the midst of the churches4 #ai ,i#abc know thy works1 and charity1 and service1 and faith1 and thy patience1 and thy works2 and the last to be more than the first4 #ai4 ,i know thy works4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #b4 ,he knew all they had done1 good and bad4 ,and charity4 ,love2 love to ,god1 and love to man4 ,there is no reason for restricting this word here to the comparatively narrow sense which it now bears4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,co4 xiii4 #a4 ,and service4 ,gr41 ministry4 ,the word would seem to include all the service which the church had rendered in the cause of religion2 all which was the proper fruit of love1 or which would be a carrying out of the principles of love to ,god and man4 ,and faith4 ,or1 fidelity in the cause of the ,redeemer4 ,the word here would include not only trust in ,christ for salvation1 but that which is the proper result of such trustfidelity in his service4 ,and thy patience4 ,patient endurance of the sorrows of lifeof all that ,god brought upon them in any way1 to test the reality of their religion4 ,and thy works4 ,thy works as the fruit of the virtues just mentioned4 ,the word is repeated here1 from the first part of the verse1 perhaps to specify more particularly that their works had been recently more numerous and praiseworthy even than they had formerly been4 ,in the beginning of the verse1 as in the commencement of each of the epistles1 the word is used1 in the most general sense1 to denote all that they had done2 meaning that he had so thorough an acquaintance with them in all respects that he could judge of their character4 ,in the latter part of the verse the word seems to be used in a more specific sense1 as referring to good works1 and with a view to say that they had latterly abounded in these more than they had formerly4 ,and the last to be more than the first4 ,those which had been recently performed were more numerous1 and more commendable1 than those which had been rendered formerly4 ,that is1 they were making progress2 they had been acting more and more in accordance with the nature and claims of the ,christian profession4 ,this is a most honourable commendation1 and one which every ,christian1 and every church1 should seek4 ,religion in the soul1 and in a community1 is designed to be progressive2 and while we should seek to live in such a manner always that we may have the commendation of the ,saviour1 we should regard it as a thing to be greatly desired that we may be approved as making advances in knowledge and holiness2 that as we grow in years we may grow alike in the disposition to do good1 and in the ability to do it2 that as we gain in experience1 we may also gain in a readiness to apply the results of our experience in promoting the cause of religion4 ,he would deserve little commendation in religion who should be merely stationary2 he alone properly develops the nature of true piety1 and shows that it has set up its reign in the soul1 who is constantly making advances4 #bj ,notwithstanding1 ,i have a few things against thee1 because thou sufferest that woman #abd;,jezebel1 which calleth herself a prophetess1 to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication1 and to #abe;eat things sacrificed unto idols4 #bj4 ,notwithstanding1 ,i have a few things against thee4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,because thou sufferest that woman ,jezebel4 ,thou dost tolerate1 or countenance her4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #ad4 ,who the individual here referred to by the name ,jezebel was1 is not known4 ,it is by no means probable that this was her real name1 but seems to have been given to her as expressive of her character and influence4 ,jezebel was the wife of ,ahab2 a woman of vast influence over her husbandan influence which was uniformly exerted for evil4 ,she was a daughter of ,ethbaal1 king of ,tyre and ,sidon1 and lived about #iah years before ,christ4 ,she was an idolater1 and induced her weak husband not only to connive at her introducing the worship of her native idols1 but to become an idolater himself1 and to use all the means in his power to establish the worship of idols instead of the worship of the true ,god4 ,she was highly gifted1 persuasive1 and artful2 was resolute in the accomplishment of #hc her purposes2 ambitious of extending and perpetuating her power1 and unscrupulous in the means which she employed to execute her designs4 ,see #a ,ki4 xvi4 #ca1 seq4 ,the kind of character1 therefore1 which would be designated by the term as used here1 would be that of a woman who was artful and persuasive in her manner2 who was capable of exerting a wide influence over others2 who had talents of a high order2 who was a thorough advocate of error2 who was unscrupulous in the means which she employed for accomplishing her ends2 and the tendency of whose influence was to lead the people into the abominable practices of idolatry4 ,the opinions which she held1 and the practices into which she led others1 appear to have been the same which are referred to in ver4 #f and ver4 #ad1 #ae of this chapter4 ,the difference was1 that the teacher in this case was a womana circumstance which by no means lessened the enormity of the offence2 for1 besides the fact that it was contrary to the whole genius of ,christianity that a woman should be a public teacher1 there was a special incongruity that she should be an advocate of such abominable opinions and practices4 ,every sentiment of our nature makes us feel that it is right to expect that if a woman teaches at all in a public manner1 she should inculcate only that which is true and holyshe should be an advocate of a pure life4 ,we are shocked2 we feel that there is a violation of every principle of our nature1 and an insult done to our common humanity1 if it is otherwise4 ,we have in a manner become accustomed to the fact that man should be a teacher of pollution and error1 so that we do not shrink from it with horror2 we never can be reconciled to the fact that a woman should4 ,which calleth herself a prophetess4 ,many persons set up the claim to be prophets in the times when the gospel was first preached1 and it is not improbable that many females would lay claim to such a character1 after the example of ,miriam1 ,deborah1 ,huldah1 c4 ,to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication4 ,comp4 ver4 #ad4 ,whether she herself practised what she taught is not expressly affirmed1 but seems to be implied in ver4 #bb4 ,it is not often that persons teach these doctrines without practising what they teach2 and the fact that they desire and design to live in this manner will commonly account for the fact that they inculcate such views4 ,and to eat things sacrificed unto idols4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ad4 ,the custom of attending on the festivals of idols led commonly to licentiousness1 and they who were gross and sensual in their lives were fit subjects to be persuaded to attend on idol feastsfor nowhere else would they find more unlimited toleration for the indulgence of their passions4 #ba ,and ,i gave her #abfspace to repent of her fornication2 and #abgshe repented not4 #ba4 ,and ,i gave her space to repent of her fornication4 ,probably after some direct and solemn warning of the evil of her course4 ,the error and sin had been of long standing1 but he now resolved to bear with it no longer4 ,it is true of almost every great sinner1 that sufficient time is given for repentance1 and that vengeance is delayed after crime is committed4 ,but it cannot always be deferred1 for the period must arrive when no reason shall exist for longer delay1 and when punishment must come upon the offender4 ,and she repented not4 ,as she did not do it2 as she showed no disposition to abandon her course2 as all plea of having had no time to repent would now be taken away1 it was proper that he should rise in his anger and cut her down4 #bb ,behold1 #abh;,i will cast her into a bed1 and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation1 except they repent of their deeds4 #bb4 ,behold1 ,i will cast her into a bed4 ,not into a bed of ease1 but a bed of pain4 ,there is evidently a purpose to contrast this with her former condition4 ,the harlot's bed and a sick-bed are thus brought together1 as they are often1 in fact1 in the dispensations of ,providence and the righteous judgments of ,god4 ,one cannot be indulged without leading on1 sooner or later1 to the horrid sufferings of the other3 and how soon no one knows4 ,and them that commit adultery with her4 ,those who are seduced by her doctrines into this sin2 either they who commit it with her literally1 or who are led into the same kind of life4 ,into great tribulation4 ,great suffering2 disease of body or tortures of the soul4 ,how oftenhow #hd almost uniformly is this the case with those who thus live6 ,sooner or later1 sorrow always comes upon the licentious2 and ,god has evinced by some of his severest judgments1 in forms of frightful disease1 his displeasure at the violation of the laws of purity4 ,there is no sin that produces a more withering and desolating effect upon the soul than that which is here referred to2 none which is more certain to be followed with sorrow4 ,except they repent of their deeds4 ,it is only by repentance that we can avoid the consequences of sin4 ,the word repent here evidently includes both sorrow for the past1 and abandonment of the evil course of life4 #bc ,and ,i will #abikill her children with death2 and #acj;all the churches shall know that #aca;,i am he which searcheth the reins and hearts2 and #acb;,i will give unto every one of you according to your works4 #bc4 ,and ,i will kill her children with death4 ,a strong ,hebraistic mode of expression1 meaning that he would certainly destroy them4 ,it has been made a question whether the word children here is to be taken literally or figuratively4 ,the word itself would admit of either interpretation2 and there is nothing in the connection by which its meaning here can be determined4 ,if it is to be taken literally1 it is in accordance with what is often threatened in the ,scriptures1 that children shall be visited with calamity for the sins of parents1 and with what often occurs in fact1 that they do thus suffer4 ,for it is no uncommon thing that whole families are made desolate on account of the sin and folly of the parent4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 v4 #ai4 ,if it is to be taken figuratively1 then it refers to those who had imbibed her doctrines1 and who1 of course1 would suffer in the punishment which would follow from the propagation of such doctrines4 ,the reference in the word death here would seem to be to some heavy judgment1 by plague1 famine1 or sword1 by which they would be cut off4 ,and all the churches shall know1 c4 ,that is1 the design of this judgment will be so apparent that it will convince all that ,i know what is in the hearts of men1 even the secret acts of wickedness that are concealed from human view4 ,i am he which searcheth the reins and hearts4 ,this is clearly a claim to omniscience2 and as it is the ,lord ,jesus who speaks in all these epistles1 it is a full proof that he claims this for himself4 ,there is nothing which more clearly appertains to ,god than the power of searching the heart1 and nothing that is more constantly claimed by him as his peculiar prerogative1 #a ,ch4 xxviii4 #i2 ,ps4 vii4 #i2 xi4 #d2 xliv4 #ba2 cxxxix4 #b2 ,pr4 xv4 #c2 ,je4 xi4 #bj2 xvii4 #aj2 xx4 #ab2 xxxii4 #ai2 ,he4 iv4 #ac4 ,the word reinsmeans1 literally1 the kidney1 and is commonly used in the plural to denote the kidneys1 or the loins4 ,in the ,scriptures it is used to denote the inmost mind1 the secrets of the soul2 probably because the parts referred to by the word are as hidden as any other part of the frame1 and would seem to be the repository of the more secret affections of the mind4 ,it is not to be supposed that it is taught in the ,scriptures that the reins are the real seat of any of the affections or passions2 but there is no more impropriety in using the term in a popular signification than there is in using the word heart1 which all continue to use1 to denote the seat of love4 ,and ,i will give unto every one of you according to your works4 ,to every one of you2 not only to those who have embraced these opinions1 but to all the church4 ,this is the uniform rule laid down in the ,bible by which ,god will judge men4 #bd ,but unto you ,i say1 and unto the rest in ,thyatira1 as many as have not this doctrine1 and which have not known the #acc;depths of ,satan1 as they speak2 ,i will put upon you none other burden4 #bd4 ,but unto you ,i say1 and unto the rest in ,thyatira4 ,the word8and0is omitted in many ,,mss4 and versions1 and in the critical editions of ,griesbach1 ,tittmann1 and ,hahn1 and the connection demands that it should be omitted4 ,as it stands in the received text1 it would seem that what he here says was addressed to those who had received that doctrine1 and to all others as well as to them2 whereas the declaration here made pertains manifestly to those who had not received the doctrine4 ,with that particle omitted the passage will read1 as #he rendered by ,professor ,stuart1 8,but ,i say unto you1 the remainder in ,thyatira1 so many as hold not this doctrine10 c4 ,that is1 he addresses now all the members of the church who were not involved in the charges already made4 ,he does not say how large a portion of the church had escaped the contaminating influence of those opinions1 but to that portion1 whether great or small1 he addresses only words of exhortation and comfort4 ,as many as have not this doctrine4 ,to all who have not embraced it1 or been contaminated with it4 ,it may be presumed that there was a considerable portion of the church which had not4 ,and which have not known the depths of ,satan4 ,the deep art and designs of ,satan4 ,deep things are those which are hidden from viewas of things which are far underground2 and hence the word is used to denote mysteries1 or profound designs and purposes4 ,the allusion here is not to any trials or sufferings that ,satan might bring upon anyone1 or to any temptations of which he might be the author1 but to his profound art in inculcating error and leading men astray4 ,there are doctrines of error1 and arguments for sin1 to originate which seems to lie beyond the power of men1 and which would appear almost to have exhausted the talent of ,satan himself4 ,they evince such a profound knowledge of man2 of the divine government2 of the course of events on earth2 and of what our race needs2 and they are defended with so much eloquence1 skill1 learning1 and subtlety of argumentation1 that they appear to lie beyond the compass of the human powers4 ,as they speak4 ,this cannot mean that the defenders of these errors themselves called their doctrines 8the depths of ,satan10 for no teachers would choose so to designate their opinions2 but it must mean1 either that they who were opposed to those errors characterized them as 8the depths of ,satan10 or that they who opposed them said that they had not known 8the depths of ,satan40 ,professor ,stuart understands it in the latter sense4 ,a somewhat more natural interpretation1 it seems to me1 however1 is to refer it to what the opposers of these heretics said of these errors4 ,they called them 8the depths of ,satan10 and they professed not to have known anything of them4 ,the meaning1 perhaps1 would be expressed by the familiar words1 8as they say10 or 8as they call them10 in the following manner3 8,as many as have not known the depths of ,satan1 as they say10 or1 8to use their own language40 ,doddridge paraphrases it1 8as they proverbially speak40 ,tyndale incloses it in a parenthesis4 ,i will put upon you none other burden4 ,that is1 no other than that which you now experience from having these persons with you1 and that which must attend the effort to purify the church4 ,he had not approved their conduct for suffering these persons to remain in the church1 and he threatens to punish all those who had become contaminated with these pernicious doctrines4 ,he evidently designed to say that there was some token of his displeasure proper in the case1 but he was not disposed to bring upon them any other expression of his displeasure than that which grew naturally and necessarily out of the fact that they had been tolerated among them1 and those troubles and toils which must attend the effort to deliver the church from these errors4 ,under any circumstances the church must suffer4 ,it would suffer in reputation4 ,it would suffer in respect to its internal tranquillity4 ,perhaps1 also1 there were those who were implicated in these errors1 and who would be implicated in the punishment1 who had friends and kindred in the church2 and the judgments which were to come upon the advocates of these errors must1 therefore1 come in a measure upon the church4 ,a kind ,saviour says1 that he would bring upon them no other and no weightier burden1 than must arise from his purpose to inflict appropriate vengeance on the guilty themselves4 ,the trouble which would grow out of that would be a sufficient expression of his displeasure4 ,this is1 in fact1 often now all that is necessary as a punishment on a church for harbouring the advocates of error and of sin4 ,the church has trouble enough ultimately in getting rid of them2 and the injury which such persons do to its piety1 peace1 and reputation1 and the disorders of which they are the cause1 constitute a sufficient punishment for having tolerated them in its bosom4 ,often the most severe punishment that ,god can bring upon men is to 8lay upon them no other burden0 than to leave them to the inevitable consequences of their own folly1 or to the trouble and vexation incident to the effort to free themselves #hf from what they had for a long time tolerated or practised4 #be ,but #acdthat which ye have already hold fast till ,i come4 #be4 ,but that which ye have1 c4 ,all that there is of truth and purity remaining among you1 retain faithfully4 ,comp4 ch4 iii4 #aa4 ,till ,i come4 ,to receive you to myself1 ,jn4 xiv4 #c4 #bf ,and #ace;he that overcometh1 and keepeth#acf my works unto the end1 to him will ,i give power over the nations3 #bf4 ,and he that overcometh4 ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,and keepeth my works unto the end4 ,the works that ,i command and that ,i require1 to the end of his life4 ,comp4 ,jn4 xiii4 #a4 ,to him will ,i give power over the nations4 ,the evident meaning of what is said here1 and in the next verse1 is1 that in accordance with the uniform promise made to the redeemed in the ,new ,testament1 they would partake of the final triumph and glory of the ,saviour1 and be associated with him4 ,it is not said that they would have exclusive power over the nations1 or that they would hold offices of trust under him during a personal reign on the earth2 but the meaning is1 that they would be associated with him in his future glory4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ro4 viii4 #ag2 #a ,co4 vi4 #b1 #c4 #bg ,and#acg he shall rule them with a rod of iron2 as the vessels of a potter shall they be #ach;broken to shivers3 even as ,i received of my ,father4 #bg4 ,and he shall rule them with a rod of iron4 ,there is an allusion here to ,ps4 ii4 #i3 8,thou shalt break them with a rod of iron2 thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel40 ,there is a slight change in the passage1 8he shall rule10 instead of 8thou shalt break10 in order to adapt the language to the purpose of the speaker here4 ,the allusion in the ,psalm is to the ,messiah as reigning triumphant over the nations1 or subduing them under him2 and the idea here1 as in the previous verse1 is1 that his redeemed people will be associated with him in this dominion4 ,to rule with a sceptre of iron1 is not to rule with a harsh and tyrannical sway1 but with power that is firm and invincible4 ,it denotes a government of strength1 or one that cannot be successfully opposed2 one in which the subjects are effectually subdued4 ,as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers4 ,the image here is that of the vessel of a pottera fragile vessel of claystruck with a rod of iron and broken into fragments4 ,that is1 as applied to the nations1 there would be no power to oppose his rule2 the enemies of his government would be destroyed4 ,instead of remaining firm and compacted together1 they would be broken like the clay vessel of a potter when struck with a rod of iron4 ,the speaker does not intimate when this would be2 but all that is said here would be applicable to that time when the ,son of ,god will come to judge the world1 and when his saints will be associated with him in his triumphs4 ,as1 in respect to all the others of the seven epistles to the churches1 the rewards promised refer to heaven1 and to the happy state of that blessed world1 it would seem also that this should have a similar reference1 for there is no reason why 8to him that overcame0 in ,thyatira a temporal reward and triumph should be promised more than in the cases of the others4 ,if so1 then this passage should not be adduced as having any reference to an imaginary personal reign of the ,saviour and of the saints on the earth4 ,even as ,i received of my ,father4 ,as he has appointed me1 ,ps4 ii4 #fi4 #bh ,and ,i will give him #acithe morning star4 #bh4 ,and ,i will give him the morning star4 ,the 8morning star0 is that bright planet,venuswhich at some seasons of the year appears so beautifully in the east1 leading on the morningthe harbinger of the day4 ,it is one of the most beautiful objects in nature1 and is susceptible of a great variety of uses for illustration4 ,it appears as the darkness passes away2 it is an indication that the morning comes2 it is intermingled with the first rays of the light of the sun2 it seems to be a herald to announce the coming of that glorious luminary2 it is a pledge of the faithfulness of ,god4 ,in which of these senses1 if any1 it is referred to here1 is not stated2 nor is it said what is implied by its being given to him that #hg overcomes4 ,it would seem to be used here to denote a bright and brilliant ornament2 something with which he who 8overcame0 would be adorned1 resembling the bright star of the morning4 ,it is observable that it is not said that he would make him like the morning star1 as in ,da4 xii4 #c2 nor that he would be compared with the morning star1 like the king of ,babylon1 ,is4 xiv4 #ab2 nor that he would resemble a star which ,balaam says he saw in the distant future1 ,nu4 xxiv4 #ag4 ,the idea seems to be1 that the ,saviour would give him something that would resemble that morning planet in beauty and splendourperhaps meaning that it would be placed as a gem in his diadem1 and would sparkle on his browbearing some such relation to him who is called 8the ,sun of ,righteousness10 as the morning star does to the glorious sun on his rising4 ,if so1 the meaning would be that he would receive a beautiful ornament1 bearing a near relation to the ,redeemer himself as a bright suna pledge that the darkness was pastbut one whose beams would melt away into the superior light of the ,redeemer himself1 as the beams of the morning star are lost in the superior glory of the sun4 #bi ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches4 #bi4 ,he that hath an ear1 c4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,at ,,sardis4 ,the contents of the epistle to the church at ,sardis 7ver4 #af7 are3 7#a7 ,the usual salutation to the angel of the church1 ver4 #a4 7#b7 ,the usual reference to the attributes of the ,saviourthose referred to here being that he had the seven ,spirits of ,god1 and the seven stars1 ver4 #a4 7#c7 ,the assurance that he knew their works1 ver4 #a4 7#d7 ,the statement of the peculiarity of the church1 or what he saw in itthat it had a name to live and was dead1 ver4 #a4 7#e7 ,a solemn direction to the members of the church1 arising from their character and circumstances1 to be watchful1 and to strengthen the things which remained1 but which were ready to die2 to remember what they had received1 and to hold fast that which had been communicated to them1 and to repent of all their sins1 ver4 #b1 #c4 7#f7 ,a threat that if they did not do this1 he would come suddenly upon them1 at an hour which they could not anticipate1 ver4 #c4 7#g7 ,a commendation of the church as far as it could be done1 for there were still a few among them who had not defiled their garments1 and a promise that they should walk before him in white1 ver4 #d4 7#h7 ,a promise1 as usual1 to him that should be victorious4 ,the promise here is1 that he should walk before him in white2 that his name should not be blotted out of the book of life2 that he should be acknowledged before the ,father1 and before the angels1 ver4 #e4 7#i7 ,the usual call on all persons to hear what the ,spirit said to the churches4 ,sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of ,lydia1 one of the provinces of ,asia ,minor1 and was situated at the foot of ,mount ,tmolus1 in a fine plain watered by the river ,pactolus1 famous for its golden sands4 ,it was the capital where the celebrated ,crsus1 proverbial for his wealth1 reigned4 ,it was taken by ,cyrus 7,b4,c4 #edh71 when ,crsus was king1 and was at that time one of the most splendid and opulent cities of the ,east4 ,it subsequently passed into the hands of the ,romans1 and under them sank rapidly in wealth and importance4 ,in the time of ,tiberius it was destroyed by an earthquake1 but was rebuilt by order of the emperor4 ,the inhabitants of ,sardis bore an ill repute among the ancients for their voluptuous modes of life4 ,perhaps there may be an allusion to this fact in the words which are used in the address to the church there3 8,thou hast a few names even in ,sardis which have not defiled their garments40 ,successive earthquakes1 and the ravages of the ,saracens and the ,turks1 have reduced this once-celebrated city to a heap of ruins1 though exhibiting still many remains of former splendour4 ,the name of the village which now occupies the place of this ancient capital is ,sart4 ,it is a miserable village1 comprising only a few wretched cottages1 occupied by ,turks and ,greeks4 ,there are ruins of the theatre1 the stadium1 and of some ancient churches4 ,the most remarkable of the ruins are two pillars supposed to have belonged to the temple of ,cybele2 and if so1 they are among the most ancient in the world1 the temple of ,cybele having been built only three hundred years after that of ,solomon4 ,the ,acropolis serves well to define the site of the city4 ,several travellers have recently visited the remains of ,sardis1 and its appearance will be indicated by a few extracts from their writings4 ,arundell1 in his ,discoveries in ,asia ,minor1 #hh says3 8,if ,i were asked what impresses the mind most strongly in beholding ,sardis1 ,i should say its indescribable solitude1 like the darkness of ,egyptdarkness that could be felt4 ,so the deep solitude of the spot1 once the #8lady of kingdoms1' produces a corresponding feeling of desolate abandonment in the mind1 which can never be forgotten40 ,the ,rev4 ,j4 ,hartley1 in regard to these ruins1 remarks3 8,the ruins are1 with one exception1 more entirely gone to decay than those of most of the ancient cities which we have visited4 ,no ,christians reside on the spot3 two ,greeks only work in a mill here1 and a few wretched ,turkish huts are scattered among the ruins4 ,we saw the churches of ,st4 ,john and the ,virgin1 the theatre1 and the building styled the ,palace of ,crsus2 but the most striking object at ,sardis is the temple of ,cybele4 ,i was filled with wonder and awe at beholding the two stupendous columns of this edifice1 which are still remaining3 they are silent but impressive witnesses of the power and splendour of antiquity40 ,the impression produced on the mind is vividly described in the following language of a recent traveller1 who lodged there for a night3 8,every object was as distinct as in a northern twilight2 the snowy summit of the mountain ,tmolus1 the long sweep of the valley1 and the flashing current of the river ,pactolus4 ,i strolled along towards the banks of the ,pactolus1 and seated myself by the side of the half-exhausted stream4 8,there are few individuals who cannot trace on the map of their memory some moments of overpowering emotion1 and some scene1 which1 once dwelt upon1 has become its own painter1 and left behind it a memorial that time could not efface4 ,i can readily sympathize with the feelings of him who wept at the base of the pyramids2 nor were my own less powerful1 on that night when ,i sat beneath the sky of ,asia to gaze upon the ruins of ,sardis1 from the banks of the golden-sanded ,pactolus4 ,beside me were the cliffs of the ,acropolis1 which1 centuries before1 the hardy ,median scaled1 while leading on the conquering ,persians1 whose tents had covered the very spot on which ,i was reclining4 ,before me were the vestiges of what had been the palace of the gorgeous ,crsus2 within its walls were once congregated the wisest of mankind1 ,thales1 ,cleobulus1 and ,solon4 ,it was here that the wretched father mourned alone the mangled corse of his beloved ,atys2 it was here that the same humiliated monarch wept at the feet of the ,persian boy who wrung from him his kingdom4 ,far in the distance were the gigantic tumuli of the ,lydian monarchs1 ,candaules1 ,halyattys1 and ,gyges2 and around them were spread those very plains once trodden by the countless hosts of ,xerxes1 when hurrying on to find a sepulchre at ,marathon4 8,there were more varied and more vivid remembrances associated with the sight of ,sardis than could possibly be attached to any other spot of earth2 but all were mingled with a feeling of disgust at the littleness of human glory4 ,allall had passed away6 ,there were before me the fanes of a dead religion1 the tombs of forgotten monarchs1 and the palm-tree that waved in the banquet-hall of kings2 while the feeling of desolation was doubly heightened by the calm sweet sky above me1 which1 in its unfading brightness1 shone as purely now as when it beamed upon the golden dreams of ,crsus0 7,emerson's ,letters from the gean1 p4 #aac1 seq474 ,the present appearance of the ruins is shown by the engraving in this volume4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,and unto the angel of the church in ,sardis write2 ,these things saith he that hath the #adjseven ,spirits of ,god1 and the seven stars2 #ada;,i know thy works1 that thou hast #adb;a name that thou livest1 and art dead4 #a4 ,and unto the angel of the church in ,sardis4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,these things saith he that hath the seven ,spirits of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #d4 ,if the phrase1 8the seven ,spirits of ,god10 as there supposed1 refers to the ,holy ,spirit1 there is great propriety in saying of the ,saviour1 that he has that ,spirit1 inasmuch as the ,holy ,spirit is represented as sent forth by him into the world1 ,jn4 xv4 #bf1 #bg2 xvi4 #g1 #ac1 #ad4 ,it was one of the highest characteristics that could be given of the ,saviour to say1 that the ,holy ,ghost was his to send forth into the world1 and that that great ,agent1 on whose gracious influences all were dependent for the possession of true religion1 could #hi be given or withheld by him at his pleasure4 ,and the seven stars4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #af4 ,these represented the angels of the seven churches 7,notes on ch4 i4 #bj72 and the idea which the ,saviour would seem to intend to convey here is1 that he had entire control over the ministers of the churches1 and could keep or remove them at pleasure4 ,i know thy works4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #b4 ,that thou hast a name that thou livest4 ,thou dost profess attachment to me and my cause4 ,the word life is a word that is commonly employed1 in the ,new ,testament1 to denote religion1 in contradistinction from the natural state of man1 which is described as death in sin4 ,by the profession of religion they expressed the purpose to live unto ,god1 and for another world2 they professed to have true1 spiritual life4 ,and art dead4 ,that is1 spiritually4 ,this is equivalent to saying that their profession was merely in name2 and yet this must be understood comparatively1 for there were some even in ,sardis who truly lived unto ,god1 ver4 #d4 ,the meaning is1 that in general1 the profession of religion among them was a mere name4 ,the ,saviour does not1 as in the case of the churches of ,ephesus and ,thyatira1 specify any prevailing form of error or false doctrine2 but it would seem that here it was a simple want of religion4 #b ,be watchful and #adcstrengthen the things which remain1 that are ready to die3 for ,i have not found thy works #addperfect before ,god4 #b4 ,be watchful4 ,be wakeful2 be attentive and earnestin contradistinction from the drowsy condition of the church4 ,strengthen the things which remain4 ,the true piety that still lives and lingers among you4 ,whatever there was of religion among them1 it was of importance to strengthen it1 that the love of the ,saviour might not become wholly extinct4 ,an important duty in a low and languishing state of religion is1 to 8strengthen the things that still survive40 ,it is to cultivate all the graces which do exist2 to nourish all the love of truth which may linger in the church2 and to confirm1 by warm exhortation1 and by a reference to the gracious promises of ,god's word1 the few who may be endeavouring to do their duty1 and who1 amidst many discouragements1 are aiming to be faithful to the ,saviour4 ,in the lowest state of religion in a church there may be a few1 perhaps quite obscure and of humble rank1 who are mourning over the desolations of ,zion1 and who are sighing for better times4 ,all such it is the duty of the ministers of religion to comfort and encourage2 for it is in their hearts that piety may be kept alive in the churchit is through them that it may be hoped religion may yet be revived4 ,in the apparent hopelessness of doing much good to others1 good may always be done to the cause itself by preserving and strengthening what there may be of life among those few1 amidst the general desolation and death4 ,it is much to preserve life in grain sown in a field through the long and dreary winter1 when all seems to be deadfor it will burst forth1 with new life and beauty1 in the spring4 ,when the body is prostrate with disease1 and life just lingers1 and death seems to be coming on1 it is much to preserve the little strength that remains2 much to keep the healthful parts from being invaded1 that there may be strength yet to recover4 ,that are ready to die4 ,that seem just ready to become extinct4 ,so1 sometimes1 in a plant1 there seems to be but the least conceivable life remaining1 and it appears that it must die4 ,so1 when we are sick1 there seems to be but the feeblest glimmering of life1 and it is apparently just ready to go out4 ,so1 when a fire dies away1 there seems but a spark remaining1 and it is just ready to become extinct4 ,and thus1 in religion in the soulreligion in a churchreligion in a communityit often seems as if it were just about to go out for ever4 ,for ,i have not found thy works perfect before ,god4 ,i have not found them complete or full4 ,they come short of that which is required4 ,of what church1 of what individual ,christian1 is not this true8 ,whom might not the ,saviour approach with the same language8 ,it was true1 however1 in a marked and eminent sense1 of the church at ,sardis4 #c ,remember#ade therefore how thou hast received and heard2 and hold fast1 and #adfrepent4 ,if therefore thou shalt not watch1 ,i will come on thee #adg;as a thief1 and thou shalt not know what hour ,i will come upon thee4 #c4 ,remember therefore how thou hast received4 ,this may refer either to some peculiarity in the manner in which the gospel was conveyed to themas1 by the labours of the apostles1 and by #ij the remarkable effusions of the ,holy ,spirit2 or to the ardour and love with which they embraced it2 or to the greatness of the favours and privileges conferred on them2 or to their own understanding of what the gospel required1 when they were converted4 ,it is not possible to determine in which sense the language is used2 but the general idea is plain1 that there was something marked and unusual in the way in which they had been led to embrace the gospel1 and that it was highly proper in these circumstances to look back to the days when they gave themselves to ,christ4 ,it is always well for ,christians to call to remembrance the 8day of their espousals10 and their views and feelings when they gave their hearts to the ,saviour1 and to compare those views with their present condition1 especially if their conversion was marked by anything unusual4 ,and heard4 ,how thou didst hear the gospel in former times2 that is1 with what earnestness and attention thou didst embrace it4 ,this would rather seem to imply that the reference in the whole passage is to the fact that they embraced the gospel with great ardour and zeal4 ,and hold fast4 7#a7 ,hold fast the truths which thou didst then receive2 7#b7 hold fast what remains of true religion among you4 ,and repent4 ,repent in regard to all that in which you have departed from your views and feelings when you embraced the gospel4 ,if therefore thou shalt not watch4 ,the speaker evidently supposed that it was possible that they would not regard the warning2 that they would presume that they would be safe if they refused to give heed to it1 or that by mere inattention and indifference they might suffer the warning to pass by unheeded4 ,similar results have been so common in the world as to make such a supposition not improbable1 and to make proper1 in other cases as well as that1 the solemn threatening that he would come suddenly upon them4 ,i will come on thee as a thief4 ,in a sudden and unexpected manner4 ,see ,notes on #a ,th4 v4 #b4 ,and ye shall not know what hour ,i will come upon thee4 ,you shall not know beforehand2 you shall have no warning of my immediate approach4 ,this is often the way in which ,god comes to men in his heavy judgments4 ,long beforehand1 he admonishes us1 indeed1 of what must be the consequences of a course of sin1 and warns us to turn from it2 but when sinners refuse to attend to his warning1 and still walk in the way of evil1 he comes suddenly1 and cuts them down4 ,every man who is warned of the evil of his course1 and who refuses or neglects to repent1 has reason to believe that ,god will come suddenly in his wrath1 and call him to his bar1 ,pr4 xxix4 #a4 ,no such man can presume on impunity2 no one who is warned of his guilt and danger can feel that he is for one moment safe4 ,no one can have any basis of calculation that he will be spared2 no one can flatter himself with any probable anticipation that he will have time to repent when ,god comes to take him away4 ,benevolence has done its appropriate work in warning himhow can the ,great ,judge of all be to blame1 if he comes then1 and suddenly cuts the sinner off8 #d ,thou hast a few names even in ,sardis which have not defiled their garments2 and they shall walk with me #adh;in white3 for they are worthy4 #d4 ,thou hast a few names even in ,sardis4 ,see the analysis of the chapter4 ,the word names here is equivalent to persons2 and the idea is1 that even in a place so depraved1 and where religion had so much declined1 there were a few persons who had kept themselves free from the general contamination4 ,in most cases1 when error and sin prevail1 there may be found a few who are worthy of the divine commendation2 a few who show that true religion may exist even when the mass are evil4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ro4 xi4 #d4 ,which have not defiled their garments4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,jude #bc4 ,the meaning is1 that they had not defiled themselves by coming in contact with the profane and the polluted2 or1 in other words1 they had kept themselves free from the prevailing corruption4 ,they were like persons clothed in white walking in the midst of the defiled1 yet keeping their raiment from being soiled4 ,and they shall walk with me in white4 ,white is the emblem of innocence1 and is hence #ia appropriately represented as the colour of the raiment of the heavenly inhabitants4 ,the persons here referred to had kept their garments uncontaminated on the earth1 and as an appropriate reward it is said that they would appear in white raiment in heaven4 ,comp4 ch4 vii4 #i2 xix4 #h4 ,for they are worthy4 ,they have shown themselves worthy to be regarded as followers of the ,lamb2 or1 they have a character that is fitted for heaven4 ,the declaration is not that they have any claim to heaven on the ground of their own merit1 or that it will be in virtue of their own works that they will be received there2 but that there is a fitness or propriety that they should thus appear in heaven4 ,we are all personally unworthy to be admitted to heaven1 but we may evince such a character as to show that1 according to the arrangements of grace1 it is fit and proper that we should be received there4 ,we have the character to which ,god has promised eternal life4 #e ,he that overcometh1 the same shall be clothed in white raiment2 and ,i will not blot out his name out of the #adi;book of life1 but ,i will #aej;confess his name before my ,father1 and before his angels4 #e4 ,he that overcometh4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,the same shall be clothed in white raiment4 ,whosoever he may be that shall overcome sin and the temptations of this world1 shall be admitted to this glorious reward4 ,the promise is made not only to those in ,sardis who should be victorious1 but to all in every age and every land4 ,the hope that is thus held out before us1 is that of appearing with the ,redeemer in his kingdom1 clad in robes expressive of holiness and joy4 ,and ,i will not blot out his name out of the book of life4 ,the book which contains the names of those who are to live with him for ever4 ,the names of his people are thus represented as enrolled in a book which he keepsa register of those who are to live for ever4 ,the phrase 8book of life0 frequently occurs in the ,bible1 representing this idea4 ,see ,notes on ,phi4 iv4 #c4 ,comp4 ,re4 xv4 #c2 xx4 #ab1 #ae2 xxi4 #bg2 xxii4 #ai4 ,the expression 8,i will not blot out0 means1 that the names would be found there on the great day of final account1 and would be found there for ever4 ,it may be remarked1 that as no one can have access to that book but he who keeps it1 there is the most positive assurance that it will never be done1 and the salvation of the redeemed will be1 therefore1 secure4 ,and let it be remembered that the period is coming when it will be felt to be a higher honour to have the name enrolled in that book than in the books of heraldryin the most splendid catalogue of princes1 poets1 warriors1 nobles1 or statesmen that the world has produced4 ,but ,i will confess his name1 c4 ,i will acknowledge him to be my follower4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 x4 #cb4 #f ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches4 #f4 ,he that hath an ear1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,in ,,philadelphia4 ,this epistle 7ver4 #gac7 comprises the following subjects3 7#a7 ,the usual address to the angel of the church1 ver4 #g4 7#b7 ,the reference to some attribute or characteristic of the speaker1 ver4 #g4 ,he here addresses the church as one who is holy and true2 as he who has the key of ,david1 and who can shut and no one can open1 and open and no one can shut4 ,the representation is that of one who occupies a royal palace1 and who can admit or exclude anyone whom he pleases4 ,the reference to such a palace is continued through the epistle4 7#c7 ,the usual declaration that he knows their works1 and that he has found that they had strength1 though but a little1 and had kept his word1 ver4 #h4 7#d7 ,a declaration that he would constrain some who professed that they were ,jews1 but who were of the synagogue of ,satan1 to come and humble themselves before them1 ver4 #i4 7#e7 ,the particular promise to that church4 ,he would keep them in the hour of temptation that was coming to try all that dwelt upon the earth1 ver4 #aj4 7#f7 ,the command addressed to them as to the other churches4 ,he solemnly enjoins it on them to see that no one should take their crown1 or deprive them of the reward which he would give to his faithful followers1 #ib ver4 #aa4 7#g7 ,a general promise1 in view of the circumstances in ,philadelphia1 to all who should overcome1 ver4 #ab4 ,they would be made a pillar in the temple of ,god1 and go no more out4 ,they would have written on themselves the name of his ,god1 and the name of the holy cityshowing that they were inhabitants of the heavenly world4 7#h7 ,the usual call on all to attend to what was said to the churches1 ver4 #ac4 ,philadelphia stood about twenty-five miles south-east from ,sardis1 in the plain of ,hermus1 and about midway between the river of that name and the termination of ,mount ,tmolus4 ,it was the second city in ,lydia1 and was built by ,king ,attalus ,philadelphus1 from whom it received its name4 ,in the year #acc ,b4,c4 the place passed1 with the country in the vicinity1 under the dominion of the ,romans4 ,the site is reported by ,strabo to be liable to earthquakes1 but it continued to be a place of importance down to the ,byzantine age2 and1 of all the towns in ,asia ,minor1 it withstood the ,turks the longest4 ,it was taken by ,bajazat1 ,a4,d4 #acib4 8,it still exists as a ,turkish town1 under the name of ,allah ,shehr1 #8,city of ,god1' i4e4 the #8,high ,town4' ,it covers a considerable extent of ground1 running up the slopes of four hills1 or rather of one hill with four flat summits4 ,the country1 as viewed from these hills1 is extremely magnificentgardens and vineyards lying at the back and sides of the town1 and before it one of the most beautiful and extensive plains of ,asia4 ,the missionaries ,fisk and ,parsons were informed by the ,greek bishop that the town contained #cjjj houses1 of which he assigned #bej to the ,greeks1 and the rest to the ,turks4 ,on the same authority it is stated that there are five churches in the town1 besides twenty others which were too old or too small for use4 ,six minarets1 indicating as many mosques1 are seen in the town1 and one of these mosques is believed by the native ,christians to have been the church in which assembled the primitive ,christians addressed in the ,apocalypse4 ,there are few ruins2 but in one part are four pillars1 which are supposed to have been columns of a church4 ,one solitary pillar has been often noticed1 as reminding beholders of the remarkable words in the ,apocalypse#8,him that overcometh ,i will make a pillar in the temple of my ,god'0 7,kitto's ,encyclo4 ,see also the ,missionary ,herald for #ahba1 p4 #bec2 #ahci1 pp4 #bajbab74 ,the town is the seat of a ,greek archbishop1 with about twenty inferior clergy4 ,the streets are narrow1 and are described as remarkably filthy4 ,the engraving in this volume will give a representation of the town as it now appears4 #g ,and to the angel of the church in ,philadelphia write2 ,these things saith #aea;he that is holy1 #aeb;he that is true1 #aec;he that hath the key of ,david1 he that openeth1 and no man shutteth2 and #aedshutteth1 and no man openeth2 #g4 ,and to the angel of the church in ,philadelphia4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,these things saith he that is holy4 ,this refers undoubtedly to the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the appellation holy1 or the holy one1 is one that befits him1 and is not unfrequently given to him in the ,new ,testament1 ,lu4 i4 #ce2 ,ac4 ii4 #bg2 iii4 #ad4 ,it is not only an appellation appropriate to the ,saviour1 but well adapted to be employed when he is addressing the churches4 ,our impression of what is said to us will often depend much on our idea of the character of him who addresses us1 and solemnity and thoughtfulness always become us when we are addressed by a holy ,redeemer4 ,he that is true4 ,another characteristic of the ,saviour well fitted to be referred to when he addresses men4 ,it is a characteristic often ascribed to him in the ,new ,testament 7,jn4 i4 #i1 #ad1 #ag2 viii4 #dj1 #de2 xiv4 #f2 xviii4 #cg2 #a ,jn4 v4 #bj71 and one which is eminently adapted to impress the mind with solemn thought in view of the fact that he is to pronounce on our character1 and to determine our destiny4 ,he that hath the key of ,david4 ,this expression is manifestly taken from ,is4 xxii4 #bb1 8,and the key of the house of ,david will ,i lay upon his shoulder40 ,see the passage explained in the ,notes on that place4 ,as used by ,isaiah1 the phrase is applied to ,eliakim2 and it is not to be inferred1 because the language here is applied to the ,lord ,jesus1 that originally it had any such reference4 8,the application of the same terms10 says ,professor ,alexander on ,is4 xxii4 #bb1 8to ,peter 7,mat4 xvi4 #ai71 and to ,christ himself 7,re4 iii4 #g71 does not #ic prove that they here refer to either1 or that ,eliakim was a type of ,christ1 but merely that the same words admit of different applications40 ,the language is that which properly denotes authority or controlas when one has the key of a house1 and has unlimited access to it2 and the meaning here is1 that as ,david is represented as the king of ,israel residing in a palace1 so he who had the key to that palace had regal authority4 ,he that openeth1 and no man shutteth1 c4 ,he has free and unrestrained access to the house2 the power of admitting anyone1 or of excluding anyone4 ,applied here to the ,saviour1 as king in ,zion1 this means that in his kingdom he has the absolute control in regard to the admission or exclusion of anyone4 ,he can prescribe the terms2 he can invite whom he chooses2 he can exclude those whom he judges should not be admitted4 ,a reference to this absolute control was every way proper when he was addressing a church1 and is every way proper for us to reflect on when we think of the subject of our personal salvation4 #h ,i know thy works3 behold1 ,i have set before thee an #aeeopen door1 and no man can shut it3 for thou hast a little strength1 and hast kept my word1 and hast not denied my name4 #h4 ,i know thy works4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #b4 ,behold1 ,i have set before thee an open door4 ,referring to his authority as stated in ver4 #g4 ,the 8open door0 here evidently refers to the enjoyment of some privilege or honour2 and1 so far as the language is concerned1 it may refer to any one of the following things3 either1 7#a7 the ability to do goodrepresented as the 8opening of the door40 ,comp4 ,ac4 xiv4 #bg2 #a ,co4 xvi4 #i2 #b ,co4 ii4 #ab2 ,col4 iv4 #c4 7#b7 ,the privilege of access to the heavenly palace2 that is1 that they had an abundant opportunity of securing their salvation1 the door being never closed against them by day or by night4 ,comp4 ,re4 xxi4 #be4 ,or 7#c7 it may mean that they had before them an open way of egress from danger and persecution4 ,this latter ,professor ,stuart supposes to be the true meaning2 and argues this because it is immediately specified that those ,jewish persecutors would be made to humble themselves1 and that the church would but lightly experience the troubles which were coming upon the world around them4 ,but the more natural interpretation of the phrase 8an open door0 is that it refers to access to a thing rather than egress from a thing2 that we may come to that which we desire to approach1 rather than escape from that which we dread4 ,there is no objection1 it seems to me1 to the supposition that the language may be used here in the largest senseas denoting that1 in regard to the church at ,philadelphia1 there was no restraint4 ,he had given them the most unlimited privileges4 ,the temple of salvation was thrown open to them2 the celestial city was accessible2 the whole world was before them as a field of usefulness1 and anywhere1 and everywhere1 they might do good1 and at all times they might have access to the kingdom of ,god4 ,and no man can shut it4 ,no one has the power of preventing this1 for he who has control over all things concedes these privileges to you4 ,for thou hast a little strength4 ,this would imply that they had not great vigour1 but still that1 notwithstanding there were so many obstacles to their doing good1 and so many temptations to evil1 there still remained with them some degree of energy4 ,they were not wholly dead2 and as long as that was the case1 the door was still open for them to do good4 ,the words 8little strength0 may refer either to the smallness of the numbermeaning that they were few2 or it may refer to the spiritual life and energy of the churchmeaning that1 though feeble1 their vital energy was not wholly gone4 ,the more natural interpretation seems to be to refer it to the latter2 and the sense is1 that although they had not the highest degree of energy1 or had not all that the ,saviour desired they should have1 they were not wholly dead4 ,the ,saviour saw among them the evidences of spiritual life2 and in view of that he says he had set before them an open door1 and there was abundant opportunity to employ all the energy and zeal which they had4 ,it may be remarked that the same thing is true now2 that wherever there is any vitality in a church1 the ,saviour will furnish ample opportunity that it maybe employed in his service4 ,and hast not denied my name4 ,when ,christians were brought before heathen magistrates in times of persecution1 they were required to renounce #id the name of ,christ1 and to disown him in a public manner4 ,it is possible that1 amidst the persecutions that raged in the early times1 the members of the church at ,philadelphia had been summoned to such a trial1 and they had stood the trial firmly4 ,it would seem from the following verse1 that the efforts which had been made to induce them to renounce the name of ,christ had been made by those who professed to be ,jews1 though they evinced the spirit of ,satan4 ,if so1 then the attempt was probably to convince them that ,jesus was not the ,christ4 ,this attempt would be made in all places where there were ,jews4 #i ,behold1 ,i will make them of the synagogue of ,satan1 which #aefsay they are ,jews1 and are not1 but do lie2 behold1 ,i will make them to #aeg;come and worship before thy feet1 and to know that ,i have loved thee4 #i4 ,behold1 ,i will make4 ,greek1 8,i give02 that is1 ,i will arrange matters so that this shall occur4 ,the word implies that he had power to do this1 and consequently proves that he has power over the heart of man1 and can secure such a result as he chooses4 ,them of the synagogue of ,satan1 which say they are ,jews4 ,who profess to be ,jews1 but are really of the synagogue of ,satan4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #i4 ,the meaning is1 that1 though they were of ,jewish extraction1 and boasted much of being ,jews1 yet they were really under the influence of ,satan1 and their assemblages deserved to be called his 8synagogue40 ,and are not1 but do lie4 ,it is a false profession altogether4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,jn4 i4 #f4 ,behold1 ,i will make them to come and worship before thy feet4 ,the word rendered worship here1 means1 properly1 to fall prostrate2 and then to do homage1 or to worship in the proper sense1 as this was commonly done by falling prostrate4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 ii4 #b4 ,so far as the word is concerned1 it may refer either to spiritual homage1 that is1 the worship of ,god2 or it may mean respect as shown to superiors4 ,if it is used here in the sense of divine worship properly so called1 it means that they would be constrained to come and worship 8before them10 or in their very presence2 if it is used in the more general signification1 it means that they would be constrained to show them honour and respect4 ,the latter is the probable meaning2 that is1 that they would be constrained to acknowledge that they were the children of ,god1 or that ,god regarded them with his favour4 ,it does not mean necessarily that they would themselves be converted to ,christ1 but that1 as they had been accustomed to revile and oppose those who were true ,christians1 they would be constrained to come and render them the respect due to those who were sincerely endeavouring to serve their ,maker4 ,the truth taught here is1 that it is in the power of the ,lord ,jesus so to turn the hearts of all the enemies of religion that they shall be brought to show respect to it2 so to incline the minds of all people that they shall honour the church1 or be at least outwardly its friends4 ,such homage the world shall yet be constrained to pay to it4 ,and to know that ,i have loved thee4 ,this explains what he had just said1 and shows that he means that the enemies of his church will yet be constrained to acknowledge that it enjoys the smiles of ,god1 and that instead of being persecuted and reviled1 it should be respected and loved4 #aj ,because thou hast kept the word of my patience1 #aeh;,i also will keep thee from the hour of tempta tion1 which shall come upon all the world1 to try them that dwell upon the earth4 #aj4 ,because thou hast kept the word of my patience4 ,my word commanding or enjoining patience2 that is1 thou hast manifested the patience which ,i require4 ,they had shown this in the trials which they had experienced2 he promises now1 that in return he will keep them in the future trials that shall come upon the world4 ,one of the highest rewards of patience in one trial is the grace that ,god gives us to bear another4 ,the fact that we have been patient and submissive may be regarded as proof that he will give us grace that we may be patient and submissive in the trials that are to come4 ,god does not leave those who have shown that they will not leave him4 ,i also will keep thee4 ,that is1 ,i will so keep you that you shall not sink under the trials which will prove a severe temptation to many4 ,this does not mean that they would be actually kept from calamity of all kinds1 but that they would be kept from the temptation of apostasy in calamity4 ,he #ie would give them grace to bear up under trials with a ,christian spirit1 and in such a manner that their salvation should not be endangered4 ,from the hour of temptation4 ,the season2 the time2 the period of temptation4 ,you shall be so kept that that which will prove to be a time of temptation to so many1 shall not endanger your salvation4 ,though others fall1 you shall not2 though you may be afflicted with others1 yet you shall have grace to sustain you4 ,which shall come upon all the world4 ,the phrase here used8all the world0may either denote the whole world2 or the whole ,roman empire2 or a large district of country2 or the land of ,juda4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 ii4 #a4 ,here1 perhaps1 all that is implied is1 that the trial would be very extensive or generalso much so as to embrace the world1 as the word was understood by those to whom the epistle was addressed4 ,it need not be supposed that the whole world literally was included in it1 or even all the ,roman empire1 but what was the world to themthe region which they would embrace in that term4 ,if there were some far-spreading calamity in the country where they resided1 it would probably be all that would be fairly embraced in the meaning of the word4 ,it is not known to what trial the speaker refers4 ,it may have been some form of persecution1 or it may have been some calamity by disease1 earthquake1 or famine that was to occur4 ,tacitus 7see ,wetstein1 in loco7 mentions an earthquake that sank twelve cities in ,asia ,minor1 in one night1 by which1 among others1 ,philadelphia was deeply affected2 and it is possible that there may have been reference here to that overwhelming calamity4 ,but nothing can be determined with certainty in regard to this4 ,to try them that dwell upon the earth4 ,to test their character4 ,it would rather seem from this that the affliction was some form of persecution as adapted to test the fidelity of those who were affected by it4 ,the persecutions in the ,roman empire would furnish abundant occasions for such a trial4 #aa ,behold1 #aei;,i come #afjquickly3 hold that fast which thou hast1 that no man take thy crown4 #aa4 ,behold1 ,i come quickly4 ,that is1 in the trials referred to4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #a1 #aa1 #af4 ,hold that fast which thou hast4 ,that is1 whatever of truth and piety you now possess4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,that no man take thy crown4 ,the crown of life appointed for all who are true believers4 ,see ,notes on #b ,ti4 iv4 #h4 ,the truth which is taught here is1 that by negligence or unfaithfulness in duty we may be deprived of the glory which we might have obtained if we had been faithful to our ,god and ,saviour4 ,we need to be on our constant guard1 that1 in a world of temptation1 where the enemies of truth abound1 we may not be robbed of the crown that we might have worn for ever4 ,comp4 ,notes on #b ,jn4 #h4 #ab ,him that overcometh will ,i make a pillar in the temple of my ,god2 and he shall go no more out3 and ,i will write upon him the name of my ,god1 and the name of the city of my ,god1 which is #afa,new ,jerusalem1 which cometh down out of heaven from my ,god3 and ,i will write upon him my new name4 #ab4 ,him that overcometh4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,will ,i make a pillar in the temple of my ,god4 ,see the introductory remarks to this epistle4 ,the promised reward of faithfulness here is1 that he who was victorious would be honoured as if he were a pillar or column in the temple of ,god4 ,such a pillar or column was partly for ornament1 and partly for support2 and the idea here is1 that in that temple he would contribute to its beauty and the justness of its proportions1 and would at the same time be honoured as if he were a pillar which was necessary for the support of the temple4 ,it is not uncommon in the ,new ,testament to represent the church as a temple1 and ,christians as parts of it4 ,see #a ,co4 iii4 #af1 #ag2 vi4 #ai2 #b ,co4 vi4 #af2 #a ,pe4 ii4 #e4 ,and he shall go no more out4 ,he shall be permanent as a part of that spiritual temple4 ,the idea of 8going out0 does not properly belong to a pillar2 but the speaker here has in his mind the man1 though represented as a column4 ,the description of some parts would be applicable more directly to a pillar2 in others more properly to a man4 ,comp4 ,jn4 vi4 #cg2 x4 #bh1 #bi2 #a ,jn4 ii4 #ai1 for an illustration of the sentiment here4 ,the main truth here is1 that if we reach #if heaven1 our happiness will be secure for ever4 ,we shall have the most absolute certainty that the welfare of the soul will no more be perilled2 that we shall never be in danger of falling into temptation2 that no artful foe shall ever have power to alienate our affections from ,god2 that we shall never die4 ,though we may change our place1 and may roam from world to world till we shall have surveyed all the wonders of creation1 yet we shall never 8go out of the temple of ,god40 ,comp4 ,notes on ,jn4 xiv4 #b4 ,when we reach the heavenly world our conflicts will be over1 our doubts at an end4 ,as soon as we cross the threshold we shall be greeted with the assurance1 8he shall go no more out for ever40 ,that is to be our eternal abode1 and whatever of joy1 or felicity1 or glory1 that bright world can furnish1 is to be ours4 ,happy moment when1 emerging from a world of danger and of doubt1 the soul shall settle down into the calmness and peace of that state where there is the assurance of ,god himself that that world of bliss is to be its eternal abode6 ,and ,i will write upon him the name of my ,god4 ,considered as a pillar or column in the temple4 ,the name of ,god would be conspicuously recorded on it to show that he belonged to ,god4 ,the allusion is to a public edifice1 on the columns of which the names of distinguished and honoured persons were recorded2 that is1 where there is a public testimonial of the respect in which one whose name was thus recorded was held4 ,the honour thus conferred on him 8who should overcome0 would be as great as if the name of that ,god whom he served1 and whose favour and friendship he enjoyed1 were inscribed on him in some conspicuous manner4 ,the meaning is1 that he would be known and recognized as belonging to ,god2 the ,god of the ,redeemer himselfindicated by the phrase1 8the name of my ,god40 ,and the name of the city of my ,god4 ,that is1 indicating that he belongs to that city1 or that the ,new ,jerusalem is the city of his habitation4 ,the idea would seem to be1 that in this world1 and in all worlds wherever he goes and wherever he abides1 he will be recognized as belonging to that holy city2 as enjoying the rights and immunities of such a citizen4 ,which is ,new ,jerusalem4 ,jerusalem was the place where the temple was reared1 and where the worship of ,god was celebrated4 ,it thus came to be synonymous with the churchthe dwelling-place of ,god on earth4 ,which cometh down out of heaven from my ,god4 ,see this explained in the ,notes on ch4 xxi4 #b1 seq4 ,of course this must be a figurative representation1 but the idea is plain4 ,it is1 7#a7 that the church is1 in accordance with settled ,scripture language1 represented as a citythe abode of ,god on earth4 7#b7 ,that is1 instead of being built here1 or having an earthly origin1 it has its origin in heaven4 ,it is as if it had been constructed there1 and then sent down to earth ready formed4 ,the type1 the form1 the whole structure is heavenly4 ,it is a departure from all proper laws of interpretation to explain this literally1 as if a city should be actually let down from heaven2 and equally so to infer from this passage1 and the others of similar import in this book1 that a city will be literally reared for the residence of the saints4 ,if the passage proves anything on either of these points1 it is1 that a great and splendid city1 such as that described in ch4 xxi41 will literally come down from heaven4 ,but who can believe that8 ,such an interpretation1 however1 is by no means necessary4 ,the comparison of the church with a beautiful city1 and the fact that it has its origin in heaven1 is all that is fairly implied in the passage4 ,and ,i will write upon him my new name4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #ag4 ,the reward1 therefore1 promised here is1 that he who1 by persevering fidelity1 showed that he was a real friend of the ,saviour1 would be honoured with a permanent abode in the holy city of his habitation4 ,in the church redeemed and triumphant he would have a perpetual dwelling2 and wherever he should be1 there would be given him sure pledges that he belonged to him1 and was recognized as a citizen of the heavenly world4 ,to no higher honour could any man aspire2 and yet that is an honour to which the most humble and lowly may attain by faith in the ,son of ,god4 #ac ,he that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,church ,,at ,,laodicea4 ,the contents of the epistle to the church at ,laodicea 7ver4 #adbb7 are as follows3 7#a7 ,the usual salutation to the angel of the church1 ver4 #ad4 7#b7 ,the reference to the attributes of the speakerthe one here referred to being that he was the 8,amen10 8the faithful #ig and true witness10 and 8the beginning of the creation of ,god10 ver4 #ad4 7#c7 ,the claim that he knew all their works1 ver4 #ae4 7#d7 ,the characteristic of the church3 it was 8lukewarm0neither 8cold nor hot10 ver4 #ae4 7#e7 ,the punishment threatened1 that he would 8spue them out of his mouth10 ver4 #af4 7#f7 ,a solemn reproof of their self-confidence1 of their ignorance of themselves1 and of their pride1 when they were in fact poor1 and blind1 and naked2 and a solemn counsel to them to apply to him for those things which would make them truly richwhich would cover up the shame of their nakedness1 and which would give them clear spiritual vision1 ver4 #ag1 #ah4 7#g7 ,a command to repent1 in view of the fact that he rebukes and chastens those whom he loves4 7#h7 ,an assurance that an opportunity is still offered for repentance1 represented by his standing at the door and praying for admittance1 ver4 #bj4 7#i7 ,a promise to him that should be victoriousin this case1 that he should sit down with him on his throne1 ver4 #ba2 and 7#aj7 the usual call on those who had ears to hear1 to attend to what the ,spirit said to the churches4 ,laodicea was situated in the southern part of ,phrygia1 near the junction of the small rivers ,asopus and ,carpus1 on a plain washed at its edges by each4 ,it was about forty miles from ,ephesus1 and not far from ,colosse and ,hierapolis4 ,in the time of ,strabo it was a large city2 but the frequency of earthquakes1 to which this district has been always liable1 demolished1 long since1 a large part of the city1 and destroyed many of the inhabitants1 and the place was abandoned1 and now lies in ruins4 ,it is now a deserted place1 called by the ,turks ,eski-hissar1 or ,old ,castle4 ,from its ruins1 which are numerous1 consisting of the remains of temples1 theatres1 c41 it seems to have been situated on six or seven hills1 taking up a large space of ground4 ,the whole rising ground on which the city stood is one vast tumulus of ruins1 abandoned entirely to the owl and the fox4 ,col4 ,leake says1 8,there are few ancient sites more likely than ,laodicea to preserve many curious remains of antiquity beneath the surface of the soil2 its opulence1 and the earthquakes to which it was subject1 rendering it probable that valuable works of art were there buried beneath the ruins of the public and private edifices40 ,the neighbouring village contains some fifty or sixty people1 among whom1 on a visit of a recent traveller there1 there were but two nominal ,christians4 8,the name of ,christianity10 says ,emerson 7p4 #aja71 8is forgotten1 and the only sounds that disturb the silence of its desertion are the tones of the ,muezzin1 whose voice from the distant village 7,eski-hissar7 proclaims the ascendency of ,mahomet4 ,laodicea is even more solitary than ,ephesus2 for the latter has the prospect of the rolling sea or of a whitening sail to enliven its decay2 while the former sits in widowed loneliness1 its walls are grass-grown1 its temples desolate1 its very name has perished40 ,a thunderstorm gathered on the mountains at a distance while this traveller was examining the ruins of ,laodicea4 ,he returned to ,eski-hissar1 and waited until the fury of the storm had abated1 but set off on his journey again before it had entirely ceased to blow and to rain4 8,we preferred10 says he1 8hastening on1 to a farther delay in that melancholy spot1 where everything whispered desolation1 and where the very wind that swept impetuously through the valley sounded like the fiendish laugh of time exulting over the destruction of man and his proudest monuments40 ,see ,professor ,stuart1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #dd1 #de2 ,kitto's ,encyclo42 ,smith's ,journey to the ,seven ,churches1 #afga2 ,leake1 ,arundell1 ,hartley1 ,mac,farlane1 ,pococke1 c4 ,the engraving in this vol4 will furnish a representation of the ruins of ,laodicea4 #ad ,and unto the angel of the church #afbof the ,laodiceans write2 ,these things saith the #afc;,amen1 the faithful and true witness1 the beginning of the creation of ,god2 #ad4 ,and unto the angel of the church of the ,laodiceans write4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #bj4 ,these things saith the ,amen4 ,referring1 as is the case in every epistle1 to some attribute of the speaker adapted to impress their minds1 or to give peculiar force to what he was about to say to that particular church4 ,laodicea was characterized by lukewarmness1 and the reference to the fact that he who was about to address them was the #ih 8,amen0that is1 was characterized by the simple earnestness and sincerity denoted by that wordwas eminently fitted to make an impression on the minds of such a people4 ,the word ,amen means true1 certain1 faithful2 and1 as used here1 it means that he to whom it is applied is eminently true and faithful4 ,what he affirms is true2 what he promises or threatens is certain4 ,himself characterized by sincerity and truth 7,notes on #b ,co4 i4 #bj71 he can look with approbation only on the same thing in others3 and hence he looks with displeasure on the lukewarmness which1 from its very nature1 always approximates insincerity4 ,this was an attribute1 therefore1 every way appropriate to be referred to in addressing a lukewarm church4 ,the faithful and true witness4 ,this is presenting the idea implied in the word ,amen in a more complete form1 but substantially the same thing is referred to4 ,he is a witness for ,god and his truth1 and he can approve of nothing which the ,god of truth would not approve4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #e4 ,the beginning of the creation of ,god4 ,this expression is a very important one in regard to the rank and dignity of the ,saviour1 and1 like all similar expressions respecting him1 its meaning has been much controverted4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,col4 i4 #ae4 ,the phrase here used is susceptible1 properly1 of only one of the following significations1 viz43 either 7a7 that he was the beginning of the creation in the sense that he caused the universe to begin to existthat is1 that he was the author of all things2 or 7b7 that he was the first created being2 or 7c7 that he holds the primacy over all1 and is at the head of the universe4 ,it is not necessary to examine any other proposed interpretations1 for the only other senses supposed to be conveyed by the words1 that he is the beginning of the creation in the sense that he rose from the dead as the first-fruits of them that sleep1 or that he is the head of the spiritual creation of ,god1 are so foreign to the natural meaning of the words as to need no special refutation4 ,as to the three significations suggested above1 it may be observed1 that the first onethat he is the author of the creation1 and in that sense the beginningthough expressing a scriptural doctrine 7,jn4 i4 #c2 ,ep4 iii4 #i2 ,col4 i4 #af71 is not in accordance with the proper meaning of the word here used4 ,the word properly refers to the commencement of a thing1 not its authorship1 and denotes properly primacy in time1 and primacy in rank1 but not primacy in the sense of causing anything to exist4 ,the two ideas which run through the word as it is used in the ,new ,testament are those just suggested4 ,for the formerprimacy in regard to timethat is properly the commencement of a thing1 see the following passages where the word occurs3 ,mat4 xix4 #d1 #h2 xxiv4 #h1 #ba2 ,mar4 i4 #a2 x4 #f2 xiii4 #h1 #ai2 ,lu4 i4 #b2 ,jn4 i4 #a1 #b2 ii4 #aa2 vi4 #fd2 viii4 #be1 #dd2 xv4 #bg2 xvi4 #d2 ,ac4 xi4 #ae2 #a ,jn4 i4 #a2 ii4 #g1 #ac1 #ad1 #bd2 iii4 #h1 #aa2 #b ,jn4 #e1 #f4 ,for the latter signification1 primacy of rank or authority1 see the following places3 ,lu4 xii4 #aa2 xx4 #bj2 ,ro4 viii4 #ch2 #a ,co4 xv4 #bd2 ,ep4 i4 #ba2 iii4 #aj2 vi4 #ab2 ,col4 i4 #af1 #ah2 ii4 #aj1 #ae2 ,tit4 iii4 #a4 ,the word is not1 therefore1 found in the sense of authorship1 as denoting that one is the beginning of anything in the sense that he caused it to have an existence4 ,as to the second of the significations suggested1 that it means that he was the first created being1 it may be observed 7a7 that this is not a necessary signification of the phrase1 since no one can show that this is the only proper meaning which could be given to the words1 and therefore the phrase cannot be adduced to prove that he is himself a created being4 ,if it were demonstrated from other sources that ,christ was1 in fact1 a created being1 and the first that ,god had made1 it cannot be denied that this language would appropriately express that fact4 ,but it cannot be made out from the mere use of the language here2 and as the language is susceptible of other interpretations1 it cannot be employed to prove that ,christ is a created being4 7b7 ,such an interpretation would be at variance with all those passages which speak of him as uncreated and eternal2 which ascribe ,divine attributes to him2 which speak of him as himself the ,creator of all things4 ,comp4 ,jn4 i4 #ac2 ,col4 i4 #af2 ,he4 i4 #b1 #f1 #h1 #ajab4 ,the third signification1 therefore1 remains1 that he is 8the beginning of the creation of ,god10 in the sense that he is the head or prince of the creation2 that is1 that he presides over it so far as the purposes of redemption are to be accomplished1 and so far as is necessary for those purposes4 ,this is 7#a7 in accordance with the meaning of the word1 ,lu4 xii4 #aa2 xx4 #bj1 et al4 ut supra2 and 7#b7 in accordance with the uniform #ii statements respecting the ,redeemer1 that 8all power is given unto him in heaven and in earth0 7,mat4 xxviii4 #ah72 that ,god has 8given him power over all flesh0 7,jn4 xvii4 #b72 that all things are 8put under his feet0 7,he4 ii4 #h2 #a ,co4 xv4 #bg72 that he is exalted over all things1 ,ep4 i4 #bjbb4 ,having this rank1 it was proper that he should speak with authority to the church at ,laodicea4 #ae ,i know thy works1 that thou art neither cold nor hot3 #afd;,i would thou wert cold or hot4 #ae4 ,i know thy works4 ,notes on ch4 ii4 #b4 ,that thou art neither cold nor hot4 ,the word cold here would seem to denote the state where there was no pretension to religion2 where everything was utterly lifeless and dead4 ,the language is obviously figurative1 but it is such as is often employed1 when we speak of one as being cold towards another1 as having a cold or icy heart1 c4 ,the word hot would denote1 of course1 the oppositewarm and zealous in their love and service4 ,the very words that we are constrained to use when speaking on this subjectsuch words as ardent 7i4e4 hot or burning72 fervid 7i4e4 very hot1 burning1 boiling7show how necessary it is to use such words1 and how common it is4 ,the state indicated here1 therefore1 would be that in which there was a profession of religion1 but no warm-hearted piety2 in which there was not1 on the one hand1 open and honest opposition to him1 and1 on the other1 such warm-hearted and honest love as he had a right to look for among his professed friends2 in which there was a profession of that religion which ought to warm the heart with love1 and fill the soul with zeal in the cause of the ,redeemer2 but where the only result1 in fact1 was deadness and indifference to him and his cause4 ,among those who made no profession he had reason to expect nothing but coldness2 among those who made a profession he had a right to expect the glow of a warm affection2 but he found nothing but indifference4 ,i would thou wert cold or hot4 ,that is1 ,i would prefer either of those states to that which now exists4 ,anything better than this condition1 where love is professed1 but where it does not exist2 where vows have been assumed which are not fulfilled4 ,why he would prefer that they should be 8hot0 is clear enough2 but why would he prefer a state of utter coldnessa state where there was no profession of real love8 ,to this question the following answers may be given3 7#a7 ,such a state of open and professed coldness or indifference is more honest4 ,there is no disguise2 no concealment2 no pretence4 ,we know where one in this state 8may be found20 we know with whom we are dealing2 we know what to expect4 ,sad as the state is1 it is at least honest2 and we are so made that we all prefer such a character to one where professions are made which are never to be realizedto a state of insincerity and hypocrisy4 7#b7 ,such a state is more honourable4 ,it is a more elevated condition of mind1 and marks a higher character4 ,of a man who is false to his engagements1 who makes professions and promises never to be realized1 we can make nothing4 ,there is essential meanness in such a character1 and there is nothing in it which we can respect4 ,but in the character of the man who is openly and avowedly opposed to anything2 who takes his stand1 and is earnest and zealous in his course1 though it be wrong1 there are traits which may be1 under a better direction1 elements of true greatness and magnanimity4 ,in the character of ,saul of ,tarsus there were always the elements of true greatness2 in that of ,judas ,iscariot there were never4 ,the one was capable of becoming one of the noblest men that has ever lived on the earth2 the other1 even under the personal teaching of the ,redeemer for years1 was nothing but a traitora man of essential meanness4 7#c7 ,there is more hope of conversion and salvation in such a case4 ,there could always have been a ground of hope that ,saul would be converted and saved1 even when 8breathing out threatening and slaughter20 of ,judas1 when numbered among the professed disciples of the ,saviour1 there was no hope4 ,the most hopeless of all persons1 in regard to salvation1 are those who are members of the church without any true religion2 who have made a profession without any evidence of personal piety2 who are content with a name to live4 ,this is so1 because 7a7 the essential character of #ajj anyone who will allow himself to do this is eminently unfavourable to true religion4 ,there is a lack of that thorough honesty and sincerity which is so necessary for true conversion to ,god4 ,he who is content to profess to be what he really is not1 is not a man on whom the truths of ,christianity are likely to make an impression4 7b7 ,such a man never applies the truth to himself4 ,truth that is addressed to impenitent sinners he does not apply to himself1 of course2 for he does not rank himself in that class of persons4 ,truth addressed to hypocrites he will not apply to himself2 for no one1 however insincere and hollow he may be1 chooses to act on the presumption that he is himself a hypocrite1 or so as to leave others to suppose that he regards himself as such4 ,the means of grace adapted to save a sinner1 as such1 he will not use2 for he is in the church1 and chooses to regard himself as safe4 ,efforts made to reclaim him he will resist2 for he will regard it as proof of a meddlesome spirit1 and an uncharitable judging in others1 if they consider him to be anything different from what he professes to be4 ,what right have they to go back of his profession1 and assume that he is insincere8 ,as a consequence1 there are probably fewer persons by far converted of those who come into the church without any religion1 than of any other class of persons of similar number2 and the most hopeless of all conditions1 in respect to conversion and salvation1 is when one enters the church deceived4 7c7 ,it may be presumed that1 for these reasons1 ,god himself will make less direct effort to convert and save such persons4 ,as there are fewer appeals that can be brought to bear on them2 as there is less in their character that is noble1 and that can be depended on in promoting the salvation of a soul2 and as there is special guilt in hypocrisy1 it may be presumed that ,god will more frequently leave such persons to their chosen course1 than he will those who make no professions of religion4 ,comp4 ,ps4 cix4 #ag1 #ah2 ,je4 vii4 #af2 xi4 #ad2 xiv4 #aa2 ,is4 i4 #ae2 ,ho4 iv4 #ag4 #af ,so then because thou art lukewarm1 and neither cold nor hot1 ,i will spue thee out of my mouth4 #af4 ,so then because thou art lukewarm,i will spue thee out of my mouth4 ,referring1 perhaps1 to the well-known fact that tepid water tends to produce sickness at the stomach1 and an inclination to vomit4 ,the image is intensely strong1 and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which prevailed in the church at ,laodicea4 ,the idea is1 that they would be utterly rejected and cast off as a churcha threatening of which there has been an abundant fulfilment in subsequent times4 ,it may be remarked1 also1 that what was threatened to that church may be expected to occur to all churches1 if they are in the same condition2 and that all professing ,christians1 and ,christian churches1 that are lukewarm1 have special reason to dread the indignation of the ,saviour4 #ag ,because thou sayest1 #afe;,i am rich1 and increased with goods1 and have need of nothing2 and knowest not that thou art wretched1 and miserable1 and poor1 and blind1 and naked3 #ag4 ,because thou sayest1 ,i am rich4 ,so far as the language here is concerned1 this may refer either to riches literally1 or to spiritual riches2 that is1 to a boast of having religion enough4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that it refers to the former1 and so do ,wetstein1 ,vitringa1 and others4 ,doddridge1 ,rosenmller1 and others1 understand it in the latter sense4 ,there is no doubt that there was much wealth in ,laodicea1 and that1 as a people1 they prided themselves on their riches4 ,see the authorities in ,wetstein on ,col4 ii4 #a1 and ,vitringa1 p4 #afj4 ,it is not easy to determine which is the true sense2 but may it not have been that there was an allusion to both1 and that1 in every respect1 they boasted that they had enough8 ,may it not have been so much the characteristic of that people to boast of their wealth1 that they carried the spirit into everything1 and manifested it even in regard to religion8 ,is it not true that they who have much of this world's goods1 when they make a profession of religion1 are very apt to suppose that they are well off in everything1 and to feel self-complacent and happy8 ,and is not the possession of much wealth by an individual ,christian1 or a ,christian church1 likely to produce just the lukewarmness which it is said existed in the church at ,laodicea8 ,if we thus understand it1 #aja there will be an accordance with the well-known fact that ,laodicea was distinguished for its riches1 and1 at the same time1 with another fact1 so common as to be almost universal1 that the possession of great wealth tends to make a professed ,christian self-complacent and satisfied in every respect2 to make him feel that1 although he may not have much religion1 yet he is on the whole well off2 and to produce1 in religion1 a state of just such lukewarmness as the ,saviour here says was loathsome and odious4 ,and increased with goods4 8,i am enriched40 ,this is only a more emphatic and intensive way of saying the same thing4 ,it has no reference to the kind of riches referred to1 but merely denotes the confident manner in which they affirmed that they were rich4 ,and have need of nothing4 ,still an emphatic and intensive way of saying that they were rich4 ,in all respects their wants were satisfied2 they had enough of everything4 ,they felt1 therefore1 no stimulus to effort2 they sat down in contentment1 self-complacency1 and indifference4 ,it is almost unavoidable that those who are rich in this world's goods should feel that they have need of nothing4 ,there is no more common illusion among men than the feeling that if one has wealth he has everything2 that there is no want of his nature which cannot be satisfied with that2 and that he may now sit down in contentment and ease4 ,hence the almost universal desire to be rich2 hence the common feeling among those who are rich that there is no occasion for solicitude or care for anything else4 ,comp4 ,lu4 xii4 #ai4 ,and knowest not4 ,there is no just impression in regard to the real poverty and wretchedness of your condition4 ,that thou art wretched4 ,the word wretched we now use to denote the actual consciousness of being miserable1 as applicable to one who is sunk into deep distress or affliction4 ,the word here1 however1 refers rather to the condition itself than to the consciousness of that condition1 for it is said that they did not know it4 ,their state was1 in fact1 a miserable state1 and was fitted to produce actual distress if they had had any just sense of it1 though they thought that it was otherwise4 ,and miserable4 ,this word has1 with us now1 a similar signification2 but the term here usedrather means a pitiable state than one actually felt to be so4 ,the meaning is1 that their condition was one that was fitted to excite pity or compassion2 not that they were actually miserable4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,co4 xv4 #ai4 ,and poor4 ,notwithstanding all their boast of having enough4 ,they really had not that which was necessary to meet the actual wants of their nature1 and1 therefore1 they were poor4 ,their worldly property could not meet the wants of their souls2 and1 with all their pretensions to piety1 they had not religion enough to meet the necessities of their nature when calamities should come1 or when death should approach2 and they were1 therefore1 in the strictest sense of the term1 poor4 ,and blind4 ,that is1 in a spiritual respect4 ,they did not see the reality of their condition2 they had no just views of themselves1 of the character of ,god1 of the way of salvation4 ,this seems to be said in connection with the boast which they made in their own mindsthat they had everything2 that they wanted nothing4 ,one of the great blessings of life is clearness of vision1 and their boast that they had everything must have included that2 but the speaker here says that they lacked that indispensable thing to completeness of character and to full enjoyment4 ,with all their boasting1 they were actually blind1and how could one who was in that state say that he 8had need of nothing80 ,and naked4 ,of course1 spiritually4 ,salvation is often represented as a garment 7,mat4 xxii4 #aa1 #ab2 ,re4 vi4 #aa2 vii4 #i1 #ac1 #ad72 and the declaration here is equivalent to saying that they had no religion4 ,they had nothing to cover the nakedness of the soul1 and in respect to the real wants of their nature they were like one who had no clothing in reference to cold1 and heat1 and storms1 and to the shame of nakedness4 ,how could such an one be regarded as rich8 ,we may learn from this instructive verse1 7#a7 ,that men may think themselves to be rich1 and yet1 in fact1 be miserably poor4 ,they may have the wealth of this world in abundance1 and yet have nothing that really will meet their wants in disappointment1 bereavement1 sickness1 death2 the wants of their never-dying soul2 their wants in eternity4 ,what had the 8rich fool10 as he is commonly termed1 in the parable1 when he came to die8 ,lu4 xii4 #af1 #ajb seq4 ,what had 8,dives10 as he is commonly termed1 to meet the wants of his nature when he went down to hell8 ,lu4 xvi4 #ai1 seq4 7#b7 ,men may have much property1 and think that they have all they want1 and yet be wretched4 ,in the sense that their condition is a wretched condition1 this is always true2 and in the sense that they are consciously wretched1 this may be1 and often is1 true also4 7#c7 ,men may have great property1 and yet be miserable4 ,this is true in the sense that their condition is a pitiable one1 and in the sense that they are actually unhappy4 ,there is no more pitiable condition than that where one has great property1 and is self-complacent and proud1 and who has nevertheless no ,god1 no ,saviour1 no hope of heaven1 and who perhaps that very day may 8lift up his eyes in hell1 being in torments20 and it need not be added that there is no greater actual misery in this world than that which sometimes finds its way into the palaces of the rich4 ,he greatly errs who thinks that misery is confined to the cottages of the poor4 7#d7 ,men may be rich1 and think they have all that they want1 and yet be blind to their condition4 ,they really have no distinct vision of anything4 ,they have no just views of ,god1 of themselves1 of their duty1 of this world1 or of the next4 ,in most important respects they are in a worse condition than the inmates of an asylum for the blind1 for they may have clear views of ,god and of heaven4 ,mental darkness is a greater calamity than the loss of natural vision2 and there is many an one who is surrounded by all that affluence can give1 who never yet had one correct view of his own character1 of his ,god1 or of the reality of his condition1 and whose condition might have been far better if he had actually been born blind4 7#e7 ,there may be gorgeous robes of adorning1 and yet real nakedness4 ,with all the decorations that wealth can impart1 there may be a nakedness of the soul as real as that of the body would be if1 without a rag to cover it1 it were exposed to cold1 and storm1 and shame4 ,the soul destitute of the robes of salvation1 is in a worse condition than the body without raiment2 for how can it bear the storms of wrath that shall beat upon it for ever1 and the shame of its exposure in the last dread day8 #ah ,i counsel thee to #aff;buy of me gold tried in the fire1 that thou mayest be rich2 and white raiment1 that thou mayest be clothed1 and that #afgthe shame of thy nakedness do not appear2 and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve1 that thou mayest see4 #ah4 ,i counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire4 ,pure gold2 such as has been subjected to the action of heat to purify it from dross4 ,see ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #g4 ,gold here is emblematic of religionas being the most precious of the metals1 and the most valued by men4 ,they professed to be rich1 but were not2 and he counsels them to obtain from him that which would make them truly rich4 ,that thou mayest be rich4 ,in the true and proper sense of the word4 ,with true religion2 with the favour and friendship of the ,redeemer1 they would have all that they really needed1 and would never be in want4 ,and white raiment4 ,the emblem of purity and salvation4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,this is said in reference to the fact 7ver4 #ag7 that they were then naked4 ,that thou mayest be clothed4 ,with the garments of salvation4 ,this refers1 also1 to true religion1 meaning that that which the ,redeemer furnishes will answer the same purpose in respect to the soul which clothing does in reference to the body4 ,of course it cannot be understood literally1 nor should the language be pressed too closely1 as if there was too strict a resemblance4 ,and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear4 ,we clothe the body as well for decency as for protection against cold1 and storm1 and heat4 ,the soul is to be clothed that the 8shame0 of its sinfulness may not be exhibited1 and that it may not be offensive and repellant in the sight4 ,and anoint thine eyes with eye- salve4 ,in allusion to the fact that they were blind1 ver4 #ag4 ,the word eye-salveoccurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is a diminutive from collyraa coarse bread or cake1 and means properly a small cake or cracknel4 ,it is applied to eye-salve as resembling such a cake1 and refers to a medicament prepared for sore or weak eyes4 ,it was compounded of various substances supposed to have a healing #ajc quality4 ,see ,wetstein1 in loco4 ,the reference here is to a spiritual healingmeaning that1 in respect to their spiritual vision1 what he would furnish would produce the same effect as the collyrium or eye-salve would in diseased eyes4 ,the idea is1 that the grace of the gospel enables men who were before blind to see clearly the character of ,god1 the beauty of the way of salvation1 the loveliness of the person and work of ,christ1 c4 ,see ,notes on ,ep4 i4 #ah4 #ai ,as#afh many as ,i love1 ,i rebuke and chasten3 be zealous therefore1 and repent4 #ai4 ,as many as ,i love1 ,i rebuke and chasten4 ,of course1 only on the supposition that they deserve it4 ,the meaning is1 that it is a proof of love on his part1 if his professed friends go astray1 to recall them by admonitions and by trials4 ,so a father calls back his children who are disobedient2 and there is no higher proof of his love than when1 with great pain to himself1 he administers such chastisement as shall save his child4 ,see the sentiment here expressed fully explained in the ,notes on ,he4 xii4 #f1 seq4 ,the language is taken from ,pr4 iii4 #ab4 ,be zealous1 therefore1 and repent4 ,be earnest1 strenuous1 ardent in your purpose to exercise true repentance1 and to turn from the error of your ways4 ,lose no time2 spare no labour1 that you may obtain such a state of mind that it shall not be necessary to bring upon you the severe discipline which always comes on those who continue lukewarm in religion4 ,the truth taught here is1 that when the professed followers of ,christ have become lukewarm in his service1 they should lose no time in returning to him1 and seeking his favour again4 ,as sure as he has any true love for them1 if this is not done he will bring upon them some heavy calamity1 alike to rebuke them for their errors1 and to recover them to himself4 #bj ,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and #afiknock3 #agj;if any man hear my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me4 #bj4 ,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and knock4 ,intimating that1 though they had erred1 the way of repentance and hope was not closed against them4 ,he was still willing to be gracious1 though their conduct had been such as to be loathsome1 ver4 #af4 ,to see the real force of this language1 we must remember how disgusting and offensive their conduct had been to him4 ,and yet he was willing1 notwithstanding this1 to receive them to his favour2 nay more1 he stood and pled with them that he might be received with the hospitality that would be shown to a friend or stranger4 ,the language here is so plain that it scarcely needs explanation4 ,it is taken from an act when we approach a dwelling1 and1 by a well-understood signknockingannounce our presence1 and ask for admission4 ,the act of knocking implies two things3 7a7 that we desire admittance2 and 7b7 that we recognize the right of him who dwells in the house to open the door to us or not1 as he shall please4 ,we would not obtrude upon him2 we would not force his door2 and if1 after we are sure that we are heard1 we are not admitted1 we turn quietly away4 ,both of these things are implied here by the language used by the ,saviour when he approaches man as represented under the image of knocking at the door3 that he desires to be admitted to our friendship2 and that he recognizes our freedom in the matter4 ,he does not obtrude himself upon us1 nor does he employ force to find admission to the heart4 ,if admitted1 he comes and dwells with us2 if rejected1 he turns quietly awayperhaps to return and knock again1 perhaps never to come back4 ,the language here used1 also1 may be understood as applicable to all persons1 and to all the methods by which the ,saviour seeks to come into the heart of a sinner4 ,it would properly refer to anything which would announce his presence3his word2 his ,spirit2 the solemn events of his providence2 the invitations of his gospel4 ,in these and in other methods he comes to man2 and the manner in which these invitations ought to be estimated would be seen by supposing that he came to us personally and solicited our friendship1 and proposed to be our ,redeemer4 ,it may be added here1 that this expression proves that the attempt at reconciliation begins with the ,saviour4 ,it is not that the sinner goes out to meet him1 or to seek for him2 it is that the ,saviour presents himself at the door of the heart1 as if he were desirous #ajd to enjoy the friendship of man4 ,this is in accordance with the uniform language of the ,new ,testament1 that 8,god so loved the world as to give his only-begotten ,son20 that 8,christ came to seek and to save the lost20 that the ,saviour says1 8,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy laden10 c4 ,salvation1 in the ,scriptures1 is never represented as originated by man4 ,if any man hear my voice4 ,perhaps referring to a custom then prevailing1 that he who knocked spake1 in order to let it be known who it was4 ,this might be demanded in the night 7,lu4 xi4 #e71 or when there was apprehension of danger1 and it may have been the custom when ,john wrote4 ,the language here1 in accordance with the uniform usage in the ,scriptures 7comp4 ,is4 lv4 #a2 ,jn4 vii4 #cg2 ,re4 xxii4 #ag71 is universal1 and proves that the invitations of the gospel are made1 and are to be made1 not to a part only1 but fully and freely to all men2 for1 although this originally had reference to the members of the church in ,laodicea1 yet the language chosen seems to have been of design so universal 7 7 as to be applicable to every human being2 and anyone1 of any age and in any land1 would be authorized to apply this to himself1 and1 under the protection of this invitation1 to come to the ,saviour1 and to plead this promise as one that fairly included himself4 ,it may be observed farther1 that this also recognizes the freedom of man4 ,it is submitted to him whether he will hear the voice of the ,redeemer or not2 and whether he will open the door and admit him or not4 ,he speaks loud enough1 and distinctly enough1 to be heard1 but he does not force the door if it is not voluntarily opened4 ,and open the door4 ,as one would when a stranger or friend stood and knocked4 ,the meaning here is simply1 if anyone will admit me2 that is1 receive me as a friend4 ,the act of receiving him is as voluntary on our part as it is when we rise and open the door to one who knocks4 ,it may be added1 7#a7 that this is an easy thing4 ,nothing is more easy than to open the door when one knocks2 and so everywhere in the ,scriptures it is represented as an easy thing1 if the heart is willing1 to secure the salvation of the soul4 7#b7 ,this is a reasonable thing4 ,we invite him who knocks at the door to come in4 ,we always assume1 unless there is reason to suspect the contrary1 that he applies for peaceful and friendly purposes4 ,we deem it the height of rudeness to let one stand and knock long2 or to let him go away with no friendly invitation to enter our dwelling4 ,yet how different does the sinner treat the ,saviour6 ,how long does he suffer him to knock at the door of his heart1 with no invitation to enterno act of common civility such as that with which he would greet even a stranger6 ,and with how much coolness and indifference does he see him turn awayperhaps to come back no more1 and with no desire that he ever should return6 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me4 ,this is an image denoting intimacy and friendship4 ,supper1 with the ancients1 was the principal social meal2 and the idea here is1 that between the ,saviour and those who would receive him there would be the intimacy which subsists between those who sit down to a friendly meal together4 ,in all countries and times1 to eat together1 to break bread together1 has been the symbol of friendship1 and this the ,saviour promises here4 ,the truths1 then1 which are taught in this verse1 are1 7#a7 that the invitation of the gospel is made to all8if any man hear my voice20 7#b7 that the movement towards reconciliation and friendship is originated by the ,saviour8behold1 ,i stand at the door and knock20 7#c7 that there is a recognition of our own free agency in religion8if any man will hear my voice1 and open the door20 7#d7 the ease of the terms of salvation1 represented by 8hearing his voice10 and 8opening the door20 and 7#e7 the blessedness of thus admitting him1 arising from his friendship8,i will sup with him1 and he with me40 ,what friend can man have who would confer so many benefits on him as the ,lord ,jesus ,christ8 ,who is there that he should so gladly welcome to his bosom8 #ba ,to him that #agaovercometh will ,i grant to #agbsit with me in my throne1 even as #agc;,i also overcame1 and am set down with my ,father in his throne4 #ba4 ,to him that overcometh4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,will ,i grant to sit with me in my throne4 ,that is1 #aje they will share his honours and his triumphs4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #bf1 #bg2 comp4 ,notes on ,ro4 viii4 #ag4 ,even as ,i also overcame4 ,as ,i gained a victory over the world1 and over the power of the tempter4 ,as the reward of this1 he is exalted to the throne of the universe 7,phi4 ii4 #faa71 and in these honours1 achieved by their great and glorious ,head1 all the redeemed will share4 ,and am set down with my ,father in his throne4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,phi4 ii4 #faa4 ,that is1 he has dominion over the universe4 ,all things are put under his feet1 and in the strictest unison and with perfect harmony he is united with the ,father in administering the affairs of all worlds4 ,the dominion of the ,father is that of the ,sonthat of the ,son is that of the ,father2 for they are one4 ,see ,notes on ,jn4 v4 #ai2 comp4 ,notes on ,ep4 i4 #bjbb2 #a ,co4 xv4 #bdbh4 #bb ,he#agd that hath an ear1 let him hear what the ,spirit saith unto the churches4 #bb4 ,he that hath an ear1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,this closes the epistolary part of this book1 and the 8visions0 properly commence with the next chapter4 ,two remarks may be made in the conclusion of this exposition4 7#a7 ,the first relates to the truthfulness of the predictions in these epistles4 ,as an illustration of that truthfulness1 and of the present correspondence of the condition of those churches with what the ,saviour said to ,john they would be1 the following striking passage may be introduced from ,mr4 ,gibbon4 ,it occurs in his description of the conquests of the ,turks 7,decline and ,fall1 iv4 #bfj1 #bfa74 8,two ,turkish chieftains1 ,sarukhan and ,aidin left their names to their conquests1 and their conquests to their posterity4 ,the captivity or ruin of the seven churches of ,asia was consummated2 and the barbarous lords of ,ionia and ,lydia still trample on the monuments of classic and ,christian antiquity4 ,in the loss of ,ephesus1 the ,christians deplored the fall of the first angel1 the extinction of the first candlestick of the ,revelations3 the desolation is complete2 and the temple of ,diana1 or the church of ,mary1 will equally elude the search of the curious traveller4 ,the circus and three stately theatres of ,laodicea are now peopled with wolves and foxes2 ,sardis is reduced to a miserable village2 the ,god of ,mahomet1 without a rival or a son1 is invoked in the mosques of ,thyatira and ,pergamos2 and the populousness of ,smyrna is supported by the foreign trade of ,franks and ,armenians4 ,philadelphia alone has been saved by prophecy or courage4 ,at a distance from the sea1 forgotten by the emperors1 encompassed on all sides by the ,turks1 her valiant citizens defended their religion and freedom above fourscore years1 and at length capitulated with the proudest of the ,ottomans4 ,among the ,greek colonies and churches of ,asia1 ,philadelphia is still erect1 a column in a scene of ruins2 a pleasing example that the paths of honour and safety may sometimes be the same40 7#b7 ,the second remark relates to the applicability of these important truths to us4 ,there is perhaps no part of the ,new ,testament more searching than these brief epistles to the seven churches2 and though those to whom they were addressed have long since passed away1 and the churches have long since become extinct2 though darkness1 error1 and desolation have come over the places where these churches once stood1 yet the principles laid down in these epistles still live1 and they are full of admonition to ,christians in all ages and all lands4 ,it is a consideration of as much importance to us as it was to these churches1 that the ,saviour now knows our works2 that he sees in the church1 and in any individual1 all that there is to commend and all that there is to reprove2 that he has power to reward or punish now as he had then2 that the same rules in apportioning rewards and punishments will still be acted on2 that he who overcomes the temptations of the world will find an appropriate reward2 that those who live in sin must meet with the proper recompense1 and that those who are lukewarm in his service will be spurned with unutterable loathing4 ,his rebukes are awful2 but his promises are full of tenderness and kindness4 ,while they who have embraced error1 and they who are living in sin1 have occasion to tremble before him1 they who are endeavouring to perform their duty may find in these epistles enough to cheer their hearts1 and to animate them with the hope of final victory1 and of the most ample and glorious reward4 #ajf ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter properly commences the series of visions respecting future events1 and introduces those remarkable symbolical descriptions which were designed to cheer the hearts of those to whom the book was first sent1 in their trials1 and the hearts of all believers in all ages1 with the assurance of the final triumph of the gospel4 ,see the ,introduction4 ,in regard to the nature of these visions1 or the state of mind of the writer1 there have been different opinions4 ,some have supposed that all that is described was made only to pass before the mind1 with no visible representation2 others1 that there were visible representations so made to him that he could copy them2 others1 that all that is said or seen was only the production of the author's imagination4 ,the latter is the view principally entertained by ,german writers on the book4 ,all that would seem to be apparent on the face of the bookand that is all that we can judge byis1 that the following things occurred3 7#a7 ,the writer was in a devout frame of minda state of holy contemplationwhen the scenes were represented to him1 ch4 i4 #aj4 7#b7 ,the representations were supernatural2 that is1 they were something which was disclosed to him1 in that state of mind1 beyond any natural reach of his faculties4 7#c7 ,these things were so made to pass before him that they had the aspect of reality1 and he could copy and describe them as real4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that there was any representation to the bodily eye2 but they had1 to his mind1 such a reality that he could describe them as pictures or symbolsand his office was limited to that4 ,he does not attempt to explain them1 nor does he intimate that he understood them2 but his office pertains to an accurate recorda fair transcriptof what passed before his mind4 ,for anything that appears1 he may have been as ignorant of their signification as any of his readers1 and may have subsequently studied them with the same kind of attention which we now give to them 7comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #aa1 #ab71 and may have1 perhaps1 remained ignorant of their signification to the day of his death4 ,it is no more necessary to suppose that he understood all that was implied in these symbols1 than it is that one who can describe a beautiful landscape understands all the laws of the plants and flowers in the landscape2 or1 that one who copies all the designs and devices of armorial bearings in heraldry1 should understand all that is meant by the symbols that are used2 or1 that one who should copy the cuneiform inscriptions of ,persepolis1 or the hieroglyphics of ,thebes1 should understand the meaning of the symbols4 ,all that is demanded or expected1 in such a case1 is1 that the copy should be accurately made2 and1 when made1 this copy may be as much an object of study to him who made it as to anyone else4 7#d7 ,yet there was a sense in which these symbols were real2 that is1 they were a real and proper delineation of future events4 ,they were not the mere workings of the imagination4 ,he who saw them in vision though there may have been no representation to the eye1 had before him what was a real and appropriate representation of coming events4 ,if not1 the visions are as worthless as dreams are4 ,the visions open 7ch4 iv47 with a ,theophany1 or a representation of ,god4 ,john is permitted to look into heaven1 and to have a view of the throne of ,god1 and of the worship celebrated there4 ,a door 77 or opening is made into heaven1 so that he1 as it were1 looks through the concave above1 and sees what is beyond4 ,he sees the throne of ,god1 and him who sits on the throne1 and the worshippers there2 he sees the lightnings play around the throne1 and hears the thunder's roar2 he sees the rainbow that encompasses the throne1 and hears the songs of the worshippers4 ,in reference to this vision1 at the commencement of the series of symbols which he was about to describe1 and the reason why this was vouchsafed to him1 the following remarks may be suggested3 7#a7 ,there is1 in some respects1 a striking resemblance between this and the visions of ,isaiah 7ch4 vi47 and ,ezekiel 7ch4 i474 ,as those prophets1 when about to enter on their office1 were solemnly inaugurated by being permitted to have a vision of the ,almighty1 so ,john was inaugurated to the office of making known future thingsthe last prophet of the worldby a similar vision4 ,we shall see1 indeed1 that the representation made to ,john was not precisely the same as that which was made to ,isaiah or that which was #ajg made to ,ezekiel2 but the most striking symbols are retained1 and that of ,john is as much adapted to impress the mind as either of the others4 ,each of them describes the throne1 and the attending circumstances of sublimity and majesty2 each of them speaks of one on the throne1 but neither of them has attempted any description of the ,almighty4 ,there is no delineation of an image1 or a figure representing ,god1 but everything respecting him is veiled in such obscurity as to fill the mind with awe4 7#b7 ,the representation is such as to produce deep solemnity on the mind of the writer and the reader4 ,nothing could have been better adapted to prepare the mind of ,john for the important communications which he was about to make than to be permitted to look1 as it were1 directly into heaven1 and to see the throne of ,god4 ,and nothing is better fitted to impress the mind of the reader than the view which is furnished1 in the opening vision1 of the majesty and glory of ,god4 ,brought1 as it were1 into his very presence2 permitted to look upon his burning throne2 seeing the reverent and profound worship of the inhabitants of heaven1 we feel our minds awed1 and our souls subdued1 as we hear the ,god of heaven speak1 and as we see seal after seal opened1 and hear trumpet after trumpet utter its voice4 7#c7 ,the form of the manifestationthe opening visionis eminently fitted to show us that the communications in this book proceed from heaven4 ,looking into heaven1 and seeing the vision of the ,almighty1 we are prepared to feel that what follows has a higher than any human origin2 that it has come direct from the throne of ,god4 ,and 7#d7 there was a propriety that the visions should open with a manifestation of the throne of ,god in heaven1 or with a vision of heaven1 because that1 also1 is the termination of the whole2 it is that to which all the visions in the book tend4 ,it begins in heaven1 as seen by the exile in ,patmos2 it terminates in heaven1 when all enemies of the church are subdued1 and the redeemed reign triumphant in glory4 ,the substance of the introductory vision in this chapter can be stated in few words3 7a7 ,a door is opened1 and ,john is permitted to look into heaven1 and to see what is passing there1 ver4 #a1 #b4 7b7 ,the first thing that strikes him is a throne1 with one sitting on the throne1 ver4 #b4 7c7 ,the appearance of him who sits upon the throne is described1 ver4 #c4 ,he is 8like a jasper and a sardine stone40 ,there is no attempt to portray his form2 there is no description from which an image could be formed that could become an object of idolatrous worshipfor who would undertake to chisel anything so indefinite as that which is merely 8like a jasper or a sardine stone80 ,and yet the description is distinct enough to fill the mind with emotions of awe and sublimity1 and to leave the impression that he who sat on the throne was a pure and holy ,god4 7d7 ,round about the throne there was a bright rainbow3 a symbol of peace1 ver4 #c4 7e7 ,around the throne are gathered the elders of the church1 having on their heads crowns of gold3 symbols of the ultimate triumph of the church1 ver4 #d4 7f7 ,thunder and lightning1 as at ,sinai1 announce the presence of ,god1 and seven burning lamps before the throne represent the ,spirit of ,god1 in his diversified operations1 as going forth through the world to enlighten1 sanctify1 and save1 ver4 #e4 7g7 ,before the throne there is a pellucid pavement1 as of crystal1 spread out like a sea3 emblem of calmness1 majesty1 peace1 and wide dominion1 ver4 #f4 7h7 ,the throne is supported by four living creatures1 full of eyes3 emblems of the all-seeing power of him that sits upon the throne1 and of his ever-watchful providence1 ver4 #f4 7i7 ,to each one of these living creatures there is a peculiar symbolic face3 respectively emblematic of the authority1 the power1 the wisdom of ,god1 and of the rapidity with which the purposes of ,providence are executed1 ver4 #g4 ,all are furnished with wings3 emblematic of their readiness to do the will of ,god 7ver4 #h71 but each one individually with a peculiar form4 7j7 ,all these creatures pay ceaseless homage to ,god1 whose throne they are represented as supporting3 emblematic of the fact that all the operations of the divine government do1 in fact1 promote his glory1 and1 as it were1 render him praise1 ver4 #h1 #i4 7k7 ,to this the elders1 the representatives of the church1 respond3 representing the fact that the church acquiesces in all the arrangements of ,providence1 and in the execution of all the divine purposes1 and finds in them all ground for adoration and thanksgiving1 ver4 #aj1 #aa4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,after this ,i looked1 and1 behold1 a door was opened in heaven2 and the first #agevoice which ,i heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me2 which said1 #agf;,come up hither1 and ,i will show thee things which must be hereafter4 #a4 ,after this4 ,gr41 8,after these things20 that is1 after what he had seen1 #ajh and after what he had been directed to record in the preceding chapters4 ,how long after these things this occurred1 he does not saywhether on the same day1 or at some subsequent time2 and conjecture would be useless4 ,the scene1 however1 is changed4 ,instead of seeing the ,saviour standing before him 7ch4 i471 the scene is transferred to heaven1 and he is permitted to look in upon the throne of ,god1 and upon the worshippers there4 ,i looked4 ,gr41 ,i saw4 ,our word look would rather indicate purpose or intention1 as if he had designedly directed his attention to heaven1 to see what could be discovered there4 ,the meaning1 however1 is simply that he saw a new vision1 without intimating whether there was any design on his part1 and without saying how his thoughts came to be directed to heaven4 ,a door was opened4 ,that is1 there was apparently an opening in the sky like a door1 so that he could look into heaven4 ,in heaven4 ,or1 rather1 in the expanse abovein the visible heavens as they appear to spread out over the earth4 ,so ,eze4 i4 #a1 8,the heavens were opened1 and ,i saw visions of ,god40 ,the ,hebrews spoke of the sky above as a solid expanse2 or as a curtain stretched out2 or as an extended arch above the earthdescribing it as it appears to the eye4 ,in that expanse1 or arch1 the stars are set as gems 7comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xxxiv4 #d72 through apertures or windows in that expanse the rain comes down1 ,ge4 vii4 #aa2 and that is opened when a heavenly messenger comes down to the earth1 ,mat4 iii4 #af4 ,comp4 ,lu4 iii4 #ba2 ,ac4 vii4 #ef2 x4 #aa4 ,of course1 all this is figurative1 but it is such language as all men naturally use4 ,the simple meaning here is1 that ,john had a vision of what is in heaven as if there had been such an opening made through the sky1 and he had been permitted to look into the world above4 ,and the first voice which ,i heard4 ,that is1 the first sound which he heard was a command to come up and see the glories of that world4 ,he afterwards heard other soundsthe sounds of praise2 but the first notes that fell on his ear were a direction to come up there and receive a revelation respecting future things4 ,this does not seem to me to mean1 as ,professor ,stuart1 ,lord1 and others suppose1 that he now recognized the voice which had first1 or formerly spoken to him 7ch4 i4 #aj71 but that this was the first in contradistinction from other voices which he afterwards heard4 ,it resembled the former 8voice0 in this1 that it was 8like the sound of a trumpet10 but besides that there does not seem to have been anything that would suggest to him that it came from the same source4 ,it is certainly possible that the ,greek would admit of that interpretation1 but it is not the most obvious or probable4 ,was as it were of a trumpet4 ,it resembled the sound of a trumpet1 ch4 i4 #aj4 ,talking with me4 ,as of a trumpet that seemed to speak directly to me4 ,which said4 ,that is1 the voice said4 ,come up hither4 ,to the place whence the voice seemed to proceedheaven4 ,and ,i will show thee things which must be hereafter4 ,gr41 8after these things40 ,the reference is to future events2 and the meaning is1 that there would be disclosed to him events that were to occur at some future period4 ,there is no intimation here when they would occur1 or what would be embraced in the period referred to4 ,all that the words would properly convey would be1 that there would be a disclosure of things that were to occur in some future time4 #b ,and immediately ,i was #agg;in the ,spirit3 and1 behold1 a #aghthrone was set in heaven1 and #agione sat on the throne4 #b4 ,and immediately ,i was in the ,spirit4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #aj4 ,he does not affirm that he was caught up into heaven1 nor does he say what impression was on his own mind1 if any1 as to the place where he was2 but he was at once absorbed in the contemplation of the visions before him4 ,he was doubtless still in ,patmos1 and these things were made to pass before his mind as a reality2 that is1 they appeared as real to him as if he saw them1 and they were in fact a real symbolical representation #aji of things occurring in heaven4 ,and1 behold1 a throne was set in heaven4 ,that is1 a throne was placed there4 ,the first thing that arrested his attention was a throne4 ,this was 8in heaven0an expression which proves that the scene of the vision was not the temple in ,jerusalem1 as some have supposed4 ,there is no allusion to the temple1 and no imagery drawn from the temple4 ,isaiah had his vision 7,is4 vi47 in the holy of holies of the temple2 ,ezekiel 7ch4 i4 #a71 by the river ,chebar2 but ,john looked directly into heaven1 and saw the throne of ,god1 and the encircling worshippers there4 ,and one sat on the throne4 ,it is remarkable that ,john gives no description of him who sat on the throne1 nor does he indicate who he was by name4 ,neither do ,isaiah or ,ezekiel attempt to describe the appearance of the ,deity1 nor are there any intimations of that appearance given from which a picture or an image could be formed4 ,so much do their representations accord with what is demanded by correct taste2 and so sedulously have they guarded against any encouragement of idolatry4 #c ,and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone3 and there was a rainbow round about the throne1 in sight like unto an emerald4 #c4 ,and he that sat was to look upon4 ,was in appearance2 or1 as ,i looked upon him1 this seemed to be his appearance4 ,he does not describe his form1 but his splendour4 ,like a jasper4 ,the jasper1 properly1 is 8an opaque1 impure variety of quartz1 of red1 yellow1 and also of some dull colours1 breaking with a smooth surface4 ,it admits of a high polish1 and is used for vases1 seals1 snuff-boxes1 c4 ,when the colours are in stripes or bands1 it is called striped jasper0 7,dana1 in ,webster's ,dictionary74 ,the colour here is not designated1 whether red or yellow4 ,as the red was1 however1 the common colour worn by princes1 it is probable that that was the colour that appeared1 and that ,john means to say that he appeared like a prince in his royal robes4 ,comp4 ,is4 vi4 #a4 ,and a sardine stone4 ,this denotes a precious stone of a blood-red1 or sometimes of a flesh-colour1 more commonly known by the name of carnelian 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,thus it corresponds with the jasper1 and this is only an additional circumstance to convey the exact idea in the mind of ,john1 that the appearance of him who sat on the throne was that of a prince in his scarlet robes4 ,this is all the description which he gives of his appearance2 and this is 7a7 entirely appropriate1 as it suggests the idea of a prince or a monarch2 and 7b7 it is well adapted to impress the mind with a sense of the majesty of ,him who cannot be described1 and of whom no image should be attempted4 ,comp4 ,de4 iv4 #ab3 8,ye heard the voice of the words1 but saw no similitude40 ,and there was a rainbow round about the throne4 ,this is a beautiful image1 and was probably designed to be emblematical as well as beautiful4 ,the previous representation is that of majesty and splendour2 this is adapted to temper the majesty of the representation4 ,the rainbow has always1 from its own nature1 and from its associations1 been an emblem of peace4 ,it appears on the cloud as the storm passes away4 ,it contrasts beautifully with the tempest that has just been raging4 ,it is seen as the rays of the sun again appear clothing all things with beautythe more beautiful from the fact that the storm has come1 and that the rain has fallen4 ,if the rain has been gentle1 nature smiles serenely1 and the leaves and flowers refreshed appear clothed with new beauty3 if the storm has raged violently1 the appearance of the rainbow is a pledge that the war of the elements has ceased1 and that ,god smiles again upon the earth4 ,it reminds us1 too1 of the 8covenant0 when ,god did 8set his bow in the cloud10 and solemnly promised that the earth should no more be destroyed by a flood1 ,ge4 ix4 #iaf4 ,the appearance of the rainbow1 therefore1 around the throne1 was a beautiful emblem of the mercy of ,god1 and of the peace that was to pervade the world as the result of the events that were to be disclosed to the vision of ,john4 ,true1 there were lightnings and thunderings and voices1 but there the bow abode calmly above them all1 assuring him that there was to be mercy and peace4 ,in sight like unto an emerald4 ,the emerald is green1 and this colour so predominated in the bow that it seemed to be made of this species of precious stone4 ,the modified and mild colour of green appears to everyone to predominate in the rainbow4 ,ezekiel 7i4 #bh7 has introduced the image of the rainbow1 also1 in his description of the vision that appeared to #aaj him1 though not as calmly encircling the throne1 but as descriptive of the general appearance of the scene4 8,as is the appearance of the bow that is on the cloud in the day of rain1 so was the appearance of the brightness round about40 ,milton1 also1 has introduced it1 but it is also as a part of the colouring of the throne3 8,over their heads a crystal firmament1 ,whereon a sapphire throne1 inlaid with pure ,amber1 and colours of the showery arch40 ,par4 ,lost1 b4 vii4 #d ,and round about the throne were #ahj;four and twenty seats3 and upon the seats ,i saw four and twenty elders sitting1 #aha;clothed in white raiment2 and they had on their heads #ahb;crowns of gold4 #d4 ,and round about the throne were four and twenty seats4 ,or rather thronesthe same word being used as that which is rendered throne4 ,the word1 indeed1 properly denotes a seat1 but it came to be employed to denote particularly the seat on which a monarch sat1 and is properly translated thus in ver4 #b1 #c4 ,so it is rendered in ,mat4 v4 #cd2 xix4 #bh2 xxiii4 #bb2 xxv4 #ca2 ,lu4 i4 #cb2 and uniformly elsewhere in the ,new ,testament 7fifty-three places in all71 except in ,lu4 i4 #eb2 ,re4 ii4 #ac2 iv4 #d2 xi4 #af2 xvi4 #aj1 where it is rendered seat and seats4 ,it should have been rendered thrones here1 and is so translated by ,professor ,stuart4 ,coverdale and ,tyndale render the word seat in each place in ver4 #be4 ,it was undoubtedly the design of the writer to represent those who sat on those seats as1 in some sense1 kingsfor they have on their heads crowns of goldand that idea should have been retained in the translation of this word4 ,and upon the seats ,i saw four and twenty elders sitting4 ,very various opinions have been entertained in respect to those who thus appeared sitting around the throne1 and to the question why the number twenty-four is mentioned4 ,instead of examining those opinions at length1 it will be better to present1 in a summary manner1 what seems to be probable in regard to the intended reference4 ,the following points1 then1 would appear to embrace all that can be known on this subject4 7#a7 ,these elders have a regal character1 or are of a kingly order4 ,this is apparent1 7a7 because they are represented as sitting on 8thrones10 and 7b7 because they have on their heads 8crowns of gold40 7#b7 ,they are emblematic4 ,they are designed to symbolize or represent some class of persons4 ,this is clear1 7a7 because it cannot be supposed that so small a number would compose the whole of those who are in fact around the throne of ,god1 and 7b7 because there are other symbols there designed to represent something pertaining to the homage rendered to ,god1 as the four living creatures and the angels1 and this supposition is necessary in order to complete the symmetry and harmony of the representation4 7#c7 ,they are human beings1 and are designed to have some relation to the race of man1 and somehow to connect the human race with the worship of heaven4 ,the four living creatures have another design2 the angels 7ch4 v47 have another2 but these are manifestly of our racepersons from this world before the throne4 7#d7 ,they are designed in some way to be symbolic of the church as redeemed4 ,thus they say 7ch4 v4 #i71 8,thou hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood40 7#e7 ,they are designed to represent the whole church in every land and every age of the world4 ,thus they say 7ch4 v4 #i71 8,thou hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood1 out of every kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation40 ,this shows1 further1 that the whole representation is emblematic2 for otherwise in so small a numbertwenty-fourthere could not be a representation out of every nation4 7#f7 ,they represent the church triumphantthe church victorious4 ,thus they have crowns on their heads2 they have harps in their hands 7ch4 v4 #h72 they say that they are 8kings and priests10 and that they will 8reign on the earth10 ch4 v4 #aj4 7#g7 ,the design1 therefore1 is to represent the church triumphantredeemedsavedas rendering praise and honour to ,god2 as uniting with the hosts of heaven in adoring him for his perfections and for the wonders of his grace4 ,as representatives of the church1 they are admitted near to him2 they encircle his throne2 they appear victorious over every foe2 and they come1 in unison with the living creatures1 and the angels1 and the whole universe 7ch4 v4 #ac71 to ascribe power and dominion to ,god4 7#h7 ,as to the reason why the #aaa number 8twenty-four0 is mentioned1 perhaps nothing certain can be determined4 ,ezekiel1 in his vision 7,eze4 viii4 #af2 xi4 #a71 saw twenty-five men between the porch and the altar1 with their backs toward the temple1 and their faces toward the earthsupposed to be representations of the twenty-four 8courses0 into which the body of priests was divided 7#a ,ch4 xxiv4 #cai71 with the high-priest among them1 making up the number twenty-five4 ,it is possible that ,john in this vision may have designed to refer to the church considered as a priesthood 7comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 ii4 #i71 and to have alluded to the fact that the priesthood under the ,jewish economy was divided into twenty-four courses1 each with a presiding officer1 and who was a representative of that portion of the priesthood over which he presided4 ,if so1 then the ideas which enter into the representation are these3 7a7 ,that the whole church may be represented as a priesthood1 or a community of priestsan idea which frequently occurs in the ,new ,testament4 7b7 ,that the church1 as such a community of priests1 is employed in the praise and worship of ,godan idea1 also1 which finds abundant countenance in the ,new ,testament4 7c7 ,that1 in a series of visions having a designed reference to the church1 it was natural to introduce some symbol or emblem representing the church1 and representing the fact that this is its office and employment4 ,and 7d7 that this would be well expressed by an allusion derived from the ancient dispensationthe division of the priesthood into classes1 over each one of which there presided an individual who might be considered as the representative of his class4 ,it is to be observed1 indeed1 that in one respect they are represented as 8kings10 but still this does not forbid the supposition that there might have been intermingled also another idea1 that they were also 8priests40 ,thus the two ideas are blended by these same elders in ch4 v4 #aj3 8,and hath made us unto our ,god kings and priests40 ,thus understood1 the vision is designed to denote the fact that the representatives of the church1 ultimately to be triumphant1 are properly engaged in ascribing praise to ,god4 ,the word elders here seems to be used in the sense of aged and venerable men1 rather than as denoting office4 ,they were such as by their age were qualified to preside over the different divisions of the priesthood4 ,clothed in white raiment4 ,emblem of purity1 and appropriate1 therefore1 to the representatives of the sanctified church4 ,comp4 ch4 iii4 #d2 vi4 #aa2 vii4 #i4 ,and they had on their heads crowns of gold4 ,emblematic of the fact that they sustained a kingly office4 ,there was blended in the representation the idea that they were both 8kings and priests40 ,thus the idea is expressed by ,peter 7#a ,pe4 ii4 #i71 8a royal priesthood0 4 #e ,and out of the throne proceeded #ahclightnings and thunderings and voices3 and there were seven #ahdlamps of fire burning before the throne1 which are the #aheseven ,spirits of ,god4 #e4 ,and out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices4 ,expressive of the majesty and glory of ,him that sat upon it4 ,we are at once reminded by this representation of the sublime scene that occurred at ,sinai 7,ex4 xix4 #af71 where 8there were thunders and lightnings1 and a thick cloud upon the mount1 and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud40 ,comp4 ,eze4 i4 #ac1 #bd4 ,so ,milton3 8,forth rushed with whirlwind sound ,the chariot of ,paternal ,deity1 ,flashing thick flames40 8,and from about him fierce effusion rolled ,of smoke1 and lightning flame1 and sparkles dire40 ,par4 ,lost1 b4 vi4 ,the word 8voices0 here connected with 8thunders0 perhaps means 8voices even thunders0referring to the sound made by the thunder4 ,the meaning is1 that these were echoing and re-echoing sounds1 as it were a multitude of voices that seemed to speak on every side4 ,and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne4 ,seven burning lamps that constantly shone there1 illuminating the whole scene4 ,these steadily burning lamps would add much to the beauty of the vision4 ,which are the seven ,spirits of ,god4 ,which represent1 or are emblematic of1 the seven ,spirits of ,god4 ,on the meaning of the phrase1 8the seven ,spirits of ,god10 see ,notes on chap4 i4 #d4 ,if these lamps are designed to be symbols of the ,holy ,spirit1 according to the interpretation proposed in chap4 i4 #d1 it may #aab be perhaps in the following respects3 7#a7 ,they may represent the manifold influences of that ,spirit in the worldas imparting light2 giving consolation2 creating the heart anew2 sanctifying the soul1 c4 7#b7 ,they may denote that all the operations of that ,spirit are of the nature of light1 dissipating darkness1 and vivifying and animating all things4 7#c7 ,perhaps their being placed here before the throne1 in the midst of thunder and lightning1 may be designed to represent the idea thatamidst all the scenes of magnificence and grandeur2 all the storms1 agitations1 and tempests on the earth2 all the political changes2 all the convulsions of empire under the providence of ,god2 and all the commotions in the soul of man1 produced by the thunders of the lawthe ,spirit of ,god beams calmly and serenely1 shedding a steady influence over all1 like lamps burning in the very midst of lightnings1 and thunderings1 and voices4 ,in all the scenes of majesty and commotion that occur on the earth1 the ,spirit of ,god is present1 shedding a constant light1 and undisturbed in his influence by all the agitations that are abroad4 #f ,and before the throne there was a #ahfsea of glass like unto crystal3 and in the midst of the throne1 and round about the throne1 were #ahg;four beasts1 full of eyes before and behind4 #f4 ,and before the throne there was a sea of glass4 ,an expanse spread out like a sea composed of glass3 that is1 that was pellucid and transparent like glass4 ,it is not uncommon to compare the sea with glass4 ,see numerous examples in ,wetstein1 in loco4 ,the point of the comparison here seems to be its transparent appearance4 ,it was perfectly clearapparently stretching out in a wide expanse1 as if it were a sea4 ,like unto crystal4 ,the word crystal means properly anything congealed and pellucid1 as ice2 then anything resembling that1 particularly a certain species of stone distinguished for its clearnessas the transparent crystals of quartz2 limpid and colourless quartz2 rock or mountain quartz4 ,the word crystal now1 in mineralogy1 means an inorganic body which1 by the operation of affinity1 has assumed the form of a regular solid1 by a certain number of plane and smooth faces4 ,it is here used manifestly in its popular sense to denote anything that is perfectly clear like ice4 ,the comparison1 in the representation of the expanse spread around the throne1 turns on these points3 7#a7 ,it appeared like a seastretching afar4 7#b7 ,it resembled1 in its general appearance1 glass2 and this idea is strengthened by the addition of another image of the same characterthat it was like an expanse of crystal1 perfectly clear and pellucid4 ,this would seem to be designed to represent the floor or pavement on which the throne stood4 ,if this is intended to be emblematical1 it may denote 7a7 that the empire of ,god is vastas if it were spread out like the sea2 or 7b7 it may be emblematic of the calmness1 the placidity of the divine administrationlike an undisturbed and unruffled ocean of glass4 ,perhaps1 however1 we should not press such circumstances too far to find a symbolical meaning4 ,and in the midst of the throne4 4 ,not occupying the throne1 but so as to appear to be intermingled with the throne1 or 8in the midst0 of it1 in the sense that it was beneath the centre of it4 ,the meaning would seem to be1 that the four living creatures referred to occupied such a position collectively that they at the same time appeared to be under the throne1 so that it rested on them1 and around it1 so that they could be seen from any quarter4 ,this would occur if their bodies were under the throne1 and if they stood so that they faced outward4 ,to one approaching the throne they would seem to be around it1 though their bodies were under1 or 8in the midst0 of it as a support4 ,the form of their bodies is not specified1 but it is not improbable that though their heads were different1 their bodies1 that were under the throne1 and that sustained it1 were of the same form4 ,and round about the throne4 ,in the sense above explainedthat1 as they stood1 they would be seen on every side of the throne4 ,were four beasts4 ,this is a very unhappy translation1 as the word beasts by no means conveys a correct idea of the original word4 ,the ,greek wordmeans properly a living thing2 and it is thus indeed applied to animals1 or to the living creation1 but the notion of their being living things1 or living creatures1 should be retained in the translation4 ,professor ,stuart renders it1 8living creatures40 ,isaiah 7vi471 in his vision of ,jehovah1 #aac saw two seraphim2 ,ezekiel1 whom ,john more nearly resembles in his description1 saw four 8living creatures0 7ch4 i4 #e7that is1 living1 animated1 moving beings4 ,the words 8living beings0 would better convey the idea than any other which could be employed4 ,they are evidently1 like those which ,ezekiel saw1 symbolical beings2 but the nature and purpose of the symbol is not perfectly apparent4 ,the 8four and twenty elders0 are evidently human beings1 and are representatives1 as above explained1 of the church4 ,in ch4 v4 #aa1 angels are themselves introduced as taking an important part in the worship of heaven3 and these living beings1 therefore1 cannot be designed to represent either angels or men4 ,in ,ezekiel they are either designed as poetic representations of the majesty of ,god1 or of his providential government1 showing what sustains his throne2 symbols denoting intelligence1 vigilance1 the rapidity and directness with which the divine commands are executed1 and the energy and firmness with which the government of ,god is administered4 ,the nature of the case1 and the similarity to the representation in ,ezekiel1 would lead us to suppose that the same idea is to be found substantially in ,john2 and there would be no difficulty in such an interpretation were it not that these 8living creatures0 are apparently represented in ch4 v4 #h1 #i1 as uniting with the redeemed from the earth in such a manner as to imply that they were themselves redeemed4 ,but perhaps the language in ch4 v4 #i1 8,and they sung a new song10 c41 though apparently connected with the 8four beasts0 in ver4 #h1 is not designed to be so connected4 ,john may intend there merely to advert to the fact that a new song was sung1 without meaning to say that the 8four living beings0 united in that song4 ,for1 if he designed merely to say that the 8four living beings0 and the 8four and twenty elders0 fell down to worship1 and then that a song was heard1 though in fact sung only by the four and twenty elders1 he might have employed the language which he actually has done4 ,if this interpretation be admitted1 then the most natural explanation to be given of the 8four living beings0 is to suppose that they are symbolical beings designed to furnish some representation of the government of ,godto illustrate1 as it were1 that on which the divine government rests1 or which constitutes its supportto wit1 power1 intelligence1 vigilance1 energy4 ,this is apparent1 7a7 because it was not unusual for the thrones of monarchs to be supported by carved animals of various forms1 which were designed undoubtedly to be somehow emblematic of governmenteither of its stability1 vigilance1 boldness1 or firmness4 ,thus ,solomon had twelve lions carved on each side of his throneno improper emblems of government#a ,ki4 x4 #aj1 #bj4 7b7 ,these living beings are described as the supports of the throne of ,god1 or as that on which it rests1 and would be1 therefore1 no improper symbols of the great principles or truths which give support or stability to the divine administration4 7c7 ,they are1 in themselves1 well adapted to be representatives of the great principles of the divine government1 or of the divine providential dealings1 as we shall see in the more particular explanation of the symbol1 7d7 ,perhaps it might be added1 that1 so understood1 there would be completeness in the vision4 ,the 8elders0 appear there as representatives of the church redeemed2 the angels in their own proper persons render praise to ,god4 ,to this it was not improper to add1 and the completeness of the representation seems to make it necessary to add1 that all the doings of the ,almighty unite in his praise2 his various acts in the government of the universe harmonize with redeemed and unfallen intelligences in proclaiming his glory4 ,the vision of the 8living beings10 therefore1 is not1 as ,i suppose1 a representation of the attributes of ,god as such1 but an emblematic representation of the divine governmentof the throne of ,deity resting upon1 or sustained by1 those things of which these living beings are emblemsintelligence1 firmness1 energy1 c4 ,this supposition seems to combine more probabilities than any other which has been proposed2 for1 according to this supposition1 all the acts1 and ways1 and creatures of ,god unite in his praise4 ,it is proper to add1 however1 that expositors are by no means agreed as to the design of this representation4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that the attributes of ,god are referred to2 ,mr4 ,elliott 7i4 #ic71 that the 8twenty-four elders and the four living creatures symbolize the church1 or the collective body of the saints of ,god2 and that as there are two grand #aad divisions of the church1 the larger one that of the departed in ,paradise1 and the other that militant on earth1 the former is depicted by the twenty-four elders1 and the latter by the living creatures20 ,mr4 ,lord 7pp4 #ec1 #ed71 that the living creatures and the elders are both of one race2 the former perhaps denoting those like ,enoch and ,elijah1 who were translated1 and those who were raised by the ,saviour after his resurrection1 or those who have been raised to special eminencethe latter the mass of the redeemed2 ,mr4 ,mede1 that the living creatures are symbols of the church worshipping on earth2 ,mr4 ,daubuz1 that they are symbols of the ministers of the church on earth2 ,vitringa1 that they are symbols of eminent ministers and teachers in every age2 ,dr4 ,hammond regards him who sits on the throne as the metropolitan bishop of ,judea1 the representative of ,god1 the elders as diocesan bishops of ,judea1 and the living creatures as four apostles1 symbols of the saints who are to attend the ,almighty as assessors in judgment6 ,see ,lord on the ,apocalypse1 pp4 #eh1 #ei4 ,full of eyes4 ,denoting omniscience4 ,the ancients fabled ,argus as having one hundred eyes1 or as having the power of seeing in any direction4 ,the emblem here would denote an ever-watchful and observing ,providence2 and1 in accordance with the explanation proposed above1 it means that1 in the administration of the divine government1 everything is distinctly contemplated2 nothing escapes observation2 nothing can be concealed4 ,it is obvious that the divine government could not be administered unless this were so2 and it is the perfection of the government of ,god that all things are seen just as they are4 ,in the vision seen by ,ezekiel 7ch4 i4 #ah71 the 8rings0 of the wheels on which the living creatures moved are represented as 8full of eyes round about them10 emblematic of the same thing4 ,so ,milton 8,as with stars their bodies all1 ,and wings were set with eyes2 with eyes the wheels ,of beryl1 and careening fires between40 ,before4 ,in front4 ,as one looked on their faces1 from whatever quarter the throne was approached1 he could see a multitude of eyes looking upon him4 ,and behind4 ,on the parts of their bodies which were under the throne4 ,the meaning is1 that there is universal vigilance in the government of ,god4 ,whatever is the form of the divine administration2 whatever part is contemplated2 however it is manifestedwhether as activity1 energy1 power1 or intelligenceit is based on the fact that all things are seen from every direction4 ,there is nothing that is the result of blind fate or of chance4 #g ,and the first beast was like a lion1 and the second beast like a calf1 and the third beast had a face as a man1 and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle4 #g4 ,and the first beast was like a lion4 ,a general description has been given1 applicable to all1 denoting that in whatever form the divine government is administered1 these things will be found2 a particular description now follows1 contemplating that government under particular aspects1 as symbolized by the living beings on which the throne rests4 ,the first is that of a lion4 ,the lion is the monarch of the woods1 the king of beasts1 and he becomes thus the emblem of dominion1 of authority1 of government in general4 ,comp4 ,ge4 xlix4 #i2 ,am4 iii4 #h2 ,joel iii4 #af2 ,da4 vii4 #d4 ,as emblematic of the divine administration1 this would signify that ,he who sits on the throne is the ruler over all1 and that his dominion is absolute and entire4 ,it has been made a question whether the whole body had the form of a lion1 or whether it had the appearance of a lion only as to its face or front part4 ,it would seem probable that the latter only is intended1 for it is expressly said of the 8third beast0 that it had 8the face of a man10 implying that it did not resemble a man in other respects1 and it is probable that1 as these living creatures were the supports of the throne1 they had the same form in all other particulars except the front part4 ,the writer has not informed us what was the appearance of these living creatures in other respects1 but it is most natural to suppose that it was in the form of an ox1 as being adapted to sustain a burden4 ,it is hardly necessary to say that the thing supposed to be symbolical here in the government of ,godhis absolute ruleactually exists1 or that it is important that this should be fairly exhibited to men4 ,and the second beast like a calf4 ,or1 more properly1 a young bullock1 #aae for so the wordmeans4 ,the term is given by ,herodotus 7ii4 #da2 iii4 #bh7 to the ,egyptian god ,apis1 that is1 a young bullock4 ,such an emblem1 standing under a throne as one of its supports1 would symbolize firmness1 endurance1 strength 7comp4 ,pr4 xiv4 #d72 and1 as used to represent qualities pertaining to him who sat on the throne1 would denote stability1 firmness1 perseverance3 qualities that are found abundantly in the divine administration4 ,there was clearly1 in the apprehension of the ancients1 some natural fitness or propriety in such an emblem4 ,a young bullock was worshipped in ,egypt as a god4 ,jeroboam set up two idols in the form of a calf1 the one in ,dan and the other in ,bethel1 #a ,ki4 xii4 #bh1 #bi4 ,a similar object of worship was found in the ,indian1 ,greek1 and ,scandinavian mythologies1 and the image appears to have been adopted early and extensively to represent the divinity4 ,illustration3 ,egyptian ,calf-idol4 ,the above figure is a representation of a calf-idol1 copied from the collection made by the artists of the ,french ,institute at ,cairo4 ,it is recumbent1 with human eyes1 the skin flesh-coloured1 and the whole after-parts covered with a white and sky-blue drapery3 the horns not on the head1 but above it1 and containing within them the symbolical globe surmounted by two feathers4 ,the meaning of the emblems on the back is not known4 ,it is copied here merely to show that1 for some cause1 the calf was regarded as an emblem of the ,divinity4 ,it may illustrate this1 also1 to remark that among the sculptures found by ,mr4 ,layard1 in the ruins of ,nineveh1 were not a few winged bulls1 some of them of large structure1 and probably all of them emblematic4 ,one of these was removed with great difficulty1 to be deposited in the ,british ,museum4 ,see ,mr4 ,layard's ,nineveh and its ,remains1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #fdge4 ,such emblems were common in the ,east2 and1 being thus common1 they would be readily understood in the time of ,john4 ,and the third beast had a face as a man4 ,there is no intimation as to what was the form of the remaining portion of this living creature2 but as the beasts were 8in the midst of the throne10 that is1 under it as a support1 it may be presumed that they had such a form as was adapted to that purposeas supposed above1 perhaps the form of an ox4 ,to this living creature there was attached the head of a man1 and that would be what would be particularly visible to one looking on the throne4 ,the aspect of a man here would denote intelligencefor it is this which distinguishes man from the creation beneath him2 and if the explanation of the symbol above given be correct1 then the meaning of this emblem is1 that the operations of the government of ,god are conducted with intelligence and wisdom4 ,that is1 the divine administration is not the result of blind fate or chance2 it is founded on a clear knowledge of things1 on what is best to be done1 on what will most conduce to the common good4 ,of the truth of this there can be no doubt2 and there was a propriety that1 in a vision designed to give to man a view of the government of the ,almighty1 this should be appropriately symbolized4 ,it may illustrate this to observe1 that in ancient sculptures it was common to unite the head of a man with the figure of an animal1 as combining symbols4 ,among the most remarkable figures discovered by ,mr4 ,layard1 in the ruins of ,nineveh1 were winged1 human-headed lions4 ,these lions are thus described by ,mr4 ,layard38,they were about twelve feet in height1 and the same number in length4 ,the body and limbs were admirably portrayed2 the muscles and bones1 although strongly developed1 to display the strength of the animal1 showed1 at the same time1 a correct knowledge of its anatomy and form4 ,expanded wings sprung from the shoulder and spread over the back2 a knotted girdle1 ending in tassels1 encircled the loins4 ,these sculptures1 forming an entrance1 were partly in full1 and partly in relief4 ,the head and forepart1 facing the chambers1 were in full2 but only one #aaf side of the rest of the slab was sculptured1 the back being placed against the wall of sun-dried bricks0 7,nineveh and its ,remains1 vol4 i4 p4 #ge74 ,the following engraving will give an idea of one of these human-headed animals1 and will serve to illustrate the passage before usalike in reference to the head1 indicating intelligence1 and the wings1 denoting rapidity4 ,illustration3 ,human-headed ,winged ,lion4 ,on the use of these figures1 found in the ruins of ,nineveh1 ,mr4 ,layard makes the following sensible remarksremarks admirably illustrating the view which ,i take of the symbols before us38,i used to contemplate for hours these mysterious emblems1 and muse over their intent and history4 ,what more noble forms could have ushered the people into the temple of their gods8 ,what more subblime images could have been borrowed from nature by men who sought1 unaided by the light of revealed religion1 to embody their conceptions of the wisdom1 power1 and ubiquity of a ,supreme ,being8 ,they could find no better type of intellect and knowledge than the head of a man2 of strength1 than the body of the lion2 of rapidity of motion1 than the wings of a bird4 ,these winged1 human-headed lions were not idle creations1 the offspring of mere fancy2 their meaning was written upon them4 ,they had awed and instructed races which flourished #cjjj years ago4 ,through the portals which they guarded1 kings1 priests1 and warriors had borne sacrifices to their altars1 long before the wisdom of the ,east had penetrated into ,greece1 and had furnished its mythology with symbols long recognized by the ,assyrian votaries0 7,nineveh and its ,remains1 vol4 i4 p4 #ge1 #gf74 ,and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle4 ,all birds1 indeed1 fly2 but the epithet flying is here employed to add intensity to the description4 ,the eagle is distinguished1 among the feathered race1 for the rapidity1 the power1 and the elevation of its flight4 ,no other bird is supposed to fly so high2 none ascends with so much power2 none is so majestic and grand in his ascent towards the sun4 ,that which would be properly symbolized by this would be the rapidity with which the commands of ,god are executed2 or this characteristic of the divine government1 that the purposes of ,god are carried into prompt execution4 ,there is1 as it were1 a vigorous1 powerful1 and rapid flight towards the accomplishment of the designs of ,godas the eagle ascends unmolested towards the sun4 ,or1 it may be that this symbolizes protecting care1 or is an emblem of that protection which ,god1 by his providence1 extends over those who put their trust in him4 ,thus in ,ex4 xix4 #d1 8,ye have seen how ,i bare you on eagles' wings40 8,hide me under the shadow of thy wings10 ,ps4 xvii4 #h4 8,in the shadow of thy wings will ,i rejoice10 ,ps4 lxiii4 #g4 8,as an eagle stirreth up her nest1 fluttereth over her young1 spreadeth abroad her wings1 taketh them1 beareth them on her wings3 so the ,lord alone did lead him10 ,de4 xxxii4 #aa1 #ab1 c4 ,as in the case of the other living beings1 so it is to be remarked of the fourth living creature also1 that the form of the body is unknown4 ,there is no impropriety in supposing that it is only its front aspect that ,john here speaks of1 for that was sufficient for the symbol4 ,the remaining portion 8in the midst of the throne0 may have corresponded with that of the other living beings1 as being adapted to a support4 ,in further illustration of this it may be remarked1 that symbols of this description were common in the ,oriental world4 ,figures in the human form1 or in the form of animals1 with the head of an eagle or a vulture1 are found in the ruins of ,nineveh1 and were undoubtedly designed to be symbolic4 8,on the earliest ,assyrian monuments10 says ,mr4 ,layard 7,nineveh and its ,remains1 vol4 ii4 p4 #cdh1 #cdi71 8one of the most prominent sacred types is the eagle-headed1 or the vulture-headed1 human figure4 ,not only is it found in colossal proportions on the walls1 or guarding the portals of the chambers1 but it is also constantly represented in the groups on the embroidered #aag robes4 ,when thus introduced1 it is generally seen contending with other mythic animalssuch as the human-headed lion or bull2 and in these contests it is always the conqueror4 ,it may hence be inferred that it was a type of the ,supreme ,deity1 or of one of his principal attributes4 ,a fragment of the ,zoroastrian oracles1 preserved by ,eusebius1 declares that #8,god is he that has the head of a hawk4 ,he is the first1 indestructible1 eternal1 unbegotten1 indivisible1 dissimilar2 the dispenser of all good2 incorruptible2 the best of the good1 the wisest of the wise2 he is the father of equity and justice1 self-taught1 physical and perfect1 and wise1 and the only inventor of the sacred philosophy4' ,sometimes the head of this bird is added to the body of a lion4 ,under this form of the ,egyptian hieraco-sphinx it is the conqueror in combats with other symbolical figures1 and is frequently represented as striking down a gazelle or wild goat4 ,it also clearly resembles the gryphon of the ,greek mythology1 avowedly an ,eastern symbol1 and connected with ,apollo1 or with the sun1 of which the ,assyrian form was probably an emblem40 ,the following figure found in ,nimroud1 or ancient ,nineveh1 may furnish an illustration of one of the usual forms4 ,illustration3 ,eagle-headed ,winged ,lion4 ,if these views of the meaning of these symbols are correct1 then the idea which would be conveyed to the mind of ,john1 and the idea1 therefore1 which should be conveyed to our minds1 is1 that the government of ,god is energetic1 firm1 intelligent1 and that in the execution of its purposes it is rapid like the unobstructed flight of an eagle1 or protective like the care of the eagle for its young4 ,when1 in the subsequent parts of the vision1 these living creatures are represented as offering praise and adoration to ,him that sits on the throne 7ver4 #h2 ch4 v4 #h1 #ad71 the meaning would be1 in accordance with this representation1 that all the acts of divine government do1 as if they were personified1 unite in the praise which the redeemed and the angels ascribe to ,god4 ,all living things1 and all acts of the ,almighty1 conspire to proclaim his glory4 ,the church1 by her representatives1 the 8four and twenty elders10 honours ,god2 the angels1 without number1 unite in the praise2 all creatures in heaven1 in earth1 under the earth1 and in the sea 7ch4 v4 #ac71 join in the song2 and all the acts and ways of ,god declare also his majesty and glory3 for around his throne1 and beneath his throne1 are expressive symbols of the firmness1 energy1 intelligence1 and power with which his government is administered4 #h ,and the four beasts had each of them #ahhsix wings about him2 and they were full of eyes within3 and they #ahirest not day and night1 saying1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god ,almighty1 which was1 and is1 and is to come4 #h4 ,and the four beasts had each of them six wings about him4 ,an emblem common to them all1 denoting that1 in reference to each and all the things here symbolized1 there was one common characteristicthat in heaven there is the utmost promptness in executing the divine commands4 ,comp4 ,is4 vi4 #b2 ,ps4 xviii4 #aj2 civ4 #c2 ,je4 xlviii4 #dj4 ,no mention is made of the manner in which these wings were arranged1 and conjecture in regard to that is vain4 ,the seraphim1 as seen by ,isaiah1 had each one six wings1 with two of which the face was covered1 to denote profound reverence2 with two the feet1 or lower partsemblematic of modesty2 and with two they flewemblematic of their celerity in executing the commands of ,god1 ,is4 vi4 #b4 ,perhaps without impropriety we may suppose that1 in regard to these living beings seen by ,john1 two of the wings of each were employed1 as in ,isaiah1 to cover the facetoken of profound reverence2 and that the remainder were employed in flightdenoting the rapidity with which the divine commands are executed4 ,mercury1 the messenger of ,jupiter among the heathen1 was represented with wings1 and nothing is #aah more common in the paintings and bas-reliefs of antiquity than such representations4 ,and they were full of eyes within4 ,professor ,stuart more correctly renders this1 8around and within are full of eyes20 connecting the word 8around0 8about01 not with the wings1 as in our version1 but with the eyes4 ,the meaning is1 that the portions of the beasts that were visible from the outside of the throne1 and the portions under or within the throne1 were covered with eyes4 ,the obvious design of this is to mark the universal vigilance of divine providence4 ,and they rest not4 ,marg41 have no rest4 ,that is1 they are constantly employed2 there is no intermission4 ,the meaning1 as above explained1 is1 that the works and ways of ,god are constantly bringing praise to him4 ,day and night4 ,continually4 ,they who are employed day and night fill up the whole timefor this is all4 ,saying1 ,holy1 holy1 holy4 ,for the meaning of this1 see ,notes on ,is4 vi4 #c4 ,lord ,god ,almighty4 ,isaiah 7vi4 #c7 expresses it1 8,jehovah of hosts40 ,the reference is to the true ,god1 and the epithet ,almighty is one that is often given him4 ,it is peculiarly appropriate here1 as there were to be1 as the sequel shows1 remarkable exhibitions of power in executing the purposes described in this book4 ,which was1 and is1 and is to come4 ,who is eternalexisting in all past time2 existing now2 and to continue to exist for ever4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #d4 #i ,and when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne1 #aijwho liveth for ever and ever1 #i4 ,and when those beasts give glory1 c4 ,as often as those living beings ascribe glory to ,god4 ,they did this continually 7ver4 #h72 and1 if the above explanation be correct1 then the idea is that the ways and acts of ,god in his providential government are continually of such a nature as to honour him4 #aj ,the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne1 and worship him that liveth for ever and ever1 and cast their #aia;crowns before the throne1 saying1 #aj4 ,the four and twenty elders fall down before him1 c4 ,the representatives of the redeemed church in heaven 7,notes1 ver4 #d7 also unite in the praise4 ,the meaning1 if the explanation of the symbol be correct1 is1 that the church universal unites in praise to ,god for all that characterizes his administration4 ,in the connection in which this stands here1 the sense would be1 that as often as there is any new manifestation of the principles of the divine government1 the church ascribes new praise to ,god4 ,whatever may be thought of this explanation of the meaning of the symbols1 of the fact here stated there can be no doubt4 ,the church of ,god always rejoices when there is any new manifestation of the principles of the divine administration4 ,as all these acts1 in reality1 bring glory and honour to ,god1 the church1 as often as there is any new manifestation of the divine character and purposes1 renders praise anew4 ,nor can it be doubted that the view here taken is one that is every way appropriate to the general character of this book4 ,the great design was to disclose what ,god was to do in future times1 in the various revolutions that were to take place on the earth1 until his government should be firmly established1 and the principles of his administration should everywhere prevail2 and there was a propriety1 therefore1 in describing the representatives of the church as taking part in this universal praise1 and as casting every crown at the feet of ,him who sits upon the throne4 ,and cast their crowns before the throne4 ,they are described as 8crowned0 7ver4 #d71 that is1 as triumphant1 and as kings 7comp4 ch4 v4 #aj71 and they are here represented as casting their crowns at his feet1 in token that they owe their triumph to ,him4 ,to his providential dealings1 to his wise and merciful government1 they owe it that they are crowned at all2 and there is1 therefore1 a propriety that they should acknowledge this in a proper manner by placing their crowns at his feet4 #aa ,thou art #aibworthy1 ,o ,lord1 to receive glory and honour and power2 #aic;for thou hast created all things1 and for thy pleasure they are and were created4 #aa4 ,thou art worthy1 ,o ,lord4 ,in thy character1 perfections1 and government1 there is that which makes it #aai proper that universal praise should be rendered4 ,the feeling of all true worshippers is1 that ,god is worthy of the praise that is ascribed to him4 ,no man worships him aright who does not feel that there is that in his nature and his doings which makes it proper that he should receive universal adoration4 ,to receive glory4 ,to have praise or glory ascribed to thee4 ,and honour4 ,to be honoured2 that is1 to be approached and adored as worthy of honour4 ,and power4 ,to have power ascribed to thee1 or to be regarded as having infinite power4 ,man can confer no power on ,god1 but he may acknowledge that which he has1 and adore him for its exertion in his behalf and in the government of the world4 ,for thou hast created all things4 ,thus laying the foundation for praise4 ,no one can contemplate this vast and wonderful universe without seeing that ,he who has made it is worthy to 8receive glory1 and honour1 and power40 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job xxxviii4 #g4 ,and for thy pleasure they are4 ,they exist by thy will 4 ,the meaning is1 that they owe their existence to the will of ,god1 and therefore their creation lays the foundation for praise4 ,he 8spake1 and it was done2 he commanded1 and it stood fast40 ,he said1 8,let there be light2 and there was light40 ,there is no other reason why the universe exists at all than that such was the will of ,god2 there is nothing else that is to be adduced as explaining the fact that anything has now a being4 ,the putting forth of that will explains all2 and1 consequently1 whatever wisdom1 power1 goodness1 is manifested in the universe1 is to be traced to ,god1 and is the expression of what was in him from eternity4 ,it is proper1 then1 to 8look up through nature to nature's ,god10 and wherever we see greatness or goodness in the works of creation1 to regard them as the faint expression of what exists essentially in the ,creator4 ,and were created4 ,bringing more distinctly into notice the fact that they owe their existence to his will4 ,they are not eternal2 they are not self-existent2 they were formed from nothing4 ,this concludes the magnificent introduction to the principal visions in this book4 ,it is beautifully appropriate to the solemn disclosures which are to be made in the following portions of the book1 and1 as in the case of ,isaiah and ,ezekiel1 was eminently adapted to impress the mind of the holy seer with awe4 ,heaven is opened to his view2 the throne of ,god is seen2 there is a vision of ,him who sits upon that throne2 thunders and voices are heard around the throne2 the lightnings play2 and a rainbow1 symbol of peace1 encircles all2 the representatives of the redeemed church1 occupying subordinate thrones1 and in robes of victory1 and with crowns on their heads1 are there2 a vast smooth expanse like the sea is spread out before the throne2 and the emblems of the wisdom1 the power1 the vigilance1 the energy1 the strength of the divine administration are there1 represented as in the act of bringing honour to ,god1 and proclaiming his praise4 ,the mind of ,john was doubtless prepared by these august visions for the disclosures which follow2 and the mind of the reader should in like manner be deeply and solemnly impressed when he contemplates them1 as if he looked into heaven1 and saw the impressive grandeur of the worship there4 ,let us fancy ourselves1 therefore1 with the holy seer looking into heaven1 and listen with reverence to what the great ,god discloses respecting the various changes that are to occur until every foe of the church shall be subdued1 and the earth shall acknowledge his sway1 and the whole scene shall close in the triumphs and joys of heaven4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter introduces the disclosure of future events4 ,it is done in a manner eminently fitted to impress the mind with a sense of the importance of the revelations about to be made4 ,the proper state of mind for appreciating this chapter is that when we look on the future1 and are sensible that important events are about to occur2 when we feel that that future is wholly impenetrable to us2 and when the efforts of the highest created minds fail to lift the mysterious veil which hides those events from our view2 it is in accordance with our nature that the mind should be impressed with solemn awe under such circumstances2 it is not a violation of the laws of our nature that one who had an earnest desire to penetrate that future1 and who saw the volume before him which contained the mysterious revelation1 and who yet felt that there was no one in heaven or earth who could break the seals1 and disclose what was to come1 should weep4 ,comp4 #abj ver4 #d4 ,the design of the whole chapter is evidently to honour the ,lamb of ,god1 by showing that the power was intrusted to him which was confided to no one else in heaven or earth1 of disclosing what is to come4 ,nothing else would better illustrate this than the fact that he alone could break the mysterious seals which barred out the knowledge of the future from all created eyes2 and nothing would be better adapted to impress this on the mind than the representation in this chapterthe exhibition of a mysterious book in the hand of ,god2 the proclamation of the angel1 calling on any who could do it to open the book2 the fact that no one in heaven or earth could do it2 the tears shed by ,john when it was found that no one could do it2 the assurance of one of the elders that the ,lion of the tribe of ,judah had power to do it2 and the profound adoration of all in heaven1 and in earth1 and under the earth in view of the power intrusted to him of breaking these mysterious seals4 ,the main points in the chapter are these3 7#a7 ,having in ch4 iv4 described ,god as sitting on a throne1 ,john here 7ver4 #a7 represents himself as seeing in his right hand a mysterious volume2 written all over on the inside and the outside1 yet sealed with seven seals2 a volume manifestly referring to the future1 and containing important disclosures respecting coming events4 7#b7 ,a mighty angel is introduced making a proclamation1 and asking who is worthy to open that book1 and to break those seals2 evidently implying that none unless of exalted rank could do it1 ver4 #b4 7#c7 ,there is a pause3 no one in heaven1 or in earth1 or under the earth1 approaches to do it1 or claims the right to do it1 ver4 #c4 7#d7 ,john1 giving way to the expressions of natural emotionindicative of the longing and intense desire in the human soul to be made acquainted with the secrets of the futurepours forth a flood of tears because no one is found who is worthy to open the seals of this mysterious book1 or to read what was recorded there1 ver4 #d4 7#e7 ,in his state of suspense and of grief1 one of the eldersthe representatives of that church for whose benefit these revelations of the future were to be made 7,note on ch4 iv4 #d7;approaches him and says that there is one who is able to open the book2 one who has the power to loose its seals1 ver4 #e4 ,this is the ,messiahthe ,lion of the tribe of ,judah1 the ,root of ,davidcoming now to make the disclosure for which the whole book was given1 ch4 i4 #a4 7#f7 ,immediately the attention of ,john is attracted by the ,messiah1 appearing as a ,lamb in the midst of the throne2 with horns1 the symbols of strength2 and eyes1 the symbols of all-pervading intelligence4 ,he approaches and takes the book from the hand of ,him that sits on the throne2 symbolical of the fact that it is the province of the ,messiah to make known to the church and the world the events which are to occur1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,he appears here in a different form from that in which he manifested himself in ch4 i41 for the purpose is different4 ,there he appears clothed in majesty1 to impress the mind with a sense of his essential glory4 ,here he appears in a form that recalls the memory of his sacrifice2 to denote1 perhaps1 that it is in virtue of his atonement that the future is to be disclosed2 and that therefore there is a special propriety that he should appear and do what no other one in heaven or earth could do4 7#g7 ,the approach of the ,messiah to unfold the mysteries in the book1 the fact that he had 8prevailed0 to accomplish what there was so strong a desire should be accomplished1 furnishes an occasion for exalted thanksgiving and praise1 ver4 #haj4 7#h7 ,this ascription of praise in heaven is instantly responded to1 and echoed back1 from all parts of the universeall joining in acknowledging the ,lamb as worthy of the exalted office to which he was raised1 ver4 #aaac4 ,the angels around the throneamounting to thousands of myriadsunite with the living creatures and the elders2 and to these are joined the voices of every creature in heaven1 on the earth1 under the earth1 and in the sea1 ascribing to ,him that sits upon the throne and the ,lamb universal praise4 7#i7 ,to this loud ascription of praise from far-distant worlds the living creatures respond a hearty ,amen1 and the elders fall down and worship him that lives for ever and ever1 ver4 #ad4 ,the universe is held in wondering expectation of the disclosures which are to be made1 and from all parts of the universe there is an acknowledgment that the ,lamb of ,god alone has the right to break the mysterious seals4 ,the importance of the developments justifies the magnificence of #aba this representation2 and it would not be possible to imagine a more sublime introduction to these great events4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,and ,i saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a #aid;book written within and on the back side1 #aiesealed with seven seals4 #a4 ,and ,i saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne4 ,of ,god1 ch4 iv4 #c1 #d4 ,his form is not described there1 nor is there any intimation of it here except the mention of his 8right hand40 ,the book or roll seems to have been so held in his hand that ,john could see its shape1 and see distinctly how it was written and sealed4 ,a book4 ,this word is properly a diminutive of the word commonly rendered book 771 and would strictly mean a small book1 or a book of diminutive sizea tablet1 or a letter 7,liddell and ,scott1 ,lex474 ,it is used1 however1 to denote a book of any sizea roll1 scroll1 or volume2 and is thus used 7a7 to denote the ,pentateuch1 or the ,mosaic law1 ,he4 ix4 #ai2 x4 #g2 7b7 the book of life1 ,re4 xvii4 #h2 xx4 #ab2 xxi4 #bg2 7c7 epistles which were also rolled up1 ,re4 i4 #aa2 7d7 documents1 as a bill of divorce1 ,mat4 xix4 #g2 ,mar4 x4 #d4 ,when it is the express design to speak of a small book1 another word is used 771 ,re4 x4 #b1 #h1 #i1 #aj4 ,the book or roll referred to here was that which contained the revelation in the subsequent chapters1 to the end of the description of the opening of the seventh sealfor the communication that was to be made was all included in the seven seals2 and to conceive of the size of the book1 therefore1 we are only to reflect on the amount of parchment that would naturally be written over by the communications here made4 ,the form of the book was undoubtedly that of a scroll or roll2 for that was the usual form of books among the ancients1 and such a volume could be more easily sealed with a number of seals1 in the manner here described1 than a volume in the form in which books are made now4 ,on the ancient form of books1 see ,notes on ,lu4 iv4 #ag4 ,the engraving in ,job1 ch4 xix41 will furnish an additional illustration of their form4 ,written within and on the back side4 ,gr41 8within and behind40 ,it was customary to write only on one side of the paper or vellum1 for the sake of convenience in reading the volume as it was unrolled4 ,if1 as sometimes was the case1 the book was in the same form as books are nowof leaves bound togetherthen it was usual to write on both sides of the leaf1 as both sides of a page are printed now4 ,but in the other form it was a very uncommon thing to write on both sides of the parchment1 and was never done unless there was a scarcity of writing material2 or unless there was an amount of matter beyond what was anticipated2 or unless something had been omitted4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that ,john saw both sides of the parchment as it was held in the hand of him that sat on the throne4 ,that it was written on the back side he would naturally see1 and1 as the book was sealed1 he would infer that it was written in the usual manner on the inside4 ,sealed with seven seals4 ,on the ancient manner of sealing1 see ,notes on ,mat4 xxvii4 #ff2 comp4 ,notes on ,job xxxviii4 #ad4 ,the fact that there were seven sealsan unusual number in fastening a volumewould naturally attract the attention of ,john1 though it might not occur to him at once that there was anything significant in the number4 ,it is not stated in what manner the seals were attached to the volume1 but it is clear that they were so attached that each seal closed one part of the volume1 and that when one was broken and the portion which that was designed to fasten was unrolled1 a second would be come to1 which it would be necessary to break in order to read the next portion4 ,the outer seal would indeed bind the whole2 but when that was broken it would not give access to the whole volume unless each successive seal were broken4 ,may it not have been intended by this arrangement to suggest the idea that the whole future is unknown to us1 and that the disclosure of any one portion1 though necessary if the whole would be known1 does not disclose all1 but leaves seal after seal still unbroken1 and that they are all to be broken one after another if we would know all8 ,how these were arranged1 ,john does not say4 ,all that is necessary to be supposed is1 that the seven seals were put successively upon the margin of the volume as it was rolled up1 so that each opening would extend only as far as the next seal1 when the unrolling would be arrested4 ,anyone1 by rolling up a sheet of paper1 could #abb so fasten it with pins1 or with a succession of seals1 as to represent this with sufficient accuracy4 #b ,and ,i saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice1 ,who is worthy to open the book1 and to loose the seals thereof8 #b4 ,and ,i saw a strong angel4 ,an angel endowed with great strength1 as if such strength was necessary to enable him to give utterance to the loud voice of the inquiry4 8,homer represents his heralds as powerful1 robust men1 in order consistently to attribute to them deep-toned and powerful voices0 7,prof4 ,stuart74 ,the inquiry to be made was one of vast importance2 it was to be made of all in heaven1 all on the earth1 and all under the earth1 and hence an angel is introduced so mighty that his voice could be heard in all those distant worlds4 ,proclaiming with a loud voice4 ,that is1 as a herald or crier4 ,he is rather introduced here as appointed to this office than as self-moved4 ,the design undoubtedly is to impress the mind with a sense of the importance of the disclosures about to be made1 and at the same time with a sense of the impossibility of penetrating the future by any created power4 ,that one of the highest angels should make such a proclamation would sufficiently show its importance2 that such an one1 by the mere act of making such a proclamation1 should practically confess his own inability1 and consequently the inability of all of similar rank1 to make the disclosures1 would show that the revelations of the future were beyond mere created power4 ,who is worthy to open the book1 c4 ,that is1 who is 8worthy0 in the sense of having a rank so exalted1 and attributes so comprehensive1 as to authorize and enable him to do it4 ,in other words1 who has the requisite endowments of all kinds to enable him to do it8 ,it would require moral qualities of an exalted character to justify him in approaching the seat of the holy ,god1 to take the book from his hands2 it would require an ability beyond that of any created being to penetrate the future1 and disclose the meaning of the symbols which were employed4 ,the fact that the book was held in the hand of him that was on the throne1 and sealed in this manner1 was in itself a sufficient proof that it was not his purpose to make the disclosure directly1 and the natural inquiry arose whether there was anyone in the wide universe who1 by rank1 or character1 or office1 would be empowered to open the mysterious volume4 #c ,and no man in heaven1 nor in earth1 neither under the earth1 was able to open the book1 neither to look thereon4 #c4 ,and no man in heaven4 ,no one4 ,there is no limitation in the original to man4 ,the idea is1 that there was no one in heavenevidently alluding to the created beings therewho could open the volume4 ,is it not taught here that angels cannot penetrate the future1 and disclose what is to come8 ,are not their faculties limited in this respect like those of man8 ,nor in earth4 ,among all classes of mensages1 divines1 prophets1 philosopherswho among those have ever been able to penetrate the future1 and disclose what is to come8 ,neither under the earth4 ,these divisions compose1 in common language1 the universe3 what is in heaven above2 what is on the earth2 and whatever there is under the earththe abodes of the dead4 ,may there not be an allusion here to the supposed science of necromancy1 and an assertion that even the dead cannot penetrate the future1 and disclose what is to come8 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 viii4 #ai4 ,in all these great realms no one advanced who was qualified to undertake the office of making a disclosure of what the mysterious scroll might contain4 ,was able to open the book4 ,had abilityto do it4 ,it was a task beyond their power4 ,even if anyone had been found who had a rank and a moral character which might have seemed to justify the effort1 there was no one who had the power of reading what was recorded respecting coming events4 ,neither to look thereon4 ,that is1 so to open the seals as to have a view of what was written therein4 ,that it was not beyond their power merely to see the book is apparent from the fact that ,john himself saw it in the hand of him that sat on the throne2 and it is evident also 7ver4 #e7 that in that sense the elders saw it4 ,but no one could prevail to inspect the contents1 or so have access to the interior of the volume as to be able to see what was written there4 ,it could be seen1 indeed 7ver4 #a71 that it was written on #abc both sides of the parchment1 but what the writing was no one could know4 #d ,and ,i wept much1 because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book1 neither to look thereon4 #d4 ,and ,i wept much1 because no man was found worthy1 c4 ,gr41 as in ver4 #c1 no one4 ,it would seem as if there was a pause to see if there were any response to the proclamation of the angel4 ,there being none1 ,john gave way to his deep emotions in a flood of tears4 ,the tears of the apostle here may be regarded as an illustration of two things which are occurring constantly in the minds of men3 7#a7 ,the strong desire to penetrate the future2 to lift the mysterious veil which shrouds that which is to come2 to find some way to pierce the dark wall which seems to stand up before us1 and which shuts from our view that which is to be hereafter4 ,there have been no more earnest efforts made by men than those which have been made to read the sealed volume which contains the record of what is yet to come4 ,by dreams1 and omens1 and auguries1 and astrology1 and the flight of birds1 and necromancy1 men have sought anxiously to ascertain what is to be hereafter4 ,compare1 for an expression of that intense desire1 ,foster's ,life and ,correspondence1 vol4 i4 p4 #aaa1 and vol4 ii4 pp4 #bcg1 #bch4 7#b7 ,the weeping of the apostle may be regarded as an instance of the deep grief which men often experience when all efforts to penetrate the future fail1 and they feel that after all they are left completely in the dark4 ,often is the soul overpowered with grief1 and often are the eyes filled with sadness at the reflection that there is an absolute limit to the human powers2 that all that man can arrive at by his own efforts is uncertain conjecture1 and that there is no way possible by which he can make nature speak out and disclose what is to come4 ,nowhere does man find himself more fettered and limited in his powers than here2 nowhere does he feel that there is such an intense disproportion between his desires and his attainments4 ,in nothing do we feel that we are more absolutely in need of divine help than in our attempts to unveil the future2 and were it not for revelation man might weep in despair4 #e ,and one of the elders saith unto me1 ,weep not3 behold1 the #aif,lion of the tribe of ,judah1 the #aig,root of ,david1 hath prevailed to open the book1 and to loose the seven seals thereof4 #e4 ,and one of the elders saith unto me4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d4 ,no particular reason is assigned why this message was delivered by one of the elders rather than by an angel4 ,if the elders were1 however 7see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d71 the representatives of the church1 there was a propriety that they should address ,john in his trouble4 ,though they were in heaven1 they were deeply interested in all that pertained to the welfare of the church1 and they had been permitted to understand what as yet was unknown to him1 that the power of opening the mysterious volume which contained the revelation of the future was intrusted particularly to the ,messiah4 ,having this knowledge1 they were prepared to comfort him with the hope that what was so mysterious would be made known4 ,weep not4 ,that is1 there is no occasion for tears4 ,the object which you so much desire can be obtained4 ,there is one who can break those seals1 and who can unroll that volume and read what is recorded there4 ,behold the ,lion of the tribe of ,judah4 ,this undoubtedly refers to the ,lord ,jesus2 and the points needful to be explained are1 why he is called a ,lion1 and why he is spoken of as the ,lion of the tribe of ,judah4 7a7 ,as to the first3 ,this appellation is not elsewhere given to the ,messiah1 but it is not difficult to see its propriety as used in this place4 ,the lion is the king of beasts1 the monarch of the forest1 and thus becomes an emblem of one of kingly authority and of power 7see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #g71 and as such the appellation is used in this place4 ,it is because ,christ has power to open the sealsas if he ruled over the universe1 and all events were under his control1 as the lion rules in the forestthat the name is here given to him4 7b7 ,as to the other point3 ,he is called the 8,lion of the tribe of ,judah10 doubtless1 with reference to the prophecy in ,ge4 xlix4 #i8;,judah is a lion's whelp3 from the prey1 my son1 thou art gone up3 he stooped down1 he couched as a lion1 and as an old lion20 and from the fact that the ,messiah was of the tribe of ,judah4 ,comp4 ,ge4 xlix4 #aj4 ,this use of the term would connect #abd him in the apprehension of ,john with the prophecy1 and would suggest to him the idea of his being a ruler1 or having dominion4 ,as such1 therefore1 it would be appropriate that the power of breaking these seals should be committed to him4 ,the ,root of ,david4 ,not the ,root of ,david in the sense that ,david sprung from him as a tree does from a root1 but in the sense that he himself was a 8root-shoot0 or sprout from ,david1 and had sprung from him as a shoot or sprout springs up from a decayed and fallen tree4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xi4 #a4 ,this expression would connect him directly with ,david1 the great and glorious monarch of ,israel1 and as having a right to occupy his throne4 ,as one thus ruling over the people of ,god1 there was a propriety that to him should be intrusted the task of opening these seals4 ,hath prevailed4 ,that is1 he has acquired this power as the result of a conflict or struggle4 ,the word used hererefers to such a conflict or struggle1 properly meaning to come off victor1 to overcome1 to conquer1 to subdue2 and the idea here is1 that his power to do this1 or the reason why he does this1 is the result of a conflict in which he was a victor4 ,as the series of events to be disclosed1 resulting in the final triumph of religion1 was the effect of his conflicts with the powers of evil1 there was a special propriety that the disclosure should be made by him4 ,the truths taught in this verse are1 7#a7 that the power of making disclosures1 in regard to the future1 is intrusted to the ,messiah2 and 7#b7 that this1 so far as he is concerned1 is the result of a conflict or struggle on his part4 #f ,and ,i beheld1 and1 lo1 in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts1 and in the midst of the elders1 stood a #aih,lamb1 as it had been slain1 having seven horns and seven#aii;eyes1 which are the seven ,spirits of ,god sent forth into all the earth4 #f4 ,and ,i beheld1 and1 lo1 in the midst of the throne4 ,we are not to suppose that he was in the centre of the throne itself1 but he was a conspicuous object when the throne and the elders and the living beings were seen4 ,he was so placed as to seem to be in the midst of the group made up of the throne1 the living beings1 and the elders4 ,and of the four beasts4 ,see ,notes1 ch4 iv4 #f4 ,stood a ,lamb4 ,an appellation often given to the ,messiah1 for two reasons3 7#a7 because the lamb was an emblem of innocence2 and 7#b7 because a lamb was offered commonly in sacrifice4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,jn4 i4 #bi4 ,as it had been slain4 ,that is1 in some way having the appearance of having been slain2 having some marks or indications about it that it had been slain4 ,what those were the writer does not specify4 ,if it were covered with blood1 or there were marks of mortal wounds1 it would be all that the representation demands4 ,the great work which the ,redeemer performedthat of making an atonement for sinwas thus represented to ,john in such a way that he at once recognized him1 and saw the reason why the office of breaking the seals was intrusted to him4 ,it should be remarked that this representation is merely symbolic1 and we are not to suppose that the ,redeemer really assumed this form1 or that he appears in this form in heaven4 ,we should no more suppose that the ,redeemer appears literally as a lamb in heaven with numerous eyes and horns1 than that there is a literal throne and a sea of glass there2 that there are 8seats0 there1 and 8elders10 and 8crowns of gold40 ,having seven horns4 ,emblems of authority and powerfor the horn is a symbol of power and dominion4 ,comp4 ,de4 xxxiii4 #ag2 #a ,ki4 xxii4 #aa2 ,je4 xlviii4 #be2 ,zec4 i4 #ah2 ,da4 vii4 #bd4 ,the propriety of this symbol is laid in the fact that the strength of an animal is in the horn1 and that it is by this that he obtains a victory over other animals4 ,the number seven here seems to be designed1 as in other places1 to denote completeness4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #d4 ,the meaning is1 that he had so large a number as to denote complete dominion4 ,and seven eyes4 ,symbols of intelligence4 ,the number seven here also denotes completeness2 and the idea is1 that he is able to survey all things4 ,john does not say anything as to the relative arrangement of the horns and eyes on the 8,lamb10 and it is vain to attempt to conjecture how it was4 ,the whole representation is symbolical1 and we may understand the meaning of the symbol without being able to form an exact conception of the figure as it appeared to him1 ,which are the seven ,spirits of ,god sent forth into all the earth4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #d4 ,that is1 which represent the seven ,spirits of ,god2 or the manifold operations of the one ,divine ,spirit4 ,as the eye is #abe the symbol of intelligenceoutward objects being made visible to us by thatso it may well represent an all-pervading spirit that surveys and sees all things4 ,the eye1 in this view1 among the ,egyptians was an emblem of the ,deity4 ,by the 8seven ,spirits0 here the same thing is doubtless intended as in ch4 i4 #d2 and if1 as there supposed1 the reference is to the ,holy ,spirit considered with respect to his manifold operations1 the meaning here is1 that the operations of that ,spirit are to be regarded as connected with the work of the ,redeemer4 ,thus1 all the operations of the ,spirit are connected with1 and are a part of1 the work of redemption4 ,the expression 8sent forth into all the earth10 refers to the fact that that ,spirit prevades all things4 ,the ,spirit of ,god is often represented as sent or poured out2 and the meaning here is1 that his operations are as if he was sent out to survey all things and to operate everywhere4 ,comp4 #a ,co4 xii4 #faa4 #g ,and he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne4 #g4 ,and he came and took the book out of the right hand1 c4 ,as if it pertained to him by virtue of rank or office4 ,there is a difficulty here1 arising from the incongruity of what is said of a lamb1 which it is not easy to solve4 ,the difficulty is in conceiving how a lamb could take the book from the hand of ,him who held it4 ,to meet this several solutions have been proposed4 7#a7 ,vitringa supposes that the ,messiah appeared as a lamb only in some such sense as the four living beings 7ch4 iv4 #g7 resembled a lion1 a calf1 and an eagle2 that is1 that they bore this resemblance only in respect to the head1 while the body was that of a man4 ,he thus supposes1 that though in respect to the upper part the ,saviour resembled a lamb1 yet that to the front part of the body hands were attached by which he could take the book4 ,but there are great difficulties in this supposition4 ,besides that nothing of this kind is intimated by ,john1 it is contrary to every appearance of probability that the ,redeemer would be represented as a monster4 ,in his being represented as a lamb there is nothing that strikes the mind as inappropriate or unpleasant1 for he is often spoken of in this manner1 and the image is one that is agreeable to the mind4 ,but all this beauty and fitness of representation is destroyed1 if we think of him as having human hands proceeding from his breast or sides1 or as blending the form of a man and an animal together4 ,the representation of having an unusual number of horns and eyes does not strike us as being incongruous in the same sense2 for though the number is increased1 they are such as pertain properly to the animal to which they are attached4 7#b7 ,another supposition is that suggested by ,professor ,stuart1 that the form was changed1 and a human form resumed when the ,saviour advanced to take the book and open it4 ,this would relieve the whole difficulty1 and the only objection to it is1 that ,john has not given any express notice of such a change in the form2 and the only question can be whether it is right to suppose it in order to meet the difficulty in the case4 ,in support of this it is said that all is symbol2 that the ,saviour is represented in the book in various forms2 that as his appearing as a lamb was designed to represent in a striking manner the fact that he was slain1 and that all that he did was based on the atonement1 so there would be no impropriety in supposing that when an action was attributed to him he assumed the form in which that act would be naturally or is usually done4 ,and as in taking a book from the hand of another it is wholly incongruous to think of its being done by a lamb1 is it not most natural to suppose that the usual form in which the ,saviour is represented as appearing would be resumed1 and that he would appear again as a man8,but is it absolutely certain that he appeared in the form of a lamb at all8 ,may not all that is meant be1 that ,john saw him near the throne1 and among the elders1 and was struck at once with his appearance of meekness and innocence1 and with the marks of his having been slain as a sacrifice1 and spoke of him in strong figurative language as a lamb8 ,and where his 8seven horns0 and 8seven eyes0 are spoken of1 is it necessary to suppose that there was any real assumption of such horns and eyes8 #abf ,may not all that is meant be that ,john was struck with that in the appearance of the ,redeemer of which these would be the appropriate symbols1 and described him as if these had been visible8 ,when ,john the ,baptist saw the ,lord ,jesus on the banks of the ,jordan1 and said1 8,behold the ,lamb of ,god which taketh away the sin of the world0 7,jn4 i4 #bi71 is it necessary to suppose that he actually appeared in the form of a lamb8 ,do not all at once understand him as referring to traits in his character1 and to the work which he was to accomplish1 which made it proper to speak of him as a lamb8 ,and why1 therefore1 may we not suppose that ,john in the ,apocalypse designed to use language in the same way1 and that he did not intend to present so incongruous a description as that of a lamb approaching a throne and taking a book from the hand of ,him that sat on it1 and a lamb1 too1 with many horns and eyes8 ,if this supposition is correct1 then all that is meant in this passage would be expressed in some such language as the following3 8,and ,i looked1 and lo there was one in the midst of the space occupied by the throne1 by the living creatures1 and by the elders1 who1 in aspect1 and in the emblems that represented his work on the earth1 was spotless1 meek1 and innocent as a lamb2 one with marks on his person which brought to remembrance the fact that he had been slain for the sins of the world1 and yet one who had most striking symbols of power and intelligence1 and who was therefore worthy to approach and take the book from the hand of ,him that sat on the throne40 ,it may do something to confirm this view to recollect that when we use the term 8,lamb of ,god0 now1 as is often done in preaching and in prayer1 it never suggests to the mind the idea of a lamb4 ,we think of the ,redeemer as resembling a lamb in his moral attributes and in his sacrifice1 but never as to form4 ,this supposition relieves the passage of all that is incongruous and unpleasant1 and may be all that ,john meant4 #h ,and when he had taken the book1 the #bjj;four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the ,lamb1 having every one of them #bja;harps1 and golden vials full of #bjbodours1 which are the #bjcprayers of saints4 #h4 ,and when he had taken the book1 the four beasts1 c4 ,the acts of adoration here described as rendered by the four living creatures and the elders are1 according to the explanation given in ch4 iv4 #dg1 emblematic of the honour done to the ,redeemer by the church1 and by the course of providential events in the government of the world4 ,fell down before the ,lamb4 ,the usual posture of profound worship4 ,usually in such worship there was entire prostration on the earth4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 ii4 #b2 #a ,co4 xiv4 #be4 ,having every one of them harps4 ,that is1 as the construction1 and the propriety of the case would seem to demand1 the elders had each of them harps4 ,the whole prostrated themselves with profound reverence2 the elders had harps and censers1 and broke out into a song of praise for redemption4 ,this construction is demanded1 because 7a7 the ,greek wordmore properly agrees with the word eldersand not with the word beasts2 7b7 there is an incongruity in the representation that the living creatures1 in the form of a lion1 a calf1 an eagle1 should have harps and censers2 and 7c7 the song of praise that is sung 7ver4 #i7 is one that properly applies to the elders as the representatives of the church1 and not to the living creatures8,thou hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood40 ,the harp was a well-known instrument used in the service of ,god4 ,josephus describes it as having ten strings1 and as struck with a key 7,ant4 vii4 #ab1 #c74 ,see ,notes on ,is4 v4 #ab4 ,and golden vials4 ,the word vial with us1 denoting a small slender bottle with a narrow neck1 evidently does not express the idea here4 ,the article here referred to was used for offering incense1 and must have been a vessel with a large open mouth4 ,the word bowl or goblet would better express the idea1 and it is so explained by ,professor ,robinson1 ,lex41 and by ,professor ,stuart1 in loco4 ,the ,greek wordoccurs in the ,new ,testament only in ,revelation 7v4 #h2 xv4 #g2 xvi4 #ad1 #h1 #aj1 #ab1 #ag2 xvii4 #a2 xxi4 #i71 and is uniformly rendered vial and vials1 though the idea is always that of a bowl or goblet4 ,full of odours4 ,or rather1 as in the margin1 full of incense4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 i4 #i4 ,which are the prayers of saints4 #abg ,which represent or denote the prayers of saints4 ,comp4 ,ps4 cxli4 #b1 8,let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense40 ,the meaning is1 that incense was a proper emblem of prayer4 ,this seems to have been in two respects3 7a7 as being acceptable to ,godas incense produced an agreeable fragrance2 and 7b7 in its being wafted towards heavenascending towards the eternal throne4 ,in ch4 viii4 #c1 an angel is represented as having a golden censer3 8,and there was given unto him much incense1 that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne40 ,the representation there undoubtedly is1 that the angel is employed in presenting the prayers of the saints which were offered on earth before the throne4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,it is most natural to interpret the passage before us in the same way4 ,the allusion is clearly to the temple service1 and to the fact that incense was offered by the priest in the temple itself at the time that prayer was offered by the people in the courts of the temple4 ,see ,lu4 i4 #i1 #aj4 ,the idea here is1 therefore1 that the representatives of the church in heaventhe eldersspoken of as 8priests0 7ver4 #aj71 are described as officiating in the temple above in behalf of the church still below1 and as offering incense while the church is engaged in prayer4 ,it is not said that they offer the prayers themselves1 but that they offer incense as representing the prayers of the saints4 ,if this be the correct interpretation1 as it seems to be the obvious one1 then the passage lays no foundation for the opinion expressed by ,professor ,stuart1 as derived from this passage 7in loco71 that prayer is offered by the redeemed in heaven4 ,whatever may be the truth on that pointon which the ,bible seems to be silentit will find no support from the passage before us4 ,adoration1 praise1 thanksgiving1 are represented as the employment of the saints in heaven3 the only representation respecting prayer as pertaining to that world is1 that there are emblems there which symbolize its ascent before the throne1 and which show that it is acceptable to ,god4 ,it is an interesting and beautiful representation that there are in heaven appropriate symbols of ascending prayer1 and that while in the outer courts here below we offer prayer1 incense1 emblematic of it1 ascends in the holy of holies above4 ,the impression which this should leave on our minds ought to be1 that our prayers are wafted before the throne1 and are acceptable to ,god4 #i ,and they sung a #bjdnew song1 saying1 ,thou art worthy to take the book1 and to open the seals thereof3 for thou wast slain1 and hast redeemed us to ,god #bje;by thy blood1 out of #bjf;every kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation2 #i4 ,and they sung a new song4 ,comp4 ch4 xiv4 #c4 ,new in the sense that it is a song consequent on redemption1 and distinguished therefore from the songs sung in heaven before the work of redemption was consummated4 ,we may suppose that songs of adoration have always been sung in heaven2 we know that the praises of ,god were celebrated by the angelic choirs when the foundations of the earth were laid 7,job xxxviii4 #g72 but the song of redemption was a different song1 and is one that would never have been sung there if man had not fallen1 and if the ,redeemer had not died4 ,this song strikes notes which the other songs do not strike1 and refers to glories of the divine character which1 but for the work of redemption1 would not have been brought into view4 ,in this sense the song was new2 it will continue to be new in the sense that it will be sung afresh as redeemed millions continue to ascend to heaven4 ,comp4 ,ps4 xl4 #c2 xcvi4 #a2 cxliv4 #i2 ,is4 xlii4 #aj4 ,thou art worthy to take the book1 c4 ,this was the occasion or ground of the 8new song10 that by his coming and death he had acquired a right to approach where no other one could approach1 and to do what no other one could do4 ,for thou wast slain4 ,the language here is such as would be appropriate to a lamb slain as a sacrifice4 ,the idea is1 that the fact that he was thus slain constituted the ground of his worthiness to open the book4 ,it could not be meant that there was in him no other ground of worthiness1 but that this was that which was most conspicuous4 ,it is just the outburst of the grateful feeling resulting from redemption1 that he who has died to save the soul is worthy #abh of all honour1 and is fitted to accomplish what no other being in the universe can do4 ,however this may appear to the inhabitants of other worlds1 or however it may appear to the dwellers on the earth who have no interest in the work of redemption1 yet all who are redeemed will agree in the sentiment that ,he who has ransomed them with his blood has performed a work to do which every other being was incompetent1 and that now all honour in heaven and on earth may appropriately be conferred on him4 ,and hast redeemed us4 ,the word here usedmeans properly to purchase1 to buy2 and is thus employed to denote redemption1 because redemption was accomplished by the payment of a price4 ,on the meaning of the word1 see ,notes on #b ,pe4 ii4 #a4 ,to ,god4 ,that is1 so that we become his1 and are to be henceforward regarded as such2 or so that he might possess us as his own4 ,see ,notes on #b ,co4 v4 #ae4 ,this is the true nature of redemption1 that by the price paid we are rescued from the servitude of ,satan1 and are henceforth to regard ourselves as belonging unto ,god4 ,by thy blood4 ,see ,notes on ,ac4 xx4 #bh4 ,this is such language as they use who believe in the doctrine of the atonement1 and is such as would be used by them alone4 ,it would not be employed by those who believe that ,christ was a mere martyr1 or that he lived and died merely as a teacher of morality4 ,if he was truly an atoning sacrifice1 the language is full of meaning2 if not1 it has no significance1 and could not be understood4 ,out of every kindred4 ,literally1 8of every tribe04 ,the word tribe means properly a comparatively small division or class of people associated together 7,professor ,stuart74 ,it refers to a family1 or race1 having a common ancestor1 and usually associated or banded togetheras one of the tribes of ,israel2 a tribe of ,indians2 a tribe of plants2 a tribe of animals1 c4 ,this is such language as a ,jew would use1 denoting one of the smaller divisions that made up a nation of people2 and the meaning would seem to be1 that it will be found ultimately to be true that the redeemed will have been taken from all such minor divisions of the human familynot only from the different nations1 but from the smaller divisions of those nations4 ,this can only be true from the fact that the knowledge of the true religion will yet be diffused among all those smaller portions of the human race2 that is1 that its diffusion will be universal4 ,and tongue4 ,people speaking all languages4 ,the word here used would seem to denote a division of the human family larger than a tribe1 but smaller than a nation4 ,it was formerly a fact that a nation might be made up of those who spoke many different languagesas1 for example1 the ,assyrian1 the ,babylonian1 or the ,roman nations4 ,comp4 ,da4 iii4 #bi2 iv4 #a4 ,the meaning here is1 that no matter what language the component parts of the nations speak1 the gospel will be conveyed to them1 and in their own tongue they will learn the wonderful works of ,god4 ,comp4 ,ac4 ii4 #haa4 ,and people4 ,the word here usedproperly denotes a people considered as a mass1 made up of smaller divisionsas an association of smaller bodiesor as a multitude of such bodies united together4 ,it is distinguished from another word commonly applied to a peoplefor that is applied to a community of free citizens1 considered as on a level1 or without reference to any minor divisions or distinctions4 ,the words here used would apply to an army1 considered as made up of regiments1 battalions1 or tribes2 to a mass-meeting1 made up of societies of different trades or professions2 to a nation1 made up of different associated communities1 c4 ,it denotes a larger body of people than the previous words2 and the idea is1 that no matter of what people or nation1 considered as made up of such separate portions1 one may be1 he will not be excluded from the blessings of redemption4 ,the sense would be well expressed1 by saying1 for instance1 that there will be found there those of the ,gaelic race1 the ,celtic1 the ,anglo-,saxon1 the ,mongolian1 the ,african1 c4 ,and nation4 4 ,a word of still larger signification2 the people in a still wider sense2 a people or nation considered as distinct from all others4 ,the word would embrace all who come under one sovereignty or rule2 as1 for example1 the ,british nation1 however many minor tribes there may be2 however many different languages may be spoken2 and however many separate people there may beas the ,anglo-,saxon1 the ,scottish1 the ,irish1 the people of ,hindoostan1 of ,labrador1 of ,new ,south ,wales1 c4 ,the words here used by ,john would together denote nations of every kind1 great and #abi small2 and the sense is1 that the blessings of redemption will be extended to all parts of the earth4 #aj ,and hast made us unto our ,god #bjgkings and priests3 and we shall #bjhreign on the earth4 #aj4 ,and hast made us unto our ,god kings and priests4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #f4 ,and we shall reign on the earth4 ,the redeemed1 of whom we are the representatives4 ,the idea clearly is1 in accordance with what is so frequently said in the ,scriptures1 that the dominion on the earth will be given to the saints2 that is1 that there will be such a prevalence of true religion1 and the redeemed will be so much in the ascendency1 that the affairs of the nations will be in their hands4 ,righteous men will hold the offices2 will fill places of trust and responsibility2 will have a controlling voice in all that pertains to human affairs4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bg1 and ,re4 xx4 #af4 ,to such a prevalence of religion all things are tending2 and to this1 in all the disorder and sin which now exist1 are we permitted to look forward4 ,it is not said that this will be a reign under the ,saviour in a literal kingdom on the earth2 nor is it said that the saints will descend from heaven1 and occupy thrones of power under ,christ as a visible king4 ,the simple affirmation is1 that they will reign on the earth2 and as this seems to be spoken in the name of the redeemed1 all that is necessary to be understood is1 that there will be such a prevalence of true religion on the earth that it will become a vast kingdom of holiness1 and that1 instead of being in the minority1 the saints will everywhere have the ascendency4 #aa ,and ,i beheld1 and ,i heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders3 and the #bjinumber of them was ten thousand times ten thousand1 and thousands of thousands2 #aa4 ,and ,i beheld4 ,and ,i looked again4 ,and ,i heard the voice of many angels4 ,the inhabitants of heaven uniting with the representatives of the redeemed church in ascribing honour to the ,lamb of ,god4 ,the design is to show that there is universal sympathy and harmony in heaven1 and that all worlds will unite in ascribing honour to the ,lamb of ,god4 ,round about the throne and the beasts and the elders4 ,in a circle or area beyond that which was occupied by the throne1 the living creatures1 and the elders4 ,they occupied the centre1 as it appeared to ,john1 and this innumerable company of angels surrounded them4 ,the angels are represented here1 as they are everywhere in the ,scriptures1 as taking a deep interest in all that pertains to the redemption of men1 and it is not surprising that they are here described as uniting with the representatives of the church in rendering honour to the ,lamb of ,god4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #ab4 ,and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand4 ,one hundred millionsa general term to denote either a countless number1 or an exceedingly great number4 ,we are not to suppose that it is to be taken literally4 ,and thousands of thousands4 ,implying that the number before specified was not large enough to comprehend all4 ,besides the 8ten thousand times ten thousand10 there was a vast uncounted host which one could not attempt to enumerate4 ,the language here would seem to be taken from ,da4 vii4 #aj3 8,thousand thousands ministered unto him1 and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him40 ,comp4 ,ps4 lxviii4 #ag3 8,the chariots of ,god are twenty thousand1 even thousands of angels4 0 ,see also ,de4 xxxiii4 #b2 #a ,ki4 xxii4 #ai4 #ab ,saying with a loud voice1 #baj,worthy is the ,lamb that was slain to receive power1 and riches1 and wisdom1 and strength1 and honour1 and glory1 and blessing4 #ab4 ,saying with a loud voice1 ,worthy is the ,lamb that was slain4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b1 #i4 ,the idea here is1 that the fact that he was slain1 or was made a sacrifice for sin1 was the ground or reason for what is here ascribed to him4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,to receive power4 ,power or authority to rule over all things4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 xxviii4 #ah4 ,the meaning here is1 that he was worthy that these things should be ascribed to him1 or to be addressed and acknowledged as possessing them4 ,a part of these things were his in virtue of his very natureas wisdom1 glory1 riches2 a part were conferred on him as the result of his workas the mediatorial dominion over the universe1 the honour resulting from his work1 c4 ,in view of all that he was1 and of all that he has done1 he is here spoken #acj of as 8worthy0 of all these things4 ,and riches4 ,abundance4 ,that is1 he is worthy that whatever contributes to honour1 and glory1 and happiness1 should be conferred on him in abundance4 ,himself the original proprietor of all things1 it is fit that he should be recognized as such2 and having performed the work which he has1 it is proper that whatever may be made to contribute to his honour should be regarded as his4 ,and wisdom4 ,that he should be esteemed as eminently wise2 that is1 that as the result of the work which he has accomplished1 he should be regarded as having ability to choose the best ends and the best means to accomplish them4 ,the feeling here referred to is that which arises from the contemplation of the work of salvation by the ,redeemer1 as a work eminently characterized by wisdomwisdom manifested in meeting the evils of the fall2 in honouring the law2 in showing that mercy is consistent with justice2 and in adapting the whole plan to the character and wants of man4 ,if wisdom was anywhere demanded1 it was in reconciling a lost world to ,god2 if it has been anywhere displayed1 it has been in the arrangements for that work1 and in its execution by the ,redeemer4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 i4 #bd2 comp4 ,mat4 xiii4 #ed2 ,lu4 ii4 #dj1 #eb2 #a ,co4 i4 #bj1 #ba1 #cj2 ,ep4 i4 #h2 iii4 #aj4 ,and strength4 ,ability to accomplish his purposes4 ,that is1 it is meet that he should be regarded as having such ability4 ,this strength or power was manifested in overcoming the great enemy of man2 in his control of winds1 and storms1 and diseases1 and devils2 in triumphing over death2 in saving his people4 ,and honour4 ,he should be esteemed and treated with honour for what he has done4 ,and glory4 ,this word refers to a higher ascription of praise than the word honour4 ,perhaps that might refer to the honour which we feel in our hearts2 this to the expression of that by the language of praise4 ,and blessing4 ,everything which would express the desire that he might be happy1 honoured1 and adored4 ,to bless one is to desire that he may have happiness and prosperity2 that he may be successful1 respected1 and honoured4 ,to bless ,god1 or to ascribe blessing to him1 is that state where the heart is full of love and gratitude1 and where it desires that he may be everywhere honoured1 loved1 and obeyed as he should be4 ,the words here express the wish that the universe would ascribe to the ,redeemer all honour1 and that he might be everywhere loved and adored4 #ac ,and #baa;every creature which is in heaven1 and on the earth1 and under the earth1 and such as are in the sea1 and all that are in them1 heard ,i saying1 #bab;,blessing1 and honour1 and glory1 and power1 be unto him that sitteth upon the throne1 and unto the ,lamb for ever and ever4 #ac4 ,and every creature which is in heaven4 ,the meaning of this verse is1 that all created things seemed to unite in rendering honour to ,him who sat on the throne1 and to the ,lamb4 ,in the previous verse a certain numbera vast hostof angels are designated as rendering praise as they stood round the area occupied by the throne1 the elders1 and the living creatures2 here it is added that all who were in heaven united in this ascription of praise4 ,and on the earth4 ,all the universe was heard by ,john ascribing praise to ,god4 ,a voice was heard from the heavens1 from all parts of the earth1 from under the earth1 and from the depths of the sea1 as if the entire universe joined in the adoration4 ,it is not necessary to press the language literally1 and still less is it necessary to understand by it1 as ,professor ,stuart does1 that the angels who presided over the earth1 over the under-world1 and over the sea1 are intended4 ,it is evidently popular language2 and the sense is1 that ,john heard a universal ascription of praise4 ,all worlds seemed to join in it2 all the dwellers on the earth1 and under the earth1 and in the sea1 partook of the spirit of heaven in rendering honour to the ,redeemer4 ,under the earth4 ,supposed to be inhabited by the shades of the dead4 ,see ,notes on ,job x4 #ba1 #bb2 ,is4 xiv4 #i4 ,and such as are in the sea4 ,all that dwell in the ocean4 ,in ,ps4 cxlviii4 #gaj1 8dragons1 and all deeps2 beasts1 and all cattle2 creeping things1 and flying fowl10 are called on to praise the #aca ,lord2 and there is no more incongruity or impropriety in one description than in the other4 ,in the ,psalm1 the universe is called on to render praise2 in the passage before us it is described as actually doing it4 ,the hills1 the streams1 the floods2 the fowls of the air1 the dwellers in the deep1 and the beasts that roam over the earth2 the songsters in the grove1 and the insects that play in the sunbeam1 in fact1 declare the glory of their ,creator2 and it requires no very strong effort of the fancy to imagine the universe as sending up a constant voice of thanksgiving4 ,blessing1 and honour1 c4 ,there is a slight change here from ver4 #ab1 but it is the same thing substantially4 ,it is an ascription of all glory to ,god and to the ,lamb4 #ad ,and the #bac;four beasts said1 ,amen4 ,and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever4 #ad4 ,and the four beasts said1 ,amen4 ,the voice of universal praise came to them from abroad1 and they accorded with it1 and ascribed honour to ,god4 ,and the four and twenty elders fell down1 c4 ,the living creatures and the elders began the work of praise 7ver4 #h71 and it was proper that it should conclude with them2 that is1 they give the last and final response 7,professor ,stuart74 ,the whole universe1 therefore1 is sublimely represented as in a state of profound adoration1 waiting for the developments to follow on the opening of the mysterious volume4 ,all feel an interest in it2 all feel that the secret is with ,god2 all feel that there is but ,one who can open this volume2 and all gather around1 in the most reverential posture1 awaiting the disclosure of the great mystery4 ,the truths taught in this chapter are the following3 7#a7 ,the knowledge of the future is with ,god1 ver4 #a4 ,it is as in a book held in his hand1 fully written over1 yet sealed with seven seals4 7#b7 ,it is impossible for man or angel to penetrate the future1 ver4 #b1 #c4 ,it seems to be a law of created being1 that the ability to penetrate the future is placed beyond the reach of any of the faculties by which a creature is endowed4 ,of the past we have a record1 and we can remember it2 but no created being seems to have been formed with a power in reference to the future corresponding with that in reference to the pastwith no faculty of foresight corresponding to memory4 7#c7 ,it is natural that the mind should be deeply affected by the fact that we cannot penetrate the future1 ver4 #d4 ,john wept in view of this2 and how often is the mind borne down with heaviness in view of that fact6 ,what things there are1 there must be1 in that future of interest to us6 ,what changes there may be for us to experience2 what trials to pass through2 what happiness to enjoy2 what scenes of glory to witness6 ,what progress may we make in knowledge2 what new friendships may we form2 what new displays of the divine perfections may we witness6 ,all our great interests are in the futurein that which is to us now unknown4 ,there is to be all the happiness which we are to enjoy1 all the pain that we are to suffer2 all that we hope1 all that we fear4 ,all the friends that we are to have are to be there2 all the sorrows that we are to experience are to be there4 ,yet an impenetrable veil is set up to hide all that from our view4 ,we cannot remove it2 we cannot penetrate it4 ,there it stands to mock all our efforts1 and in all our attempts to look into the future we soon come to the barrier1 and are repelled and driven back4 ,who has not felt his heart sad that he cannot look into that which is to come8 7#d7 ,the power of laying open the future to mortals has been intrusted to the ,redeemer1 ver4 #eg4 ,it is a part of the work which was committed to him to make known to men as much as it was proper to be known4 ,hence he is at once a prophet1 and is the inspirer of the prophets4 ,hence he came to teach men what is to be in the future pertaining to them1 and hence he has caused to be recorded by the sacred writers all that is to be known of what is to come until it is slowly unfolded as events develop themselves4 ,the ,saviour alone takes the mysterious book and opens the seals2 he only unrolls the volume and discloses to man what is to come4 7#e7 ,the fact that he does this is the foundation of joy and gratitude for the church1 ver4 #haj4 ,it is impossible that the church should contemplate what the ,saviour has revealed of the future without gratitude and joy2 and how often1 in times of persecution and trouble1 has the church joyfully turned to the developments made by the #acb ,saviour of what is to be when the gospel shall spread over the world1 and when truth and righteousness shall be triumphant4 7#f7 ,this fact is of interest to the angelic beings1 and for them also it lays the foundation of praise1 ver4 #aa1 #ab4 ,this may arise from these causes3 7a7 from the interest which they take in the church1 and the happiness which they have from anything that increases its numbers or augments its joy2 7b7 from the fact that in the disclosures of the future made by the ,redeemer1 there may be much that is new and of interest to them 7comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #ab72 and 7c7 from the fact that they cannot but rejoice in the revelations which are made of the final triumphs of truth in the universe4 7#g7 ,the universe at large has an interest in these disclosures1 and the fact that they are to be made by the ,redeemer lays the foundation for universal joy1 ver4 #ac1 #ad4 ,these events pertain to all worlds1 and it is proper that all the inhabitants of the universe should join in the expressions of adoration and thanksgiving4 ,the universe is one2 and what affects one portion of it really pertains to every part of it4 ,angels and men have one and the same ,god and ,father1 and may unite in the same expressions of praise4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter contains an account of the opening of six of the seven seals4 ,it need hardly be said to anyone who is at all familiar with the numerousnot to say numberlessexpositions of the ,apocalypse1 that it is at this point that interpreters begin to differ1 and that here commences the divergence towards those various1 discordant1 and many of them wild and fantastic theories1 which have been proposed in the exposition of this wonderful book4 ,up to this point1 though there may be unimportant diversities in the exposition of words and phrases1 there is no material difference of opinion as to the general meaning of the writer4 ,in the epistles to the seven churches1 and in the introductory scenes to the main visions1 there can be no doubt1 in the main1 as to what the writer had in view1 and what he meant to describe4 ,he addressed churches then existing 7ch4 i4iii471 and set before them their sins and their duties2 and he described scenes passing before his eyes as then present 7ch4 iv4 v471 which were merely designed to impress his own mind with the importance of what was to be disclosed1 and to bring the great actors on the stage1 and in reference to which there could be little ground for diversity in the interpretation4 ,here1 however1 the scene opens into the future1 comprehending all the unknown period until there shall be a final triumph of ,christianity1 and all its foes shall be prostrate4 ,the actors are the ,son of ,god1 angels1 men1 ,satan1 storms1 tempests1 earthquakes1 the pestilence and fire2 the scene is heaven1 earth1 hell4 ,there is no certain designation of places2 there is no mention of namesas there is in ,isaiah 7xlv4 #a7 of ,cyrus1 or as there is in ,daniel 7viii4 #ba2 x4 #bj2 xi4 #b7 of the 8king of ,grecia20 there is no designation of time that is necessarily unambiguous2 and there are no characteristics of the symbols used that make it antecedently certain that they could be applied only to one class of events4 ,in the boundless future that was to succeed the times of ,john1 there would be1 of necessity1 many events to which these symbols might be applied1 and the result has shown that it has required but a moderate share of pious ingenuity to apply them1 by different expositors1 to events differing widely from each other in their character1 and in the times when they would occur4 ,it would be too long to glance even at the various theories which have been proposed and maintained in regard to the interpretation of the subsequent portions of the ,apocalypse1 and wholly impossible to attempt to examine those theories4 ,time1 in its developments1 has already exploded many of them2 and time1 in its future developments1 will doubtless explode many more1 and each one must stand or fall as1 in the disclosures of the future1 it shall be found to be true or false4 ,it would be folly to add another to those numerous theories1 even if ,i had any such theory 7see the ,preface71 and perhaps equal folly to pronounce with certainty on any one of those which have been advanced4 ,yet this seems to be an appropriate place to state1 in few words1 what principles it is designed to pursue in the interpretation of the remainder of the book4 7#a7 ,it may be assumed that large portions of the book relate to the future2 that is1 to that which was future when ,john wrote4 ,in this all expositors are agreed1 and this is manifest indeed on the very face of the representation4 ,it would be impossible to attempt an interpretation #acc on any other supposition1 and somewhere in that vast future the events are to be found to which the symbols here used had reference4 ,this is assumed1 indeed1 on the supposition that the book is inspireda fact which is assumed all along in this exposition1 and which should be allowed to control our interpretation4 ,but assuming that the book relates to the future1 though that supposition will do something to determine the true method of interpretation1 yet it leaves many questions still unsolved4 ,whether it refers to the destruction of ,jerusalem1 on the supposition that the work was written before that event1 or to the history of the church subsequent to that2 whether it is designed to describe events minutely1 or only in the most general manner2 whether it is intended to furnish a syllabus of civil and ecclesiastical history1 or only a very general outline of future events2 whether the times are so designated that we can fix them with entire certainty2 or whether it was intended to furnish any certain indication of the periods of the world when these things should occur2all these are still open questions1 and it need not be said that on these the opinions of expositors have been greatly divided4 7#b7 ,it may be assumed that there is meaning in these symbols1 and that they were not used without an intention to convey some important ideas to the mind of ,john and to the minds of his readersto the church then1 and to the church in future times4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #c4 ,the book is indeed surpassingly sublime4 ,it abounds with the highest flights of poetic language4 ,it is ,oriental in its character1 and exhibits everywhere the proofs of a most glowing imagination in the writer4 ,but it is also to be borne in mind that it is an inspired book1 and this fact is to determine the character of the exposition4 ,if inspired1 it is to be assumed that there is a meaning in these symbols2 an idea in each one of them1 and in all combined1 of importance to the church and the world4 ,whether we can ascertain the meaning is another question2 but it is never to be doubted by an expositor of the ,bible that there is a meaning in the words and images employed1 and that to find out that meaning is worthy of earnest study and prayer4 7#c7 ,predictions respecting the future are often necessarily obscure to man4 ,it cannot be doubted1 indeed1 that ,god could have foretold future events in the most clear and unambiguous language4 ,he who knows all that is to come as intimately as he does all the past1 could have caused a record to have been made1 disclosing names1 and dates1 and places1 so that the most minute statements of what is to occur might have been in the possession of man as clearly as the records of the past now are4 ,but there were obvious reasons why this should not occur1 and in the prophecies it is rare that there is any such specification4 ,to have done this might have been to defeat the very end in view2 for it would have given to man1 a free agent1 the power of embarrassing or frustrating the divine plans4 ,but if this course is not adopted1 then prophecy must1 from the nature of the case1 be obscure4 ,the knowledge of any one particular fact in the future is so connected with many other facts1 and often implies so much knowledge of other things1 that without that other knowledge it could not be understood4 ,suppose that it had been predicted1 in the time of ,john1 that at some future period some contrivance should be found out by which what was doing in one part of the world could be instantaneously known in another remote part of the world1 and spread abroad by thousands of copies in an hour1 to be read by a nation4 ,suppose1 for instance1 that there had been some symbol or emblem representing what actually occurs now1 when in a morning newspaper we read what occurred last evening at ,st4 ,louis1 ,dubuque1 ,galena1 ,chicago1 ,cincinnati1 ,charleston1 ,new ,orleans2 it is clear that at a time when the magnetic telegraph and the printing-press were unknown1 any symbol or language describing it that could be employed must be obscure1 and the impression must have been that this could be accomplished only by miracleand it would not be difficult for one who was disposed to scepticism to make out an argument to prove that this could not occur4 ,it would be impossible to explain any symbol that could be employed to represent this until these wonderful descriptions should become reality1 and in the meantime the book in which the symbols were found might be regarded as made up of mere riddles and enigmas2 but when these inventions should be actually found out1 however much ridicule or contempt had been poured on the book before1 it #acd might be perfectly evident that the symbol was the most appropriate that could be used1 and no one could doubt that it was a divine communication of what was to be in the future4 ,something of the same kind may have occurred in the symbols used by the writer of the book before us4 7#d7 ,it is not necessary to suppose that a prophecy will be understood in all its details until the prediction is accomplished4 ,in the case just referred to1 though the fact of the rapid spread of intelligence might be clear1 yet nothing would convey any idea of the mode1 or of the actual meaning of the symbols used1 unless the inventions were themselves anticipated by a direct revelation4 ,the trial of faith in the case would be the belief that the fact would occur1 but would not relate to the mode in which it was to be accomplished1 or the language employed to describe it4 ,there might be great obscurity in regard to the symbols and language1 and yet the knowledge of the fact be perfectly plain4 ,when1 however1 the fact should occur as predicted1 all would be clear4 ,so it is in respect to prophecy4 ,many recorded predictions that are now clear as noon-day1 were once as ambiguous and uncertain in respect to their meaning as in the supposed case of the press and the telegraph4 ,time has made them plain2 for the event to which they referred has so entirely corresponded with the symbol as to leave no doubt in regard to the meaning4 ,thus many of the prophecies relating to the ,messiah were obscure at the time when they were uttered2 were apparently so contradictory that they could not be reconciled2 were so unlike anything that then existed1 that the fulfilment seemed to be impossible2 and were so enigmatical in the symbols employed1 that it seemed in vain to attempt to disclose their meaning4 ,the advent of the long-promised ,messiah1 however1 removed the obscurity2 and now they are read with no uncertainty as to their meaning1 and with no doubt that those predictions1 once so obscure1 had a divine origin4 ,the view just suggested may lead us to some just conceptions of what is necessary to be done in attempting to explain the prophecies4 ,suppose1 then1 first1 that there had been1 say in the dark ages1 some predictions that claimed to be of divine origin1 of the invention of the art of printing and of the magnetic telegraph4 ,the proper business of an interpreter1 if he regarded this as a divine communication1 would have consisted in four things3 7a7 to explain1 as well as he could1 the fair meaning of the symbols employed1 and the language used2 7b7 to admit the fact referred to1 and implied in the fair interpretation of the language employed1 of the rapid spread of intelligence in that future period1 though he could not explain how it was to be done2 7c7 in the meantime it would be a perfectly legitimate object for him to inquire whether there were any events occurring in the world1 or whether there had been any1 to which these symbols were applicable1 or which would meet all the circumstances involved in them2 7d7 if there were1 then his duty would be ended2 if there were not1 then the symbols1 with such explanation as could be furnished of their meaning1 should be handed on to future times1 to be applied when the predicted events should actually occur4 ,suppose1 then1 secondly1 the case of the predictions respecting the ,messiah1 scattered along through many books1 and given in various forms1 and by various symbols4 ,the proper business of an interpreter would have been1 as in the other case1 7a7 to explain the fair meaning of the language used1 and to bring together all the circumstances in one connected whole1 that a distinct conception of the predicted ,messiah might be before the mind2 7b7 to admit the facts referred to1 and thus predicted1 however incomprehensible and apparently contradictory they might appear to be2 7c7 to inquire whether anyone had appeared who combined within himself all the characteristics of the description2 and 7d7 if no one had thus appeared1 to send on the prophecies1 with such explanations of words and symbols as could be ascertained to be correct1 to future times1 to have their full meaning developed when the object of all the predictions should be accomplished1 and the ,messiah should appear4 ,then the meaning of all would be plain2 and then the argument from prophecy would be complete4 ,this is obviously now the proper state of the mind in regard to the predictions in the ,bible1 and these are the principles which should be applied in examining the book of ,revelation4 7#e7 ,it may be assumed that new light will be thrown upon the prophecies by time1 and by the progress of events4 ,it cannot be supposed that #ace the investigations of the meaning of the prophetic symbols will all be in vain4 ,difficulties1 it is reasonable to hope1 may be cleared up2 errors may be detected in regard to the application of the prophecies to particular events2 and juster views on the prophecies1 as on all other subjects1 will prevail as the world grows older4 ,we become wiser by seeing the errors of those who have gone before us1 and an examination of the causes which led them astray may enable us to avoid such errors in the future4 ,especially may it be supposed that light will be thrown on the prophecies as they shall be in part or wholly fulfilled4 ,the prophecies respecting the destruction of ,babylon1 of ,petra1 of ,tyre1 of ,jerusalem1 are now fully understood2 the prophecies respecting the advent of the ,messiah1 and his character and work1 once so obscure1 are now perfectly clear4 ,so1 we have reason to suppose1 it will be with all prophecy in the progress of events1 and sooner or later the world will settle down into some uniform belief in regard to the design and meaning of these portions of the sacred writings4 ,whether the time has yet come for this1 or whether numerous other failures are to be added to the melancholy catalogue of past failures on this subject1 is another question2 but ultimately all the now unfulfilled prophecies will be as clear as to their meaning as are those which have been already fulfilled4 7#f7 ,the plan1 therefore1 which ,i propose in the examination of the remaining portion of the ,apocalypse is the following3 7a7 ,to explain the meaning of the symbols2 that is1 to show1 as clearly as possible1 what those symbols properly express1 independently of any attempt to apply them4 ,this opens1 of itself1 an interesting field of investigation1 and one where essential service may be done1 even if nothing further is intended4 ,without any reference to the application of those symbols1 this1 of itself1 is an important work of criticism1 and1 if successfully done1 would be rendering a valuable service to the readers of the sacred volume4 7b7 ,to state1 as briefly as possible1 what others who have written on this book1 and who have brought eminent learning and talent to bear on its interpretation1 have supposed to be the true interpretation of the symbols employed by ,john1 and in regard to the times in which the events referred to would occur4 ,it is in this way only that we can be made acquainted with the real progress made in interpreting this book1 and it will be useful at least to know how the subject has struck other minds1 and how and why they have failed to perceive the truth4 ,i propose1 therefore1 to state1 as ,i go along1 some of the theories which have been held as to the meaning of the ,apocalypse1 and as to the events which have been supposed by others to be referred to4 ,my limits require1 however1 that this should be briefly done1 and forbid my attempting to examine those opinions at length4 7c7 ,to state1 in as brief and clear a manner as possible1 the view which ,i have been led to entertain as to the proper application of the symbols employed in the book1 with such historical references as shall seem to me to confirm the interpretation proposed4 7d7 ,where ,i cannot form an opinion as to the meaning1 to confess my ignorance4 ,he does no service in a professed interpretation of the ,bible who passes over a difficulty without attempting to remove it1 or who1 to save his own reputation1 conceals the fact that there is a real difficulty2 and he does as little service who is unwilling to confess his ignorance on many points1 or who attempts an explanation where he has no clear and settled views4 ,as his opinion can be of no value to anyone else unless it is based on reasons in his own mind that will bear examination1 so it can usually be of little value unless those reasons are stated4 ,it is as important for his readers to have those reasons before their own minds as it is for him2 and unless he has it in his power to state reasons for what he advances1 his opinions can be worth nothing to the world4 ,he who lays down this rule of interpretation may expect to have ample opportunity1 in interpreting such a book as the ,apocalypse1 to confess his ignorance2 but he who interprets a book which he believes to be inspired1 may console himself with the thought that what is now obscure will be clear hereafter1 and that he performs the best service which he can if he endeavours to explain the book up to the time in which he lives4 ,there will be developments hereafter which will make that clear which is now obscure2 developments which will make this book1 in all past ages apparently so enigmatical1 as clear as any other portion of the inspired volume1 as it is now1 even with #acf imperfect view which we may have of its meaning1 beyond all question one of the most sublime books that has ever been written4 ,this chapter describes the opening of the first six seals4 7#a7 ,the first discloses a white horse1 with a rider armed with a bow4 ,a crown is given to him1 symbolical of triumph and prosperity1 and he goes forth to conquer1 ver4 #a1 #b4 7#b7 ,the second discloses a red-coloured horse1 with a rider4 ,the emblem is that of bloodof sanguinary war4 ,power is given him to take peace from the earth1 and a sword is given himemblem of war1 but not of certain victory4 ,triumph and prosperity are denoted by the former symbol2 war1 discord1 bloodshed1 by this1 ver4 #c1 #d4 7#c7 ,the third discloses a black horse1 with a rider4 ,he has a pair of balances in his hand1 as if there were scarcity in the earth1 and he announces the price of grain in the times of this calamity1 and a command is given not to hurt the oil and the wine1 ver4 #e1 #f4 ,the emblem is that of scarcityas if there were oppression1 or as a consequence of war or discord1 while at the same time there is care bestowed to preserve certain portions of the produce of the earth from injury4 7#d7 ,the fourth discloses a pale horse1 with a rider4 ,the name of this rider is ,death1 and ,hell 7or ,hades7 follows himas if the hosts of the dead came again on the earth4 ,power is given to the rider over the fourth part of the earth1 to kill with sword1 with hunger1 with death1 and with wild beasts4 ,this emblem would seem to denote war1 wide-wasting pestilence1 famine1 and desolationas if wild beasts were suffered to roam over lands that had been inhabited2 something of which paleness would be an emblem4 ,here ends the array of horses2 and it is evidently intended by these four symbols to refer to a series of events that have a general resemblancesomething that could be made to stand by themselves1 and that could be grouped together4 7#e7 ,the fifth seal opens a new scene4 ,the horse and the rider no longer appear4 ,it is not a scene of war1 and of the consequences of war1 but a scene of persecution4 ,the souls of those who were slain for the word of ,god and the testimony which they held are seen under the altar1 praying to ,god that he would avenge their blood4 ,white robes are given themtokens of the divine favour1 and emblems of their ultimate triumph2 and they are commanded to 8rest for a little season1 till their fellow-servants and their brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled20 that is1 that they should be patient until the number of the martyrs was filled up4 ,in other words1 there was 7a7 the assurance of the divine favour towards them2 7b7 vengeance1 or the punishment of those who had persecuted them1 would not be immediate2 but 7c7 there was the implied assurance that just punishment would be inflicted on their persecutors1 and that the cause for which they had suffered would ultimately triumph1 ver4 #iaa4 7#f7 ,the opening of the sixth seal1 ver4 #abag4 ,there was an earthquake1 and the sun became dark1 and the moon was turned to blood1 and the stars fell1 and all kings and people were filled with consternation4 ,this symbol properly denotes the time of public commotion1 of revolution1 of calamity2 and it was evidently to be fulfilled by some great changes on the earth1 or by the overturning of the seats of power1 and by such sudden revolutions as would fill the nations with alarm4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,and ,i saw when #badthe ,lamb opened one of the seals2 and ,i heard1 as it were the noise of thunder1 one of the four beasts saying1 ,come and see4 #a4 ,and ,i saw4 ,or1 ,i looked4 ,he fixed his eye attentively on what was passing1 as promising important disclosures4 ,no one had been found in the universe who could open the seals but the ,lamb of ,god 7ch4 v4 #bd72 and it was natural for ,john1 therefore1 to look upon the transaction with profound interest4 ,when the ,lamb opened one of the seals4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #a1 #e4 ,this was the first or outermost of the seals1 and its being broken would permit a certain portion of the volume to be unrolled and read4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #a4 ,the representation in this place is1 therefore1 that of a volume with a small portion unrolled1 and written on both sides of the parchment4 ,and ,i heard1 as it were the noise of thunder4 ,one of the four living creatures speaking as with a voice of thunder1 or with a loud voice4 ,one of the four beasts4 ,notes on ch4 iv4 #f1 #g4 #acg ,the particular one is not mentioned1 though what is said in the subsequent verses leaves no doubt that it was the first in order as seen by ,johnthe one like a lion1 ch4 iv4 #g4 ,in the opening of the three following seals1 it is expressly said that it was the second1 the third1 and the fourth of the living creatures that drew near1 and hence the conclusion is certain that the one here referred to was the first4 ,if the four living creatures be understood to be emblematic of the divine providential administration1 then there was a propriety that they should be represented as summoning ,john to witness what was to be disclosed4 ,these events pertained to the developments of the divine purposes1 and these emblematic beings would therefore be interested in what was occurring4 ,come and see4 ,addressed evidently to ,john4 ,he was requested to approach and see with his own eyes what was disclosed in the portion of the volume now unrolled4 ,he had wept much 7ch4 v4 #d7 that no one was found who was worthy to open that book1 but he was now called on to approach and see for himself4 ,some have supposed 7,lord1 in loco7 that the address here was not to ,john1 but to the horse and his rider1 and that the command to them was not to 8come and see10 but to come forth1 and appear on the stage1 and that the act of the ,redeemer in breaking the seal1 and unrolling the scroll1 was nothing more than an emblem signifying that it was by his act that the divine purposes were to be unfolded4 ,but1 in order to this interpretation1 it would be necessary to omit from the received text the words 8and see40 ,this is done1 indeed1 by ,hahn and ,tittmann1 and this reading is followed by ,professor ,stuart1 though he says that the received text has 8probability0 in its favour1 and is followed by some of the critical editions4 ,the most natural interpretation1 however1 is that the words were addressed to ,john4 ,john saw the ,lamb open the seal2 he heard the loud voice2 he looked and beheld a white horsethat is1 evidently1 he looked on the unfolding volume1 and saw the representation of a horse and his rider4 ,that the voice was addressed to ,john is the common interpretation1 is the most natural1 and is liable to no real objection4 #b ,and ,i saw1 and behold #bae;a white horse3 and he that sat on him had a bow2 and a crown was given unto him3 and he went forth #baf;conquering1 and to conquer4 #b4 ,and ,i saw1 and behold4 ,a question has arisen as to the mode of representation here3 whether what ,john saw in these visions was a series of pictures1 drawn on successive portions of the volume as one seal was broken after another2 or whether the description of the horses and of the events was written on the volume1 so that ,john read it himself1 or heard it read by another2 or whether the opening of the seal was merely the occasion of a scenic representation1 in which a succession of horses was introduced1 with a written statement of the events which are referred to4 ,nothing is indeed said by which this can be determined with certainty2 but the most probable supposition would seem to be that there was some pictorial representation in form and appearance1 such as he describes in the opening of the six seals4 ,in favour of this it may be observed1 7#a7 that1 according to the interpretation of ver4 #a1 it was something in or on the volumesince he was invited to draw nearer1 in order that he might contemplate it4 7#b7 ,each one of the things under the first five seals1 where ,john uses the word 8saw10 is capable of being represented by a picture or painting4 7#c7 ,the language used is not such as would have been employed if he had merely read the description1 or had heard it read4 7#d7 ,the supposition that the pictorial representation was not in the volume1 but that the opening of the seal was the occasion merely of causing a scenic representation to pass before his mind1 is unnatural and forced4 ,what would be the use of a sealed volume in that case8 ,what the use of the writing within and without8 ,on this supposition the representation would be that1 as the successive seals were broken1 nothing was disclosed in the volume but a succession of blank portions1 and that the mystery or the difficulty was not in anything in the volume1 but in the want of ability to summon forth these successive scenic representations4 ,the most obvious interpretation is1 undoubtedly1 that what ,john proceeds to describe was in some way represented in the volume2 and #ach the idea of a succession of pictures or drawings better accords with the whole representation1 than the idea that it was a mere written description4 ,in fact1 these successive scenes could be well represented now in a pictorial form on a scroll4 ,and behold a white horse4 ,in order to any definite understanding of what was denoted by these symbols1 it is proper to form in our minds1 in the first place1 a clear conception of what the symbol properly represents1 or an idea of what it would naturally convey4 ,it may be assumed that the symbol was significant1 and that there was some reason why that was used rather than another2 why1 for instance1 a horse was employed rather than an eagle or a lion2 why a white horse was employed in one case1 and a red one1 a black one1 a pale one in the others2 why in this case a bow was in the hand of the rider1 and a crown was placed on his head4 ,each one of these particulars enters into the constitution of the symbol2 and we must find something in the event which fairly corresponds with eachfor the symbol is made up of all these things grouped together4 ,it may be farther observed1 that where the general symbol is the sameas in the opening of the first four sealsit may be assumed that the same object or class of objects is referred to2 and the particular things denoted1 or the diversity in the general application1 is to be found in the variety in the representationthe colour1 c41 of the horse1 and the arms1 apparel1 c41 of the rider4 ,the specifications under the first seal are four3 7#a7 the general symbol of the horsecommon to the first four seals2 7#b7 the colour of the horse2 7#c7 the fact that he that sat on him had a bow2 and 7#d7 that a crown was given him by some one1 as indicative of victory4 ,the question now is1 what these symbols would naturally denote4 7#a7 ,the horse4 ,the meaning of this symbol must be drawn from the natural use to which the symbol is applied1 or the characteristics which it is known to have2 and it may be added1 that there might have been something for which that was best known in the time of the writer who uses it1 which would not be so prominent at another period of the world1 or in another country1 and that it is necessary to have that before the mind in order to obtain a correct understanding of the symbol4 ,the use of the horse1 for instance1 may have varied at different times to some degree2 at one time the prevailing use of the horse may have been for battle2 at another for rapid marchesas of cavalry2 at another for draught2 at another for races2 at another for conveying messages by the establishment of posts or the appointment of couriers4 ,to an ancient ,roman the horse might suggest prominently one idea2 to a modern ,arab another2 to a teamster in ,holland another4 ,the things which would be most naturally suggested by the horse as a symbol1 as distinguished1 for instance1 from an eagle1 a lion1 a serpent1 c41 would be the following3 7a7 ,war1 as this was probably one of the first uses to which the horse was applied4 ,so1 in the magnificent description of the horse in ,job xxxix4 #aibe1 no notice is taken of any of his qualities but those which pertain to war4 ,see1 for a full illustration of this passage1 and of the frequent reference in the classic writers to the horse as connected with war1 ,bochart1 ,hieroz4 lib4 ii4 c4 viii41 particularly p4 #adi4 ,comp4 ,virg4 ,geor4 iii4 #hc1 #hd3 8,si qua sonum procul arma dedre1 ,stare loco nescit1 micat auribus1 et tremit artus40 ,ovid1 ,metam4 iii43 8,ut fremit acer equus1 cam bellicus1 aere canoro ,signa dedit tubicen1 pugnque assumit amorem40 ,silius1 lib4 xiii43 8,is trepido alituum tinnitu1 et stare neganti1 ,imperitans violenter equo40 ,so ,solomon says 7,pr4 xxi4 #ca71 8,the horse is prepared against the day of battle40 ,so in ,zec4 x4 #c1 the prophet says1 ,god had made the house of ,judah 8as his goodly horse in the battle20 that is1 he had made them like the victorious war-horse4 7b7 ,as a consequence of this1 and of the conquests achieved by the horse in war1 he became the symbol of conquestof a people that could not be overcome4 ,comp4 the above reference in ,zec4 ,thus in ,carthage the horse was an image of victorious war1 in contradistinction to the ox1 which was an emblem of the arts of peaceful agriculture4 ,this was based on a tradition respecting the foundation of the city1 referred to by ,virgil1 n4 i4 #ddbdde3 8,quo primum jactati undis et turbine ,poeni ,effodre loco signum1 quod regia ,juno ,monstrrat1 caput acris equi3 sic nam fore bello ,egregiam1 et facilem victu per ,secula gentem40 #aci ,in reference to this circumstance ,justin 7lib4 xviii4 #e7 remarks1 that 8in laying the foundations of the city the head of an ox was found1 which was regarded as an emblem of a fruitful land1 but of the necessity of labour and of dependence2 on which account the city was transferred to another place4 ,then the head of a horse was found1 and this was regarded as a happy omen that the city would be warlike and prosperous40 ,comp4 ,creuzer1 ,symbolik1 vol4 ii4 p4 #def4 7c7 ,the horse was an emblem of fleetness1 and1 consequently1 of the rapidity of conquest4 ,comp4 ,joel ii4 #d3 8,the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses2 and as horsemen1 so shall they run40 ,je4 iv4 #ac3 8,behold1 he shall come up as clouds1 and his chariots shall be as the whirlwind2 his horses are swifter than eagles40 ,compare ,job xxxix4 #ah4 7d7 ,the horse is an emblem of strength1 and consequently of safety4 ,ps4 cxlvii4 #aj3 8,he delighteth not in the strength of the horse40 ,in general1 then1 the horse would properly symbolize war1 conquest1 or the rapidity with which a message is conveyed4 ,the particular character or complexion of the eventas peaceful or warlike1 prosperous or adverseis denoted by the colour of the horse1 and by the character of the rider4 7#b7 ,the colour of the horse3 a white horse4 ,it is evident that this is designed to be significant1 because it is distinguished from the red1 the black1 and the pale horse1 referred to in the following verses4 ,in general1 it may be observed that white is the emblem of innocence1 purity1 prosperityas the opposite is of sickness1 sin1 calamity4 ,if the significance of the emblem turned alone on the colour1 we should look to something cheerful1 prosperous1 happy as the thing that was symbolized4 ,but the significance in the case is to be found not only in the colourwhitebut in the horse that was white2 and the inquiry is1 what would a horse of that colour properly denote2 that is1 on what occasions1 and with reference to what ends1 was such a horse used8 ,now1 the general notion attached to the mention of a white horse1 according to ancient usage1 would be that of state and triumph1 derived from the fact that white horses were rode by conquerors on the days of their triumph2 that they were used in the marriage cavalcade2 that they were employed on coronation occasions1 c4 ,in the triumphs granted by the ,romans to their victorious generals1 after a procession composed of musicians1 captured princes1 spoils of battle1 c41 came the conqueror himself1 seated on a high chariot drawn by four white horses1 robed in purple1 and wearing a wreath of laurel 7,eschenburg1 ,man4 of ,class4 ,literature1 p4 #bhc4 ,comp4 ,ovid de ,arte ,amandi1 lib4 v4 #bad74 ,the name of leucipposwas given to ,proserpine1 because she was borne from ,hades to ,olympus in a chariot drawn by white horses 7,scol4 ,pind4 ,ol4 vi4 #afa4 ,see ,creuzer's ,symbol4 iv4 #bec74 ,white horses are supposed1 also1 to excel others in fleetness4 ,so ,horace1 ,sat4 lib4 i4 vii4 #h3 8,sisennas1 ,barrosque ut equis prcurreret albis40 ,so ,plaut4 ,asin4 ii4 #b1 #ab4 ,so ,homer1 ,il4 ,k4 #dcg3 1 4 8,whiter than the snow1 and swifter than the winds40 ,and in the neid1 where ,turnus was about to contend with neas1 he demanded horses3 8,qui candore nives anteirent cursibus auras40 8,which would surpass the snow in whiteness1 and the wind in fleetness0 7n4 xii4 #hd74 ,so the poets everywhere describe the chariot of the sun as drawn by white horses 7,bochart1 ut supra74 ,so conquerors and princes are everywhere represented as borne on white horses4 ,thus ,propertius1 lib4 iv4 eleg4 i43 8,quatuor huic albos ,romulus egit equos40 ,so ,claudian1 lib4 ii41 de ,laudibus ,stilichonis3 8,deposito mitis clypeo1 candentibus urbem ,ingreditur trabeatus equis40 ,and thus ,ovid 7lib4 i4 de ,arte7 addresses ,augustus1 auguring that he would return a victor3 8,ergo erit illa dies1 qu tu1 ,pulcherrime rerum1 ,quatuor in niveis aureus ibis equis40 ,the preference of white to denote triumph or victory was early referred to among the ,hebrews4 ,thus1 ,ju4 v4 #aj1 in the ,song of ,deborah3 8,speak1 ye that ride on white asses1 ,ye that sit in judgment1 ,and walk by the way40 ,the expression1 then1 in the passage before us1 would properly refer to some kind of triumph2 to some joyous occasion2 #adj to something where there was success or victory2 and1 so far as this expression is concerned1 would refer to any kind of triumph1 whether of the gospel or of victory in war4 7#c7 ,the bow3 and he that sat on him had a bow4 ,the bow would be a natural emblem of waras it was used in war2 or of huntingas it was used for that purpose4 ,it was a common instrument of attack or defence1 and seems to have been early invented1 for it is found in all rude nations4 ,comp4 ,ge4 xxvii4 #c2 xlviii4 #bb2 xlix4 #bd2 ,jos4 xxiv4 #ab2 #a ,sa4 xviii4 #d2 ,ps4 xxxvii4 #ae2 ,is4 vii4 #bd4 ,the bow would be naturally emblematic of the following things3 7a7 ,war4 ,see the passages above4 7b7 ,hunting4 ,thus it was one of the emblems of ,apollo as the god of hunting4 7c7 ,the effect of truthas that which secured conquest1 or overcame opposition in the heart4 ,so far as this emblem is concerned1 it might denote a warrior1 a hunter1 a preacher1 a ruleranyone who exerted power over others1 or who achieved any kind of conquest over them4 7#d7 ,the crown3 and a crown was given unto him4 ,the word here usedmeans a circlet1 chaplet1 or crownusually such as was given to a victor1 #a ,co4 ix4 #be4 ,it would properly be emblematic of victory or conquestas it was given to victors in war1 or to the victors at the ,grecian games1 and as it is given to the saints in heaven regarded as victors1 ,re4 iv4 #d1 #aj2 #b ,ti4 iv4 #h4 ,the crown or chaplet here was 8given0 to the rider as significant that he would be victorious1 not that he had been2 and the proper reference of the emblem was to some conquest yet to be made1 not to any which had been made4 ,it is not said by whom this was given to the rider2 the material fact being only that such a diadem was conferred on him4 7#e7 ,the going forth to conquest3 and he went forth1 conquering and to conquer4 ,he went forth as a conqueror1 and that he might conquer4 ,that is1 he went forth with the spirit1 life1 energy1 determined purpose of one who was confident that he would conquer1 and who had the port and bearing of a conqueror4 ,john saw in him two things3 one1 that he had the aspect or port of a conquerorthat is1 of one who had been accustomed to conquest1 and who was confident that he could conquer2 the other was1 that this was clearly the design for which he went forth1 and this would be the result of his going forth4 ,having thus inquired into the natural meaning of the emblems used1 perhaps the proper work of an expositor is done1 and the subject might be left here4 ,but the mind naturally asks what was this designed to signify1 and to what events are these things to be applied8 ,on this point it is scarcely necessary to say1 that the opinions of expositors have been almost as numerous as the expositors themselves1 and that it would be a hopeless task1 and as useless as hopeless1 to attempt to enumerate all the opinions entertained4 ,they who are desirous of examining those opinions must be referred to the various books on the ,apocalypse where they may be found4 ,perhaps all the opinions entertained1 though presented by their authors under a great variety of forms1 might be referred to three3 7#a7 ,that the whole passage in ch4 vi4xi4 refers to the destruction of ,jerusalem and the wasting of ,juda1 principally by the ,romansand particularly the humiliation and prostration of the ,jewish persecuting enemies of the church3 on the supposition that the book was written before the destruction of ,jerusalem4 ,this is the opinion of ,professor ,stuart1 and of those generally who hold that the book was written at that time4 7#b7 ,the opinion of those who suppose that the book was written in the time of ,domitian1 about ,a4,d4 #ie or #if1 and that the symbols refer to the ,roman affairs subsequent to that time4 ,this is the opinion of ,mede1 ,elliott1 and others4 7#c7 ,the opinions of those who suppose that the different horses and horsemen refer to the ,saviour1 to ministers of the gospel1 and to the various results of the ministry4 ,this is the opinion of ,mr4 ,david ,c4 ,lord and others4 ,my purpose does not require me to examine these opinions in detail4 ,justice could not be done to them in the limited compass which ,i have2 and it is better to institute a direct inquiry whether any events are known which can be regarded as corresponding with the symbols here employed4 ,in regard to this1 then1 the following things may be referred to3 7a7 ,it will be assumed here1 as elsewhere in these ,notes1 that the ,apocalypse was written in the time of ,domitian1 about ,a4,d4 #ie or #if4 ,for the reasons for this opinion1 see ,intro4 #b4 ,comp4 an article by ,dr4 ,geo4 ,duffield in the ,biblical ,repository1 ,july1 #ahdg1 pp4 #chedaa4 ,it will also be assumed that the book is inspired1 and #ada that it is not to be regarded and treated as a work of mere human origin4 ,these suppositions will preclude the necessity of any reference in the opening of the seals to the time of ,nero1 or to the events pertaining to the destruction of ,jerusalem and the overthrow of the ,jewish persecuting enemies of the churchfor the opinion that those events are referred to can be held only on one of two suppositions3 either that the work was written in the time of ,nero1 and before the ,jewish wars1 as held by ,professor ,stuart and others2 or that it was penned after the events referred to had occurred1 and is such a description of the past as could have been made by one who was uninspired4 7b7 ,it is to be presumed that the events referred to1 in the opening of the first seal1 would occur soon after the time when the vision appeared to ,john in ,patmos4 ,this is clear1 not only because that would be the most natural supposition1 but because it is fairly implied in ch4 i4 #a3 8,the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 which ,god gave unto him to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass40 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,whatever may be said of some of those eventsthose lying most remotely in the seriesit would not accord with the fair interpretation of the language to suppose that the beginning of the series would be far distant1 and we therefore naturally look for that beginning in the age succeeding the time of the apostle1 or the reign of ,domitian4 7c7 ,the inquiry then occurs whether there were any such events in that age as would properly be symbolized by the circumstances before usthe horse2 the colour of the horse2 the bow in the hand of the rider2 the crown given him2 the state and bearing of the conqueror4 7d7 ,before proceeding to notice what seems to me to be the interpretation which best accords with all the circumstances of the symbol1 it may be proper to refer to the only other one which has any plausibility1 and which is adopted by ,grotius1 by the author of ,hyponoia1 by ,dr4 ,keith 7,signs of the ,times1 i4 #aha1 seq471 by ,mr4 ,lord1 and others1 that this refers to ,christ and his churchto ,christ and his ministers in spreading the gospel4 ,the objections to this class of interpretations seem to me to be insuperable3 7#a7 ,the whole description1 so far as it is a representation of triumph1 is a representation of the triumph of war1 not of the gospel of peace4 ,all the symbols in the opening of the first four seals are warlike2 all the consequences in the opening of each of the seals where the horseman appears1 are such as are usually connected with war4 ,it is the march of empire1 the movement of military power4 7#b7 ,a horseman thus armed is not the usual representation of ,christ1 much less of his ministers or of his church4 ,once indeed 7ch4 xix4 #adaf7 ,christ himself is thus represented2 but the ordinary representation of the ,saviour in this book is either that of a manmajestic and glorious1 holding the stars in his right handor of a lamb4 ,besides1 if it were the design of the emblem to refer to ,christ1 it must be a representation of him personally and literally going forth in this manner2 for it would be incongruous to suppose that this relates to him1 and then to give it a metaphorical application1 referring it not to himself1 but to his truth1 his gospel1 his ministers4 7#c7 ,if there is little probability that this refers to ,christ1 there is still less that it refers to ministers of the gospelas held by ,lord and othersfor such a symbol is employed nowhere else to represent an order of ministers1 nor do the circumstances find a fulfilment in them4 ,the minister of the gospel is a herald of peace1 and is employed in the service of the ,prince of ,peace4 ,he cannot well be represented by a warrior1 nor is he in the ,scriptures4 ,in itself considered1 there is nothing more unlike or incongruous than a warrior going forth to conquest with hostile arms1 and a minister of ,christ4 7#d7 ,besides1 this representation of a horse and his rider1 when applied in the following verses1 on this principle becomes most forced and unnatural4 ,if the warrior on the white horse denotes the ministry1 then the warrior on the red horse1 the black horse1 the pale horse1 must denote the ministry also1 and nothing is more fanciful and arbitrary than to attempt to apply these to teachers of various kinds of errorerror denoted by the red1 black1 and pale colouras must be done on that supposition4 ,it seems plain1 therefore1 to me1 that the representation was not designed to symbolize the ministry1 or the state of the church considered with reference to its extension1 or the various forms of belief which prevailed4 ,but if so1 it only remains to inquire whether a state of things existed in the ,roman world of which these would be appropriate #adb symbols4 ,we have1 then1 the following facts1 which are of such a nature as would properly be symbolized by the horse of the first seal2 that is1 they are such facts that if one were to undertake to devise an appropriate symbol of them since they occurred1 they would be well represented by the image here employed4 7#a7 ,it was in general a period of prosperity1 of triumph1 of conquestwell represented by the horseman on the white horse going forth to conquest4 ,i refer now to the period immediately succeeding the time of ,john's banishment1 embracing some ninety years1 and extending through the successive reigns of ,nerva1 ,trajan1 ,adrian1 and the two ,antonines1 from the death of ,domitian1 ,a4,d4 #if1 to the accession of ,commodus1 and the peace made by him with the ,germans1 ,a4,d4 #ahj4 ,as an illustration of this period1 and of the pertinency of the symbol1 ,i will first copy from an historical chart drawn up with no reference to the symbol here1 and in the mind of whose author the application to this symbol never occurred4 ,the chart1 distinguished for accuracy1 is that of ,a4 ,s4 ,lyman1 published ,a4,d4 #ahde4 ,the following is the account of this period1 beginning at the death of ,domitian38,domitian1 a cruel tyrant1 the last of the twelve ,csars40 7,his death1 therefore1 was an important epoch47 8,a4,d4 #if3 ,nerva1 noted for his virtues1 but enfeebled by age40 8,a4,d4 #ih3 ,trajan1 a great general1 and popular emperor2 under him the empire attains its greatest extent40 8,a4,d4 #aag3 ,adrian1 an able sovereign2 spends thirteen years travelling through the empire1 reforming abuses and rebuilding cities40 8,a4,d4 #ach3 ,antoninus ,pius1 celebrated for his wisdom1 virtue1 and humanity40 8,a4,d4 #afa3 ,marcus ,aurelius ,antoninus1 the ,stoic ,philosopher1 noted for his virtues40 ,then begins a new eraa series of wicked princes and of great calamities4 ,the next entry in the series is1 8,a4,d4 #ahj3 ,commodus1 profligate and cruel40 ,then follows a succession of princes of the same general description4 ,their character will be appropriately considered under the succeeding seals4 ,but in regard to the period now supposed to be represented by the opening of the first seal1 and the general applicability of the description here to that period1 we have the fullest testimony in ,mr4 ,gibbon1 in his ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire2 a writer who1 sceptic as he was1 seems to have been raised up by ,divine ,providence to search deeply into historic records1 and to furnish an inexhaustible supply of materials in confirmation of the fulfilment of the prophecies1 and of the truth of revelation4 ,for 7#a7 he was eminently endowed by talent1 and learning1 and patience1 and general candour1 and accuracy1 to prepare a history of that period of the world1 and to place his name in the very first rank of historians4 7#b7 ,his history commences at about the period supposed in this interpretation to be referred to by these symbols1 and extends over a very considerable portion of the time embraced in the book of ,revelation4 7#c7 ,it cannot be alleged that he was biassed in his statements of facts by a desire to favour revelation2 nor can it be charged on him that he perverted facts with a view to overthrow the authority of the volume of inspired truth4 ,he was1 indeed1 thoroughly sceptical as to the truth of ,christianity1 and he lost no opportunity to express his feelings towards it by a sneerfor it seems to have been an unfortunate characteristic of his mind to sneer at everythingbut there is no evidence that he ever designedly perverted a fact in history to press it into the service of infidelity1 or that he designedly falsified a statement for the purpose of making it bear against ,christianity4 ,it cannot be suspected that he had any design1 by the statements which he makes1 to confirm the truth of ,scripture prophecies4 ,infidels1 at least1 are bound to admit his testimony as impartial4 7#d7 ,not a few of the most clear and decisive proofs of the fulfilment of prophecies are to be found in his history4 ,they are frequently such statements as would be expected to occur in the writings of a partial friend of ,christianity who was endeavouring to make the records of history speak out in favour of his religion2 and if they had been found in such a writer1 they would be suspected of having been shaped with a view to the confirmation of the prophecies1 and it may be added also with an intention to defend some favourite interpretation of the ,apocalypse4 ,in regard to the passage before usthe opening of the first seal and the general explanation of the meaning of that seal1 above given1 there is a striking resemblance between that representation and the state of the ,roman empire as given by ,mr4 ,gibbon at the period #adc under considerationfrom the end of the reign of ,domitian to the accession of ,commodus4 ,by a singular coincidence ,mr4 ,gibbon begins his history at about the period supposed to be referred to by the opening of the sealthe period following the death of ,domitian1 ,a4,d4 #if4 ,thus in the opening sentences of his work he says3 8,in the second century of the ,christian era the empire of ,rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth1 and the most civilized portion of mankind4 ,during a happy period of more than fourscore years the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of ,nerva1 ,trajan1 ,adrian1 and the two ,antonines4 ,it is the design of this and the two succeeding chapters to describe the prosperous condition of their empire2 and afterwards1 from the death of ,marcus ,antoninus1 to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall2 a revolution which will ever be remembered1 and is still felt by the nations of the earth10 vol4 i4 #a4 ,before ,mr4 ,gibbon proceeds to give the history of the fall of the empire1 he pauses to describe the happy condition of the ,roman world during the period now referred tofor this is substantially his object in the first three chapters of his history4 ,the titles of these chapters will show their object4 ,they are respectively the following3,ch4 i41 8,the ,extent and ,military ,force of the ,empire1 in the ,age of the ,antonines20 ch4 ii41 8,of the ,union and ,internal ,prosperity of the ,roman ,empire1 in the ,age of the ,antonines20 ch4 iii41 8,of the ,constitution of the ,roman ,empire1 in the ,age of the ,antonines40 ,in the language of another1 this is 8the bright ground of his historic picture1 from which afterwards more effectively to throw out in deep colouring the successive traits of the empire's corruption and decline0 7,elliott74 ,the introductory remarks of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 indeed1 professedly refer to 8the age of the ,antonines0 7,a4,d4 #achahj72 but that he designed to describe1 under this general title1 the actual condition of the ,roman world during the period which ,i suppose to be embraced under the first seal1 as a time of prosperity1 triumph1 and happinessfrom ,domitian to ,commodusis apparent 7a7 from a remarkable statement which there will be occasion again to quote1 in which he expressly designates this period in these words3 8,if a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous1 he would1 without hesitation1 name that which elapsed from the death of ,domitian to the accession of ,commodus10 i4 #dg4 ,the same thing is apparent also from a remark of ,mr4 ,gibbon in the general summary which he makes of the ,roman affairs1 showing that this period constituted1 in his view1 properly an era in the condition of the world4 ,thus he says 7i4 #d73 8,such was the state of the ,roman frontiers1 and such the maxims of imperial policy1 from the death of ,augustus to the accession of ,trajan40 ,this was ,a4,d4 #ih4 ,the question now is1 whether1 during this period1 the events in the ,roman empire were such as accord with the representation in the first seal4 ,there was nothing in the first century that could accord with this2 and if ,john wrote the ,apocalypse at the time supposed 7,a4,d4 #ie or #if71 of course it does not refer to that4 ,respecting that century ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks3 8,the only accession which the ,roman empire received1 during the first century of the ,christian era1 was the province of ,britain4 ,in this single instance the successors of ,csar and ,augustus were persuaded to follow the example of the former rather than the precept of the latter4 ,after a war of about forty years1 undertaken by the most stupid1 maintained by the most dissolute1 and terminated by the most timid of all the emperors1 the far greater part of the island submitted to the ,roman yoke10 i4 #b1 #c4 ,of course the representation in the first seal could not be applied to such a period as this4 ,in the second century1 however1 and especially in the early part of itthe beginning of the period supposed to be embraced in the opening of the first seala different policy began to prevail1 and though the main characteristic of the period1 as a whole1 was comparatively peaceful1 yet it began with a career of conquests1 and its general state might be characterized as triumph and prosperity4 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon speaks of ,trajan on his accession after the death of ,nerva3 8,that virtuous and active prince had received the education of a soldier1 and possessed the talents of a general4 ,the peaceful system of his predecessors was interrupted by scenes of war and conquest2 and the legions1 after a long interval1 beheld a military emperor at their head4 ,the first exploits of ,trajan were against the #add ,dacians1 the most warlike of men1 who dwelt beyond the ,danube1 and who1 during the reign of ,domitian1 had insulted the majesty of ,rome4 ,this memorable war1 with a very short suspension of hostilities1 lasted live years2 and as the emperor could exert1 without control1 the whole force of the state1 it was terminated by an absolute submission of the barbarians4 ,the new province of ,dacia1 which formed a second exception to the precept of ,augustus1 was about thirteen hundred miles in circumference10 i4 #d4 ,speaking of ,trajan 7p4 #d71 he says farther3 8,the praises of ,alexander1 transmitted by a succession of poets and historians1 had kindled a dangerous emulation in the mind of ,trajan4 ,like him1 the ,roman emperor undertook an expedition against the nations of the ,east2 but he lamented with a sigh that his advanced age scarcely left him any hopes of equalling the renown of the son of ,philip4 ,yet the success of ,trajan1 however transient1 was rapid and specious4 ,the degenerate ,parthians1 broken by intestine discord1 fled before his arms4 ,he descended the river ,tigris1 in triumph1 from the mountains of ,armenia to the ,persian ,gulf4 ,he enjoyed the honour of being the first1 as he was the last1 of the ,roman generals who ever navigated that remote sea4 ,his fleets ravaged the coasts of ,arabia2 and ,trajan vainly flattered himself that he was approaching towards the confines of ,india4 ,every day the astonished senate received the intelligence of new names and new nations that acknowledged his sway4 ,they were informed that the kings of ,bosphorus1 ,colchis1 ,iberia1 ,albania1 ,osrhoene1 and even the ,parthian monarch himself1 had accepted their diadems from the hand of the emperor2 that the independent tribes of the ,median and ,carduchian hills had implored his protection2 and that the rich countries of ,armenia1 ,mesopotamia1 and ,assyria were reduced into the state of provinces40 ,of such a reign what more appropriate symbol could there be than the horse and the rider of the first seal8 ,if ,mr4 ,gibbon had been writing a designed commentary on this1 what more appropriate language could he have used in illustration of it8 ,the reign of ,hadrian1 the successor of ,trajan 7,a4,d4 #aagach71 was comparatively a reign of peacethough one of his first acts was to lead an expedition into ,britain3 but though comparatively a time of peace1 it was a reign of prosperity and triumph4 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 in the following language1 gives a general characteristic of that reign38,the life of ,hadrian was almost a perpetual journey2 and as he possessed the various talents of the soldier1 the statesman1 and the scholar1 he gratified his curiosity in the discharge of his duty4 ,careless of the difference of seasons and of climates1 he marched on foot1 and bareheaded1 over the snows of ,caledonia and the sultry plains of ,upper ,egypt2 nor was there a province of the empire which1 in the course of his reign1 was not honoured with the presence of the monarch10 p4 #e4 ,on p4 #f ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks of this period3 8,the ,roman name was revered amongst the remote nations of the earth4 ,the fiercest barbarians frequently submitted their differences to the arbitration of the emperor2 and we are informed by a contemporary historian that he had seen ambassadors who were refused the honour which they came to solicit1 of being admitted into the rank of subjects40 ,and again1 speaking of the reign of ,hadrian1 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks 7i4 #de73 8,under his reign1 as has been already mentioned1 the empire flourished in peace and prosperity4 ,he encouraged the arts1 reformed the laws1 asserted military discipline1 and visited all the provinces in person40 ,hadrian was succeeded by the ,antonines1 ,antoninus ,pius and ,marcus ,aurelius 7the former from ,a4,d4 #ach to #afa2 the latter from ,a4,d4 #afa to the accession of ,commodus1 ,a4,d4 #ahj74 ,the general character of their reigns is well known4 ,it is thus stated by ,mr4 ,gibbon3 8,the two ,antonines governed the world forty-two years with the same invariable spirit of wisdom and virtue4 ,their united reigns are possibly the only period of history in which the happiness of a great people was the sole object of government10 i4 #df4 ,and after describing the state of the empire in respect to its military and naval character1 its roads1 and architecture1 and constitution1 and laws1 ,mr4 ,gibbon sums up the whole description of this period in the following remarkable words 7vol4 i4 p4 #dg738;,if a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous1 he would1 without hesitation1 name that which elapsed from the death of ,domitian to the accession of ,commodus4 ,the vast extent of the ,roman empire was governed by absolute #ade power1 under the guidance of virtue and wisdom4 ,the armies were restrained by the firm but gentle hands of four successive emperors1 whose characters and authority commanded involuntary respect4 ,the forms of the civil administration were carefully preserved by ,nerva1 ,trajan1 ,hadrian1 and the ,antonines1 who delighted in the image of liberty1 and were pleased with considering themselves as the accountable ministers of the laws4 ,such princes deserved the honour of restoring the republic1 had the ,romans of their days been capable of enjoying a rational freedom40 ,if it be supposed now that ,john designed to represent this period of the world1 could he have chosen a more expressive and significant emblem of it than occurs in the horseman of the first seal8 ,if ,mr4 ,gibbon had intended to prepare a commentary on it1 could he have shaped the facts of history so as better to furnish an illustration8 7#b7 ,the particular things represented in the symbol4 7a7 ,the bowa symbol of war4 ,mr4 ,elliott has endeavoured to show that the bow at that period was peculiarly the badge of the ,cretians1 and that ,nerva1 who succeeded ,domitian1 was a ,cretian by birth4 ,the argument is too long to be abridged here1 but1 if well founded1 the fulfilment is remarkable2 for although the sword or the javelin was usually the badge of the ,roman emperor1 if this were so there would be a peculiar propriety in making the bow the badge during this period4 ,see ,elliott1 vol4 i4 pp4 #accadj4 ,but whatever may be said of this1 the bow was so generally the badge of a warrior1 that there would be no impropriety in using it as a symbol of ,roman victory4 7b7 ,the crownwas1 up to the time of ,aurelian1 ,a4,d4 #bgj 7see ,spanheim1 p4 #fj71 the distinguishing badge of the ,roman emperor2 after that1 the diadem1 set with pearls and other jewels1 was adopted and worn4 ,the crown1 composed usually of laurel1 was properly the badge of the emperor considered as a military leader or commander4 ,see ,elliott1 i4 #acj4 ,at the period now under consideration the proper badge of the ,roman emperor would be the crown2 after the time of ,aurelian1 it would have been the diadem4 ,in illustration of this1 two engravings have been introduced1 the first representing the emperor ,nerva with the crown1 or 1 the second the emperor ,valentinian1 with the diadem4 ,illustration3 ,medal of the ,emperor ,nerva wearing ,crown4 ,illustration3 ,medal of the ,emperor ,valentinian wearing ,diadem4 7c7 ,the fact that the crown was given to the rider4 ,it was common among the ,romans to represent an emperor in this manner2 either on medals1 bas-reliefs1 or triumphal arches4 ,the emperor appears going forth on horseback1 and with ,victory represented as either crowning him1 or as preceding him with a crown in her hand to present to him4 ,the engraving on p4 #adf1 copied from one of the bas-reliefs on a triumphal arch erected to ,claudius ,drusus on occasion of his victories over the ,germans1 will furnish a good illustration of this1 and1 indeed1 is so similar to the symbol described by ,john1 that the one seems almost a copy of the other4 ,illustration3 ,symbolic ,bas-reliefs from a ,roman ,triumphal ,arch4 ,except that the bow is wanting1 nothing could have a closer resemblance2 and the fact that such symbols were employed1 and were well understood by the ,romans1 may be admitted to be a confirmation of the view above taken of the meaning of the first seal4 ,indeed1 so many things combine to confirm this1 that it seems impossible #adf to be mistaken in regard to it3 for if it should be supposed that ,john lived after this time1 and that he meant to furnish a striking emblem of this period of ,roman history1 he could not have employed a more significant and appropriate symbol than he has done4 #c ,and when he had opened the second seal1 ,i heard the second beast say1 ,come and see4 #c4 ,and when he had opened the second seal4 ,so as to disclose another portion of the volume4 ,notes1 ch4 v4 #a4 ,i heard the second beast say4 ,the second beast was like a calf or an ox4 ,notes1 ch4 iv4 #g4 ,it cannot be supposed that there is any special significancy in the fact that the second beast addressed the seer on the opening of the second seal1 or that1 so far as the symbol was concerned1 there was any reason why this living creature should approach on the opening of this seal rather than on either of the others4 ,all that seems to be designed is1 that as the living creatures are intended to be emblems of the providential government of ,god1 it was proper to represent that government as concerned in the opening of each of these four seals1 indicating important events among the nations4 ,come and see4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 #d ,and there went out another horse that was red3 and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth1 and that they should kill one another3 and there was given unto him a great sword4 #d4 ,and there went out another horse4 ,in this symbol there were1 as in the others1 several particulars which it is proper to explain in order that we may be able to understand its application4 ,the particular things in the symbol are the following3 7a7 ,the horse4 ,see this explained in the ,notes on ver4 #b4 7b7 ,the colour of the horse3 another horse that was red4 ,this symbol cannot be mistaken4 ,as the white horse denoted prosperity1 triumph1 and happiness1 so this would denote carnage1 discord1 bloodshed4 ,this is clear1 not only from the nature of the emblem1 but from the explanation immediately added3 8,and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth1 and that they should kill one another40 ,on the colour1 compare ,bochart1 ,hieroz4 ,p4 i4 lib4 ii4 c4 vii4 p4 #ajd4 ,see also ,zec4 i4 #h4 ,there is no possibility of mistaking this1 that a time of slaughter is denoted by this emblem4 7c7 ,the power given to him that sat on the horse3 and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth1 and that they should kill one another4 ,this would seem to indicate that the condition immediately preceding this was a condition of tranquillity1 and that this was now disturbed by some cause producing discord and bloodshed4 ,this idea is confirmed by the original words 8the peace20 that is1 the previously existing peace4 ,when peace in general is referred to1 the word is used without the article3 ,mat4 x4 #cd1 8,think not that ,i am come to send peace upon the earth40 ,comp4 ,lu4 i4 #gi2 ii4 #ad2 xix4 #ch2 ,mar4 v4 #cd2 ,jn4 xiv4 #bg2 xvi4 #cc2 ,ac4 vii4 #bf2 ix4 #ca1 et al4 in the ,greek4 ,in these cases the word peace is without the article4 ,the characteristics of the period referred to by this are3 7a7 that peace and tranquillity existed before2 7b7 that such peace and tranquillity were now taken away1 and were succeeded by confusion and bloodshed2 and 7c7 that the particular form of that confusion was civil discord1 producing mutual slaughter3 8that they should kill one another40 7d7 ,the presentation of a sword3 and there was given unto him a great sword4 ,as an emblem of what he was to do1 or of the period that was referred to by the opening of the #adg seal4 ,the sword is an emblem of war1 of slaughter1 of authority 7,ro4 xiii4 #d71 and is here used as signifying that that period would be characterized by carnage4 ,comp4 ,is4 xxxiv4 #e2 ,re4 xix4 #ag1 #ah2 ,le4 xxvi4 #be2 ,ge4 xxvii4 #dj2 ,mat4 x4 #cd2 xxvi4 #eb4 ,it is not said by whom the sword was presented1 but the fact is merely referred to1 that the rider was presented with a sword as a symbol of what would occur4 ,in inquiring now into the period referred to by this symbol1 we naturally look to that which immediately succeeded the one which was represented by the opening of the first seal2 that is1 the period which followed the accession of ,commodus1 ,a4,d4 #ahj4 ,we shall find1 in the events which succeeded his accession to the empire1 a state of things which remarkably accords with the account given by ,john in this emblemso much so1 that if it were supposed that the book was written after these events had occurred1 and that ,john had designed to represent them by this symbol1 he could not have selected a more appropriate emblem4 ,the only authority which it is necessary to refer to here is ,mr4 ,gibbon2 who1 as before remarked1 seems to have been raised up by a special ,providence to make a record of those events which were referred to by some of the most remarkable prophecies in the ,bible4 ,as he had the highest qualifications for an historian1 his statements may be relied on as accurate2 and as he had no belief in the inspiration of the prophetic records1 his testimony will not be charged with partiality in their favour4 ,the following particulars1 therefore1 will furnish a full illustration of the opening of the second seal3 7a7 ,the previous state of peace4 ,this is implied in the expression1 8and power was given to him to take peace from the earth40 ,of this we have had a full confirmation in the peaceful reign of ,hadrian and the ,antonines4 ,see the ,notes on the exposition of the first seal4 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 speaking of the accession of ,commodus to the imperial throne1 says that he 8had nothing to wish1 and everything to enjoy4 ,the beloved son of ,marcus ,commodus succeeded his father amidst the acclamations of the senate and armies2 and when he ascended the throne1 the happy youth saw around him neither competitor to remove1 nor enemies to punish4 ,in this calm elevated station1 it was surely natural that he should prefer the love of mankind to their detestation2 the mild glories of his five predecessors to the ignominious fate of ,nero and ,domitian10 i4 #ea4 ,so again1 on the same page1 he says of ,commodus1 8,his graceful person1 popular address1 and imagined virtues attracted the public favour2 the honourable peace which he had recently granted to the barbarians diffused an universal joy40 ,no one can doubt that the accession of ,commodus was preceded by a remarkable prevalence of peace and prosperity4 7b7 ,civil war and bloodshed3 to take peace from the earth1 and that they should kill one another4 ,of the applicability of this to the time supposed to be represented by this seal1 we have the fullest confirmation in the series of civil wars commencing with the assassination of the emperor ,commodus1 ,a4,d4 #aic1 and continued1 with scarcely any intervals of intermission1 for eighty or ninety years4 ,so ,sismondi1 on the fall of the ,roman empire 7i4 #cf71 says1 8,with ,commodus' death commenced the third and most calamitous period4 ,it lasted ninety-two years1 from #aic to #bhd4 ,during that time1 thirty-two emperors1 and twenty-seven pretenders to the empire1 alternately hurried each other from the throne1 by incessant civil warfare4 ,ninety-two years of almost incessant civil warfare taught the world on what a frail foundation the virtue of the ,antonines had reared the felicity of the empire40 ,the full history of this period may be seen in ,gibbon1 i4 pp4 #ejaig4 ,of course it is impossible in these ,notes to present anything like a complete account of the characteristics of those times4 ,yet the briefest summary may well show the general condition of the ,roman empire then1 and the propriety of representing it by the symbol of a red horse1 as a period when peace would be taken from the earth1 and when men would kill one another4 ,commodus himself is represented by ,mr4 ,gibbon in the following words38,commodus was not1 as he has been represented1 a tiger1 born with an insatiate thirst of human blood1 and capable1 from his infancy1 of the most inhuman actions4 ,nature had formed him of a weak1 rather than a wicked disposition4 ,his simplicity and timidity rendered him the slave of his attendants1 who gradually corrupted his mind4 ,his cruelty1 which at first obeyed the dictates of others1 degenerated into habit1 and at length became the ruling passion of his soul10 i4 #ea4 ,during the first #adh three years of his reign 8his hands were yet unstained with blood0 7,ibid471 but he soon degenerated into a most severe and bloody tyrant1 and 8when ,commodus had once tasted human blood1 he was incapable of pity or remorse10 i4 #eb4 8,the tyrant's rage10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon 7i4 #eb71 8after having shed the noblest blood of the senate1 at length recoiled on the principal instrument of his cruelty4 ,while ,commodus was immersed in blood and luxury he devolved the detail of public business on ,perennis1 a servile and ambitious minister1 who had obtained his post by the murder of his predecessor10 c4 8,every sentiment of virtue and humanity was extinct in the mind of ,commodus10 i4 #ee4 ,after detailing the history of his crimes1 his follies1 and his cruelties1 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks of him3 8,his cruelty proved at last fatal to himself4 ,he had shed with impunity the best blood of ,rome3 he perished as soon as he was dreaded by his own domestics4 ,marcia1 his favourite concubine1 ,eclectus1 his chamberlain1 and ,ltus1 his pretorian prefect1 alarmed by the fate of their companions and predecessors1 resolved to prevent the destruction which every hour hung over their heads1 either from the mad caprice of the tyrant1 or the sudden indignation of the people4 ,marcia seized the occasion of presenting a draught of wine to her lover1 after he had fatigued himself with hunting some wild beasts4 ,commodus retired to sleep2 but while he was labouring with the effects of poison and drunkenness1 a robust youth1 by profession a wrestler1 entered his chamber1 and strangled him without resistance10 i4 #eg4 ,the immediate consequence of the assassination of ,commodus was the elevation of ,pertinax to the throne1 and his murder eighty-six days after 7,decline and ,fall1 i4 #fj74 ,then followed the public setting-up of the empire to sale by the pretorian guards1 and its purchase by a wealthy ,roman senator1 ,didius ,julianus1 or ,julian1 who1 8on the throne of the world1 found himself without a friend and without an adherent10 i4 #fc4 8,the streets and public places in ,rome resounded with clamours and imprecations40 8,the public discontent was soon diffused from the centre to the frontiers of the empire10 i4 #fc4 ,in the midst of this universal indignation ,septimius ,severus1 who then commanded the army in the neighbourhood of the ,danube1 resolved to avenge the death of ,pertinax1 and to seize upon the imperial crown4 ,he marched to ,rome1 overcame the feeble ,julian1 and placed himself on the throne4 ,julian1 after having reigned sixty-six days1 was beheaded in a private apartment of the baths of the palace1 i4 #fg4 8,in less than four years ,severus subdued the riches of the ,east1 and the valour of the ,west4 ,he vanquished two competitors of reputation and ability1 and defeated numerous armies provided with weapons and discipline equal to his own10 i4 #fh4 ,mr4 ,gibbon then enters into a detail of 8the two civil wars against ,niger and ,albinus0rival competitors for the empire 7i4 #fhgj71 both of whom were vanquished1 and both of whom were put to death 8in their flight from the field of battle40 ,yet he says1 8,although the wounds of civil war were apparently healed1 its mortal poison still lurked in the vitals of the constitution10 i4 #ga4 ,after the death of ,severus1 then follows an account of the contentions between his sons1 ,geta and ,caracalla1 and of the death of the former by the instigation of the latter 7i4 #gg72 then of the remorse of ,caracalla1 in which it is said that 8his disordered fancy often beheld the angry forms of his father and his brother rising into life to threaten and upbraid him0 7i4 #gg72 then of the cruelties which ,caracalla inflicted on the friends of ,geta1 in which 8it was computed that1 under the vague appellation of the friends of ,geta1 above twenty thousand persons of both sexes suffered death0 7i4 #gh72 then of the departure of ,caracalla from the capital1 and his cruelties in other parts of the empire1 concerning which ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks 7i4 #gh1 #gi71 that 8,caracalla was the common enemy of mankind4 ,every province was by turns the scene of his rapine and cruelty4 ,in the midst of peace and repose1 upon the slightest provocation1 he issued his commands at ,alexandria in ,egypt for a general massacre4 ,from a secure post in the temple of ,serapis he viewed and directed the slaughter of many thousand citizens1 as well as strangers1 without distinguishing either the number or the crime of the sufferers10 c4 ,then follows the account of the assassination of ,caracalla 7i4 #hj72 then1 and in consequence of that1 of the civil war which crushed ,macrinus1 and raised ,elagabalus to the throne 7i4 #hc72 then of the life and follies of that wretched voluptuary1 and of his massacre by the pretorian guards #adi 7i4 #hf72 then1 after an interval of thirteen years1 of the murder of his successor1 the second ,severus1 on the ,rhine2 then of the civil wars excited against his murderer and successor1 ,maximin1 in which the two emperors of a daythe ,gordians1 father and sonperished in ,africa1 and ,maximin himself1 and his son1 in the siege of ,aquileia2 then of the murder at ,rome of the two joint emperors1 ,maximus and ,balbinus2 and quickly after that an account of the murder of their successor in the empire1 the third and youngest ,gordian1 on the banks of the river ,aboras2 then of the slaughter of the next emperor ,philip1 together with his son and associate in the empire1 in the battle near ,verona3and this state of things may be said to have continued until the accession of ,diocletian to the empire1 ,a4,d4 #bhd4 ,see ,decline and ,fall1 i4 #aajaig4 ,does any portion of the history of the world present a similar period of connected history that would be so striking a fulfilment of the symbols used here of 8peace being taken from the earth10 and 8men killing one another80 ,in regard to this whole period it is sufficient1 after reading ,mr4 ,gibbon's account1 to ask two questions3 7#a7 ,if it were supposed that ,john lived after this period1 and designed to represent this by an expressive symbol1 could he have found one that would have characterized it better than this does8 7#b7 ,and if it should be supposed that ,mr4 ,gibbon designed to write a commentary on this 8seal10 and to show the exact fulfilment of the symbol1 could he have selected a better portion of history to do it1 or could he have better described facts that would be a complete fulfilment8 ,it is only necessary to observe further1 7c7 that this is a marked and definite period4 ,it has such a beginning1 and such a continuance and ending1 as to show that this symbol was applicable to this as a period of the world4 ,for it was not only preceded by a state of peace1 as is supposed in the symbol1 but no one can deny that the condition of things in the empire1 from ,commodus onward through many years1 was such as to be appropriately designated by the symbol here used4 #e ,and when he had opened the third seal1 ,i heard the third beast say1 ,come and see4 ,and ,i beheld1 and lo1 a black horse2 and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand4 #f ,and ,i heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say1 #bag;,a measure of wheat for a penny1 and three measures of barley for a penny2 and see thou #bah;hurt not the oil and the wine4 #e1 #f4 ,and when he had opened the third seal44 ,unfolding another portion of the volume4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #a4 ,i heard the third beast say1 ,come and see4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #g4 ,it is not apparent why the third beast is represented as taking a particular interest in the opening of this seal 7comp4 ,notes on ver4 #c71 nor is it necessary to show why it was so4 ,the general design seems to have been1 to represent each one of the four living creatures as interested in the opening of the seals1 but the order in which they did this does not seem to be a matter of importance4 ,and ,i beheld1 and lo1 a black horse4 ,the specifications of the symbol here are the following3 7a7 ,as before1 the horse4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 7b7 ,the colour of the horse3 lo1 a black horse4 ,this would properly denote distress and calamityfor black has been regarded always as such a symbol4 ,so ,virgil speaks of fear as black3 8atrumque timorem0 7n4 ix4 #fai74 ,so again1 ,georg4 iv4 #dfh3 8,caligantem nigra formidine lucum40 ,so1 as applied to the dying ,acca1 n4 xi4 #hbe3 8,tenebris nigrescunt omnia circum40 ,black1 in the ,scriptures1 is the image of fear1 of famine1 of death4 ,la4 v4 #aj3 8,our skin was black like an oven1 because of the terrible famine40 ,je4 xiv4 #b3 8,because of the drought ,judah mourneth1 and the gates thereof languish2 they are in deep mourning literally1 black for the land40 ,joel ii4 #f3 8,all faces shall gather blackness40 ,na4 ii4 #aj3 8,the knees smite together1 and there is great pain in all loins1 and the faces of them all gather blackness40 ,comp4 ,re4 vi4 #ab2 ,eze4 xxxii4 #g4 ,see also ,bochart1 ,hieroz4 ,p4 i4 lib4 ii4 c4 vii4 pp4 #ajf1 #ajg4 ,from the colour of the horse here introduced we should naturally look for some dire calamity1 though the nature of the calamity would not be designated by the mere use of the word black4 ,what the calamity was to be must be determined by what follows in the symbol4 ,famine1 pestilence1 oppression1 heavy taxation1 tyranny1 invasionany of these might be denoted by the colour of the horse4 7c7 ,the balances3 and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand4 ,the original word here rendered a pair #aej of balances1 is 4 ,this word properly means a yoke1 serving to couple anything together1 as a yoke for cattle4 ,hence it is used to denote the beam of a balance1 or of a pair of scalesand is evidently so used here4 ,the idea is1 that something was to be weighed1 in order to ascertain either its quantity or its value4 ,scales or balances are the emblems of justice or equity 7comp4 ,job xxxi4 #f2 ,ps4 lxii4 #i2 ,pr4 xi4 #a2 xvi4 #aa72 and when joined with symbols that denote the sale of corn and fruit by weight1 become the symbol of scarcity4 ,thus 8bread by weight0 7,le4 xxvi4 #bf7 denotes scarcity4 ,so in ,eze4 iv4 #af1 8,and they shall eat bread by weight40 ,the use of balances here as a symbol would signify that something was to be accurately and carefully weighed out4 ,the connection leads us to suppose that this would appertain to the necessaries of life1 and that it would occur either in consequence of scarcity1 or because there would be an accurate or severe exaction1 as in collecting a revenue on these articles4 ,the balance was commonly the symbol of equity and justice2 but it was also1 sometimes1 the symbol of exaction and oppression1 as in ,ho4 xii4 #g3 8,the balance of deceit is in his hands2 he loveth to oppress40 ,if the balances stood alone1 and there were no proclamation as to what was to occur1 we should look1 under this seal1 to a time of the exact administration of justice1 as scales or balances are now used as emblems of the rigid application of the laws and of the principles of justice in courts1 or in public affairs4 ,if this representation stood alone1 or if the black horse and the scales constituted the whole of the symbol1 we should look for some severe administration1 or perhaps some heavy calamity under a rigorous administration of laws4 ,the reference1 however1 to the 8wheat and barley10 and to the price for which they were to be weighed out1 serves still further to limit and define the meaning of the symbol as having reference to the necessaries of lifeto the productions of the landto the actual capital of the country4 ,whether this refers to scarcity1 or to taxation1 or both1 must be determined by the other parts of the symbol4 7d7 ,the proclamation3 ,and ,i heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say4 ,that is1 from the throne1 ch4 iv4 #f4 ,the voice was not that of one of the four beasts1 but it seemed to come from among them4 ,as the rider went forth1 this was the proclamation that was made in regard to him2 or this is that which is symbolized in his going forth1 to wit1 that there would be such a state of things that a measure of wheat would be sold for a penny1 c4 ,the proclamation consists essentially of two thingsthat which refers to the price or value of wheat and barley1 and that which requires that care shall be taken not to injure the oil and the wine4 ,each of these demands explanation4 ,a measure of wheat for a penny4 ,see the margin4 ,the word rendered measure1 chnixdenotes an ,attic measure for grain and things dry1 equal to the forty-eighth part of the ,attic medimnus1 or the eighth part of the ,roman modius1 and consequently was nearly equivalent to one quart ,english 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,the word rendered penny1 ,lat4 denariuswas of the same value as the ,greek 1 drachm1 and was equivalent to about fourteen cents or sevenpence4 ,this was the usual price of a day's labour1 ,mat4 xx4 #b1 #i4 ,the chnix1 or measure of grain here referred to1 was the ordinary daily allowance for one man ,odyss41 xix4 #bg1 #bh74 ,see ,stuart1 in loco4 ,the common price of the ,attic medimnus of wheat was five or six denarii2 but here1 as that contained forty-eight chnixes or quarts1 the price would be augmented to forty-eight denariior it would be about eight times as dear as ordinary2 that is1 there would be a scarcity or famine4 ,the price of a bushel of wheat at this rate would be about four dollars and a half or #ah shillingsa price which would indicate great scarcity1 and which would give rise to much distress4 ,and three measures of barley for a penny4 ,it would seem from this that barley usually bore about one-third the price of wheat4 ,it was a less valuable grain1 and perhaps was produced in greater abundance4 ,this is not far from the proportion which the price of this grain usually #aea bears to that of wheat1 and here1 as in the case of the wheat1 the thing which would be indicated would be scarcity4 ,this proclamation of 8a measure of wheat for a penny0 was heard either as addressed to the horseman1 as a rule of action for him1 or as addressed by the horseman as he went forth4 ,if the former is the meaning1 it would be an appropriate address to one who was going forth to collect tributewith reference to the exact manner in which this tribute was to be collected1 implying some sort of severity of exaction2 or to one who should distribute wheat and barley out of the public granaries at an advanced price1 indicating scarcity4 ,thus it would mean that a severe and heavy taxrepresented by the scales and the scarcityor a tax so severe as to make grain dear1 was referred to4 ,if the latter is the meaning1 then the idea is that there would be a scarcity1 and that grain would be dealt out by the government at a high and oppressive price4 ,the latter idea would be as consonant with the symbol of the scales and the price mentioned as the other1 if it were not for the additional injunction not to 8hurt the oil and the wine0which cannot be well applied to the idea of dealing out grain at a high price4 ,it can1 however1 be connected1 by a fair interpretation of that passage1 with such a severity of taxation that there would be a propriety in such a commandfor1 as we shall see1 under the explanation of that phrase1 such a law was actually promulgated as resulting from severity of taxation4 ,the idea1 then1 in the passage before us1 would seem to be1 7a7 that there would be a rigid administration of the law in regard to the matter under considerationthat pertaining to the productions of the earthrepresented by the balances2 and 7b7 that that would be connected with general scarcity1 or such an exercise of this power as to determine the price of grain1 so that the price would be some three times greater than ordinary4 ,and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine4 ,there has been a great variety of interpretations proposed of this passage1 and it is by no means easy to determine the true sense4 ,the first inquiry in regard to it is1 to whom is it addressed8 ,perhaps the most common impression on reading it would be1 that it is addressed to the horseman with the balances1 commanding him not to injure the oliveyards and the vineyards4 ,but this is not probably the correct view4 ,it does not appear that the horseman goes forth to destroy anything1 or that the effect of his going forth is directly to injure anything4 ,this1 therefore1 should not be understood as addressed to the horseman1 but should be regarded as a general command to any and all not to injure the oliveyards and vineyards2 that is1 an order that nothing should be done essentially to injure them4 ,if thus regarded as addressed to others1 a fair and congruous meaning would be furnished by either of the following interpretations3 either 7a7 considered as addressed to those who were disposed to be prodigal in their manner of living1 or careless as to the destruction of the crop of the oil and wine1 as they would now be needed2 or 7b7 as addressed to those who raised such productions1 on the supposition that they would be taxed heavily1 or that large quantities of these productions would be extorted for revenue1 that they should not mutilate their fruit-trees in order to evade the taxes imposed by the government4 ,in regard to the things specified hereoil and wineit may be remarked1 that they were hardly considered as articles of luxury in ancient times4 ,they were almost as necessary articles as wheat and barley4 ,they constituted a considerable part of the food and drink of the people1 as well as furnished a large portion of the revenue1 and it would seem to be with reference to that fact that the command here is given that they should not be injured2 that is1 that nothing should be done to diminish the quantity of oil and wine1 or to impair the productive power of oliveyards and vineyards4 ,the state of things thus described by this seal1 as thus interpreted1 would be1 7a7 a rigid administration of the laws of the empire1 particularly in reference to taxation1 producing a scarcity among the necessary articles of living2 7b7 a strong tendency1 from the severity of the taxation1 to mutilate such kinds of property1 with a view either of concealing the real amount of property1 or of diminishing the amount of taxes2 and 7c7 a solemn command from some authoritative quarter not to do this4 ,a command from the ruling power not to do this would meet all that would be fairly demanded in the interpretation of the passage2 and what is necessary in its application1 is to find such a state of things as would #aeb correspond with these predictions2 that is1 such as a writer would have described by such symbols on the supposition that they were referred to4 ,now it so happens that there were important events which occurred in the ,roman empire1 and connected with its decline and fall1 of sufficient importance to be noticed in a series of calamitous events1 which corresponded with the symbol here1 as above explained4 ,they were such as these3 7a7 ,the general severity of taxation1 or the oppressive burdens laid on the people by the emperors4 ,in the account which ,mr4 ,gibbon gives of the operation of the ,indictions1 and ,superindictions1 though the specific laws on this subject pertained to a subsequent period1 the general nature of the taxation of the empire and its oppressive character may be seen 7,decline and ,fall1 i4 #cegcei74 ,a general estimate of the amount of revenue to be exacted was made out1 and the collecting of this was committed to the pretorian prefects1 and to a great number of subordinate officers4 8,the lands were measured by surveyors who were sent into the provinces2 their nature1 whether arable1 or pasture1 or woods1 was distinctly reported2 and an estimate made of their common value1 from the average produce of five years4 ,the number of slaves and of cattle constituted an essential part of the report2 an oath was administered to the proprietors1 which bound them to disclose the true state of their affairs2 and their attempts to prevaricate or elude the intention of the legislature were severely watched1 and punished as a capital crime1 which included the double guilt of treason and of sacrilege4 ,according to the different nature of lands1 their real produce in the various articles of wine or oil1 corn or barley1 wood or iron1 was transported by the labour or at the expense of the provincials to the imperial magazines1 from whence they were occasionally distributed for the use of the court or of the army1 and of the two capitals1 ,rome and ,constantinople10 i4 p4 #ceh4 ,comp4 ,lactant4 de ,mort4 ,persecut41 c4 #bc4 7b7 ,the particular order1 under this oppressive system of taxation1 respecting the preservation of vineyards and oliveyards1 may be referred to1 also1 as corresponding to the command sent forth under this rider1 not to 8hurt the oil and the wine40 ,that order was in the following words38,if any one shall sacrilegiously cut a vine1 or stint the fruit of prolific boughs1 and craftily feign poverty in order to avoid a fair assessment1 he shall1 immediately on detection1 suffer death1 and his property be confiscated0 7,cod4 ,theod4 l4 xiii4 lib4 xi4 seq42 ,gibbon1 i4 #ceh1 note74 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks3 8,although this law is not without its studied obscurity1 it is1 however1 clear enough to prove the minuteness of the inquisition1 and the disproportion of the penalty40 7c7 ,under this general subject of the severity of taxationas a fact far-spreading and oppressive1 and as so important as to hasten the downfall of the empire1 may be noticed a distinct edict of ,caracalla as occurring more directly in the period in which the rider with the balances may be supposed to have gone forth4 ,this is stated by ,mr4 ,gibbon 7i4 #ia7 as one of the important causes which contributed to the downfall of the empire4 8,the personal characters of the emperors1 their victories1 laws1 and fortunes10 says he1 8can interest us no farther than they are connected with the general history of the decline and fall of the monarchy4 ,our constant attention to that object will not suffer us to overlook a most important edict of ,antoninus ,caracalla1 which communicated to all the free inhabitants of the empire the name and privileges of ,roman citizens4 ,his unbounded liberality1 however1 flowed not from the sentiments of a generous mind2 it was the sordid result of avarice10 c4 ,he then proceeds at length to state the nature and operations of that law1 by which a heavy tax1 under the pretence of liberality1 was in fact imposed on all the citizens of the empirea fact which1 in its ultimate results1 the historian of the ,decline and ,fall regards as so closely connected with the termination of the empire4 ,see ,gibbon1 i4 pp4 #iaie4 ,after noticing the laws of ,augustus1 ,nero1 and the ,antonines1 and the real privileges conferred by them on those who became entitled to the rank of ,roman citizensprivileges which were a compensation in the honour1 dignity1 and offices of that rank for the measure of taxation which it involvedhe proceeds to notice the fact that the title of 8,roman citizen0 was conferred by ,caracalla on all the free citizens of the empire1 involving the subjection to all the heavy taxes usually imposed on those who sustained the rank expressed by the title1 but with nothing of the compensation connected #aec with the title when it was confined to the inhabitants of ,italy4 8,but the favour10 says he1 8which implied a distinction1 was lost in the prodigality of ,caracalla1 and the reluctant provincials were compelled to assume the vain title1 and the real obligations1 of ,roman citizens4 ,nor was the rapacious son of ,severus ,caracalla contented with such a measure of taxation as had appeared sufficient to his moderate predecessors4 ,instead of a twentieth1 he exacted a tenth of all legacies and inheritances2 and during his reign he crushed alike every part of the empire under the weight of his iron sceptre10 i4 #ie4 ,so again 7,ibid471 speaking of the taxes which had been lightened somewhat by ,alexander1 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks3 8,it is impossible to conjecture the motive that engaged him to spare so trifling a remnant of the evil2 but the noxious weed1 which had not been totally eradicated1 again sprung up with the most luxuriant growth1 and in the succeeding age darkened the ,roman world with its deadly shade4 ,in the course of this history we shall be too often summoned to explain the land-tax1 the capitation1 and the heavy contributions of corn1 wine1 oil1 and meat1 which were exacted from the provinces for the use of the court1 the army1 and the capital40 ,in reference to this whole matter of taxation as being one of the things which contributed to the downfall of the empire1 and which spread woe through the falling empirea woe worthy to be illustrated by one of the sealsa confirmation may be derived from the reign of ,galerius1 who1 as ,csar1 acted under the authority of ,diocletian2 who excited ,diocletian to the work of persecution 7,decline and ,fall1 i4 #cag1 #cah72 and who1 on the abdication of ,diocletian1 assumed the title of ,augustus 7,decline and ,fall1 i4 #bbb74 ,of his administration in general ,mr4 ,gibbon 7i4 #bbf7 remarks3 8,about that time the avarice of ,galerius1 or perhaps the exigencies of the state1 had induced him to make a very strict and rigorous inquisition into the property of his subjects for the purpose of a general taxation1 both on their lands and on their persons4 ,a very minute survey appears to have been taken of their real estates2 and wherever there was the slightest suspicion of concealment1 torture was very freely employed to obtain a sincere declaration of their personal wealth40 ,of the nature of this exaction under ,galerius2 of the cruelty with which the measure was prosecutedparticularly in its bearing on ,christians1 towards whom ,galerius cherished a mortal enmity 7,decline and ,fall1 i4 #cag72 and of the extent and severity of the suffering among ,christians and others1 caused by itthe following account of ,lactantius 7,de ,mort4 ,persecut41 c4 #bc7 will furnish a painful but most appropriate illustration38,swarms of exactors sent into the provinces and cities filled them with agitation and terror1 as though a conquering enemy were leading them into captivity4 ,the fields were separately measured1 the trees and vines1 the flocks and herds numbered1 and an examination made of the men4 ,in the cities the cultivated and rude were united as of the same rank4 ,the streets were crowded with groups of families1 and every one required to appear with his children and slaves4 ,tortures and lashes resounded on every side4 ,sons were gibbeted in the presence of their parents1 and the most confidential servants harassed that they might make disclosures against their masters1 and wives that they might testify unfavourably of their husbands4 ,if there were a total destitution of property1 they were still tortured to make acknowledgments against themselves1 and1 when overcome by pain1 inscribed for what they did not possess4 ,neither age nor ill-health was admitted as an excuse for not appearing4 ,the sick and weak were borne to the place of inscription1 a reckoning made of the age of each1 and years added to the young and deducted from the old1 in order to subject them to a higher taxation than the law imposed4 ,the whole scene was filled with wailing and sadness4 ,in the meantime individuals died1 and the herds and the flocks diminished1 yet tribute was none the less required to be paid for the dead1 so that it was no longer allowed either to live or die without a tax4 ,mendicants alone escaped1 where nothing could be wrenched1 and whom misfortune and misery had made incapable of farther oppression4 ,these the impious wretch affecting to pity1 that they might not suffer want1 ordered to be assembled1 borne off in vessels1 and plunged into the sea40 ,see ,lord on the ,apoc41 pp4 #abh1 #abi4 ,these facts in regard to the severity of taxation1 and the rigid nature of the law enforcing it2 to the sources of the rvenue exacted in the provinces1 and to the care that none #aed of those sources should be diminished2 and to the actual and undoubted bearing of all this on the decline and fall of the empire1 are so strikingly applicable to the symbol here employed1 that if it be supposed that it was intended to refer to them1 no more natural or expressive symbol could have been used2 if it were supposed that the historian meant to make a record of the fulfilment1 he could not well have made a search which would more strikingly accord with the symbol4 ,were we now to represent these things by a symbol1 we could scarcely find one that would be more expressive than that of a rider on a black horse with a pair of scales1 sent forth under a proclamation which indicated that there would be a most rigid and exact administration of severe and oppressive laws1 and with a special command1 addressed to the people1 not for the purposes of concealment1 or from opposition to the government1 to injure the sources of revenue4 ,it may serve further to illustrate this1 to copy one of the usual emblems of a ,roman procurator or questor4 ,it is taken from ,spanheim1 ,de ,usu ,num4 ,diss41 vi4 #ede4 ,see ,elliott1 i4 #afi4 ,it has a balance as a symbol of exactness or justice1 and an ear of grain as a symbol employed with reference to procuring or exacting grain from the provinces4 ,illustration3 ,emblem of a ,roman ,procurator4 #g ,and when he had opened the fourth seal1 ,i heard the voice of the fourth beast say1 ,come and see4 #g4 ,and when he had opened the fourth seal4 ,see ,notes1 ch4 v4 #a4 ,i heard the voice of the fourth beast say4 ,the flying eagle4 ,notes1 ch4 iv4 #g4 ,as in the other cases1 there does not appear to have been any particular reason why the fourth of the living creatures should have made this proclamation rather than either of the others4 ,it was poetic and appropriate to represent each one in his turn as making proclamation4 ,come and see4 ,see ,notes1 ver4 #a4 #h ,and ,i looked1 and behold a pale horse2 and his name that sat on him was ,death1 and ,hell followed with him4 ,and power was given #baiunto them over the fourth part of the earth1 to kill #bbjwith sword1 and with hunger1 and with death1 and with the beasts of the earth4 #h4 ,and ,i looked1 and behold a pale horse 4 ,on the horse1 as an emblem1 see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,the peculiarity of this emblem consists in the colour of the horse1 the rider1 and the power that was given unto him4 ,in these there is entire harmony1 and there can be comparatively little difficulty in the explanation and application4 ,the colour of the horse was pale4 ,this word properly means pale-green1 yellowish-green1 like the colour of the first shoots of grass and herbage2 then green1 verdant1 like young herbage1 ,mar4 vi4 #ci2 ,re4 viii4 #g2 ix4 #d2 and then pale yellowish 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,the colour here would be an appropriate one to denote the reign of deathas one of the most striking effects of death is palenessand1 of course1 of death produced by any cause1 famine1 pestilence1 or the sword4 ,from this portion of the symbol1 if it stood with nothing to limit and define it1 we should naturally look for some condition of things in which death would prevail in a remarkable manner1 or in which multitudes of human beings would be swept away4 ,and yet1 perhaps1 from the very nature of this part of the symbol1 we should look for the prevalence of death in some such peaceful manner as by famine or disease4 ,the red colour would more naturally denote the ravages of death in war2 the black1 the ravages of death by sudden calamity2 the pale would more obviously suggest famine or wasting disease4 ,and his name that sat on him was ,death4 ,no description is given of his aspect2 nor does he appear with any emblemas sword1 or spear1 #aee or bow4 ,there is evident scope for the fancy to picture to itself the form of the destroyer2 and there is just that kind of obscurity about it which contributes to sublimity4 ,accordingly1 there has been ample room for the exercise of the imagination in the attempts to paint 8,death on the pale horse10 and the opening of this seal has furnished occasion for some of the greatest triumphs of the pencil4 ,the simple idea in this portion of the symbol is1 that death would reign or prevail under the opening of this sealwhether by sword1 by famine1 or by pestilence1 is to be determined by other descriptions in the symbol4 ,and ,hell followed with him4 ,attended him as he went forth4 ,on the meaning of the word here rendered hell1 hadessee ,notes on ,lu4 xvi4 #bc1 comp4 ,notes on ,job x4 #ba1 #bb2 ,is4 xiv4 #i4 ,it is here used to denote the abode of the dead1 considered as a place where they dwell1 and not in the more restricted sense in which the word is now commonly used as a place of punishment4 ,the idea is1 that the dead would be so numerous at the going forth of this horseman1 that it would seem as if the pale nations of the dead had come again upon the earth4 ,a vast retinue of the dead would accompany him2 that is1 it would be a time when death would prevail on the earth1 or when multitudes would die4 ,and power was given unto them4 ,marg41 to him4 ,the common ,greek text is to them4 ,there are many ,,mss41 however1 which read to him4 ,so ,professor ,stuart reads it4 ,the authority1 however1 is in favour of them as the reading2 and according to this1 death and his train are regarded as grouped together1 and the power is considered as given to them collectively4 ,the sense is not materially varied4 ,over the fourth part of the earth4 ,that is1 of the ,roman world4 ,it is not absolutely necessary to understand this as extending over precisely a fourth part of the world4 ,comp4 ,re4 viii4 #gaj1 #ab2 ix4 #ae1 et al4 ,undoubtedly we are to look in the fulfilment of this to some far-spread calamity2 to some severe visitations which would sweep off great multitudes of men4 ,the nature of that visitation is designated in the following specifications4 ,to kill with sword4 ,in war and discordand we are1 therefore1 to look to a period of war4 ,and with hunger4 ,with famineone of the accompaniments of warwhere armies ravage a nation1 trampling down the crops of grain2 consuming the provisions laid up2 employing in war1 or cutting off1 the men who would be occupied in cultivating the ground2 making it necessary that they should take the field at a time when the grain should be sown or the harvest collected2 and shutting up the people in besieged cities to perish by hunger4 ,famine has been not an unfrequent accompaniment of war2 and we are to look for the fulfilment of this in its extensive prevalence4 ,and with death4 ,each of the other forms8with the sword and with hunger0imply that death would reign2 for it is said that 8power was given to kill with sword and with hunger40 ,this word1 then1 must refer to death in some other formto death that seemed to reign without any such visible cause as the 8sword0 and 8hunger40 ,this would well denote the pestilencenot an unfrequent accompaniment of war4 ,for nothing is better fitted to produce this than the unburied bodies of the slain2 the filth of a camp2 the want of food2 and the crowding together of multitudes in a besieged city2 and1 accordingly1 the pestilence1 especially in ,oriental countries1 has been often closely connected with war4 ,that the pestilence is referred to here is rendered more certain by the fact that the ,hebrew word 1 pestilence1 which occurs about fifty times in the ,old ,testament1 is rendered 1 death1 more than thirty times in the ,septuagint4 ,and with the beasts of the earth4 ,with wild beasts4 ,this1 too1 would be one of the consequences of war1 famine1 and pestilence4 ,lands would be depopulated1 and wild beasts would be multiplied4 ,nothing more is necessary to make them formidable than a prevalence of these things2 and nothing1 in the early stages of society1 or in countries ravaged by war1 famine1 and the pestilence1 is more formidable4 ,homer1 at the very beginning of his ,iliad1 presents us with a representation similar to this4 ,comp4 ,eze4 xiv4 #ba3 8,i send my four sore judgments upon ,jerusalem1 the sword1 and the famine1 and the noisome beast1 and the pestilence10 ,sept41 as here1 4 ,see also #b ,ki4 xvii4 #bf4 ,in regard to the fulfilment of this there can be little difficulty1 if the principles adopted in the interpretation of the first three seals are correct4 ,we #aef may turn to ,gibbon1 and1 as in the other cases1 we shall find that he has been an unconscious witness of the fidelity of the representation in this seal4 ,two general remarks may be made before there is an attempt to illustrate the particular things in the symbol4 7a7 ,the first relates to the place in the order of time1 or in history1 which this seal occupies4 ,if the three former seals have been located with any degree of accuracy1 we should expect that this would follow1 not very remotely1 the severe laws pertaining to taxation1 which1 according to ,mr4 ,gibbon1 contributed so essentially to the downfall of the empire4 ,and if it be admitted to be probable that the fifth seal refers to a time of persecution1 it would be most natural to fix this period between those times and the times of ,diocletian1 when the persecution ceased4 ,i may be permitted to say1 that ,i was led to fix on this period without having any definite view beforehand of what occurred in it1 and was surprised to find in ,mr4 ,gibbon what seems to be so accurate a correspondence with the symbol4 7b7 ,the second remark is1 that the general characteristics of this period1 as stated by ,mr4 ,gibbon1 agree remarkably with what we should expect of the period from the symbol4 ,thus speaking of this whole period 7,a4,d4 #bdhbfh71 embracing the reigns of ,decius1 ,gallus1 milianus1 ,valerian1 and ,gallienus1 he says1 8,from the great secular games celebrated by ,philip to the death of the emperor ,gallienus1 there elapsed twenty years of shame and misfortune4 ,during this calamitous period every instant of time was marked1 every province of the ,roman world was afflicted by barbarous invaders and military tyrants1 and the ruined empire seemed to approach the last and fatal moment of its dissolution10 i4 #ace4 ,in regard to the particular things referred to in the symbol1 the following specifications may furnish a sufficient confirmation and illustration3 7a7 ,the killing with the sword4 ,a fulfilment of this1 so far as the words are concerned1 might be found indeed in many portions of ,roman history1 but no one can doubt that it was eminently true of this period4 ,it was the period of the first ,gothic invasion of the ,roman empire2 the period when those vast hordes1 having gradually come down from the regions of ,scandinavia1 and having moved along the ,danube towards the ,ukraine and the countries bordering on the ,borysthenes1 invaded the ,roman territories from the ,east1 passed over ,greece1 and made their appearance almost1 as ,mr4 ,gibbon says1 within sight of ,rome4 ,of this invasion ,mr4 ,gibbon says1 8,this is the first considerable occasion the fact that the emperor ,decius was summoned to the banks of the ,danube1 ,a4,d4 #bej1 by the invasion of the ,goths in which history mentions that great people1 who afterwards broke the ,roman power1 sacked the ,capitol1 and reigned in ,gaul1 ,spain1 and ,italy4 ,so memorable was the part which they acted in the subversion of the ,western empire1 that the name of ,,goths is frequently1 but improperly1 used as a general appellation of rude and warlike barbarism10 i4 p4 #acf4 ,as one of the illustrations that the 8sword0 would be used by 8,death0 in this period1 we may refer to the siege and capture of ,philippolis4 8,a hundred thousand persons are reported to have been massacred in the sack of that great city0 7,dec4 and ,fall1 i4 #adj74 8,the whole period10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon1 speaking of the reigns of ,valerian and ,gallienus1 8was one uninterrupted series of confusion and calamity4 ,the ,roman empire was1 at the same time1 and on every side1 attacked by the blind fury of foreign invaders1 and the wild ambition of domestic usurpers10 i4 #add4 8,such were the barbarians10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon in the close of his description of the ,goths at this period1 and of the tyrants that reigned1 8and such the tyrants1 who1 under the reigns of ,valerian and ,gallienus1 dismembered the provinces1 and reduced the empire to the lowest pitch of disgrace and ruin1 from whence it seemed impossible that it should ever emerge10 i4 #aeh4 7b7 ,famine3 8,shall kill with hunger40 ,this would naturally be the consequence of long-continued wars1 and of such invasions as those of the ,goths4 ,mr4 ,gibbon says of this period3 8,our habits of thinking so fondly connect the order of the universe with the fate of man1 that this gloomy period of history has been decorated with inundations1 earthquakes1 uncommon meteors1 preternatural darkness1 and a crowd of prodigies1 fictitious or exaggerated4 ,but a long and general famine was a calamity of a more serious kind4 ,it was the inevitable consequence of rapine and oppression1 which extirpated the produce of the present1 and the hope of future harvests10 i4 p4 #aei4 ,prodigies1 and preternatural #aeg darkness1 and earthquakes1 were not seen in the vision of the opening of the sealbut war and famine were2 and the facts stated by ,mr4 ,gibbon are such as would be now appropriately symbolized by ,death on the pale horse4 7c7 ,pestilence3 8,and shall kill with death40 ,of the pestilence which raged in this period ,mr4 ,gibbon makes the following remarkable statement1 in immediate connection with what he says of the famine38,famine is almost always followed by epidemical diseases1 the effect of scanty and unwholesome food4 ,other causes must1 however1 have contributed to the furious plague1 which1 from the year #bej to the year #bfe1 raged without interruption in every province1 every city1 and almost every family of the ,roman empire4 ,during some time five thousand persons died daily at ,rome2 and many towns that had escaped the hands of the barbarians were entirely depopulated10 i4 #aei4 7d7 ,wild beasts3 8,and shall kill with the beasts of the earth40 ,as already remarked1 these are formidable enemies in the early stages of society1 and when a country becomes1 from any cause1 depopulated4 ,they are not mentioned by ,mr4 ,gibbon as contributing to the decline and fall of the empire1 or as connected with the calamities that came upon the world at that period4 ,but no one can doubt that in such circumstances they would be likely to abound1 especially if the estimate of ,mr4 ,gibbon be correct 7i4 #aei71 when speaking of these times1 and making an estimate of the proportion of the inhabitants of ,alexandria that had perishedwhich he says was more than one-halfhe adds1 8,could we venture to extend the analogy to the other provinces1 we might suspect that war1 pestilence1 and famine had consumed in a few years the moiety of the human species40 ,yet1 though not adverted to by ,mr4 ,gibbon1 there is a record pertaining to this very period1 which shows that this was one of the calamities with which the world was then afflicted4 ,it occurs in ,arnobius1 ,adv4 ,gentes1 lib4 i4 p4 #e4 ,within a few years after the death of ,gallienus 7about ,a4,d4 #cjj7 he speaks of wild beasts in such a manner as to show that they were regarded as a sore calamity4 ,the public peril and suffering on this account were so great1 that in common with other evils this was charged on ,christians as one of the judgments of heaven which they brought upon the world4 ,in defending ,christians against the general charge that these judgments were sent from heaven on their account1 he adverts to the prevalence of wild beasts1 and shows that they could not have been sent as a judgment on account of the existence of ,christianity1 by the fact that they had prevailed also in the times of heathenism1 long before ,christianity was introduced into the empire4 8,quando cum feris bella1 et proelia cum leonibus gesta sunt8 ,non ante nos8 ,quando pernicies populis venenatis ab anguibus data est8 ,non ante nos80 8,when were wars waged with wild beasts1 and contests with lions8 ,was it not before our times8 ,when did a plague come upon men poisoned by serpents8 ,was it not before our times80 ,in regard to the extent of the destruction which these causes would bring upon the world1 there is a remarkable confirmation in ,gibbon4 ,to say1 as is said in the account of the seal1 that 8a fourth part of the earth0 would be subjected to the reign of death by the sword1 by famine1 by pestilence1 and by wild beasts1 may seem to many to be an improbable statementa statement for the fulfilment of which we should look in vain to any historical records4 ,yet ,mr4 ,gibbon1 without expressly mentioning the plague of wild beasts1 but referring to the three others8war1 pestilence1 and famine0goes into a calculation1 in a passage already referred to1 by which he shows that it is probable that from these causes half the human race was destroyed4 ,the following is his estimate38,we have the knowledge of a very curious circumstance1 of some use perhaps in the melancholy calculation of human calamities4 ,an exact register was kept at ,alexandria of all the citizens entitled to receive the distribution of corn4 ,it was found that the ancient number of those comprised between the ages of forty and seventy had been equal to the whole sum of claimants1 from fourteen to fourscore years of age1 who remained alive after the reign of ,gallienus4 ,applying this authentic fact to the most correct tables of mortality1 it evidently proves that above half the people of ,alexandria had perished2 and could we venture to extend the analogy to the other provinces1 we might suspect that war1 pestilence1 and famine had consumed in a few years the moiety of the human species1 0 i4 #aei4 ,the historian says that it might be 8suspected 0 from these data that one-half of the #aeh human race had been cut off in a few years1 from these causes2 in the ,apocalyptic vision it is said that power was given over one 8fourth0 of the earth4 ,we may remark1 7a7 that the description in the symbol is as likely to be correct as the 8suspicion0 of the historian2 and 7b7 that his statement that in this period 8a moiety of the race10 or one-half of the race1 perished1 takes away all improbability from the prediction1 and gives a most graphic confirmation of the symbol of ,death on the pale horse4 ,if such a desolation in fact occurred1 there is no improbability in the supposition that it might have been prefigured by the opening of a prophetic seal4 ,such a wide-spread desolation would be likely to be referred to in a series of symbols that were designed to represent the downfall of the ,roman power1 and the great changes in human affairs that would affect the welfare of the church4 #i ,and when he had opened the fifth seal1 ,i saw under the #bba;altar the #bbbsouls of them that were slain for #bbcthe word of ,god1 and for the testimony which they held3 #aj ,and they cried with a loud voice1 saying1 #bbd;,how long1 ,o ,lord1 holy and true1 dost thou not judge and #bbe;avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth8 #aa ,and #bbfwhite robes were given unto every one of them2 and it was said unto them1 that they should #bbgrest yet for a little season1 until#bbh their fellow-servants also and their brethren1 that should be killed as they were1 should be fulfilled4 #iaa4 ,and when he had opened the fifth seal4 ,notes1 ch4 v4 #a2 vi4 #a4 ,i saw under the altar4 ,the four living creatures are no longer heard as in the opening of the first four seals4 ,no reason is given for the change in the manner of the representation2 and none can be assigned1 unless it be1 that having represented each one of the four living creatures in their turn as calling attention to the remarkable events about to occur1 there seemed to be no necessity or propriety in introducing them again4 ,in itself considered1 it cannot be supposed that they would be any less interested in the events about to be disclosed than they were in those which preceded4 ,this seal pertains to martyrsas the former successively did to a time of prosperity and triumph2 to discord and bloodshed2 to oppressive taxation2 to war1 famine1 and pestilence4 ,in the series of woes1 it was natural and proper that there should be a vision of martyrs1 if it was intended that the successive seals should refer to coming and important periods of the world2 and accordingly we have here a striking representation of the martyrs crying to ,god to interpose in their behalf and to avenge their blood4 ,the points which require elucidation are3 7a7 their positionunder the altar2 7b7 their invocationor their prayer that they might be avenged2 7c7 the clothing of them with robes2 and 7d7 the command to wait patiently a little time4 7#a7 ,the position of the martyrsunder the altar4 ,there were in the temple at ,jerusalem two altarsthe altar of burnt sacrifices1 and the altar of incense4 ,the altar here referred to was probably the former4 ,this stood in front of the temple1 and it was on this that the daily sacrifice was made4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #bc1 #bd4 ,we are to remember1 however1 that the temple and the altar were both destroyed before the time when this book was written1 and this should1 therefore1 be regarded merely as a vision4 ,john saw these souls as if they were collected under the altarthe place where the sacrifice for sin was madeoffering their supplications4 ,why they are represented as being there is not so apparent2 but probably two suggestions will explain this3 7a7 ,the altar was the place where sin was expiated1 and it was natural to represent these redeemed martyrs as seeking refuge there2 and 7b7 it was usual to offer prayers and supplications at the altar1 in connection with the sacrifice made for sin1 and on the ground of that sacrifice4 ,the idea is1 that they who were suffering persecution would naturally seek a refuge in the place where expiation was made for sin1 and where prayer was appropriately offered4 ,the language here is such as a ,hebrew would naturally use2 the idea is appropriate to anyone who believes in the atonement1 and who supposes that that is the appropriate refuge for those who are in trouble4 ,but while the language here is such as a ,hebrew would use1 and while the reference in the language is to the altar of burnt sacrifice1 the scene should be regarded as undoubtedly laid in heaventhe temple where ,god resides4 ,the whole representation is that of fleeing to the atonement1 and pleading with #aei ,god in connection with the sacrifice for sin4 ,the souls of them that were slain4 ,that had been put to death by persecution4 ,this is one of the incidental proofs in the ,bible that the soul does not cease to exist at death1 and also that it does not cease to be conscious1 or does not sleep till the resurrection4 ,these souls of the martyrs are represented as still in existence2 as remembering what had occurred on the earth2 as interested in what was now taking place2 as engaged in prayer2 and as manifesting earnest desires for the divine interposition to avenge the wrongs which they had suffered4 ,for the word of ,god4 ,on account of the word or truth of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #i4 ,and for the testimony which they held4 ,on account of their testimony to the truth1 or being faithful witnesses of the truth of ,jesus ,christ4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #i4 7#b7 ,the invocation of the martyrs1 ver4 #aj3 ,and they cried with a loud voice4 ,that is1 they pleaded that their blood might be avenged4 ,saying1 ,how long1 ,o ,lord1 holy and true4 ,they did not doubt that ,god would avenge them1 but they inquired how long the vengeance would be delayed4 ,it seemed to them that ,god was slow to interpose1 and to check the persecuting power4 ,they appeal therefore to him as a ,god of holiness and truth2 that is1 as one who could not look with approval on sin1 and in whose sight the wrongs inflicted by the persecuting power must be infinitely offensive2 as one who was true to his promises1 and faithful to his people4 ,on the ground of his own hatred of wrong1 and of his plighted faithfulness to his church1 they pleaded that he would interpose4 ,dost thou not judge and avenge our blood4 ,that is1 dost thou forbear to judge and avenge us2 or dost thou delay to punish those who have persecuted and slain us4 ,they do not speak as if they had any doubt that it would be done1 nor as if they were actuated by a spirit of revenge2 but as if it would be proper that there should be an expression of the divine sense of the wrongs that had been done them4 ,it is not right to desire vengeance or revenge2 it is to desire that justice should be done1 and that the government of ,god should be vindicated4 ,the word 8judge0 here may either mean 8judge us10 in the sense of 8vindicate us10 or it may refer to their persecutors1 meaning 8judge them40 ,the more probable sense is the latter3 8,how long dost thou forbear to execute judgment on our account on those that dwell on the earth80 ,the word avengemeans to do justice2 to execute punishment4 ,on them that dwell on the earth4 ,those who are still on the earth4 ,this shows that the scene here is laid in heaven1 and that the souls of the martyrs are represented as there4 ,we are not to suppose that this literally occurred1 and that ,john actually saw the souls of the martyrs beneath the altarsfor the whole representation is symbolical2 nor are we to suppose that the injured and the wronged in heaven actually pray for vengeance on those who wronged them1 or that the redeemed in heaven will continue to pray with reference to things on the earth2 but it may be fairly inferred from this that there will be as real a remembrance of the wrongs of the persecuted1 the injured1 and the oppressed1 as if such prayer were offered there2 and that the oppressor has as much to dread from the divine vengeance as if those whom he has injured should cry in heaven to the ,god who hears prayer1 and who takes vengeance4 ,the wrongs done to the children of ,god2 to the orphan1 the widow1 the down-trodden2 to the slave and the outcast1 will be as certainly remembered in heaven as if they who are wronged should plead for vengeance there1 for every act of injustice and oppression goes to heaven and pleads for vengeance4 ,every persecutor should dread the death of the persecuted as if he went to heaven to plead against him2 every cruel master should dread the death of his slave that is crushed by wrongs2 every seducer should dread the death and the cries of his victim2 every one who does wrong in any way should remember that the sufferings of the injured cry to heaven with a martyr's pleadings1 saying1 8,how long1 ,o ,lord1 holy and true1 dost thou not judge and avenge our blood80 7#c7 ,the robes that were given to the martyrs3 ,and white #afj robes were given unto every one of them4 ,emblems of purity or innocence4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #e4 ,here the robes would be an emblem of their innocence as martyrs2 of the divine approval of their testimony and lives1 and a pledge of their future blessedness4 7#d7 ,the command to wait3 ,and it was said unto them1 that they should rest yet for a little season4 ,that is1 that they must wait for a little season before they could be avenged as they desired1 ver4 #aj4 ,they had pleaded that their cause might be at once vindicated1 and had asked how long it would be before it should be done4 ,the reply is1 that the desired vindication would not at once occur1 but that they must wait until other events were accomplished4 ,nothing definite is determined by the phrase 8a little season10 or a short time4 ,it is simply an intimation that this would not immediately occur1 or was not soon to take place4 ,whether it refers to an existing persecution1 and to the fact that they were to wait for the divine interposition until that was over1 and those who were then suffering persecution should be put to death and join them2 or whether to a series of persecutions stretching along in the history of the world1 in such a sense that the promised vengeance would take place only when all those persecutions were passed1 and the number of the martyrs completed1 cannot be determined from the meaning of their words4 ,either of these suppositions would accord well with what the language naturally expresses4 ,until their fellow-servants also4 ,those who were then suffering persecution1 or those who should afterwards suffer persecution1 grouping all together4 ,and their brethren4 ,their brethren as ,christians1 and their brethren in trial3 those then living1 or those who would live afterwards and pass through similar scenes4 ,should be fulfilled4 ,that is1 till these persecutions were passed through1 and the number of the martyrs was complete4 ,the state of things represented here would seem to be1 that there was then a persecution raging on the earth4 ,many had been put to death1 and their souls had fled to heaven1 where they pleaded that their cause might be vindicated1 and that their oppressors and persecutors might be punished4 ,to this the answer was1 that they were now safe and happythat ,god approved their course1 and that in token of his approbation they should be clothed in white raiment2 but that the invoked vindication could not at once occur4 ,there were others who would yet be called to suffer as they had done1 and they must wait until all that number was completed4 ,then1 it is implied1 ,god would interpose1 and vindicate his name4 ,the scene1 therefore1 is laid in a time of persecution1 when many had already died1 and when there were many more that were exposed to death2 and a sufficient fulfilment of the passage1 so far as the words are concerned1 would be found in any persecution1 where many might be represented as having already gone to heaven1 and where there was a certainty that many more would follow4 ,we naturally1 however1 look for the fulfilment of it in some period succeeding those designated by the preceding symbols4 ,there would be no difficulty1 in the early history of the church1 in finding events that would correspond with all that is represented by the symbol2 but it is natural to look for it in a period succeeding that represented1 under the fourth seal1 by ,death on the pale horse4 ,if the previous seals have been correctly interpreted we shall not be much in danger of erring in supposing that this refers to the persecution under ,diocletian2 and perhaps we may find in one who never intended to write a word that could be construed as furnishing a proof of the fulfilment of the prophecies of the ,new ,testament1 what should be regarded as a complete verification of all that is represented here4 ,the following particulars may justify this application3 7a7 ,the place of that persecution in history1 or the time when it occurred4 ,as already remarked1 if the previous seals have been rightly explained1 and the fourth seal denotes the wars1 the famine1 and the pestilence1 under the invasion of the ,goths1 and in the time of ,valerian and ,gallienus1 then the last great persecution of the church under ,diocletian would well accord with the period in history referred to4 ,valerian died in ,a4,d4 #bfj1 being flayed alive by ,sapor1 king of ,persia2 ,gallienus died in ,a4,d4 #bfh1 being killed at ,milan4 ,diocletian ascended the throne ,a4,d4 #bhd1 and resigned the purple ,a4,d4 #cjd4 ,it was during this period1 and chiefly at the instigation of ,galerius1 that the tenth persecution of the ,christians occurredthe last under the ,roman power2 for in ,a4,d4 #cjf ,constantine ascended the throne1 and ultimately became #afa the protector of the church4 7b7 ,the magnitude of this persecution under ,diocletian is as consonant to the representation here as its place in history4 ,so important was it1 that1 in a general chapter on the persecutions of the ,christians1 ,mr4 ,gibbon has seen fit1 in his remarks on the nature1 causes1 extent1 and character of the persecutions1 to give a prominence to this which he has not assigned to any others1 and to attach an importance to it which he has not to any other4 ,see vol4 i4 pp4 #cagcbb4 ,the design of this persecution1 as ,mr4 ,gibbon expresses it 7i4 #cah71 was 8to set bounds to the progress of ,christianity20 or1 as he elsewhere expresses it 7on the same page71 8the destruction of ,christianity40 ,diocletian1 himself naturally averse from persecution1 was excited to this by ,galerius1 who urged upon the emperor every argument by which he could persuade him to engage in it4 ,mr4 ,gibbon says in regard to this1 8,galerius at length extorted from him ,diocletian the permission of summoning a council1 composed of a few persons1 the most distinguished in the civil and military departments of the state4 ,it may be presumed that they insisted on every topic which might interest the pride1 the piety1 the fears of their sovereign in the destruction of ,christianity10 i4 #cah4 ,the purpose evidently in the persecution1 was1 to make a last and desperate effort1 through the whole ,roman empire1 for the destruction of the ,christian religion2 for ,mr4 ,gibbon 7i4 #cbj7 says that 8the edict against the ,christians was designed for a general law of the whole empire40 ,other efforts had failed4 ,the religion still spread1 notwithstanding the rage and fury of nine previous persecutions4 ,it was resolved to make one more effort4 ,this was designed by the persecutors to be the last1 in the hope that then the ,christian name would cease to be3 in the providence of ,god it was the lastfor then even these opposing powers became convinced that the religion could not be destroyed in this mannerand as this persecution was to establish this fact1 it was an event of sufficient magnitude to be symbolized by the opening of one of the seals4 7c7 ,the severity of this persecution accorded with the description here1 and was such as to deserve a place in the series of important events which were to occur in the world4 ,we have seen above1 from the statement of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 that it was designed for the 8whole empire10 and it in fact raged with fury throughout the empire4 ,after detailing some of the events of local persecutions under ,diocletian1 ,mr4 ,gibbon says1 8,the resentment or the fears of ,diocletian at length transported him beyond the bounds of moderation1 which he had hitherto preserved1 and he declared1 in a series of edicts1 his intention of abolishing the ,christian name4 ,by the first of these edicts the governors of the provinces were directed to apprehend all persons of the ecclesiastical order2 and the prisons destined for the vilest criminals were soon filled with a multitude of bishops1 presbyters1 deacons1 and exorcists4 ,by a second edict the magistrates were commanded to employ every method of severity which might reclaim them from their odious superstition1 and oblige them to return to the established worship of the gods4 ,this rigorous order was extended1 by a subsequent edict1 to the whole body of ,christians1 who were exposed to a violent and general persecution4 ,instead of those salutary restraints which had required the direct and solemn testimony of an accuser1 it became the duty as well as the interest of the imperial officers to discover1 to pursue1 and to torment the most obnoxious among the faithful4 ,heavy penalties were denounced against all who should presume to save a proscribed sectary from the just indignation of the gods1 and of the emperors10 i4 #cbb4 ,the first decree against the ,christians1 at the instigation of ,galerius1 will show the general nature of this fiery trial of the church4 ,that decree was to the following effect3 8,all assembling of the ,christians for the purposes of religious worship was forbidden2 the ,christian churches were to be demolished to their foundations2 all manuscripts of the ,bible should be burned2 those who held places of honour or rank must either renounce their faith or be degraded2 in judicial proceedings the torture might be used against all ,christians1 of whatever rank2 those belonging to the lower walks of private life were to be divested of their rights as citizens and as freemen2 ,christian slaves were to be incapable of receiving their freedom1 so long as they remained ,christians0 7,neander1 ,hist4 of the ,church1 ,torrey's ,trans4 i4 #adh74 ,this persecution was the last against the ,christians by the ,roman emperors2 the #afb last that was waged by that mighty ,pagan power4 ,diocletian soon resigned the purple1 and after the persecution had continued to rage1 with more or less severity1 under his successors1 for ten years1 the peace of the church was established4 8,diocletian10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon 7i4 #cbb71 8had no sooner published his edicts against the ,christians1 than1 as if he had been committing to other hands his work of persecution1 he divested himself of the imperial purple4 ,the character and situation of his colleagues and successors sometimes urged them to enforce1 and sometimes to suspend1 the execution of these rigorous laws2 nor can we acquire a just and distinct idea of this important period of ecclesiastical history1 unless we separately consider the state of ,christianity in the different parts of the empire1 during the space of ten years which elapsed between the first edicts of ,diocletian and the final peace of the church40 ,for this detail consult ,gibbon1 i4 #cbbcbi1 and the authorities there referred to2 and ,neander1 ,hist4 of the ,church1 i4 #adgaef4 ,respecting the details of the persecution1 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks 7i4 #cbf71 8,it would have been an easy task1 from the history of ,eusebius1 from the declamations of ,lactantius1 and from the most ancient acts1 to collect a long series of horrid and disgustful pictures1 and to fill many pages with racks and scourges1 with iron-hooks1 and red-hot beds1 and with the variety of tortures which fire and steel1 savage beasts1 and more savage executioners1 could inflict on the human body40 ,it is true that ,mr4 ,gibbon professes to doubt the truth of these records1 and attempts to show that the account of the number of the martyrs has been greatly exaggerated2 yet no one1 in reading his own account of this persecution1 can doubt that it was the result of a determined effort to blot out the ,christian religion1 and that the whole of the imperial power was exerted to accomplish this end4 ,at length the last of the imperial persecutions ceased1 and the great truth was demonstrated that ,christianity could not be extinguished by power1 and that 8the gates of hell could not prevail against it40 8,in the year #caa10 says ,neander 7i4 #aef71 8the remarkable edict appeared which put an end to the last sanguinary conflict of the ,christian church and the ,roman empire40 ,this decree was issued by the author and instigator of the persecution1 ,galerius1 who1 8softened by a severe and painful disease1 the consequence of his excesses1 had been led to think that the ,god of the ,christians might1 after all1 be a powerful being1 whose anger punished him1 and whose favour he must endeavour to conciliate40 ,this man suspended the persecution1 and gave the ,christians permission 8once more to hold their assemblies1 provided they did nothing contrary to the good order of the ,roman state40 8,ita ut ne quid contra disciplinam agant0 7,neander1 ibid474 #ab ,and ,i beheld when he had opened the sixth seal1 and1 lo1 there was a great #bbi;earthquake2 and the sun#bcj became black as sackcloth of hair1 and the moon became as blood2 #ac ,and the #bcastars of heaven fell unto the earth1 even as a fig-tree casteth her #bcbuntimely figs1 when she is shaken of a mighty wind4 #ad ,and the #bcc;heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together2 and #bcd;every mountain and island were moved out of their places4 #ae ,and the kings of the earth1 and the great men1 and the rich men1 and the chief captains1 and the mighty men1 and every bondman1 and every freeman1 #bce;hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains2 #af ,and #bcfsaid to the mountains and 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 #bcg;great day of his wrath is come2 and #bchwho shall be able to stand8 #abag4 ,and ,i beheld when he had opened the sixth seal4 ,see ,notes1 ch4 v4 #a2 vi4 #a4 ,and1 lo1 there was a great earthquake4 ,before endeavouring to ascertain to what the sixth seal was designed to refer1 it is proper1 as in the previous cases1 to furnish a particular explanation of the meaning of the symbols4 ,all the symbols represented in the opening of this seal denote consternation1 commotion1 changes2 but still they are all significant1 and we are to suppose that something would occur corresponding with each one of them4 ,it cannot be supposed that the things here described were represented on the part of the roll or volume that was now unfolded in any other way than that they were pictures1 or that the whole was a species of panoramic representation made to pass before the eyes4 ,thus understood1 it would not be difficult to represent each one of these things in a painting3 as the heaving groundthe agitated foreststhe trembling hillsthe falling cities and housesthe sun blackened1 and the moon turned to blood4 7a7 ,the earthquake1 ver4 #ab3 ,there was a great earthquake4 ,the word here used denotes a shaking or agitation of the earth4 ,the effect1 when violent1 is to produce important changesopening chasms in the earth2 throwing down houses and temples2 sinking hills1 and elevating plains2 causing ponds and lakes to dry up1 or forming them where none existed2 elevating the ocean from its bed1 rending rocks1 c4 ,as all that occurs in the opening of the other seals is symbolical1 it is to be presumed that this is also1 and that for the fulfilment #afc of this we are not to look for a literal earthquake1 but for such agitations and changes in the world as would be properly symbolized by this4 ,the earthquake1 as a symbol1 would merely denote great agitations or overturnings on the earth4 ,the particular character of those changes must be determined by other circumstances in the symbol that would limit and explain it4 ,there are1 it is said1 but three literal earthquakes referred to in the ,scripture3 that mentioned in #a ,ki4 xix4 #aa2 that in ,uzziah's time1 ,am4 i4 #a2 ,zec4 xiv4 #e2 and that which took place at the ,saviour's death4 ,all the rest are emblematical or symbolicalreferring mostly to civil commotions and changes4 ,then in ,hag4 ii4 #f1 #g3 8,yet once1 it is a little while1 and ,i will shake the heavens and the earth1 and the sea1 and the dry land1 and ,i will shake all nations1 and the desire of all nations shall come2 and ,i will fill this house with glory1 saith the ,lord of hosts40 ,that is1 there would be great agitations in the world before he came4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 xii4 #bfbh4 ,so also great changes and commotions are referred to in ,is4 xxiv4 #ai1 #bj3 8,the earth is utterly broken down1 the earth is clean dissolved1 the earth is moved exceedingly4 ,the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard1 and shall be removed like a cottage40 ,an earthquake1 if there were no other circumstances limiting and explaining the symbol1 would merely denote great agitation and commotionas if states and empires were tumbling to ruin4 ,as this is here a mere symbol1 it is not necessary to look for a literal fulfilment1 or to expect to find in history actual earthquakes to which this had reference1 any more than when it is said that 8the heavens departed as a scroll0 we are to expect that they will be literally rolled up2 but if1 in the course of history1 earthquakes preceded remarkable political convulsions and revolutions1 it would be proper to represent such events in this way4 7b7 ,the darkening of the sun3 ,and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair4 ,sackcloth was a coarse black cloth1 commonly1 though not always1 made of hair4 ,it was used for sacks1 for strainers1 and for mourning garments2 and as thus worn it was not an improper emblem of sadness and distress4 ,the idea here is1 that the sun put on a dark1 dingy1 doleful appearance1 as if it were in mourning4 ,the general image1 then1 in this emblem1 is that of calamityas if the very sun should put on the robes of mourning4 ,we are by no means to suppose that this was literally to occur1 but that some great calamity would happen1 of which this would be an appropriate emblem4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xiii4 #aj2 ,mat4 xxiv4 #bi4 ,comp4 ,is4 xxiv4 #bc2 xxxiv4 #d2 l4 #c2 lx4 #ai1 #bj2 ,eze4 xxxii4 #g1 #h2 ,joel ii4 #aj2 iii4 #ae1 #af2 ,am4 viii4 #i4 ,what is the particular nature of the calamity is to be learned from other parts of the symbol4 7c7 ,the discoloration of the moon3 ,and the moon became as blood4 ,red like bloodeither from the smoke and vapour that usually precedes an earthquake1 or as a mere emblem4 ,this also would betoken calamity1 and perhaps the symbol may be so far limited and modified by this as to denote war1 for that would be most naturally suggested by the colourred4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #d of this chapter4 ,but any great calamity would be appropriately represented by thisas the change of the moon to such a colour would be a natural emblem of distress4 7d7 ,the falling of the stars1 ver4 #ac3 ,and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth4 ,this language is derived from the poetic idea that the sky seems to be a solid concave1 in which the stars are set1 and that when any convulsion takes place1 that concave will be shaken1 and the stars will be loosened and fall from their places4 ,see this language explained in the ,notes on ,is4 xxxiv4 #d4 ,sometimes the expanse above us is spoken of as a curtain that is spread out1 and that may be rolled up2 sometimes as a solid crystalline expanse in which the stars are fixed4 ,according to either representation the stars are described as falling to the earth4 ,if the expanse is rolled up1 the stars1 having nothing to support them1 fall2 if violent tempests or concussions shake the heavens1 the stars1 loosened from their fixtures1 fall to the earth4 ,stars1 in the ,scriptures1 are symbols of princes and rulers 7see ,da4 viii4 #aj2 ,re4 viii4 #aj1 #aa2 ix4 #a72 and the natural meaning of this symbol is1 that there would be commotions which would #afd unsettle princes1 and bring them down from their throneslike stars falling from the sky4 ,even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs4 ,marg41 green2 ,gr41 4 ,this word properly denotes winter-figs1 or such as grow under the leaves1 and do not ripen at the proper season1 but hang upon the trees during the winter 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,this fruit seldom matures1 and easily falls off in the spring of the year 7,stuart1 in loco74 ,a violent wind shaking a plantation of fig-trees would of course cast many such figs to the ground4 ,the point of the comparison is1 the ease with which the stars would seem to be shaken from their places1 and hence the ease with which1 in these commotions1 princes would be dethroned4 7e7 ,the departing of the heavens1 ver4 #ad3 ,and the heaven departed as a scroll4 ,that is1 as a book or volumerolled up4 ,the heavens are here described as spread out1 and their passing away is represented by the idea that they might be rolled up1 and thus disappear4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xxxiv4 #d4 ,this1 too1 is a symbol1 and we are not to suppose that it will literally occur4 ,indeed it never can literally occur2 and we are not1 therefore1 to look for the fulfilment of this in any physical fact that would correspond with what is here said4 ,the plain meaning is1 that there would be changes as if such an event would happen2 that is1 that revolutions would occur in the high places of the earth1 and among those in power1 as if the stars should fall1 and the very heavens were swept away4 ,this is the natural meaning of the symbol1 and this accords with the usage of the language elsewhere4 7f7 ,the removal of mountains and islands1 ver4 #ad3 ,and every mountain and island were moved out of their places4 ,this would denote convulsions in the political or moral world1 as great as would occur in the physical world if the very mountains were removed and the islands should change their places4 ,we are not to suppose that this would literally occur2 but we should be authorized from this to expect that1 in regard to those things which seemed to be permanent and fixed on an immovable basis1 like mountains and islands1 there would be violent and important changes4 ,if thrones and dynasties long established were overthrown2 if institutions that seemed to be fixed and permanent were abolished2 if a new order of things should rise in the political world1 the meaning of the symbol1 so far as the language is concerned1 would be fulfilled4 7g7 ,the universal consternation1 ver4 #aeag3 ,and the kings of the earth1 c4 ,the design of these verses 7#aeag71 in the varied language used1 is evidently to denote universal consternation and alarmas if the earth should be convulsed1 and the stars should fall1 and the heavens should pass away4 ,this consternation would extend to all classes of men1 and fill the world with alarm1 as if the end of all things were coming4 ,the kings of the earth4 ,rulersall who occupied thrones4 ,the great men4 ,high officers of state4 ,and the rich men4 ,their wealth would not secure them from destruction1 and they would be alarmed like others4 ,and the chief captains4 ,the commanders of armies1 who tremble like other men when ,god appears in judgment4 ,and the mighty men4 ,men of great prowess in battle1 but who feel now that they have no power to withstand ,god4 ,and every bondman4 ,servant4 ,this word does not necessarily denote a slave 7comp4 ,notes on ,ep4 vi4 #e2 #a ,ti4 vi4 #a2 ,phile4 #af71 but here the connection seems to demand it1 for it stands in contrast with freeman4 ,there were1 in fact1 slaves in the ,roman empire1 and there is no objection in supposing that they are here referred to4 ,there is no reason why they should not be filled with consternation as well as others2 and as this does not refer to the end of the world1 or the day of judgment1 the word here determines nothing as to the question whether slavery is to continue on the earth4 ,and every freeman4 ,whether the master of slaves or not4 ,the idea is1 #afe that all classes of men1 high and low1 would be filled with alarm4 ,hid themselves in the dens4 ,among the caves or caverns in the mountains4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 ii4 #ai4 ,these places were resorted to for safety in times of danger4 ,comp4 #a ,sa4 xiii4 #f2 xxiv42 ,ju4 vi4 #b2 ,je4 xli4 #i2 ,jos4 ,ant4 book xiv4 ch4 xv42 ,jewish ,wars1 book i4 ch4 xvi4 ,and in the rocks of the mountains4 ,among the crags or the fastnesses of the mountainsalso natural places of refuge in times of hostile invasion or danger4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 ii4 #ba4 ,and said to the mountains and rocks1 ,fall on us1 c41 ver4 #af4 ,this language is found substantially in ,ho4 x4 #h3 8,and they shall say to the mountains1 ,cover us2 and to the hills1 ,fall on us40 ,it is also used by the ,saviour as denoting the consternation which would occur at his coming3 8,then shall they begin to say to the mountains1 ,fall on us2 and to the hills1 ,cover us10 ,lu4 xxiii4 #cj4 ,it is language denoting consternation1 and an awful fear of impending wrath4 ,the state of mind is that where there is an apprehension that ,god himself is coming forth with the direct instruments of his vengeance1 and where there is a desire rather to be crushed by falling rocks and hills than by the vengeance of his uplifted arm4 ,from the face of him that sitteth on the throne4 ,the face of ,godfor he seems to be coming forth with the displays of his vengeance4 ,it is not said that ,god would actually come forth in a visible form1 but their consternation would be as great as if he were to do this2 the state of mind indicated by this was an apprehension that it would be so4 ,and from the wrath of the ,lamb4 ,the ,lamb of ,god2 the ,lord ,jesus4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,there seems to be an incongruity between the words wrath and ,lamb2 but the word ,lamb here is so far a proper name as to be used only to designate the ,redeemer4 ,he comes forth to execute wrath1 not as a ,lamb1 but as the ,son of ,god1 who bore that name4 ,it would seem from this that they who thus dreaded the impending terrors were aware of their source1 or had knowledge enough to understand by whom they were to be inflicted4 ,they would see that these were divine judgments1 and would apprehend that the end of the world drew near4 ,for the great day of his wrath is come1 ver4 #ag4 ,the threatening judgments would be so severe and awful that they would suppose that the end of the world was coming4 ,and who shall be able to stand8 ,to stand before him1 or to withstand his judgments4 ,it is unnecessary to say that there has been1 in this case1 as in reference to every other part of the book of ,revelation1 a great diversity of opinion respecting the events symbolized by this seal4 ,grotius applied it to the wars between the ,jews and ,romans under ,nero and ,vespasian2 ,dr4 ,hammond supposed that the defeat of the ,jewish leaders in those wars was particularly symbolized2 ,mr4 ,brightman referred these symbols to the persecution under ,diocletian2 ,mr4 ,mede1 ,dr4 ,cressner1 ,dr4 ,more1 ,mr4 ,whiston1 ,mr4 ,jurien1 ,mr4 ,daubuz1 ,mr4 ,lowman1 ,bishop ,newton1 ,mr4 ,elliott1 and others1 refer it to the defeat of the ,pagan powers1 and the final suppression of those powers as opposed to ,christianity2 ,vitringa regarded it as foreshadowing the overthrow of the antichristian powers of the western ,roman empire2 ,cocceius explains it of the wars of the ,emperor ,frederick against the ,german princes in the sixteenth century2 ,dean ,woodhouse1 of the day of vengeance at the end of the world2 ,mr4 ,cunninghame1 of the same period as the seventh trumpet1 commencing with the ,french revolution1 and to be consummated by the visible advent of the ,son of ,god2 ,professor ,stuart1 of the destruction of ,jerusalem2 and ,mr4 ,lord1 of a series of events1 part of which are fulfilled1 three of them corresponding with the first three vialsthe first expressive of the revolution of ,france1 the second of a despotism extending through several years1 and the third of the overthrow of that violent dynasty1 at the fall of #aff ,bonaparte1 in #ahae4 ,it is not my purpose to examine these views2 but1 amidst this great variety of opinion1 it seems to me that the obvious and natural application of the opening of the seal has not been adverted to4 ,i shall suggest it because it is the most natural and obvious1 and seems to be demanded by the explanations given of the previous seals4 ,it is1 in one word1 the impending judgments from the invasions of the northern hordes of ,goths and ,vandals1 threatening the breaking up of the ,roman empirethe gathering of the storm1 and the hovering of those barbarians on the borders of the empire2 the approaches which they made from time to time towards the capital1 though restrained as yet from taking it2 the tempest of wrath that was1 as it were1 suspended yet on the frontiers1 until the events recorded in the next chapter should occur1 then bursting forth in wrath in successive blasts1 as denoted by the first four trumpets of the seventh seal 7ch4 viii471 when the empire was entirely overthrown by the ,goths and ,vandals4 ,the precise point of time which ,i suppose this seal occupies is that succeeding the last persecution4 ,it embraces the preparatory arrangements of these hordes of invaderstheir gathering on the frontiers of the empiretheir threatened approaches toward the capitaland the formation of such vast armies as would produce universal consternation4 ,a brief notice of these preparatory scenes1 as adapted to produce the alarm referred to in the opening of the sixth seal1 is all that will be necessary here2 the more complete detail must be reserved for the explanation of the four trumpets of the seventh seal1 when the work of destruction was consummated4 ,these preparations and threatened invasions were events sufficiently important in their relation to the church1 to what preceded1 and to the future history of the world1 to be symbolized here2 and they are events in which all the particulars of the symbol may find a fulfilment4 ,anyone has only to look on a chart of history to see how appropriately this application of the symbol follows1 if the previous explanations have been correct4 ,in the illustration of this1 in order to show the probability that these events are referred to by the symbols of the sixth seal1 ,i would submit the following remarks3 7#a7 ,the time is that which would be naturally suggested by this seal in its relation to the others4 ,if the fifth referred to the persecutions under ,diocletianthe last great persecution of the ,pagan powers in attempting to extinguish the ,christian namethen we should naturally look for the fulfilment of the opening of the next in some event1 or series of events1 which would succeed that at no very distant interval1 and that pertained to the empire or power that had been the prominent subject of the predictions in the previous seals4 ,it would also be natural to look for some events that might be regarded as conveying an expression of the divine feeling in regard to that power1 or that would present it in such an aspect that it would be seen that its power to persecute was at an end4 ,this natural expectation would be answered either by some symbol that would refer to the complete triumph of the ,christian system1 or by such a series of judgments as would break the persecuting power itself in pieces4 ,now the threatened irruption of the northern barbarians followed the series of events already described with sufficient nearness to make it proper to regard that series of events as referred to4 7#b7 ,the events were of sufficient importance in the history of the empire to deserve this notice in the foreshadowing of what would occur4 ,they were connected with the breaking up of that mighty power1 and the complete change of the aspect of the world1 in a political and religious point of view4 ,a new order of things arose in the world's history4 ,a new religion became established4 ,new kingdoms from the fragments of the once-mighty ,roman empire were founded1 and the affairs of the world were put on a new footing4 ,these mighty northern hordes not only spread consternation and alarm1 as if the world were coming to an end1 but they laid the foundations of kingdoms which continue to this day4 ,in fact1 few more important events have occurred in history4 7#c7 ,this series of events was introduced in the manner described in the opening of the sixth seal4 ,i have already said that it is not necessary to suppose1 in the fulfilment of the symbol1 that there would be a literal earthquake2 but nothing in the symbol forbids us to suppose that there might be1 and if there were we could not but consider it as remarkable4 ,now it so happens that the series of events pertaining #afg to the ,gothic invasions is introduced by ,mr4 ,gibbon in the following language3 8,a4,d4 #cfe4 ,in the second year of the reign of ,valentinian and ,valens1 on the morning of the twenty-first day of ,july1 the greatest part of the ,roman world was shaken by a violent and destructive earthquake4 ,the impression was communicated to the waters2 the shores of the ,mediterranean were left dry by the sudden retreat of the sea2 great quantities of fish were caught with the hand2 large vessels were stranded on the mud2 and a curious spectator amused his eye1 or rather his fancy1 by contemplating the various appearances of valleys and mountains which had never before1 since the formation of the globe1 been exposed to the sun4 ,but the tide soon returned1 with the weight of an immense and irresistible deluge1 which was severely felt on the coasts of ,sicily1 of ,dalmatia1 of ,greece1 and of ,egypt2 large boats were transported1 and lodged on the roofs of houses1 or at the distance of two miles from the shore2 the people1 with their habitations1 were swept away by the waters2 and the city of ,alexandria annually commemorated the day on which fifty thousand persons had lost their lives in the inundation4 ,this calamity1 the report of which was magnified from one province to another1 astonished and terrified the subjects of ,rome2 and their affrighted imagination enlarged the real extent of the momentary evil4 ,they recollected the preceding earthquakes which had subverted the cities of ,palestine and ,bithynia2 they considered these alarming strokes as the prelude only of still more dreadful calamities1 and their fearful vanity was disposed to confound the symptoms of a declining empire and a sinking world10 vol4 ii4 pp4 #aae1 #aaf4 ,mr4 ,gibbon then proceeds to detail the evils of war1 as greatly surpassing the calamities produced by any natural causes1 and adds 7p4 #aaf71 8,in the disastrous period of the fall of the ,roman empire1 which may be justly dated from the reign of ,valens1 the happiness and security of each individual was personally attacked2 and the arts and labours of ages were rudely defaced by the barbarians of ,scythia and ,germany40 ,he then proceeds with an exceedingly interesting description of the origin1 the habits1 and the movements of the ,tartar nations1 particularly the ,huns1 as they moved to the ,west1 and precipitated the ,gothic nations on the provinces of the ,roman empire1 until ,rome itself was thrice besieged1 was taken1 and was sacked 7ii4 #aafbff74 ,the earthquake referred to occurred in ,a4,d4 #cfe4 ,the movements of the ,huns from their territories in the neighbourhood of ,china had commenced about ,a4,d4 #ajj1 and in ,a4,d4 #cge they overcame the ,goths lying along the ,danube4 ,the ,goths1 pressed and overcome by these savage invaders1 asked permission of the ,romans to cross the ,danube1 to find protection in the ,roman empire1 and to cultivate the waste lands of ,thrace 7,gibbon1 ii4 #abi1 #acj74 ,in the year #cgf they were transported over the ,danube1 by the permission of the ,roman emperor ,valens2 an event which1 according to ,mr4 ,gibbon1 in its ultimate result1 was the cause of the downfall of the empire2 for they learned their own strength2 they were attracted by the riches of the capital and the hope of reward1 until they finally drew the ,western emperor to ,ravenna1 sacked ,rome1 and took possession of ,italy4 7#d7 ,a slight reference to the series of events in these periods of consternation and conquest may show more closely the nature of the alarms which would be caused by the prospect of these dreadful invasions1 and may prepare us for a better understanding of the successive calamities which occurred under these invaders1 when the empire fell1 as described by the four first trumpets of the seventh seal4 ,i shall copy from the tables of contents of ,mr4 ,gibbon's history1 under the twenty-sixth1 thirtieth1 and thirty-first chapters3 8,a4,d4 #cfe4 ,earthquakes4 #cgf4 ,the ,huns and ,goths4 #ajj4 ,the emigration of the ,huns4 #cge4 ,their victories over the ,goths4 #cgf4 ,the ,goths implore the protection of ,valens4 0 ,they are transported over the ,danube into the ,roman empire4 0 ,they penetrate into ,thrace4 #cgg4 ,union of the ,goths with ,huns1 ,alani1 c4 #cgh4 ,battle of ,hadrianople4 0 ,the defeat of the ,romans4 #chccie4 ,the settlement of the ,goths in ,thrace and ,asia4 #cie4 ,revolt of the ,goths4 #cif4 ,alaric marches into ,greece4 #cih4 ,is proclaimed king of the ,visigoths4 #djjdjc4 ,he invades ,italy4 #djf4 ,radagaisus invades ,italy4 0 ,besieges ,florence4 0 ,threatens ,rome4 0 ,the remainder of the ,germans invade ,gaul4 #djg4 ,desolation of ,gaul4 #djh4 ,alaric marches to ,rome4 0 ,first siege of ,rome by the ,goths4 #afh #djh4 ,famine1 plague1 superstition4 #dji4 ,alaric accepts a ransom and raises the siege4 0 ,fruitless negotiations for peace4 0 ,second siege of ,rome by the ,goths4 #daj4 ,third siege and sack of ,rome by the ,goths4 0 ,respect of the ,goths for the ,christian religion4 0 ,pillage and fire of ,rome4 0 ,captives and fugitives4 #daadaf4 ,fall of the usurpers ,jovinus1 ,sebastian1 and ,attalus4 #dji4 ,invasion of ,spain by the ,suevi1 ,vandals1 ,alani1 c4 #daedah4 ,the ,goths conquer and restore ,spain40 7#e7 ,this would coincide1 in the effects produced on the empire1 with the consternation and alarm described in the passage before us4 ,the symbols are such as would be employed on the supposition that these are the events referred to2 they are such as the events are fitted to suggest4 ,the mighty preparations in the ,east and ,norththe report of which could not but spread through the empirewould be appropriately symbolized by the earthquake1 the darkened sun1 the moon becoming like blood1 the stars falling1 the departing heavens1 and the kings and great men of the earth fleeing in alarm to find a place of safety1 as if the end of the world were drawing near4 ,nothing could have been so well adapted to produce the consternation described in the opening of the sixth seal1 as the dreaded approach of vast hosts of barbarians from the regions of the ,north4 ,this alarm would be increased by the fact that their numbers were unknown2 that their origin was hidden2 and that the advancing multitudes would sweep everything before them4 ,as in other cases1 also1 rumour would increase their numbers and augment their ferocity4 ,the sudden shock of an earthquake1 the falling stars1 the departing heavens1 the removal of mountains and islands1 and the consternation of kings and all classes of people1 would be the appropriate emblems to represent these impending calamities4 ,in confirmation of this1 and as showing the effect produced by the approach of the ,goths1 and the dread of the ,gothic arms1 in causing universal consternation1 the following extracts may be adduced from ,mr4 ,gibbon1 when describing the threatened invasion of ,alaric1 king of the ,visigoths4 ,he quotes from ,claudian4 8#8,fame1' says the poet1 #8encircling with terror her gloomy wings1 proclaimed the march of the barbarian army1 and filled ,italy with consternation4'0 ,mr4 ,gibbon adds1 8the apprehensions of each individual were increased in just proportion to the measure of his fortune2 and the most timid1 who had already embarked their valuable effects1 meditated their escape to the island of ,sicily1 or to the ,african coast4 ,the public distress was aggravated by the fears and reproaches of superstition4 ,every hour produced some horrid tale of strange and portentous accidents2 the ,pagans deplored the neglect of omens and the interruption of sacrifices2 but the ,christians still derived some comfort from the powerful intercession of the saints and martyrs10 ii4 #bah1 #bai4 ,see further illustrations in the ,notes on ch4 viii4 #gac4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,the state of things represented in this chapter is1 that where there had been awful consternation and alarm1 as if the end of the world were coming1 and where the signs of the approaching consummation of all things are1 as it were1 held back until there should be an opportunity of sealing the number that was to be saved4 ,this is symbolized by four angels standing in the four quarters of the earth1 and holding the winds and the storms that they should not blow on the earth until the servants of ,god should be sealed in their foreheads4 ,the idea is that of sudden destruction about to burst on the world1 which1 if unrestrained1 would apparently bring on the consummation of all things1 but which is held back until the purposes of ,god in regard to his people shall be accomplishedthat is1 until those who are the true servants of ,god shall be designated by some appropriate mark4 ,this furnishes an opportunity of disclosing a glorious vision of those who will be saved1 alike among the ,jews and the ,gentiles4 ,the fact1 as seen in the symbol1 is1 that the end of the world does not come at the opening of the sixth seal1 as it seemed as if it would1 and as it was anticipated in the time of the consternation4 ,the number of the chosen was not complete1 and the impending wrath was therefore suspended4 ,god interposes in favour of his people1 and discloses in vision a vast number from all lands who will yet be saved1 and the winds and storms are held back as if by angels4 ,the points1 then1 that are apparent in this chapter1 without any reference #afi now to the question of the application1 are the following3 7#a7 ,the impending ruin that seemed about to spread over the earth1 apparently bringing on the consummation of all things1 restrained or suspended1 ver4 #a4 ,this impending ruin is symbolized by the four winds of heaven that seemed about to sweep over the world2 the interposition of ,god is represented by the four angels who have power over those winds to hold them back1 as if it depended on their will to let them loose and to spread ruin over the earth or not4 7#b7 ,a suspension of these desolating influences and agents until another important purpose could be accomplishedthat is1 until the servants of ,god could be sealed in their foreheads1 ver4 #b1 #c4 ,another angel1 acting independently of the four first seen1 and having power to command1 appears in the east1 having the seal of the living ,god2 and he directs the four angels having the four winds not to let them loose upon the earth until the servants of ,god should be sealed in their foreheads4 ,this obviously denotes some suspension of the impending wrath1 and for a specific purpose1 that something might be done by which the true servants of ,god would be so marked as to be publicly knownas if they had a mark or brand to that effect imprinted on their foreheads4 ,whatever would serve to designate them1 to determine who they were1 to ascertain their number1 would be a fulfilment of this act of the sealing angel4 ,the length of time during which it would be done is not designated2 the essential thing is1 that there would be a suspension of impending judgments1 in order that it might be done4 ,whether this was to occupy a longer or a shorter period is not determined by the symbol2 nor is it determined when the winds thus held back would be suffered to blow4 7#c7 ,the number of the sealed1 ver4 #dh4 ,the seer does not represent himself as actually beholding the process of sealing1 but he says that he heard the number of those who were sealed4 ,that number was an hundred and forty-four thousand1 and they were selected from the twelve tribes of the children of ,israel,levi being reckoned1 who was not usually numbered with the tribes1 and the tribe of ,dan being omitted4 ,the number from each tribe1 large or small1 was the same2 the entire portion selected being but a very small part of the whole4 ,the general idea here1 whatever may be the particular application1 is1 that there would be a selection1 and that the whole number of the tribe would not be embraced2 that the selection would be made from each tribe1 and that all would have the same mark1 and be saved by the same means4 ,it would not be in accordance with the nature of symbolic representation to suppose that the saved would be the precise number here referred to2 but some great truth is designed to be represented by this fact4 ,we should look1 in the fulfilment1 to some process by which the true servants of ,god would be designated2 we should expect that a portion of them would be found in each one of the classes here denoted by a tribe2 we should suppose that the true servants of ,god thus referred to would be as safe in the times of peril as if they were designated by a visible mark4 7#d7 ,after this1 another vision presents itself to the seer4 ,it is that of a countless multitude before the throne1 redeemed out of all nations1 with palms in their hands1 ver4 #iag4 ,the scene is transferred to heaven1 and there is a vision of all the redeemednot only of the hundred and forty-four thousand1 but of all who would be rescued and saved from a lost world4 ,the design is doubtless to cheer the hearts of the true friends of ,god in times of gloom and despondency1 by a view of the great numbers that will be saved1 and the glorious triumph that awaits the redeemed in heaven4 ,this portion of the vision embraces the following particulars37a7 ,a vast multitude1 which no man can number1 is seen before the throne in heaven4 ,they are clad in white robesemblems of purity2 they have palms in their handsemblems of victory1 ver4 #i4 7b7 ,they are engaged in ascribing praise to ,god1 ver4 #aj4 7c7 ,the angels1 the elders1 and the four living creatures1 fall down before the throne1 and unite with the redeemed in ascriptions of praise1 ver4 #aa1 #ab4 7d7 ,a particular inquiry is made of the seerevidently to call his attention to itrespecting those who appear there in white robes1 ver4 #ac4 7e7 ,to this inquiry it is answered1 that they were those who had come up out of great tribulation1 and who had washed their robes1 and had made them pure in the blood of the ,lamb1 ver4 #ad4 7f7 ,then follows a description of their condition and employment in heaven1 ver4 #aeag4 ,they are #agj constantly before the throne2 they serve ,god continually2 they neither hunger nor thirst2 they are not subjected to the burning heat of the sun2 they are provided for by the ,lamb in the midst of the throne2 and all tears are forever wiped away from their eyes4 ,this must be regarded1 ,i think1 as an episode1 having no immediate connection with what precedes or with what follows4 ,it seems to be thrown in herewhile the impending judgments of the sixth seal are suspended1 and before the seventh is openedto furnish a relief in the contemplation of so many scenes of woe1 and to cheer the soul with inspiring hopes from the view of the great number that would ultimately be saved4 ,while these judgments1 therefore1 are suspended1 the mind is directed on to the world of triumph1 as a view fitted to sustain and comfort those who would be partakers in the scenes of woe4 ,at the same time it is one of the most touching and beautiful of all the representations of heaven ever penned1 and is eminently adapted to comfort those1 in all ages1 who are in a vale of tears4 ,in the exposition it will be proper 7ver4 #ah7 to inquire into the fair meaning of the language employed in the symbols2 and then to inquire whether there are any known facts to which the description is applicable4 ,the first inquiry may and should be pursued independently of the other2 and it may be added1 that the explanation offered on this may be correct1 even if the other should be erroneous4 ,the same remark1 also1 is applicable to the remainder of the chapter 7ver4 #iag71 and indeed is of general applicability in the exposition of this book4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,and after these things ,i saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth1 holding the #bci;four winds of the earth1 that the wind should not blow on the earth1 nor on the sea1 nor on any tree4 #a4 ,and after these things4 ,after the vision of the things referred to in the opening of the sixth seal4 ,the natural interpretation would be1 that what is here said of the angels and the winds occurred after those things which are described in the previous chapter4 ,the exact chronology may not be always observed in these symbolical representations1 but doubtless there is a general order which is observed4 ,i saw four angels4 ,he does not describe their forms1 but merely mentions their agency4 ,this is1 of course1 a symbolical representation4 ,we are not to suppose that it would be literally fulfilled1 or that1 at the time referred to by the vision1 four celestial beings would be stationed in the four quarters of the world for the purpose of checking and restraining the winds that blow from the four points of the compass4 ,the meaning is1 that events would occur which would be properly represented by four angels standing in the four quarters of the world1 and having power over the winds4 ,standing on the four corners of the earth4 ,this language is1 of course1 accommodated to the prevailing mode of speaking of the earth among the ,hebrews4 ,it was a common method among them to describe it as a vast plain1 having four corners1 those corners being the prominent pointsnorth1 south1 east1 and west4 ,so we speak now of the four winds1 the four quarters of the world1 c4 ,the ,hebrews spoke of the earth1 as we do of the rising and setting of the sun and of the motions of the heavenly bodies1 according to appearances1 and without aiming at philosophical exactness4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job xxvi4 #g4 ,with this view they spoke of the earth as an extended plain1 and as having boundaries or corners1 as a plain or field naturally has4 ,perhaps1 also1 they used this language with some allusion to an edifice1 as having four corners2 for they speak also of the earth as having foundations4 ,the language which the ,hebrews used was in accordance with the prevailing ideas and language of the ancients on the subject4 ,holding the four winds of the earth4 ,the winds blow in fact from every quarter1 but it is convenient to speak of them as coming from the four principal points of the compass1 and this method is adopted probably in every language4 ,so among the ,greeks and ,latins1 the winds were arranged under four classes,zephyrus1 ,boreas1 ,notus1 and ,eurusconsidered as under the control of a king1 olus4 ,see ,eschenburg1 ,man4 ,class4 ,lit4 #gh1 comp4 #ajh4 ,the angels here are represented as 8holding0 the winds4 ,that is1 they held them back when about to sweep over #aga the earth1 and to produce far-spread desolation4 ,this is an allusion to a popular belief among the ,hebrews1 that the agency of the angels was employed everywhere4 ,it is not suggested that the angels had raised the tempest here1 but only that they now restrained and controlled it4 ,the essential idea is1 that they had power over those winds1 and that they were now exercising that power by keeping them back when they were about to spread desolation over the earth4 ,that the wind should not blow on the earth4 ,that there should be a calm1 as if the winds were held back4 ,nor on the sea4 ,nowhereneither on sea nor land4 ,the sea and the land constitute the surface of the globe1 and the language here1 therefore1 denotes that there would be a universal calm4 ,nor on any tree4 ,to injure it4 ,the language here used is such as would denote a state of profound quiet2 as when we say that it is so still that not a leaf of the trees moves4 ,in regard to the literal meaning of the symbol here employed there can be no great difficulty2 as to its application there may be more4 ,the winds are the proper symbols of wars and commotions4 ,comp4 ,da4 vii4 #b4 ,in ,je4 xlix4 #cf1 #cg the symbol is both used and explained3 8,and upon ,elam will ,i bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven1 and will scatter them toward all those winds2 and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of ,elam shall not come4 ,for ,i will cause ,elam to be dismayed before their enemies1 and before them that seek their life40 ,so in ,je4 li4 #a1 #b1 a destroying wind is an emblem of destructive war3 8,i will raise up against ,babylon a destroying wind1 and will send unto ,babylon fanners1 that shall fan her1 and shall empty her land40 ,comp4 ,horace1 ,odes1 b4 i4 #ad4 ,the essential ideas1 therefore1 in this portion of the symbol1 cannot be mistaken4 ,they are two3 7#a7 that at the period of time here referred toafter the opening of the sixth seal and before the opening of the sevenththere would be a state of things which would be well represented by rising tempests and storms1 which if unrestrained would spread desolation afar2 and 7#b7 that this impending ruin was held back as if by angels having control of those winds2 that is1 those tempests were not suffered to go forth to spread desolation over the world4 ,a suspended tempest2 calamity held in check2 armies hovering on the borders of a kingdom1 but not allowed to proceed for a time2 hordes of invaders detained1 or stayed in their march1 as if by some restraining power not their own1 and from causes not within themselvesany of these things would be an obvious fulfilling of the meaning of the symbol4 #b ,and ,i saw another angel ascending from the east1 having the #bdjseal of the living ,god2 and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels1 to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea1 #b4 ,and ,i saw another angel4 ,evidently having no connection with the four1 and employed for another purpose4 ,this angel1 also1 must have been symbolic2 and all that is implied is1 that something would be done as if an angel had done it4 ,ascending from the east4 ,he appeared in the east1 and seemed to rise like the sun4 ,it is not easy to determine what is the special significancy1 if any1 of the east here1 or why this quarter of the heavens is designated rather than the north1 the south1 or the west4 ,it may be that as light begins in the east1 this would be properly symbolic of something that could be compared with the light of the morning2 or that some influence in 8sealing0 the servants of ,god would in fact go out from the east2 or perhaps no special significance is to be attached to the quarter from which the angel is seen to come4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that every minute thing in a symbol is to receive a complete fulfilment1 or that there will be some particular thing to correspond with it4 ,perhaps all that is meant here is1 that as the sun comes forth with splendour from the east1 so the angel came with magnificence to perform a taskthat of sealing the servants of ,godcheerful and joyous like that which the sun performs4 ,it is certain that from no other quarter of the heavens would it be so appropriate to represent an angel as coming forth to perform a purpose of light1 and mercy1 and salvation4 ,it does not seem to me1 therefore1 that we are to look1 in the fulfilment of this1 for any special influence setting in from the east as that which is symbolized here4 ,having the seal of the living ,god4 ,bearing it in his hands4 ,in regard to this seal the following remarks may be made37a7 #agb ,the phrase 8seal of the living ,god0 doubtless means that which ,god had appointed1 or which he would use2 that is1 if ,god himself came forth in this manner1 he would use this seal for these purposes4 ,men often have a seal of their own1 with some name1 symbol1 or device1 which designates it as theirs1 and which no other one has a right to use4 ,a seal is sometimes used by the person himself2 sometimes intrusted to a high officer of state2 sometimes to the secretary of a corporation2 and sometimes1 as a mark of special favour1 to a friend4 ,in this case it was intrusted to an angel1 who was authorized to use it1 and whose use of it would be sanctioned1 of course1 wherever he applied it1 by the living ,god1 as if he had employed it himself4 7b7 ,as to the form of the seal1 we have no information4 ,it would be most natural to suppose that the name 8of the living ,god0 would be engraven on it1 so that that name would appear on anyone to whom it might be affixed4 ,comp4 ,notes on #b ,ti4 ii4 #ai4 ,it was customary in the ,east to brand the name of the master on the forehead of a slave 7,grotius1 in loco72 and such an idea would meet all that is implied in the language here1 though there is no certain evidence that there is an allusion to that custom4 ,in subsequent times1 in the church1 it was common for ,christians to impress the sign of the cross on their foreheads 7,tertullian de ,corona2 ,cyrill4 lib4 vi4 ,see ,grotius74 ,as nothing is said here1 however1 about any mark or device on the seal1 conjecture is useless as to what it was4 7c7 ,as to what was to be designated by the seal1 the main idea is clear1 that it was to place some such mark upon his friends that they would be known to be his1 and that they would be safe in the impending calamities4 ,there is perhaps allusion here to ,eze4 ix4 #df1 where the following direction to the prophet occurs38,go through the midst of the city1 through the midst of ,jerusalem1 and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh1 and that cry1 for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof4 ,and to the others he said in mine hearing1 ,go ye after him through the city1 and smite2 let not your eye spare1 neither have ye pity3 slay utterly old and young1 both maids and little children1 and women2 but come not near any man upon whom is the mark40 ,the essential ideas in the sealing1 in the passage before us1 would therefore seem to be1 7#a7 that there would be some mark1 sign1 or token1 by which they who were the people of ,god would be known2 that is1 there would be something which would answer1 in this respect1 the same purpose as if a seal had been impressed upon their foreheads4 ,whether this was an outward badge1 or a religious rite1 or the doctrines which they would hold and by which they would be known1 or something in their spirit and manner which would characterize his true disciples1 may be a fair subject of inquiry4 ,it is not specifically designated by the use of the word4 7#b7 ,it would be something that would be conspicuous or prominent1 as if it were impressed on the forehead4 ,it would not be merely some internal sealing1 or some designation by which they would be known to themselves and to ,god1 but it would be something apparent1 as if engraved on the forehead4 ,what this would be1 whether a profession1 or a form of religion1 or the holding of some doctrine1 or the manifestation of a particular spirit1 is not here designated4 7#c7 ,this would be something appointed by ,god himself4 ,it would not be of human origin1 but would be as if an angel sent from heaven should impress it on the forehead4 ,if it refers to the doctrines which they would hold1 they could not be doctrines of human origin2 if to the spirit which they would manifest1 it would be a spirit of heavenly origin2 if to some outward protection1 it would be manifest that it was from ,god4 7#d7 ,this would be a pledge of safety4 ,the design of sealing the persons referred to seems to have been to secure their safety in the impending calamities4 ,thus the winds were held back until those who were to be sealed could be designated1 and then they were to be allowed to sweep over the earth4 ,these things1 therefore1 we are to look for in the fulfilment of the symbol4 ,and he cried with a loud voice4 ,as if he had authority to command1 and as if the four winds were about to be let forth upon the world4 ,to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea4 ,who had power committed #agc to them to do this by means of the four winds4 #c ,saying1 #bda;,hurt not the earth1 neither the sea1 nor the trees1 till we have #bdbsealed the servants of our ,god #bdc;in their foreheads4 #c4 ,saying1 ,hurt not the earth1 neither the sea1 c4 ,let the winds be restrained until what is here designated shall be done4 ,these destroying angels were commanded to suspend the work of destruction until the servants of ,god could be rendered secure4 ,the division here1 as in ver4 #a1 of the 8earth1 the sea1 and the trees10 seems to include everythingwater1 land1 and the productions of the earth4 ,nothing was to be injured until the angel should designate the true servants of ,god4 ,till we have sealed the servants of our ,god4 ,the use of the plural 8we0 seems to denote that he did not expect to do it alone4 ,who were to be associated with him1 whether angels or men1 he does not intimate2 but the work was evidently such that it demanded the agency of more than one4 ,in their foreheads4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b2 comp4 ,eze4 ix4 #d1 #e4 ,a mark thus placed on the forehead would be conspicuous1 and would be something which could at once be recognized if destruction should spread over the world4 ,the fulfilment of this is to be found in two things3 7a7 in something which would be conspicuous or prominentso that it could be seen2 and 7b7 in the mark being of such a nature or character that it would be a proper designation of the fact that they were the true servants of ,god4 #d ,and ,i heard the number of them which were sealed3 and there were sealed #bdd;an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of ,israel4 #d4 ,and ,i heard the number of them which were sealed4 ,he does not say where he heard that1 or by whom it was communicated to him1 or when it was done4 ,the material point is1 that he heard it2 he did not see it done4 ,either by the angel1 or by some direct communication from ,god1 he was told of the number that would be sealed1 and of the distribution of the whole number into twelve equal parts1 represented by the tribes of the children of ,israel4 ,and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of ,israel4 ,in regard to this number1 the first and the main question is1 whether it is meant that this was to be the literal number1 or whether it was symbolical2 and1 if the latter1 of what it is a symbol4 ,i4 ,as to the first of these inquiries1 there does not appear to be any good reason for doubt4 ,the fair interpretation seems to require that it should be understood as symbolical1 or as designed not to be literally taken2 for 7a7 the whole scene is symbolicalthe winds1 the angels1 the sealing4 7b7 ,it cannot be supposed that this number will include all who will be sealed and saved4 ,in whatever way this is interpreted1 and whatever we may suppose it to refer to1 we cannot but suppose that more than this number will be saved4 7c7 ,the number is too exact and artificial to suppose that it is literal4 ,it is inconceivable that exactly the same numberprecisely twelve thousandshould be selected from each tribe of the children of ,israel4 7d7 ,if literal1 it is necessary to suppose that this refers to the twelve tribes of the children of ,israel4 ,but on every supposition this is absurd4 ,ten of their tribes had been long before carried away1 and the distinction of the tribes was lost1 no more to be recovered1 and the ,hebrew people never have been1 since the time of ,john1 in circumstances to which the description here could be applicable4 ,these considerations make it clear that the description here is symbolical4 ,but1 ,,ii4 ,of what is it symbolical8 ,is it of a large number1 or of a small number8 ,is it of those who would be saved from among the ,jews1 or of all who would be saved in the ,christian churchrepresented as the 8tribes of the children of ,israel80 ,to these inquiries we may answer1 7#a7 that the representation seems to be rather that of a comparatively small number than a large one1 for these reasons3 7a7 ,the number of itself is not large4 7b7 ,the number is not large as compared with those who must have constituted the tribes here referred tothe number twelve thousand1 for example1 as compared with the whole number of the tribe of ,judah1 of the tribe of ,reuben1 c4 7c7 ,it would seem from the language that there would be some selection from a much greater number4 ,thus1 not all in the tribes were sealed1 but those who were sealed were 8of all the tribes0 2 that is1 out of these tribes4 ,so in the specification in each tribe 1 1 c4 ,some out of the tribe1 to wit1 twelve thousand1 were sealed4 ,it is not said of the #agd twelve thousand of the tribes of ,judah1 ,reuben1 c41 that they constituted the tribe1 but that they were sealed out of the tribe1 as a part of it preserved and saved4 8,when the preposition 1 or out of1 stands after any such verb as sealed1 between a definite numeral and a noun of multitude in the genitive1 sound criticism requires1 doubtless1 that the numeral should be thus construed as signifying1 not the whole1 but a part taken out0 7,elliott1 i4 #bcg74 ,comp4 ,ex4 xxxii4 #bh2 ,nu4 i4 #ba2 #a ,sa4 iv4 #aj4 ,the phrase1 then1 would properly denote those taken out of some other and greater numberas a portion of a tribe1 and not the whole tribe4 ,if the reference here is to the church1 it would seem to denote that a portion only of that church would be sealed4 7d7 ,for the same reason the idea would seem to be1 that comparatively a small portion is referred toas twelve thousand would be comparatively a small part of one of the tribes of ,israel2 and if this refers to the church1 we should expect to find its fulfilment in a state of things in which the largest proportion would not be sealed2 that is1 in a corrupt state of the church in which there would be many professors of religion1 but comparatively few who had real piety4 7#b7 ,to the other inquirywhether this refers to those who would be sealed and saved among the ,jews1 or to those in the ,christian churchwe may answer1 7a7 that there are strong reasons for supposing the latter to be the correct opinion4 ,long before the time of ,john all these distinctions of tribe were abolished4 ,the ten tribes had been carried away and scattered in distant lands1 never more to be restored2 and it cannot be supposed that there was any such literal selection from the twelve tribes as is here spoken of1 or any such designation of twelve thousand from each4 ,there was no occasioneither when ,jerusalem was destroyed1 or at any other timeon which there were such transactions as are here referred to occurring in reference to the children of ,israel4 7b7 ,the language is such as a ,christian1 who had been by birth and education a ,hebrew1 would naturally use if he wished to designate the church4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ja4 i4 #a4 ,accustomed to speak of the people of ,god as 8the twelve tribes of ,israel10 nothing was more natural than to transfer this language to the church of the ,redeemer1 and to speak of it in that figurative manner4 ,accordingly1 from the necessity of the case1 the language is universally understood to have reference to the ,christian church4 ,even ,professor ,stuart1 who supposes that the reference is to the siege and destruction of ,jerusalem by the ,romans1 interprets it of the preservation of ,christians1 and their flight to ,pella1 beyond ,jordan4 ,thus interpreted1 moreover1 it accords with the entire symbolical character of the representation4 7c7 ,the reference to the particular tribes may be a designed allusion to the ,christian church as it would be divided into denominations1 or known by different names2 and the fact that a certain portion would be sealed from every tribe would not be an unfit representation of the fact that a portion of all the various churches or denominations would be sealed and saved4 ,that is1 salvation would be confined to no one church or denomination1 but among them all there would be found true servants of ,god4 ,it would be improper to suppose that the division into tribes among the children of ,israel was designed to be a type of the sects and denominations in the ,christian church1 and yet the fact of such a division may not improperly be employed as an illustration of that2 for the whole church is made up not of any one denomination alone1 but of all who hold the truth combined1 as the people of ,god in ancient times consisted not solely of any one tribe1 however large and powerful1 but of all combined4 ,thus understood1 the symbol would point to a time when there would be various denominations in the church1 and yet with the idea that true friends of ,god would be found among them all4 7d7 ,perhaps nothing can be argued from the fact that exactly twelve thousand were selected from each of the tribes4 ,in language so figurative and symbolical as this1 it could not be maintained that this proves that the same definite number would be taken from each denomination of ,christians4 ,perhaps all that can be fairly inferred is1 that there would be no partiality or preference for one more than another2 that there would be no favouritism on account of the tribe or denomination to which any one belonged2 but that the seal would be impressed on all1 of any denomination1 who had the true spirit of religion4 ,no one would receive the token of the divine favour because he was of the tribe #age of ,judah or ,reuben2 no one because he belonged to any particular denomination of ,christians4 ,large numbers from every branch of the church would be sealed2 none would be sealed because he belonged to one form of external organization rather than to another2 none would be excluded because he belonged to any one tribe1 if he had the spirit and held the sentiments which made it proper to recognize him as a servant of ,god4 ,these views seem to me to express the true sense of this passage4 ,no one can seriously maintain that the writer meant to refer literally to the ,jewish people2 and if he referred to the ,christian church1 it seems to be to some selection that would be made out of the whole church1 in which there would be no favouritism or partiality1 and to the fact that1 in regard to them1 there would be some something which1 in the midst of abounding corruption or impending danger1 would designate them as the chosen people of ,god1 and would furnish evidence that they would be safe4 #e ,of the tribe of ,juda were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,reuben were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,gad were sealed twelve thousand4 #f ,of the tribe of ,aser were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,manasses were sealed twelve thousand4 #g ,of the tribe of ,simeon were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,levi were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,issachar were sealed twelve thousand4 #h ,of the tribe of ,zabulon were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,joseph were sealed twelve thousand4 ,of the tribe of ,benjamin were sealed twelve thousand4 #eh4 ,of the tribe of ,juda were sealed twelve thousand4 ,that is1 a selection was made1 or a number sealed1 as if it had been made from one of the tribes of the children of ,israelthe tribe of ,judah4 ,if the remarks above made are correct1 this refers to the ,christian church1 and means1 in connection with what follows1 that each portion of the church would furnish a definite part of the whole number sealed and saved4 ,we are not required to understand this of the exact number of twelve thousand1 but that the designation would be made from all parts and branches of the church as if a selection of the true servants of ,god were made from the whole number of the tribes of ,israel4,there seems to be no particular reason why the tribe of ,judah was mentioned first4 ,judah was not the oldest of the sons of ,jacob1 and there was no settled order in which the tribes were usually mentioned4 ,the order of their birth1 as mentioned in ,ge4 xxix4 xxx41 is as follows3 ,reuben1 ,simeon1 ,levi1 ,judah1 ,dan1 ,naphtali1 ,gad1 ,asher1 ,issachar1 ,zebulun1 ,joseph1 ,benjamin4 ,in the blessing of ,jacob1 ,ge4 xlix41 this order is changed1 and is as follows3,reuben1 ,simeon1 ,levi1 ,judah1 ,zebulun1 ,issachar1 ,dan1 ,gad1 ,asher1 ,naphtali1 ,joseph1 ,benjamin4 ,in the blessing of ,moses1 ,de4 xxxiii41 a different order still is observed3 ,reuben1 ,judah1 ,levi1 ,benjamin1 ,joseph1 ,zebulun1 ,issachar1 ,gad1 ,dan1 ,naphtali1 ,asher2 and in this last1 moreover1 ,simeon is omitted4 ,so1 again1 in ,eze4 xlviii41 there are two enumerations of the twelve tribes1 differing from each other1 and both differing from the arrangements above referred to3 viz41 in ver4 #cacd1 where ,levi is reckoned as one1 and ,joseph as only one2 and in ver4 #abg1 referring to the division of the country1 where ,levi1 who had no heritage in land1 is omitted1 and ,ephraim and ,manasseh are counted as two tribes 7,professor ,stuart1 ii4 #agb1 #agc74 ,from facts like these it is clear that there was no certain and settled order in which the tribes were mentioned by the sacred writers4 ,the same thing seems to have occurred in the enumeration of the tribes1 which would occur1 for example1 in the enumeration of the several ,states of the ,american ,union4 ,there is indeed an order which is usually observed1 beginning with ,maine1 c41 but almost no two writers would observe throughout the same order2 nor should we deem it strange if the order should be materially varied by even the same writer in enumerating them at different times4 ,thus1 at one time it might be convenient to enumerate them according to their geographical position2 at another1 in the order of their settlement2 at another1 in the order of their admission into the ,union2 at another1 in the order of their size and importance2 #agf at another1 in the order in which they are arranged in reference to political parties1 c4 ,something of the same kind may have occurred in the order in which the tribes were mentioned among the ,jews4 ,perhaps this may have occurred also of design1 in order that no one tribe might claim the precedence or the pre-eminence by being always placed at the head of the list4 ,if1 as is supposed above1 the allusion in this enumeration of the tribes was to the various portions of the ,christian church1 then perhaps the idea intended to be conveyed is1 that no one division of that church is to have any preference on account of its locality1 or its occupying any particular country1 or because it has more wealth1 learning1 or numbers than others2 but that all are to be regarded1 where there is the true spirit of religion1 as on a level4 ,there are1 however1 three peculiarities in this enumeration of the tribes which demand a more particular explanation4 ,the number indeed is twelve1 but that number is made up in a peculiar manner4 7#a7 ,joseph is mentioned1 and also ,manasseh4 ,the matter of fact was1 that ,joseph had two sons1 ,ephraim and ,manasseh 7,ge4 xlviii4 #a71 and that these two sons gave name to two of the tribes1 the tribes of ,ephraim and ,manasseh4 ,there was1 properly speaking1 no tribe of the name of ,joseph4 ,in ,nu4 xiii4 the name ,levi is omitted1 as it usually is1 because that tribe had no inheritance in the division of the land2 and in order that the number twelve might be complete1 ,ephraim and ,joseph are mentioned as two tribes1 ver4 #h1 #aa4 ,in ver4 #aa the writer states expressly that by the tribe ,joseph he meant ,manasseh8,of the tribe of ,joseph1 namely1 of the tribe of ,manasseh10 c4 ,from this it would seem that1 as ,manasseh was the oldest 7,ge4 xlviii4 #ad71 the name ,joseph was sometimes given to that tribe4 ,as ,ephraim1 however1 became the largest tribe1 and as ,jacob in blessing the two sons of ,joseph 7,ge4 xlviii4 #ad7 laid his right hand on ,ephraim1 and pronounced a special blessing on him 7ver4 #ai1 #bj71 it would seem not improbable that1 when not particularly designated1 the name ,joseph was given to that tribe1 as it is evidently in this place4 ,possibly the name ,joseph may have been a general name which was occasionally applied to either of these tribes4 ,in the long account of the original division of ,canaan in ,jos4 xiii4xix41 ,levi is omitted1 because he had no heritage1 and ,ephraim and ,manasseh are mentioned as two tribes4 ,the name ,joseph in the passage before us 7ver4 #h7 is doubtless designed1 as remarked above1 to refer to ,ephraim4 7#b7 ,in this list 7ver4 #g7 the name of ,levi is inserted among the tribes4 ,as already remarked1 this name is not commonly inserted among the tribes of the children of ,israel1 because that tribe1 being devoted to the sacerdotal office1 had no inheritance in the division of the country1 but was scattered among the other tribes4 ,see ,jos4 xiv4 #c1 #d2 xviii4 #g4 ,it may have been inserted here1 if this refers to the ,christian church1 to denote that the ministers of the gospel1 as well as other members of the church1 would share in the protection implied by the sealing2 that is1 to denote that no class in the church would be excluded from the blessings of salvation4 7#c7 ,the name of one of the tribes,danis omitted2 so that by this omission1 and the insertion of the tribe of ,levi1 the original number of twelve is preserved4 ,there have been numerous conjectures as to the reason why the tribe of ,dan is omitted here1 but none of the solutions proposed are without difficulty4 ,all that can be known1 or regarded as probable1 on the subject1 seems to be this37a7 ,as the tribe of ,levi was usually omitted in an enumeration of the tribes1 because that tribe had no part in the inheritance of the ,hebrew people in the division of the land of ,canaan1 so there appear to have been instances in which the names of some of the other tribes were omitted1 the reason for which is not given4 ,thus1 in ,de4 xxxiii41 in the blessing pronounced by ,moses on the tribes just before his death1 the name ,simeon is omitted4 ,in #a ,ch4 iv4viii4 the names of ,zebulun and ,dan are both omitted4 ,it would seem1 therefore1 that the name of a tribe might be sometimes omitted without any particular reason being specified4 7b7 ,it has been supposed by some that the name ,dan was omitted because that tribe was early devoted to idolatry1 and continued idolatrous to the time of the captivity4 ,of that fact there can be no doubt1 for it is expressly affirmed in ,ju4 xviii4 #cj2 and that fact seems to be a sufficient reason for the omission of the name4 ,as being thus idolatrous1 it was in a measure separated #agg from the people of ,god1 and deserved not to be reckoned among them2 and in enumerating those who were the servants of ,god1 there seemed to be a propriety that a tribe devoted to idolatry should not be reckoned among the number4 ,this will account for the omission1 without resorting to the supposition of ,grotius1 that the tribe of ,dan was extinct at the time when the ,apocalypse was writtena fact which also existed in regard to all the ten tribes2 or to the supposition of ,andreas and others1 that ,dan is omitted because ,antichrist was to spring from that tribea supposition which is alike without proof and without probability4 ,the fact that ,dan was omitted cannot be supposed to have any special significancy in the case before us4 ,such an omission is what1 as we have seen1 might have occurred at any time in the enumeration of the tribes4 ,in reference to the application of this portion of the book 7ver4 #ah71 or of what is designed to be here represented1 there has been1 as might be expected1 a great variety of opinions4 ,from the exposition of the words and phrases which has been given1 it is manifest that we are to look for a series of events like the following37#a7 ,some impending danger1 or something that threatened to sweep everything awaylike winds that were ready to blow on the earth4 7#b7 ,that tempest restrained or held back1 as if the winds were held in check by an angel1 and were not suffered to sweep over the world4 7#c7 ,some new influence or power1 represented by an angel coming from the eastthe great source of lightthat should designate the true church of ,godthe servants of the ,most ,high4 7#d7 ,some mark or note by which the true people of ,god could be designated1 or by which they could be knownas if some name were impressed on their foreheads4 7#e7 ,a selection or election of the number from a much greater number who were the professed1 but were not the true servants of ,god4 7#f7 ,a definite1 though comparatively a small number thus designated out of the whole mass4 7#g7 ,this number taken from all the divisions of the professed people of ,god1 in such numbers and in such a manner1 that it would be apparent that there would be no partiality or favouritism2 that is1 that wherever the true servants of ,god were found1 they would be sealed and saved4 ,these are things which lie on the face of the passage1 if the interpretation above given is correct1 and in its application it is necessary to find some facts that will properly correspond with these things4 ,if the interpretation of the sixth seal proposed above is correct1 then we are to look for the fulfilment of this in events that soon succeeded those which are there referred to1 or at least which had their commencement at about that time2 and the inquiry now is1 whether there were any events that would accord properly with the interpretation here proposed3 that is1 any impending and spreading danger2 any restraining of that danger2 any process of designating the servants of ,god so as to preserve them2 anything like a designation or selection of them from among the masses of the professed people of ,god8 ,now1 in respect to this1 the following facts accord so well with what is demanded in the interpretation that it may be regarded as morally certain that they were the things which were thus made to pass in vision before the mind of ,john4 ,they have at least this degree of probability1 that if it were admitted that he intended to describe them1 the symbols which are actually employed are those which it would have been proper to select to represent them4 ,i4 ,the impending danger1 like winds restrained1 that threatened to sweep everything away1 and to hasten on the end of the world4 ,in reference to this1 there may have been two classes of impending dangerthat from the invasion of the northern hordes1 referred to in the sixth seal 7ch4 vi471 and that from the influx of error1 that threatened the ruin of the church4 7a7 ,as to the former1 the language used by ,john will accurately express the state of things as it existed at the period supposed at the time of the sixth sealthe series of events introduced1 now suspended1 like the opening of the seventh seal4 ,the idea is that of nations pressing on to conquest2 heaving like tempests on the borders of the empire2 overturning everything in their way2 spreading desolation by fire and sword1 as if the world were about to come to an end4 ,the language used by ,mr4 ,gibbon in describing the times here referred to is so applicable1 that it would seem almost as if he had the symbols used by ,john in his eye4 ,speaking of the time of ,constantine1 he says1 8,the threatening #agh tempest of barbarians1 which so soon subverted the foundations of ,roman greatness1 was still repelled1 or suspended on the frontiers0 7i4 #cfb74 ,this language accurately expresses the condition of the ,roman world at the period succeeding the opening of the sixth seal2 the period of suspended judgments1 in order that the servants of ,god might be sealed4 ,see the ,notes on ch4 vi4 #abag4 ,the nations which ultimately spread desolation through the empire hovered around its borders1 making occasional incursions into its territory2 even carrying their arms1 as we have seen in some instances1 as far as ,rome itself1 but still restrained from accomplishing the final purpose of overthrowing the city and the empire4 ,the church and the state alike were threatened with destruction1 and the impending wrath seemed only to be held back as if to give time to accomplish some other purpose4 7b7 ,at the same time there was another class of evils which threatened to sweep like a tempest over the churchthe evils of error in doctrine that sprang up on the establishment of ,christianity by ,constantine4 ,that fact was followed with a great increase of professors of religion1 who1 for various purposes1 crowded into a church patronized by the statea condition of things which tended to do more to destroy the church than all that had been done by persecution had accomplished4 ,this effect was natural2 and the church became filled with those who had yielded themselves to the ,christian faith from motives of policy1 and who1 having no true spiritual piety1 were ready to embrace the most lax views of religion1 and to yield themselves to any form of error4 ,of this period1 and of the effect of the conversion of ,constantine in this respect1 ,mr4 ,gibbon makes the following remarks1 strikingly illustrative of the view now taken of the meaning of this passage38,the hopes of wealth and honours1 the example of an emperor1 his exhortations1 his irresistible smiles1 diffused conviction among the venal and obsequious crowds which usually fill the apartments of a palace4 ,the cities which signalized a forward zeal1 by the voluntary destruction of their temples1 were distinguished by municipal privileges1 and rewarded with popular donatives2 and the new capital of the ,east gloried in the singular advantage1 that ,constantinople was never profaned by the worship of idols4 ,as the lower ranks of society are governed by imitation1 the conversion of those who possessed any eminence of birth1 of power1 or of riches1 was soon followed by dependent multitudes4 ,the salvation of the common people was purchased at an easy rate1 if it be true that1 in one year1 twelve thousand men were baptized at ,rome1 besides a proportionable number of women and children1 and that a white garment1 with twenty pieces of gold1 had been promised by the emperor to every convert0 7i4 #dbe74 ,at a time1 therefore1 when it might have been supposed that1 under the patronage of a ,christian emperor1 the truth would have spread around the world1 the church was exposed to one of its greatest dangersthat arising from the fact that it had become united with the state4 ,about the same time1 also1 there sprang up many of those forms of error which have spread farthest over the ,christian world1 and which then threatened to become the universal form of belief in the church4 ,of this class of doctrine were the views of ,arius1 and the views of ,pelagiusforms of opinion which1 there were strong reasons to fear1 might become the prevailing belief of the church1 and essentially change its character4 ,about this time1 also1 the church was passing into the state in which the ,papacy would arisethat dark and gloomy period in which error would spread over the ,christian world1 and the true servants of ,god would retire for a long period into obscurity4 8,we are now but a little way off from the commencement of that noted periodobscurely hinted at by ,daniel1 plainly announced by ,johnthe twelve hundred and sixty prophetic days or years1 for which preparations of a very unusual kind1 but requisite1 doubtless1 are made4 ,this period was to form the gloomiest1 without exception1 in the annals of the worldthe period of ,satan's highest success1 and of the church's greatest depression2 and lest she should become during it utterly extinct1 her members1 never so few as then1 were all specially sealed4 ,the long night passes on1 darkening as it advances2 but the sealed company are not visible2 they disappear from the ,apocalyptic stage1 just as they then disappeared from the observation of the world2 for they fled away to escape the fire and the dungeons of their persecutors1 to hide in the hoary caves of the earth1 or to inhabit the #agi untrodden regions of the wilderness1 or to dwell beneath the shadow of the ,alps1 or to enjoy fellowship with ,god1 emancipated and unknown1 in the deep seclusion and gloom of some convent0 7,the ,seventh ,vial1 ,london1 #ahdh1 pp4 #bg1 #bh74 ,these facts seem to me to show1 with a considerable degree of probability1 what was designated by the suspense which occurred after the opening of the sixth sealwhen the affairs of the world seemed to be hastening on to the great catastrophe4 ,at that period the prophetic eye sees the tendency of things suddenly arrested2 the winds held back1 the church preserved1 and a series of events introduced1 intended to designate and to save from the great mass of those who professedly constituted the 8tribes of ,israel10 a definite number who should be in fact the true church of ,god4 ,,ii4 ,the facts1 then1 to which there is reference in checking the tendency of things1 and sealing the servants of ,god1 may have been the following37a7 ,the preservation of the church from extinction during those calamitous periods when ruin seemed about to sweep over the ,roman world4 ,not only as a matter of fact was there a suspension of those impending judgments that seemed to threaten the very extinction of the empire by the invasion of the northern hordes 7see ,notes on ch4 vi471 but there were special acts in favour of the church1 by which these fierce barbarians appeared not only to be restrained from destroying the church1 but to be influenced by tenderness and sympathy for it1 as if they were raised up to preserve it when ,rome had done all it could to destroy it4 ,it would seem as if ,god restrained the rage of these hordes for the sake of preserving his church2 as if he had touched their hearts that they might give to ,christians an opportunity to escape in the impending storm4 ,we may refer here particularly to the conduct of ,alaric1 king of the ,goths1 in the attack on ,rome already referred to2 and1 as usual1 we may quote from ,mr4 ,gibbon1 who will not be suspected of a design to contribute anything to the illustration of the ,apocalypse4 8,at the hour of midnight10 says he 7vol4 ii4 pp4 #bfj1 #bfa71 8the ,salarian ,gate was silently opened1 and the inhabitants were awakened by the tremendous sound of the ,gothic trumpet4 ,eleven hundred and sixty-three years after the foundation of ,rome1 the imperial city1 which had subdued and civilized so considerable a part of mankind1 was delivered to the licentious fury of the tribes of ,germany and ,scythia4 ,the proclamation of ,alaric1 when he forced his entrance into the vanquished city1 discovered1 however1 some regard for the laws of humanity and religion4 ,he encouraged his troops boldly to seize the rewards of valour1 and to enrich themselves with the spoils of a wealthy and effeminate people2 but he exhorted them at the same time to spare the lives of the unresisting citizens1 and to respect the churches of the apostles ,st4 ,peter and ,st4 ,paul as holy and inviolable sanctuaries4 ,while the barbarians roamed through the city in quest of prey1 the humble dwelling of an aged virgin1 who had devoted her life to the service of the altar1 was forced open by one of the powerful ,goths4 ,he immediately demanded1 though in civil language1 all the gold and silver in her possession2 and was astonished at the readiness with which she conducted him to a splendid hoard of massy plate1 of the richest materials and the most curious workmanship4 ,the barbarian viewed with wonder and delight this valuable acquisition1 till he was interrupted by a serious admonition1 addressed to him in the following words3 #8,these1' said she1 #8are the consecrated vessels belonging to ,st4 ,peter2 if you presume to touch them1 the sacrilegious deed will remain on your conscience3 for my part1 ,i dare not keep what ,i am unable to defend4' ,the ,gothic captain1 struck with reverential awe1 despatched a messenger to inform the king of the treasure which he had discovered2 and received a peremptory order from ,alaric1 that all the consecrated plate and ornaments should be transported1 without damage or delay1 to the church of the apostle4 ,from the extremity1 perhaps1 of the ,quirinal hill1 to the distant quarter of the ,vatican1 a numerous detachment of the ,goths1 marching in order of battle through the principal streets1 protected1 with glittering arms1 the long train of their devout companions1 who bore aloft on their heads the sacred vessels of gold and silver2 and the martial shouts of the barbarians were mingled with the sound of religious psalmody4 ,from all the adjacent houses a crowd of ,christians hastened to join this edifying procession2 and a multitude of fugitives1 without distinction of age or rank1 or even of sect1 had #ahj the good fortune to escape to the secure and hospitable sanctuary of the ,vatican40 ,in a note ,mr4 ,gibbon adds3 8,according to ,isidore1 ,alaric himself was heard to say1 that he waged war with the ,romans1 and not with the apostles40 ,he adds also 7p4 #bfa71 8,the learned work concerning the ,city of ,god was professedly composed by ,st4 ,augustine to justify the ways of ,providence in the destruction of the ,roman greatness4 ,he celebrates with peculiar satisfaction this memorable triumph of ,christ2 and insults his adversaries by challenging them to produce some similar example of a town taken by storm1 in which the fabulous gods of antiquity had been able to protect either themselves or their deluded votaries40 ,we may refer here1 also1 to that work of ,augustine as illustrating the passage before us4 ,in book i4 ch4 #b1 he defends this position1 that 8there never was war in which the conquerors would spare them whom they conquered for the gods they worshipped0referring particularly to the sacking of ,troy2 in ch4 #c he appeals to the example of ,troy2 in ch4 #d he appeals to the sanctuary of ,juno1 in ,troy2 in ch4 #e he shows that the ,romans never spared the temples of those cities which they destroyed2 and in ch4 #f he maintains that the fact that mercy was shown by the barbarians in the sacking of ,rome1 was 8through the power of the name of ,jesus ,christ40 ,in illustration of this he says1 8,therefore1 all the spoil1 murder1 violence1 and affliction1 that in this fresh calamity came upon ,rome1 were nothing but the ordinary effects following the custom of war4 ,but that which was so unaccustomed1 that the savage nature of the barbarians should put on a new shape1 and appear so merciful that it would make choice of great and spacious churches to fill with such as it meant to show pity on1 from which none should be haled to slaughter or slavery1 in which none should be hurt1 to which many by their courteous foes should be conducted1 and out of which none should be led into bondage2 this is due to the name of ,christ1 this is due to the ,christian profession2 he that seeth not is blind2 he that seeth and praiseth it not is unthankful2 he that hinders him that praiseth it is mad0 7,city of ,god1 p4 #aa2 ,london1 #afbj74 ,such a preservation of ,christians2 such a suspension of judgments1 when all things seemed to be on the verge of ruin1 would not be inappropriately represented by winds that threatened to sweep over the world2 by the staying of those winds by some remarkable power1 as by an angel2 and by the special interposition which spared the church in the tumults and terrors of a siege1 and of the sacking of a city4 7b7 ,there may have been a reference to another class of ,divine interpositions at about the same time1 to designate the true servants of ,god4 ,it has been already remarked1 that from the time when ,constantine took the church under his patronage1 and it became connected with the state1 there was a large accession of nominal professors in the church1 producing a great corruption in regard to spiritual religion1 and an extended prevalence of error4 ,now the delay here referred to1 between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals1 may have referred to the fact1 that during this period the true doctrines of ,christianity would be vindicated and established in such a way that the servants of ,god would be 8sealed0 and designated in contradistinction from the great mass of the professed followers of ,christ1 and from the numerous advocates of error4 ,from that mass a certain and definite number was to be sealedimplying1 as we have seen1 that there would be a selection1 or that there would be something which would discriminate them from the multitudes as the true servants of ,god4 ,this is represented by an angel coming from the east3 the angel representing the new heavenly influence coming upon the church2 and the coming from the eastas the east is the quarter where the sun risesdenoting that it came from the source and fountain of lightthat is1 ,god4 ,the 8sealing0 would denote anything in this new influence or manifestation which would mark the true children of ,god1 and would be appropriately employed to designate any doctrines which would keep up true religion in the world2 which would preserve correct views about ,god1 the way of salvation1 and the nature of true religion1 and which would thus determine where the church of ,god really was4 ,if there should he a tendency in the church to degenerate into formality2 if the rules of discipline should be relaxed2 if error should prevail as to what constitutes spiritual religion2 and if there should be a new influence at that time which would distinguish those who were the children #aha of ,god from those who were not1 this would be appropriately represented by the angel from the east1 and by the sealing of the servants of ,god4 ,now it requires but a slight knowledge of the history of the ,roman empire1 and of the church at the period supposed here to be referred to1 to perceive that all this occurred4 ,there was a large influx of professed converts4 ,there was a vast increase of worldliness4 ,there was a wide diffusion of error4 ,religion was fast becoming mere formalism4 ,the true church was apparently fast verging to ruin4 ,at this period ,god raised up distinguished menas if they had been angels ascending from the eastwho came as with the 8seal of the living ,god0the doctrines of grace1 and just views of spiritual religionto designate who were1 and who were not1 the 8true servants of ,god0 among the multitudes who professed to be his followers4 ,such were the doctrines of ,athanasius and ,augustinethose great doctrines on which the very existence of the true church has in all ages depended4 ,the doctrines thus illustrated and defended were fitted to make a broad line of distinction between the true church and the world1 and this would be well represented by the symbol employed herefor it is by these doctrines that the true people of ,god are sealed and confirmed4 ,on this subject comp4 ,elliott1 i4 #bgibib4 ,the general sense here intended to be expressed is1 that there was at the period referred to1 after the conversion of ,constantine1 a decided tendency to a worldly1 formal1 lax kind of religion in the church2 a very prevalent denial of the doctrine of the ,trinity and of the doctrines of grace2 a lax mode of admitting members to the church1 with little or no evidence of true conversion2 a disposition to attribute saving grace to the ordinances of religion1 and especially to baptism2 a disposition to rely on the outward ceremonies of religion1 with little acquaintance with its spiritual power2 and a general breaking down of the barriers between the church and the world1 as there is usually in a time of outward prosperity1 and especially when the church is connected with the state4 ,at this time there arose another set of influences well represented by the angel coming from the east1 and sealing the true servants of ,god1 in illustration and confirmation of the true doctrines of ,christianitydoctrines on which the spirituality of the church has always depended3 the doctrines of the ,trinity1 the atonement1 the depravity of man1 regeneration by the agency of the ,holy ,spirit1 justification by faith1 the sovereignty of ,god1 and kindred doctrines4 ,such doctrines have in all ages served to determine where the true church is1 and to designate and 8seal0 the servants of the ,most ,high4 7c7 ,this process of 8sealing0 may be regarded as continued during the long night of ,papal darkness that was coming upon the church1 when error would abound1 and the religion of forms would be triumphant4 ,even then1 in places obscure and unknown1 the work of sealing the true servants of ,god might be going forwardfor even in those times of gloomy night there were those1 though comparatively few in number1 who loved the truth1 and who were the real servants of ,god4 ,the number of the elect was filling up1 for even in the darkest times there were those who loved the cause of spiritual religion1 and who bore upon them the impress of the 8seal of the living ,god40 ,such appears to have been the intent of this sealing vision3 a staying of the desolation that1 in various forms1 was sweeping over the world1 in order that the true church might be safe1 and that a large number1 from all parts of the church1 might be sealed and designated as the true servants of ,god4 ,the winds that blowed from all quarters were stayed as if by mighty angels4 ,a new influence1 from the great source of light1 came in to designate those who were the true servants of the ,most ,high1 as if an angel had come from the rising sun with the seal of the living ,god1 to impress it on their foreheads4 ,a selection was made out of a church filling up with formalists1 and in which the true doctrines of spiritual religion were fast fading away1 of those who could be designated as the true servants of ,god4 ,by their creed1 and their lives1 and their spirit1 and their profession1 they could be designated as the true servants of ,god1 as if a visible mark were impressed on their foreheads4 ,this selection was confined to no place1 no class1 no tribe1 no denomination4 ,it was taken from the whole of ,israel1 in such numbers that it could be seen that none of the tribes were excluded from the honour1 but that1 wherever the true spirit of religion was1 ,god was acknowledging these tribesor churchesas his1 and there he was gathering a people #ahb to himself4 ,this would be long continued1 until new scenes would open1 and the eye would rest on other developments in the series of symbols1 revealing the glorious host of the redeemed emerging from darkness1 and in countless numbers triumphing before the throne4 #i ,after this ,i beheld1 and1 lo1 a great multitude1 which no man could number1 #bdeof all nations1 and kindreds1 and people1 and tongues1 stood before the throne1 and before the ,lamb1 #bdf;clothed with white robes1 and #bdgpalms in their hands2 #i4 ,after this4 ,gr41 8,after these things0 3 that is1 after ,i saw these things thus represented ,i had another vision4 ,this would undoubtedly imply1 not only that he saw these things after he had seen the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand1 but that they would occur subsequently to that4 ,but he does not state whether they would immediately occur1 or whether other things might not intervene4 ,as a matter of fact1 the vision seems to be transferred from earth to heavenfor the multitudes which he saw appeared 8before the throne0 7ver4 #i72 that is1 before the throne of ,god in heaven4 ,the design seems to be to carry the mind forward quite beyond the storms and tempests of earththe scenes of woe and sorrowthe days of error1 darkness1 declension1 and persecutionto that period when the church should be triumphant in heaven4 ,instead1 therefore1 of leaving the impression that the hundred and forty-four thousand would be all that would be saved1 the eye is directed to an innumerable host1 gathered from all ages1 all climes1 and all people1 triumphant in glory4 ,the multitude that ,john thus saw was not1 therefore1 ,i apprehend1 the same as the hundred and forty-four thousand1 but a far greater numberthe whole assembled host of the redeemed in heaven1 gathered there as victors1 with palm-branches1 the symbols of triumph1 in their hands4 ,the object of the vision is to cheer those who are desponding in times of religious declension and in seasons of persecution1 and when the number of true ,christians seems to be small1 with the assurance that an immense host shall be redeemed from our world1 and be gathered triumphant before the throne4 ,i beheld4 ,that is1 he saw them before the throne4 ,the vision is transferred from earth to heaven2 from the contemplation of the scene when desolation seemed to impend over the world1 and when comparatively few in number were 8sealed0 as the servants of ,god1 to the time when the redeemed would be triumphant1 and when a host which no man can number would stand before ,god4 ,and1 lo4 ,indicating surprise4 ,a vast host burst upon the view4 ,instead of the comparatively few who were sealed1 an innumerable company were presented to his vision1 and surprise was the natural effect4 ,a great multitude4 ,instead of the comparatively small number on which the attention had been fixed4 ,which no man could number4 ,the number was so great that no one could count them1 and ,john1 therefore1 did not attempt to do it4 ,this is such a statement as one would make who should have a view of all the redeemed in heaven4 ,it would appear to be a number beyond all power of computation4 ,this representation is in strong contrast with a very common opinion that only a few will be saved4 ,the representation in the ,bible is1 that immense hosts of the human race will be saved2 and though vast numbers will be lost1 and though at any particular period of the world hitherto it may seem that few have been in the path to life1 yet we have every reason to believe that1 taking the race at large1 and estimating it as a whole1 a vast majority of the whole will be brought to heaven4 ,for the true religion is yet to spread all over the world1 and perhaps for many1 many thousands of years1 piety is to be as prevalent as sin has been2 and in that long and happy time of the world's history we may hope that the numbers of the saved may surpass all who have been lost in past periods1 beyond any power of computation4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xx4 #cf4 ,of all nations4 ,not only of ,jews2 not only of the nations which1 in the time of the sealing vision1 had embraced the gospel1 but of all the nations of the earth4 ,this implies two things3 7a7 that the gospel would be preached among all nations2 and 7b7 that even when it was thus preached to them they would keep up their national characteristics4 ,there can be no hope of blending all the nations of the earth under one visible sovereignty4 ,they may all be subjected to the spiritual reign of the ,redeemer1 but still there is no reason to suppose that they will not have their distinct organizations and laws4 ,and kindreds4 ,this word properly refers to those who are #ahc descended from a common ancestry1 and hence denotes a race1 lineage1 kindred4 ,it was applied to the tribes of ,israel1 as derived from the same ancestor1 and for the same reason might be applied to a clan1 and thence to any division in a nation1 or to a nation itselfproperly retaining the notion that it was descended from a common ancestor4 ,here it would seem to refer to a smaller class than a nationthe different clans of which a nation might be composed4 ,and people4 ,this word refers properly to a people or community as a mass1 without reference to its origin or any of its divisions4 ,the former word would be used by one who should look upon a nation as made up of portions of distinct languages1 clans1 or families2 this word would be used by one who should look on such an assembled people as a mere mass of human beings1 with no reference to their difference of clanship1 origin1 or language4 ,and tongues4 ,languages4 ,this word would refer also to the inhabitants of the earth1 considered with respect to the fact that they speak different languages4 ,the use of particular languages does not designate the precise boundaries of nationsfor often many people speaking different languages are united as one nation1 and often those who speak the same language constitute distinct nations4 ,the view1 therefore1 with which one would look upon the dwellers on the earth1 in the use of the word tongues or languages1 would be1 not as divided into nations2 not with reference to their lineage or clanship2 and not as a mere mass without reference to any distinction1 but as divided by speech4 ,the meaning of the whole is1 that persons from all parts of the earth1 as contemplated in these points of view1 would be among the redeemed4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 iii4 #d2 iv4 #a4 ,stood before the throne4 ,the throne of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #b4 ,the throne is there represented as set up in heaven1 and the vision here is a vision of what will occur in heaven4 ,it is designed to carry the thoughts beyond all the scenes of conflict1 strife1 and persecution on earth1 to the time when the church shall be triumphant in glorywhen all storms shall have passed by2 when all persecutions shall have ceased2 when all revolutions shall have occurred2 when all the electnot only the hundred and forty-four thousand of the sealed1 but of all nations and timesshall have been gathered in4 ,there was a beautiful propriety in this vision4 ,john saw the tempests stayed1 as by the might of angels4 ,he saw a new influence and power that would seal the true servants of ,god4 ,but those tempests were stayed only for a time1 and there were more awful visions in reserve than any which had been exhibitedvisions of woe and sorrow1 of persecution and of death4 ,it was appropriate1 therefore1 just at this moment of calm suspenseof delayed judgmentsto suffer the mind to rest on the triumphant close of the whole in heaven1 when a countless host would be gathered there with palms in their hands1 uniting with angels in the worship of ,god4 ,the mind1 by the contemplation of this beautiful vision1 would be refreshed and strengthened for the disclosure of the awful scenes which were to occur on the sounding of the trumpets under the seventh seal4 ,the simple idea is1 that1 amidst the storms and tempests of lifescenes of existing or impending trouble and wrathit is well to let the eye rest on the scene of the final triumph1 when innumerable hosts of the redeemed shall stand before ,god1 and when sorrow shall be known no more4 ,and before the ,lamb4 ,in the midst of the thronein heaven4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,clothed with white robes4 ,the emblems of innocence or righteousness1 uniformly represented as the raiment of the inhabitants of heaven4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #d2 vi4 #aa4 ,and palms in their hands4 ,emblems of victory4 ,branches of the palm-tree were carried by the victors in the athletic contests of ,greece and ,rome1 and in triumphal processions4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxi4 #h4 ,the palm-treestraight1 elevated1 majesticwas an appropriate emblem of triumph4 ,the portion of it which was borne in victory was the long leaf which shoots out from the top of the tree4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 iii4 #bf4 ,see ,eschenberg1 ,manual of ,class4 ,lit4 p4 #bdc1 and ,le4 xxiii4 #dj3 8,and ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees1 branches of palm-trees10 c4 ,so in the ,saviour's triumphal entry into ,jerusalem 7,jn4 xii4 #ab1 #ac78,on the next day much people took branches of #ahd palm-trees1 and went forth to meet him1 and cried1 ,hosanna40 #aj ,and #bdh;cried with a loud voice1 saying1 #bdi,salvation to our ,god which sitteth upon the throne1 and unto the ,lamb4 #aj4 ,and cried with a loud voice4 ,comp4 ,zec4 iv4 #g4 ,this is expressive of the greatness of their joy2 the ardour and earnestness of their praise4 ,salvation to our ,god4 ,the word rendered salvationmeans properly safety1 deliverance1 preservation2 then welfare or prosperity2 then victory2 then1 in a ,christian sense1 deliverance from punishment and admission to eternal life4 ,here the idea seems to be that their deliverance from sin1 danger1 persecution1 and death1 was to be ascribed solely to ,god4 ,it cannot be meant1 as the words would seem to imply1 that they desired that ,god might have salvation2 but the sense is1 that their salvation was to be attributed entirely to him4 ,this will undoubtedly be the song of the released for ever1 and all who reach the heavenly world will feel that they owe their deliverance from eternal death1 and their admission to glory1 wholly to him4 ,professor ,robinson 7,lex47 renders the word here victory4 ,the fair meaning is1 that whatever is included in the word salvation will be due to ,god alonethe deliverance from sin1 danger1 and death2 the triumph over every foe2 the resurrection from the grave2 the rescue from eternal burnings2 the admission to a holy heavenvictory in all that that word implies will be due to ,god4 ,which sitteth upon the throne4 ,notes on ch4 iv4 #b4 ,and unto the ,lamb4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,god the ,father1 and ,he who is the ,lamb of ,god1 alike claim the honour of salvation4 ,it is observable here that the redeemed ascribe their salvation to the ,lamb as well as to ,him who is on the throne4 ,could they do this if he who is referred to as the 8,lamb0 were a mere man8 ,could they if he were an angel8 ,could they if he were not equal with the ,father8 ,do those who are in heaven worship a creature8 ,will they unite a created being with the ,anointed ,one in acts of solemn adoration and praise8 #aa ,and all the angels stood round about the throne1 and about the elders and the four beasts1 and fell before the throne on their faces1 and worshipped ,god1 #aa4 ,and all the angels stood round about the throne4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #aa4 ,and about the elders4 ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d4 ,and the four beasts4 ,notes on ch4 iv4 #f4 ,the meaning is1 that the angels stood in the outer circle1 or outside of the elders and the four living creatures4 ,the redeemed1 it is manifest1 occupied the inner circle1 and were near the throne1 though their precise location is not mentioned4 ,the angels sympathize with the church redeemed and triumphant1 as they did with the church in its conflicts and trials1 and they now appropriately unite with that church in adoring and praising ,god4 ,they see in that redemption new displays of the character of ,god1 and they rejoice that that church is rescued from its troubles1 and is now brought triumphant to heaven4 ,and fell before the throne on their faces4 ,the usual position of profound adoration1 ch4 iv4 #aj2 v4 #h4 ,and worshipped ,god4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #aa1 #ab4 #ab ,saying1 #bej;,amen3 ,blessing1 and glory1 and wisdom1 and thanksgiving1 and honour1 and power1 and might1 be unto our ,god for ever and ever4 ,amen4 #ab4 ,saying1 ,amen4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #g4 ,the word ,amen here is a word strongly affirming the truth of what is said1 or expressing hearty assent to it4 ,it may be uttered1 as expressing this1 either in the beginning or end of a sentence4 ,thus wills are commonly commenced1 8,in the name of ,god1 ,amen40 ,blessing1 and glory1 c4 ,substantially the same ascription of praise occurs in ch4 v4 #ab4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,the general idea is1 that the highest kind of praise is to be ascribed to ,god2 everything excellent in character is to be attributed to him2 every blessing which is received is to be traced to him4 ,the order of the words indeed is changed1 but the sense is substantially the same4 ,in the former case 7ch4 v4 #ab7 the ascription of praise is to the ,lambthe ,son of ,god2 here it is to ,god4 ,in both instances the worship is described as rendered in heaven2 and the use of the language shows that ,god and the ,lamb are regarded in heaven as entitled to equal praise4 ,the only words found here which do not occur in #ahe ch4 v4 #ab are thanksgiving and mightwords which require no particular explanation4 #ac ,and one of the elders answered1 saying unto me1 ,what are these which are arrayed in white robes8 and whence came they8 #ac4 ,and one of the elders4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d4 ,that is1 as there understood1 one of the representatives of the church before the throne4 ,answered4 ,the word answer1 with us1 means to reply to something which has been said4 ,in the ,bible1 however1 the word is not unfrequently used in the beginning of a speech1 where nothing has been saidas if it were a reply to something that might be said on the subject2 or to something that is passing through the mind of another2 or to something in the case under consideration which suggests an inquiry4 ,comp4 ,is4 lxv4 #bd2 ,da4 ii4 #bf2 ,ac4 v4 #h4 ,thus it is used here4 ,john was looking on the host1 and reflecting on the state of things2 and to the train of thought passing through his mind the angel answered by an inquiry as to a part of that host4 ,professor ,stuart renders it accosted me4 ,what are these which are arrayed in white robes8 ,who are these8 ,the object evidently is to bring the case of these persons more particularly into view4 ,the vast host with branches of palm had attracted the attention of ,john1 but it was the object of the speaker to turn his thoughts to a particular part of the hostthe martyrs who stood among them4 ,he would seem1 therefore1 to have turned to a particular portion of the immense multitude of the redeemed1 and by an emphasis on the word these8,who are these0to have fixed the eye upon them4 ,all those who are before the throne are represented as clothed in white robes 7ver4 #i71 but the eye might be directed to a particular part of them as grouped together1 and as having something peculiar in their position or appearance4 ,there was a propriety in thus directing the mind of ,john to the martyrs as triumphing in heaven in a time when the churches were suffering persecution1 and in view of the vision which he had had of times of darkness and calamity coming upon the world at the opening of the sixth seal4 ,beyond all the scenes of sorrow and grief1 he was permitted to see the martyrs triumphing in heaven4 ,arrayed in white robes4 ,notes on ver4 #i4 ,and whence came they8 ,the object is to fix the attention more distinctly on what is said of them1 that they came up out of great tribulation4 #ad ,and ,i said unto him1 ,sir1 thou knowest4 ,and he said to me4 ,these are they which #bea;came out of great tribulation1 and have #bebwashed their robes1 and made them white #bec;in the blood of the ,lamb4 #ad4 ,and ,i said unto him1 ,sir1 thou knowest4 ,the word sir in this place1 lordis a form of respectful address1 such as would be used when speaking to a superior1 ,ge4 xliii4 #bj2 ,mat4 xiii4 #bg2 xxi4 #cj2 xxvii4 #fc2 ,jn4 iv4 #aa1 #ae1 #ai1 #di2 v4 #g2 xii4 #ba2 xx4 #ae4 ,the simple meaning of the phrase 8thou knowest0 is1 that he who had asked the question must be better informed than he to whom he had proposed it4 ,it is1 on the part of ,john1 a modest confession that he did not know1 or could not be presumed to know1 and at the same time the respectful utterance of an opinion that he who addressed this question to him must be in possession of this knowledge4 ,and he said unto me4 ,not offended with the reply1 and ready1 as he had evidently intended to do1 to give him the information which he needed4 ,these are they which came out of great tribulation4 ,the word rendered tribulationis a word of general character1 meaning affliction1 though perhaps there is here an allusion to persecution4 ,the sense1 however1 would be better expressed by the phrase great trials4 ,the object seems to have been to set before the mind of the apostle a view of those who had suffered much1 and who by their sufferings had been sanctified and prepared for heaven1 in order to encourage those who might be yet called to suffer4 ,and have washed their robes4 ,to wit1 in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,there is some incongruity in saying that they had made them white in the blood of the ,lamb2 and the meaning therefore must be1 that they had cleansed or purified them in that blood4 ,under the ancient ritual1 various things about the sanctuary were cleansed from ceremonial defilement by the sprinkling of blood on themthe #ahf blood of sacrifice4 ,in accordance with that usage1 the blood of the ,lambof the ,lord ,jesusis said to cleanse and purify4 ,john sees a great company with white robes4 ,the means by which it is said they became white or pure is the blood of the ,lamb4 ,it is not said that they were made white as the result of their sufferings or their afflictions1 but by the blood of the ,lamb4 ,the course of thought here is such that it would be natural to suppose that1 if at any time the great deeds or the sufferings of the saints could contribute to the fact that they will wear white robes in heaven1 this is an occasion on which there might be such a reference4 ,but there is no allusion to that4 ,it is not by their own sufferings and trials1 their persecutions and sorrows1 that they are made holy1 but by the blood of the ,lamb that had been shed for sinners4 ,this reference to the blood of the ,lamb is one of the incidental proofs that occur so frequently in the ,scriptures of the reality of the atonement4 ,it could be only in allusion to that1 and with an implied belief in that1 that the blood of the ,lamb could be referred to as cleansing the robes of the saints in heaven4 ,if he shed his blood merely as other men have done2 if he died only as a martyr1 what propriety would there have been in referring to his blood more than to the blood of any other martyr8 ,and what influence could the blood of any martyr have in cleansing the robes of the saints in heaven8 ,the fact is1 that if that were all1 such language would be unmeaning4 ,it is never used except in connection with the blood of ,christ2 and the language of the ,bible everywhere is such as would be employed on the supposition that he shed his blood to make expiation for sin1 and on no other supposition4 ,on the general meaning of the language used here1 and the sentiment expressed1 see ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #ad and #a ,jn4 i4 #g4 #ae ,therefore are they before the throne of ,god1 and serve him day and night in his temple3 and he that sitteth on the throne #bedshall dwell among them4 #ae4 ,therefore are they before the throne of ,god4 ,the reason why they are there is to be traced to the fact that the ,lamb shed his blood to make expiation for sin4 ,no other reason can be given why any one of the human race is in heaven2 and that is reason enough why any of that race are there4 ,and serve him day and night in his temple4 ,that is1 continually or constantly4 ,day and night constitute the whole of time1 and this expression1 therefore1 denotes constant and uninterrupted service4 ,on earth1 toil is suspended by the return of night1 and the service of ,god is intermitted by the necessity of rest2 in heaven1 as there will be no weariness1 there will be no need of intermission1 and the service of ,god1 varied doubtless to meet the state of the mind1 will be continued for ever4 ,the phrase1 8to serve him in his temple10 refers undoubtedly to heaven1 regarded as the temple or holy dwelling-place of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #f4 ,and he that sitteth on the throne4 ,god4 ,notes1 ch4 iv4 #b4 ,shall dwell among them4 ,this word properly means1 to tent1 to pitch a tent2 and1 in the ,new ,testament1 to dwell as in tents4 ,the meaning here is1 that ,god would dwell among them as in a tent1 or would have his abode with them4 ,perhaps the allusion is to the tabernacle in the wilderness4 ,that was regarded as the peculiar dwelling-place of ,god1 and that always occupied a central place among the tribes of ,israel4 ,so in heaven there will be the consciousness always that ,god dwells there among his people1 and that the redeemed are gathered around him in his own house4 ,professor ,stuart renders this1 it seems to me1 with less beauty and propriety1 8will spread his tent over them10 as meaning that he would receive them into intimate connection and union with him1 and offer them his protection4 ,comp4 ch4 xxi4 #c4 #af ,they shall #bee;hunger no more1 neither thirst any more2 neither shall the sun light on them1 #befnor any heat4 #af4 ,they shall hunger no more4 ,a considerable portion of the redeemed who will be there1 were1 when on earth1 subjected to the evils of famine2 many who perished with hunger4 ,in heaven they will be subjected to that evil no more1 for there will be no want that will not be supplied4 ,the bodies which the redeemed will havespiritual bodies 7#a ,co4 xv4 #dd7will doubtless be such as will be nourished in some other way than by food1 if they require any nourishment2 and whatever that nourishment may be1 it will be fully supplied4 ,the passage here is taken from ,is4 xlix4 #aj3 #ahg 8,they shall not hunger nor thirst2 neither shall the heat nor sun smite them40 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,neither thirst any more4 ,as multitudes of the redeemed have been subjected to the evils of hunger1 so have multitudes also been subjected to the pains of thirst4 ,in prison2 in pathless deserts2 in times of drought1 when wells and fountains were dried up1 they have suffered from this causea cause producing as intense suffering perhaps as any that man endures4 ,comp4 ,ex4 xvii4 #c2 ,ps4 lxiii4 #a2 ,la4 iv4 #d2 #b ,co4 xi4 #bg4 ,it is easy to conceive of persons suffering so intensely from thirst that the highest vision of felicity would be such a promise as that in the words before us8neither thirst any more40 ,neither shall the sun light on them4 ,it is hardly necessary1 perhaps1 to say that the word light here does not mean to enlighten1 to give light to1 to shine on4 ,the ,greek is fall onand the reference1 probably1 is to the intense and burning heat of the sun1 commonly called a sunstroke4 ,excessive heat of the sun1 causing great pain or sudden death1 is not a very uncommon thing among us1 and must have been more common in the warm climates and burning sands of the countries in the vicinity of ,palestine4 ,the meaning here is1 that in heaven they would be free from this calamity4 ,nor any heat4 ,in ,is4 xlix4 #aj1 from which place this is quoted1 the expression is 1 sharab1 properly denoting heat or burning1 and particularly the mirage1 the excessive heat of a sandy desert producing a vapour which has a striking resemblance to water1 and which often misleads the unwary traveller by its deceptive appearance4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xxxv4 #g4 ,the expression here is equivalent to intense heat2 and the meaning is1 that in heaven the redeemed will not be subjected to any such suffering as the traveller often experiences in the burning sands of the desert4 ,the language would convey a most grateful idea to those who had been subjected to these sufferings1 and is one form of saying that1 in heaven1 the redeemed will be delivered from the ills which they suffer in this life4 ,perhaps the whole image here is that of travellers who have been on a long journey1 exposed to hunger and thirst1 wandering in the burning sands of the desert1 and exposed to the fiery rays of the sun1 at length reaching their quiet and peaceful home1 where they would find safety and abundance4 ,the believer's journey from earth to heaven is such a pilgrimage4 #ag ,for the ,lamb1 which is in the midst of the throne1 shall #beg;feed them1 and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters3 and ,god shall #behwipe away all tears from their eyes4 #ag4 ,for the ,lamb1 which is in the midst of the throne4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,he is still the great agent in promoting the happiness of the redeemed in heaven4 ,shall feed them4 ,rather1 shall exercise over them the office of a shepherd4 ,this includes much more than mere feeding4 ,it embraces all the care which a shepherd takes of his flockwatching them1 providing for them1 guarding them from danger4 ,comp4 ,ps4 xxiii4 #a1 #b1 #e2 xxxvi4 #h4 ,see this fully illustrated in the ,notes on ,is4 xl4 #aa4 ,and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters4 ,living fountains refer to running streams1 as contrasted with standing water and stagnant pools4 ,see ,notes on ,jn4 iv4 #aj4 ,the allusion is undoubtedly to the happiness of heaven1 represented as fresh and everflowing1 like streams in the desert4 ,no image of happiness1 perhaps1 is more vivid1 or would be more striking to an ,oriental1 than that of such fountains flowing in sandy and burning wastes4 ,the word living here must refer to the fact that that happiness will be perennial4 ,these fountains will always bubble2 these streams will never dry up4 ,the thirst for salvation will always be gratified2 the soul will always be made happy4 ,and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes4 ,this is a new image of happiness taken from another place in ,isaiah 7ch4 xxv4 #h71 8,the ,lord ,god will wipe away tears from off all faces40 ,the expression is one of exquisite tenderness and beauty4 ,the poet ,burns said that he could never read this without being affected to weeping4 ,of all the negative descriptions of heaven1 there is no one perhaps that would be better adapted to produce consolation than this4 ,this is a world of weepinga #ahh vale of tears4 ,philosophers have sought a brief definition of man1 and have sought in vain4 ,would there be any better description of him1 as representing the reality of his condition here1 than to say that he is one who weeps8 ,who is there of the human family that has not shed a tear8 ,who that has not wept over the grave of a friend2 over his own losses and cares2 over his disappointments2 over the treatment he has received from others2 over his sins2 over the follies1 vices1 and woes of his fellow-men8 ,and what a change would it make in our world if it could be said that henceforward not another tear would be shed2 not a head would ever be bowed again in grief6 ,yet this is to be the condition of heaven4 ,in that world there is to be no pain1 no disappointment1 no bereavement4 ,no friend is to lie in dreadful agony on a sick-bed2 no grave is to be opened to receive a parent1 a wife1 a child2 no gloomy prospect of death is to draw tears of sorrow from the eyes4 ,to that blessed world1 when our eyes run down with tears1 are we permitted to look forward2 and the prospect of such a world should contribute to wipe away our tears herefor all our sorrows will soon be over4 ,as already remarked1 there was a beautiful propriety1 at a time when such calamities impended over the church and the worldwhen there was such a certainty of persecution and sorrowin permitting the mind to rest on the contemplation of these happy scenes in heaven1 where all the redeemed1 in white robes1 and with palms of victory in their hands1 would be gathered before the throne4 ,to us also now1 amidst the trials of the present lifewhen friends leave us2 when sickness comes2 when our hopes are blasted2 when calumnies and reproaches come upon us2 when1 standing on the verge of the grave1 and looking down into the cold tomb1 the eyes pour forth floods of tearsit is a blessed privilege to be permitted to look forward to that brighter scene in heaven1 where not a pang shall ever be felt1 and not a tear shall ever be shed4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,one seal of the mysterious roll 7ch4 v4 #a7 remains to be brokensix having already disclosed the contents of the volume relating to the future4 ,it was natural that the opening of the seventh1 and the last1 should be attended with circumstances of peculiar solemnity1 as being all that remained in this volume to be unfolded1 and as the events thus far had been evidently preparatory to some great catastrophe4 ,it would have been natural to expect that1 like the six former1 this seal would have been opened at once1 and would have disclosed all that was to happen at one view4 ,but1 instead of that1 the opening of this seal is followed by a series of events1 seven also in number1 which succeed each other1 represented by new symbolsthe blowing of as many successive trumpets4 ,these circumstances retard the course of the action1 and fix the mind on a new order of eventsevents which could be appropriately grouped together1 and which1 for some reason1 might be thus more appropriately represented than they could be in so many successive seals4 ,what was the reason of this arrangement will be more readily seen on an examination of the particular events referred to in the successive trumpet-blasts4 ,the points in the chapter are the following37#a7 ,the opening of the seventh seal1 ver4 #a4 ,this is attended1 not with an immediate exhibition of the events which are to occur1 as in the case of the former seals1 but with a solemn silence in heaven for the space of half an hour4 ,the reason of this silence1 apparently1 is found in the solemn nature of the events which are anticipated4 ,at the opening of the sixth seal 7ch4 vi4 #ab1 seq47 the grand catastrophe of the world's history seemed about to occur4 ,this had been suspended for a time1 as if by the power of angels holding the winds and the storm 7ch4 vii471 and now it was natural to expect that there would be a series of overwhelming calamities4 ,in view of these apprehended terrors1 the inhabitants of heaven are represented as standing in awful silence1 as if anticipating and apprehending what was to occur4 ,this circumstance adds much to the interest of the scene1 and is a forcible illustration of the position which the mind naturally assumes in the anticipation of dreaded events4 ,silencesolemn and awful silenceis the natural state of the mind under such circumstances4 ,in accordance with this expectation of what was to come1 a series of new representations is introduced1 adapted to prepare the mind for the fearful disclosures which are yet to be made4 7#b7 ,seven angels appear1 on the opening of #ahi the seal1 to whom are given seven trumpets1 as if they were appointed to perform an important part in introducing the series of events which was to follow1 ver4 #b4 7#c7 ,as a still farther preparation1 another angel is introduced1 standing at the altar with a golden censer1 ver4 #ce4 ,he is represented as engaged in a solemn act of worship1 offering incense and the prayers of the saints before the throne4 ,this unusual representation seems to be designed to denote that some extraordinary events were to occur1 making it proper that incense should ascend1 and prayer be offered to deprecate the wrath of ,god4 ,after the offering of the incense1 and the prayers1 the angel takes the censer and casts it to the earth2 and the effect is1 that there are voices1 and thunderings1 and lightnings1 and an earthquake4 ,all these would seem to be symbolical of the fearful events which are to follow4 ,the silence2 the incense-offering2 the prayers2 the fearful agitations produced by the casting of the censer upon the earth1 as if the prayer was not heard1 and as if the offering of the incense did not avail to turn away the impending wrath1all are appropriate symbols to introduce the series of fearful calamities which were coming upon the world on the sounding of the trumpets4 7#d7 ,the first angel sounds1 ver4 #g4 ,hail and fire follow1 mingled with blood4 ,the third part of the trees and of the green grassthat is1 of the vegetable worldis consumed4 7#e7 ,the second angel sounds1 ver4 #h1 #i4 ,a great burning mountain is cast into the sea1 and the third part of the sea becomes blood1 and a third part of all that is in the seafishes and shipsis destroyed4 7#f7 ,the third angel sounds1 ver4 #aj1 #aa4 ,a great star1 burning like a lamp1 falls from heaven upon a third part of the rivers1 and upon the fountains of waters1 and the waters become bitter1 and multitudes of people die from drinking the waters4 7#g7 ,the fourth angel sounds1 ver4 #ab4 ,the calamity falls on the sources of lightthe sun1 the moon1 and the starsand the third part of the light is extinguished1 and for the third part of the day there is no light1 and for the third part of the night also there is no light4 7#h7 ,at this stage of things1 after the sounding of the four trumpets1 there is a pause1 and an angel flies through the midst of heaven1 thrice crying woe1 by reason of the remaining trumpets which are to sound1 ver4 #ac4 ,here would seem to be some natural interval1 or something which would separate the events which had occurred from those which were to follow4 ,these four1 from some cause1 are grouped together1 and are distinguished from those which are to followas if the latter appertained to a new class of events1 though under the same general group introduced by the opening of the seventh seal4 ,a few general remarks are naturally suggested by the analysis of the chapter1 which may aid us in its exposition and application4 7a7 ,these events1 in their order1 undoubtedly succeed those which are referred to under the opening of the first six seals4 ,they are a continuation of the series which is to occur in the history of the world4 ,it has been supposed by some that the events here symbolized are substantially the same as those already referred to under the first six seals1 or that1 at the opening of the sixth seal1 there is a catastrophe2 and1 one series being there concluded1 the writer1 by a new set of symbols1 goes back to the same point of time1 and passes over the same period by a new and parallel set of symbols4 ,but this is manifestly contrary to the whole design4 ,at the first 7ch4 v4 #a7 a volume was exhibited1 sealed with seven seals1 the unrolling of which would manifestly develop successive events1 and the whole of which would embrace all the events which were to be disclosed4 ,when all these seven seals were broken1 and the contents of that volume were disclosed1 there might indeed be another set of symbols going over the same ground with another design1 or giving a representation of future events in some other point of view2 but clearly the series should not be broken until the whole seven seals are opened1 nor should it be supposed that there is1 in the opening of the same volume1 an arresting of the course of events1 in order to go back again to the same beginning4 ,the representation in this series of symbols is like drawing out a telescope4 ,a telescope might be divided into seven parts1 as well as into the usual number1 and the drawing out of the seventh part1 for example1 might be regarded as a representation of the opening of the seventh seal4 ,but the seventh part1 instead of being one unbroken piece like the other six1 might be so constructed as to be subdivided #aij into seven minor parts1 each representing a smaller portion of the seventh part4 ,in such a case1 the drawing out of the seventh division would succeed that of the others1 and would be designed to represent a subsequent order of events4 7b7 ,there was some reason1 manifestly1 why these seven last events1 or the series represented by the seven trumpets1 should be grouped together1 as coming under the same general classification4 ,they were sufficiently distinct to make it proper to represent them by different symbols1 and yet they had so much of the same general character as to make it proper to group them together4 ,if this had not been so1 it would have been proper to represent them by a succession of seals extending to thirteen in number1 instead of representing six seals in succession1 and then1 under the seventh1 a new series extending also to the number seven4 ,in the fulfilment1 it will be proper to look for some events which have some such natural connection and bearing that1 for some reason1 they can be classed together1 and yet so distinct that1 under the same general symbol of the seal1 they can be represented under the particular symbol of the trumpets4 7c7 ,for some reason there was a further distinction between the events represented by the first four trumpets and those which were to follow4 ,there was some reason why they should be more particularly grouped together1 and placed in close connection1 and why there should be an interval 7ch4 viii4 #ac7 before the other trumpet should sound4 ,in the fulfilment of this we should naturally look for such an order of events as would be designated by four successive symbols1 and then for such a change1 in some respects1 as to make an interval proper1 and a proclamation of woe1 before the soundings of the other three1 ch4 viii4 #ac4 ,then it would be natural to look for such events as could properly be grouped under the three remaining symbolsthe three succeeding trumpets4 7d7 ,it is natural1 as already intimated1 to suppose that the entire group would extend1 in some general manner at least1 to the consummation of all things2 or that there would be1 under the last one1 a reference to the consummation of all thingsthe end of the world4 ,the reason for this has already been given1 that the apostle saw a volume 7ch4 v4 #a71 which contained a sealed account of the future1 and it is natural to suppose that there would be a reference to the great leading events which were to occur in the history of the church and of the world4 ,this natural anticipation is confirmed by the events disclosed under the sounding of the seventh trumpet 7ch4 xi4 #ae1 seq473 8,and the seventh angel sounded2 and there were great voices in heaven1 saying1 ,the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ1 and he shall reign for ever and ever4 ,and the four and twenty elders1 which sat before ,god on their seats1 fell upon their faces1 and worshipped ,god1 saying1 ,we give thee thanks1 ,o ,lord ,god ,almighty1 which art1 and wast1 and art to come2 because thou hast taken thy great power1 and hast reigned10 c4 ,at all events1 this would lead us on to the final triumph of ,christianityto the introduction of the millennium of gloryto the period when the ,son of ,god should reign on the earth4 ,after that 7ch4 xi4 #ai1 seq47 a new series of visions commences1 disclosing1 through the same periods of history1 a new view of the church to the time also of its final triumph3the church internally2 the rise of ,antichrist1 and the effect of the rise of this formidable power4 ,see the ,analysis of the ,book1 part fifth4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,and when he had opened the #beiseventh seal1 there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour4 #a4 ,and when he had opened the seventh seal4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #a4 ,there was silence in heaven4 ,the whole scene of the vision is laid in heaven 7ch4 iv471 and ,john represents things as they seem to be passing there4 ,the meaning here is1 that on the opening of this seal1 instead of voices1 thunderings1 tempests1 as perhaps was expected from the character of the sixth seal 7ch4 vi4 #ab1 seq471 and which seemed only to have been suspended for a time 7ch4 vii471 there was an awful stillness1 as if all heaven was reverently waiting for the development4 ,of course this is a symbolical representation1 and is designed not to represent a pause in the events themselves1 but only the impressive and fearful nature of the events which are now to be disclosed4 ,about the space of half an hour4 ,he did not profess to #aia designate the time exactly4 ,it was a brief periodyet a period which in such circumstances would appear to be longabout half an hour4 ,the word here useddoes not occur elsewhere in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is correctly rendered half an hour2 and as the day was divided into twelve parts from the rising to the setting of the sun1 the time designated would not vary much from half an hour with us4 ,of course1 therefore1 this denotes a brief period4 ,in a state1 however1 of anxious suspense1 the moments would seem to move slowly2 and to see the exact force of this1 we are to reflect on the scenes representedthe successive opening of seals disclosing most important eventsincreasing in interest as each new one was opened2 the course of events which seemed to be leading to the consummation of all things1 arrested after the opening of the sixth seal2 and now the last in the series to be opened1 disclosing what the affairs of the world would be at the consummation of all things4 ,john looks on this2 and in this state of suspense the half hour may have seemed an age4 ,we are not1 of course1 to suppose that the silence in heaven is produced by the character of the events which are now to followfor they are as yet unknown4 ,it is caused by what1 from the nature of the previous disclosures1 was naturally apprehended1 and by the fact that this is the last of the seriesthe finishing of the mysterious volume4 ,this seems to me to be the obvious interpretation of this passage1 though there has been here1 as in other parts of the book of ,revelation1 a great variety of opinion as to the meaning4 ,those who suppose that the whole book consists of a triple series of visions designed to prefigure future events1 parallel with each other1 and each leading to the consummation of all thingsthe series embracing the seals1 the trumpets1 and the vials1 each seven in numberregard this as the proper ending of the first of this series1 and suppose that we have on the opening of the seventh seal the beginning of a new symbolical representation1 going over the same ground1 under the representations of the trumpets1 in a new aspect or point of view4 ,eichhorn and ,rosenmller suppose that the silence introduced by the apostle is merely for effect1 and that1 therefore1 it is without any special signification4 ,grotius applies the whole representation to the destruction of ,jerusalem1 and supposes that the silence in heaven refers to the restraining of the winds referred to in ch4 vii4 #athe wrath in respect to the city1 which was now suspended for a short time4 ,professor ,stuart also refers it to the destruction of ,jerusalem1 and supposes that the seven trumpets refer to seven gradations in the series of judgments that were coming upon the persecutors of the church4 ,mr4 ,daubuz regards the silence here referred to as a symbol of the liberty granted to the church in the time of ,constantine2 ,vitringa interprets it of the peace of the millennium which is to succeed the overthrow of the beast and the false prophet2 ,dean ,woodhouse and ,mr4 ,cunninghame regard it as the termination of the series of events which the former seals denote1 and the commencement of a new train of revelations2 ,mr4 ,elliott1 as the suspension of the winds during the sealing of the servants of ,god2 ,mr4 ,lord1 as the period of repose which intervened between the close of the persecution by ,diocletian and ,galerius1 in #caa1 and the commencement1 near the close of that year1 of the civil wars by which ,constantine the ,great was elevated to the imperial throne4 ,it will be seen at once how arbitrary and unsatisfactory most of those interpretations are1 and how far from harmony expositors have been as to the meaning of this symbol4 ,the most simple and obvious interpretation is likely to be the true one2 and that is1 as above suggested1 that it refers to silence in heaven as expressive of the fearful anticipation felt on opening the last seal that was to close the series1 and to wind up the affairs of the church and the world4 ,nothing would be more natural than such a state of solemn awe on such an occasion2 nothing would introduce the opening of the seal in a more impressive manner2 nothing would more naturally express the anxiety of the church1 the probable feelings of the pious on the opening of these successive seals1 than the representation that incense1 accompanied with their prayers1 was continually offered in heaven4 #aib #b ,and ,i saw the seven angels which #bfjstood before ,god2 and to them were given seven #bfatrumpets4 #b4 ,and ,i saw the seven angels which stood before ,god4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that by these angels are meant the 8presence-angels0 which he understands to be referred to1 in ch4 i4 #d1 by the 8seven spirits which are before the throne40 ,if1 however1 the interpretation of that passage above proposed1 that it refers to the ,holy ,spirit1 with reference to his multiplied agency and operations1 be correct1 then we must seek for another application of the phrase here4 ,the only difficulty in applying it arises from the use of the article8the seven angels0as if they were angels already referred to2 and as there has been no previous mention of 8seven angels10 unless it be in the phrase 8the seven spirits which are before the throne10 in ch4 i4 #d1 it is argued that this must have been such a reference4 ,but this interpretation is not absolutely necessary4 ,john might use this language either because the angels had been spoken of before2 or because it would be sufficiently understood1 from the common use of language1 who would be referred toas we now might speak of 8the seven members of the cabinet of the ,united ,states10 or 8the thirty-one governors of the states of the ,union10 though they had not been particularly mentioned2 or he might speak of them as just then disclosed to his view1 and because his meaning would be sufficiently definite by the circumstances which were to followtheir agency in blowing the trumpets4 ,it would be entirely in accordance with the usage of the article for one to say that he saw an army1 and the commander-in-chief1 and the four staff-officers1 and the five bands of music1 and the six companies of sappers and miners1 c4 ,it is not absolutely necessary1 therefore1 to suppose that these angels had been before referred to4 ,there is1 indeed1 in the use of the phrase 8which stood before ,god10 the idea that they are to be regarded as permanently standing there1 or that that is their proper placeas if they were angels who were particularly designated to this high service4 ,comp4 ,lu4 i4 #ai3 8,i am ,gabriel1 that stand in the presence of ,god40 ,if this idea is involved in the phrase1 then there is a sufficient reason why the article is used1 though they had not before been mentioned4 ,and to them were given seven trumpets4 ,one to each4 ,by whom the trumpets were given is not said4 ,it may be supposed to have been done by ,him who sat on the throne4 ,trumpets were used then1 as now1 for various purposes2 to summon an assembly2 to muster the hosts of battle2 to inspirit and animate troops in conflict4 ,here they are given to announce a series of important events producing great changes in the worldas if ,god summoned and led on his hosts to accomplish his designs4 #c ,and another angel came and stood at the altar1 having a golden censer2 and there was given unto him much incense1 that he should #bfboffer it with the #bfcprayers of all saints upon the #bfd;golden altar which was before the throne4 #c4 ,and another angel came4 ,who this angel was is not mentioned1 nor have we any means of determining4 ,of course a great variety of opinion has been entertained on the subject 7see ,poole's ,synopsis7some referring it to angels in general2 others to the ministry of the church2 others to ,constantine2 others to ,michael2 and many others to the ,lord ,jesus4 ,all that we know is1 that it was an angel who thus appeared1 and there is nothing inconsistent in the supposition that anyone of the angels in heaven may have been appointed to perform what is here represented4 ,the design seems to be1 to represent the prayers of the saints as ascending in the anticipation of the approaching series of wonders in the worldand there would be a beautiful propriety in representing them as offered by an angel1 feeling a deep interest in the church1 and ministering in behalf of the saints4 ,and stood at the altar4 ,in heavenrepresented as a temple1 with an altar1 and with the usual array of things employed in the worship of ,god4 ,the altar was the appropriate place for him to stand when about to offer the prayers of the saintsfor that is the place where the worshipper stood under the ancient dispensation4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #bc1 #bd2 ,lu4 i4 #aa4 ,in the latter place an angel is represented as appearing to ,zacharias 8on the right side of the altar of incense40 ,having a golden censer4 ,the fire-pan1 made for the purpose of carrying fire1 on which to burn incense in time of worship4 ,see it described and illustrated in the ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #d4 ,there #aic seems reason to suppose that the incense that was offered in the ancient worship was designed to be emblematic of the prayers of saints1 for it was the custom for worshippers to be engaged in prayer at the time the incense was offered by the priest4 ,see ,lu4 i4 #aj4 ,and there was given unto him much incense4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 i4 #i4 ,a large quantity was here given to him1 because the occasion was one on which many prayers might be expected to be offered4 ,that he should offer it with the prayers4 ,marg41 8add it to40 ,gr41 8that he should give it with04 ,the idea is plain1 that1 when the prayers of the saints ascended1 he would also burn the incense1 that it might go up at the same moment1 and be emblematic of them4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #h4 ,of all saints4 ,of all who are holy2 of all who are the children of ,god4 ,the idea seems to be1 that1 at this time1 all the saints would unite in calling on ,god1 and in deprecating his wrath4 ,as the events which were about to occur were a matter of common interest to the people of ,god1 it was to be supposed that they would unite in common supplication4 ,upon the golden altar4 ,the altar of incense4 ,this in the tabernacle and in the temple was overlaid with gold4 ,which was before the throne4 ,this is represented as a temple-service1 and the altar of incense is1 with propriety1 placed before his seat or throne1 as it was in the tabernacle and temple4 ,in the temple1 ,god is represented as occupying the mercy-seat in the holy of holies1 and the altar of incense is in the holy place before that4 ,see the description of the temple in the ,notes on ,mat4 xxi4 #ab4 #d ,and the smoke of the #bfe;incense1 which came with the prayers of the saints1 ascended up before ,god out of the angel's hand4 #d4 ,and the smoke of the incense1 c4 ,the smoke caused by the burning incense4 ,john1 as he saw this1 naturally interpreted it of the prayers of the saints4 ,the meaning of the whole symbol1 thus explained1 is that1 at the time referred to1 the anxiety of the church in regard to the events which were about to occur would naturally lead to much prayer4 ,it is not necessary to attempt to verify this by any distinct historical facts1 for no one can doubt that1 in a time of such impending calamities1 the church would be earnestly engaged in devotion4 ,such has always been the case in times of danger2 and it may always be assumed to be true1 that when danger threatens1 whether it be to the church at large or to an individual ,christian1 there will be a resort to the throne of grace4 #e ,and the angel took the censer1 and filled it with fire of the altar1 and cast it #bff;into the earth3 and there were #bfgvoices1 and thunderings1 and lightnings1 and an #bfh;earthquake4 #e4 ,and the angel took the censer4 ,ver4 #c4 ,this is a new symbol1 designed to furnish a new representation of future events4 ,by the former it had been shown that there would be much prayer offered2 by this it is designed to show that1 notwithstanding the prayer that would be offered1 great and fearful calamities would come upon the earth4 ,this is symbolized by casting the censer upon the earth1 as if the prayers were not heard any longer1 or as if prayer were now in vain4 ,and filled it with fire of the altar4 ,an image similar to this occurs in ,eze4 x4 #b1 where the man clothed in linen is commanded to go between the wheels under the cherub1 and fill his hands with coals of fire from between the cherubims1 and to scatter them over the city as a symbol of its destruction4 ,here the coals are taken1 evidently1 from the altar of sacrifice4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 vi4 #a4 ,on these coals no incense was placed1 but they were thrown at once to the earth4 ,the new emblem1 therefore1 is the taking of coals1 and scattering them abroad as a symbol of the destruction that was about to ensue4 ,and cast it into the earth4 ,marg41 upon4 ,the margin expresses undoubtedly the meaning4 ,the symbol1 therefore1 properly denoted that fearful calamities were about to come upon the earth4 ,even the prayers of saints did not prevail to turn them away1 and now the symbol of the scattered coals indicated that terrible judgments were about to come upon the world4 ,and there were voices4 ,sounds1 noises4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #e4 ,the order is not the same here as there1 but lightnings1 thunderings1 and voices are mentioned in both4 #aid ,and an earthquake4 ,ch4 vi4 #ab4 ,this is a symbol of commotion4 ,it is not necessary to look for a literal fulfilment of it1 any more than it is for literal 8voices10 8lightnings10 or 8thunderings40 #f ,and the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound4 #f4 ,and the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound4 ,ver4 #g4 ,evidently in succession1 perhaps by arranging themselves in the order in which they were to sound4 ,the way is now prepared for the sounding of the trumpets1 and for the fearful commotions and changes which would be indicated by that4 ,the last seal is opened2 heaven stands in suspense to know what is to be disclosed2 the saints1 filled with solicitude1 have offered their prayers2 the censer of coals has been cast to the earth1 as if these judgments could be no longer stayed by prayer2 and the angels prepare to sound the trumpets indicative of what is to occur4 #g ,the first angel sounded1 and #bfithere followed hail and fire mingled with blood1 and they were cast upon the earth3 and the third part of #bgjtrees was burnt up1 and all green grass was burnt up4 #g4 ,the first angel sounded4 ,the first in order1 and indicating the first in the series of events that were to follow4 ,and there followed hail4 ,hail is usually a symbol of the divine vengeance1 as it has often been employed to accomplish the divine purposes of punishment4 ,thus in ,ex4 ix4 #bc1 8,and the ,lord sent thunder and hail1 and the fire ran along the ground2 and the ,lord rained hail upon the land of ,egypt40 ,so in ,ps4 cv4 #cb1 referring to the plagues upon ,egypt1 it is said1 8,he gave them hail for rain1 and flaming fire in their land40 ,so again1 ,ps4 lxxviii4 #dh1 8,he gave up their cattle also to the hail1 and their flocks to hot thunderbolts40 ,as early as the time of ,job hail was understood to be an emblem of the divine displeasure1 and an instrument in inflicting punishment3 8,hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow1 ,or hast thou seen the treasure of the hail8 ,which ,i have reserved against the time of trouble1 ,against the day of battle and war80 ,job xxxviii4 #bb1 #bc4 ,so also1 the same image is used in ,ps4 xviii4 #ac2 8,the ,lord also thundered in the heaven1 ,and the ,most ,high gave forth his voice1 ,hailstones and coals of fire40 ,comp4 ,hag41 ch4 ii4 #ag4 ,the destruction of the ,assyrian army1 it is said1 would be accomplished in the same way1 ,is4 xxx4 #cj4 ,comp4 ,eze4 xiii4 #aa2 xxxviii4 #bb4 ,and fire4 ,lightning4 ,this also is an instrument and an emblem of destruction4 ,mingled with blood4 ,by blood 8we must naturally understand10 says ,professor ,stuart1 8in this case1 a shower of coloured rain2 that is1 rain of a rubidinous aspect1 an occurrence which is known sometimes to take place1 and which1 like falling stars2 eclipses1 c41 was viewed with terror by the ancients1 because it was supposed to be indicative of blood that was to be shed40 ,the appearance1 doubtless1 was that of a red shower1 apparently of hail1 or snowfor rain is not mentioned4 ,it is not a rain-storm1 it is a hail-storm that is the image here2 and the image is that of a driving hail-storm1 where the lightnings flashed1 and where there was the intermingling of a reddish substance that resembled blood1 and that was an undoubted symbol of blood that was to be shed4 ,i do not know that there is red rain1 or red hail1 but red snow is not very uncommon2 and the image here would be complete if we suppose that there was an intermingling of red snow in the driving tempest4 ,this species of snow was found by ,captain ,ross at ,baffin's ,bay on the #agth of ,august1 #ahai4 ,the mountains that were dyed with the snow were about eight miles long1 and six hundred feet high4 ,the red colour reached to the ground in many places ten or twelve feet deep1 and continued for a great length of time4 ,although red snow had not until this attracted much notice1 yet it had been long before observed in ,alpine countries4 ,saussure discovered it on ,mount ,st4 ,bernard in #aggh4 ,ramond found it on the ,pyrenees2 and ,summerfield discovered it in ,norway4 8,in #ahah red snow fell on the ,italian ,alps and ,apennines4 ,in ,march1 #ahjh1 the whole country about ,cadore1 ,belluno1 and ,feltri was covered with a red-coloured snow to the depth of six and a half feet2 but a white snow had fallen both before and after it1 the red formed a stratum in the middle of the white4 ,at the same time a similar fall took place in the mountains of the ,valteline1 ,brescia1 ,carinthia1 and ,tyrol0 7,edin4 ,encyclo4 art4 8,snow074 ,these facts show that #aie what is referred to here in the symbol might possibly occur4 ,such a symbol would be properly expressive of blood and carnage4 ,and they were cast upon the earth4 ,the hail1 the fire1 and the blooddenoting that the fulfilment of this was to be on the earth4 ,and the third part of trees was burnt up4 ,by the fire that came down with the hail and the blood4 ,and all green grass was burnt up4 ,wherever this lighted on the earth4 ,the meaning would seem to be1 that wherever this tempest beat the effect was to destroy a third partthat is1 a large portion of the trees1 and to consume all the grass4 ,a portion of the treesstrong and mightywould stand against it2 but that which was so tender as grass is1 would be consumed4 ,the sense does not seem to be that the tempest would be confined to a third part of the world1 and destroy all the trees and the grass there2 but that it would be a sweeping and general tempest1 and that wherever it spread it would prostrate a third part of the trees and consume all the grass4 ,thus understood1 it would seem to mean1 that in reference to those things in the world which were firm and established like trees1 it would not sweep them wholly away1 though it would make great desolation2 but in reference to those which were delicate and feeblelike grassit would sweep them wholly away4,this would not be an inapt description of the ordinary effects of invasion in time of war4 ,a few of those things which seem most firm and established in societylike trees in a forestweather out the storm2 while the gentle virtues1 the domestic enjoyments1 the arts of peace1 like tender grass1 are wholly destroyed4 ,the fulfilment of this we are undoubtedly to expect to find in the terrors of invasion2 the evils of war2 the effusion of blood2 the march of armies4 ,so far as the language is concerned1 the symbol would apply to any hostile invasion2 but in pursuing the exposition on the principles on which we have thus far conducted it1 we are to look for the fulfilment in one or more of those invasions of the northern hordes that preceded the downfall of the ,roman empire and that contributed to it4,in the 8,analysis0 of the chapter1 some reasons were given why these four trumpet signals were placed together1 as pertaining to a series of events of the same general character1 and as distinguished from those which were to follow4 ,the natural place which they occupy1 or the events which we should suppose1 from the views taken above of the first six seals1 would be represented1 would be the successive invasions of the northern hordes which ultimately accomplished the overthrow of the ,roman empire4 ,there are four of these 8trumpets10 and it would be a matter of inquiry whether there were four events of sufficient distinctness that would mark these invasions1 or that would constitute periods or epochs in the destruction of the ,roman power4 ,at this point in writing1 ,i looked on a chart of history1 composed with no reference to this prophecy1 and found a singular and unexpected prominence given to four such events extending from the first invasion of the ,goths and ,vandals at the beginning of the fifth century1 to the fall of the ,western empire1 ,a4,d4 #dgf4 ,the first was the invasion of ,alaric1 king of the ,goths1 ,a4,d4 #daj2 the second was the invasion of ,attila1 king of the ,huns1 8scourge of ,god10 ,a4,d4 #ddg2 a third was the sack of ,rome by ,genseric1 king of the ,vandals1 ,a4,d4 #dee2 and the fourth1 resulting in the final conquest of ,rome1 was that of ,odoacer1 king of the ,heruli1 who assumed the title of ,king of ,italy1 ,a4,d4 #dgf4 ,we shall see1 however1 on a closer examination1 that although two of these,attila and ,gensericwere1 during a part of their career1 contemporary1 yet the most prominent place is due to ,genseric in the events that attended the downfall of the empire1 and that the second trumpet probably related to him2 the third to ,attila4 ,these were1 beyond doubt1 four great periods or events attending the fall of the ,roman empire1 which synchronize with the period before us4 ,if1 therefore1 we regard the opening of the sixth seal as denoting the threatening aspect of these invading powersthe gathering of the dark cloud that hovered over the borders of the empire1 and the consternation produced by that approaching storm2 and if we regard the transactions in the seventh chapterthe holding of the winds in check1 and the sealing of the chosen of ,godas denoting the suspension of the impending #aif judgments in order that a work might be done to save the church1 and as referring to the divine interposition in behalf of the church2 then the appropriate place of these four trumpets1 under the seventh seal1 will be when that delayed and restrained storm burst in successive blasts upon different parts of the empirethe successive invasions which were so prominent in the overthrow of that vast power4 ,history marks four of these eventsfour heavy blowsfour sweepings of the tempest and the stormunder ,alaric1 ,genseric1 ,attila1 and ,odoacer1 whose movements could not be better symbolized than by these successive blasts of the trumpet4 ,the first of these is the invasion of ,alaric2 and the inquiry now is1 whether his invasion is such as would be properly symbolized by the first trumpet4 ,in illustrating this1 it will be proper to notice some of the movements of ,alaric1 and the alarm consequent on his invasion of the empire2 and then to inquire how far this corresponds with the images employed in the description of the first trumpet4 ,for these illustrations ,i shall be indebted mainly to ,mr4 ,gibbon4 ,alaric1 the ,goth1 was at first employed in the service of the emperor ,theodosius1 in his attempt to oppose the usurper ,arbogastes1 after the murder of ,valentinian1 emperor of the ,west4 ,theodosius1 in order to oppose the usurper1 employed1 among others1 numerous barbarians,iberians1 ,arabs1 and ,goths4 ,one of them was ,alaric1 who1 to use the language of ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 #agi71 8acquired in the school of ,theodosius the knowledge of the art of war1 which he afterwards so fatally exerted for the destruction of ,rome10 ,a4,d4 #cibcid4 ,after the death of ,theodosius 7,a4,d4 #cie7 the ,goths revolted from the ,roman power1 and ,alaric1 who had been disappointed in his expectations of being raised to the command of the ,roman armies1 became their leader 7,decline and ,fall1 ii4 #bac74 8,that renowned leader was descended from the noble race of the ,balti2 which yielded only to the royal dignity of the ,amali2 he had solicited the command of the ,roman armies2 and the imperial court provoked him to demonstrate the folly of their refusal1 and the importance of their loss4 ,in the midst of a divided court and a discontented people the emperor ,arcadius was terrified by the aspect of the ,gothic arms10 c4 ,alaric then invaded and conquered ,greece1 laying it waste in his progress1 until he reached ,athens1 ii4 #bad1 #bae4 8,the fertile fields of ,phocis and ,botia were instantly covered by a deluge of barbarians1 who massacred the males of age to bear arms1 and drove away the beautiful females1 with the spoil and cattle of the flaming villages40 ,alaric then concluded a treaty with ,theodosius1 the emperor of the ,east 7ii4 #baf72 was made master-general of ,eastern ,illyricum1 and created a magistrate 7ii4 #bag72 soon united under his command the barbarous nations that had made the invasion1 and was solemnly declared to be the king of the ,visigoths1 ii4 #bag4 8,armed with this double power1 seated on the verge of two empires1 he alternately sold his deceitful promises to the courts of ,arcadius and ,honorius1 till he declared and executed his purpose of invading the dominions of the ,west4 ,the provinces of ,europe which belonged to the ,eastern empire were already exhausted2 those of ,asia were inaccessible2 and the strength of ,constantinople had resisted his attack4 ,but he was tempted by the beauty1 the wealth1 and the fame of ,italy1 which he had twice visited2 and he secretly aspired to plant the ,gothic standard on the walls of ,rome2 and to enrich his army with the accumulated spoils of three hundred triumphs10 ii4 #bag1 #bah4 ,in describing his march to the ,danube1 and his progress towards ,italy1 having increased his army with a large number of barbarians1 ,mr4 ,gibbon uses the remarkable language expressive of the general consternation1 already quoted in the description of the sixth seal4 ,alaric approached rapidly towards the imperial city1 resolved to 8conquer or die before the gates of ,rome40 ,but he was checked by ,stilicho1 and compelled to make peace1 and retired 7,decline and ,fall1 ii4 #bbb71 and the threatening storm was for a time suspended4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #a1 seq4 ,so great was the consternation1 however1 that the ,roman court1 which then had its seat at ,milan1 thought it necessary to remove to a safer place1 and became fixed at ,ravenna1 ii4 #bbd4 ,this calm1 secured by the retreat of ,alaric1 was1 however1 of short continuance4 ,in ,a4,d4 #djh he again invaded ,italy in a more successful manner1 attacked the capital1 and more than once pillaged ,rome4 ,the following facts1 for which ,i am indebted to ,mr4 ,gibbon1 will illustrate the progress #aig of the events1 and the effects of this blast of the 8first trumpet0 in the series that announced the destruction of the ,western empire3 7a7 ,the effect1 on the destiny of the empire1 of removing the ,roman court to ,ravenna from the dread of the ,goths4 ,as early as ,a4,d4 #cjc the court of the emperor of the ,west was1 for the most part1 established at ,milan4 ,for some time before1 the 8sovereignty of the capital was gradually annihilated by the extent of conquest10 and the emperors were required to be long absent from ,rome on the frontiers1 until in the time of ,diocletian and ,maximian the seat of government was fixed at ,milan1 8whose situation at the foot of the ,alps appeared far more convenient than that of ,rome for the important purpose of watching the motions of the barbarians of ,germany0 7,gibbon1 i4 #bac74 8,the life of ,diocletian and ,maximian was a life of action1 and a considerable portion of it was spent in camps1 or in their long and frequent marches2 but whenever the public business allowed them any relaxation1 they seem to have retired with pleasure to their favourite residences of ,nicomedia and ,milan4 ,till ,diocletian1 in the twentieth year of his reign1 celebrated his ,roman triumph1 it is extremely doubtful whether he ever visited the ancient capital of the empire0 7,gibbon1 i4 #bad74 ,from this place the court was driven away1 by the dread of the northern barbarians1 to ,ravenna1 a safer place1 which thenceforward became the seat of government1 while ,italy was ravaged by the northern hordes1 and while ,rome was besieged and pillaged4 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 under date of ,a4,d4 #djd1 says1 8,the recent danger to which the person of the emperor had been exposed in the defenceless palace of ,milan from ,alaric and the ,goths urged him to seek a retreat in some inaccessible fortress in ,italy1 where he might securely remain1 while the open country was covered by a deluge of barbarians0 7vol4 ii4 p4 #bbd74 ,he then proceeds to describe the situation of ,ravenna1 and the removal of the court thither1 and then adds 7p4 #bbe71 8,the fears of ,honorius were not without foundation1 nor were his precautions without effect4 ,while ,italy rejoiced in her deliverance from the ,goths1 a furious tempest was excited among the nations of ,germany1 who yielded to the irresistible impulse that appears to have been gradually communicated from the eastern extremity of the continent of ,asia40 ,that mighty movement of the ,huns is then described1 as the storm was preparing to burst upon the ,roman empire1 ii4 #bbe4 ,the agitation and the removal of the ,roman government were events not inappropriate to be described by symbols relating to the fall of that mighty power4 7b7 ,the particulars of that invasion1 the consternation1 the siege of ,rome1 and the capture and pillage of the imperial city1 would confirm the propriety of this application to the symbol of the first trumpet4 ,it would be too long to copy the accountfor it extends through many pages of the ,history of the ,decline and ,fall of the ,empire2 but a few selected sentences may show the general character of the events1 and the propriety of the symbols1 on the supposition that they referred to these things4 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 #bbf1 #bbg7 says1 8,the correspondence of nations was1 in that age1 so imperfect and precarious1 that the revolutions of the ,north might escape the knowledge of the court of ,ravenna1 till the dark cloud which was collected along the coast of the ,baltic burst in thunder upon the banks of the ,upper ,danube4 ,the king of the confederate ,germans passed1 without resistance1 the ,alps1 the ,po1 and the ,apennines2 leaving on the one hand the inaccessible palace of ,honorius securely buried among the marshes of ,ravenna2 and on the other the camp of ,stilicho1 who had fixed his head-quarters at ,ticinum1 or ,pavia1 but who seems to have avoided a decisive battle till he had assembled his distant forces4 ,many cities of ,italy were pillaged or destroyed4 ,the senate and people trembled at their approach within a hundred and eighty miles of ,rome2 and anxiously compared the danger which they had escaped with the new perils to which they were exposed10 c4 ,rome was besieged for the first time by the ,goths ,a4,d4 #djh4 ,of this siege ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 #bebbed7 has given a graphic description4 ,among other things1 he says1 8,that unfortunate city gradually experienced the distress of scarcity1 and at length the horrid calamities of famine40 8,a dark suspicion was entertained1 that some desperate wretches fed on the bodies of their fellow-creatures whom they had secretly murdered2 and even motherssuch were the horrid conflicts of the #aih two most powerful instincts implanted by nature in the human breasteven mothers are said to have tasted the flesh of their slaughtered infants4 ,many thousands of the inhabitants of ,rome expired in their houses1 or in the streets1 for want of sustenance2 and as the public sepulchres without the walls were in the power of the enemy1 the stench which arose from so many putrid and unburied carcasses infected the air2 and the miseries of famine were succeeded and aggravated by a pestilential disease40 ,the first siege was raised by the payment of an enormous ransom 7,gibbon1 ii4 #bed74 ,the second siege of ,rome by the ,goths occurred ,a4,d4 #dji4 ,this siege was carried on by preventing the supply of provisions1 ,alaric having seized upon ,ostia1 the ,roman port1 where the provisions for the capital were deposited4 ,the ,romans finally consented to receive a new emperor at the hand of ,alaric1 and ,attalus was appointed in the place of the feeble ,honorius1 who was then at ,ravenna1 and who had abandoned the capital4 ,attalus1 an inefficient prince1 was soon publicly stripped of the robes of office1 and ,alaric1 enraged at the conduct of the court at ,ravenna towards him1 turned his wrath a third time on ,rome1 and laid siege to the city4 ,this occurred ,a4,d4 #daj4 8,the king of the ,goths1 who no longer dissembled his appetite for plunder and revenge1 appeared in arms under the walls of the capital2 and the trembling senate1 without any hope of relief1 prepared1 by a desperate effort1 to delay the ruin of their country4 ,but they were unable to guard against the conspiracy of their slaves and domestics1 who1 either from birth or interest1 were attached to the cause of the enemy4 ,at the hour of midnight the ,salarian ,gate was silently opened1 and the inhabitants were awakened by the tremendous sound of the ,gothic trumpet4 ,eleven hundred and sixty-three years after the foundation of ,rome1 the imperial city1 which had subdued and civilized so considerable a part of mankind1 was delivered to the licentious fury of the tribes of ,germany and ,scythia0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #bfj74 7c7 ,it is1 perhaps1 only necessary to add that the invasion of ,alaric was in fact but one of the great events that led to the fall of the empire1 and that1 in announcing that fall1 where a succession of events was to occur1 it would properly be represented by the blast of one of the trumpets4 ,the expressions employed in the symbol are1 indeed1 such as might be applied to any invasion of hostile armies1 but they are such as would be used if the design were admitted to be to describe the invasion of the ,gothic conqueror4 ,for 7#a7 that invasion1 as we have seen1 would be well represented by the storm of hail and lightning that was seen in vision2 7#b7 by the red colour mingled in that stormindicative of blood2 7#c7 by the fact that it consumed the trees and the grass4 ,this1 as we saw in the exposition1 would properly denote the desolation produced by warapplicable1 indeed1 to all war1 but as applicable to the invasion of ,alaric as any war that has occurred1 and it is such an emblem as would be used if it were admitted that it was the design to represent his invasion4 ,the sweeping storm1 prostrating the trees of the forest1 is an apt emblem of the evils of war1 and1 as was remarked in the exposition1 no more striking illustration of the consequences of a hostile invasion could be employed than the destruction of the 8green grass40 ,what is here represented in the symbol cannot1 perhaps1 be better expressed than in the language of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 when describing the invasion of the ,roman empire under ,alaric4 ,speaking of that invasion1 he says8,while the peace of ,germany was secured by the attachment of the ,franks and the neutrality of the ,alemanni1 the subjects of ,rome1 unconscious of their approaching calamities1 enjoyed the state of quiet and prosperity which had seldom blessed the frontiers of ,gaul4 ,their flocks and herds were permitted to graze in the pastures of the barbarians2 their huntsmen penetrated1 without fear or danger1 into the darkest recesses of the ,hercynian wood4 ,the banks of the ,rhine were crowned1 like those of the ,tiber1 with elegant houses and well-cultivated farms2 and if a poet descended the river1 he might express his doubt on which side was situated the territory of the ,romans4 ,this scene of peace and plenty was suddenly changed into a desert2 and the prospect of the smoking ruins could alone distinguish the solitude of nature from the desolation of man4 ,the flourishing city of ,mentz was surprised and destroyed2 and many thousand ,christians were inhumanly massacred in the church4 ,worms perished after a long and obstinate siege2 ,strasburg1 ,spires1 ,rheims1 #aii ,tournay1 ,arras1 ,amiens1 experienced the cruel oppression of the ,german yoke2 and the consuming flames of war spread from the banks of the ,rhine over the greatest part of the seventeen provinces of ,gaul4 ,that rich and extensive country1 as far as the ocean1 the ,alps1 and the ,pyrenees1 was delivered to the barbarians1 who drove before them1 in a promiscuous crowd1 the bishop1 the senator1 and the virgin1 laden with the spoils of their houses and altars10 ii4 #bcj4 ,in reference1 also1 to the invasion of ,alaric1 and the particular nature of the desolation depicted under the first trumpet1 a remarkable passage which ,mr4 ,gibbon has quoted from ,claudian1 as describing the effects of the invasion of ,alaric1 may be here introduced4 8,the old man10 says he1 speaking of ,claudian1 8who had passed his simple and innocent life in the neighbourhood of ,verona1 was a stranger to the quarrels both of kings and of bishops2 his pleasures1 his desires1 his knowledge1 were confined within the little circle of his paternal farm2 and a staff supported his aged steps on the same ground where he had sported in infancy4 ,yet even this humble and rustic felicity 7which ,claudian describes with so much truth and feeling7 was still exposed to the undistinguishing rage of war4 ,his trees1 his old contemporary#bga trees1 must blaze in the conflagration of the whole country2 a detachment of ,gothic cavalry must sweep away his cottage and his family2 and the power of ,alaric could destroy this happiness which he was not able either to taste or to bestow4 #8,fame1' says the poet1 #8encircling with terror or gloomy wings1 proclaimed the march of the barbarian army1 and filled ,italy with consternation1'0 ii4 #bah4 ,and 7#d7 as to the extent of the calamity1 there is also a striking propriety in the language of the symbol as applicable to the invasion of ,alaric4 ,i do not suppose1 indeed1 that it is necessary1 in order to find a proper fulfilment of the symbol1 to be able to show that exactly one-third part of the empire was made desolate in this way2 but it is a sufficient fulfilment if desolation spread over a considerable portion of the ,roman worldas if a third part had been destroyed4 ,no one who reads the account of the invasion of ,alaric can doubt that it would be an apt description of the ravages of his arms to say that a third part was laid waste4 ,that the desolations produced by ,alaric were such as would be properly represented by this symbol may be fully seen by consulting the whole account of that invasion in ,gibbon1 ii4 #bacbff4 #h ,and the second angel sounded1 and as it were a great #bgbmountain burning with fire was #bgc;cast into the sea3 and the third part of the sea #bgd;became blood2 #h4 ,and the second angel sounded4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #bg4 ,this1 according to the interpretation proposed above1 refers to the second of the four great events which contributed to the downfall of the ,roman empire4 ,it will be proper in this case1 as in the former1 to inquire into the literal meaning of the symbol1 and then whether there was any event that corresponded with it4 ,and as it were a great mountain4 ,a mountain is a natural symbol of strength1 and hence becomes a symbol of a strong and powerful kingdom2 for mountains are not only places of strength in themselves1 but they anciently answered the purposes of fortified places1 and were the seats of power4 ,hence they are properly symbols of strong nations4 8,the stone that smote the image became a great mountain1 and filled the whole earth10 ,da4 ii4 #ce4 ,comp4 ,zec4 iv4 #g2 ,je4 li4 #be4 ,we naturally1 then1 apply this part of the symbol to some strong and mighty nationnot a nation1 necessarily1 that issued from a mountainous region1 but a nation that in strength resembled a mountain4 ,burning with fire4 ,a mountain in a blaze2 that is1 with all its woods on fire1 or1 more probably1 a volcanic mountain4 ,there would perhaps be no more sublime image than such a mountain lifted suddenly from its base and thrown into the sea4 ,one of the sublimest parts of the ,paradise ,lost is that where the poet represents the angels in the great battle in heaven as lifting the mountainstearing them from their baseand hurling them on the foe3 8,from their foundations heaving to and fro1 ,they plucked the seated hills1 with all their load1 ,rocks1 waters1 woods1 and by the shaggy tops ,uplifting1 bore them in their hands10 c4 ,book vi4 #bjj ,the poet1 however1 has not1 as ,john has1 represented a volcano borne along and cast into the sea4 ,the symbol employed here would denote some fiery1 impetuous1 destructive power4 ,if used to denote a nation1 it would be a nation that was1 as it were1 burning with the desire of conquestimpetuous1 and fierce1 and fiery in its assaultsand consuming all in its way4 ,cast into the sea4 ,the image is very sublime2 the scene1 should such an event occur1 would be awfully grand4 ,as to the fulfilment of this1 or the thing that was intended to be represented by it1 there cannot be any material doubt4 ,it is not to be understood literally1 of course2 and the natural application is to some nation1 or army1 that has a resemblance in some respects to such a blazing mountain1 and the effect of whose march would be like casting such a mountain into the ocean4 ,we naturally look for agitation and commotion1 and particularly in reference to the sea1 or to some maritime coasts4 ,it is undoubtedly required in the application of this1 that we should find its fulfilment in some country lying beyond the sea1 or in some sea-coast or maritime country1 or in reference to commerce4 ,and the third part of the sea became blood4 ,resembled blood2 became as red as blood4 ,the figure here is1 that as such a blazing mountain cast into the sea would1 by its reflection on the waters1 seem to tinge them with red1 so there would be something corresponding with this in what was referred to by the symbol4 ,it would be fulfilled if there was a fierce maritime warfare1 and if in some desperate naval engagement the sea should be tinged with blood4 #i ,and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea1 and had life1 died2 and the third part of the ships were destroyed4 #i4 ,and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea1 and had life1 died4 ,the effect was as if one-third of all the fish in the sea were cut off4 ,of course this is not to be taken literally4 ,it is designed to describe an effect1 pertaining to the maritime portion of the world1 as if a third portion of all that was in the sea should perish4 ,the natural interpretation would be to apply it to some invasion or calamity pertaining to the seato the islands1 to the maritime regions1 or to commerce4 ,if the whole description pertains to the ,roman empire1 then this might be supposed to have particular reference to something that would have a bearing on the maritime parts of that empire4 ,and the third part of the ships were destroyed4 ,this also pertains to the same general calamity1 affecting the commerce of the empire4 ,the destruction of the 8ships0 was produced1 in some way1 by casting the mountain into the seaeither by their being consumed by the contact with the burning mass1 or by being sunk by the agitation of the waters4 ,the essential idea is1 that the calamity would be of such a nature as would produce the destruction of vessels at seaeither naval armaments1 or ships of commerce4 ,in looking now for the application or fulfilment of this1 it is necessary 7a7 to find some event or events which would have a particular bearing on the maritime or commercial part of the world2 and 7b7 some such event or events that1 on the supposition that they were the things referred to1 would be properly symbolized by the image here employed4 7#a7 ,if the first trumpet had reference to the invasion of ,alaric and the ,goths1 then in this we naturally look for the next succeeding act of invasion which shook the ,roman empire1 and contributed to its fall4 7#b7 ,the next invasion was that under ,genseric1 at the head of the ,vandals 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cjf1 seq474 ,this occurred ,a4,d4 #dbhdfh4 7#c7 ,the symbol of a blazing or burning mountain1 torn from its foundation1 and precipitated into the ocean1 would well represent this mighty nation moved from its ancient seat1 and borne along towards the maritime parts of the empire1 and its desolations thereas will be shown in the following remarks4 7#d7 ,the acts of the ,vandals1 under ,genseric1 corresponded with the ideas expressed by the symbol4 ,in illustrating this ,i shall be indebted1 as heretofore1 principally to ,mr4 ,gibbon4 7a7 ,his general account of the ,vandals is this3 they are supposed 7i4 #ach7 to have been originally the same people with the ,goths1 the ,goths and ,vandals constituting one great nation living on the shores of the ,baltic4 ,they passed in connection with them over the ,baltic2 emigrated to ,prussia and the ,ukraine2 invaded the ,roman provinces2 received tribute from the ,romans2 subdued the countries about the ,bosphorus2 plundered the cities of ,bithynia2 ravaged ,greece and #bja ,illyrium1 and were at last settled in ,thrace under the emperor ,theodosius 7,gibbon1 i4 #acfaff2 ii4 #aajaej71 ,they were then driven forward by the ,huns1 and having passed through ,france and ,spain into ,africa1 conquered the ,carthaginian territory1 established an independent government1 and thence through a long period harassed the neighbouring islands1 and the coasts of the ,mediterranean by their predatory incursions1 destroying the ships and the commerce of the ,romans1 and were distinguished in the downfall of the empire by their ravages on the islands and the sea4 ,thus they were moved along from place to place until the scene of their desolations became more distinctly the maritime parts of the empire2 and the effect of their devastations might be well compared with a burning mountain moved from its ancient base1 and then thrown into the sea4 7b7 ,this will be apparent from the statements of ,mr4 ,gibbon in regard to their ravages under their leader ,genseric4 8,seville and ,carthagena became the reward1 or rather the prey of the ferocious conquerors0 after they had defeated the ,roman ,castinus1 8and the vessels which they found in the harbour of ,carthagena might easily transport them to the isles of ,majorca and ,minorca1 where the ,spanish fugitives1 as in a secure recess1 had vainly concealed their families and fortunes4 ,the experience of navigation1 and perhaps the prospect of ,africa1 encouraged the ,vandals to accept the invitation which they received from ,count ,boniface0 to aid him in his apprehended difficulties with ,rome1 and to enter into an alliance with him by settling permanently in ,africa 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cje1 #cjf73 8and the death of ,gonderic0 the ,vandal king 8served only to forward and animate the bold enterprise4 ,in the room of a prince1 not conspicuous for any superior powers of the mind or body1 they acquired his bastard brother1 the terrible ,genserica name which1 in the destruction of the ,roman empire1 has deserved an equal rank with the names of ,alaric and ,attila4 0 8,the ambition of ,genseric was almost without bounds1 and without scruples2 and the warrior could dexterously employ the dark engines of policy to solicit the allies who might be useful to his success1 or to scatter among his enemies the seeds of enmity and contention4 ,almost in the moment of his departure he was informed that ,hermanric1 king of the ,suevi1 had presumed to ravage the ,spanish territories1 which he was resolved to abandon4 ,impatient of the insult1 ,genseric pursued the hasty retreat of the ,suevi as far as ,merida2 precipitated the king and his army into the river ,anas1 and calmly returned to the sea-shore to embark his troops4 ,the vessels which transported the ,vandals over the modern ,straits of ,gibraltar1 a channel only twelve miles in breadth1 were furnished by the ,spaniards1 who anxiously wished for their departure2 and by the ,african general who had implored their formidable assistance0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cjf74 ,genseric1 in the accomplishment of his purposes1 soon took possession of the northern coast of ,africa1 defeating the armies of ,boniface1 and 8,carthage1 ,cirta1 and ,hippo ,regius were the only cities that appeared to rise above the general inundation0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cjh74 8,on a sudden10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 #cji71 8the seven fruitful provinces1 from ,tangier to ,tripoli1 were overwhelmed by the invasion of the ,vandals2 whose destructive rage has perhaps been exaggerated by popular animosity1 religious zeal1 and extravagant declamation4 ,war in its fairest form implies a perpetual violation of humanity and justice2 and the hostilities of barbarians are inflamed by the fierce and lawless spirit which perpetually disturbs their peaceful and domestic society4 ,the ,vandals1 where they found resistance1 seldom gave quarter2 and the deaths of their valiant countrymen were expiated by the ruin of the cities under whose walls they had fallen10 c4 ,the result of the invasion was the conquest of all northern ,africa2 the reduction of ,hippo and ,carthage1 and the establishment of a government under ,genseric in ,africa that waged a long war with ,rome 7,gibbon1 ii4 #caj1 #caa74 ,the symbol before us has particular reference to maritime or naval operations and desolations1 and the following extracts from ,mr4 ,gibbon will show with what propriety1 if this symbol was designed to refer to him1 these images were employed4 8,the discovery and conquest of the black nations in ,africa that might dwell beneath the torrid zone could not tempt the rational ambition of ,genseric2 but he cast his eyes towards the sea2 he resolved to create a naval power1 and his bold resolution was executed with steady and active #bjb perseverance4 ,the woods of ,mount ,atlas afforded an inexhaustible supply of timber2 his new subjects were skilled in the arts of navigation and ship- building2 he animated his daring ,vandals to embrace a mode of warfare which would render every maritime country accessible to their arms2 the ,moors and ,africans were allured by the hope of plunder2 and after an interval of six centuries the fleets that issued from the port of ,carthage again claimed the empire of the ,mediterranean4 ,the success of the ,vandals1 the conquest of ,sicily1 the sack of ,palermo1 and the frequent descents on the coasts of ,lucania1 awakened and alarmed the mother of ,valentinian and the sister of ,theodosius4 ,alliances were formed2 and armaments1 expensive and ineffectual1 were prepared for the destruction of the common enemy1 who reserved his courage to encounter those dangers which his policy could not prevent or elude4 ,the revolutions of the palace1 which left the ,western empire without a defender and without a lawful prince1 dispelled the apprehension and stimulated the avarice of ,genseric4 ,he immediately equipped a numerous fleet of ,vandals and ,moors1 and cast anchor at the mouth of the ,tiber10 c4 7,gibbon1 ii4 #ceb74 8,on the third day after the tumult ,a4,d4 #dee1 on the death of ,maximus ,genseric boldly advanced from the port of ,ostia to the gates of the defenceless city4 ,instead of a sally of the ,roman youth1 there issued from the gates an unarmed and venerable procession of the bishop at the head of the clergy4 ,but ,rome and its inhabitants were delivered to the licentiousness of the ,vandals and the ,moors1 whose blind passions revenged the injuries of ,carthage4 ,the pillage lasted fourteen days and nights2 and all that yet remained of public or private wealth1 of sacred or profane treasure1 was diligently transported to the vessels of ,genseric10 c4 ,see the account of this pillage in ,gibbon1 ii4 #ceecff4 ,the emperor ,majorian 7,a4,d4 #deg7 endeavoured to 8restore the happiness of the ,romans10 but 8he encountered the arms of ,genseric1 from his character and situation their most formidable enemy4 ,a fleet of ,vandals and ,moors landed at the mouth of the ,liris1 or ,garigliano2 but the imperial troops surprised and attacked the disorderly barbarians1 who were encumbered with the spoils of ,campania2 they were chased with slaughter to their ships2 and their leader1 the king's brother-in-law1 was found in the number of the slain4 ,such vigilance might announce the character of the new reign2 but the strictest vigilance1 and the most numerous forces1 were insufficient to protect the long-extended coast of ,italy from the depredations of a naval war0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cfc74 8,the emperor had foreseen that it was impossible1 without a maritime power1 to achieve the conquest of ,africa4 ,in the first ,punic war the republic had exerted such incredible diligence1 that within sixty days after the first stroke of the axe had been given in the forest a fleet of one hundred and sixty galleys proudly rode at anchor in the sea4 ,under circumstances much less favourable ,majorian equalled the spirit and perseverance of the ancient ,romans4 ,the woods of the ,apennines were felled1 the arsenals and manufactures of ,ravenna and ,misenium were restored1 ,italy and ,gaul vied with each other in liberal contributions to the public service2 and the imperial navy of three hundred large galleys1 with an adequate proportion of transports and smaller vessels1 was collected in the secure and capacious harbour of ,carthagena in ,spain0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cfc1 #cfd74 ,the fate of this large navy is thus described by ,mr4 ,gibbon38,genseric was saved from impending and inevitable ruin by the treachery of some powerful subjects2 envious or apprehensive of their master's success4 ,guided by their secret intelligence1 he surprised the unguarded fleet in the bay of ,carthagena2 many of the ships were sunk1 or taken1 or burnt2 and the preparations of three years were destroyed in a single day10 ii4 #cfd4 ,the farther naval operations and maritime depredations of the ,vandals under ,genseric are thus stated by ,mr4 ,gibbon38,the kingdom of ,italy1 a name to which the ,western empire was gradually reduced1 was afflicted1 under the reign of ,ricimer1 by the incessant depredations of ,vandal pirates4 ,in the spring of each year they equipped a formidable navy in the port of ,carthage2 and ,genseric himself1 though in very advanced age1 still commanded in person the most important expeditions4 ,his designs were concealed with impenetrable secrecy till the moment that he hoisted sail4 ,when he was asked by the pilot what course he should steer#8,leave the determination to the winds1' replied the barbarian1 with pious #bjc arrogance2 #8they will transport us to the guilty coast whose inhabitants have provoked the divine justice2' but if ,genseric himself deigned to issue more precise orders1 he judged the most wealthy to be the most criminal4 ,the ,vandals repeatedly visited the coasts of ,spain1 ,liguria1 ,tuscany1 ,campania1 ,lucania1 ,bruttium1 ,apulia1 ,calabria1 ,venetia1 ,dalmatia1 ,epirus1 ,greece1 and ,sicily2 they were tempted to subdue the island of ,sardinia1 so advantageously placed in the centre of the ,mediterranean2 and their arms spread desolation1 or terror1 from the ,columns of ,hercules to the mouth of the ,nile4 ,as they were more ambitious of spoil than of glory1 they seldom attacked any fortified cities1 or engaged any regular troops in the open field4 ,but the celerity of their motions enabled them1 almost at the same time1 to threaten and to attack the most distant objects which attracted their desires2 and as they always embarked a sufficient number of horses1 they had no sooner landed than they swept the dismayed country with a body of light cavalry10 ii4 #cff4 ,how far this description agrees with the symbol in the passage before us8a great mountain burning with fire cast into the sea20 8the third part of the ships were destroyed0must be left to the reader to judge4 ,it may be asked1 however1 with at least some show of reason1 whether1 if it be admitted that it was the design of the author of the book of ,revelation to refer to the movements of the ,vandals under ,genseric as one of the important and immediate causes of the ruin of the ,roman empire1 he could have found a more expressive symbol than this8 ,indeed1 is there now any symbol that would be more striking and appropriate8 ,if one should now undertake to represent this as one of the causes of the downfall of the empire by a symbol1 could he easily find one that would be more expressive8 ,it is a matter that is in itself perhaps of no importance1 but it may serve to show that the interpretation respecting the second trumpet was not forced1 to remark that ,i had gone through with the interpretation of the language of the symbol before ,i looked into ,mr4 ,gibbon with any reference to the application4 #aj ,and the third angel sounded1 and there #bge;fell a great star from heaven1 burning as it were a lamp1 and it fell upon the third part of the rivers1 and upon the fountains of waters3 #aj4 ,and the third angel sounded4 ,indicating1 according to the interpretation above proposed1 some important event in the downfall of the ,roman empire4 ,and there fell a great star from heaven4 ,a star is a natural emblem of a prince1 of a ruler1 of one distinguished by rank or by talent4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ii4 #bh4 ,see ,nu4 xxiv4 #ag1 and the ,notes on ,is4 xiv4 #ab4 ,a star falling from heaven would be a natural symbol of one who had left a higher station1 or of one whose character and course would be like a meteor shooting through the sky4 ,burning as it were a lamp4 ,or1 as a torch4 ,the language here is such as would describe a meteor blazing through the air2 and the reference in the symbol is to something that would have a resemblance to such a meteor4 ,it is not a lurid meteor 7livid1 pale1 ghastly7 that is here referred to1 but a bright1 intense1 blazing staremblem of fiery energy2 of rapidity of movement and execution2 of splendour of appearancesuch as a chieftain of high endowments1 of impetuousness of character1 and of richness of apparel1 would be4 ,in all languages1 probably1 a star has been an emblem of a prince whose virtues have shone brightly1 and who has exerted a beneficial influence on mankind4 ,in all languages also1 probably1 a meteor flaming through the sky has been an emblem of some splendid genius causing or threatening desolation and ruin2 of a warrior who has moved along in a brilliant but destructive path over the world2 and who has been regarded as sent to execute the vengeance of heaven4 ,this usage occurs because a meteor is so bright2 because it appears so suddenly2 because its course cannot be determined by any known laws2 and because1 in the apprehensions of men1 it is either sent as a proof of the divine displeasure1 or is adapted to excite consternation and alarm4 ,in the application of this part of the symbol1 therefore1 we naturally look for some prince or warrior of brilliant talents1 who appears suddenly and sweeps rapidly over the world2 who excites consternation and alarm2 whose path is marked by desolation1 and who is regarded as sent from heaven to execute the divine purposeswho comes not to bless the world by brilliant talents #bjd well directed1 but to execute vengeance on mankind4 ,and it fell upon the third part of the rivers1 and upon the fountains of waters4 ,on the phrase1 8the third part10 see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,this reference to the 8rivers0 and to the 8fountains of waters0 seems1 in part1 to be for the purpose of saying that everything would be affected by this series of judgments4 ,in the previous visions the trees and the green grass1 the sea and the ships1 had been referred to4 ,the rivers and the fountains of waters are not less important than the trees1 the grass1 and the commerce of the world1 and hence this judgment is mentioned as particularly bearing on them4 ,at the same time1 as in the case of the other trumpets1 there is a propriety in supposing that there would be something in the event referred to by the symbol which would make it more appropriate to use this symbol in this case than in the others4 ,it is natural1 therefore1 to look for some desolations that would particularly affect the portions of the world where rivers abound1 or where they take their rise2 or1 if it be understood as having a more metaphorical sense1 to regard it as affecting those things which resemble rivers and fountainsthe sources of influence2 the morals1 the religion of a people1 the institutions of a country1 which are often so appropriately compared with running fountains or flowing streams4 #aa ,and the name of the star is called #bgf,wormwood3 and the third part of the #bggwaters became wormwood2 and many men died of the waters1 because they were made bitter4 #aa4 ,and the name of the star is called ,wormwood4 ,is appropriately so called4 ,the writer does not say that it would be actually so called1 but that this name would be properly descriptive of its qualities4 ,such expressions are common in allegorical writings4 ,the ,greek worddenotes wormwood1 a well-known bitter herb4 ,that word becomes the proper emblem of bitterness4 ,comp4 ,je4 ix4 #ae2 xxiii4 #ae2 ,la4 iii4 #ae1 #ai4 ,and the third part of the waters became wormwood4 ,became bitter as wormwood4 ,this is doubtless an emblem of the calamity which would occur if the waters should be thus made bitter4 ,of course they would become useless for the purposes to which they are mostly applied1 and the destruction of life would be inevitable4 ,to conceive of the extent of such a calamity we have only to imagine a large portion of the wells1 and rivers1 and fountains of a country made bitter as wormwood4 ,comp4 ,ex4 xv4 #bc1 #bd4 ,and many men died of the waters1 because they were made bitter4 ,this effect would naturally follow if any considerable portion of the fountains and streams of a land were changed by an infusion of wormwood4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that this is intended to be literally true2 for as1 by the use of a symbol1 it is not to be supposed that literally a part of the waters would be turned into wormwood by the baleful influence of a falling meteor1 so it is not necessary to suppose that there is intended to be represented a literal destruction of human life by the use of waters4 ,great destruction and devastation are undoubtedly intended to be denoted by thisdestruction that would be well represented in a land by the natural effects if a considerable part of the waters were1 by their bitterness1 made unfit to drink4 ,in the interpretation and application1 therefore1 of this passage1 we may adopt the following principles and rules37a7 ,it may be assumed1 in this exposition1 that the previous symbols1 under the first and second trumpet-blasts1 referred respectively to ,alaric and his ,goths1 and to ,genseric and his ,vandals4 7b7 ,that the next great and decisive event in the downfall of the empire is the one that is here referred to4 7c7 ,that there would be some chieftain or warrior who might be compared with a blazing meteor2 whose course would be singularly brilliant2 who would appear suddenly like a blazing star1 and then disappear like a star whose light was quenched in the waters4 7d7 ,that the desolating course of that meteor would be mainly on those portions of the world that abounded with springs of water and running streams4 7e7 ,that an effect would be produced as if those streams and fountains were made bitter2 that is1 that many persons would perish1 and that wide desolations would be caused in the vicinity of those rivers and streams1 as if a bitter and baleful star should fall into the waters1 and death should spread over the lands adjacent to them1 and watered by them4 #bje ,whether any events occurred of which this would be the proper emblem is now the question4 ,among expositors there has been a considerable degree of unanimity in supposing that ,attila1 the king of the ,huns1 is referred to2 and if the preceding expositions are correct1 there can be no doubt on the subject4 ,after ,alaric and ,genseric1 ,attila occupies the next place as an important agent in the overthrow of the ,roman empire1 and the only question is1 whether he would be properly symbolized by this baleful star4 ,the following remarks may be made to show the propriety of the symbol37#a7 ,as already remarked1 the place which he occupies in history1 as immediately succeeding ,alaric and ,genseric in the downfall of the empire4 ,this will appear in any chronological table1 or in the table of contents of any of the histories of those times4 ,a full detail of the career of ,attila may be found in ,gibbon1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #cadcea4 ,his career extended from ,a4,d4 #dcc to ,a4,d4 #dec4 ,it is true that he was contemporary with ,genseric1 king of the ,vandals1 and that a portion of the operations of ,genseric in ,africa were subsequent to the death of ,attila 7,a4,d4 #dee;,a4,d4 #dfg72 but it is also true that ,genseric preceded ,attila in the career of conquest1 and was properly the first in order1 being pressed forward in the ,roman warfare by the ,huns1 ,a4,d4 #dbh4 ,see ,gibbon1 ii4 #cjf1 seq4 7#b7 ,in the manner of his appearance he strongly resembled a brilliant meteor flashing in the sky4 ,he came from the east1 gathering his ,huns1 and poured them down1 as we shall see1 with the rapidity of a flashing meteor1 suddenly on the empire4 ,he regarded himself also as devoted to ,mars1 the god of war1 and was accustomed to array himself in a peculiarly brilliant manner1 so that his appearance1 in the language of his flatterers1 was such as to dazzle the eyes of beholders4 ,one of his followers perceived that a heifer that was grazing had wounded her foot1 and curiously followed the track of blood1 till he found in the long grass the point of an ancient sword1 which he dug out of the ground and presented to ,attila4 8,that magnanimous1 or rather that artful prince10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8accepted with pious gratitude this celestial favour2 and1 as the rightful possessor of the sword of ,mars1 asserted his divine and indefeasible claim to the dominion of the earth4 ,the favourite of ,mars soon acquired a sacred character1 which rendered his conquests more easy and more permanent2 and the barbarian princes confessed1 in the language of devotion or flattery1 that they could not presume to gaze1 with a steady eye1 on the divine majesty of the king of the ,huns10 ii4 #cag4 ,how appropriate would it be to represent such a prince by the symbol of a bright and blazing staror a meteor flashing through the sky6 7#c7 ,there may be propriety1 as applicable to him1 in the expression8a great star from heaven falling upon the earth40 ,attila was regarded as an instrument in the divine hand in inflicting punishment4 ,the common appellation by which he has been known is 8the scourge of ,god40 ,this title is supposed by the modern ,hungarians to have been first given to ,attila by a hermit of ,gaul1 but it was 8inserted by ,attila among the titles of his royal dignity0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cba1 foot-note74 ,to no one could the title be more applicable than to him4 7#d7 ,his career as a conqueror1 and the effect of his conquests on the downfall of the empire1 were such as to be properly symbolized in this manner4 7a7 ,the general effect of the invasion was worthy of an important place in describing the series of events which resulted in the overthrow of the empire4 ,this is thus stated by ,mr4 ,gibbon3 8,the western world was oppressed by the ,goths and ,vandals1 who fled before the ,huns2 but the achievements of the ,huns themselves were not adequate to their power and prosperity4 ,their victorious hordes had spread from the ,volga to the ,danube1 but the public force was exhausted by the discord of independent chieftains2 their valour was idly consumed in obscure and predatory excursions2 and they often degraded their national dignity by condescending1 for the hopes of spoil1 to enlist under the banners of their fugitive enemies4 ,in the reign of ,attila the ,huns again became the terror of the world2 and ,i shall now describe the character and actions of that formidable barbarian who alternately invaded and insulted the ,east and the ,west1 and urged the rapid downfall of the ,roman empire10 vol4 ii4 pp4 #cad1 #cae4 7b7 ,the parts of the earth affected by the invasion of the ,huns were those which would be properly symbolized by the things specified at the blowing of this trumpet4 ,it is said particularly that the effect would be on 8the rivers10 #bjf and on 8the fountains of waters40 ,if this has a literal application1 or if1 as was supposed in the case of the second trumpet1 the language used was such as had reference to the portion of the empire that would be particularly affected by the hostile invasion1 then we may suppose that this refers to those portions of the empire that abounded in rivers and streams1 and more particularly those in which the rivers and streams had their originfor the effect was permanently in the 8fountains of waters40 ,as a matter of fact1 the principal operations of ,attila were in the regions of the ,alps1 and on the portions of the empire whence the rivers flow down into ,italy4 ,the invasion of ,attila is described by ,mr4 ,gibbon in this general language3 8,the whole breadth of ,europe1 as it extends above five hundred miles from the ,euxine to the ,adriatic1 was at once invaded1 and occupied1 and desolated1 by the myriads of barbarians whom ,attila led into the field1 0 ii4 #cai1 #cbj4 ,after describing the progress and the effects of this invasion 7pp4 #cbjcca7 he proceeds more particularly to detail the events in the invasion of ,gaul and ,italy1 pp4 #ccacdg4 ,after the terrible battle of ,chlons1 in which1 according to one account1 one hundred and sixty-two thousand1 and1 according to other accounts1 three hundred thousand persons were slain1 and in which ,attila was defeated1 he recovered his vigour1 collected his forces1 and made a descent on ,italy4 ,under pretence of claiming ,honoria1 the daughter of the ,empress of ,rome1 as his bride1 8the indignant lover took the field1 passed the ,alps1 invaded ,italy1 and besieged ,aquileia with an innumerable host of barbarians40 ,after endeavouring in vain for three months to subdue the city1 and when about to abandon the siege1 ,attila took advantage of the appearance of a stork as a favourable omen to arouse his men to a renewed effort1 8a large breach was made in the part of the wall where the stork had taken her flight2 the ,huns mounted to the assault with irresistible fury2 and the succeeding generation could scarcely discover the ruins of ,aquileia4 ,after this dreadful chastisement ,attila pursued his march2 and as he passed1 the cities of ,altinum1 ,concordia1 and ,padua were reduced into heaps of stones and ashes4 ,the inland towns1 ,vicenza1 ,verona1 and ,bergamo1 were exposed to the rapacious cruelty of the ,huns2 ,milan and ,pavia submitted without resistance to the loss of their wealth1 and applauded the unusual clemency which preserved from the flames the public as well as the private buildings1 and spared the lives of the captive multitude4 ,the popular traditions of ,comum1 ,turin1 or ,modena1 may be justly suspected1 yet they concur with more authentic evidence to prove that ,attila spread his ravages over the rich plains of modern ,lombardy1 which are divided by the ,po1 and bounded by the ,alps and the ,apennines10 ii4 pp4 #cdc1 #cdd4 8,it is a saying worthy of the ferocious pride of ,attila1 that the grass never grew on the spot where his horse had trod0 7ibid4 p4 #cde74 ,anyone has only to look on a map1 and to trace the progress of those desolations and the chief seats of his military operations to see with what propriety this symbol would be employed4 ,in these regions the great rivers that water ,europe have their origin1 and are swelled by numberless streams that flow down from the ,alps2 and about the fountains whence these streams flow were the principal military operations of the invader4 7c7 ,with equal propriety is he represented in the symbol as affecting 8a third0 part of these rivers and fountains4 ,at least a third part of the empire was invaded and desolated by him in his savage march1 and the effects of his invasion were as disastrous on the empire as if a bitter star had fallen into a third part of those rivers and fountains1 and had converted them into wormwood4 7d7 ,there is one other point which shows the propriety of this symbol4 ,it is1 that the meteor1 or star1 seemed to be absorbed in the waters4 ,it fell into the waters2 embittered them2 and was seen no more4 ,such would be the case with a meteor that should thus fall upon the earthflashing along the sky1 and then disappearing for ever4 ,now1 it was remarkable in regard to the ,huns1 that their power was concentrated under ,attila2 that he alone appeared as the leader of this formidable host2 and that when he died all the concentrated power of the ,huns was dissipated1 or became absorbed and lost4 8,the revolution10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 #cdh71 8which subverted the empire of the ,huns1 established the fame of ,attila1 whose genius alone had sustained the huge and disjointed fabric4 ,after his death the boldest chieftains aspired to the rank of kings2 the most powerful kings refused to acknowledge a superior2 and #bjg the numerous sons1 whom so many various mothers bore to the deceased monarch1 divided and disputed1 like a private inheritance1 the sovereign command of the nations of ,germany and ,scythia40 ,soon1 however1 in the conflicts which succeeded1 the empire passed away1 and the empire of the ,huns ceased4 ,the people that composed it were absorbed in the surrounding nations1 and ,mr4 ,gibbon makes this remark1 after giving a summary account of these conflicts1 which continued but for a few years3 8,the ,igours of the north1 issuing from the cold ,siberian regions1 which produced the most valuable furs1 spread themselves over the desert1 as far as the ,borysthenes and the ,caspian gates1 and finally extinguished the empire of the ,huns40 ,these facts may1 perhaps1 show with what propriety ,attila would be compared with a bright but beautiful meteor2 and that1 if the design was to symbolize him as acting an important part in the downfall of the ,roman empire1 there is a fitness in the symbol here employed4 #ab ,and the fourth angel sounded1 and the third part of #bghthe sun was smitten1 and the third part of the moon1 and the third part of the stars2 so as the third part of them was darkened1 and the day shone not for a third part of it1 and the night likewise4 #ab4 ,and the fourth angel sounded4 ,notes1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,and the third part of the sea was smitten4 ,on the phrase the third part1 see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,the darkening of the heavenly luminaries is everywhere an emblem of any great calamityas if the light of the sun1 moon1 and stars should be put out4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #ab1 #ac4 ,there is no certain evidence that this refers to rulers1 as many have supposed1 or to anything that would particularly affect the government as such4 ,the meaning is1 that calamity would come as if darkness should spread over the sun1 the moon1 and the stars1 leaving the world in gloom4 ,what is the precise nature of the calamity is not indicated by the language1 but anything that would diffuse gloom and disaster would accord with the fair meaning of the symbol4 ,there are a few circumstances1 however1 in regard to this symbol which may aid us in determining its application4 7#a7 ,it would follow in the series of calamities that were to occur4 7#b7 ,it would be separated in some important senseof time1 place1 or degreefrom those which were to follow1 for there is a pause here 7ver4 #ac71 and the angel proclaims that more terrible woes are to succeed this series4 7#c7 ,like the preceding1 it is to affect 8one third part0 of the world2 that is1 it is to be a calamity as if a third part of the sun1 the moon1 and the stars were suddenly smitten and darkened4 7#d7 ,it is not to be total4 ,it is not as if the sun1 the moon1 and the stars were entirely blotted out1 for there was still some remaining light2 that is1 there was a continuance of the existing state of thingsas if these heavenly bodies should still give an obscure and partial light4 7#e7 ,perhaps it is also intended by the symbol that there would be light again4 ,the world was not to go into a state of total and permanent night4 ,for a third part of the day1 and a third part of the night1 this darkness reigned2 but does not this imply that there would be light againthat the obscurity would pass away1 and that the sun1 and moon1 and stars would shine again8 ,that is1 is it not implied that there would still be prosperity in some future period8 ,now1 in regard to the application of this1 if the explanation of the preceding symbols is correct1 there can be little difficulty4 ,if the previous symbols referred to ,alaric1 to ,genseric1 and to ,attila1 there can be no difficulty in applying this to ,odoacer1 and to his reigna reign in which1 in fact1 the ,roman dominion in the ,west came to an end1 and passed into the hands of this barbarian4 ,anyone has only to open the ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire1 to see that this is the next event that should be symbolized if the design were to represent the downfall of the empire4 ,these four great barbarian leaders succeed each other in order1 and under the last1 ,odoacer1 the barbarian dominion was established2 for it is here that the existence of the ,roman power1 as such1 ended4 ,the ,western empire terminated1 according to ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 p4 #chj71 about ,a4,d4 #dgf or #dgi4 ,odoacer was 8,king of ,italy0 from ,a4,d4 #dgf to ,a4,d4 #dij 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cgi74 ,the ,eastern empire still lingered1 but calamity1 like blotting out the sun1 and moon1 and stars1 had come over that #bjh part of the world which for so many centuries had constituted the seat of power and dominion4,odoacer was the son of ,edecon1 a barbarian1 who was in the service of ,attila1 and who left two sons,onulf and ,odoacer4 ,the former directed his steps to ,constantinople2 ,odoacer 8led a wandering life among the barbarians of ,noricum1 with a mind and fortune suited to the most desperate adventures2 and when he had fixed his choice1 he piously visited the cell of ,severinus1 the popular saint of the country1 to solicit his approbation and blessing4 ,the lowness of the door would not admit the lofty stature of ,odoacer2 he was obliged to stoop2 but in that humble attitude the saint could discern the symptoms of his future greatness2 and addressing him in a prophetic tone1 #8,pursue1' said he1 #8your design2 proceed to ,italy2 you will soon cast away this coarse garment of skins2 and your wealth will be adequate to the liberality of your mind4' ,the barbarian1 whose daring spirit accepted and ratified this prediction1 was admitted into the service of the ,western empire1 and soon obtained an honourable rank in the guards4 ,his manners were gradually polished1 his military skill improved2 and the confederates of ,italy would not have elected him for their general unless the exploits of ,odoacer had established a high opinion of his courage and capacity4 ,their military acclamations saluted him with the title of king2 but he abstained during his whole reign from the use of the purple and the diadem1 lest he should offend those princes whose subjects1 by their accidental mixture1 had formed the victorious army which time and policy might insensibly unite into a great nation0 7,gibbon1 ii4 #cgi1 #chj74 ,in another place ,mr4 ,gibbon says3 8,odoacer was the first barbarian who reigned in ,italy1 over a people who had once asserted their superiority above the rest of mankind4 ,the disgrace of the ,romans still excites our respectful compassion1 and we fondly sympathize with the imaginary grief and indignation of their degenerate posterity4 ,but the calamities of ,italy had gradually subdued the proud consciousness of freedom and glory4 ,in the age of ,roman virtue the provinces were subject to the arms1 and the citizens to the laws1 of the republic2 till those laws were subverted by civil discord1 and both the city and the provinces became the servile property of a tyrant4 ,the forms of the constitution which alleviated or disguised their abject slavery were abolished by time and violence2 the ,italians alternately lamented the presence or the absence of the sovereigns whom they detested or despised2 and the succession of five centuries inflicted the various evils of military license1 capricious despotism1 and elaborate oppression4 ,during the same period the barbarians had emerged from obscurity and contempt1 and the warriors of ,germany and ,scythia were introduced into the provinces1 as the servants1 the allies1 and at length the masters of the ,romans1 whom they insulted or protected10 ii4 #cha1 #chb4 ,of the effect of the reign of ,odoacer ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks3 8,in the division and decline of the empire the tributary harvests of ,egypt and ,africa were withdrawn2 the numbers of the inhabitants continually decreased with the means of subsistence2 and the country was exhausted by the irretrievable losses of war1 famine1 and pestilence4 ,st4 ,ambrose has deplored the ruin of a populous district1 which had been once adorned with the flourishing cities of ,bologna1 ,modena1 ,rhegium1 and ,placentia4 ,pope ,gelasius was a subject of ,odoacer2 and he affirms1 with strong exaggeration1 that in milia1 ,tuscany1 and the adjacent provinces the human species was almost extirpated4 ,one-third of those ample estates1 to which the ruin of ,italy is originally imputed1 was extorted for the use of the conquerors10 ii4 #chc4 ,yet the light was not wholly extinct4 ,it was 8a third part0 of it which was put out2 and it was still true that some of the forms of the ancient constitution were observedthat the light still lingered before it wholly passed away4 ,in the language of another1 8,the authority of the ,roman name had not yet entirely ceased4 ,the senate of ,rome continued to assemble as usual4 ,the consuls were appointed yearly1 one by the ,eastern emperor1 one by ,italy and ,rome4 ,odoacer himself governed ,italy under a titlethat of ,patricianconferred on him by the ,eastern emperor4 ,there was still a certain1 though often faint1 recognition of the supreme imperial authority4 ,the moon and the stars might seem still to shine in the ,west1 with a dim reflected light4 ,in the course of the events1 however1 which rapidly followed in the next half-century1 these too were extinguished4 ,after above a century and a half of calamities unexampled #bji almost1 as ,dr4 ,robertson most truly represents it1#bgi in the history of nations1 the statement of ,jeromea statement couched under the very ,apocalyptic figure of the text1 but prematurely pronounced on the first taking of ,rome by ,alaricmight be considered at length accomplished3 #8,clarissimum terrarum lumen extinctum est'#8,the world's glorious sun has been extinguished2' or1 as the modern poet ,byron 7,childe ,harold1 canto iv47 has expressed it1 still under the ,apocalyptic imagery3 #8,she saw her glories star by star expire1' till not even one star remained to glimmer in the vacant and dark night0 7,elliott1 i4 #cfj1 #cfa74 ,i have thus endeavoured to explain the meaning of the four first trumpets under the opening of the seventh seal1 embracing the successive severe blows struck on the empire by ,alaric1 ,genseric1 ,attila1 and ,odoacer1 until the empire fell1 to rise no more4 ,i cannot better conclude this part of the exposition than in the words of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 in his reflections on the fall of the empire4 8,i have now accomplished10 says he1 8the laborious narrative of the decline and fall of the ,roman empire1 from the fortunate age of ,trajan and the ,antonines to its total extinction in the ,west1 about five centuries after the ,christian era4 ,at that unhappy period the ,saxons fiercely struggled with the natives for the possession of ,britain2 ,gaul and ,spain were divided between the powerful monarchies of the ,franks and the ,visigoths1 and the dependent kingdoms of the ,suevi and the ,burgundians2 ,africa was exposed to the cruel persecution of the ,vandals1 and the savage insults of the ,moors2 ,rome and ,italy1 as far as the banks of the ,danube1 were afflicted by an army of barbarian mercenaries1 whose lawless tyranny was succeeded by the reign of ,theodoric the ,ostrogoth4 ,all the subjects of the empire1 who1 by the use of the ,latin language1 more particularly deserved the name and privileges of ,romans1 were oppressed by the disgrace and calamities of foreign conquest2 and the victorious nations of ,germany established a new system of manners and government in the western countries of ,europe4 ,the majesty of ,rome was faintly represented by the princes of ,constantinople1 the feeble and imaginary successors of ,augustus0 7vol4 ii4 pp4 #ddj1 #dda74 8,the splendid days of ,augustus and ,trajan were eclipsed by a cloud of ignorance a fine illustration of the language #8the third part of the sun was smitten1 and the day shone not1 and the night likewise'2 and the barbarians subverted the laws and palaces of ,rome0 7ibid4 p4 #ddf74 ,thus ended the history of the ,gothic period1 and1 as ,i suppose1 the immediate symbolic representation of the affairs of the ,western empire4 ,an interval now occurs 7ver4 #ac7 in the sounding of the trumpets1 and the scene is transferred1 in the three remaining trumpets1 to the ,eastern parts of the empire4 ,after that the attention is directed again to the ,west1 to contemplate ,rome under a new form1 and exerting a new influence in the nations1 under the ,papacy1 but destined ultimately to pass away in its spiritual power1 as its temporal power had yielded to the elements of internal decay in its bosom1 and to the invasions of the northern hordes4 #ac ,and ,i beheld1 and heard an #bhj;angel flying through the midst of heaven1 saying with a loud voice1 ,woe1 woe1 woe1 to the inhabiters of the earth1 by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels1 which are yet to sound6 #ac4 ,and ,i beheld4 ,my attention was attracted by a new vision4 ,and ,i heard an angel flying1 c4 ,i heard the voice of an angel making this proclamation4 ,woe1 woe1 woe4 ,that is1 there will be great woe4 ,the repetition of the word is intensive1 and the idea is1 that the sounding of the three remaining trumpets would indicate great and fearful calamities4 ,these three are grouped together as if they pertained to a similar series of events1 as the first four had been4 ,the two classes are separated from each other by this interval and by this proclamationimplying that the first series had been completed1 and that there would be some interval1 either of space or time1 before the other series would come upon the world4 ,all that is fairly implied here would be fulfilled by the supposition that the former referred to the #baj ,west1 and that the latter pertained to the ,east1 and were to follow when those should have been completed4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,the three remaining trumpets 7ch4 ix4xi47 are usually called the woe-trumpets1 in reference to the proclamation of woes1 ch4 viii4 #ac 7,professor ,stuart74 ,the three extend1 as ,i suppose1 to the end of time1 or1 as it is supposed by the writer himself 7ch4 xi4 #ae71 to the period when 8the kingdoms of this world shall have become the kingdoms of ,christ10 embracing a succinct view of the most material events that were to occur1 particularly in a secular point of view4 ,see the ,analysis prefixed to the book4 ,in ch4 xi4 #ai1 as ,i understand it1 a new view is commenced1 referring to the church internally2 the rise of ,antichrist1 and the effect of the rise of that formidable power on the internal history of the church1 to the time of its overthrow1 and the triumphant establishment of the kingdom of ,god4 ,this1 of course1 synchronizes in its beginning and its close with the portion already passed over1 but with a different view4 ,see the ,analysis prefixed to ch4 xi4 #ai1 seq4 ,this chapter contains properly three parts4 ,first1 a description of the first of those trumpets1 or the fifth in the order of the whole1 ver4 #aab4 ,this woe is represented under the figure of calamities brought upon the earth by an immense army of locusts4 ,a star is seen to fall from heavenrepresenting some mighty chieftain1 and to him is given the key of the bottomless pit4 ,he opens the pit1 and then comes forth an innumerable swarm of locusts that darken the heavens1 and they go forth upon the earth4 ,they have a command given them to do a certain work4 ,they are not to hurt the earth1 or any green thing1 but they are sent against those men which have not the seal of ,god on their foreheads4 ,their main business1 however1 was not to kill them1 but to torment them for a limited timefor five months4 ,a description of the appearance of the locusts then follows4 ,though they are called locusts1 because in their general appearance1 and in the ravages they commit1 they resemble them1 yet1 in the main1 they are imaginary beings1 and combine in themselves qualities which are never found united in reality4 ,they had a strong resemblance to horses prepared for battle2 they wore on their heads crowns of gold2 they had the faces of men but the hair of women and the teeth of lions4 ,they had breastplates of iron1 and tails like scorpions1 with stings in their tails4 ,they had a mighty king at their head1 with a name significant of the destruction which he would bring upon the world4 ,these mysterious beings had their origin in the bottomless pit1 and they are summoned forth to spread desolation upon the earth4 ,second1 a description of the second of these trumpets1 the sixth in order1 ver4 #acai4 ,when this is sounded1 a voice is heard from the four horns of the altar which is before ,god4 ,the angel is commanded to loose the four angels which are bound in the great river ,euphrates4 ,these angels are loosedangels which had been prepared for a definite perioda day1 and a month1 and a year1 to slay the third part of men4 ,the number of the army that would appearcomposed of cavalryis stated to amount to two hundred thousand1 and the peculiarities of these horsemen are then stated4 ,they are remarkable for having breastplates of fire1 and jacinth1 and brimstone2 the heads of the horses resemble lions2 and they breathe forth fire and brimstone4 ,a third part of men fall before them1 by the fire1 and the smoke1 and the brimstone4 ,their power is in their mouth and in their tails1 for their tails are like serpents4 ,third1 a statement of the effect of the judgments brought upon the world under these trumpets1 ver4 #bj1 #ba4 ,the effect1 so far as the reasonable result could have been anticipated1 is lost4 ,the nations are not turned from idolatry4 ,wickedness still abounds1 and there is no disposition to repent of the abominations which had been so long practised on the earth4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,and the fifth angel sounded1 and ,i saw a #bhastar fall from heaven unto the earth3 and to him was given the key of the #bhb;bottomless pit4 #a4 ,and the fifth angel sounded4 ,see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #f1 #g4 ,and ,i saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth4 ,this denotes1 as was shown in the ,notes on ch4 viii4 #aj1 a leader1 a military #baa chieftain1 a warrior4 ,in the fulfilment of this1 as in the former case1 we look for the appearance of some mighty prince and warrior1 to whom is given power1 as it were1 to open the bottomless pit1 and to summon forth its legions4 ,that some such agent is denoted by the star is farther apparent from the fact that it is immediately added1 that 8to him the star was given the key of the bottomless pit40 ,it could not be meant that a key would be given to a literal star1 and we naturally suppose1 therefore1 that some intelligent being of exalted rank1 and of baleful influence1 is here referred to4 ,angels1 good and bad1 are often called stars2 but the reference here1 as in ch4 viii4 #aj1 seems to me not to be to angels1 but to some mighty leader of armies1 who was to collect his hosts1 and to go through the world in the work of destruction4 ,and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit4 ,of the under-world1 considered particularly of the abode of the wicked4 ,this is represented often as a dark prison-house1 inclosed with walls1 and accessible by gates or doors4 ,these gates or doors are fastened1 so that none of the inmates can come out1 and the key is in the hand of the keeper or guardian4 ,in ch4 i4 #ah it is said that the keys of that world are in the hand of the ,saviour 7comp4 ,notes on that passage72 here it is said that for a time1 and for a temporary purpose1 they are committed to another4 ,the word pitdenotes properly a well1 or a pit for water dug in the earth2 and then any pit1 cave1 abyss4 ,the reference here is doubtless to the nether world1 considered as the abode of the wicked dead1 the prison-house of the guilty4 ,the word bottomless1 whence our word abyssmeans properly without any bottom 7from 1 pr41 and 1 depth1 bottom74 ,it would be applied properly to the ocean1 or to any deep and dark dell1 or to any obscure place whose depth was unknown4 ,here it refers to ,hadesthe region of the deadthe abode of wicked spiritsas a deep1 dark place1 whose bottom was unknown4 ,having the key to this1 is to have the power to confine those who are there1 or to permit them to go at large4 ,the meaning here is1 that this master-spirit would have power to evoke the dead from these dark regions2 and it would be fulfilled if some mighty genius1 that could be compared with a fallen star1 or a lurid meteor1 should summon forth followers which would appear like the dwellers in the nether world called forth to spread desolation over the earth4 #b ,and he opened the bottomless pit2 and there arose a smoke out of the pit1 as the smoke of a great furnace2 and the sun and the air were #bhc;darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit4 #b4 ,and he opened the bottomless pit4 ,it is represented before as wholly confined1 so that not even the smoke or vapour could escape4 ,and there arose a smoke out of the pit4 ,comp4 ch4 xiv4 #aa4 ,the meaning here is1 that the pit1 as a place of punishment1 or as the abode of the wicked1 was filled with burning sulphur1 and consequently that it emitted smoke and vapour as soon as opened4 ,the common image of the place of punishment1 in the ,scriptures1 is that of a 8lake that burns with fire and brimstone40 ,comp4 ch4 xiv4 #aj2 xix4 #bj2 xx4 #aj2 xxi4 #h4 ,see also ,ps4 xi4 #f2 ,is4 xxx4 #cc2 ,eze4 xxxviii4 #bb4 ,it is not improbable that this image was taken from the destruction of ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 ,ge4 xix4 #bd4 ,such burning sulphur would produce1 of course1 a dense smoke or vapour2 and the idea here is1 that the pit had been closed1 and that as soon as the door was opened a dense column escaped that darkened the heavens4 ,the purpose of this is1 probably1 to indicate the origin of the plague that was about to come upon the world4 ,it would be of such a character that it would appear as if it had been emitted from hell2 as if the inmates of that dark world had broke loose upon the earth4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 vi4 #h4 ,as the smoke of a great furnace4 ,so in ,ge4 xix4 #bh1 whence probably this image is taken3 8,and he looked towards ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 and all the land of the plain1 and beheld1 and lo1 the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace40 ,and the sun and the air were darkened1 c4 ,as will be the case when a smoke ascends from a furnace4 ,the meaning here is1 that an effect would be produced as if a dense and dark vapour should ascend from the under-world4 ,we are not1 of course1 to understand this literally4 #c ,and there came out of the smoke #bhdlocusts upon the earth3 and unto them was given power1 as the #bhescorpions of the earth have power4 #c4 ,and there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth4 ,that is1 they escaped from the pit with the smoke4 #bab ,at first they were mingled with the smoke1 so that they were not distinctly seen1 but when the smoke cleared away they appeared in great numbers4 ,the idea seems to be1 that the bottomless pit was filled with vapour and with those creatures1 and that as soon as the gate was opened the whole contents expanded and burst forth upon the earth4 ,the sun was immediately darkened1 and the air was full1 but the smoke soon cleared away1 so that the locusts became distinctly visible4 ,the appearance of these locusts is described in another part of the chapter1 ver4 #g1 seq4 ,the locust is a voracious insect belonging to the grasshopper or grylli genus1 and is a great scourge in ,oriental countries4 ,a full description of the locust may be seen in ,robinson's ,calmet1 and in ,kitto's ,encyclo4 vol4 ii4 pp4 #beh1 seq4 ,there are ten ,hebrew words to denote the locust1 and there are numerous references to the destructive habits of the insect in the ,scriptures4 ,in fact1 from their numbers and their destructive habits1 there was scarcely any other plague that was so much dreaded in the ,east4 ,considered as a symbol1 or emblem1 the following remarks may be made in explanation37#a7 ,the symbol is ,oriental1 and would most naturally refer to something that was to occur in the ,east4 ,as locusts have appeared chiefly in the ,east1 and as they are in a great measure an ,oriental plague1 the mention of this symbol would most naturally turn the thoughts to that portion of the earth4 ,the symbols of the first four trumpets had no especial locality1 and would suggest no particular part of the world2 but on the mention of this1 the mind would be naturally turned to the ,east1 and we should expect to find that the scene of this woe would be located in the regions where the ravages of locusts most abounded4 ,compare1 on this point1 ,elliott1 ,hor ,apoc4 i4 #ciddjf4 ,he has made it probable that the prophets1 when they used symbolical language to denote any events1 commonly1 at least1 employed those which had a local or geographical reference2 thus1 in the symbols derived from the vegetable kingdom1 when ,judah is to be symbolized1 the olive1 the vine1 and the fig-tree are selected2 when ,egypt is referred to1 the reed is chosen2 when ,babylon1 the willow4 ,and so1 in the animal kingdom1 the lion is the symbol of ,judah2 the wild ass1 of the ,arabs2 the crocodile1 of ,egypt1 c4 ,whether this theory could be wholly carried out or not1 no one can doubt that the symbol of locusts would most naturally suggest the ,oriental world1 and that the natural interpretation of the passage would lead us to expect its fulfilment there4 7#b7 ,locusts were remarkable for their numbersso great often as to appear like clouds1 and to darken the sky4 ,in this respect they would naturally be symbolical of numerous armies or hosts of men4 ,this natural symbol of numerous armies is often employed by the prophets4 ,thus1 in ,je4 xlvi4 #bc3 8,cut down her forests i4e4 her people1 or cities1 saith ,jehovah1 ,that it may not be found on searching2 ,although they surpass the locusts in multitude1 ,and they are without number40 ,so in ,na4 iii4 #ae3 8,there shall the fire devour thee2 ,the sword shall cut thee off2 it shall devour thee as the locust1 ,increase thyself as the numerous locusts40 ,so also in ,na4 iii4 #ag3 8,thy crowned princes are as the numerous locusts1 ,and thy captains as the grasshoppers2 ,which encamp in the fences in the cold day1 ,but when the sun ariseth they depart1 ,and their place is not known where they were40 ,see also ,de4 xxviii4 #ch1 #db2 ,ps4 lxxviii4 #df2 ,am4 vii4 #a4 ,comp4 ,ju4 vi4 #cf2 vii4 #ab2 and ,joel1 ch4 i4 ii4 7#c7 ,locusts are an emblem of desolation or destruction4 ,no symbol of desolation could be more appropriate or striking than this1 for one of the most remarkable properties of locusts is1 that they devour every green thing and leave a land perfectly waste4 ,they do this even when what they destroy is not necessary for their own sustenance4 8,locusts seem to devour not so much from a ravenous appetite as from a rage for destroying4 ,destruction1 therefore1 and not food1 is the chief impulse of their devastations1 and in this consists their utility2 they are1 in fact1 omnivorous4 ,the most poisonous plants are indifferent to them2 they will prey even upon the crowfoot1 whose causticity burns even the hides of beasts4 ,they simply consume everything1 #bac without predilectionvegetable matter1 linens1 woollens1 silk1 leather1 c42 and ,pliny does not exaggerate when he says1 fores quoque tectorum#8even the doors of houses'for they have been known to consume the very varnish of furniture4 ,they reduce everything indiscriminately to shreds1 which become manure0 7,kitto's ,encyclo4 ii4 #bfc74 ,locusts become1 therefore1 a most striking symbol of an all-devouring army1 and as such are often referred to in ,scripture4 ,so also in ,josephus1 de ,bello ,jud4 book v4 ch4 vii438,as after locusts we see the woods stripped of their leaves1 so1 in the rear of ,simon's army1 nothing but devastation remained40 ,the natural application of this symbol1 then1 is to a numerous and destructive army1 or to a great multitude of people committing ravages1 and sweeping off everything in their march4 ,and unto them was given power4 ,this was something that was imparted to them beyond their ordinary nature4 ,the locust in itself is not strong1 and is not a symbol of strength4 ,though destructive in the extreme1 yet neither as individuals1 nor as combined1 are they distinguished for strength4 ,hence it is mentioned as a remarkable circumstance that they had such power conferred on them4 ,as the scorpions of the earth have power4 ,the phrase 8the earth0 seems to have been introduced here because these creatures are said to have come up from 8the bottomless pit10 and it was natural to compare them with some well-known objects found on the earth4 ,the scorpion is an animal with eight feet1 eight eyes1 and a long1 jointed tail1 ending in a pointed weapon or sting4 ,it is the largest and the most malignant of all the insect tribes4 ,it somewhat resembles the lobster in its general appearance1 but is much more hideous4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 x4 #ai4 ,those found in ,europe seldom exceed four inches in length1 but in tropical climates1 where they abound1 they are often found twelve inches long4 ,there are few animals more formidable1 and none more irascible1 than the scorpion4 ,goldsmith states that ,maupertuis put about a hundred of them together in the same glass1 and that as soon as they came into contact they began to exert all their rage in mutual destruction1 so that in a few days there remained but fourteen1 which had killed and devoured all the rest4 ,the sting of the scorpion1 ,dr4 ,shaw states1 is not always fatal2 the malignity of their venom being in proportion to their size and complexion4 ,the torment of a scorpion1 when he strikes a man1 is thus described by ,dioscorides1 lib4 vii4 cap4 #g1 as cited by ,mr4 ,taylor38,when the scorpion has stung1 the place becomes inflamed and hardened2 it reddens by tension1 and is painful by intervals1 being now chilly1 now burning4 ,the pain soon rises high1 and rages1 sometimes more1 sometimes less4 ,a sweating succeeds1 attended by a shivering and trembling2 the extremities of the body become cold1 the groin swells1 the hair stands on end1 the members become pale1 and the skin feels throughout the sensation of a perpetual pricking1 as if by needles0 7,fragments to ,calmet's ,dic4 vol4 iv4 p4 #cgf1 #cgg74 8,the tail of the scorpion is long1 and formed after the manner of a string of beads1 the last larger than the others1 and longer2 at the end of which are1 sometimes1 two stings which are hollow1 and filled with a cold poison1 which it ejects into the part which it stings0 7,calmet's ,dic474 ,the sting of the scorpion1 therefore1 becomes the emblem of that which causes acute and dangerous suffering4 ,on this comparison with scorpions see the remark of ,niebuhr1 quoted in the ,notes on ver4 #g4 #d ,and it was #bhf;commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth1 neither any green thing1 neither any tree2 but only those men which have not the #bhgseal of ,god in their foreheads4 #d4 ,and it was commanded them4 ,the writer does not say by whom this command was given1 but it is clearly by some one who had the direction of them4 ,as they were evoked from the 8bottomless pit0 by one who had the key to that dark abode1 and as they are represented in ver4 #aa as under the command of one who is there called ,abaddon1 or ,apollyonthe ,destroyerit would seem most probable that the command referred to is one that is given by him2 that is1 that this expresses one of the principles on which he would act in his devastations4 ,at all events1 this denotes what would be one of the characteristics of these destroyers4 ,their purpose #bad would be to vex and trouble men2 not to spread desolation over vineyards1 olive-yards1 and fields of grain4 ,that they should not hurt the grass of the earth1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #g4 ,the meaning here is plain4 ,there would be some sense in which these invaders would be characterized in a manner that was not common among invaders1 to wit1 that they would show particular care not to carry their devastations into the vegetable world4 ,their warfare would be with men1 and not with orchards and green fields4 ,but only those men which have not the seal of ,god in their foreheads4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #b1 #c4 ,they commenced war against that part of the human race only4 ,the language here properly denotes those who were not the friends of ,god4 ,it may here refer1 however1 either to those who in reality were not such1 or to those who were regarded by him who gave this command as not being such4 ,in the former case1 the commission would have respect to real infidels in the sight of ,godthat is1 to those who rejected the true religion2 in the latter it would express the sentiment of the leader of this host1 as referring to those who in his apprehension were infidels or enemies of ,god4 ,the true interpretation must depend on the sense in which we understand the phrase 8it was commanded20 whether as referring to ,god1 or to the leader of the host himself4 ,the language1 therefore1 is ambiguous1 and the meaning must be determined by the other parts of the passage4 ,either method of understanding the passage would be in accordance with its fair interpretation4 #e ,and to them it was given 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 he striketh a man4 #e4 ,and to them it was given4 ,there is here the same indefiniteness as in the former verse1 the impersonal verb being here also used4 ,the writer does not say by whom this power was given1 whether by ,god1 or by the leader of the host4 ,it may be admitted1 however1 that the most natural interpretation is to suppose that it was given them by ,god1 and that this was the execution of his purpose in this case4 ,still it is remarkable that this is not directly affirmed1 and that the language is so general as to admit of the other application4 ,the fact that they did not kill them1 but tormented themif such a fact should be found to existwould be in every sense a fulfilment of what is here said4 ,that they should not kill them4 ,this is in accordance with the nature of the symbol4 ,the locusts do not themselves destroy any living creature2 and the sting of the scorpion1 though exceedingly painful1 is not usually fatal4 ,the proper fulfilment of this would be found in that which would not be generally fatal1 but which would diffuse misery and wretchedness4 7,comp4 ver4 #f47 ,perhaps all that would be necessarily meant by this would be1 not that individual men would not be killed1 but that they would be sent to inflict plagues and torments rather than to take life1 and that the characteristic effects of their appearing would be distress and suffering rather than death4 ,there may be included in the fair interpretation of the words1 general distress and sorrow2 acts of oppression1 cruelty1 and violence2 such a condition of public suffering that men would regard death as a relief if they could find it4 ,but that they should be tormented4 ,that is1 that they should be subjected to ills and troubles which might be properly compared with the sting of a scorpion4 ,five months4 ,so far as the words here are concerned this might be taken literally1 denoting five months or one hundred and fifty days2 or as a prophetic reckoning1 where a day stands for a year4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 ix4 #bd1 seq4 ,the latter is undoubtedly the correct interpretation here1 for it is the character of the book thus to reckon time4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ae4 ,see also ,editor's ,preface1 pp4 xi4xv4 ,if this be the true method of reckoning here1 then it will be necessary to find some events which will embrace about the period of one hundred and fifty years1 during which this distress and sorrow would continue4 ,the proper laws of interpretation demand that one or the other of these periods should be foundeither that of five months literally1 or that of a hundred and fifty years4 ,it may be true1 as ,professor ,stuart suggests 7in loco71 that 8the usual time of locusts is from ,may to ,september inclusivefive months40 ,it may be true1 also1 that this symbol was chosen partly because that was the fact1 and they would1 from that fact1 be well adapted to symbolize #bae a period that could be spoken of as 8five months20 but still the meaning must be more than simply it was 8a short period10 as he supposes4 ,the phrase a few months might designate such a period2 but if that had been the writer's intention1 he would not have selected the definite number five4 ,and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion1 c4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,that is1 it would be painful1 severe1 dangerous4 #f ,and in those days shall #bhhmen seek death1 and shall not find it2 and shall desire to die1 and death shall flee from them4 #f4 ,and in those days shall men seek death1 c4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,it is very easy to conceive of such a state of things as is here described1 and1 indeed1 this has not been very uncommon in the world4 ,it is a state where the distress is so great that men would consider death a relief1 and where they anxiously look to the time when they may be released from their sufferings by death4 ,in the case before us it is not intimated that they would lay violent hands on themselves1 or that they would take any positive measures to end their sufferings2 and this1 perhaps1 may be a circumstance of some importance to show that the persons referred to were servants of ,god4 ,when it is said that 8they would seek death10 it can only be meant that they would look out for itor desire itas the end of their sorrows4 ,this is descriptive1 as we shall see1 of a particular period of the world2 but the language is beautifully applicable to what occurs in all ages and in all lands4 ,there is always a great number of sufferers who are looking forward to death as a relief4 ,in cells and dungeons2 on beds of pain and languishing2 in scenes of poverty and want2 in blighted hopes and disappointed affections1 how many are there who would be glad to die1 and who have no hope of an end of suffering but in the grave6 ,a few1 by the pistol1 by the halter1 by poison1 or by drowning1 seek thus to end their woes4 ,a large part look forward to death as a release1 when1 if the reality were known1 death would furnish no such relief1 for there are deeper and longer woes beyond the grave than there are this side of it4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job iii4 #bjbb4 ,but to a portion death will be a relief4 ,it will be an end of sufferings4 ,they will find peace in the grave1 and are assured they shall suffer no more4 ,such bear their trials with patience1 for the end of all sorrow to them is near1 and death will come to release their spirits from the suffering clay1 and to bear them in triumph to a world where a pang shall never be felt1 and a tear never shed4 #g ,and the #bhishapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle2 and on their heads were as it were #bij;crowns like gold1 and their #bia;faces were as the faces of men4 #g4 ,and the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for battle4 ,the resemblance between the locust and the horse1 dissimilar as they are in most respects1 has been often remarked4 ,dr4 ,robinson 7,bib4 ,research1 i4 #ei7 says3 8,we found to-day upon the shrubs an insect1 either a species of black locust1 or much resembling them1 which our ,bedouin called ,farras el ,jundy1 #8soldiers' horses4' ,they said these insects were common on ,mount ,sinai1 of a green colour1 and were found on dead trees1 but did them no injury40 ,the editor of the ,pictorial ,bible makes the following remarks38,the first time we saw locusts browsing with their wings closed1 the idea of comparing them to horses arose spontaneously to our mindsas we had not previously met with such a comparison1 and did not at that time advert to the present text ,joel ii4 #d4 ,the resemblance in the head first struck our attention2 and this notion having once arisen1 other analogies were found or imagined in its general appearance and action in feeding4 ,we have since found the observation very common4 ,the ,italians1 indeed1 from this resemblance1 called the locust cavaletta1 or little horse4 ,sir ,w4 ,ouseley reports3 #8,zakaria ,cazvine divides the locusts into two classes1 like horsemen and footmenmounted and pedestrian4' ,niebuhr says that he heard from a ,bedouin1 near ,bussorah1 a particular comparison of the locust to other animals2 but as this passage of ,scripture did not occur to him at the time he thought it a mere fancy of the ,arab's1 till he heard it repeated at ,bagdad4 ,he compared the head of the locust to that of the horse2 the feet to those of the camel2 #baf the belly with that of a serpent2 the tail with that of a scorpion2 and the feelers 7if ,niebuhr remembered rightly7 to the hair of a virgin0 7,pict4 ,bib4 on ,joel ii4 #d74 ,the resemblance to horses would naturally suggest the idea of cavalry1 as being referred to by the symbol4 ,and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold4 ,the writer does not say either that these were literally crowns1 or that they were actually made of gold4 ,they were 8as it were0 77 crowns1 and they were like 77 gold4 ,that is1 as seen by him1 they had a resemblance to crowns or diadems1 and they also resembled gold in their colour and brilliancy4 ,the word crownmeans properly a circlet1 chaplet1 encircling the head 7a7 as an emblem of royal dignity1 and as worn by kings2 7b7 as conferred on victors in the public gamesa chaplet1 a wreath2 7c7 as an ornament1 honour1 or glory1 ,phi4 iv4 #a4 ,no particular shape is designated by the word stephanosand perhaps the word crown does not quite express the meaning4 ,the word diadem would come nearer to it4 ,the true notion in the word is that of something that is passed around the head1 and that encircles it1 and as such it would well describe the appearance of a turban as seen at a distance4 ,on the supposition that the symbolic beings here referred to had turbans on their heads1 and on the supposition that something was referred to which was not much worn in the time of ,john1 and1 therefore1 that had no name1 the word stephanos1 or diadem1 would be likely to be used in describing it4 ,this1 too1 would accord with the use of the phrase 8as it were04 ,the writer saw such head-ornaments as he was accustomed to see4 ,they were not exactly crowns or diadems1 but they had a resemblance to them1 and he therefore uses this language3 8and on their heads were as it were crowns40 ,suppose that these were turbans1 and that they were not in common use in the time of ,john1 and that they had1 therefore1 no name1 would not this be the exact language which he would use in describing them8 ,the same remarks may be made respecting the other expression4 ,like gold4 ,they were not pure gold1 but they had a resemblance to it4 ,would not a yellow turban correspond with all that is said in this description8 ,and their faces were as the faces of men4 ,they had a human countenance4 ,this would indicate that1 after all1 they were human beings that the symbol described1 though they had come up from the bottomless pit4 ,horsemen1 in strange apparel1 with a strange head-dress1 would be all that would be properly denoted by this4 #h ,and they had hair as the hair of women1 and their #bibteeth were as the teeth of lions4 #h4 ,and they had hair as the hair of women4 ,long hair2 not such as men commonly wear1 but such as women wear4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 xi4 #ad4 ,this struck ,john as a peculiarity1 that1 though warriors1 they should have the appearance of effeminacy indicated by allowing their hair to grow long4 ,it is clear from this1 that ,john regarded their appearance as unusual and remarkable4 ,though manifestly designed to represent an army1 yet it was not the usual appearance of men who went forth to battle4 ,among the ,greeks of ancient times1 indeed1 long hair was not uncommon 7see the ,notes above referred to on #a ,co4 xi4 #ad71 but this was by no means the usual custom among the ancients2 and the fact that these warriors had long hair like women was a circumstance that would distinguish them particularly from others4 ,on this comparison of the appearance of the locusts with the hair of women see the remarks of ,niebuhr1 in the ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,and their teeth were as the teeth of lions4 ,strong2 fitted to devour4 ,the teeth of the locust are by no means prominent1 though they are strong1 for they readily cut down and eat up all vegetable substances that come in their way4 ,but it is evident that ,john means to say that there was much that was unusual and remarkable in the teeth of these locusts4 ,they would be ravenous and fierce1 and would spread terror and desolation like the lions of the desert4 #i ,and they had breastplates1 as it were breastplates of iron2 and the sound of their wings was as the #bicsound of chariots of many horses running to battle4 #i4 ,and they had breastplates1 as it were breastplates of iron4 ,hard1 horny1 impenetrable1 as if they were made of #bag iron4 ,the locust has a firm and hard cuticle on the forepart of the breast1 which serves for a shield or defence while it moves in the thorny and furzy vegetation4 ,on those which ,john saw this was peculiarly hard and horny1 and would thus be well adapted to be an emblem of the breastplates of iron commonly worn by ancient warriors4 ,the meaning is1 that the warriors referred to would be well clad with defensive armour4 ,and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle4 ,the noise made by locusts is often spoken of by travellers1 and the comparison of that noise with that of chariots rushing to battle1 is not only appropriate1 but also indicates clearly what was symbolized4 ,it was an army that was symbolized1 and everything about them served to represent hosts of men well armed1 rushing to conflict4 ,the same thing here referred to is noticed by ,joel1 ch4 ii4 #d1 #e1 #g3 8,the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses2 ,and as horsemen so shall they run4 ,like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains1 shall they leap2 ,like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble2 ,as a strong people set in battle array4 ,they shall run like mighty men2 ,they shall climb the wall like men of war2 ,and they shall march every one his ways1 and shall not break their ranks10 c4 ,it is remarkable that ,volney1 who had no intention of illustrating the truth of ,scripture1 has given a description of locusts1 as if he meant to confirm the truth of what is here said4 8,syria10 says he1 8as well as ,egypt1 ,persia1 and almost all the south of ,asia1 is subject to another calamity no less dreadful than earthquakes2 ,i mean those clouds of locusts so often mentioned by travellers4 ,the quantity of these insects is incredible to all who have not themselves witnessed their astounding numbers2 the whole earth is covered with them for the space of several leagues4 ,the noise they make in browsing on the trees and herbage may be heard to a great distance1 and resembles that of an army foraging in secret0 7,travels in ,egypt and ,syria1 vol4 i4 pp4 #bhc1 #bhd74 #aj ,and they had tails like unto scorpions1 and there were stings in their tails3 and #bidtheir power was to hurt men five months4 #aj4 ,and they had tails like unto scorpions4 ,the fancy of an ,arab now often discerns a resemblance between the tail of the locust and the scorpion4 ,see the remark of ,niebuhr1 quoted in the ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,and there were stings in their tails4 ,like the stings of scorpions4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,this made the locusts which appeared to ,john the more remarkable1 for though the fancy may imagine a resemblance between the tail of a locust and a scorpion1 yet the locusts have properly no sting4 ,the only thing which they have resembling a sting is a hard bony substance like a needle1 with which the female punctures the bark and wood of trees in order to deposit her eggs4 ,it has1 however1 no adaptation1 like a sting1 for conveying poison into a wound4 ,these1 however1 appeared to be armed with stings properly so called4 ,and their power was to hurt men4 ,not primarily to kill men1 but to inflict on them various kinds of tortures4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,the word here used1 rendered to hurtis different from the word in ver4 #e1 rendered should be tormented4 ,this word properly means to do wrong1 to do unjustly1 to injure1 to hurt2 and the two words would seem to convey the idea that they would produce distress by doing wrong to others1 or by dealing unjustly with them4 ,it does not appear that the wrong would be by inflicting bodily torments1 but would be characterized by that injustice towards others which produces distress and anguish4 ,five months4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #e2 also ,editor's ,preface1 page xxiv4 #aa ,and they had a #bieking over them1 which is the angel of the bottomless pit1 whose name in the ,hebrew tongue is ,abaddon1 but in the ,greek tongue hath his name #bif;,apollyon4 #aa4 ,and they had a king over them4 ,a ruler who marshalled their hosts4 ,locusts often1 and indeed generally1 move in bands1 though they do not appear to be under the direction of any one as a particular ruler or guide4 ,in this case it struck ,john as a remarkable peculiarity that they had a kinga king who1 it would seem1 had the absolute control1 and to whom was to #bah be traced all the destruction which would ensue from their emerging from the bottomless pit4 ,which is the angel of the bottomless pit4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,the word angel here would seem to refer to the chief of the evil angels1 who presided over the dark and gloomy regions from whence the locusts seemed to emerge4 ,this may either mean that this evil angel seemed to command them personally1 or that his spirit was infused into the leader of these hosts4 ,whose name in the ,hebrew tongue is ,abaddon4 ,the name ,abaddon means literally destruction1 and is the same as ,apollyon4 ,but in the ,greek tongue hath his name ,apollyon4 ,from to destroy4 ,the word properly denotes a destroyer1 and the name is given to this king of the hosts1 represented by the locusts1 because this would be his principal characteristic4 ,after this minute explanation of the literal meaning of the symbol1 it may be useful1 before attempting to apply it1 and to ascertain the events designed to be represented1 to have a distinct impression of the principal imagethe locust4 ,it is evident that this is1 in many respects1 a creature of the imagination1 and that we are not to expect the exact representation to be found in any forms of actual existence in the animal creation4 ,the following engraving1 prepared by ,mr4 ,elliott 7vol4 i4 p4 #daj71 will give a sufficiently accurate representation of this symbolical figure as it appeared to ,john4 ,illustration3 ,symbolical ,locust1 according to ,elliott4 ,the question now is1 whether any events occurred in history1 subsequent to and succeeding those supposed to be referred to in the fourth trumpet1 to which this symbol would be applicable4 ,reasons have already been suggested for supposing that there was a transfer of the seat of the operations to another part of the world4 ,the first four trumpets referred to a continual series of events of the same general character1 and having a proper close4 ,these have been explained as referring to the successive shocks which terminated in the downfall of the ,western empire4 ,at the close of that series there is a pause in the representation 7ch4 viii4 #ac71 and a solemn proclamation that other scenes were to open distinguished for woe4 ,these were to be symbolized in the sounding of the remaining three trumpets1 embracing the whole period till the consummation of all thingsor sketching great and momentous events in the future1 until the volume sealed with the seven seals 7ch4 v4 #a7 should have been wholly unrolled and its contents disclosed4 ,the whole scene now is changed4 ,rome has fallen4 ,it has passed into the hands of strangers4 ,the power that had spread itself over the world has1 in that form1 come to an end1 and is to exist no morethough1 as we shall see 7ch4 xi4 seq471 another power1 quite as formidable1 existing there1 is to be described by a new set of symbols4 ,but here 7ch4 ix47 a new power appears4 ,the scenery is all ,oriental1 and clearly has reference to events that were to spring up in the ,east4 ,with surprising unanimity1 commentators have agreed in regarding this as referring to the empire of the ,saracens1 or to the rise and progress of the religion and the empire set up by ,mahomet4 ,the inquiry now is1 whether the circumstances introduced into the symbol find a proper fulfilment in the rise of the ,saracenic power1 and in the conquests of the ,prophet of ,mecca4 7#a7 ,the country where the scene is laid4 ,as already remarked1 the scene is ,orientalfor the mention of locusts naturally suggests the ,eastthat being the part of the world where they abound1 and they being in fact peculiarly an ,oriental plague4 ,it may now be added1 that in a more strict and proper sense ,arabia may be intended2 that is1 if it be admitted that the design was to symbolize events pertaining to ,arabia1 or the gathering of the hosts of ,arabia for conquest1 the symbol of locusts would have been employed for the locust1 the groundwork of the symbol is peculiarly ,arabic4 ,it was the east wind which brought the locusts on ,egypt 7,ex4 x4 #ac71 and they must therefore have come from some portion of ,arabiafor ,arabia is the land that lies over against ,egypt in the east4 ,such1 too1 is the testimony #bai of ,volney2 8the most judicious10 as ,mr4 ,gibbon calls him1 8of modern travellers40 8,the inhabitants of ,syria10 says he1 8have remarked that locusts come constantly from the desert of ,arabia10 ch4 xx4 sect4 #e4 ,all that is necessary to say further on this point is1 that on the supposition that it was the design of the ,spirit of inspiration in the passage before us to refer to the followers of ,mahomet1 the image of the locusts was that which would be naturally selected4 ,there was no other one so appropriate and so striking2 no one that would so naturally designate the country of ,arabia4 ,as some confirmation of this1 or as showing how natural the symbol would be1 a remark may be introduced from ,mr4 ,forster4 ,in his ,mohammedanism ,unveiled1 vol4 i4 p4 #bag1 he says1 8,in the ,bedoween romance of ,antar1 the locust is introduced as the national emblem of the ,ishmaelites4 ,and it is a remarkable coincidence that ,mohammedan tradition speaks of locusts having dropped into the hands of ,mohammed1 bearing on their wings this inscription#8,we are the army of the ,great ,god4'0 ,these circumstances will show the propriety of the symbol on the supposition that it refers to ,arabia and the ,saracens4 7#b7 ,the people4 ,the question is1 whether there was anything in the symbol1 as described by ,john1 which would properly designate the followers of ,mahomet1 on the supposition that it was designed to have such a reference4 7a7 ,as to numbers4 8,they 7the ,midianite ,arabs7 came as locusts for multitude10 ,ju4 vi4 #e4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,nothing would better represent the numbers of the ,saracenic hordes that came out of ,arabia1 and that spread over the ,eastover ,egypt1 ,libya1 ,mauritania1 ,spain1 and that threatened to spread over ,europethan such an army of locusts4 8,one hundred years after his flight ,mahomet from ,mecca10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8the arms and the reign of his successors extended from ,india to the ,atlantic ,ocean1 over the various and distant provinces which may be comprised under the names of ,persia1 ,syria1 ,egypt1 ,africa1 and ,spain10 vol4 iii4 p4 #daj4 8,at the end of the first century of the ,hegira the caliphs were the most potent and absolute monarchs on the globe4 ,under the last of the ,ommiades the ,arabian empire extended two hundred days' journey from east to west1 from the confines of ,tartary and ,india to the shores of the ,atlantic ,ocean0 7ibid4 p4 #dfj74 ,in regard to the immense hosts employed in these conquests1 an idea may be formed by a perusal of the whole fifty-first chapter in ,gibbon 7vol4 iii4 pp4 #djhdfa74 ,those hosts issued primarily from ,arabia1 and in their numbers would be well compared with the swarms of locusts that issued from the same country1 so numerous as to darken the sky4 7b7 ,the description of the people4 ,their faces were as the faces of men4 ,this would seem to be in contrast with other people1 or to denote something that was peculiar in the appearance of the persons represented4 ,in other words1 the meaning would seem to be1 that there was something manly and warlike in their appearance1 so far as their faces were concerned4 ,it is remarkable that the appearance of the ,goths 7represented1 as ,i suppose1 under the previous trumpets7 is described by ,jerome 7comp4 on ,is4 viii47 as quite the reverse4 ,they are described as having faces shaven and smooth2 faces1 in contrast with the bearded ,romans1 like women's faces4#big ,is it fancy to suppose that the reference here is to the beard and moustache of the ,arabic hosts8 ,we know with what care they regarded the beard2 and if a representation was made of them1 especially in contrast with nations that shaved their faces1 and who thus resembled women1 it would be natural to speak of those represented in the symbol as 8having faces as the faces of men40 ,they had hair as the hair of women4 ,a strange mingling of the appearance of effeminacy with the indication of manliness and courage4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,and yet this strictly accords with the appearance of the ,arabs or ,saracens4 ,pliny1 the contemporary of ,john1 speaks of the ,arabs then as having the hair long and uncut1 with the moustache on the upper lip1 or the beard3 ,arabes mitrati sunt1 aut intonso crine4 ,barba abraditur1 prterquam in superiore labro4 ,aliis et hc intonsa 7,nat4 ,hist4 vol4 vi4 p4 #bh74 ,so ,solinus describes them in the third century 7,plurimis crinis intonsus1 mitrata capita1 pars ras in cutem barb1 c4 #ec72 so ,ammianus ,marcellinus1 in the fourth century 7,crinitus quidam a ,saracenorum cuneo1 vol4 xxxi4 p4 #af72 and so ,claudian1 ,theodore of ,mopsuesta1 and ,jerome1 in the fifth4 ,jerome lived #bbj about two centuries before the great ,saracen invasion2 and as he lived at ,bethlehem1 on the borders of ,arabia1 he must have been familiar with the appearance of the ,arabs4 ,still later1 in that most characteristic of ,arab poems1 ,antar1 a poem written in the time of ,mahomet's childhood1 we find the moustache1 and the beard1 and the long flowing hair on the shoulder1 and the turban1 all specified as characteristic of the ,arabians3 8,he adjusted himself properly1 twisted his whiskers1 and folded up his hair under his turban1 drawing it from off his shoulders10 vol4 i4 p4 #cdj4 8,his hair flowed down on his shoulders10 vol4 i4 p4 #afi4 8,antar cut off ,maudi's hair in revenge and insult10 vol4 iii4 p4 #aag4 8,we will hang him up by his hair10 vol4 iv4 p4 #cbe4 ,see ,elliott1 vol4 i4 pp4 #daa1 #dab4 ,comp4 ,newton on the ,prophecies1 p4 #dhe4 ,and on their heads were as it were crowns of gold4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,that is1 diadems1 or something that appeared like crowns1 or chaplets4 ,this will agree well with the turban worn by the ,arabs or ,saracens1 and which was quite characteristic of them in the early periods when they became known4 ,so in the passage already quoted1 ,pliny speaks of them as ,arabes mitrati2 so ,solinus1 mitrata capita2 so in the poem of ,antar1 8he folded up his hair under his turban40 ,it is remarkable also that ,ezekiel 7ch4 xxiii4 #db7 describes the turbans of the ,sabean or ,keturite ,arabs under the very appellation here used by ,john3 8,sabeans from the wilderness1 which put beautiful crowns upon their heads40 ,so in the preface to ,antar1 it is said1 8,it was a usual saying among them1 that ,god had bestowed four peculiar things on the ,arabs2 that their turbans should be unto them instead of diadems1 their tents instead of walls and houses1 their swords instead of intrenchments1 and their poems instead of written laws40 ,mr4 ,forster1 in his ,mohammedanism ,unveiled1 quotes as a precept of ,mahomet3 8,make a point of wearing turbans1 because it is the way of angels40 ,turbans might then with propriety be represented as crowns1 and no doubt these were often so gilded and ornamented that they might be spoken of as 8crowns of gold40 ,they had breastplates1 as it were breastplates of iron4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #i4 ,as a symbol1 this would be properly descriptive of the ,arabians or ,saracens4 ,in the poem ,antar the steel and iron cuirasses of the ,arab warriors are frequently noticed3 8,a warrior immersed in steel armour10 vol4 ii4 p4 #bjc4 8,fifteen thousand men armed with cuirasses1 and well accoutred for war10 vol4 ii4 p4 #db4 8,they were clothed in iron armour1 and brilliant cuirasses10 vol4 i4 p4 #bc4 8,out of the dust appeared horsemen clad in iron10 vol4 iii4 p4 #bgd4 ,the same thing occurs in the ,koran3 8,god hath given you coats of mail to defend you in your wars10 vol4 ii4 p4 #ajd4 ,in the history of ,mahomet we read expressly of the cuirasses of himself and of his ,arab troops4 ,seven cuirasses are noted in the list of ,mahomet's private armoury 7,gagnier1 vol4 iii4 p4 #cbhccd74 ,in his second battle with the ,koreish1 seven hundred of his little army are spoken of by ,mr4 ,gibbon as armed with cuirasses4 ,see ,elliott1 vol4 i4 p4 #dac4 ,these illustrations will show with what propriety the locusts in the symbol were represented as having breastplates like breastplates of iron4 ,on the supposition that this referred to the ,arabs and the ,saracens this would have been the very symbol which would have been used4 ,indeed1 all the features in the symbol are precisely such as would properly be employed on the supposition that the reference was to them4 ,it is true that beforehand it might not have been practicable to describe exactly what people were referred to1 but 7a7 it would be easy to see that some fearful calamity was to be anticipated from the ravages of hosts of fearful invaders2 and 7b7 when the events occurred1 there would be no difficulty in determining to whom this application should be made4 7#c7 ,the time when this would occur4 ,as to this there can be no difficulty in the application to the ,saracens4 ,on the supposition that the four first trumpets refer to the downfall of the ,western empire1 then the proper time supposed to be represented by this symbol is subsequent to that2 and yet the manner in which the last three trumpets are introduced 7ch4 viii4 #ac7 shows that there would be an interval between the sounding of the last of the four trumpets and the sounding of the fifth4 ,the events referred to1 as ,i have supposed1 as represented by the fourth trumpet1 occurred in the close of the fifth century 7,a4,d4 #dgfdij74 ,the principal events in the seventh century were connected with the invasions and conquests of the ,saracens4 ,the interval of a century is not more than the fair #bba interpretation of the proclamation in ch4 viii4 #ac would justify4 7#d7 ,the commission given to the symbolical locusts4 ,this embraces the following things37a7 ,they were not to hurt the grass of the earth1 nor any green thing2 7b7 they were especially to go against those who had not the seal of ,god in their foreheads2 7c7 they were not to kill them1 but were to torment them4 ,they were not to hurt the grass of the earth1 c4 ,notes1 ver4 #d4 ,this agrees remarkably with an express command in the ,koran4 ,the often-quoted order of the ,caliph ,aboubekir1 the father-in-law and successor of ,mahomet1 issued to the ,saracen hordes on their invasion of ,syria1 shows what was understood to be the spirit of their religion3 8,remember that you are always in the presence of ,god1 on the verge of death1 in the assurance of judgment1 and the hope of paradise4 ,avoid injustice and oppression2 consult with your brethren1 and study to preserve the love and confidence of your troops4 ,when you fight the battles of the ,lord1 acquit yourselves like men1 without turning your backs2 but let not the victory be stained with the blood of women or children4 ,destroy no palm-trees1 nor burn any fields of corn4 ,cut down no fruit-trees1 nor do any mischief to cattle1 only such as you kill to eat4 ,when you make any covenant or article1 stand to it1 and be as good as your word4 ,as you go on1 you will find some religious persons who live retired in monasteries1 and propose to themselves to serve ,god in that way2 let them alone1 and neither kill them #8and to them it was given that they should not kill them1' ver4 #e1 nor destroy their monasteries10 c4 7,gibbon1 iii4 #dag1 #dah74 ,so ,mr4 ,gibbon notices this precept of the ,koran3 8,in the siege of ,tayaf10 says he1 8sixty miles from ,mecca1 ,mohammed violated his own laws by the extirpation of the fruit-trees10 ii4 #cib4 ,the same order existed among the ,hebrews1 and it is not improbable that ,mahomet derived his precept from the command of ,moses 7,de4 xx4 #ai71 though what was mercy among the ,hebrews was probably mere policy with him4 ,this precept is the more remarkable because it has been the usual custom in war1 and particularly among barbarians and semi-barbarians1 to destroy grain and fruit1 and especially to cut down fruit-trees1 in order to do greater injury to an enemy4 ,thus we have seen 7,notes on ch4 viii4 #g71 that in the invasion of the ,goths their course was marked by desolations of this kind4 ,thus1 in more modern times1 it has been common to carry the desolations of war into gardens1 orchards1 and vineyards4 ,in the single province of ,upper ,messenia the troops of ,mahomet ,ali1 in the war with ,greece1 cut down half a million of olive-trees1 and thus stripped the country of its means of wealth4 ,so ,scio was a beautiful spot1 the seat of delightful villas1 and gardens1 and orchards2 and in one day all this beauty was destroyed4 ,on the supposition1 therefore1 that this prediction had reference to the ,saracens1 nothing could be more appropriate4 ,indeed1 in all the history of barbarous and savage warfare it would be difficult to find another distinct command that no injury should be done to gardens and orchards4 7d7 ,their commission was expressly against 8those men who had not the seal of ,god in their foreheads40 ,see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,that is1 they were to go either against those who were not really the friends of ,god1 or those who in their estimation were not4 ,perhaps1 if there were nothing in the connection to demand a different interpretation1 the former would be the most natural explanation of the passage2 but the language may be understood as referring to the purpose which they considered themselves as called upon to execute3 that is1 that they were to go against those whom they regarded as being strangers to the true ,god1 to wit1 idolaters4 ,now it is well known that ,mahomet considered himself called upon1 principally1 to make war with idolaters1 and that he went forth1 professedly1 to bring them into subjection to the service of the true ,god4 8,the means of persuasion10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8had been tried1 the season of forbearance was elapsed1 and he was now commanded to propagate his religion by the sword1 to destroy the monuments of idolatry1 and1 without regarding the sanctity of days or months1 to pursue the unbelieving nations of the earth10 iii4 #chg4 8,the fair option of friendship1 or submission1 or battle1 was proposed to the enemies of ,mahomet0 7ibid474 8,the sword10 says ,mahomet1 8is the key of heaven and hell2 a drop of blood shed in the cause of ,god1 a night spent in arms1 is of more avail than two months of fasting and prayer3 whosoever falls in battle1 his sins are forgiven2 at the day of judgment his wounds shall be resplendent #bbb as vermilion1 and odoriferous as musk2 and the loss of his limbs shall be supplied by the wings of angels and cherubim0 7,gibbon1 iii4 #chg74 ,the first conflicts waged by ,mahomet were against the idolaters of his own countrythose who can1 on no supposition1 be regarded as 8having the seal of ,god in their foreheads20 his subsequent wars were against infidels of all classes2 that is1 against those whom he regarded as not having the 8seal of ,god in their foreheads10 or as being the enemies of ,god4 7e7 ,the other part of the commission was 8not to kill1 but to torment them40 ,notes1 ver4 #e4 ,compare the quotation from the command of ,aboubekir1 as quoted above3 8,let not the victory be stained with the blood of women and children40 8,let them alone1 and neither kill them nor destroy their monasteries40 ,the meaning of this1 if understood as applied to their commission against ,christendom1 would seem to be1 that they were not to go forth to 8kill10 but to 8torment0 them2 to wit1 by the calamities which they would bring upon ,christian nations for a definite period4 ,indeed1 as we have seen above1 it was an express command of ,aboubekir that they should not put those to death who were found leading quiet and peaceable lives in monasteries1 though against another class he did give an express command to 8cleave their skulls40 ,see ,gibbon1 iii4 #dah4 ,as applicable to the conflicts of the ,saracens with ,christians1 the meaning here would seem to be1 that the power conceded to those who are represented by the locusts was not to cut off and to destroy the church1 but it was to bring upon it various calamities to continue for a definite period4 ,accordingly1 some of the severest afflictions which have come upon the church have undoubtedly proceeded from the followers of the ,prophet of ,mecca4 ,there were times in the early history of that religion when1 to all human appearance1 it would universally prevail1 and wholly supplant the ,christian church4 ,but the church still survived1 and no power was at any time given to the ,saracenic hosts to destroy it altogether4 ,in respect to this1 some remarkable facts have occurred in history4 ,the followers of the false prophet contemplated the subjugation of ,europe1 and the destruction of ,christianity1 from two quartersthe ,east and the ,westexpecting to make a junction of the two armies in the north of ,italy1 and to march down to ,rome4 ,twice did they attack the vital part of ,christendom by besieging ,constantinople3 first1 in the seven years' siege1 which lasted from ,a4,d4 #ffh to ,a4,d4 #fge2 and1 secondly1 in the years #gafgah1 when ,leo the ,isaurian was on the imperial throne4 ,but on both occasions they were obliged to retire defeated and disgraced4,gibbon1 iii4 #dfa1 seq4 ,again1 they renewed their attack on the ,west4 ,having conquered ,northern ,africa1 they passed over into ,spain1 subdued that country and ,portugal1 and extended their conquests as far as the ,loire4 ,at that time they designed to subdue ,france1 and having united with the forces which they expected from the ,east1 they intended to make a descent on ,italy1 and complete the conquest of ,europe4 ,this purpose was defeated by the valour of ,charles ,martel1 and ,europe and the ,christian world were saved from subjugation 7,gibbon1 iii4 #dfg1 seq474 8,a victorious line of march10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8had been prolonged above a thousand miles1 from the rock of ,gibraltar to the banks of the ,loire2 the repetition of an equal space would have carried the ,saracens to the confines of ,poland and the ,highlands of ,scotland4 ,the ,rhine is not more impassable than the ,nile or the ,euphrates1 and the ,arabian fleet might have sailed without a naval combat into the mouth of the ,thames4 ,perhaps the interpretation of the ,koran would now be taught in the schools of ,oxford1 and her pulpits might demonstrate to a circumcised people the sanctity and truth of the revelations of ,mohammed40 ,the arrest of the ,saracen hosts before ,europe was subdued1 was what there was no reason to anticipate1 and it even yet perplexes historians to be able to account for it4 8,the calm historian10 says ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8who strives to follow the rapid course of the ,saracens1 must study to explain by what means the church and state were saved from this impending1 and1 as it should seem1 inevitable danger40 8,these conquests10 says ,mr4 ,hallam1 8which astonish the careless and superficial1 are less perplexing to a calm inquirer than their cessationthe loss of half the ,roman empire than the preservation of the rest0 7,middle ,ages1 ii4 #c1 #afi74 ,these illustrations may serve to explain the meaning of the symbolthat their #bbc grand commission was not to annihilate or root out1 but to annoy and afflict4 ,indeed1 they did not go forth with a primary design to destroy4 ,the announcement of the ,mussulman always was 8the ,koran1 the tribute1 or the sword10 and when there was submission1 either by embracing his religion or by tribute1 life was always spared4 8,the fair option of friendship1 or submission1 or battle1 0 says ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iii4 #chg71 8was proposed to the enemies of ,mohammed4 0 ,comp4 also vol4 iii4 #dec1 #def4 ,the torment mentioned here1 ,i suppose1 refers to the calamities brought upon the ,christian worldon ,egypt1 and ,northern ,africa1 and ,spain1 and ,gaul1 and the ,eastby the hordes which came out of ,arabia1 and which swept over all those countries like a troublesome and destructive host of locusts4 ,indeed1 would any image better represent the effects of the ,saracenic invasions than such a countless host of locusts8 ,even now1 can we find an image that would better represent this8 7#e7 ,the leader of this host4 7a7 ,he was like a star that fell from heaven1 7ver4 #a71 a bright and illustrious prince1 as if heaven-endowed1 but fallen4 ,would anything better characterize the genius1 the power1 and the splendid but perverted talent of ,mahomet8 ,mahomet was1 moreover1 by birth1 of the princely house of the ,koreish1 governors of ,mecca1 and to no one could the term be more appropriate than to one of that family4 7b7 ,he was a king4 ,that is1 there was to be one monarchone ruling spirit to which all these hosts were subject4 ,and never was anything more appropriate than this title as applied to the leader of the ,arabic hosts4 ,all those hosts were subject to one mindto the command of the single leader that originated the scheme4 7c7 ,the name ,abaddon1 or ,apollyon,destroyer1 ver4 #aa4 ,this name would be appropriate to one who spread his conquests so far over the world2 who wasted so many cities and towns2 who overthrew so many kingdoms2 and who laid the foundation of ultimate conquests by which so many human beings were sent to the grave4 7d7 ,the description of the leader 8as the angel of the bottomless pit10 ver4 #aa4 ,if this be regarded as meaning that 8the angel of the bottomless pit0the spirit of darkness himselforiginated the scheme1 and animated these hosts1 what term would better characterize the leader8 ,and if it be a poetic description of ,mahomet as sent out by that presiding spirit of evil1 how could a better representative of the spirit of the nether world have been sent out upon the earth than he wasone more talented1 more sagacious1 more powerful1 more warlike1 more wicked1 more fitted to subdue the nations of the earth to the dominion of the ,prince of ,darkness1 and to hold them for ages under his yoke8 7#f7 ,the duration of the torment4 ,it is said 7ver4 #e7 that this would be five months2 that is1 prophetically1 a hundred and fifty years4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,the ,hegira1 or flight of ,mahomet1 occurred ,a4,d4 #fbb2 the ,saracens first issued from the desert into ,syria1 and began their series of wars on ,christendom1 ,a4,d4 #fbi4 ,reckoning from these periods respectively1 the five months1 or the hundred and fifty years1 would extend to ,a4,d4 #ggb or #ggi4 ,it is not necessary to understand this period of a hundred and fifty years of the actual continued existence of the bodies symbolized by the locusts1 but only of the period in which they would inflict their 8torment08that they should be tormented five months40 ,that is1 this would be the period of the intensity of the woe inflicted by them2 there would be at that time some marked intermission of the torrent4 ,the question then is1 whether1 in the history of the ,saracens1 there was any period after their career of conquest had been continued for about a hundred and fifty years1 which would mark the intermission or cessation of these 8torments40 ,if so1 then this is all that is necessary to determine the applicability of the symbol to the ,arabian hordes4 ,now1 in reply to this question1 we have only to refer to ,mr4 ,gibbon4 ,the table of contents prefixed to chapters forty-one and forty-two of his work would supply all the information desired4 ,i looked at that table1 after making the estimate as to what period the 8five months10 or hundred and fifty years1 would conduct us to1 to see whether anything occurred at about that time in the ,mahometan power and influence1 which could be regarded as marking the time of the intermission or cessation of the calamities inflicted by the ,arabic hordes on the ,christian world4 ,after ,mr4 ,gibbon had recorded in detail 7vol4 iii4 #cfjdfj7 the character and conquests of the ,arabian #bbd hordes under ,mahomet and his successors1 ,i find the statement of the decline of their power at just about the period to which the hundred and fifty years would lead us1 for at that very time an important change came over the followers of the prophet of ,mecca1 turning them from the love of conquest to the pursuits of literature and science4 ,from that period they ceased to be formidable to the church2 their limits were gradually contracted2 their power diminished2 and the ,christian world1 in regard to them1 was substantially at peace4 ,this change in the character and purposes of the ,saracens is thus described by ,mr4 ,gibbon1 at the close of the reign of the caliph ,abdalrahman1 whose reign commenced ,a4,d4 #gee1 and under whom the peaceful sway of the ,ommiades of ,spain began1 which continued for a period of two hundred and fifty years4 8,the luxury of the caliphs1 so useless to their private happiness1 relaxed the nerves1 and terminated the progress1 of the ,arabian empire4 ,temporal and spiritual conquest had been the sole occupation of the first successors of ,mahomet2 and after supplying themselves with the necessaries of life1 the whole revenue was scrupulously devoted to that salutary work4 ,the ,abassides were impoverished by the multitude of their wants1 and their contempt of economy4 ,instead of pursuing the great object of ambition1 their leisure1 their affections1 and the powers of their minds were diverted by pomp and pleasure3 the rewards of valour were embezzled by women and eunuchs1 and the royal camp was encumbered by the luxury of the palace4 ,a similar temper was diffused among the subjects of the caliph4 ,their stern enthusiasm was softened by time and prosperity3 they sought riches in the occupations of industry1 fame in the pursuits of literature1 and happiness in the tranquillity of domestic life4 ,war was no longer the passion of the ,saracens2 and the increase of pay1 the repetition of donatives1 were insufficient to allure the posterity of those voluntary champions who had crowded to the standard of ,aboubekir and ,omar for the hopes of spoil and of paradise10 iii4 #dgg1 #dgh4 ,of the ,ommiades1 or princes who succeeded ,abdalrahman1 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks in general8,their mutual designs or declarations of war evaporated without effect2 but instead of opening a door to the conquest of ,europe1 ,spain was dissevered from the trunk of the monarchy1 engaged in perpetual hostility with the ,east1 and inclined to peace and friendship with the ,christian sovereigns of ,constantinople and ,france10 iii4 p4 #dgb4 ,how much does this look like some change occurring by which they would cease to be a source of 8torment0 to the nations with whom they now dwelt6 ,from this period they gave themselves to the arts of peace2 cultivated literature and science2 lost entirely their spirit of conquest1 and their ambition for universal dominion1 until they gradually withdrew1 or were driven1 from those parts of the ,christian world where they had inspired most terror1 and which in the days of their power and ambition they had invaded4 ,by turning merely to the 8table of contents0 of ,mr4 ,gibbon's history1 the following periods1 occurring at about the time that would be embraced in the 8five months10 or hundred and fifty years1 are distinctly marked3 8,a4,d4 #ffhfge4 ,first siege of ,constantinople by the ,arabs4 #fgg4 ,peace and tribute4 #gafgah4 ,second siege of ,constantinople4 0 ,failure and retreat of the ,saracens4 0 ,invention and use of the ,greek fire4 #gba4 ,invasion of ,france by the ,arabs4 #gcb4 ,defeat of the ,saracens by ,charles ,martel4 0 ,they retreat before the ,franks4 #gdfgej4 ,the elevation of the ,abassides4 #gej4 ,fall of the ,ommiades4 #gee4 ,revolt of ,spain4 0 ,triple division of the caliphate4 #gejifj4 ,magnificence of the caliphs4 0 ,its consequences on private and public happiness4 #ged1 c4 ,introduction of learning among the ,arabians4 0 ,their real progress in the sciences40 ,it will be seen from this that the decline of their military and civil power2 their defeats in their attempts to subjugate ,europe2 their turning their attention to the peaceful pursuits of literature and science1 synchronize remarkably with the period that would be indicated by the five months1 or the hundred and fifty years4 ,it should be added1 also1 that in the year #gfb1 ,almanzor1 the caliph1 built ,bagdad1 and made it the capital of the ,saracen empire4 ,henceforward that became the seat of ,arabic learning1 luxury1 and power1 and the wealth and talent of the ,saracen empire were gradually drawn to that capital1 and they ceased to vex and annoy the ,christian world4 ,the #bbe building of ,bagdad occurred within just ten years of the time indicated by the 8five months0reckoning that from the ,hegira1 or flight of ,mahomet2 or reckoning from the time when ,mahomet began to preach 7,a4,d4 #fji;,gibbon1 iii4 #chc71 it wanted but three years of coinciding exactly with the period4 ,these considerations show with what propriety the fifth trumpetthe symbol of the locustsis referred to the ,arabian hordes under the guidance of ,mahomet and his successors4 ,on the supposition that it was the design of ,john to symbolize these events1 the symbol has been chosen which of all others was best adapted to the end4 ,if1 now that these events are past1 we should endeavour to find some symbol which would appropriately represent them1 we could not find one that would be more striking or appropriate than that which is here employed by ,john4 #ab ,one#bih woe is past2 and1 behold1 there come two woes more hereafter4 #ab4 ,one woe is past4 ,the woe referred to in ver4 #aaa4 ,in ch4 viii4 #ac three woes are mentioned which were to occur successively1 and which were to embrace the whole of the period comprised in the seven seals and the seven trumpets4 ,under the last of the seals we have considered four successive periods1 referring to events connected with the downfall of the ,western empire2 and then we have found one important event worthy of a place in noticing the things which would permanently affect the destiny of the worldthe rise1 the character1 and the conquests of the ,saracens4 ,this was referred to by the first woe-trumpet4 ,we enter now on the consideration of the second4 ,this occupies the remainder of the chapter1 and in illustrating it the same method will be pursued as heretofore3 first1 to explain the literal meaning of the words1 phrases1 and symbols2 and then to inquire what events in history1 if any1 succeeding the former1 occurred1 which would correspond with the language used4 ,and1 behold1 there come two woes more hereafter4 ,two momentous and important events that will be attended with sorrow to mankind4 ,it cannot be intended that there would be no other evils that would visit mankind2 but the eye1 in glancing along the future1 rested on these as having a special pre-eminence in affecting the destiny of the church and the world4 #ac ,and the sixth angel sounded1 and ,i heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before ,god1 #ac4 ,and the sixth angel sounded4 ,see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #b1 #g4 ,and ,i heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before ,god4 ,in the language here used there is an allusion to the temple1 but the scene is evidently laid in heaven4 ,the temple in its arrangements was designed1 undoubtedly1 to be in important respects a symbol of heaven1 and this idea constantly occurs in the ,scriptures4 ,comp4 the ,epistle to the ,hebrews passim4 ,the golden altar stood in the holy place1 between the table of show-bread and the golden candlestick4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #a1 #b4 ,this altar1 made of shittim or acacia wood1 was ornamented at the four corners1 and overlaid throughout with lamin of gold4 ,hence it was called 8the golden altar10 in contradistinction from the altar for sacrifice1 which was made of stone4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 xxi4 #ab1 seq4 ,on its four corners it had projections which are called horns 7,ex4 xxx4 #b1 #c71 which seem to have been intended mainly for ornaments4 ,see ,jahn1 ,arch4 #ccb2 ,joseph4 ,ant4 iii4 #f1 #h4 ,when it is said that this was 8before ,god10 the meaning is1 that it was directly before or in front of the symbol of the divine presence in the most holy place4 ,this image1 in the vision of ,john1 is transformed to heaven4 ,the voice seemed to come from the very presence of the ,deity2 from the place where offerings are made to ,god4 #ad ,saying to the sixth angel1 which had the trumpet1 ,loose the four angels which are bound in the great river #bii;,euphrates4 #ad4 ,saying to the sixth angel1 which had the trumpet4 ,notes1 ch4 viii4 #b4 ,loose1 c4 ,this power1 it would seem1 was given to the sixth angel in addition to his office of blowing the trumpet4 ,all this1 of course1 was in vision1 and cannot be literally interpreted4 ,the meaning is1 that the effect of his blowing the trumpet would be the same as if angels that had been bound should be suddenly loosed and suffered to go forth over the earth2 that is1 some event would occur which would be properly symbolized by #bbf such an act4 ,the four angels4 ,comp4 ,notes1 ch4 viii4 #b4 ,it was customary to represent important events as occurring under the ministry of angels4 ,the general meaning here is1 that in the vicinity of the river ,euphrates there were mighty powers which had been bound or held in check1 which were now to be let loose upon the world4 ,what we are to look for in the fulfilment is evidently thissome power that seemed to be kept back by an invisible influence as if by angels1 now suddenly let loose and suffered to accomplish the purpose of desolation mentioned in the subsequent verses4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that angels were actually employed in these restraints1 though no one can demonstrate that their agency was not concerned in the transactions here referred to4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 x4 #ab1 #ac4 ,it has been made a question why the number four is specified1 and whether the forces were in any sense made up of four divisions1 nations1 or people4 ,while nothing certain can be determined in regard to that1 and while the number four may be used merely to denote a great and strong force1 yet it must be admitted that the most obvious interpretation would be to refer it to some combination of forces1 or to some union of powers1 that was to accomplish what is here said4 ,if it had been a single nation1 it would have been more in accordance with the usual method in prophecy to have represented them as restrained by an angel1 or by angels in general1 without specifying any number4 ,which are bound4 ,that is1 they seemed to be bound4 ,there was something which held them1 and the forces under them1 in check1 until they were thus commanded to go forth4 ,in the fulfilment of this it will be necessary to look for something of the nature of a check or restraint on these forces1 until they were commissioned to go forth to accomplish the work of destruction4 ,in the great river ,euphrates4 ,the well-known river of that name1 commonly called1 in the ,scriptures1 8the great river10 and1 by way of eminence1 8the river10 ,ex4 xxiii4 #ca2 ,is4 viii4 #g4 ,this river was on the east of ,palestine2 and the language here used naturally denotes that the power referred to under the sixth trumpet would spring up in the ,east1 and that it would have its origin in the vicinity of that river4 ,those interpreters1 therefore1 who apply this to the invasion of ,juda by the ,romans have great difficulty in explaining thisas the forces employed in the destruction of ,jerusalem came from the ,west1 and not from the ,east4 ,the fair interpretation is1 that there were forces in the vicinity of the ,euphrates which were1 up to this period1 bound or restrained1 but which were now suffered to spread woe and sorrow over a considerable portion of the world4 #ae ,and the four angels were loosed1 which were prepared #cjj;for an hour1 and a day1 and a month1 and a year1 for to #cjaslay the third part of men4 #ae4 ,and the four angels were loosed4 ,who had this mighty host under restraint4 ,the loosening of the angels was1 in fact1 also a letting loose of all these hosts1 that they might accomplish the work which they were commissioned to do4 ,which were prepared4 ,see ver4 #g4 ,the word here used properly refers to that which is made ready1 fitted up1 arranged for anything3 as persons prepared for a journey1 horses for battle1 a road for travellers1 food for the hungry1 a house to live in1 c4 ,see ,rob4 ,lex41 sub4 voce 4 ,as used here1 the word means that whatever was necessary to prepare these angelsthe leaders of this hostfor the work which they were commissioned to perform1 was now done1 and that they stood in a state of readiness to execute the design4 ,in the fulfilment of this it will be necessary to look for some arrangements existing in the vicinity of the ,euphrates1 by which these restrained hosts were in a state of readiness to be summoned forth to the execution of this work1 or in such a condition that they would go forth spontaneously if the restraints existing were removed4 ,for an hour1 c4 ,marg41 at4 ,the ,greekmeans properly unto1 with reference to2 and the sense is1 that1 with reference to that hour1 they had all the requisite preparation4 ,professor ,stuart explains it as meaning that they were 8prepared for the particular year1 month1 day1 and hour1 destined by ,god for the great catastrophe which is to follow40 ,the meaning1 however1 rather seems to be that they were prepared1 not for the commencement of such a period1 but they were prepared for the whole period indicated by the hour1 the day1 the month1 and the year2 that is1 #bbg that the continuance of this 8woe0 would extend along through the whole period4 ,for 7a7 this is the natural interpretation of the word 8for02 7b7 it makes the whole sentence intelligiblefor though it might be proper to say of anything that it was 8prepared for an hour10 indicating the commencement of what was to be done1 it is not usual to say of anything that it is 8prepared for an hour1 a month1 a day1 a year10 when the design is merely to indicate the beginning of it2 and 7c7 it is in accordance with the prediction respecting the first 8woe0 7ver4 #e71 where the time is specified in language similar to this1 to wit1 8five months40 ,it seems to me1 therefore1 that we are to regard the time here mentioned as a prophetic indication of the period during which this woe would continue4 ,an hour1 and a day1 and a month1 and a year4 ,if this were to be taken literally1 it would1 of course1 be but little more than a year4 ,if it be taken1 however1 in the common prophetic style1 where a day is put for a year 7see ,notes on ,da4 ix4 #bd1 seq42 also ,editor's ,preface1 p4 xxv4 c471 then the amount of time 7#cfj #cj #a an hour7 would be three hundred and ninety-one years1 and the portion of a year indicated by an houra twelfth or twenty-fourth part1 according as the day was supposed to be divided into twelve or twenty-four hours4 ,that this is the true view seems to be clear1 because this accords with the usual style in this book2 because it can hardly be supposed that the 8preparation0 here referred to would have been for so brief a period as the time would be if literally interpreted2 and because the mention of so small a portion of time as an 8hour10 if literally taken1 would be improbable in so great transactions4 ,the fair interpretation1 therefore1 will require us to find some events that will fill up the period of about three hundred and ninety-one years4 ,for to slay the third part of men4 ,comp4 ch4 viii4 #g1 #i1 #ab4 ,the meaning here is1 that the immense host which was restrained on the ,euphrates would1 when loosed1 spread desolation over about a third part of the world4 ,we are not to suppose that this is to be understood in exactly a literal sense2 but the meaning is1 that the desolation would be so widespread that it would seem to embrace a third of the world4 ,no such event as the cutting off of a few thousands of ,jews in the siege of ,jerusalem would correspond with the language here employed1 and we must look for events more general and more disastrous to mankind at large4 #af ,and the number of the #cjb;army of the horsemen were #cjctwo hundred thousand thousand3 and #cjd;,i heard the number of them4 #af4 ,and the number of the army of the horsemen4 ,it is to be observed here that the strength of the army seemed to be cavalry4 ,in the former plagues there is no distinct mention of horsemen2 but here that which struck the beholder was the immense and unparalleled number of horsemen4 ,were two hundred thousand thousand4 ,a thousand thousand are a million1 and consequently the number here referred to would be two hundred millions4 ,this would be a larger army than was ever assembled1 and it cannot be supposed that it is to be taken literally4 ,that it would be a very large hostso large that it would not be readily numberedis clear4 ,the expression in the original1 while it naturally conveys the idea of an immense number1 would seem also to refer to some peculiarity in the manner of reckoning them4 ,the language is1 two myriads of myriads 4 ,the myriad was ten thousand4 ,the idea would seem to be this4 ,john saw an immense host of cavalry4 ,they appeared to be divided into large bodies that were in some degree separate1 and that might be reckoned by ten thousands4 ,of these different squadrons there were many1 and to express their great and unusual numbers he said that there seemed to be myriads of themtwo myriads of myriads1 or twice ten thousand myriads4 ,the army thus would seem to be immensean army1 as we should say1 to be reckoned by tens of thousands4 ,and ,i heard the number of them4 ,they were so numerous that he did not pretend to be able to estimate the number himself1 for it was beyond his power of computation2 but he heard it stated in these round numbers1 that there were 8two myriads of myriads0 of them4 #ag ,and thus ,i saw the horses in the vision1 and them that sat on them1 having breastplates of fire1 and of jacinth1 and brimstone3 and the heads of the horses were as #cjethe heads of lions3 and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone4 #ag4 ,and thus ,i saw the horses in the #bbh vision4 ,that is1 he saw them as he proceeds to describe them1 for the word thusrefers to what follows4 ,comp4 ,rob4 ,lex4 on the word1 7b71 and see ,mat4 i4 #ah2 ii4 #e2 ,jn4 xxi4 #a2 ,he4 iv4 #d4 ,professor ,stuart1 however1 refers to what precedes4 ,the meaning1 as it seems to me1 is1 that he fixed his attention on the appearance of the immense armythe horses and their riders1 and proceeded to describe them as they struck him4 ,and them that sat on them4 ,he fixed the attention on horse and rider4 ,their appearance was unusual1 and deserved a particular description4 ,having breastplates of fire4 ,that is1 those who sat on them had such breastplates4 ,the word here rendered breastplate denoted properly a coat of mail that covered the body from the neck to the thighs4 ,see ,notes on ,ep4 vi4 #ad4 ,this would be a prominent object in looking at a horseman4 ,this was said to be composed of 8fire1 and jacinth1 and brimstone20 that is1 the part of the body usually incased in the coat of mail had these three colours4 ,the word 8fire0 here simply denotes red4 ,it was burnished and bright1 and seemed to be a blaze of fire4 ,the word 8jacinth0means hyacinthine4 ,the colour denoted is that of the hyacintha flower of a deep purple or reddish blue4 ,then it refers to a gem of the same colour1 nearly related to the zircon of the mineralogists1 and the colour here mentioned is deep purple or reddish blue4 ,the word rendered 8brimstone0means properly sulphurous1 that is1 made of sulphur1 and means here simply yellow4 ,the meaning of the whole then is1 that these horsemen appeared to be clad in a peculiar kind of armourarmour that shone like fire1 mingled with blue and yellow4 ,it will be necessary to look for the fulfilment of this in cavalry that was so caparisoned4 ,and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions4 ,resembled1 in some respects1 the heads of lions4 ,he does not say that they were the heads of lions1 or that the riders were on monsters1 but only that they1 in some respects1 resembled the heads of lions4 ,it would be easy to give this general appearance by the way in which the head-dress of the horses was arrayed4 ,and out of their mouths issued4 ,that is1 appeared to issue4 ,it is not necessary to understand this as affirming that it actually came from their mouths1 but only that1 to one looking on such an approaching army1 it would have this appearance4 ,the heathen poets often speak of horses breathing out fire and smoke 7,virg4 ,geor4 vol4 ii4 p4 #adj2 iii4 #he2 ,ovid1 ,met4 vol4 vii4 p4 #ajd71 meaning that their breath seemed to be mingled smoke and fire4 ,there is an image superadded here not found in any of the classic descriptions1 that this was mingled with brimstone4 ,all this seemed to issue from their mouthsthat is1 it was breathed forth in front of the host1 as if the horses emitted it from their mouths4 ,fire and smoke and brimstone4 ,the exact idea1 whether that was intended or not1 would be conveyed by the discharge of musketry or artillery4 ,the fire1 the smoke1 and the sulphurous smell of such a discharge would correspond precisely with this language2 and if it be supposed that the writer meant to describe such a discharge1 this would be the very language that would be used4 ,moreover1 in describing a battle nothing would be more proper than to say that this appeared to issue from the horses' mouths4 ,if1 therefore1 it should be found that there were any events where firearms were used1 in contradistinction from the ancient mode of warfare1 this language would be appropriate to describe that2 and if it were ascertained that the writer meant to refer to some such fact1 then the language here used would be that which he would adopt4 ,one thing is certain1 that this is not language which would be employed to describe the onset of ancient cavalry in the mode of warfare which prevailed then4 ,no one describing a charge of cavalry among the ,persians1 the ,greeks1 or the ,romans1 when the only armour was the sword and the spear1 would think of saying that there seemed to be emitted from the horses' mouths fire1 and smoke1 and brimstone4 #ah ,by these three was the third part of men killed1 by the fire1 and by the smoke1 and by the brimstone1 which issued out of their mouths4 #ah4 ,by these three4 ,three thingsexplained #bbi immediately as referring to the fire1 the smoke1 and the brimstone4 ,was the third part of men killed4 ,see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #gab1 on each of which verses we have notices of calamities that came upon the third part of the race1 of the sea1 of rivers1 c4 ,we are not to suppose that this is to be taken literally1 but the description is given as it appeared to ,john4 ,those immense numbers of horsemen would sweep over the world1 and a full third part of the race of men would seem to fall before them4 #ai ,for their power is in their mouth1 and in their tails3 for #cjftheir tails were like unto serpents1 and had heads1 and with them they do hurt4 #ai4 ,for their power is in their mouth4 ,that is1 as described in the fire1 smoke1 and brimstone that proceeded out of their mouths4 ,what struck the seer as remarkable on looking on the symbol was1 that this immense destruction seemed to proceed out of their mouths4 ,it was not that they trampled down their enemies2 nor that they destroyed them with the sword1 the bow1 or the spear3 it was some new and remarkable power in warfarein which the destruction seemed to proceed from fire1 and smoke1 and sulphur issuing from the mouths of the horses themselves4 ,and in their tails4 ,the tails of the horses4 ,this1 of course1 was something unusual and remarkable in horses1 for naturally they have no power there4 ,the power of a fish1 or a scorpion1 or a wasp1 may be said to be in their tails1 for their strength or their means of defence or of injury are there2 but we never think of speaking in this way of horses4 ,it is not necessary1 in the interpretation of this1 to suppose that the reference is literally to the tails of the horses1 any more than it is to suppose that the smoke1 and fire1 and brimstone literally proceeded from their mouths4 ,john describes things as they appeared to him in looking at them from a considerable distance4 ,from their mouths the horses belched forth fire1 and smoke1 and sulphur1 and even their tails seemed to be armed for the work of death4 ,for their tails were like unto serpents4 ,not like the tails of serpents1 but like serpents themselves4 ,and had heads4 ,that is1 there was something remarkable in the position and appearance of their heads4 ,all serpents1 of course1 have heads2 but ,john saw something unusual in thisor something so peculiar in their heads as to attract special attention4 ,it would seem most probable that the heads of these serpents appeared to extend in every directionas if the hairs of the horses' tails had been converted into snakes1 presenting a most fearful and destructive image4 ,perhaps it may illustrate this to suppose that there is reference to the ,amphisbna1 or two-headed snake4 ,it is said of this reptile that its tail resembles a head1 and that with this it throws out its poison 7,lucan1 vol4 ix4 p4 #agi2 ,pliny's ,hist4 ,nat4 vol4 viii4 p4 #ce74 ,it really has but one head1 but its tail has the appearance of a head1 and it has the power of moving in either direction to a limited degree4 ,if we suppose these snakes fastened to the tail of a horse1 the appearance of heads would be very prominent and remarkable4 ,the image is that of the power of destruction4 ,they seemed like ugly and poisonous serpents instead of tails4 ,and with them they do hurt4 ,not the main injury1 but they have the power of inflicting some injury by them4 #bj ,and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues1 #cjgyet repented not of the works of their hands1 that they should not #cjhworship devils1 and #cji;idols of gold1 and silver1 and brass1 and stone1 and of wood3 which neither can see1 nor hear1 nor walk4 #ba ,neither repented they of their murders1 nor of their #cajsorceries1 nor of their fornication1 nor of their thefts4 #bj1 #ba4 ,and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues1 c4 ,one third part is represented as swept off1 and it might have been expected that a salutary effect would have been produced on the remainder1 in reforming them1 and restraining them from error and sin4 ,the writer proceeds to state1 however1 that these judgments did not have the effect which might #bcj reasonably have been anticipated4 ,no reformation followed2 there was no abandonment of the prevailing forms of iniquity2 there was no change in their idolatry and superstition4 ,in regard to the exact meaning of what is here stated 7ver4 #bj1 #ba71 it will be a more convenient arrangement to consider it after we have ascertained the proper application of the passage relating to the sixth trumpet4 ,what is here stated 7ver4 #bj1 #ba7 pertains to the state of the world after the desolations which would occur under this woe-trumpet2 and the explanation of the words may be reserved1 therefore1 with propriety1 until the inquiry shall have been instituted as to the general design of the whole4 ,with respect to the fulfilment of this symbolthe sixth trumpetit will be necessary to inquire whether there has been any event1 or class of events1 occurring at such a time1 and in such a manner1 as would be properly denoted by such a symbol4 ,the examination of this question will make it necessary to go over the leading points in the symbol1 and to endeavour to apply them4 ,in doing this ,i shall simply state1 with such illustrations as may occur1 what seems to me to have been the design of the symbol4 ,it would be an endless task to examine all the explanations which have been proposed1 and it would be useless to do so4 ,the reference1 then1 seems to me to be to the ,turkish power1 extending from the time of the first appearance of the ,turks in the neighbourhood of the ,euphrates1 to the final conquest of ,constantinople in #adec4 ,the general reasons for this opinion are such as the following37a7 ,if the previous trumpet referred to the ,saracens1 or to the rise of the ,mahometan power among the ,arabs1 then the ,turkish dominion1 being the next in succession1 would be that which would most naturally be symbolized4 7b7 ,the ,turkish power rose on the decline of the ,arabic1 and was the next important power in affecting the destinies of the world4 7c7 ,this power1 like the former1 had its seat in the ,east1 and would be properly classified under the events occurring there as affecting the destiny of the world4 7d7 ,the introduction of this power was necessary1 in order to complete the survey of the downfall of the ,roman empirethe great object kept in view all along in these symbols4 ,in the first four of these trumpets1 under the seventh seal1 we found the decline and fall of the ,western empire2 in the first of the remaining threethe fifth in orderwe found the rise of the ,saracens1 materially affecting the condition of the ,eastern portion of the ,roman world2 and the notice of the ,turks1 under whom the empire at last fell to rise no more1 seemed to be demanded in order to the completion of the picture4 ,as a leading design of the whole vision was to describe the ultimate destiny of that formidable powerthe ,romanwhich1 in the time when the ,revelation was given to ,john1 ruled over the whole world2 under which the church was then oppressed2 and which1 either as a civil or ecclesiastical power1 was to exert so important an influence on the destiny of the church1 it was proper that its history should be sketched until it ceasedthat is1 until the conquest of the capital of the ,eastern empire by the ,turks4 ,here the termination of the empire1 as traced by ,mr4 ,gibbon1 closes2 and these events it was important to incorporate in this series of visions4 ,the rise and character of the ,turkish people may be seen stated in full in ,gibbon1 ,decline and ,fall1 iii4 #ajaajc1 #aje1 #dhf2 iv4 #da1 #db1 #hg1 #ij1 #ia1 #ic1 #ajj1 #abg1 #adc1 #aea1 #beh1 #bfj1 #bhi1 #cej4 ,the leading facts in regard to the history of the ,turks1 so far as they are necessary to be known before we proceed to apply the symbols1 are the following37#a7 ,the ,turks1 or ,turkmans1 had their origin in the vicinity of the ,caspian ,sea1 and were divided into two branches1 one on the east1 and the other on the west4 ,the latter colony1 in the tenth century1 could muster forty thousand soldiers2 the other numbered a hundred thousand families 7,gibbon1 iv4 #ij74 ,by the latter of these1 ,persia was invaded and subdued1 and soon ,bagdad also came into their possession1 and the seat of the caliph was occupied by a ,turkish prince4 ,the various details respecting this1 and respecting their conversion to the faith of the ,koran1 may be seen in ,gibbon1 iv4 #ijic4 ,a mighty ,turkish and ,moslem power was thus concentrated under ,togrul1 who had subdued the caliph1 in the vicinity of the ,tigris and the ,euphrates1 extending east over ,persia and the countries adjacent to the ,caspian ,sea1 but it had not yet crossed the ,euphrates to carry its conquests to the west4 ,the conquest of ,bagdad by ,togrul1 #bca the first prince of the ,seljuk race1 was an important event1 not only in itself1 but as it was by this event that the ,turk was constituted temporal lieutenant of the prophet's vicar1 and so the head of the temporal power of the religion of ,islam4 8,the conqueror of the ,east kissed the ground1 stood some time in a modest posture1 and was led toward the throne by the vizier and an interpreter4 ,after ,togrul had seated himself on another throne his commission was publicly read1 which declared him the temporal lieutenant of the prophet4 ,he was successively invested with seven robes of honour1 and presented with seven slaves1 the natives of the seven climates of the ,arabian empire1 c4 ,their alliance of the sultan and the caliph was cemented by the marriage of ,togrul's sister with the successor of the prophet10 c4 7,gibbon1 iv4 #ic74 ,the conquest of ,persia1 the subjugation of ,bagdad1 the union of the ,turkish power with that of the caliph1 the successor of ,mahomet1 and the foundation of this powerful kingdom in the neighbourhood of the ,euphrates1 is all that is necessary to explain the sense of the phrase 8which were prepared for an hour10 c41 ver4 #ae4 ,the arrangements were then made for the important series of events which were to occur when that formidable power should be summoned from the ,east1 to spread the predicted desolation over so large a part of the world4 ,a mighty dominion had been forming in the ,east that had subdued ,persia1 and that1 by union with the caliphs1 by the subjugation of ,bagdad1 and by embracing the ,mahometan faith1 had become 8prepared0 to play its subsequent important part in the affairs of the world4 7#b7 ,the next important event in their history was the crossing of the ,euphrates1 and the invasion of ,asia ,minor4 ,the account of this invasion can be best given in the words of ,mr4 ,gibbon3 8,twenty-five years after the death of ,basil the ,greek emperor1 his successors were suddenly assaulted by an unknown race of barbarians1 who united the ,scythian valour with the fanaticism of new proselytes1 and the art and riches of a powerful monarchy4 ,the myriads of ,turkish horse overspread a frontier of six hundred miles from ,taurus to ,arzeroum1 and the blood of one hundred and thirty thousand ,christians was a grateful sacrifice to the ,arabian prophet4 ,yet the arms of ,togrul did not make any deep or lasting impression on the ,greek empire4 ,the torrent rolled away from the open country2 the sultan retired without glory or success from the siege of an ,armenian city2 the obscure hostilities were continued or suspended with a vicissitude of events2 and the bravery of the ,macedonian legions renewed the fame of the conqueror of ,asia4 ,the name of ,alp ,arslan1 the valiant lion1 is expressive of the popular idea of the perfection of man2 and the successor of ,togrul displayed the fierceness and generosity of the royal animal4 #8,the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions4' ,he passed the ,euphrates at the head of the ,turkish cavalry1 and entered ,csarea1 the metropolis of ,cappadocia1 to which he had been attracted by the fame and the wealth of the temple of ,st4 ,basil0 7vol4 iv4 #ic1 #id2 comp4 also p4 #ie74 7#c7 ,the next important event was the establishing of the kingdom of ,roum in ,asia ,minor4 ,after a succession of victories and defeats2 after being driven once and again from ,asia ,minor1 and compelled to retire beyond its limits2 and after subjecting the ,east to their arms 7,gibbon1 iv4 #ieajj7 in the various contests for the crown of the ,eastern empire1 the aid of the ,turks was invoked by one party or the other until they secured for themselves a firm foothold in ,asia ,minor1 and established themselves there in a permanent kingdomevidently with the purpose of seizing upon ,constantinople itself when an opportunity should be presented 7,gibbon1 iv4 #ajj1 #aja74 ,of this kingdom of ,roum ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iv4 #aja7 gives the following description1 and speaks thus of the effect of its establishment on the destiny of the ,eastern empire3 8,since the first conquests of the caliphs1 the establishment of the ,turks in ,anatolia1 or ,asia ,minor1 was the most deplorable loss which the church and empire had sustained4 ,by the propagation of the ,moslem faith ,soliman deserved the name of ,gazi1 a holy champion2 and his new kingdom of the ,romans1 or of ,roum1 was added to the table of ,oriental geography4 ,it is described as extending from the ,euphrates to ,constantinople1 from the ,black ,sea to the confines of ,syria2 pregnant with mines of silver and iron1 of alum and copper1 fruitful in corn and wine1 and productive of cattle and excellent horses4 ,the wealth of ,lydia1 the arts of the ,greeks1 the splendour of the ,augustan age1 #bcb existed only in books and ruins1 which were equally obscure in the eyes of the ,scythian conquerors4 ,by the choice of the ,sultan1 ,nice1 the metropolis of ,bithynia1 was preferred for his palace and fortressthe seat of the ,seljukian dynasty of ,roum was planted one hundred miles from ,constantinople2 and the divinity of ,christ was denied and derided in the same temple in which it had been pronounced by the first general synod of the ,catholics4 ,the unity of ,god and the mission of ,mahomet were preached in the mosques2 the ,arabian learning was taught in the schools2 the cadis judged according to the law of the ,koran2 the ,turkish manners and language prevailed in the cities2 and ,turkman camps were scattered over the plains and mountains of ,anatolia10 c4 7#d7 ,the next material event in the history of the ,turkish power was the conquest of ,jerusalem4 ,see this described in ,gibbon1 iv4 #ajbajf4 ,by this the attention of the ,turks was turned for a time from the conquest of ,constantinoplean event at which the ,turkish power all along aimed1 and in which they doubtless expected to be ultimately successful4 ,had they not been diverted from it by the wars connected with the ,crusades1 ,constantinople would have fallen long before it did fall1 for it was too feeble to defend itself if it had been attacked4 7#e7 ,the conquest of ,jerusalem by the ,turks1 and the oppressions which ,christians experienced there1 gave rise to the ,crusades1 by which the destiny of ,constantinople was still longer delayed4 ,the war of the ,crusades was made on the ,turks1 and as the crusaders mostly passed through ,constantinople and ,anatolia1 all the power of the ,turks in ,asia ,minor was requisite to defend themselves1 and they were incapable of making an attack on ,constantinople until after the final defeat of the crusaders and restoration of peace4 ,see ,gibbon1 iv4 #ajfbaj4 7#f7 ,the next material event in the history of the ,turks was the conquest of ,constantinople in ,a4,d4 #adec;an event which established the ,turkish power in ,europe and completed the downfall of the ,roman empire 7,gibbon1 iv4 #ccccei74 ,after this brief reference to the general history of the ,turkish power1 we are prepared to inquire more particularly whether the symbol in the passage before us is applicable to this series of events4 ,this may be considered in several particulars4 7#a7 ,the time4 ,if the first woe-trumpet referred to the ,saracens1 then it would be natural that the rise and progress of the ,turkish power should be symbolized as the next great fact in history1 and as that under which the empire fell4 ,as we have seen1 the ,turkish power rose immediately after the power of the ,saracens had reached its height1 and identified itself with the ,mahometan religion2 and was1 in fact1 the next great power that affected the ,roman empire1 the welfare of the church1 and the history of the world4 ,there can be no doubt1 therefore1 that the time is such as is demanded in the proper interpretation of the symbol4 7#b7 ,the place4 ,we have seen 7in the remarks on ver4 #ad7 that this was on or near the river ,euphrates1 and that this power was long forming and consolidating itself on the east of that river before it crossed it in the invasion of ,asia ,minor4 ,it had spread over ,persia1 and had even invaded the region of the ,east as far as the ,indies2 it had secured1 under ,togrul1 the conquest of ,bagdad1 and had united itself with the caliphate1 and was1 in fact1 a mighty power 8prepared0 for conquest before it moved to the west4 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iv4 #ib7 says1 8,the more rustic1 perhaps the wisest1 portion of the ,turkmans continued to dwell in the tents of their ancestors2 and from the ,oxus to the ,euphrates these military colonies were protected and propagated by their native princes40 ,so again1 speaking of ,alp ,arslan1 the son and successor of ,togrul1 he says 7iv4 #id71 8,he passed the ,euphrates at the head of the ,turkish cavalry1 and entered ,csarea1 the metropolis of ,cappadocia1 to which he was attracted by the fame and the wealth of the temple of ,st4 ,basil40 ,if it be admitted that it was intended by ,john to refer to the ,turkish power1 it could not have been better represented than as a power that had been forming in the vicinity of that great river1 and that was prepared to precipitate itself on the ,eastern empire4 ,to one contemplating it in the time of ,togrul or ,alp ,arslan1 it would have appeared as a mighty power growing up in the neighbourhood of the ,euphrates4 7#c7 ,the four angels3 8,loose the four angels which are bound40 ,that is1 loose the powers which are in the vicinity of the ,euphrates1 as if they were under the control of four angels4 ,the most natural construction of this would #bcc be1 that under the mighty power that was to sweep over the world1 there were four subordinate powers1 or that there were such subdivisions that it might be supposed they were ranged under four angelic powers or leaders4 ,the question is1 whether there was any such division or arrangement of the ,turkish power1 that1 to one looking on it at a distance1 there would seem to be such a division4 ,in the ,history of the ,decline and ,fall of the ,roman ,empire 7iv4 #ajj7 we find the following statement38,the greatness and unity of the ,turkish empire expired in the person of ,malek ,shah4 ,the vacant throne was disputed by his brother and his four sons2 and1 after a series of civil wars1 the treaty which reconciled the surviving candidates confirmed a lasting separation in the ,persian dynasty1 the oldest and principal branch of the house of ,seljuk4 ,the three younger dynasties were those of ,kerman1 of ,syria1 and of ,roum2 the first of these commanded an extensive1 though obscure dominion1 on the shores of the ,indian ,ocean2 the second expelled the ,arabian princes of ,aleppo and ,damascus2 and the third 7our peculiar care7 invaded the ,roman provinces of ,asia ,minor4 ,the generous policy of ,malek contributed to their elevation2 he allowed the princes of his blood1 even those whom he had vanquished in the field1 to seek new kingdoms worthy of their ambition2 nor was he displeased that they should draw away the more ardent spirits who might have disturbed the tranquillity of his reign4 ,as the supreme head of his family and nation1 the great ,sultan of ,persia commanded the obedience and tribute of his royal brethren3 the thrones of ,kerman and ,nice1 of ,aleppo and ,damascus2 the atabeks and emirs of ,syria and ,mesopotamia erected their standards under the shadow of his sceptre1 and the hordes of ,turkmans overspread the plains of ,western ,asia4 ,after the death of ,malek the bands of union and subordination were gradually relaxed and dissolved2 the indulgence of the house of ,seljuk invested their slaves with the inheritance of kingdoms2 and1 in the ,oriental style1 a crowd of princes arose from the dust of their feet40 ,here it is observable1 that1 at the period when the ,turkman hordes were about to precipitate themselves on ,europe1 and to advance to the destruction of the ,eastern empire1 we have distinct mention of four great departments of the ,turkish power3 the original power that had established itself in ,persia1 under ,malek ,shah1 and the three subordinate powers that sprung out of that of ,kerman1 ,syria1 and ,roum4 ,it is observable 7a7 that this occurs at the period when that power would appear in the ,east as advancing in its conquests to the ,west2 7b7 that it was in the vicinity of the great river ,euphrates2 7c7 that it had never before occurredthe ,turkish power having been before united as one2 and 7d7 that it never afterwards occurredfor1 in the words of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8after the death of ,malek the bands of union and subordination were relaxed and finally dissolved40 ,it would not be improper1 then1 to look upon this one mighty power as under the control of four spirits that were held in check in the ,east1 and that were 8prepared0 to pour their energies on the ,roman empire4 7#d7 ,the preparation3 8,prepared for an hour10 c4 ,that is1 arranged2 made readyas if by previous disciplinefor some mighty enterprise4 ,applied to the ,turkmans1 this would mean that the preparation for the ultimate work which they executed had been making as that power increased and became consolidated under ,togrul1 ,alp ,arslan1 and ,malek ,shah4 ,in its successful strides ,persia and the ,east had been subdued2 the caliph at ,bagdad had been brought under the control of the sultan2 a union had been formed between the ,turks and the ,saracens2 and the sultanies of ,kerman1 ,syria1 and ,roum had been establishedembracing together all the countries of the ,east1 and constituting this by far the most mighty nation on the globe4 ,all this would seem to be a work of preparation to do what was afterwards done as seen in the visions of ,john4 7#e7 ,the fact that they were bound3 8,which are bound in the great river ,euphrates40 ,that is1 they were1 as it were1 restrained and kept back for a long time in that vicinity4 ,it would have been natural to suppose that that vast power would at once move on toward the ,west to the conquest of the capital of the ,eastern empire4 ,such had been the case with the ,huns1 the ,goths1 and the ,vandals4 ,but these ,turkish hordes had been long restrained in the ,east4 ,they had subdued ,persia4 ,they had then achieved the conquest of ,india4 ,they had conquered ,bagdad1 and the entire ,east was under their control4 #bcd ,yet for a long time they had now been inactive1 and it would seem as if they had been bound or restrained by some mighty power from moving in their conquests to the ,west4 7#f7 ,the material that composed the army3 8,and the number of the army of the horsemen40 8,and thus ,i saw the horses in the vision4,and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions40 ,from this it appears that this vast host was composed mainly of cavalry2 and it is hardly necessary to say that this description would apply better to the ,turkish hordes than to any other body of invaders known in history4 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon 7vol4 iv4 p4 #id7 says1 8,the myriads of the ,turkish horse overspread a frontier of six hundred miles1 from ,taurus to ,arzeroum10 ,a4,d4 #ajej4 ,so again1 speaking of ,togrul 7vol4 iv4 p4 #id71 8,he passed the ,euphrates at the head of the ,turkish cavalry0 7ibid474 ,so again 7vol4 iii4 p4 #ie71 8,alp ,arslan flew to the scene of action at the head of forty thousand horse40 ,a4,d4 #ajga4 ,so in the attack of the crusaders on ,nice1 the capital of the ,turkish kingdom of ,roum1 ,mr4 ,gibbon 7vol4 iv4 p4 #abg7 says of the sultan ,soliman3 8,yielding to the first impulse of the torrent1 he deposited his treasure and family in ,nice2 retired to the mountains with fifty thousand horse10 c4 ,and so again 7ibid471 speaking of the ,turks who rallied to oppose the 8strange0 invasion of 8the ,western barbarians10 he says1 8,the ,turkish emirs obeyed the call of loyalty or religion2 the ,turkman hordes encamped round his standard2 and his whole force is loosely stated by the ,christians at two hundred1 or even three hundred and sixty thousand horse10 ,a4,d4 #ajig4 ,every student of history knows that the ,turks1 or ,turkmans1 in the early periods of their history1 were remarkable for their cavalry4 7#g7 ,their numbers3 8,and the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand40 ,that is1 it was vast1 or it was such as to be reckoned by myriads1 or by tens of thousands two myriads of myriads4 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon 7vol4 iv4 p4 #id7 says1 8,the myriads of ,turkish horse overspread10 c4 ,it has been suggested by ,daubuz that in this there may be probably an allusion to the ,turkman custom of numbering by tomans1 or myriads4 ,this custom1 it is true1 has existed elsewhere1 but there is probably none with whom it has been so familiar as with the ,tartars and ,turks4 ,in the ,seljukian age the population of ,samarcand was rated at seven tomans 7myriads71 because it could send out #gj1jjj warriors4 ,the dignity and rank of ,tamerlane's father and grandfather was thus described1 that 8they were the hereditary chiefs of a toman1 or #aj1jjj horse0a myriad 7,gibbon1 vol4 iv4 p4 #bgj72 so that it is not without his usual propriety of language that ,mr4 ,gibbon speaks of the myriads of the ,turkish horse1 or of the cavalry of the earlier ,turks of ,mount ,altai1 8being1 both men and horses1 proudly computed by myriads40 ,one thing is clear1 that to no other invading hosts could the language here used be so well applied1 and if it were supposed that ,john was writing after the event1 this would be the language which he would be likely to employfor this is nearly the identical language employed by the historian ,gibbon4 7#h7 ,their personal appearance3 8,them that sat on them having breastplates of fire1 and of jacinth1 and brimstone0as explained above1 in a 8uniform0 of red1 and blue1 and yellow4 ,this might1 undoubtedly1 be applicable to other armies besides the ,turkish hordes2 but the proper question here is1 whether it would be applicable to them4 ,the fact of the application of the symbol to the ,turks in general must be determined from other points in the symbol which designate them clearly2 the only natural inquiry here is1 whether this description would apply to the ,turkish hosts2 for if it would not1 that would be fatal to the whole interpretation4 ,on the application of this passage to the ,turks ,mr4 ,daubuz justly remarks1 that 8from their first appearance the ,ottomans have affected to wear warlike apparel of scarlet1 blue1 and yellowa descriptive trait the more marked from its contrast to the military appearance of the ,greeks1 ,franks1 or ,saracens contemporarily40 ,mr4 ,elliott adds3 8,it only needs to have seen the ,turkish cavalry 7as they were before the late innovations71 whether in war itself1 or in the djerrid war's mimicry1 to leave an impression of the absolute necessity of some such notice of their rich and varied colourings1 in order to give in description at all a just impression of their appearance10 vol4 i4 p4 #dha4 7#i7 ,the remarkable appearance of the cavalry3 8,having breastplates of fire1 and of jacinth1 and brimstone2 and the #bce heads of the horses were as the heads of lions2 and out of their mouths issued fire1 and smoke1 and brimstone40 ,it was remarked in the exposition of this passage that this is just such a description as would be given of an army to which the use of gunpowder was known1 and which made use of it in these wars4 ,looking now upon a body of cavalry in the heat of an engagement1 it would seem1 if the cause were not known1 that the horses belched forth smoke and sulphurous flame4 ,the only question now is1 whether in the warfare of the ,turks there was anything which would peculiarly or remarkably justify this description4 ,and here it is impossible not to advert to the historical fact that they were among the first to make use of gunpowder in their wars1 and that to the use of this destructive element they owed much of their success and their ultimate triumphs4 ,the historical truth of this it is necessary now to advert to1 and this will be done by a reference to ,mr4 ,gibbon1 and to the account which he has given of the final conquest of ,constantinople by the ,turks4 ,it will be seen how he puts this new instrumentality of war into the foreground in his account2 how prominent this seemed to him to be in describing the victories of the ,turks2 and how probable1 therefore1 it is that ,john1 in describing an invasion by them1 would refer to the 8fire and smoke and brimstone10 that seemed to be emitted from the mouths of their horses4 ,as preparatory to the account of the siege and conquest of ,constantinople by the ,turks1 ,mr4 ,gibbon gives a description of the invention and use of gunpowder4 8,the chemists of ,china or ,europe had found1 by casual or elaborate experiments1 that a mixture of saltpetre1 sulphur1 and charcoal produces1 with a spark of fire1 a tremendous explosion4 ,it was soon observed that if the expansive force were compressed in a strong tube1 a ball of stone or iron might be expelled with irresistible and destructive velocity4 ,the precise era of the invention and application of gunpowder is involved in doubtful traditions and equivocal language2 yet we may clearly discern that it was known before the middle of the fourteenth century2 and that before the end of the same the use of artillery in battles and sieges1 by sea and land1 was familiar to the states of ,germany1 ,italy1 ,spain1 ,france1 and ,england4 ,the priority of nations is of small account2 none could derive any exclusive benefit from their previous or superior knowledge2 and in the common improvement they stood on the same level of relative power and military science4 ,nor was it possible to circumscribe the secret within the pale of the church2 it was disclosed to the ,turks by the treachery of apostates and the selfish policy of rivals2 and the sultans had sense to adopt1 and wealth to reward1 the talents of a ,christian engineer4 ,by the ,venetians the use of gunpowder was communicated without reproach to the sultans of ,egypt and ,persia1 their allies against the ,ottoman power2 the secret was soon propagated to the extremities of ,asia2 and the advantage of the ,european was confined to his easy victories over the savages of the ,new ,world10 vol4 iv4 p4 #bia4 ,in the description of the conquest of ,constantinople ,mr4 ,gibbon makes frequent mention of their artillery1 and of the use of gunpowder1 and of its important agency in securing their final conquests1 and in the overthrow of the ,eastern empire4 8,among the implements of destruction he the ,turkish sultan studied with peculiar care the recent and tremendous discovery of the ,latins2 and his artillery surpassed whatever had yet appeared in the world4 ,a founder of cannon1 a ,dane or ,hungarian1 who had almost starved in the ,greek service1 deserted to the ,moslems1 and was liberally entertained by the ,turkish sultan4 ,mahomet was satisfied with the answer to his first question1 which he eagerly pressed on the artist3 #8,am ,i able to cast a cannon capable of throwing a ball or stone of sufficient size to batter the walls of ,constantinople8 ,i am not ignorant of their strength1 but1 were they more solid than those of ,babylon1 ,i could oppose an engine of superior power2 the position and management of that engine must be left to your engineers4' ,on this assurance a foundry was established at ,adrianople2 the metal was prepared2 and at the end of three months ,urban produced a piece of brass ordnance of stupendous and almost incredible magnitude3 a measure of twelve palms is assigned to the bore2 and the stone bullet weighed above six hundred pounds4 ,a vacant place before the new palace was chosen for the first experiment2 but to prevent the sudden and mischievous effects of astonishment and fear1 a proclamation was issued that the cannon would be #bcf discharged the ensuing day4 ,the explosion was felt or heard in a circuit of a hundred furlongs2 the ball1 by force of gunpowder1 was driven above a mile2 and on the spot where it fell it buried itself a fathom deep in the ground10 vol4 iv4 p4 #cci4 ,so1 in speaking of the siege of ,constantinople by the ,turks1 ,mr4 ,gibbon says of the defence by the ,christians 7vol4 iv4 p4 #cdc73 8,the incessant volleys of lances and arrows were accompanied with the smoke1 the sound1 and the fire of their musketry and cannon40 8,the same destructive secret10 he adds1 8had been revealed to the ,moslems1 by whom it was employed with the superior energy of zeal1 riches1 and despotism4 ,the great cannon of ,mahomet has been separately noticedan important and visible object in the history of the times2 but that enormous engine was flanked by two fellows almost of equal magnitude2 the long order of the ,turkish artillery was pointed against the walls2 fourteen batteries thundered at once on the most accessible places2 and of one of these it is ambiguously expressed that it was mounted with one hundred and thirty guns1 or that it discharged one hundred and thirty bullets10 vol4 iv4 pp4 #cdc1 #cdd4 ,again3 8,the first random shots were productive of more sound than effect2 and it was by the advice of a ,christian that the engineers were taught to level their aim against the two opposite sides of the salient angles of a bastion4 ,however imperfect1 the weight and repetition of the fire made some impression on the walls10 vol4 iv4 p4 #cdd4 ,and again3 8,a circumstance that distinguishes the siege of ,constantinople is the reunion of the ancient and modern artillery4 ,the cannon were intermingled with the mechanical engines for casting stones and darts2 the bullet and the battering-ram were directed against the same walls2 nor had the discovery of gunpowder superseded the use of the liquid and inextinguishable fire10 vol4 iv4 p4 #cdd4 ,so again1 in the description of the final conflict when ,constantinople was taken1 ,mr4 ,gibbon says1 8,from the lines1 the galleys1 and the bridge1 the ,ottoman artillery thundered on all sides2 and the camp and city1 the ,greeks and the ,turks1 were involved in a cloud of smoke which could only be dispelled by the final deliverance or destruction of the ,roman empire10 vol4 iv4 p4 #cej4 ,assuredly1 if such was the fact in the conquests of the ,turks1 it was not unnatural in one who was looking on these warriors in vision to describe them as if they seemed to belch out 8fire and smoke and brimstone40 ,if ,mr4 ,gibbon had designed to describe the conquest of the ,turks as a fulfilment of the prediction1 could he have done it in a style more clear and graphic than that which he has employed8 ,if this had occurred in a ,christian writer1 would it not have been charged on him that he had shaped his facts to meet his notions of the meaning of the prophecy8 7#aj7 ,the statement that 8their power was in their mouth1 and in their tails10 ver4 #ai4 ,the former part of this has been illustrated4 ,the inquiry now is1 what is the meaning of the declaration that 8their power was in their tails80 ,in ver4 #ai their tails are described as resembling 8serpents1 having heads10 and it is said that 8with them they do hurt40 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,the allusion to the 8serpents0 would seem to imply that there was something in the horses' tails1 as compared with them1 or in some use that was made of them1 which would make this language proper2 that is1 that their appearance would so suggest the idea of death and destruction1 that the mind would easily imagine they were a bundle of serpents4 ,the following remarks may show how applicable this was to the ,turks3 7a7 ,in the ,turkish hordes there was something1 whatever it was1 that naturally suggested some resemblance to serpents4 ,of the ,turkmans when they began to spread their conquests over ,asia1 in the eleventh century1 and an effort was made to rouse the people against them1 ,mr4 ,gibbon makes the following remark3 8,massoud1 the son and successor of ,mahmoud1 had too long neglected the advice of his wisest ,omrahs4 #8,your enemies' the ,turkmans1 they repeatedly urged1 'were in their origin a swarm of ants2 they are now little snakes2 and unless they be instantly crushed1 they will acquire the venom and magnitude of serpents10 vol4 iv4 p4 #ia4 7b7 ,it is a remarkable fact that the horse's tail is a well-known ,turkish standarda symbol of office and authority4 8,the pashas are distinguished1 after a ,tartar custom1 by three horsetails on the side of their tents1 and receive by courtesy the title of beyler bey1 or prince of princes4 ,the next in rank are the pashas of two tails1 the beys who are honoured with one tail40,edin4 ,ency4 #bcg 7art4 8,turkey074 ,in the times of their early warlike career the principal standard was once lost in battle1 and the ,turkman commander1 in default1 cut off his horse's tail1 lifted it on a pole1 made it the rallying ensign1 and so gained the victory4 ,so ,tournefort in his ,travels states4 ,the following is ,ferrario's account of the origin of this ensign38,an author acquainted with their customs says1 that a general of theirs1 not knowing how to rally his troops that had lost their standards1 cut off a horse's tail1 and fixed it to the end of a spear2 and the soldiers rallying at that signal1 gained the victory40 ,he adds farther1 that whereas 8on his appointment a pasha of the three tails used to receive a drum and a standard1 now for the drum there have been substituted three horses' tails1 tied at the end of a spear1 round a gilded haft4 ,one of the first officers of the palace presents him these three tails as a standard0 7,elliott1 vol4 i4 pp4 #dhe1 #dhf74 ,this remarkable standard or ensign is found only among the ,turks1 and1 if there was an intended reference to them1 the symbol here would be the proper one to be adopted4 ,the meaning of the passage where it is said that 8their power is in their tails0 would seem to be1 that their tails were the symbol or emblem of their authorityas in fact the horse's tail is in the appointment of a pasha4 ,the image before the mind of ,john would seem to have been1 that he saw the horses belching out fire and smoke1 and1 what was equally strange1 he saw that their power of spreading desolation was connected with the tails of horses4 ,anyone looking on a body of cavalry with such banners or ensigns would be struck with this unusual and remarkable appearance1 and would speak of their banners as concentrating and directing their power4 ,the above engraving1 representing the standard of a ,turkish pasha1 will illustrate the passage before us4 ,illustration3 ,standard-bearer of a ,turkish ,pasha4 7#aa7 ,the number slain1 ver4 #ah4 ,that is said to have been 8the third part of men40 ,no one in reading the accounts of the wars of the ,turks1 and of the ravages which they have committed1 would be likely to feel that this is an exaggeration4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that it is literally accurate1 but it is such a representation as would strike one in looking over the world1 and contemplating the effect of their invasions4 ,if the other specifications in the symbol are correct1 there would be no hesitation in admitting the propriety of this4 7#ab7 ,the time of the continuance of this power4 ,this is a material1 and a more difficult point4 ,it is said 7ver4 #ae7 to be 8an hour1 and a day1 and a month1 and a year20 that is1 as explained1 three hundred and ninety-one years1 and the portion of a year indicated by the expression 8an hour20 to wit1 an additional twelfth or twenty-fourth part of a year4 ,the question now is1 whether1 supposing the time to which this reaches to be the capture of ,constantinople1 and the consequent downfall of the ,roman empirethe object in view in this series of visionsin reckoning back from that period for #cia years1 we should reach an epoch that would properly denote the moving forward of this power towards its final conquest2 that is1 whether there was any such marked epoch that1 if the #cia years were added to it1 it would reach the year of the conquest of ,constantinople1 ,a4,d4 #adec4 ,the period that would be indicated by taking the number #cia from #adec would be #ajfb;and that is the time in which we are to look for the event referred to4 ,this is on the supposition that the year consisted of #cfj days1 or twelve months of thirty days each4 ,if1 however1 instead of this1 we reckon #cfe days and six hours1 then the length of time would be found to amount to #cif years and #bch #ajf days4#caa ,this would make the time of the 8loosening of the angels10 or the moving forward of this power1 to be ,a4,d4 #ajeg4 ,in the uncertainty on this point1 and in the unsettled state of ancient chronology1 it would1 perhaps1 be vain to hope for minute accuracy1 and it is not reasonable to demand it of an interpreter4 ,on any fair principle of interpretation it would be sufficient if at about one of these periods,a4,d4 #ajfb or ,a4,d4 #ajegthere was found such a definite or strongly marked event as would indicate a movement of the hitherto restrained power toward the ,west4 ,this is the real point1 then1 to be determined4 ,now1 in a common work on chronology ,i find this record3 8,a4,d4 #ajee1 ,turks reduce ,bagdad1 and overturn the empire of the caliphs40 ,in a work still more important to our purpose 7,gibbon1 iv4 #ib1 #ic71 under the date of ,a4,d4 #ajee1 ,i find a series of statements which will show the propriety of referring to that event as the one by which this power1 so long restrained1 was 8let loose20 that is1 was placed in such a state that its final conquest of the ,eastern empire certainly followed4 ,the event was the union of the ,turkish power with the caliphate in such a way that the sultan was regarded as 8the temporal lieutenant of the vicar of the prophet40 ,of this event ,mr4 ,gibbon gives the following account4 ,after mentioning the conversion of the ,turks to the ,moslem faith1 and especially the zeal with which the son of ,seljuk had embraced that faith1 he proceeds to state the manner in which the ,turkish sultan ,togrul came in possession of ,bagdad1 and was invested with the high office of the 8temporal lieutenant of the vicar of the prophet40 ,there were two caliphs1 those of ,bagdad and ,egypt1 and 8the sublime character of the successor of the prophet0 was 8disputed0 by them1 iv4 #ic4 ,each of them became 8solicitous to prove his title in the judgment of the strong though illiterate barbarians40 ,mr4 ,gibbon then says1 8,mahmoud the ,gaznevide had declared himself in favour of the line of ,abbas2 and had treated with indignity the robe of honour which was presented by the ,fatimite ambassador4 ,yet the ungrateful ,hashemite had changed with the change of fortune2 he applauded the victory of ,zendecan1 and named the ,seljukian sultan his temporal vicegerent over the ,moslem world4 ,as ,togrul executed and enlarged this important trust1 he was called to the deliverance of the caliph ,cayem1 and obeyed the holy summons1 which gave a new kingdom to his arms4 ,in the palace of ,bagdad the commander of the faithful still slumbered1 a venerable phantom4 ,his servant or master1 the prince of the ,bowides1 could no longer protect him from the insolence of meaner tyrants2 and the ,euphrates and the ,tigris were oppressed by the revolt of the ,turkish and ,arabian emirs4 ,the presence of a conqueror was implored as a blessing2 and the transient mischiefs of fire and sword were excused as the sharp but salutary remedies which alone could restore the health of the republic4 ,at the head of an irresistible force the sultan of ,persia marched from ,hamadan2 the proud were crushed1 the prostrate were spared2 the prince of the ,bowides disappeared2 the heads of the most obstinate rebels were laid at the feet of ,togrul2 and he inflicted a lesson of obedience on the people of ,mosul and ,bagdad4 ,after the chastisement of the guilty1 and the restoration of peace1 the royal shepherd accepted the reward of his labours2 and a solemn comedy represented the triumph of religious prejudice over barbarian power4 ,the ,turkish sultan embarked on the ,tigris1 landed at the gate of ,racca1 and made his public entry on horseback4 ,at the palace gate he respectfully dismounted1 and walked on foot preceded by his emirs without arms4 ,the caliph was seated behind his black veil2 the black garment of the ,abbassides was cast over his shoulders1 and he held in his hand the staff of the ,apostle of ,god4 ,the conqueror of the ,east kissed the ground1 stood some time in a modest posture1 and was led toward the throne by the vizier and an interpreter4 ,after ,togrul had seated himself on another throne1 his commission was publicly read1 which declared him the temporal lieutenant of the vicar of the #bci prophet4 ,he was successively invested with seven robes of honour1 and presented with seven slaves1 the natives of the seven climates of the ,arabian empire4 ,his mystic veil was perfumed with musk2 two crowns were placed on his head2 two scimetars were girded to his side1 as the symbols of a double reign over the ,east and ,west4 ,their alliance was cemented by the marriage of ,togrul's sister with the successor of the prophet10 iv4 #ic1 #id4 ,this event1 so described1 was of sufficient importance1 as constituting a union of the ,turkish power with the ,moslem faith1 as making it practicable to move in their conquests toward the ,west1 and as connected in its ultimate results with the downfall of the ,eastern empire1 to make it an epoch in the history of nations4 ,in fact1 it was the point which one would have particularly looked at1 after describing the movements of the ,saracens 7ch4 ix4 #aaa71 as the next event that was to change the condition of the world4 ,happily we have also the means of fixing the exact date of this event1 so as to make it accord with singular accuracy with the period supposed to be referred to4 ,the general time specified by ,mr4 ,gibbon is ,a4,d4 #ajee4 ,this1 according to the two methods referred to of determining the period embraced in the 8hour1 and day1 and month1 and year10 would reach1 if the period were #cia years1 to ,a4,d4 #addf2 if the other method were referred to1 making it #cif years and #ajf days to ,a4,d4 #adea1 with #ajf days added1 within less than two years of the actual taking of ,constantinople4 ,but there is a more accurate calculation as to the time than the general one thus made4 ,in vol4 iv4 #ic ,mr4 ,gibbon makes this remark38,twenty-five years after the death of ,basil his successors were suddenly assaulted by an unknown race of barbarians1 who united the ,scythian valour with the fanaticism of new proselytes1 and the art and riches of a powerful monarchy40 ,he then proceeds 7p4 #id1 seq47 with an account of the invasions of the ,turks4 ,in vol4 iii4 #cjg we have an account of the death of ,basil4 8,in the sixty-eighth year of his age his martial spirit urged him to embark in person for a holy war against the ,saracens of ,sicily2 he was prevented by death1 and ,basil1 surnamed the slayer of the ,bulgarians1 was dismissed from the world1 with the blessings of the clergy and the curses of the people40 ,this occurred ,a4,d4 #ajbe4 8,twenty-five years0 after this would make ,a4,d4 #ajej4 ,to this add the period here referred to1 and we have respectively1 as above1 the years ,a4,d4 #addf1 or ,a4,d4 #adea1 and #ajf days4 ,both periods are near the time of the taking of ,constantinople and the downfall of the ,eastern empire 7,a4,d4 #adec71 and the latter strikingly so2 and1 considering the general nature of the statement of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 and the great indefiniteness of the dates in chronology1 may be considered as remarkable4,but we have the means of a still more accurate calculation4 ,it is by determining the exact period of the investiture of ,togrul with the authority of caliph1 or as the 8temporal lieutenant of the vicar of the prophet40 ,the time of this investiture1 or coronation1 is mentioned by ,abulfeda as occurring on the #beth of ,dzoulcad1 in the year of the ,hegira #ddi2 and the date of ,elmakin's narrative1 who has given an account of this1 perfectly agrees with this4 ,of this transaction ,elmakin makes the following remark38,there was now none left in ,irak or ,chorasmia who could stand before him40 ,the importance of this investiture will be seen from the charge which the caliph is reported by ,abulfeda to have given to ,togrul on this occasion38,the caliph commits to your care all that part of the world which ,god has committed to his care and dominion2 and intrusts to thee1 under the name of vicegerent1 the guardianship of the pious1 faithful1 and ,god-serving citizens40#cab ,the exact time of this investiture is stated by ,abulfeda1 as above1 to be the #beth of ,dzoulcad1 ,a4,h4 #ddi4 ,now1 reckoning this as the time1 and we have the following result3,the #beth of ,dzoulcad1 ,a4,h4 #ddi1 would answer to ,february #b1 ,a4,d4 #ajeh4 ,from this to ,may #bi1 #adec1 the time when ,constantinople was taken1 would be #cie years and #aaf days4 ,the prophetic period1 as above1 is #cif years and #ajf daysmaking a difference only of #a year and #aj daysa result that cannot but be considered as remarkable1 considering the difficulty of fixing ancient dates4 ,or if1 with ,mr4 ,elliott 7i4 #diedii71 we suppose that the time is to be reckoned from the period when the ,turkman #bdj power went forth from ,bagdad on a career of conquest1 the reckoning should be from the year of the ,hegira #ddh1 the year before the formal investiture1 then this would make a difference of only #bd days4 ,the date of that event was the #ajth of ,dzoulcad1 ,a4,h4 #ddh4 ,that was the day in which ,togrul with his ,turkmans1 now the representative and head of the power of ,islamism1 quitted ,bagdad to enter on a long career of war and conquest4 8,the part allotted to ,togrul himself in the fearful drama soon to open against the ,greeks was to extend and establish the ,turkman dominion over the frontier countries of ,irak and ,mesopotamia1 that so the requisite strength might be attained for the attack ordained of ,god's counsels against the ,greek empire4 ,the first step to this was the siege and capture of ,moussul2 his next of ,singara4 ,nisibis1 too1 was visited by him2 that frontier fortress that had in other days been so long a bulwark to the ,greeks4 ,everywhere victory attended his bannera presage of what was to follow40 ,reckoning from that time1 the coincidence between the period that elapsed from that1 and the conquest of ,constantinople1 would be #cif years and #acj daysa period that corresponds1 with only a difference of #bd days1 with that specified in the prophecy according to the explanation already given4 ,it could not be expected that a coincidence more accurate than this could be made out on the supposition that the prophecy was designed to refer to these events2 and if it did refer to them1 the coincidence could have occurred only as a prediction by ,him who sees with perfect accuracy all the future4 7#ac7 ,the effect4 ,this is stated1 in ver4 #bj1 #ba1 to be that those who survived these plagues did not repent of their wickedness1 but that the abominations which existed before still remained4 ,in endeavouring to determine the meaning of this1 it will be proper1 first1 to ascertain the exact sense of the words used1 and then to inquire whether a state of things existed subsequent to the invasions of the ,turks which corresponded with the description here4 7a7 ,the explanation of the language used in ver4 #bj1 #ba4 ,the rest of the men4 ,that portion of the world on which these plagues did not come4 ,one-third of the race1 it is said1 would fall under these calamities1 and the writer now proceeds to state what would be the effect on the remainder4 ,the language used8the rest of the men0is not such as to designate with certainty any particular portion of the world1 but it is implied that the things mentioned were of very general prevalence4 ,which were not killed by these plagues4 ,the two-thirds of the race which were spared4 ,the language here is such as would be used on the supposition that the crimes here referred to abounded in all those regions which came within the range of the vision of the apostle4 ,yet repented not of the works of their hands4 ,to wit1 of those things which are immediately specified4 ,that they should not worship devils4 ,implying that they practised this before4 ,the word used heremeans properly a god1 deity2 spoken of the heathen gods1 ,ac4 xvii4 #ah2 then a genius1 or tutelary demon1 e4g4 that of ,socrates2 and1 in the ,new ,testament1 a demon in the sense of an evil spirit4 ,see the word fully explained in the ,notes on #a ,co4 x4 #bj4 ,the meaning of the passage here1 as in #a ,co4 x4 #bj1 8they sacrifice to devils10 is not that they literally worshipped devils in the usual sense of that term1 though it is true that such worship does exist in the world1 as among the ,yezidis 7see ,layard1 ,nineveh and its ,remains1 vol4 i4 pp4 #bbebed1 and ,rosenmller1 ,morgenland1 i4i4 #babbaf72 but that they worshipped beings which were inferior to the ,supreme ,god2 created spirits of a rank superior to men1 or the spirits of men that had been enrolled among the gods4 ,this last was a common form of worship among the heathen1 for a large portion of the gods whom they adored were heroes and benefactors who had been enrolled among the godsas ,hercules1 ,bacchus1 c4 ,all that is necessarily implied in this word is1 that there prevailed in the time referred to the worship of spirits inferior to ,god1 or the worship of the spirits of departed men4 ,this idea would be more naturally suggested to the mind of a ,greek by the use of the word than the worship of evil spirits as suchif indeed it would have conveyed that idea at all2 and this word would be properly employed in the representation if there was any homage rendered to departed human spirits which came in the place of the worship of the true ,god4 ,comp4 a dissertation on the meaning of the word used here1 in #bda ,elliott on the ,apocalypse1 ,appendix ,i4 vol4 ii4 ,and idols of gold1 and silver1 c4 ,idols were formerly1 as they are now in heathen lands1 made of all these materials4 ,the most costly would1 of course1 denote a higher degree of veneration for the god1 or greater wealth in the worshipper1 and all would be employed as symbols or representatives of the gods whom they adored4 ,the meaning of this passage is1 that there would prevail1 at that time1 what would be properly called idolatry1 and that this would be represented by the worship paid to these images or idols4 ,it is not necessary to the proper understanding of this1 to suppose that the images or idols worshipped were acknowledged heathen idols1 or were erected in honour of heathen gods1 as such4 ,all that is implied is1 that there would be such imagesand that a degree of homage would be paid to them which would be in fact idolatry4 ,the word here used1 properly means an image1 spectre1 shade2 then an idol-image1 or that which was a representative of a heathen god2 and then the idol-god itselfa heathen deity4 ,so far as the word is concerned1 it may be applied to any kind of image-worship4 ,which neither can see1 nor hear1 nor walk4 ,the common representation of idol-worship in the ,scriptures1 to denote its folly and stupidity4 ,see ,ps4 cxv42 comp4 ,is4 xliv4 #iai4 ,neither repented they of their murders4 ,this implies that1 at the time referred to1 murders would abound2 or that the times would be characterized by that which deserved to be called murder4 ,nor of their sorceries4 ,the word rendered sorcerieswhence our word pharmacy1 means properly the preparing and giving of medicine1 ,eng4 pharmacy 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,then1 as the art of medicine was supposed to have magical power1 or as the persons who practised medicine1 in order to give themselves and their art greater importance1 practised various arts of incantation1 the word came to be connected with the idea of magic sorcery1 or enchantment4 ,see ,schleusner1 ,lex4 ,in the ,new ,testament the word is never used in a good sense1 as denoting the preparation of medicine1 but always in this secondary sense1 as denoting sorcery1 magic1 c4 ,thus in ,ga4 v4 #bj1 8the works of the fleshidolatry1 witchcraft10 c4 ,re4 ix4 #ba1 8,of their sorceries40 ,re4 xviii4 #bc1 8,for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived40 ,re4 xxi4 #h1 8,whoremongers1 and sorcerers40 ,the word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament2 and the meaning of the word would be fulfilled in anything that purposed to accomplish an object by sorcery1 by magical arts1 by trick1 by cunning1 by sleight of hand1 or by deceiving the senses in any way4 ,thus it would be applicable to all jugglery and to all pretended miracles4 ,nor of their fornication4 ,implying that this would be a prevalent sin in the times referred to1 and that the dreadful plagues which are here predicted would make no essential change in reference to its prevalence4 ,and of their thefts4 ,implying that this1 too1 would be a common form of iniquity4 ,the word used hereis the common word to denote theft4 ,the true idea in the word is that of privately1 unlawfully1 and feloniously taking the goods or movables of another person4 ,in a larger and in the popular sense1 however1 this word might embrace all acts of taking the property of another by dishonest arts1 or on false pretence1 or without an equivalent4 7b7 ,the next point then is1 the inquiry whether there was any such state of things as is specified here existing in the time of the rise of the ,turkish power1 and in the time of the calamities which that formidable power brought upon the world4 ,there are two things implied in the statement here3 7#a7 that these things had an existence before the invasion and destruction of the ,eastern empire by the ,turkish power2 and 7#b7 that they continued to exist after that1 or were not removed by these fearful calamities4 ,the supposition all along in this interpretation is1 that the eye of the prophet was on the ,roman world1 and that the design was to mark the various events which would characterize its future history4 ,we look1 then1 in the application of this1 to the state of things existing in connection with the ,roman power1 or that portion of the world which was then pervaded by the ,roman religion4 ,this will make it necessary to institute an inquiry whether the things here specified prevailed in that part of the world before the invasions of the ,turks1 and the conquest of ,constantinople1 and whether the judgments inflicted by that formidable ,turkish invasion made any essential change in this respect4 7#a7 ,the statement that they worshipped #bdb devils2 that is1 as explained1 demons1 or the deified souls of men4 ,homage rendered to the spirits of departed men1 and substituted in the place of the worship of the true ,god1 would meet all that is properly implied here4 ,we may refer1 then1 to the worship of saints in the ,romish communion as a complete fulfilment of what is here implied in the language used by ,john4 ,the fact cannot be disputed that the invocation of saints took the place1 in the ,roman ,catholic communion1 of the worship of sages and heroes in heathen ,rome1 and that the canonization of saints took the place of the ancient deification of heroes and public benefactors4 ,the same kind of homage was rendered to them2 their aid was invoked in a similar manner1 and on similar occasions2 the effect on the popular mind was substantially the same2 and the one interfered as really as the other with the worship of the true ,god4 ,the decrees of the seventh general council1 known as the second council of ,nice1 ,a4,d4 #ghg1 authorized and established the worshipping 7the same word used here 7 of the saints and their images4 ,this occurred after the exciting scenes1 the debates1 and the disorders produced by the ,iconoclasts1 or image-breakers1 and after the most careful deliberation on the subject4 ,in that celebrated council it was decreed1 according to ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iii4 #cda71 8unanimously10 8that the worship of images is agreeable to ,scripture and reason1 to the fathers and councils of the church2 but they hesitate whether that worship be relative or direct2 whether the ,godhead and the figure of ,christ be entitled to the same mode of adoration40 ,this worship of the 8saints10 or prayer to the saints1 asking for their intercession1 it is well known1 has from that time everywhere prevailed in the ,papal communion4 ,indeed1 a large part of the actual prayers offered in their services is addressed to the ,virgin ,mary4 ,mr4 ,maitland1 8the able and learned advocate of the ,dark ,ages10 says1 8,the superstition of the age supposed the glorified saint to know what was going on in the world2 and to feel a deep interest1 and to possess a considerable power1 in the church militant on earth4 ,i believe that they who thought so are altogether mistaken2 and ,i lament1 abhor1 and am amazed at the superstition1 blasphemies1 and idolatries1 which have grown out of that opinion0 7,elliott1 ii4 p4 #aj74 ,as to the question whether this continued after the judgments brought upon the world by the hordes 8loosed on the ,euphrates10 or whether they repented and reformed on account of the judgments1 we have only to look into the ,roman ,catholic religion everywhere4 ,not only did the old practice of 8dmonolatry10 or the worship of departed saints1 continue1 but new 8saints0 have been added to the number1 and the list of those who are to receive this homage has been continually increasing4 ,thus in the year #adfj1 ,catharine of ,sienna was canonized by ,pope ,pius ,,ii42 in #adhb1 ,bonaventura1 the blasphemer1#cac by ,sixtus ,,iv42 in #adid1 ,anselm by ,alexander ,,vi4 ,alexander's bull1 in language more heathen than ,christian1 avows it to be the pope's duty thus to choose out1 and to hold up the illustrious dead1 as their merits claim1 for adoration and worship4#cad 7#b7 ,the statement that idolatry was practised1 and continued to be practised1 after this invasion38,repented not that they should not worship idols of gold1 silver1 and brass40 ,on this point1 perhaps it would be sufficient to refer to what has been already noticed in regard to the homage paid to the souls of the departed2 but it may be farther and more clearly illustrated by a reference to the worship of images in the ,romish communion4 ,anyone familiar with church history will recollect the long conflicts which prevailed respecting the worship of images2 the establishment of images in the churches2 the destruction of images by the 8,iconoclasts20 and the debates on the subject by the council at ,hiera2 and the final decision in the second council of ,nice1 in which the propriety of image-worship was affirmed and established4 ,see1 on this subject1 ,bowers' ,history of the ,popes1 ii4 #ih1 seq41 #add1 seq42 ,gibbon1 vol4 iii4 pp4 #cbbcda4 ,the importance of the question respecting image-worship #bdc may be seen from the remarks of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 iii4 #cbb4 ,he speaks of it as 8a question of popular superstition which produced the revolt of ,italy1 the temporal power of the popes1 and the restoration of the ,roman empire in the ,west40 ,a few extracts from ,mr4 ,gibbonwho may be regarded as an impartial witness on this subjectwill show what was the popular belief1 and will confirm what is said in the passage before us in reference to the prevalence of idolatry4 8,the first introduction of a symbolic worship was in the veneration of the cross1 and of relics4 ,the saints and martyrs1 when intercession was implored1 were seated on the right hand of ,god2 but the gracious1 and often supernatural favours1 which1 in the popular belief1 were showered round their tombs1 conveyed an unquestionable sanction of the devout pilgrims who visited1 and touched1 and kissed these lifeless remains1 the memorials of their merits and sufferings4 ,but a memorial1 more interesting than the skull or the sandals of a departed worthy1 is a faithful copy of his person and features delineated by the arts of painting or sculpture4 ,in every age such copies1 so congenial to human feelings1 have been cherished by the zeal of private friendship or public esteem2 the images of the ,roman emperors were adored with civil and almost religious honours2 a reverence1 less ostentatious1 but more sincere1 was applied to the statues of sages and patriots2 and these profane virtues1 these splendid sins1 disappeared in the presence of the holy men who had died for their celestial and everlasting country4 ,at first the experiment was made with caution and scruple1 and the venerable pictures were discreetly allowed to instruct the ignorant1 to awaken the cold1 and to gratify the prejudices of the heathen proselytes4 ,by a slow1 though inevitable progression1 the honours of the original were transferred to the copy2 the devout ,christian prayed before the image of a saint1 and the ,pagan rites of genuflexion1 luminaries1 and incense again stole into the ,catholic church4 ,the scruples of reason or piety were silenced by the strong evidence of visions and miracles2 and the pictures which speak1 and move1 and bleed1 must be endowed with a divine energy1 and may be considered as the proper objects of religious adoration4 ,the most audacious pencil might tremble in the rash attempt of defining1 by forms and colours1 the infinite ,spirit1 the eternal ,father1 who pervades and sustains the universe4 ,but the superstitious mind was more easily reconciled to paint and worship the angels1 and above all1 the ,son of ,god1 under the human shape1 which on earth they have condescended to assume4 ,the ,second ,person of the ,trinity had been clothed with a real and mortal body1 but that body had ascended into heaven2 and had not some similitude been presented to the eyes of his disciples1 the spiritual worship of ,christ might have been obliterated by the visible relics and representations of the saints4 ,a similar indulgence was requisite1 and propitious1 for the ,virgin ,mary2 the place of her burial was unknown2 and the assumption of her soul and body into heaven was adopted by the credulity of the ,greeks and ,latins4 ,the use1 and even the worship of images1 was firmly established before the end of the sixth century2 they were fondly cherished by the warm imagination of the ,greeks and ,asiatics2 the ,pantheon and the ,vatican were adorned with the emblems of a new superstition2 but this semblance of idolatry was more coldly entertained by the rude barbarians and the ,arian clergy of the ,west10 vol4 iii4 p4 #cbc4 ,again38,before the end of the sixth century these images1 made without hands 7in ,greek it is a single word71 were propagated in the camps and cities of the ,eastern empire2 they were the objects of worship1 and the instruments of miracles2 and in the hour of danger or tumult their venerable presence could revive the hope1 rekindle the courage1 or repress the fury of the ,roman legions10 vol4 iii4 pp4 #cbd1 #cbe4 ,so again 7vol4 iii4 p4 #cdj1 seq4738,while the popes established in ,italy their freedom and dominion1 the images1 the first cause of their revolt1 were restored in the ,eastern empire4 ,under the reign of ,constantine the ,fifth1 the union of civil and ecclesiastical power had overthrown the tree1 without extirpating the root1 of superstition4 ,the idols1 for such they were now held1 were secretly cherished by the order and the sex most prone to devotion2 and the fond alliance of the monks and females obtained a final victory over the reason and the authority of man40 ,under ,irene a council was convenedthe second council of ,nice1 or the seventh general councilin which1 #bdd according to ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iii4 #cda71 it was 8unanimously pronounced that the worship of images is agreeable to ,scripture and reason1 to the fathers and councils of the church40 ,the arguments which were urged in favour of the worship of images1 in the council above referred to1 may be seen in ,bowers' ,lives of the ,popes1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #aebaeh1 ,dr4 ,cox's edition4 ,the answer of the bishops in the council to the question of the empress ,irene1 whether they agreed to the decision which had been adopted in the council1 was in these words38,we all agree to it2 we have all freely signed it2 this is the faith of the apostles1 of the fathers1 and of the ,catholic church2 we all salute1 honour1 worship1 and adore the holy and venerable images2 be they accursed who do not honour1 worship1 and adore the adorable images0 7,bowers' ,lives of the ,popes1 ii4 #aei74 ,as a matter of fact1 therefore1 no one can doubt that these images were worshipped with the honour that was due to ,god aloneor that the sin of idolatry prevailed2 and no one can doubt that that has been continued1 and is still1 in the ,papal communion4 7#c7 ,the next point specified is murders 7ver4 #ba738,neither repented they of their murders40 ,it can hardly be necessary to dwell on this to show that this was strictly applicable to the ,roman power1 and extensively prevailed1 both before and after the ,turkish invasion1 and that that invasion had no tendency to produce repentance4 ,indeed1 in nothing has the ,papacy been more remarkably characterized than in the number of murders perpetrated on the innocent in persecution4 ,in reference to the fulfilment of this we may refer to the following things37a7 ,persecution4 ,this has been particularly the characteristic of the ,roman communion1 it need not be said1 in all ages4 ,the persecutions of the ,waldenses1 if there were nothing else1 show that the spirit here referred to prevailed in the ,roman communion1 or that the times preceding the ,turkish conquest were characterized by what is here specified4 ,in the third ,lateran council1 ,a4,d4 #aagi1 an anathema was declared against certain dissentients and heretics1 and then against the ,waldenses themselves in ,papal bulls of the years #aahc1 #abjg1 #abjh4 ,again1 in a decree of the fourth ,lateran council1 ,a4,d4 #abae1 a crusade1 as it was called1 was proclaimed against them1 and 8plenary absolution promised to such as should perish in the holy war1 from the day of their birth to the day of their death40 8,and never10 says ,sismondi1 8had the cross been taken up with more unanimous consent40 ,it is supposed that in this crusade against the ,waldenses a million of men perished4 7b7 ,that this continued to be the characteristic of the ,papacy after the judgments brought upon the ,roman world by the ,turkish invasion1 or that those judgments had no tendency to produce repentance and reformation1 is well known1 and is manifest from the following things37#a7 ,the continuance of the spirit of persecution4 7#b7 ,the establishment of the ,inquisition4 ,one hundred and fifty thousand persons perished by the ,inquisition in thirty years2 and from the beginning of the order of the ,jesuits in #aedj to #aehj1 it is supposed that nine hundred thousand persons were destroyed by persecution4 7#c7 ,the same spirit was manifested in the attempts to suppress the true religion in ,england1 in ,bohemia1 and in the ,low ,countries4 ,fifty thousand persons were hanged1 burned1 beheaded1 or buried alive1 for the crime of heresy1 in the ,low ,countries1 chiefly under the ,duke of ,alva1 from the edict of ,charles ,v4 against the ,protestants to the peace of ,chateau ,cambresis in #aeei4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bdbh4 ,to these are to be added all that fell in ,france on the revocation of the edict of ,nantz2 all that perished by persecution in ,england in the days of ,mary2 and all that have fallen in the bloody wars that have been waged in the propagation of the ,papal religion4 ,the number is1 of course1 unknown to mortals1 though efforts have been made by historians to form some estimate of the amount4 ,it is supposed that fifty millions of persons have perished in these persecutions of the ,waldenses1 ,albigenses1 ,bohemian ,brethren1 ,wycliffites1 and ,protestants2 that some fifteen millions of ,indians perished in ,cuba1 ,mexico1 and ,south ,america1 in the wars of the ,spaniards1 professedly to propagate the ,catholic faith2 that three millions and a half of ,moors and ,jews perished1 by ,catholic persecution and arms1 in ,spain2 and that thus1 probably no less than sixty-eight millions and five hundred thousand human beings have been put to death by this one persecuting power4 ,see ,dr4 ,berg's ,lectures on ,romanism1 pp4 #f1 #g4 ,assuredly1 if this be true1 it would be proper to characterize the times here #bde referred to1 both before and after the ,turkish invasion1 as a time when murders would prevail4 7#d7 ,the fourth point specified is sorceries4 ,it can hardly be necessary to go into detail to prove that this also abounded2 and that delusive appeals to the senses2 false and pretended miracles2 arts adapted to deceive through the imagination2 the supposed virtue and efficacy of relics2 and frauds calculated to impose on mankind1 have characterized those portions of the world where the ,roman religion has prevailed1 and been one of the principal means of its advancement4 ,no ,protestant surely would deny this1 no intelligent ,catholic can doubt it himself4 ,all that is necessary to be said in regard to this is1 that in this1 as in other respects1 the ,turkish invasion1 and the judgments that came upon the world1 made no change4 ,the very recent imposture of the 8holy coat of ,treves0 is a full proof that the disposition to practise such arts still exists1 and that the power to impose on a large portion of the world in that denomination has not died away4 7#e7 ,the fifth thing specified is fornication4 ,this has abounded everywhere in the world2 but the use of the term in this connection implies that there would be something peculiar here1 and perhaps that it would be associated with the other things referred to4 ,it is as unnecessary as it would be improper to go into any detail on this point4 ,anyone who is acquainted with the history of the ,middle ,agesthe period here supposed to be referred tomust be aware of the wide-spread licentiousness which then prevailed1 especially among the clergy4 ,historians and poets1 ballads1 and acts of councils1 alike testify to this fact4#cae ,it is to be remarked also1 as illustrating the subject1 that the dissoluteness of the ,middle ,ages was closely1 and almost necessarily1 connected with the worship of the images and the saints above referred to4 ,the character of many of those who were worshipped as saints1 like the character of many of the gods of the ,pagan ,romans1 was just such as to be an incentive to every species of licentiousness and impurity4 ,on this point ,mr4 ,hallam makes the following remarks38,that the exclusive worship of saints1 under the guidance of an artful though illiterate priesthood1 degraded the understanding1 and begat a stupid credulity and fanaticism1 is sufficiently evident4 ,but it was also so managed as to loosen the bonds of religion1 and pervert the standard of morality0 7,middle ,ages1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #bdi1 #bej2 edit4 ,phil4 #ahbd74 ,he then1 in a note1 refers to the legends of the saints as abundantly confirming his statements4 ,see particularly the stories in the ,golden ,legend4 ,so1 in speaking of the monastic orders1 ,mr4 ,hallam 7,middle ,ages1 vol4 ii4 #bec7 says3 8,in vain new rules of discipline were devised1 or the old corrected by reforms4 ,many of their worst vices grew so naturally out of their mode of life that a stricter discipline would have no tendency to extirpate them4 ,their extreme licentiousness was sometimes hardly concealed by the cowl of sanctity40 ,in illustration of this we may introduce here a remark of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 made in immediate connection with his statement about the decrees respecting the worship of images4 8,i shall only notice10 says he1 8the judgment of the bishops on the comparative merit of image-worship and morality4 ,a monk had concluded a truce with the demon of fornication1 on condition of interrupting his daily prayers to a picture that hung in his cell4 ,his scruples prompted him to consult the abbot4 #8,rather than abstain from adoring ,christ and his mother in their holy images1 it would be better for you1' replied the casuist1 #8to enter every brothel1 and visit every prostitute in the city1'0 iii4 #cda4 ,so again1 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 speaking of the pope1 ,john ,,xii41 says3 8,his open simony might be the consequence of distress2 and his blasphemous invocation of ,jupiter and ,venus1 if it be true1 could not possibly be serious4 ,but we read with some surprise that the worthy grandson of ,marozia lived in public adultery with the matrons of ,rome2 that the ,lateran palace was turned into a place for prostitution1 and that his rapes of virgins and of widows had deterred the female pilgrims from visiting the tomb of ,st4 ,peter1 lest1 in the devout act1 they should be violated by his successor10 iii4 #cec4 ,again1 the system of indulgences led directly to licentiousness4 ,in the pontificate of ,john ,,xxii41 about ,a4,d4 #acbj1 there was invented the celebrated ,tax of ,indulgences1 of which more than forty editions are extant4 ,according to this1 incest was to cost1 if #bdf not detected1 five groschen2 if known and flagrant1 six4 ,a certain price was affixed in a similar way to adultery1 infanticide1 c4 ,see ,merle ,d',aubign's ,reformation1 vol4 i4 p4 #da4 ,and farther1 the very pilgrimages to the shrines of the saints1 which were enjoined as a penance for sin1 and which were regarded as a ground of merit1 were occasions of the grossest licentiousness4 ,so ,hallam1 ,middle ,ages1 says3 8,this licensed vagrancy was naturally productive of dissoluteness1 especially among the women4 ,our ,english ladies1 in their zeal to obtain the spiritual treasuries of ,rome1 are said to have relaxed the necessary caution about one that was in their own custody10 vol4 ii4 #bee4 ,the celibacy of the clergy also tended to licentiousness1 and is known to have been everywhere productive of the very sin which is here mentioned4 ,the state of the nunneries in the middle ages is well known4 ,in the fifteenth century ,gerson1 the ,french orator so celebrated at the council of ,constance1 called them ,prostibula meretricum4 ,clemangis1 a ,french theologian1 also contemporary1 and a man of great eminence1 thus speaks of them3 ,quid aliud sunt hoc tempore puellarum monasteria1 nisi qudam non dico ,dei sanctuaria1 sed veneris execranda prostibula2 ut idem sit hodie puellam velare1 quod et public ad scortandum exponere 7,hallam1 ,middle ,ages1 ii4 #bec74 ,to this we may add the fact that it was a habit1 not unfrequent1 to license the clergy to live in concubinage 7see the proof in ,elliott1 i4 #ddg1 note71 and that the practice of auricular confession necessarily made 8the tainting of the female mind an integral part of ,roman priestcraft1 and gave consecration to the communings of impurity40 ,it hardly needs any proof that these practices continued after the invasions of the ,turkish hordes1 or that those invasions made no changes in the condition of the world in this respect4 ,in proof of this we need refer only to ,pope ,innocent ,,viii41 elected in #adhd to the ,papacy2#caf to ,alexander ,,vi41 his successor1 who at the close of the fifteenth century stood before the world a monster1 notorious to all1 of impurity and vice2 and to the general well-known character of the ,romish clergy4 8,most of the ecclesiastics10 says the historian ,infessura1 8had their mistresses2 and all the convents of the capital were houses of ill fame40 7#f7 ,the sixth thing specified 7ver4 #ba7 is thefts2 that is1 as explained1 the taking of the property of others by dishonest arts1 on false pretences1 or without any proper equivalent4 ,in the inquiry as to the applicability of this to the times supposed to be here referred to1 we may notice the following things1 as instances in which money was extorted from the people37a7 ,the value fraudulently assigned to relics4 ,mosheim1 in his historical sketch of the twelfth century1 observes3 8,the abbots and monks carried about the country the carcasses and relics of saints1 in solemn procession1 and permitted the multitude to behold1 touch1 and embrace the sacred remains1 at fixed prices40 7b7 ,the exaltation of the miracle-working merit of particular saints1 and the consecration of new saints1 and dedication of new images1 when the popularity of the former died away4 ,thus ,mr4 ,hallam says3 8,every cathedral or monastery had its tutelar saint1 and every saint his legend2 fabricated in order to enrich the churches under his protection2 by exaggerating his virtues and his miracles1 and consequently his power of serving those who paid liberally for his patronage40 7c7 ,the invention and sale of indulgenceswell known to have been a vast source of revenue to the church4 ,wycliffe declared that indulgences were mere forgeries whereby the priesthood 8rob men of their money2 a subtle merchandise of ,antichrist's clerks1 whereby they magnify their own fictitious power1 and instead of causing men to dread sin1 encourage men to wallow therein as hogs40 7d7 ,the prescription of pilgrimages as penances was another prolific source of gain to the church that deserves to be classed under the name of thefts4 ,those who made such pilgrimage were expected and required to make an offering at the shrine of the saint2 and as multitudes went on such pilgrimages1 especially on the jubilee at ,rome1 the income from this source was enormous4 ,an instance of what was offered at the shrine of ,thomas ,becket will illustrate this4 ,through his reputation ,canterbury became the ,rome of ,england4 ,a jubilee was celebrated every fiftieth year to his honour1 with plenary indulgence to all such as visited his tomb2 of whom one hundred thousand were registered at one time4 #bdg ,two large volumes were filled with accounts of the miracles wrought at his tomb4 ,the following list of the value of offerings made in two successive years to his shrine1 the ,virgin ,mary's1 and ,christ's1 in the cathedral at ,canterbury1 will illustrate at the same time the gain from these sources1 and the relative respect shown to ,becket1 ,mary1 and the ,saviour3 ,first ,year4 s4 d4 ,christ's ,altar #c #b #f ,virgin ,mary's #fc #e #f ,becket's #hcb #ab #i ,next ,year4 ,christ's ,altar #j #j #j ,virgin ,mary's #d #a #h ,becket's #ied #f #c ,of the jubilee of ,a4,d4 #acjj ,muratori relates the result as follows38,papa innumerabilem pecuniam ab iisdem recepit2 quia die et nocte duo clerici stabant ad altare ,sancti ,pauli1 tenentes in eorum manibus rastellos1 rastellantes pecuniam infinitam40 8,the pope received from them a countless amount of money2 for two clerks stood at the altar of ,st4 ,paul night and day1 holding in their hands little rakes1 collecting an infinite amount of money0 7,hallam74 7e7 ,another source of gain of this kind was the numerous testamentary bequests with which the church was enrichedobtained by the arts and influence of the clergy4 ,in ,wycliffe's time there were in ,england #ec1bae fda militum1 of which the religious had #bh1jjjmore than one-half4 ,blackstone says that1 but for the intervention of the legislature1 and the statute of mortmain1 the church would have appropriated in this manner the whole of the land of ,england1 vol4 iv4 p4 #ajg4 7f7 ,the money left by the dying to pay for masses1 and that paid by survivors for masses to release the souls of their friends from purgatoryall of which deserve to be classed under the word thefts as already explainedwas another source of vast wealth to the church2 and the practice was systematized on a large scale1 and1 with the other things mentioned1 deserves to be noticed as a characteristic of the times4 ,it is scarcely necessary to add1 that the judgments which were brought upon the world by the ,turkish invasions made no essential change1 and wrought no repentance or reformation1 and hence that the language here is strictly applicable to these things3 8,neither repented they of their murders1 nor of their sorceries1 nor of their fornication1 nor of their thefts40 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter contains the record of a sublime vision of an angel which1 at this juncture1 ,john saw descending from heaven1 disclosing new scenes in what was yet to occur4 ,the vision is interposed between the sounding of the sixth1 or second woe-trumpet1 and the sounding of the seventh1 or third woe-trumpet1 under which is to be the final consummation1 ch4 xi4 #ae1 seq4 ,it occupies an important interval between the events which were to occur under the sixth trumpet and the last scenethe final overthrow of the formidable power which had opposed the reign of ,god on the earth1 and the reign of righteousness1 when the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of ,god1 ch4 xi4 #ae4 ,it is1 in many respects1 an unhappy circumstance that this chapter has been separated from the following4 ,they constitute one continued vision1 at least to ch4 xi4 #ae1 where the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet occurs4 ,the tenth chapter contains the following things37#a7 ,an angel descends from heaven1 and the attention of the seer is for a time turned from the contemplation of what was passing in heaven to this new vision that appeared on the earth4 ,this angel is clothed with a cloud2 he is encircled by a rainbow2 his face is as the sun1 and his feet like pillars of fireall indicating his exalted rank1 and all such accompaniments as became a heavenly messenger4 7#b7 ,the angel appears with a small volume in his hand1 ver4 #b4 ,this book is not closed and sealed1 like the one in ch4 v41 but was 8open0so that it could be read4 ,such a book would indicate some new message or revelation from heaven2 and the book would be1 properly1 a symbol of something that was to be accomplished by such an open volume4 7#c7 ,the angel sets his feet upon the sea and the land1 ver4 #b3;indicating by this1 apparently1 that what he was to communicate appertained alike to the ocean and the landto all the world4 7#d7 ,the angel makes a proclamationthe nature of which is not here statedwith a loud voice1 like the roaring of a lion1 as if the nations were called to hear1 ver4 #c4 7#e7 ,this cry or roar is responded to by heavy thunders1 ver4 #c4 ,what those thunders uttered is not stated1 but it was evidently #bdh so distinct that ,john heard it1 for he says 7ver4 #d7 that he was about to make a record of what was said4 7#f7 ,john1 about to make this record1 is forbidden to do so by a voice from heaven1 ver4 #d4 ,for some reason1 not here stated1 he was commanded not to disclose what was said1 but so to seal it up that it should not be known4 ,the reason for this silence is nowhere intimated in the chapter4 7#g7 ,the angel lifts his hand to heaven in a most solemn manner1 and swears by the ,great ,creator of all things that the time should not be yetin our common version1 8that there should be time no longer10 ver4 #eg4 ,it would seem that just at this period there would be an expectation that the reign of ,god was to begin upon the earth2 but the angel1 in the most solemn manner1 declares that this was not yet to be1 but that it would occur when the seventh angel should begin to sound4 ,then the great 8mystery0 would be complete1 as it had been declared to the prophets4 7#h7 ,john is then commanded1 by the same voice which he heard from heaven1 to go to the angel and take the little book from him which he held in his hand1 and eat itwith the assurance that it would be found to be sweet to the taste1 but would be bitter afterwards1 ver4 #haj4 7#i7 ,the chapter concludes with a declaration that he must yet prophesy before many people and nations 7ver4 #aa71 and then follows 7ch4 xi47 the commission to measure the temple2 the command to separate the pure from the profane2 the account of the prophesying1 the death1 and the resurrection to life of the two witnessesall preliminary to the sounding of the seventh trumpet1 and the introduction of the universal reign of righteousness4 ,the question to what does the chapter refer1 is one which it is proper to notice before we proceed to the exposition4 ,it is unnecessary to say1 that on this question very various opinions have been entertained1 and that very different expositions have been given of the chapter4 ,without going into an examination of these different opinionswhich would be a task alike unprofitable and endlessit will be better to state what seems to be the fair interpretation and application of the symbol1 in its connection with what precedes4 ,a few remarks here1 preliminary to the exposition and application of the chapter1 may help us in determining the place which the vision is designed to occupy4 7a7 ,in the previous ,apocalyptic revelations1 if the interpretation proposed is correct1 the history had been brought down1 in the regular course of events1 to the capture of ,constantinople by the ,turks1 and the complete overthrow of the ,roman empire by that event1 ,a4,d4 #adec1 ch4 ix4 #acai4 ,this was an important era in the history of the world2 and if the exposition which has been proposed is correct1 then the sketches of history pertaining to the ,roman empire in the book of ,revelation have been made with surprising accuracy4 7b7 ,a statement had been made 7ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba7 to the effect that the same state of things continued subsequent to the plagues brought on by those invasions1 which had existed before1 or that the effect had not been to produce any general repentance and reformation4 ,god had scourged the nations2 he had cut off multitudes of men2 he had overthrown the mighty empire that had so long ruled over the world2 but the same sins of superstition1 idolatry1 sorcery1 murder1 fornication1 and theft prevailed afterwards that had prevailed before4 ,instead of working a change in the minds of men1 the world seemed to be confirmed in these abominations more and more4 ,in the exposition of that passage 7ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba7 it was shown that those things prevailed in the ,roman churchwhich then embraced the whole ,christian worldbefore the invasion of the ,eastern empire by the ,turks1 and that they continued to prevail afterwards3 that1 in fact1 the moral character of the world was not affected by those 8plagues40 7c7 ,the next event1 in the order of time1 was the ,reformation1 and the circumstances in the case are such as to lead us to suppose that this chapter refers to that4 ,for 7#a7 the order of time demands this4 ,this was the next important event in the history of the church and the world after the conquest of ,constantinople producing the entire downfall of the ,roman empire2 and if1 as is supposed in the previous exposition1 it was the design of the ,spirit of inspiration to touch on the great and material events in the history of the church and the world1 then it would be natural to suppose that the ,reformation would come next into view1 for no previous event had more deeply or permanently affected the condition of mankind4 7#b7 ,the state of the world1 as described in #bdi ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba1 was such as to demand a reformation1 or something that should be more effectual in purifying the church than the calamities described in the previous verse had been4 ,the representation is1 that ,god had brought great judgments upon the world1 but that they had been ineffectual in reforming mankind4 ,the same kind of superstition1 idolatry1 and corruption remained after those judgments which had existed before1 and they were of such a nature as to make it every way desirable that a new influence should be brought to bear upon the world to purify it from these abominations4 ,some such work as the ,reformation is1 therefore1 what we should naturally look for as the next in order2 or1 at least1 such a work is one that well fits in with the description of the previous state of things4 7d7 ,it will be found1 ,i apprehend1 in the exposition of the chapter1 that the symbols are such as accord well with the great leading events of the ,protestant ,reformation2 or1 in other words1 that they are such that1 on the supposition that it was intended to refer to the ,reformation1 these are the symbols which would have been appropriately employed4 ,of course it is not necessary to suppose that ,john understood distinctly all that was meant by these symbols1 nor is it necessary to suppose that those who lived before the ,reformation would be able to comprehend them perfectly1 and to apply them with accuracy4 ,all that is necessary to be supposed in the interpretation is1 7#a7 that the symbol was designed to be of such a character as to give some general idea of what was to occur2 and 7#b7 that we should be able1 now that the event has occurred1 to show that it is fairly applicable to the event2 that is1 that on the supposition that this was designed to be referred to1 the symbols are such as would properly be employed4 ,this1 however1 will be seen more clearly after the exposition shall have been gone through4 ,with this general view of what we should naturally anticipate in this chapter1 from the course of exposition in the preceding chapters1 we are prepared for a more particular exposition and application of the symbols in this new vision4 ,it will be the most convenient course1 keeping in mind the general views presented here1 to explain the symbols1 and to consider their application as we go along4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,and ,i saw another mighty angel come down from heaven1 clothed with a cloud2 and a #cagrainbow was upon his head1 and #cah;his face was as it were the sun1 and his feet as pillars of fire3 #a4 ,and ,i saw4 ,i had a vision of4 ,the meaning is1 that he saw this subsequently to the vision in the previous chapter4 ,the attention is now arrested by a new visionas if some new dispensation or economy was about to occur in the world4 ,another mighty angel4 ,he had before seen the seven angels who were to blow the seven trumpets 7ch4 viii4 #b71 he had seen six of them successively blow the trumpet1 he now sees another angel1 different from them1 and apparently having no connection with them1 coming from heaven to accomplish some important purpose before the seventh angel should give the final blast4 ,the angel is here characterized as a 8mighty0 angelone of strength and power2 implying that the work to be accomplished by his mission demanded the interposition of one of the higher orders of the heavenly inhabitants4 ,the coming of an angel at all was indicative of some divine interposition in human affairs2 the fact that he was one of exalted rank1 or endowed with vast power1 indicated the nature of the work to be donethat it was a work to the execution of which great obstacles existed1 and where great power would be needed4 ,clothed with a cloud4 ,encompassed with a cloud1 or enveloped in a cloud4 ,this was a symbol of majesty and glory1 and is often represented as accompanying the divine presence1 ,ex4 xvi4 #i1 #aj2 xxiv4 #af2 xxxiv4 #e2 ,nu4 xi4 #be2 #a ,ki4 viii4 #aj2 ,ps4 xcvii4 #b4 ,the ,saviour also ascended in a cloud1 ,ac4 i4 #i2 and he will again descend in clouds to judge the world1 ,mat4 xxiv4 #cj2 xxvi4 #fd2 ,mar4 xiii4 #bf2 ,re4 i4 #g4 ,nothing can be argued here as to the purpose for which the angel appeared1 from his being encompassed with a cloud2 nor can anything be argued from it in respect to the question who this angel was4 ,the fair interpretation is1 that this was one of the angels now represented as sent forth on an errand of mercy to man1 and coming with appropriate #bej majesty as the messenger of ,god4 ,and a rainbow was upon his head4 ,in ch4 iv4 #c the throne in heaven is represented as encircled by a rainbow4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,the rainbow is properly an emblem of peace4 ,here the symbol would mean that the angel came not for wrath1 but for purposes of peace2 that he looked with a benign aspect on men1 and that the effect of his coming would be like that of sunshine after a storm4 ,and his face was as it were the sun4 ,bright like the sun 7,notes1 ch4 i4 #af72 that is1 he looked upon men with 7a7 an intelligent aspectas the sun is the source of light2 and 7b7 with benignitynot covered with clouds1 or darkened by wrath4 ,the brightness is probably the main idea1 but the appearance of the angel would1 as here represented1 naturally suggest the ideas just referred to4 ,as an emblem or symbol we should regard his appearing as that which was to be followed by knowledge and by prosperity4 ,and his feet as pillars of fire4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ae4 ,in this symbol1 then1 we have the following things37a7 ,an angelas the messenger of ,god1 indicating that some new communication was to be brought to mankind1 or that there would be some interposition in human affairs which might be well represented by the coming of an angel2 7b7 the fact that he was 8mighty0indicating that the work to be done required power beyond human strength2 7c7 the fact that he came in a cloudon an embassage so grand and magnificent as to make this symbol of majesty proper2 7d7 the fact that he was encircled by a rainbowthat the visitation was to be one of peace to mankind2 and 7e7 the fact that his coming was like the sunor would diffuse light and peace4 ,now1 in regard to the application of this1 without adverting to any other theory1 no one can fail to see that1 on the supposition that it was designed to refer to the ,reformation1 this would be the most striking and appropriate symbol that could have been chosen4 ,for 7a7 as we have seen already1 this is the place which the vision naturally occupies in the series of historical representations4 7b7 ,it was at a period of the world1 and the world was in such a state1 that an intervention of this kind would be properly represented by the coming of an angel from heaven4 ,god had visited the nations with terrible judgments1 but the effect had not been to produce reformation1 for the same forms of wickedness continued to prevail which had existed before4 ,notes1 ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba4 ,in this state of things any new interposition of ,god for reforming the world would be properly represented by the coming of an angel from heaven as a messenger of light and peace4 7c7 ,the great and leading events of the ,reformation were well represented by the power of this angel4 ,it was not1 indeed1 physical power2 but the work to be done in the ,reformation was a great work1 and was such as would be well symbolized by the intervention of a mighty angel from heaven4 ,the task of reforming the church1 and of correcting the abuses which had prevailed1 was wholly beyond any ability which man possessed1 and was well represented1 therefore1 by the descent of this messenger from the skies4 7d7 ,the same thing may be said of the rainbow that was upon his head4 ,nothing would better symbolize the general aspect of the ,reformation1 as fitted to produce peace1 tranquillity1 and joy upon the earth4 ,and 7e7 the same thing was indicated by the splendourthe light and glorythat attended the angel4 ,the symbol would denote that the new order of things would be attended with light2 with knowledge2 with that which would be benign in its influence on human affairs4 ,and it need not be said1 to anyone acquainted with the history of those times1 that the ,reformation was preceded and accompanied with a great increase of light2 that at just about that period of the world the study of the ,greek language began to be common in ,europe2 that the sciences had made remarkable progress2 that schools and colleges had begun to flourish2 and that1 to a degree which had not existed for ages before1 the public mind had become awakened to the importance of truth and knowledge4 ,for a full illustration of this1 from the close of the eleventh century and onward1 see ,hallam's ,middle ,ages1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #bfebib1 ch4 ix4 part ii4 ,to go into any satisfactory detail on this point would be wholly beyond the proper limits of these ,notes1 and the reader must be referred to the histories of those times1 and especially to ,hallam1 who has recorded all that is necessary to be known on the subject4 ,suffice it to say1 that on the supposition that it was the intention to symbolize those times1 no more appropriate emblem could have #bea been found than that of an angel whose face shone like the sun1 and who was covered with light and splendour4 ,these remarks will show1 that if it be supposed it was intended to symbolize the ,reformation1 no more appropriate emblem could have been selected than that of such an angel coming down from heaven4 ,if1 after the events have occurred1 we should desire to represent the same things by a striking and expressive symbol1 we could find none that would better represent those times4 #b ,and he had in his hand a little book open3 and he set his right foot upon the sea1 and his left foot on the earth1 #b4 ,and he had in his hand a little book open4 ,this is the first thing that indicated the purpose of his appearing1 or that would give any distinct indication of the design of his coming from heaven4 ,the general aspect of the angel1 indeed1 as represented in the former verse1 was that of benignity1 and his purpose1 as there indicated1 was light and peace4 ,but still there was nothing which would denote the particular design for which he came1 or which would designate the particular means which he would employ4 ,here we have1 however1 an emblem which will furnish an indication of what was to occur as the result of his appearing4 ,to be able to apply this1 it will be necessary1 as in all similar cases1 to explain the natural significancy of the emblem4 7#a7 ,the little book4 ,the word used hereoccurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament except in ver4 #h1 #i1 #aj of this chapter4 ,the word bookoccurs frequently3,mat4 xix4 #g2 ,mar4 x4 #d;applied to a bill of divorcement2 ,lu4 iv4 #ag1 #bj2 ,jn4 xx4 #cj2 xxi4 #be2 ,ga4 iii4 #aj2 #b ,ti4 iv4 #ac2 ,he4 ix4 #ai2 x4 #g4 ,in the ,apocalypse this word is of common occurrence3 ch4 i4 #aa2 v4 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 #g1 #h1 #i2 vi4 #ad1 rendered scroll2 xvii4 #h2 xx4 #ab2 xxi4 #bg2 xxii4 #g1 #i1 #aj1 #ah1 #ai4 ,the word was evidently chosen here to denote something that was peculiar in the size or form of the book1 or to distinguish it from that which would be designated by the ordinary word employed to denote a book4 ,the word properly denotes a small roll or volume2 a little scroll 7,rob4 ,lex41 ,pollux4 ,onomast4 #g4 #baj74 ,it is evident that something was intended by the diminutive size of the book1 or that it was designed to make a distinction between this and that which is indicated by the use of the word book in the other parts of the ,apocalypse4 ,it was1 at least1 indicated by this that it was something different from what was seen in the hand of him that sat on the throne in ch4 v4 #a4 ,that was clearly a large volume2 this was so small that it could be taken in the hand1 and could be represented as eaten1 ver4 #i1 #aj4 ,but of what is a book an emblem8 ,to this question there can be little difficulty in furnishing an answer4 ,a book seen in a dream1 according to ,artemidorus1 signifies the life1 or the acts of him that sees it 7,wemyss74 ,according to the ,indian interpreters1 a book is the symbol of power and dignity4 ,the ,jewish kings1 when they were crowned1 had the book of the law of ,god put into their hands 7#b ,ki4 xi4 #ab2 #b ,ch4 xxiii4 #aa72 denoting that they were to observe the law1 and that their administration was to be one of intelligence and uprightness4 ,the gift of a ,bible now to a monarch when he is crowned1 or to the officer of a corporation or society1 denotes the same thing4 ,a book1 as such1 thus borne in the hand of an angel coming down to the world1 would be an indication that something of importance was to be communicated to men1 or that something was to be accomplished by the agency of a book4 ,it was not1 as in ch4 vi4 #b1 a bowemblem of conquest2 or ver4 #d1 a swordemblem of battle2 or ver4 #e1 a pair of scalesemblem of the exactness with which things were to be determined2 but it was a booka speechless1 silent thing1 yet mighty2 not designed to carry desolation through the earth1 but to diffuse light and truth4 ,the natural interpretation1 then1 would be1 that something was to be accomplished by the agency of a book1 or that a book was to be the prominent characteristic of the timesas the bow1 the sword1 and the balances had been of the previous periods4 ,as to the size of the book1 perhaps all that can be inferred is1 that this was to be brought about1 not by extended tomes1 but by a comparatively small volumeso that it could be taken in the hand2 so that it could1 without impropriety1 be represented as eaten by an individual4 7#b7 ,the fact that it was open 8a little book open04 ,the word here used means1 properly1 to open or unclose in respect to that which was #beb before fastened or sealed1 as that which is covered by a door1 ,mat4 ii4 #aa2 tombs1 which were closed by large stones1 ,mat4 xxvii4 #fj1 #ff2 a gate1 ,ac4 v4 #bc2 xii4 #aj2 the abyss1 ,re4 ix4 #b8since in the east pits or wells are closed with large stones1 comp4 ,ge4 xxix4 #b0 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,the meaning of this word1 as applied to a book1 would be1 that it was now opened so that its contents could be read4 ,the word would not necessarily imply that it had been sealed or closed1 though that would be the most natural impression from the use of the word4 ,comp4 for the use of the word rendered open1 ,re4 iii4 #h1 #bj2 iv4 #a2 v4 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 #i2 vi4 #a1 #c1 #e1 #g1 #i1 #ab2 viii4 #a2 ix4 #b2 x4 #bh2 xi4 #ai2 xx4 #ab4 ,this would find a fulfilment if some such facts as the following should occur37a7 if there had been any custom or arrangement by which knowledge was kept from men1 or access was forbidden to books or to some one book in particular2 and 7b7 if something should occur by which that which had before been kept hidden or concealed1 or that to which access had been denied1 should be made accessible4 ,in other words1 this is the proper symbol of a diffusion of knowledge1 or of the influence of ,a ,,book on mankind4 7#c7 ,the fact that it was in the hand of the angel4 ,all that seems to be implied in this is1 that it was now offered1 or was ready to be put in possession of ,johnor of the churchor of mankind4 ,it was open1 and was held out1 as it were1 for perusal4 ,in regard to the application of this1 it is plain that1 if it be admitted that it was the design of the author of the vision to refer to the ,reformation1 no more appropriate emblem could have been chosen4 ,if we were now to endeavour to devise an emblem of the ,reformation that would be striking and expressive1 we could not well select one which would better represent the great work than that which is here presented4 ,this will appear plain from a few considerations37#a7 ,the great agent in the ,reformation1 the moving cause of it1 its suggestor and supporter1 was a bookthe ,bible4 ,wycliffe had translated the ,new ,testament into the ,english language1 and though this was suppressed1 yet it had done much to prepare the people for the ,reformation2 and all that ,luther did can be traced to the discovery of the ,bible1 and to the use which was made of it4 ,luther had grown up into manhood2 had passed from the schools to the university of ,erfurt1 and there having1 during the usual four years' course of study1 displayed intellectual powers and an extent of learning that excited the admiration of the university1 and that seemed to open to his attainment both the honour and emolument of the world1 he appeared to have been prepared to play an important part on the great drama of human affairs4 ,suddenly1 however1 to the astonishment and dismay of his friends1 he betook himself to the solitude and gloom of an ,augustinian monastery4 ,there he found a ,biblea copy of the ,vulgatehid in the shelves of the university library4 ,till then he had supposed that there existed no other ,gospels or ,epistles than what were given in the ,breviary1 or quoted by the preachers4#cai ,to the study of that book he now gave himself with untiring diligence and steady prayer2 and the effect was to show to him the way of salvation by faith1 and ultimately to produce the ,reformation4 ,no one acquainted with the history of the ,reformation can doubt that it is to be traced to the influence of the ,bible2 that the moving cause1 the spring of all that occurred in the ,reformation1 was the impulse given to the mind of ,luther and his fellow-labourers by the study of that one book4 ,it is this well-known fact that gives so much truth to the celebrated declaration of ,chillingworth1 that 8the ,bible is the religion of ,protestants40 ,if a symbol of this had been designed before it occurred1 or if one should be sought for now that would designate the actual nature and influence of the ,reformation1 nothing better could be selected than that of an angel descending from heaven1 with benignant aspect1 with a rainbow around his head1 and with light beaming all around him1 holding forth to mankind a book4 7#b7 ,this book had before been hidden1 or closed2 that is1 it could not till then be regarded as an open volume4 7a7 ,it was in fact known by few even of the clergy1 and it was not in the hands of the mass of the people at all4 ,there is every reason to believe that the great body of the ,romish clergy1 in the time that preceded the ,reformation1 were even more ignorant of the ,bible than ,luther himself was4 ,many of them were unable to read2 few had access to the ,bible2 and those who had1 drew their doctrines #bec rather from the fathers of the church than from the ,word of ,god4 ,hallam 7,middle ,ages1 ii4 #bda7 says3 8,of this prevailing ignorance in the tenth century and onward it is easy to produce abundant testimony4 ,in almost every council the ignorance of the clergy forms a subject for reproach4 ,it is asserted by one held in #iib1 that scarcely a single person could be found in ,rome itself who knew the first elements of letters4 ,not one priest of a thousand in ,spain1 about the age of ,charlemagne1 could address a letter of common salutation to another4 ,in ,england1 ,alfred declares that he could not recollect a single priest south of the ,thames 7the best part of ,england71 at the time of his accession1 who understood the ordinary prayers1 or who could translate the ,latin into the mother tongue40 ,there were few books of any kind in circulation1 and even if there had been an ability to read1 the cost of books was so great as to exclude the great mass of the people from all access to the sacred ,scriptures4 8,many of the clergy10 says ,dr4 ,robertson 7,hist4 of ,charles ,v4 p4 #ad1 ,harper's ed471 8did not understand the ,breviary which they were obliged daily to recite2 some of them could scarcely read it40 8,persons of the highest rank1 and in the most eminent stations1 could neither read nor write40 ,one of the questions appointed by the canons to be put to persons who were candidates for orders was this1 8,whether they could read the ,gospels and ,epistles1 and explain the sense of them at least literally80 ,for the causes of this ignorance see ,robertson's ,hist4 of ,charles ,v4 p4 #eae4 ,one of those causes was the cost of books4 8,private persons seldom possessed any books whatever4 ,even monasteries of considerable note had only one ,missal4 ,the price of books became so high that persons of a moderate fortune could not afford to purchase them4 ,the ,countess of ,anjou paid for a copy of the ,homilies of ,haimon1 bishop of ,alberstadt1 two hundred sheep1 five quarters of wheat1 and the same quantity of rye and millet10 c4 ,such was the cost of books that few persons could afford to own a copy of the sacred ,scriptures2 and the consequence was1 there were almost none in the hands of the people4 ,the few copies that were in existence were mostly in the libraries of monasteries and universities1 or in the hands of some of the higher clergy4 7b7 ,but there was another reason that was still more efficacious1 perhaps1 in keeping the people at large from the knowledge of the ,scriptures4 ,it was found in the prevailing views in the ,roman ,catholic communion respecting the private use and interpretation of the sacred volume4 ,whatever theory may now be advocated in the ,roman ,catholic communion on this point1 as a matter of fact1 the influence of that denomination has been to withhold the ,bible from a free circulation among the common people4 ,no one can deny that1 in the times just preceding the ,reformation1 the whole influence of the ,papal denomination was opposed to a free circulation of the ,bible1 and that one of the great and characteristic features of the ,reformation was the fact1 that the doctrine was promulgated that the ,bible was to be freely distributed1 and that the people everywhere were to have access to it1 and were to form their own opinions of the doctrines which it reveals4 7#c7 ,the ,bible became1 at the ,reformation1 in fact an 8open0 book4 ,it was made accessible4 ,it became the popular book of the worldthe book that did more than all other things to change the aspect of affairs1 and to give character to subsequent times4 ,this occurred because 7a7 the art of printing was discovered just before the ,reformation1 as if1 in the providence of ,god1 it was designed then to give this precious volume to the world2 and the ,bible was1 in fact1 the first book printed1 and has been since printed more frequently than any other book whatever1 and will continue to be to the end of the world4 ,it would be difficult to imagine now a more striking symbol of the art of printing1 or to suggest a better device for it1 than to represent an angel giving an open volume to mankind4 7b7 ,the leading doctrine of the ,reformers was1 that the ,bible is the source of all authority in matters of religion1 and1 consequently1 is to be accessible to all the people4 ,and 7c7 the ,bible was the authority appealed to by the ,reformers4 ,it became the subject of profound study2 was diffused abroad2 and gave form to all the doctrines that sprang out of the times of the ,reformation4 ,these remarks1 which might be greatly expanded1 will show with what propriety1 on the supposition that the chapter here refers to the ,reformation1 the symbol of a book was selected4 ,obviously no other symbol would have been so appropriate2 nothing else would have given so just a view of the leading #bed characteristics of that period of the world4 ,and he set his right foot upon the sea1 and his left foot upon the earth4 ,this is the third characteristic in the symbol4 ,as a mere description this is eminently sublime4 ,i was once 7at ,cape ,may1 #ahdi7 impressively reminded of this passage4 ,my window was in such a position that it commanded a fine view at the same time of the ocean and the land4 ,a storm arose such as ,i had never witnessedthe clouds from the different points of the compass seeming to come together over the place1 and producing incessant lightning and thunder4 ,as the storm cleared away the most magnificent rainbow that ,i ever saw appeared1 arching the heavens1 one foot of it far off on the sea1 and the other on the landan emblem of peace to bothand most strikingly suggesting to me the angel in the ,apocalypse4 ,the natural meaning of such a symbol as that represented here would be1 that something was to occur which would pertain to the whole world1 as the earth is made up of land and water4 ,it is hardly necessary to say1 that on the supposition that this refers to the ,reformation1 there is no difficulty in finding an ample fulfilment of the symbol4 ,that great work was designed manifestly by ,providence to affect all the worldthe sea and the landthe dwellers in the islands and in the continentsthose who 8go down to the sea in ships1 and do business in the great waters10 and those who have a permanent dwelling on shore4 ,it may be admitted1 indeed1 that1 in itself1 this one thingthe angel standing on the sea and the land1 if it occurred alone1 could not suggest the ,reformation2 and if there were nothing else1 such an application might seem fanciful and unnatural2 but1 taken in connection with the other things in the symbol1 and assuming that the whole vision was designed to symbolize the ,reformation1 it will not be regarded as unnatural that there should be some symbol which would intimate that the blessings of a reformed religiona pure gospelwould be ultimately spread over land and oceanover the continents and islands of the globe2 in all the fixed habitations of men1 and in their floating habitations on the deep4 ,the symbol of a rainbow bending over the sea and land1 would have expressed this2 the same thing would be expressed by an angel whose head was encircled by a rainbow1 and whose face beamed with light1 with one foot on the ocean and the other on the land4 #c ,and cried with a loud voice1 as when a lion roareth3 and when he had cried1 seven #cbjthunders uttered their voices4 #c4 ,and cried with a loud voice1 as when a lion roareth4 ,the lion is the monarch of the woods1 and his roar is an image of terror4 ,the point of the comparison here seems to be the loudness with which the angel cried1 and the power of what he said to awe the worldas the roar of the lion keeps the dwellers of the forest in awe4 ,what he said is not stated2 nor did ,john attempt to record it4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that it was 8a loud note of woe1 some interjection uttered which would serve to call attention1 and at the same time be indicative of the judgments which were to follow40 ,but it is not necessary to suppose that this particular thing was intended4 ,any loud utteranceany solemn commandany prediction of judgmentany declaration of truth that would arrest the attention of mankind1 would be in accordance with all that is said here4 ,as there is no application of what is said1 and no explanation made by ,john1 it is impossible to determine with any certainty what is referred to4 ,but1 supposing that the whole refers to the ,reformation1 would not the loud and commanding voice of the angel properly represent the proclamation of the gospel as it began to be preached in such a manner as to command the attention of the world1 and the reproof of the prevailing sins in such a manner as to keep the world in awe8 ,the voice that sounded forth at the ,reformation among the nations of ,europe1 breaking the slumbers of the ,christian world1 awaking the church to the evil of the existing corruptions and abominations1 and summoning princes to the defence of the truth1 might well be symbolized by the voice of an angel that was heard afar4 ,in regard to the effect of the 8theses0 of ,luther1 in which he attacked the main doctrines of the ,papacy1 a contemporary writer says1 8,in the space of a fortnight they spread over ,germany1 and within a month they had run through all ,christendom1 as if angels #bee themselves had been the bearers of them to all men40 ,to ,john it might not be known beforehandas it probably would not bewhat this symbolized2 but could we now find a more appropriate symbol to denote the ,reformation than the appearance of such an angel2 or better describe the impression made by the first announcement of the great doctrines of the ,reformation1 than by the loud voice of such an angel8 ,and when he had cried1 seven thunders uttered their voices4 ,professor ,stuart renders this1 8the seven thunders uttered their voices10 and insists that the article should be retained1 which it has not been in our common version4 ,so ,elliott1 ,bishop ,middleton1 and others4 ,bishop ,middleton says1 8,why the article is inserted here ,i am unable to discover4 ,it is somewhat remarkable that a few manuscripts and editions omit it in both places ver4 #c1 #d4 ,were the seven thunders anything well known and pre-eminent8 ,if not1 the omission must be right in the former instance1 but wrong in the latter2 if they were pre-eminent1 then is it wrong in both4 ,bengel omits the article in ver4 #c1 but has it in ver4 #d40 ,he regards the insertion of the article as the true reading in both places1 and supposes that there may have been a reference to some ,jewish opinion1 but says that he had not been able to find a vestige of it in ,lightfoot1 ,schoettgen1 or ,meuschen4 ,storr supposes that we are not to seek here for any ,jewish notion1 and that nothing is to be inferred from the article 7,middleton1 on the ,greek ,article1 p4 #ceh74 ,the best editions of the ,new ,testament retain the article in both places1 and indeed there is no authority for omitting it4 ,the use of the article here naturally implies either that these seven thunders were something which had been before referred to1 either expressly or impliedly2 or that there was something about them which was so well known that it would be at once understood what was referred to2 or that there was something in the connection which would determine the meaning4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 viii4 #b4 ,it is plain1 however1 that there had been no mention of 8seven thunders0 before1 nor had anything been referred to which would at once suggest them4 ,the reason for the insertion of the article here must1 therefore1 be found in some pre-eminence which these seven thunders had2 in some well-known facts about them2 in something which would at once suggest them when they were mentioned as when we mention the sun1 the moon1 the stars1 though they might not have been distinctly referred to before4 ,the number 8seven0 is used here either 7a7 as a general or perfect number1 as it is frequently in this book1 where we have it so often repeatedseven spirits2 seven angels2 seven seals2 seven trumpets2 or 7b7 with some specific reference to the matter in handthe case actually in view of the writer4 ,it cannot be doubted that it might be used in the former sense here1 and that no law of language would be violated if it were so understood2 as denoting many thunders2 but still it is equally true that it may be used in a specific sense as denoting something that would be well understood by applying the number seven to it4 ,now let it be supposed1 in regard to the application of this symbol1 that the reference is to ,rome1 the seven-hilled city1 and to the thunders of excommunication1 anathema1 and wrath that were uttered from that city against the ,reformers2 and would there not be all that is fairly implied in this language1 and is not this such a symbol as would be appropriately used on such a supposition8 ,the following circumstances may be referred to as worthy of notice on this point37a7 the place which this occupies in the series of symbolsbeing just after the angel had uttered his voice as symbolical of the proclamation of the great truths of the gospel in the ,reformation1 if the interpretation above given is correct4 ,the next event1 in the order of nature and of fact1 was the voice of excommunication uttered at ,rome4 7b7 ,the word thunder would appropriately denote the bulls of excommunication uttered at ,rome1 for the name most frequently given to the decrees of the ,papacy1 when condemnatory1 was that of ,papal thunders4 ,so ,le ,bas1 in his ,life of ,wycliffe1 p4 #aih1 says3 8,the thunders which shook the world when they issued from the seven hills sent forth an uncertain sound1 comparatively faint and powerless1 when launched from a region of less devoted sanctity40 7c7 ,the number seven would1 on such a supposition1 be used here with equal propriety4 ,rome was built on seven hills2 was known as the 8seven-hilled0 city1 and the thunders from that city would seem to echo and re-echo from those hills4 ,comp4 ch4 xvii4 #i4 7d7 ,this supposition1 #bef also1 will accord with the use of the article here1 as if those thunders were something well known8the seven thunders2 0 that is1 the thunders which the nations were accustomed to hear4 7e7 ,this will also accord with the passage before us1 inasmuch as the thunders would seem to have been of the nature of a response to what the angel said1 or to have been sent forth because he had uttered his loud cry4 ,in like manner1 the anathemas were hurled from ,rome because the nations had been aroused by the loud cry for reformation1 as if an angel had uttered that cry4 ,for these reasons there is a propriety in applying this language to the thunders which issued from ,rome condemning the doctrines of the ,reformation1 and in defence of the ancient faith1 and excommunicating those who embraced the doctrines of the ,reformers4 ,if we were now to attempt to devise a symbol which would be appropriate to express what actually occurred in the ,reformation1 we could not think of one which would be better fitted to that purpose than to speak of seven thunders bellowing forth from the seven-hilled city4 #d ,and when the seven thunders had uttered their voices1 ,i was about to write3 and ,i heard a voice from heaven saying unto me1 #cba,seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered1 and write them not4 #d4 ,and when the seven thunders had uttered their voices4 ,after he had listened to those thunders2 or when they had passed by4 ,i was about to write4 ,that is1 he was about to record what was uttered1 supposing that that was the design for which he had been made to hear them4 ,from this it would seem that it was not mere thunderbrutum fulmenbut that the utterance had a distinct and intelligible enunciation1 or that words were employed that could be recorded4 ,it may be observed1 by the way1 as ,professor ,stuart has remarked1 that this proves that ,john wrote down what he saw and heard as soon as practicable1 and in the place where he was2 and that the supposition of many modern critics1 that the ,apocalyptic visions were written at ,ephesus a considerable time after the visions took place1 has no good foundation4 ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven saying unto me4 ,evidently the voice of ,god3 at all events it came with the clear force of command4 ,seal up those things4 ,on the word seal1 see ,notes on ch4 v4 #a4 ,the meaning here is1 that he was not to record those things1 but what he heard he was to keep to himself as if it was placed under a seal which was not to be broken4 ,and write them not4 ,make no record of them4 ,no reason is mentioned why this was not to be done1 and none can now be given that can be proved to be the true reason4 ,vitringa1 who regards the seven thunders as referring to the ,crusades1 supposes the reason to have been that a more full statement would have diverted the mind from the course of the prophetic narrative1 and from more important events which pertained to the church1 and that nothing occurred in the ,crusades which was worthy to be recorded at length3 ,nec dign erant qu prolixius exponerentur8for10 he adds1 8these expeditions were undertaken with a foolish purpose1 and resulted in real detriment to the church10 pp4 #dca1 #dcb4 ,professor ,stuart 7vol4 ii4 pp4 #bjdbjf7 supposes that these 8thunders0 refer to the destruction of the city and temple of ,god1 and that they were a sublime introduction to the last catastrophe1 and that the meaning is not that he should keep 8entire silence10 but only that he should state the circumstances in a general manner1 without going into detail4 ,mede supposes that ,john was commanded to keep silence because it was designed that the meaning should not then be known1 but should be disclosed in future times2 ,forerius1 because it was the design that the wise should be able to understand them1 but that they were not to be disclosed to the wicked and profane4 ,without attempting to examine these and other solutions which have been proposed1 the question which1 from the course of the exposition1 is properly before us is1 whether1 on the supposition that the voice of the seven thunders referred to the ,papal anathemas1 a rational and satisfactory solution of the reasons of this silence can be given4 ,without pretending to know the reasons which existed1 the following may be referred to as not improbable1 and as those which would meet the case37#a7 ,in these ,papal anathemas there was nothing that was worthy of record2 there was nothing that was important as history2 there was nothing that communicated #beg truth2 there was nothing that really indicated progress in human affairs4 ,in themselves there was nothing more that deserved record than the acts and doings of wicked men at any time2 nothing that fell in with the main design of this book4 7#b7 ,such a record would have retarded the progress of the main statements of what was to occur1 and would have turned off the attention from these to less important matters4 7#c7 ,all that was necessary in the case was simply to state that such thunders were heard3 that is1 on the supposition that this refers to the ,reformation1 that that great change in human affairs would not be permitted to occur without opposition and noiseas if the thunders of wrath should follow those who were engaged in it4 7#d7 ,john evidently mistook this for a real revelation1 or for something that was to be recorded as connected with the divine will in reference to the progress of human affairs4 ,he was naturally about to record this as he did what was uttered by the other voices which he heard2 and if he had made the record1 it would have been with this mistaken view4 ,there was nothing in the voices1 or in what was uttered1 that would manifestly mark it as distinct from what had been uttered as coming from ,god1 and he was about to record it under this impression4 ,if this was a mistake1 and if the record would do anything1 as it clearly would1 to perpetuate the error1 it is easy to see a sufficient reason why the record should not be made4 7#e7 ,it is remarkable that there was an entire correspondence with this in what occurred in the ,reformation2 in the fact that ,luther and his fellow-labourers were1 at first1 and for a long timesuch was the force of education1 and of the habits of reverence for the ,papal authority in which they had been reareddisposed to receive the announcements of the ,papacy as the oracles of ,god1 and to show to them the deference which was due to divine communications4 ,the language of ,luther himself1 if the general view here taken is correct1 will be the best commentary on the expressions here used4 8,when ,i began the affairs of the ,indulgences10 says he1 8,i was a monk1 and a most mad ,papist4 ,so intoxicated was ,i1 and drenched in ,papal dogmas1 that ,i would have been most ready to murder1 or assist others in murdering1 any person who should have uttered a syllable against the duty of obedience to the pope40 ,and again3 8,certainly at that time ,i adored him in earnest40 ,he adds1 8,how distressed my heart was in that year #aeag;how submissive to the hierarchy1 not feignedly but reallythose little knew who at this day insult the majesty of the pope with so much pride and arrogance4 ,i was ignorant of many things which now1 by the grace of ,god1 ,i understand4 ,i disputed2 ,i was open to conviction2 not finding satisfaction in the works of theologians1 ,i wished to consult the living members of the church itself4 ,there were some godly souls that entirely approved my propositions4 ,but ,i did not consider their authority of weight with me in spiritual concerns4 ,the popes1 bishops1 cardinals1 monks1 priests1 were the objects of my confidence4 ,after being enabled to answer every objection that could be brought against me from sacred ,scripture1 one difficulty alone remained1 that the ,church ought to be obeyed4 ,if ,i had then braved the pope as ,i now do1 ,i should have expected every hour that the earth would have opened to swallow me up alive1 like ,korah and ,abiram40 ,it was in this frame of mind that1 in the summer of #aeah1 a few months after the affair with ,tetzel1 he wrote that memorable letter to the pope1 the tenor of which can be judged of by the following sentences3 and what could more admirably illustrate the passage before us1 on the interpretation suggested1 than this language8 8,most blessed ,father6 ,prostrate at the feet of thy blessedness ,i offer myself to thee1 with all that ,i am1 and that ,i have4 ,kill me1 or make me live2 call or recall2 approve or reprove1 as shall please thee4 ,i will acknowledge thy voice as the voice of ,christ presiding and speaking in thee40 ,see the authorities for these quotations in ,elliott1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #aaf1 #aag4 7#f7 ,the command not to record what the seven thunders uttered was of the nature of a caution not to regard what was said in this manner2 that is1 not to be deceived by these utterances as if they were the voice of ,god4 ,thus understood1 if this is the proper explanation and application of the passage1 it should be regarded as an injunction not to regard the decrees and decisions of the ,papacy as containing any intimation of the divine will1 or as of authority in the church4 ,that this is to be so regarded is the opinion of all ,protestants2 and if this is so1 it is not a forced supposition #beh that this might have been intimated by such a symbol as that before us4 #e ,and the angel which ,i saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth #cbblifted up his hand to heaven1 #e4 ,and the angel which ,i saw stand1 c4 ,ver4 #b4 ,that is1 ,john saw him standing in this posture when he made the oath which he proceeds to record4 ,lifted up his hand to heaven4 ,the usual attitude in taking an oath1 as if one called heaven to witness4 ,see ,ge4 xiv4 #bb2 ,de4 xxxii4 #dj2 ,eze4 xx4 #e1 #f4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 xii4 #g4 #f ,and sware by #cbc;him that liveth for ever and ever1 who created heaven1 and the things that therein are1 and the earth1 and the things that therein are1 and the sea1 and the things which are therein1 #cbdthat there should be time no longer3 #f4 ,and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever4 ,by the ever-living ,god3 a form of an oath in extensive use now4 ,the essential idea in such an oath is an appeal to ,god2 a solemn reference to ,him as a witness2 an utterance in the presence of ,him who is acquainted with the truth or falsehood of what is said1 and who will punish him who appeals to him falsely4 ,it is usual1 in such an oath1 in order to give to it greater solemnity1 to refer to some attribute of ,god1 or something in the divine character on which the mind would rest at the time1 as tending to make it more impressive4 ,thus1 in the passage before us1 the reference is to ,god as 8ever-living20 that is1 he is now a witness1 and he ever will be2 he has now the power to detect and punish1 and he ever will have the same power4 ,who created heaven and the things that therein are1 c4 ,who is the ,maker of all things in heaven1 on the earth1 and in the sea2 that is1 throughout the universe4 ,the design of referring to these things here is that which is just specifiedto give increased solemnity to the oath by a particular reference to some one of the attributes of ,god4 ,with this view nothing could be more appropriate than to refer to him as the ,creator of the universedenoting his infinite power1 his right to rule and control all things4 ,that there should be time no longer4 ,this is a very important expression1 as it is the substance of what the angel affirmed in so solemn a manner2 and as the interpretation of the whole passage depends on it4 ,it seems now to be generally agreed among critics that our translation does not give the true sense1 inasmuch 7a7 as that was not the close of human affairs1 and 7b7 as he proceeds to state what would occur after that4 ,accordingly1 different versions of the passage have been proposed4 ,professor ,stuart renders it1 8that delay shall be no longer40 ,mr4 ,elliott1 8that the time shall not yet be2 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel1 whensoever he may be about to sound1 then the mystery of ,god shall be finished40 ,mr4 ,lord1 8that the time shall not be yet1 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel10 c4 ,andrew ,fuller 7,works1 vol4 vi4 p4 #aac71 8there should be no delay40 ,so ,dr4 ,gill4 ,mr4 ,daubuz1 8the time shall not be yet40 ,vitringa 7p4 #dcb71 tempus non fore amplius1 8time shall be no more40 ,he explains it 7p4 #dcc7 as meaning1 8not that this is to be taken absolutely1 as if at the sounding of the seventh trumpet all things were then to terminate1 and the glorious epiphany 7or manifestation of ,jesus ,christ7was then to occur1 who would put an end to all the afflictions of his church2 but in a limited senserestricteas meaning that there would be no delay between the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the fulfilment of the prophecies40 ,the sense of this passage is to be determined by the meaning of the words and the connection4 7a7 ,the word timeis the common ,greek word to denote time1 and may be applied to time in general1 or to any specified time or period4 ,see ,robinson1 ,lex4 sub voce1 7a1 b74 ,in the word itself there is nothing to determine its particular signification here4 ,it might refer either to time in general1 or to the time under consideration1 and which was the subject of the prophecy4 ,which of these is the true idea is to be ascertained by the other circumstances referred to4 ,it should be added1 however1 that the word does not of itself denote delay1 and is never used to denote that directly4 ,it can only denote that because delay occupies or consumes time1 but this sense of the noun is not found in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is #bei found1 however1 in the verb 1 to linger1 to delay1 to be long in coming1 ,mat4 xxv4 #e2 ,lu4 i4 #ba4 7b7 ,the absence of the article8time10 not 8the time0would naturally give it a general signification1 unless there was something in the connection to limit it to some well-known period under consideration4 ,see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #b2 x4 #c4 ,in this latter view1 if the time referred to would be sufficiently definite without the article1 the article need not be inserted4 ,this is such a case1 and comes under the rule for the omission of the article as laid down by ,bishop ,middleton1 part i4 ch4 iii4 ,the principle is1 that when the copula1 or verb connecting the subject and predicate1 is the verb substantive1 then the article is omitted4 8,to affirm the existence10 says he1 8of that of which the existence is already assumed1 would be superfluous2 to deny it1 would be contradictory and absurd40 ,as applicable to the case before us1 the meaning of this rule would be1 that the nature of the time here referred to is implied in the use of the substantive verb 771 and that consequently it is not necessary to specify it4 ,all that needs to be said on this point is1 that1 on the supposition that ,john referred to a specified time1 instead of time in general1 it would not be necessary1 under this rule1 to insert the article4 ,the reference would be understood without it1 and the insertion would be unnecessary4 ,this is substantially the reasoning of ,mr4 ,elliott 7vol4 ii4 p4 #abc71 and it is submitted for what it is worth4 ,my own knowledge of the usages of the ,greek article is too limited to justify me in pronouncing an opinion on the subject1 but the authorities are such as to authorize the assertion that1 on the supposition that a particular well-known period were here referred to1 the insertion of the article would not be necessary4 7c7 ,the particle rendered 8longer078time shall be no longer0means properly1 according to ,robinson 7,lex471 yet1 still2 implying 7#a7 durationas spoken of the present time2 of the present in allusion to the past1 and1 with a negative1 no more1 no longer2 7#b7 implying accession1 addition1 yet1 more1 farther1 besides4 ,according to ,buttmann1 ,gram4 #adi1 vol4 i4 p4 #dcj1 it means1 when alone1 8yet still1 yet farther2 and with a negative1 no more1 no farther40 ,the particle occurs often in the ,new ,testament1 as may be seen in the ,concordance4 ,it is more frequently rendered 8yet0 than by any other word 7comp4 ,mat4 xii4 #df2 xvii4 #e2 xix4 #bj2 xxvi4 #dg2 xxvii4 #fc2 ,mar4 v4 #ce2 viii4 #ag2 xii4 #f2 xiv4 #dc;and so in the other ,gospels1 the ,acts1 and the ,epistles72 in all1 fifty times4 ,in the book of ,revelation it is only once rendered 8yet10 ch4 vi4 #aa1 but is rendered 8more0 in ch4 iii4 #ab2 vii4 #af2 ix4 #ab2 xii4 #h2 xviii4 #ba1 #bb 7three times71 #bc 7twice72 xx4 #c2 xxi4 #a1 #d 7twice72 8longer0 in ch4 x4 #f2 8 still0 in ch4 xxii4 #aa 7four times74 ,the usage1 therefore1 will justify the rendering of the word by 8yet10 and in connection with the negative1 8not yet0meaning that the thing referred to would not occur immediately1 but would be hereafter4 ,in regard to the general meaning1 then1 of this passage in its connection1 we may remark1 7a7 ,that it cannot mean1 literally1 that there would be time no longer1 or that the world would then come to an end absolutely1 for the speaker proceeds to disclose events that would occur after that1 extending far into the future 7ch4 x4 #aa71 and the detail that follows 7ch4 xi47 before the sounding of the seventh trumpet is such as to occupy a considerable period1 and the seventh trumpet is also yet to sound4 ,no fair construction of the language1 therefore1 would require us to understand this as meaning that the affairs of the world were then to terminate4 7b7 ,the connection1 then1 apart from the question of grammatical usage1 will require some such construction as that above suggested8that the time10 to wit1 some certain1 known1 or designated time1 8would not be yet10 but would be in some future period2 that is1 as specified1 ver4 #g1 8in the days of the voice of the seventh angel1 when he shall begin to sound40 ,then 8the mystery of ,god would be finished10 and the affairs of the world would be put on their permanent footing4 7c7 ,this would imply that1 at the time when the angel appeared1 or in the time to which he refers1 there would be some expectation or general belief that the 8mystery0 was then to be finished1 and that the affairs of the world were to come to an end4 ,the proper interpretation would lead us to suppose that there would be so general an expectation of this1 as to make the solemn affirmation of the angel proper to correct a prevailing opinion1 and to show that the right interpretation was not put on what #bfj seemed to be the tendency of things4 7d7 ,as a matter of fact1 we find that this expectation did actually exist at the time of the ,reformation2 that such an interpretation was put on the prophecies1 and on the events that occurred2 and that the impression that the ,messiah was about to come1 and the reign of saints about to commence1 was so strong as to justify some interference1 like the solemn oath of the angel1 to correct the misapprehension4 ,it is true that this impression had existed in former times1 and even in the early ages of the church2 but1 as a matter of fact1 it was true1 and eminently true1 in the time of the ,reformation1 and there was1 on many accounts1 a strong tendency to that form of belief4 ,the ,reformers1 in interpreting the prophecies1 learned to connect the downfall of the ,papacy with the coming of ,christ1 and with his universal reign upon the earth2 and as they saw the evidences of the approach of the former1 they naturally anticipated the latter as about to occur4 ,comp4 ,da4 ii4 #cd2 xii4 #aa2 #b ,th4 ii4 #c1 #h4 ,the anticipation that the ,lord ,jesus was about to come2 that the affairs of the world1 in the present form1 were to be wound up2 that the reign of the saints would soon commence2 and that the permanent kingdom of righteousness would be established1 became almost the current belief of the ,reformers1 and was frequently expressed in their writings4 ,thus ,luther1 in the year #aebj1 in his answer to the pope's bull of excommunication1 expresses his anticipations3 8,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ yet liveth and reigneth2 who1 ,i firmly trust1 will shortly come1 and slay with the spirit of his mouth1 and destroy with the brightness of his coming1 that ,man of ,sin0 7,merle ,d',aubig41 vol4 ii4 p4 #aff74 ,after being summoned before the ,diet at ,worms1 and after condemnation had been pronounced on him by the emperor1 he fell back for comfort on the same joyous expectation4 8,for this once10 he said1 8the ,jews1 as on the crucifixion-day1 may sing their pan2 but ,easter will come for us1 and then we shall sing ,hallelujah0 7,d',aubig41 vol4 ii4 p4 #bge74 ,the next year1 writing to ,staupitz1 he made a solemn appeal against his abandoning the ,reformation1 by reference to the sure and advancing fulfilment of ,daniel's prophecy4 8,my father10 said he1 8the abominations of the pope1 with his whole kingdom1 must be destroyed2 and the ,lord does this without hand1 by the ,word alone4 ,the subject exceeds all human comprehension4 ,i cherish the best hopes0 7,milner1 p4 #fib74 ,in #aebc he thus1 in a similar strain1 expresses his hopes3 8,the kingdom of ,antichrist1 according to the prophet ,daniel1 must be broken without hands2 that is1 the ,scriptures will be understood by and by2 and every one will preach against ,papal tyranny1 from the ,word of ,god1 until the ,man of ,sin is deserted of all1 and dies of himself0 7,milner1 p4 #gif74 ,the same sentiments respecting the approach of the end of the world were entertained by ,melancthon4 ,in commenting on the passage in ,daniel relating to the 8little horn10 he thus refers to an argument which has been prevalent3 8,the words of the prophet ,elias should be marked by every one1 and inscribed upon our walls1 and on the entrances of our houses4 ,six thousand years shall the world stand1 and after that be destroyed2 two thousand years without the law2 two thousand years under the law of ,moses2 two thousand years under the ,messiah2 and if any of these years are not fulfilled1 they will be shortened 7a shortening intimated by ,christ also1 on account of our sins740 ,the following manuscript addition to this argument has been found in ,melancthon's hand1 in ,luther's own copy of the ,german ,bible38,written ,a4,d4 #aeeg1 and from the creation of the world1 #eeai2 from which number we may see that this aged world is not far from its end40 ,so also the ,british ,reformers believed4 ,thus ,bishop ,latimer3 8,let us cry to ,god day and night,most merciful ,father1 let thy kingdom come6 ,st4 ,paul saith1 ,the ,lord will not come till the swerving from the faith cometh 7#b ,th4 ii4 #c72 which thing is already done and past4 ,antichrist is already known throughout all the world4 ,wherefore the day is not far off40 ,then1 reverting to the consideration of the age of the world1 as ,melancthon had done1 he says1 8,the world was ordained to endure1 as all learned ones affirm1 #fjjj years4 ,now of that number there be past #eeeb years1 so that there is no more left but #ddh years4 ,furthermore1 those days shall be shortened for the elect's sake4 ,therefore1 all those excellent and learned men1 whom without doubt ,god hath sent into the world in these last days to give the world warning1 do gather out of sacred ,scripture #bfa that the last day cannot be far off40 ,so again1 in a sermon on the nearness of the second advent1 he says1 8,so that peradventure it may come in my days1 old as ,i am1 or in my children's days40 ,indeed1 it is well known that this was a prevalent opinion among the ,reformers2 and this fact will show with what propriety1 if the passage before us was designed to refer to the ,reformation1 this solemn declaration of the angel was made1 that the 8time would not be yet0that those anticipations which would spring up from the nature of the case1 and from the interpretations which would be put on what seemed to be the obvious sense of the prophecies1 were unfounded1 and that a considerable time must yet intervene before the events would be consummated4 7e7 ,the proper sense of this passage1 then1 according to the above interpretation would be8,and the angel lifted up his hand to heaven1 and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever1 ,that the time should not yet be2 but1 in the days of the voice of the seventh angel1 when he shall begin to sound1 the mystery of ,god shall be finished40 ,appearances1 indeed1 would then indicate that the affairs of the world were to be wound up1 and that the prophecies respecting the end of the world were about to be fulfilled3 but the angel solemnly swears 8by ,him who lives for ever and ever0and whose reign therefore extends through all the changes on the earth8by ,him who is the ,creator of all things10 and whose purpose alone can determine when the end shall be1 that the time would not be yet4 ,those cherished expectations would not yet be realized1 but there was a series of important events to intervene before the end would come4 ,thenat the time when the seventh angel should soundwould be the consummation of all things4 #g ,but in the days of the voice of the #cbeseventh angel1 when he shall begin to sound1 the #cbfmystery of ,god should be finished1 as he hath declared to his servants the prophets4 #g4 ,but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel4 ,the days in the period of time embraced by the sounding of the seventh trumpet4 ,that is1 the affairs of this world would not be consummated in that period embraced in the sounding of the sixth trumpet1 but in that embraced in the sounding of the seventh and last of the trumpets4 ,comp4 ch4 xi4 #aeai4 ,when he shall begin to sound4 ,that is1 the events referred to will commence at the period when the angel shall begin to sound4 ,it will not be merely during or in that period1 but the sounding of the trumpet1 and the beginning of those events1 will be contemporaneous4 ,in other words1 then would commence the reign of righteousnessthe kingdom of the ,messiahthe dominion of the saints on the earth4 ,the mystery of ,god should be finished4 ,on the meaning of the word mystery1 see ,notes on ,ep4 i4 #i4 ,it means here1 as elsewhere in the ,new ,testament1 the purpose or truth of ,god which had been concealed1 and which had not before been communicated to man4 ,here the particular reference is to the divine purpose which had been long concealed respecting the destiny of the world1 or respecting the setting up of his kingdom1 but which had been progressively unfolded by the prophets4 ,that purpose would be 8finished10 or consummated1 in the time when the seventh angel should begin to sound4 ,then all the 8mystery0 would be revealed2 the plan would be unfolded2 the divine purpose1 so long concealed1 would be manifested1 and the kingdom of the ,messiah and of the saints would be set up on the earth4 ,under that period1 the affairs of the world would be ultimately wound up1 and the whole work of redemption completed4 ,as he hath declared to his servants the prophets4 ,as he has from time to time disclosed his purposes to mankind through the prophets4 ,the reference here is1 doubtless1 to the prophets of the ,old ,testament1 though the language would include all who at any time had uttered any predictions respecting the final condition of the world4 ,these prophecies had been scattered along through many ages2 but the angel says that at that time all that had been said respecting the setting up of the kingdom of ,god1 the reign of the saints1 and the dominion of the ,redeemer on the earth1 would be accomplished4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xi4 #ae4 ,from the passage thus explained1 if the interpretation is correct1 it will follow that the sounding of the seventh trumpet 7ch4 xi4 #aeah7 is properly the conclusion of #bfb this series of visions1 and denotes a 8catastrophe0 in the action1 and that what follows is the commencement of a new series of visions4 ,this is clear1 because 7a7 the whole seven seals1 comprising the seven trumpets of the seventh seal1 must embrace one view of all coming eventssince this embraced all that there was in the volume seen in the hand of him that sat on the throne2 7b7 this is properly implied in the word here rendered 8should be finished0the fair meaning of which is1 that the 8mystery0 here referred tothe hitherto unrevealed purpose or plan of ,godwould1 under that trumpet1 be consummated or complete 7see the conclusive reasoning of ,prof4 ,stuart on the meaning of the word1 vol4 ii4 p4 #baj1 foot-note72 and 7c7 it will be found in the course of the exposition that1 at ch4 xi4 #ai1 there commences a new series of visions1 embracing a view of the world in its religious aspect1 or ecclesiastical characteristics1 reaching down to the same consummation1 and stating at the close of that 7ch4 xx47 more fully what is here 7ch4 xi4 #aeah7 designated in a more summary waythe final triumph of religion1 and the establishment of the kingdom of the saints4 ,the present series of visions 7ch4 v4xi4 #ah7 relates rather to the outward or secular changes which would occur on the earth1 which were to affect the welfare of the church1 to the final consummation2 the next series 7ch4 xi4 #ai2 xii4xx47 relates to the church internally1 the rise of ,antichrist1 and the effect of the rise of that formidable power on the internal history of the church1 to the time of the overthrow of that power1 and the triumphant establishment of the kingdom of ,god4 ,see the ,analysis of the work1 ,intro4 #e4 ,in other words1 this series of visions1 terminating at ch4 xi4 #ah1 refers1 as the leading thing1 to what would occur in relation to the ,roman empire considered as a secular power1 in which the church would be interested2 that which follows 7ch4 xi4 #ai2 xii4xx47 to the ,roman power considered as a great apostasy1 and setting up a mighty and most oppressive domination over the true church1 manifested in deep corruption and bloody persecutions1 running on in its disastrous influence on the world1 until that power should be destroyed1 ,babylon fall1 and the reign of the saints be introduced4 #h ,and the #cbgvoice which ,i heard from heaven spake unto me again1 and said1 ,go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth4 #h4 ,and the voice which ,i heard from heaven4 ,ver4 #d4 ,this is not the voice of the angel1 but a direct divine command4 ,said1 ,go and take the little book that is open1 c4 ,that is1 take it out of his hand1 and do with it as you shall be commanded4 ,there is a very strong resemblance between this passage and the account contained in ,eze4 ii4 #i1 #aj2 iii4 #ac4 ,ezekiel was directed to go to the house of ,israel and deliver a divine message1 whether they would hear or forbear2 and in order that he might understand what message to deliver1 there was shown to him a roll of a book1 written within and without4 ,that roll he was commanded to eat1 and he found it to be 8in his mouth as honey for sweetness40 ,john has added to this the circumstance that1 though 8sweet in the mouth10 it made 8the belly bitter40 ,the additional command 7ver4 #aa71 that he must yet 8prophecy before many people10 leads us to suppose that he had the narrative in ,ezekiel in his eye2 for1 as the result of his eating the roll1 he was commanded to go and prophesy to the people of ,israel4 ,the passage here 7ver4 #h7 introduces a new symbol1 that of 8eating the book10 and evidently refers to something that was to occur before the 8mystery should be finished20 that is1 before the seventh trumpet should sound4 ,which is open in the hand1 c4 ,on the symbolical meaning of the word 8open10 as applied to the book1 see ,notes on ver4 #b4 #i ,and ,i went unto the angel1 and said unto him1 ,give me the little book4 ,and he said unto me1 #cbh,take it1 and eat it up2 and it shall make thy belly bitter1 but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey4 #i4 ,and ,i went unto the angel4 ,this is symbolic action1 and is not to be understood literally4 ,as it is not necessary to suppose that an angel literally descended1 and stood upon the sea and the land1 so it is not necessary to suppose that there was a literal act of going to him1 and taking the book from his hand and eating it4 ,give me the little book4 ,in accordance with the command #bfc in ver4 #h4 ,we may suppose1 in regard to this1 7a7 that the symbol was designed to represent that the book was to be used in the purpose here referred to1 or was to be an important agent or instrumentality in accomplishing the purpose4 ,the book is held forth in the hand of the angel as a striking emblem4 ,there is a command to go and take it from his hand for some purpose not yet disclosed4 ,all this seems to imply that the bookor that which is represented by itwould be an important instrument in accomplishing the purpose here referred to4 7b7 ,the application for the book might intimate that1 on the part of him who made it1 there would be some strong desire to possess it4 ,he goes1 indeed1 in obedience to the command2 but1 at the same time1 there would naturally be a desire to be in possession of the volume1 or to know the contents 7comp4 ch4 v4 #d71 and his approach to the angel for the book would be most naturally interpreted as expressive of such a wish4 ,and he said unto me1 ,take it4 ,as if he had expected this application2 or had come down to furnish him with this little volume1 and had anticipated that the request would be made4 ,there was no reluctance in giving it up2 there was no attempt to withhold it2 there was no prohibition of its use4 ,the angel had no commission1 and no desire to retain it for himself1 and no hesitation in placing it in the hands of the seer on the first application4 ,would not the readiness with which ,god gives his ,bible into the hands of men1 in contradistinction from all human efforts to restrain its use1 and to prevent its free circulation1 be well symbolized by this act8 ,and eat it up4 ,there is a similar command in ,eze4 iii4 #a4 ,of course1 this is to be understood figuratively1 for no one would interpret literally a command to eat a manuscript or volume4 ,we have in common use a somewhat similar phrase1 when we speak of devouring a book1 which may illustrate this1 and which is not liable to be misunderstood4 ,in ,je4 xv4 #af1 we have similar language3 8,thy words were found1 and ,i did eat them2 and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart40 ,thus in ,latin1 the words propinare1 imbibere1 devorare1 deglutire1 c41 are used to denote the greediness with which knowledge is acquired4 ,comp4 in the ,apocrypha1 #b ,esdras xiv4 #chdj4 ,the meaning here1 then1 is plain4 ,he was to possess himself of the contents of the book2 to receive it into his mind2 to apply it1 as we do food1 for spiritual nourishmenttruth having1 in this respect1 the same relation to the mind which food has to the body4 ,if the little book was a symbol of the ,bible1 it would refer to the fact that the truths of that book became the nourisher and supporter of the public mind4 ,and it shall make thy belly bitter4 ,this is a circumstance which does not occur in the corresponding place in ,eze4 iii4 #ac4 ,the expression here must refer to something that would occur after the symbolical action of 8eating0 the little book1 or to some consequence of eating itfor the act of eating it is represented as pleasant3 8in thy mouth sweet as honey40 ,the meaning here is1 that the effect which followed from eating the book was painful or disagreeableas food would be that was pleasant to the taste1 but that produced bitter pain when eaten4 ,the fulfilment of this would be found in one of two things4 7a7 ,it might mean that the message to be delivered in consequence of devouring the book1 or the message which it contained1 would be of a painful or distressing character2 that with whatever pleasure the book might be received and devoured1 it would be found to contain a communication that would be indicative of woe or sorrow4 ,this was the case with the little book that ,ezekiel was commanded to eat up4 ,thus1 in speaking of this book1 it is said1 8,and it was written within and without3 and there was written therein lamentations1 and mourning1 and woe10 ,eze4 ii4 #aj4 ,comp4 ch4 iii4 #di1 where the contents of the book1 and the effect of proclaiming the message which it contained1 are more fully stated4 ,so here the meaning may be1 that1 however gladly ,john may have taken the book1 and with whatever pleasure he may have devoured its contents1 yet that it would be found to be charged with the threatening of wrath1 and with denunciations of a judgment to come1 the delivery of which would be well represented by the 8bitterness0 which is said to have followed from 8eating0 the volume4 ,or 7b7 it may mean that the consequence of devouring the book1 that is1 of embracing its doctrines1 would be persecutions and troublewell represented by the 8bitterness0 that followed the 8eating0 of the volume4 ,either of these ideas would be a fulfilment of the #bfd proper meaning of the symbol2 for1 on the supposition that either of these occurred in fact1 it would properly be symbolized by the eating of a volume that was sweet to the taste1 but that made the belly bitter4 ,but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey4 ,so in ,eze4 iii4 #c4 ,the proper fulfilment of this it is not difficult to understand4 ,it would well represent the pleasure derived from divine truththe sweetness of the ,word of ,godthe relish with which it is embraced by those that love it4 ,on the supposition that the 8little book0 here refers to the ,bible1 and to the use which would be made of it in the times referred to1 it would properly denote the relish which would exist for the sacred volume1 and the happiness which would be found in its perusal2 for this very image is frequently employed to denote this4 ,thus in ,ps4 xix4 #aj3 8,more to be desired are they than gold1 yea1 than much fine gold2 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb40 ,ps4 cxix4 #ajc3 8,how sweet are thy words unto my taste6 yea1 sweeter than honey to my mouth40 ,we are then to look for the fulfilment of this in some prevailing delight or satisfaction1 in the times referred to1 in the ,word of the ,lord1 or in the truths of revelation4 #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 as soon as ,i had eaten it1 my belly was bitter4 #aj4 ,and as soon as ,i had eaten it1 my belly was bitter4 ,the effect immediately followed3 that is1 as soon as he was made acquainted with the contents of the book1 either1 as above explained1 requiring him to deliver some message of woe and wrath which it would be painful to deliver1 or that the consequence of receiving it was to bring on bitter persecutions and trials4 #aa ,and he said unto me1 ,thou must prophesy again before many peoples1 and nations1 and tongues1 and kings4 #aa4 ,and he said unto me4 ,the angel then said4 ,thou must prophesy4 ,the word 8prophesy0 here is evidently used in the large sense of making known divine truth in general2 not in the comparatively narrow and limited sense in which it is commonly used1 as referring merely to the foretelling of future events4 ,see the word explained in the ,notes on ,ro4 xii4 #f2 #a ,co4 xiv4 #a4 ,the meaning is1 that1 as a consequence of becoming possessed of the little volume and its contents1 he would be called to proclaim divine truth1 or to make the message of ,god known to mankind4 ,the direct address is to ,john himself2 but it is evidently not to be understood of him personally4 ,he is represented as seeing the angel2 as hearkening to his voice2 as listening to the solemn oath which he took2 as receiving and eating the volume2 and then as prophesying to many people2 but the reference is undoubtedly to the far-distant future4 ,if the allusion is to the times of the ,reformation1 the meaning is1 that the end of the world was not1 as would be expected1 about to occur1 but that there was to be an interval long enough to permit the gospel to be proclaimed before 8nations1 and tongues1 and kings20 that in consequence of coming into possession of the 8little book10 the ,word of ,god1 the truth was yet to be proclaimed far and wide on the earth4 ,again4 ,this had been done before4 ,that is1 supposing this to refer to the time of the ,reformation1 it could be said1 7a7 that this had been done beforethat the gospel had been in former times proclaimed in its purity before 8many peoples1 and nations1 and tongues1 and kings20 and 7b7 that it would be done 8again20 that is1 though the ,word of ,god had been hidden1 and a mass of corrupt traditions had taken its place1 yet the time would come when those pure truths would be made known again to all lands4 ,this will explain the word 8again0 in this placenot meaning that ,john would do this personally1 but that this would be in fact the result of the restoration of the ,bible to the church4 ,before many peoples4 ,this word denotes people considered as masses1 or as grouped together in masses1 without reference to the manner in which it is done4 ,it is used when we look on a mass of men1 without taking into account the question whether they are of the same nation1 or language1 or rank4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #i4 ,the plural is used here8peoples0perhaps to denote that those to whom the truth would be made known would be very numerous4 ,they would not only be numerous in regard to the individuals to whom it would be communicated1 but numerous considered as #bfe communities or nations4 ,and nations4 ,the word nations here denotes people considered as separated by national boundaries1 constitutions1 laws1 customs4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #i4 ,and tongues4 ,people considered as divided by languagesa division not always or necessarily the same as that denoted by the word 8people10 or 8nations0 as used in this passage4 ,and kings4 ,rulers of the people4 ,the meaning is1 that the gospel would not only be borne before the masses of mankind1 but in a special manner before kings and rulers4 ,the effect of thus possessing the 8little volume10 or of the 8open book0 of revealed truth1 would ultimately be that the message of life would be carried with power before princes and rulers1 and would influence them as well as the common people4 ,in inquiring now for the proper application of this symbol as thus explained1 we naturally turn to the ,reformation1 and ask whether there was anything in that of which this would be the proper emblem4 ,the following things1 then1 are found in fact as occurring at that time1 of which the symbol before us may be regarded as the proper representation3 7#a7 ,the reception of the ,bible as from the hand of an angelor its recovery from obscurity and forgetfulness1 as if it were now restored to the church by a heavenly interposition4 ,the influence of the ,bible on the ,reformation2 the fact that it was now recovered from its obscurity1 and that it was made the grand instrument in the ,reformation1 has already been illustrated4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,the symbolical action of taking it from the hand of an angel was not an improper representation of its reception again by the church1 and of its restoration to its true place in the church4 ,it became1 as it is proper that it should always be1 the grand means of the defence of the faith1 and of the propagation of truth in the world4 7#b7 ,the statement that the little book when eaten was 8in the mouth sweet as honey10 is a striking and proper representation of the relish felt for the sacred ,scriptures by those who love the truth 7comp4 ,notes on ver4 #i71 and is especially appropriate to describe the interest which was felt in the volume of revealed truth in the time of the ,reformation4 ,for the ,bible was to the ,reformers emphatically a new book4 ,it had been driven from common use to make way for the legends of the saints and the traditions of the church4 ,it had1 therefore1 when translated into the vernacular tongue1 and when circulated and read1 the freshness of noveltythe interest which a volume of revealed truth would have if just given from heaven4 ,accordingly1 it is well known with what avidity and relish the sacred volume was studied by ,luther and his fellow-labourers in the ,reformation2 how they devoured its doctrines2 how they looked to it for comfort in their times of trial2 how sweet and sustaining were its promises in the troubles that came upon them1 and in the labours which they were called to perform4 7#c7 ,the representation that1 after it was eaten1 it was 8bitter10 would not improperly describe the effect1 in some respects1 of thus receiving the ,bible1 and making it the groundwork of faith4 ,it brought the ,reformers at once into conflict with all the power of the ,papacy and the priesthood2 exposed them to persecution2 aroused against them a host of enemies among the princes and rulers of the earth2 and was the cause for which many of them were put to death4 ,such effects followed substantially when ,wycliffe translated the ,bible2 when ,john ,huss and ,jerome of ,prague published the pure doctrines of the ,new ,testament2 and when ,luther gave to the people the ,word of ,god in their own language4 ,to a great extent this is always sothat1 however sweet and precious the truths of the ,bible may be to the preacher himself1 one of the effects of his attempting to preach those truths may be such opposition on the part of men1 such cold indifference1 or such fierce persecution1 that it would be well illustrated by what is said here1 8it shall make thy belly bitter40 7#d7 ,the representation that1 as a consequence of receiving that book1 he would prophesy again before many people1 is a fit representation of the effect of the reception of the ,bible again by the church1 and of allowing it its proper place there4 ,for1 7a7 it led to preaching1 or1 in the language of this passage1 8prophesying0a thing comparatively little known before for many ages4 ,the grand business in the ,papal communion was not1 and is not1 preaching1 but the performance of rites and ceremonies4 ,genuflexions1 crossings1 burning of incense1 processions1 music1 constitute the characteristic #bff features of all ,papal churches2 the grand thing that distinguishes the ,protestant churches all over the world1 just in proportion as they are ,protestant1 is preaching4 ,the ,protestant religionthe pure form of religion as it is revealed in the ,new ,testamenthas few ceremonies3 its rites are simple3 it depends for success on the promulgation and defence of the truth1 with the attending influence of the ,holy ,ghost2 and for this view of the nature and degree of religion the world is indebted to the fact that the ,bible was again restored to its true place in the church4 7b7 ,the ,bible is the basis of all genuine preaching4 ,preaching will not be kept up in its purity1 except in the places where the ,bible is freely circulated1 and where it is studied2 and where it is studied1 there will be1 in the proper sense of the term1 preachers4 ,just in proportion as the ,bible is studied in the world1 we may expect that preaching will be better understood1 and that the number of preachers will be increased4 7c7 ,the study of the ,bible is the foundation of all the efforts to spread the knowledge of the truth to 8peoples1 and nations1 and tongues1 and kings10 in our own times4 ,all these efforts have been originated by the restoration of the ,bible to its proper place in the church1 and to its more profound and accurate study in this age2 for these efforts are but carrying out the injunction of the ,saviour as recorded in this bookto 8go into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature40 7d7 ,the same thing will be true to the end of the world2 or1 in the language of the portion of the book of ,revelation before us1 till 8the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ2 and he shall reign for ever and ever10 ch4 xi4 #ae4 ,the fact of the restoration of the ,bible to its proper place in the church will1 therefore1 ultimately be the means of the conversion of the whole world to ,god2 and this fact1 so momentous in its nature and its consequences1 was worthy to be symbolized by the appearance of the 8angel descending from heaven clothed with a cloud20 was properly represented by the manner in which he appeared8his face radiant as the sun1 and his feet as pillars of fire20 was worthy to be expressed by the position which he assumed1 as 8standing on the sea and the earth0as if all the world were interested in the purpose of his mission1 and was worthy of the loud proclamation which he madeas if a new order of things were to commence4 ,beautiful and sublime1 then1 as this chapter is1 and always has been esteemed as a composition1 it becomes still more beautiful and sublime if it be regarded as a symbol of the ,reformationan event the most glorious1 and the most important in its issues1 of any that has occurred since the ,saviour appeared on the earth4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter1 which is very improperly separated from the preceding1 and improperly endedfor it should have been closed at ver4 #ah;consists 7excluding the last verse1 which properly belongs to the succeeding chapter7 essentially of three parts3 ,i4 ,the measuring of the temple1 ver4 #a1 #b4 ,a reed1 or measuring-stick1 is given to ,john1 and he is directed to arise and measure the temple4 ,this direction embraces two parts3 7a7 he was to measure1 that is1 to take an exact estimate of the temple1 of the altar1 and of the true worshippers2 7b7 he was carefully to separate this1 in his estimate1 from the outward court1 which was to be left out and to be given to the ,gentiles1 to be trodden under foot forty-two months2 that is1 three years and a half1 or twelve hundred and sixty daysa period celebrated in the book of ,daniel as well as in this book4 ,,ii4 ,the two witnesses1 ver4 #cac4 ,this is1 in some respects1 the most difficult portion of the book of ,revelation1 and its meaning can be stated only after a careful examination of the signification of the words and phrases used4 ,the general statement in regard to these witnesses is1 that they should have power1 and should prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days2 that if anyone should attempt to injure them1 they had power1 by fire that proceeded out of their mouths1 to devour and kill their enemies2 that they had power to shut heaven so that it should not rain1 and power to turn the waters of the earth into blood1 and power to smite the earth with plagues as often as they chose2 that when they had completed their testimony1 the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit would make war with them1 and overcome them1 and kill them2 that their dead bodies #bfg would lie unburied in that great city where the ,lord was crucified three days and a half2 that they that dwelt upon the earth would exult in their death1 and send gifts to one another in token of their joy2 that after the three days and a half the spirit of life from ,god would enter into them again1 and they would stand up on their feet2 that they would then be taken up into heaven1 in the sight of their enemies2 and that1 at the time of their ascension1 there would be a great earthquake1 and a tenth part of the city would fall1 and many 7seven thousand7 would be killed1 and that the remainder would be affrighted1 and would give glory to the ,god of heaven4 ,,iii4 ,the sounding of the seventh trumpet1 ver4 #adah4 ,this is the grand consummation of the whole2 the end of this series of visions2 the end of the world4 ,a rapid glance only is given of it here1 for under another series of visions a more detailed account of the state of the world is given under the final triumph of truth4 ,here1 as a proper close of the first series of visions1 the result is merely glanced at or adverted tothat then the period would have arrived when the kingdoms of the world were to become the kingdoms of the ,lord1 and of his ,christ1 and when he should commence that reign which was to continue for ever4 ,then universal peace and happiness would reign1 and the long-promised and expected kingdom of ,god on the earth would be established4 ,the 8nations0 had been 8angry10 but the time had now come when a judgment was to be pronounced on the dead1 and when the due reward was to be given to the servants of ,godthe prophets1 and the saints1 and those who feared his name1 small and greatin the establishment of a permanent kingdom1 and the complete triumph of the true religion in the world4 ,i regard this chapter1 therefore1 to ver4 #ah1 as extending down to the consummation of all things1 and as disclosing the last of the visions seen in the scroll or volume 8sealed with the seven seals10 ch4 v4 #a4 ,for a reason above suggested1 and which will appear more fully hereafter1 the detail is here much less minute than in the earlier portions of the historic visions1 but still it embraces the whole period1 and states in few words what will be the condition of things in the end4 ,this was all that was necessary2 this was1 in fact1 the leading design of the whole book4 ,the end towards which all tendedthat which ,john needed most to know and which the church needed most to know1 was that religion would ultimately triumph1 and that the period would arrive when it could be announced that the kingdoms of this world had become the kingdoms of ,god and of his ,christ4 ,that is here announced2 and that is properly the close of one of the divisions of the whole book4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,and there was given me a #cbireed like unto a rod3 and the angel stood1 saying1 ,rise1 and #ccjmeasure the temple of ,god1 and the altar1 and them that worship therein4 #a4 ,and there was given me4 ,he does not say by whom1 but the connection would seem to imply that it was by the angel4 ,all this is of course to be regarded as symbolical4 ,the representation undoubtedly pertains to a future age1 but the language is such as would be properly addressed to one who had been a ,jew1 and the imagery employed is such as he would be more likely to understand than any other4 ,the language and the imagery are1 therefore1 taken from the temple1 but there is no reason to suppose that it had any literal reference to the temple1 or even that ,john would so understand it4 ,nor does the language here used prove that the temple was standing at the time when the book was written2 for1 as it is symbolical1 it is what would be employed whether the temple were standing or not1 and would be as likely to be used in the one case as in the other4 ,it is such language as ,john1 educated as a ,jew1 and familiar with the temple worship1 would be likely to employ if he designed to make a representation pertaining to the church4 ,a reed4 ,this word properly denotes a plant with a jointed hollow stalk1 growing in wet grounds4 ,then it refers to the stalk as cut for useas a measuring-stick1 as in this place2 or a mock sceptre1 ,mat4 xxvii4 #bi1 #cj2 or a pen for writing1 #c ,jn4 #ac4 ,here it means merely a stick that could be used for measuring4 ,like unto a rod4 ,this wordmeans properly a rod1 wand1 staff1 used either for scourging1 #a ,co4 iv4 #ba2 or for leaning upon in walking1 ,mat4 x4 #aj2 or for a sceptre1 ,he4 i4 #h4 ,here the meaning #bfh is1 that the reed that was put into his hands was like such a rod or staff in respect to size1 and was therefore convenient for handling4 ,the word rod also is used to denote a measuring-pole1 ,ps4 lxxiv4 #b2 ,je4 x4 #af2 li4 #ai4 ,and the angel stood1 saying4 ,the phrase1 8the angel stood10 is wanting in many ,,mss4 and editions of the ,new ,testament1 and is rejected by ,professor ,stuart as spurious4 ,it is also rejected in the critical editions of ,griesbach and ,hahn1 and marked as doubtful by ,tittmann4 ,the best critical authority is against it1 and it appears to have been introduced from ,zec4 iii4 #e4 ,the connection does not demand it1 and we may1 therefore1 regard the meaning to be1 that the one who gave him the reed1 whoever he was1 at the same time addressed him1 and commanded him to take a measure of the temple and the altar4 ,rise1 and measure the temple of ,god4 ,that is1 ascertain its true dimensions with the reed in your hand4 ,of course1 this could not be understood of the literal templewhether standing or notfor the exact measure of that was sufficiently well known4 ,the word1 then1 must be used of something which the temple would denote or represent1 and this would properly be the church1 considered as the abode of ,god on the earth4 ,under the old dispensation1 the temple at ,jerusalem was that abode2 under the new1 that peculiar residence was transferred to the church1 and ,god is represented as dwelling in it4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 iii4 #af4 ,thus the word is undoubtedly used here1 and the simple meaning is1 that he who is thus addressed is directed to take an accurate estimate of the true church of ,god2 as accurate as if he were to apply a measuring-reed to ascertain the dimensions of the temple at ,jerusalem4 ,in doing that1 if the direction had been literally to measure the temple at ,jerusalem1 he would ascertain its length1 and breadth1 and height2 he would measure its rooms1 its doorways1 its porticoes2 he would take such a measurement of it that1 in a description or drawing1 it could be distinguished from other edifices1 or that one could be constructed like it1 or that a just idea could be obtained of it if it should be destroyed4 ,if the direction be understood figuratively1 as applicable to the ,christian church1 the work to be done would be to obtain an exact estimate or measurement of what the true church wasas distinguished from all other bodies of men1 and as constituted and appointed by the direction of ,god2 such a measurement that its characteristics could be made known2 that a church could be organized according to this1 and that the accurate description could be transmitted to future times4 ,john has not1 indeed1 preserved the measurement2 for the main idea here is not that he was to preserve such a model1 but that1 in the circumstances1 and at the time referred to1 the proper business would be to engage in such a measurement of the church that its true dimensions or character might be known4 ,there would be1 therefore1 a fulfilment of this1 if at the time here referred to there should be occasion1 from any cause1 to inquire what constituted the true church2 if it was necessary to separate and distinguish it from all other bodies2 and if there should be any such prevailing uncertainty as to make an accurate investigation necessary4 ,and the altar4 ,on the form1 situation1 and uses of the altar1 see ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #bc1 #bd2 xxi4 #ab4 ,the altar here referred to was1 undoubtedly1 the altar situated in front of the temple1 where the daily sacrifice was offered4 ,to measure that literally1 would be to take its dimensions of length1 breadth1 and height2 but it is plain that that cannot be intended here1 for there was no such altar where ,john was1 and1 if the reference were to the altar at ,jerusalem1 its dimensions were sufficiently known4 ,this language1 then1 like the former1 must be understood metaphorically1 and then it must meanas the altar was the place of sacrificeto take an estimate of the church considered with reference to its notions of sacrifice1 or of the prevailing views respecting the sacrifice to be made for sin1 and the method of reconciliation with ,god4 ,it is by sacrifice that a method is provided for reconciliation with ,god2 by sacrifice that sin is pardoned2 by sacrifice that man is justified2 and the direction here is equivalent1 therefore1 to a command to make an investigation on these subjects1 and all that is implied would be fulfilled if a state of things should exist where it would be necessary to institute an examination into the prevailing views in the church on the subject of the atonement1 and the true method of justification before ,god4 ,and them that worship therein4 ,in the temple1 or1 as the temple is the representation here of the church1 of those who are in the church #bfi as professed worshippers of ,god4 ,there is some apparent incongruity in directing him to 8measure0 those who were engaged in worship2 but the obvious meaning is1 that he was to take a correct estimate of their character2 of what they professed2 of the reality of their piety2 of their lives1 and of the general state of the church considered as professedly worshipping ,god4 ,this would receive its fulfilment if a state of things should arise in the church which would make it necessary to go into a close and searching examination on all these points1 in order to ascertain what was the true church1 and what was necessary to constitute true membership in it4 ,there were1 therefore1 three things1 as indicated by this verse1 which ,john was directed to do1 so far as the use of the measuring-rod was concerned3 7a7 to take a just estimate of what constitutes the true church1 as distinguished from all other associations of men2 7b7 to institute a careful examination into the opinions in the church on the subject of sacrifice or atonementinvolving the whole question about the method of justification before ,god2 and 7c7 to take a correct estimate of what constitutes true membership in the church2 or to investigate with care the prevailing opinions about the qualifications for membership4 #b ,but the #cca;court which is without the temple #ccbleave out1 and measure it not2 for #ccc;it is given unto the ,gentiles3 and the holy city shall they #ccdtread under foot forty and two months4 #b4 ,but the court which is without the temple4 ,which is outside of the temple proper1 and1 therefore1 which does not strictly appertain to it4 ,there is undoubtedly reference here to the 8court of the ,gentiles10 as it was called among the ,jewsthe outer court of the temple to which the ,gentiles had access1 and within which they were not permitted to go4 ,for a description of this1 see ,notes on ,mat4 xxi4 #ab4 ,to an observer this would seem to be a part of the temple1 and the persons there assembled a portion of the true worshippers of ,god2 but it was necessarily neither the one nor the other4 ,in forming an estimate of those who1 according to the ,hebrew notions1 were true worshippers of ,god1 only those would be regarded as such who had the privilege of access to the inner court1 and to the altar4 ,in making such an estimate1 therefore1 those who had no nearer access than that court1 would be omitted2 that is1 they would not be reckoned as necessarily any part of those who were regarded as the people of ,god4 ,leave out and measure it not4 ,marg41 cast out4 ,so the ,greek4 ,the meaning is1 that he was not to reckon it as appertaining to the true temple of worshippers4 ,there is1 indeed1 a degree of force in the words rendered 8leave out10 or1 in the margin1 8cast out0 which implies more than a mere passing by1 or omission4 ,the word 77 usually has the idea of force or impulse 7,mat4 viii4 #ab2 xv4 #ag2 xxv4 #cj2 ,mar4 xvi4 #i2 ,ac4 xxvii4 #ch1 et al472 and the word here would denote some decisive or positive act by which it would be indicated that this was not any part of the true temple1 but was to be regarded as appertaining to something else4 ,he was not merely not to mention it1 or not to include it in the measurement1 but he was to do this by some act which would indicate that it was the result of design in the case1 and not by accidentally passing it by4 ,for it is given unto the ,gentiles4 ,it properly appertains to them as their own4 ,though near the temple1 and included in the general range of building1 yet it does not pertain to those who worship there1 but to those who are regarded as heathen and strangers4 ,it is not said that it was then given to the ,gentiles2 nor is it said that it was given to them to be overrun and trodden down by them1 but that it appertained to them1 and was to be regarded as belonging to them4 ,they occupied it1 not as the people of ,god1 but as those who were without the true church1 and who did not appertain to its real communion4 ,this would find a fulfilment if there should arise a state of things in the church in which it would be necessary to draw a line between those who properly constituted the church and those who did not2 if there should be such a condition of things that any considerable portion of those who professedly appertained to the church ought to be divided off as not belonging to it1 or would have such characteristic marks that it could be seen that they were strangers and aliens4 ,the interpretation would demand that they should sustain some relation to the #bgj church1 or that they would seem to belong to itas the court did to the temple2 but still that this was in appearance only1 and that in estimating the true church it was necessary to leave them out altogether4 ,of course this would not imply that there might not be some sincere worshippers among them as individualsas there would be found usually1 in the court of the ,gentiles in the literal temple1 some who were proselytes and devout worshippers1 but what is here said relates to them as a mass or bodythat they did not belong to the true church1 but to the ,gentiles4 ,and the holy city4 ,the whole holy citynot merely the outer court of the ,gentiles1 which it is said was given to them1 nor the temple as such1 but the entire holy city4 ,there is no doubt that the words 8the holy city0 literally refer to ,jerusalema city so called because it was the peculiar place of the worship of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #e2 comp4 ,ne4 xi4 #a1 #ah2 ,is4 lii4 #a2 ,da4 ix4 #bd2 ,mat4 xxvii4 #ec4 ,but it is not necessary to suppose that this is its meaning here4 ,the 8holy city10 ,jerusalem1 was regarded as sacred to ,godas his dwelling- place on earth1 and as the abode of his people1 and nothing was more natural than to use the term as representing the church4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ga4 iv4 #bf2 ,he4 xii4 #bb4 ,in this sense it is undoubtedly used here as the whole representation is emblematical4 ,john1 if he were about to speak of anything that was to occur to the church1 would1 as a native ,jew1 be likely to employ such language as this to denote it4 ,shall they tread under foot4 ,that is1 the ,gentiles above referred to2 or those who1 in the measurement of the city1 were set off as ,gentiles1 and regarded as not belonging to the people of ,god4 ,this is not spoken of the ,gentiles in general1 but only of that portion of the multitudes that seemed to constitute the worshippers of ,god1 who1 in measuring the temple1 were set off or separated as not properly belonging to the true church4 ,the phrase 8should tread under foot0 is derived from warriors and conquerors1 who tread down their enemies1 or trample on the fields of grain4 ,it is rendered in this passage by ,dr4 ,robinson 7,lex471 8to profane and lay waste40 ,as applied literally to a city1 this would be the true idea2 as applied to the church1 it would mean that they would have it under their control or in subjection for the specified time1 and that the practical effect of that would be to corrupt and prostrate it4 ,forty and two months4 ,literally this would be three years and a half2 but if the time here is prophetic timea day for a yearthen the period would be twelve hundred and sixty yearsreckoning the year at #cfj days4 ,for a full illustration of this usage1 and for the reasons for supposing that this is prophetic time1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,see also ,editor's ,preface1 p4 xxv4 ,in addition to what is there said1 it may be remarked1 in reference to this passage1 that it is impossible to show1 with any degree of probability1 that the city of ,jerusalem was 8trampled under foot0 by the ,romans for the exact space of three years and a half4 ,professor ,stuart1 who adopts the opinion that it refers to the conquest of ,jerusalem by the ,romans1 says1 indeed1 8,it is certain that the invasion of the ,romans lasted just about the length of the period named1 until ,jerusalem was taken4 ,and although the city itself was not besieged so long1 yet the metropolis in this case1 as in innumerable others in both ,testaments1 appears to stand for the country of ,juda40 ,but it is to be remembered that the affirmation here is1 that 8the holy city0 was thus to be trodden under foot2 and even taking the former supposition1 in what sense is it true that the 8whole country0 was 8trodden under foot0 by the ,romans only three years and a half8 ,even the wars of the ,romans were not of that exact duration2 and1 besides1 the fact was that ,juda was held in subjection1 and trodden down by the ,romans for centuries1 and never1 in fact1 regained its independence4 ,if this is to be literally applied to ,jerusalem1 it has been 8trodden down by the ,gentiles10 with brief intervals1 since the conquest by the ,romans1 to the present time4 ,there has been no precise period of three years and a half1 in respect to which the language here used would be applicable to the literal city of ,jerusalem4 ,in regard1 then1 to the proper application of the language which has thus been explained 7ver4 #a1 #b71 it may be remarked1 in general1 that1 for the reasons just stated1 it is not to be taken literally4 ,john could not have been directed literally to measure the temple at ,jerusalem1 and the altar1 and the worshippers2 nor could he have been #bga requested literally to leave out1 or 8cast out0 the court that was without2 nor could it be meant that the holy city literally was to be trodden under foot for three years and a half4 ,the language clearly is symbolical1 and the reference must have been to something pertaining to the church4 ,and1 if the preceding exposition of the tenth chapter is correct1 then it may be presumed that this would refer to something that was to occur at about the period there referred to4 ,regarding it1 then1 as applicable to the time of the ,reformation1 and as being a continuation of the vision in ch4 x41 we shall find1 in the events of that period1 what would be properly symbolized by the language here used4 ,this will appear by reviewing the particulars which have been explained in these verses3 7#a7 ,the command to 8measure the temple of ,god10 ver4 #a4 ,this1 we have seen1 was a direction to take an estimate of what constituted the true church2 the very work which it was necessary to do in the ,reformation1 for this was the first point which was to be settled1 whether the ,papacy was the true church or was the ,antichrist4 ,this involved1 of course1 the whole inquiry as to what constitutes the church1 alike in reference to its organization1 its ministry1 its sacraments1 and its membership4 ,it was long before the ,reformers made up their minds that the ,papacy was not the true church2 for the veneration which they had been taught to cherish for that lingered long in their bosoms4 ,and even when they were constrained to admit that that corrupt communion was the predicted form of the great apostasy,antichristand had acquired boldness enough to break away from it for ever1 it was long before they settled down in a uniform belief as to what was essential to the true church4 ,indeed1 the differences of opinion which prevailed1 the warm discussions which ensued1 and the diversities of sect which sprang up in the ,protestant world1 showed with what intense interest the mind was fixed on this question1 and how important it was to take an exact measurement of the real church of ,god4 7#b7 ,the direction to 8measure the altar40 ,this1 as we have seen1 would relate to the prevailing opinions on the subject of sacrifice and atonement2 on the true method of a sinner's acceptance with ,god2 and1 consequently1 on the whole subject of justification4 ,as a matter of fact1 it need not be said that this was one of the first questions which came before the ,reformers1 and was one which it was indispensable to settle1 in order to a just notion of the church and of the way of salvation4 ,the ,papacy had exalted the ,lord's supper into a real sacrifice2 had made it a grand and essential point that the bread and wine were changed into the real body and blood of the ,lord1 and that a real offering of that sacrifice was made every time that ordinance was celebrated2 had changed the office of the ministers of the ,new ,testament from preachers to that of priests2 had become familiar with the terms altar1 and sacrifice1 and priesthood1 as founded on the notion that a real sacrifice was made in the 8mass20 and had fundamentally changed the whole doctrine respecting the justification of a sinner before ,god4 ,the altar in the ,romish communion had almost displaced the pulpit2 and the doctrine of justification by the merits of the great sacrifice made by the death of our ,lord1 had been superseded by the doctrine of justification by good works1 and by the merits of the saints4 ,it became necessary1 therefore1 to restore the true doctrine respecting sacrifice for sin1 and the way of justification before ,god2 and this would be appropriately represented by a direction to 8measure the altar40 7#c7 ,the direction to take an estimate of those 8who worshipped in the temple40 ,this1 as we have seen1 would properly mean that there was to be a true estimate taken of what constituted membership in the church1 or of the qualifications of those who should be regarded as true worshippers of ,god4 ,this1 also1 was one of the first works necessary to be done in the ,reformation4 ,before that1 for ages1 the doctrine of baptismal regeneration had been the established doctrine of the church2 that all that was necessary to membership was baptism and confirmation1 was the common opinion2 the necessity of regeneration by the influences of the ,holy ,spirit1 as a condition of church membership1 was little understood1 if not almost wholly unknown2 and the grand requisition in membership was not holy living1 but the observance of the rites and ceremonies of the church4 ,one of the first things necessary in the ,reformation was to restore to its true place the doctrine laid down by the ,saviour1 that a change #bgb of heartthat regeneration by the ,holy ,ghostwas necessary to membership in the church1 and that the true church was composed of those who had been thus renewed in the spirit of their mind4 ,this great work would be appropriately symbolized by a direction to take an estimate of those who 8worshipped in the temple of ,god20 that is1 to settle the question who should be regarded as true worshippers of ,god1 and what should be required of those who professed to be such worshippers4 ,no more important point was settled in the ,reformation than this4 7#d7 ,the direction to leave out1 or to 8cast out0 the court without the temple4 ,this1 as we have seen1 would properly mean that a separation was to be made between that which was the true church and that which was not1 though it might seem to belong to it4 ,the one was to be measured or estimated2 the other was to be left out1 as not appertaining to that1 or as belonging to the ,gentiles1 or to heathenism4 ,the idea would be1 that though it professedly appertained to the true church1 and to the worship of ,god1 yet that it deserved to be characterized as heathenism4 ,now this will apply with great propriety1 according to all ,protestant notions1 to the manner in which the ,papacy was regarded by the ,reformers1 and should be regarded at all times4 ,it claimed to be the true church1 and to the eye of an observer would seem to belong to it1 as much as the outer court seemed to pertain to the temple4 ,but it had the essential characteristics of heathenism1 and was1 therefore1 properly to be left out1 or cast out1 as not pertaining to the true church4 ,can anyone doubt the truth of this representation as applicable to the ,papacy8 ,almost everything that was peculiar in the ancient heathen systems of religion had been introduced into the ,roman communion2 and a stranger at ,rome would see more that would lead him to feel that he was in a heathen land1 than he would that he was in a land where the pure doctrines of ,christianity prevailed1 and where the worship was celebrated which the ,redeemer had designed to set up on the earth4 ,this was true not only in the pomp and splendour of worship1 and in the processions and imposing ceremonials2 but in the worship of images1 in the homage rendered to the dead1 in the number of festival days1 in the fact that the statues reared in heathen ,rome to the honour of the gods had been reconsecrated in the service of ,christian devotion to the apostles1 saints1 and martyrs2 and in the robes of the ,christian priesthood1 derived from those in use in the ancient heathen worship4 ,the direction was1 that1 in estimating the true church1 this was to be 8left out10 or 8cast out20 and1 if this interpretation is correct1 the meaning is1 that the ,roman ,catholic communion1 as an organized body1 is to be regarded as no part of the true churcha conclusion which is inevitable1 if the passages of ,scripture which are commonly supposed by ,protestants to apply to it are correctly applied4 ,to determine this1 and to separate the true church from it1 was no small part of the work of the ,reformation4 7#e7 ,the statement that the holy city was to be trodden under foot1 ver4 #b4 ,this1 as we have seen1 must mean that the true church would thus be trodden down by those who are described as 8,gentiles40 ,so far as pure religion was concerned2 so far as appertained to the real condition of the church1 and the pure worship of ,god1 it would be as if the whole holy city where ,god was worshipped were given into the hands of the ,gentiles1 and they should tread it down1 and desecrate all that was sacred for the time here referred to4 ,everything in ,rome at the time of the ,reformation would sustain this description4 8,it is incredible10 says ,luther1 on his visit to ,rome1 8what sins and atrocities are committed in ,rome2 they must be seen and heard to be believed4 ,so that it is usual to say3 #8,if there be a hell1 ,rome is built above it2 it is an abyss from which all sins proceed4'0 ,so again he says3 8,it is commonly observed that he who goes to ,rome for the first time1 goes to seek a knave there2 the second time he finds him2 and the third time he brings him away with him under his cloak4 ,but now1 people are become so clever1 that they make the three journeys in one40 ,so ,machiavelli1 one of the most profound geniuses in ,italy1 and himself a ,roman ,catholic1 said1 8,the greatest symptom of the approaching ruin of ,christianity is1 that the nearer we approach the capital of ,christendom1 the less do we find of the ,christian spirit of the people4 ,the scandalous example and crimes of the court of ,rome have caused ,italy to lose every principle of piety and every religious sentiment4#bgc ,we ,italians are principally indebted to the church and to the priests for having become impious and profane40 ,see ,d',aubign's ,history of the ,reformation1 p4 #ed1 ed4 ,phila4 #ahdc4 ,in full illustration of the sentiment that the church seemed to be trodden down and polluted by heathenism1 or by abominations and practices that came out of heathenism1 we may refer to the general history of the ,romish communion from the rise of the ,papacy to the ,reformation4 ,for a sufficient illustration to justify the application of the passage before us which ,i am now making1 the reader may be referred to the ,notes on ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba4 ,nothing would better describe the condition of ,rome previous to and at the time of the ,reformationand the remark may be applied to subsequent periods alsothan to say that it was a city which once seemed to be a ,christian city1 and was not improperly regarded as the centre of the ,christian world and the seat of the church1 and that it had been1 as it were1 overrun and trodden down by heathen rites and customs and ceremonies1 so that1 to a stranger looking on it1 it would seem to be in the possession of the 8,gentiles0 or the heathens4 7#f7 ,the time during which this was to continue8forty-two months20 that is1 according to the explanation above given1 twelve hundred and sixty years4 ,this would embrace the whole period of the ascendency and prevalence of the ,papacy1 or the whole time of the continuance of that corrupt domination in which ,christendom was to be trodden down and corrupted by it4 ,the prophet of ,patmos saw it in vision thus extending its dreary and corrupting reign1 and during that time the proper influence of ,christianity was trampled down1 and the domination of practical heathenism was set up where the church should have reigned in its purity4 ,thus regarded1 this would properly express the time of the ascendency of the ,papal power1 and the end of the 8forty-two months10 or twelve hundred and sixty years1 would denote the time when the influence of that power would cease4 ,if1 therefore1 the time of the rise of the ,papacy can be determined1 it will not be difficult to determine the time when it will come to an end4 ,but for a full consideration of these points the reader is referred to the extended discussion on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,see also ,editor's ,preface1 p4 xxv4 ,as the point is there fully examined it is unnecessary to go into an investigation of it here4 ,the general remark1 therefore1 in regard to this passage 7ver4 #a1 #b7 is1 that it refers to what would be necessary to be done at the ,reformation in order to determine what is the true church and what are the doctrines on which it is based2 and to the fact that the ,romish communion1 to which the church had been given over for a definite time1 was to be set aside as not being the true church of ,christ4 #c ,and ,i will #cce;give power unto my #ccftwo #ccgwitnesses1 and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days1 #cch;clothed in sackcloth4 #c4 ,and ,i will give power unto my two witnesses4 ,in respect to this important passage 7ver4 #cac7 ,i propose to pursue the same method which ,i have pursued all along in this exposition3 first1 to examine the meaning of the words and phrases in the symbol1 with a purpose to ascertain the fair signification of the symbols2 and1 secondly1 to inquire into the applicationthat is1 to inquire whether any events have occurred which1 in respect to their character and to the time of their occurrence1 can be shown to be a fair fulfilment of the language4 ,and ,i will give power4 ,the word 8power0 is not in the original4 ,the ,greek is simply1 8,i will give0that is1 ,i will grant to my two witnesses the right or the power of prophesying during the time specifiedcorrectly expressed in the margin1 8give unto my two witnesses that they may prophesy40 ,the meaning is not that he would send two witnesses to prophesy1 but rather that these were in fact such 8witnesses10 and that he would during that time permit them to exercise their prophetic gifts1 or give them the privilege and the strength to enunciate the truth which they were commissioned to communicate as his 8witnesses0 to mankind4 ,some word1 then1 like power1 privilege1 opportunity1 or boldness1 it is necessary to supply in order to complete the sense4 ,unto my two witnesses4 ,the word 8two0 evidently denotes that the number would be small2 and yet it is not necessary to confine it literally to two persons1 or to two societies or communities4 ,perhaps the meaning is1 that #bgd as1 under the law1 two witnesses were required1 and were enough1 to establish any fact 7,notes on ,jn4 viii4 #ag71 such a number would during those times be preserved from apostasy as would be sufficient to keep up the evidence of truth2 to testify against the prevailing abominations1 errors1 and corruptions2 to show what was the real church1 and to bear a faithful witness against the wickedness of the world4 ,the law of ,moses required that there should be two witnesses on a trial1 and this1 under that law1 was deemed a competent number4 ,see ,num4 xxxv4 #cj2 ,de4 xvii4 #f2 xix4 #ae2 ,mat4 xviii4 #af2 ,jn4 v4 #cjcc4 ,the essential meaning of this passage then is1 that there would be a competent number of witnesses in the case2 that is1 as many as would be regarded as sufficient to establish the points concerning which they would testify1 with perhaps the additional idea that the number would be small4 ,there is no reason for limiting it strictly to two persons1 or for supposing that they would appear in pairs1 two and two2 nor is it necessary to suppose that it refers particularly to two people or nations4 ,the word rendered witnessesis that from which we have derived the word martyr4 ,it means properly one who bears testimony1 either in a judicial sense 7,mat4 xviii4 #af2 xxvi4 #fe71 or one who can in any way testify to the truth of what he has seen and known1 ,lu4 xxiv4 #dh2 ,ro4 i4 #i2 ,phi4 i4 #h2 #a ,th4 ii4 #aj2 #a ,ti4 vi4 #ab4 ,then it came to be employed in the sense in which the word martyr is nowto denote one who1 amidst great sufferings or by his death1 bears witness to the truth2 that is1 one who is so confident of the truth1 and so upright1 that he will rather lay down his life than deny the truth of what he has seen and known1 ,acts xxii4 #bj2 ,rev4 ii4 #ac4 ,in a similar sense it comes to denote one who is so thoroughly convinced on a subject that it is not susceptible of being seen and heard1 or who is so attached to one that he is willing to lay down his life as the evidence of his conviction and attachment4 ,the word1 as used here1 refers to those who1 during this period of 8forty and two months10 would thus be witnesses for ,christ in the world2 that is1 who would bear their testimony to the truth of his religion1 to the doctrines which he had revealed1 and to what was required of manwho would do this amidst surrounding error and corruption1 and when exposed to persecutions and trials on account of their belief4 ,it is not uncommon in the ,scriptures to represent the righteous as witnesses for ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xliii4 #aj1 #ab2 xliv4 #h4 ,and they shall prophesy4 ,the word prophesy does not necessarily mean that they would predict future events2 but the sense is1 that they would give utterance to the truth as ,god had revealed it4 ,see ,notes on ch4 x4 #aa4 ,the sense here is1 that they would in some public manner hold up or maintain the truth before the world4 ,a thousand two hundred and threescore days4 ,the same period as the forty and two months 7ver4 #b71 though expressed in a different form4 ,reckoning a day for a year1 this period would be twelve hundred and sixty years1 or the same as the 8time and times and the dividing of time0 in ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,see ,notes on that place2 also ,editor's ,preface4 ,the meaning of this would be1 therefore1 that during that long period1 in which it is said that 8the holy city would be trodden under foot10 there would be those who might be properly called 8witnesses0 for ,god1 and who would be engaged in holding up his truth before the world2 that is1 there would be no part of that period in which there would not be found some to whom this appellation could with propriety be given4 ,though the 8holy city0the churchwould seem to be wholly trodden down1 yet there would be a few at least who would assert the great doctrines of true godliness4 ,clothed in sackcloth4 ,sackclothwas properly a coarse black cloth commonly made of hair1 used for sacks1 for straining1 and for mourning garments4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #ab2 ,is4 iii4 #bd2 and ,mat4 xi4 #ba4 ,here it is an emblem of mourning2 and the idea is1 that they would prophesy in the midst of grief4 ,this would indicate that the time would be one of calamity1 or that1 in doing this1 there would be occasion for their appearing in the emblems of grief1 rather than in robes expressive of joy4 ,the most natural interpretation of this is1 that there would be but few who could be regarded as true witnesses for ,god in the world1 and that they would be exposed to persecution4 #d ,these are the #ccitwo olive-trees1 and the two #cdj;candlesticks standing before the ,god of the earth4 #d4 ,these are the two olive-trees4 ,these #bge are represented by the two olive-trees1 or these are what are symbolized by the two olive-trees4 ,there can be little doubt that there is an allusion here to ,zec4 iv4 #c1 #aa1 #ad1 though the imagery is in some respects changed4 ,the prophet 7,zec4 iv4 #b1 #c7 saw in vision 8a candlestick all of gold1 with a bowl upon the top of it1 and his seven lamps thereon1 and seven pipes to the seven lamps1 which were upon the top thereof2 and two olive-trees by it1 one upon the right side of the bowl1 and the other upon the left side thereof40 ,these two 8olive branches0 were subsequently declared 7ver4 #ad7 to be 8the two anointed ones1 that stand by the ,lord of the whole earth40 ,the olive-trees1 or olive-branches 7ver4 #ab71 appear in the vision of the prophet to have been connected with the ever-burning lamp by golden pipes2 and as the olive-tree produced the oil used by the ancients in their lamps1 these trees are represented as furnishing a constant supply of oil through the golden pipes to the candlestick1 and thus they become emblematic of the supply of grace to the church4 ,john uses this emblem1 not in the sense exactly in which it was employed by the prophet1 but to denote that these two 8witnesses10 which might be compared with the two olive-trees1 would be the means of supplying grace to the church4 ,as the olive-tree furnished oil for the lamps1 the two trees here would seem properly to denote ministers of religion2 and as there can be no doubt that the candlesticks1 or lamp- bearers1 denote churches1 the sense would appear to be that it was through the pastors of the churches that the oil of grace which maintained the brightness of those mystic candlesticks1 or the churches1 was conveyed4 ,the image is a beautiful one1 and expresses a truth of great importance to the world2 for ,god has designed that the lamp of piety shall be kept burning in the churches by truth supplied through ministers and pastors4 ,and the two candlesticks4 ,the prophet ,zechariah saw but one such candlestick or lamp-bearer2 ,john here saw twoas there are two 8witnesses0 referred to4 ,in the vision described in ch4 i4 #ab1 he saw sevenrepresenting the seven churches of ,asia4 ,for an explanation of the meaning of the symbol1 see ,notes on that verse4 ,standing before the ,god of the earth4 ,so ,zec4 iv4 #ad1 8,these be the two anointed ones1 that stand by the ,lord of the whole earth40 ,the meaning is1 that they stood1 as it were1 in the very presence of ,godas1 in the tabernacle and temple1 the golden candlestick stood 8before0 the ark on which was the symbol of the divine presence1 though separated from it by a veil4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #ac4 ,this representation1 that the ministers of religion 8stand before the ,lord10 is one that is not uncommon in the ,bible4 ,thus it is said of the priests and ,levites3 8,the ,lord separated the tribe of ,levi1 to stand before the ,lord1 to minister unto him1 and to bless his name10 ,de4 x4 #h2 comp4 xviii4 #g4 ,the same thing is said of the prophets1 as in the cases of ,elijah and ,elisha3 8,as the ,lord liveth1 before whom ,i stand10 #a ,ki4 xvii4 #a2 also1 xviii4 #ae2 #b ,ki4 iii4 #ad2 v4 #af2 comp4 ,je4 xv4 #ai4 ,the representation is1 that they ministered1 as it were1 constantly in his presence1 and under his eye4 #e ,and if any man will hurt them1 #cda;fire proceedeth out of their mouth1 and devoureth their enemies3 and if any man will hurt them1 #cdb;he must in this manner be killed4 #e4 ,and if any man will hurt them4 ,this implies that there would be those who would be disposed to injure or wrong them2 that is1 that they would be liable to persecution4 ,the word 8will0 is here more than the mere sign of the future2 it denotes intention1 purpose1 design8if any man wills or purposes to injure them40 ,see a similar use of the word in #a ,ti4 vi4 #i4 ,the word hurt here means to do injury or injusticeand may refer to wrong in any formwhether in respect to their character1 opinions1 persons1 or property4 ,the general sense is1 that there would be those who would be disposed to do them harm1 and we should naturally look for the fulfilment of this in some form of persecution4 ,fire proceedeth out of their mouth4 ,it is1 of course1 not necessary that this should be taken literally4 ,the meaning is1 that they would have the power of destroying their enemies as if fire should proceed out of their mouth2 that is1 their words would be like burning coals or flames4 ,there may possibly be an allusion here to #b ,ki4 i4 #ajad1 where #bgf it is said that ,elijah commanded the fire to descend from heaven to consume those who were sent to take him 7comp4 ,lu4 ix4 #ed72 but in that case ,elijah commanded the fire to come 8from heaven20 here it proceedeth 8out of the mouth40 ,the allusion here1 therefore1 is to the denunciations which they would utter1 or the doctrines which they would preach1 and which would have the same effect on their enemies as if they breathed forth fire and flame4 ,so ,je4 v4 #ad1 8,because ye speak this word1 ,behold1 ,i will make my words in thy mouth fire and this people wood1 and it shall devour them40 ,and devoureth their enemies4 ,the word devour is often used with reference to fire1 which seems to eat up or consume what is in its way1 or to feed on that which it destroys4 ,this is the sense of the word here8to eat down1 to swallow down1 to devour40 ,comp4 ch4 xx4 #i2 ,sept4 ,is4 xxix4 #f2 ,joel ii4 #e2 ,le4 x4 #b4 ,as there is no reason to believe that there would be literal fire1 so it is not necessary to suppose that their enemies would be literally devoured or consumed4 ,the meaning is fulfilled if their words should in any way produce an effect on their enemies similar to what is produced by fire3 that is1 if it should destroy their influence2 if it should overcome and subdue them2 if it should annihilate their domination in the world4 ,and if any man will hurt them4 ,this is repeated in order to make the declaration more intensive1 and also to add another thought about the effect of persecuting and injuring them4 ,he must in this manner be killed4 ,that is1 in the manner specifiedby fire4 ,it does not mean that he would be killed in the same manner in which the 8witnesses0 were killed1 but in the method specified beforeby the fire that should proceed out of their mouth4 ,the meaning is1 undoubtedly1 that they would have power to bring down on them divine vengeance or punishment1 so that there would be a just retaliation for the wrongs done them4 #f ,these#cdc have power to shut heaven1 that it rain not in the days of their prophecy3 and have #cddpower over waters to turn them to blood1 and to smite the earth with all plagues1 as often as they will4 #f4 ,these have power to shut heaven4 ,that is1 so far as rain is concernedfor this is immediately specified4 ,there is probably a reference here to an ancient opinion that the rain was kept in the clouds of heaven as in reservoirs or bottles1 and that when they were opened it rained2 when they were closed it ceased to rain4 ,so ,job1 8,he bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds1 and the cloud is not rent under them10 xxvi4 #h4 8,which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly10 ,job xxxvi4 #bh4 8,who can number the clouds in wisdom8 or who can stay the bottles of heaven80 ,job xxxviii4 #cg2 comp4 ,ge4 i4 #g2 vii4 #ab2 viii4 #b2 #b ,ki4 vii4 #b4 ,to shut or close up the heavens1 therefore1 is to restrain the rain from descending1 or to produce a drought4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ja4 v4 #ag4 ,that it rain not in the days of their prophecy4 ,in the time when they prophesy4 ,probably the allusion here is to what is said of ,elijah1 #a ,ki4 xvii4 #a4 ,this would properly refer to some miraculous power2 but still it may be used to denote merely that they would be clothed with the power of causing blessings to be withheld from men1 as if rain were withheld2 that is1 that in consequence of the calamities that would be brought upon them1 and the persecutions which they would endure1 ,god would bring judgments upon men as if they were clothed with this power4 ,the language1 therefore1 it seems to me1 does not necessarily imply that they would have the power of working miracles4 ,and have power over waters to turn them to blood4 ,the allusion here is doubtless to what occurred in ,egypt1 ,ex4 vii4 #ag4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,re4 viii4 #h4 ,this1 too1 would literally denote the power of working a miracle2 but still it is not absolutely necessary to suppose that this is intended4 ,anything that would be represented by turning waters into blood1 would correspond with all that is necessarily implied in the language4 ,if any great calamity should occur in consequence of what was done to them that would be properly represented by turning the waters into blood so that they could not be used1 and that was so connected with the treatment which they received as to appear to be a judgment of heaven on that account1 or that would appear to have come upon the world in consequence of their imprecations1 it would be all that is necessarily implied in this language4 ,and to #bgg smite the earth with all plagues4 ,all kinds of plague or calamity2 disease1 pestilence1 famine1 flood1 c4 ,the word plaguewhich means1 properly1 stroke1 stripe1 blow1 would include any or all of these4 ,the meaning here is1 that great calamities would follow the manner in which they were treated1 as if the power were lodged in their hands4 ,as often as they will4 ,so that it would seem that they could exercise this power as they pleased4 #g ,and when they shall have finished their testimony #cdethe beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall #cdfmake war against them1 and shall overcome them1 and kill them4 #g4 ,and when they shall have finished their testimony4 ,professor ,stuart renders this1 8,and whenever they shall have finished their testimony40 ,the reference is undoubtedly to a period when they should have faithfully borne the testimony which they were appointed to bear4 ,the word here rendered 8shall have finished01 from means properly to end1 to finish1 to complete1 to accomplish4 ,it is used1 in this respect1 in two senseseither in regard to time or in regard to the end or object in view1 in the sense of perfecting it1 or accomplishing it4 ,in the former sense it is employed in such passages as the following38,till the thousand years should be fulfilled10 ,re4 xx4 #c4 8,ye shall not have gone over the cities of ,israel ,gr41 ye shall not have finished the cities of ,israel till the ,son of man be come10 ,mat4 x4 #bc2 that is1 ye shall not have finished passing through them4 8,when ,jesus had made an end ,gr41 finished of commanding his twelve disciples10 ,mat4 xi4 #a4 8,i have finished my course10 #b ,ti4 iv4 #g4 ,in these passages it clearly refers to time4 ,in the other sense it is used in such places as the following38,and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature1 if it fulfil the law10 ,ro4 ii4 #bg2 that is1 if it accomplish or come up to the demands of the law4 8,if ye fulfil the royal law according to the scriptures10 ,ja4 ii4 #h4 ,the word1 then1 may here refer not to time1 meaning that these events would occur at the end of the 8thousand two hundred and threescore days10 but to the fact that what is here stated would occur when they had completed their testimony in the sense of having testified all that they were appointed to testify2 that is1 when they had borne full witness for ,god1 and fully uttered his truth4 ,thus understood1 the meaning here may be that the event here referred to would take place1 not at the end of the #abfj years1 but at that period during the #abfj years when it could be said with propriety that they had accomplished their testimony in the world1 or that they had borne full and ample witness on the points intrusted to them4 ,the beast4 ,this is the first time in the book of ,revelation in which what is here called 8the beast0 is mentioned1 and which has so important an agency in the events which it is said would occur4 ,it is repeatedly mentioned in the course of the book1 and always with similar characteristics1 and as referring to the same object4 ,here it is mentioned as 8ascending out of the bottomless pit20 in ch4 xiii4 #a1 as 8rising up out of the sea20 in ch4 xiii4 #aa1 as 8coming up out of the earth40 ,it is also mentioned with characteristics appropriate to such an origin1 in ch4 xiii4 #bd 7twice71 #aa1 #ab 7twice71 #ad 7twice71 #ae 7twice71 #ag1 #ah2 xiv4 #i1 #aa2 xv4 #b2 xvi4 #b1 #aj1 #ac2 xvii4 #c1 #g1 #h 7twice71 #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 #af1 #ag2 xix4 #ai1 #bj 7twice72 xx4 #d1 #dj4 ,the word here usedmeans properly a beast1 a wild beast1 ,mar4 i4 #ac2 ,ac4 x4 #ab2 xi4 #f2 xxviii4 #d1 #e2 ,he4 xii4 #bj2 ,ja4 iii4 #g2 ,re4 vi4 #h4 ,it is once used tropically of brutal or savage men1 ,tit4 i4 #ab4 ,elsewhere1 in the passages above referred to in the ,apocalypse1 it is used symbolically4 ,as employed in the book of ,revelation1 the characteristics of the 8beast0 are strongly marked4 7a7 ,it has its origin from beneathin the bottomless pit2 the sea2 the earth1 ch4 xi4 #g2 xiii4 #a1 #aa4 7b7 ,it has great power1 ch4 xiii4 #d1 #ab2 xvii4 #ab1 #ac4 7c7 ,it claims and receives worship1 ch4 xiii4 #c1 #ab1 #ad1 #ae2 xiv4 #i1 #aa4 7d7 ,it has a certain 8seat0 or throne from whence its power proceeds1 ch4 xvi4 #aj4 7e7 ,it is of scarlet colour1 ch4 xvii4 #c4 7f7 ,it receives power conferred upon it by the kings of the earth1 ch4 xvii4 #ac4 7g7 ,it has a mark by which it is known1 ch4 xiii4 #ag2 xix4 #bj4 7h7 ,it has a certain 8number20 that is1 there are certain mystical letters or figures which so express its name that it may be known1 ch4 xiii4 #ag1 #ah4 ,these things serve to characterize the 8beast0 as distinguished from all other things1 and they are so numerous and definite1 #bgh that it would seem to have been intended to make it easy to understand what was meant when the power referred to should appear4 ,in regard to the origin of the imagery here1 there can be no reasonable doubt that it is to be traced to ,daniel1 and that the writer here means to describe the same 8beast0 which ,daniel refers to in ch4 vii4 #g4 ,the evidence of this must be clear to anyone who will compare the description in ,daniel 7ch4 vii47 with the minute details in the book of ,revelation4 ,no one1 ,i think1 can doubt that ,john means to carry forward the description in ,daniel1 and to apply it to new manifestations of the same great and terrific powerthe power of the fourth monarchyon the earth4 ,for full evidence that the representation in ,daniel refers to the ,roman power prolonged and perpetuated in the ,papal dominion1 ,i must refer the reader to the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,it may be assumed here that the opinion there defended is correct1 and consequently it may be assumed that the 8beast0 of this book refers to the ,papal power4 ,that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #a4 ,this would properly mean that its origin is the nether world2 or that it will have characteristics which will show that it was from beneath4 ,the meaning clearly is1 that what was symbolized by the beast would have such characteristics as to show that it was not of divine origin1 but had its source in the world of darkness1 sin1 and death4 ,this1 of course1 could not represent the true church1 or any civil government that is founded on principles which ,god approves4 ,but if it represent a community pretending to be a church1 it is an apostate church2 if a civil community1 it is a community the characteristics of which are that it is controlled by the spirit that rules over the world beneath4 ,for reasons which we shall see in abundance in applying the descriptions which occur of the 8beast10 ,i regard this as referring to that great apostate power which occupies so much of the prophetic descriptionsthe ,papacy4 ,shall make war against them4 ,will endeavour to exterminate them by force4 ,this clearly is not intended to be a general statement that they would be persecuted1 but to refer to the particular manner in which the opposition would be conducted4 ,it would be in the form of 8war20 that is1 there would be an effort to destroy them by arms4 ,and shall overcome them4 ,shall gain the victory over them2 conquer them 4 ,that is1 there will be some signal victory in which those represented by the two witnesses will be subdued4 ,and kill them4 ,that is1 an effect would be produced as if they were put to death4 ,they would be overcome2 would be silenced2 would be apparently dead4 ,any event that would cause them to cease to bear testimony1 as if they were dead1 would be properly represented by this4 ,it would not be necessary to suppose that there would be literally death in the case1 but that there would be some event which would be well represented by deathsuch as an entire suspension of their prophesying in consequence of force4 #h ,and their #cdg;dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city1 which spiritually is called #cdh,sodom and #cdi;,egypt1 where also our ,lord was crucified4 #h4 ,and their dead bodies shall lie in the street4 ,professor ,stuart1 8,shall be in the street40 ,the words 8shall lie0 are supplied by the translators1 but not improperly4 ,the literal rendering would be1 8and their corpses upon the street of the great city20 and the meaning is1 that there would be a state of things in regard to them which would be well represented by supposing them to lie unburied4 ,to leave a body unburied is to treat it with contempt1 and among the ancients nothing was regarded as more dishonourable than such treatment4 ,see the ,ajax of ,sophocles4 ,among the ,jews also it was regarded as a special indignity to leave the dead unburied1 and hence they are always represented as deeply solicitous to secure the interment of their dead4 ,see ,ge4 xxiii4 #d4 ,comp4 #b ,sa4 xxi4 #iac2 ,ec4 vi4 #c2 ,is4 xiv4 #ahbj2 xxii4 #af2 liii4 #i4 ,the meaning here is1 that1 for the time specified1 those who are here referred to would be treated with indignity and contempt4 ,in the fulfilment of this1 we are not1 of course1 to look for any literal accomplishment of what is here said1 but for some treatment of the 8witnesses0 which would be well represented by this2 that is1 which would show that they were treated1 after they were silenced1 like unburied corpses putrefying in the sun4 ,of #bgi the great city4 ,where these transactions would occur4 ,as a great city would be the agent in putting them to death1 so the result would be as if they were publicly exposed in its streets4 ,the word 8great0 here supposes that the city referred to would be distinguished for its sizea circumstance of some importance in determining the place referred to4 ,which spiritually is called4 ,this word occurs only in one other place in the ,new ,testament1 #a ,co4 ii4 #ad1 8because they are spiritually discerned0where it means1 8in accordance with the ,holy ,spirit10 or 8through the aid of the ,holy ,spirit40 ,here it seems to be used in the sense of metaphorically1 or allegorically1 in contradistinction from the literal and real name4 ,there may possibly be an intimation here that the city is so called by the ,holy ,spirit to designate its real character1 but still the essential meaning is1 that that was not its literal name4 ,for some reason the real name is not given to it2 but such descriptions are applied as are designed to leave no doubt as to what is intended4 ,sodom4 ,sodom was distinguished for its wickedness1 and especially for that vice to which its abominations have given name4 ,for the character of ,sodom1 see ,ge4 xviii41 xix4 ,comp4 #b ,pe4 ii4 #f4 ,in inquiring what 8city0 is here referred to1 it would be necessary to find in it such abominations as characterized ,sodom1 or so much wickedness that it would be proper to call it ,sodom4 ,if it shall be found that this was designed to refer to ,papal ,rome1 no one can doubt that the abominations which prevailed there would justify such an appellation4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba4 ,and ,egypt4 ,that is1 it would have such a character that the name ,egypt might be properly given to it4 ,egypt is known in the ,scriptures as the land of oppressionthe land where the ,israelites1 the people of ,god1 were held in cruel bondage4 ,comp4 ,ex4 i4xv4 ,see also ,eze4 xxiii4 #h4 ,the particular idea1 then1 which seems to be conveyed here is1 that the 8city0 referred to would be characterized by acts of oppression and wrong towards the people of ,god4 ,so far as the language is concerned1 it might apply either to ,jerusalem or to ,romefor both were eminently characterized by such acts of oppression toward the true children of ,god as to make it proper to compare their cruelties with those which were inflicted on the ,israelites by the ,egyptians4 ,of whichever of these places the course of the exposition may require us to understand this1 it will be seen at once that the language is such as is strictly applicable to either2 though1 as the reference is rather to ,christians than to the ancient people of ,god1 it must be admitted that it would be most natural to refer it to ,rome4 ,more acts authorizing persecution1 and designed to crush the true people of ,god1 have gone forth from ,rome than from any other city on the face of the earth2 and taking the history of the church together1 there is no place that would be so properly designated by the term here employed4 ,where also our ,lord was crucified4 ,if this refers to ,jerusalem1 it is to be taken literally2 if to another city1 it is to be understood as meaning that he was practically crucified there3 that is1 that the treatment of his friendshis churchwas such that it might be said that he was 8crucified afresh0 there2 for what is done to his church may be said to be done to him4 ,either of these interpretations would be justified by the use of the language4 ,thus in ,he4 vi4 #f1 it is said of apostates from the true faith 7comp4 ,notes on the passage71 that 8they crucify to themselves the ,son of ,god afresh40 ,if the passage before us is to be taken figuratively1 the meaning is1 that acts would be performed which might properly be represented as crucifying the ,son of ,god2 that1 as he lives in his church1 the acts of perverting his doctrines1 and persecuting his people1 would be1 in fact1 an act of crucifying the ,lord again4 ,thus understood1 the language is strictly applicable to ,rome2 that is1 if it is admitted that ,john meant to characterize that city1 he has employed such language as a ,jewish ,christian would naturally use4 ,while1 therefore1 it must be admitted that the language is such as could be literally applied only to ,jerusalem1 it is still true that it is such language as might be figuratively applied to any other city strongly resembling that1 and that in this sense it would characterize ,rome above all other cities of the world4 ,the common reading of the text here is 8our ,lord02 the text now regarded as correct1 however 7,griesbach1 ,tittmann1 ,hahn71 is 8their ,lord04 ,this makes no essential difference in the sense1 except that it directs the attention more particularly to the fact that they were treated like their own ,master4 #i ,and they of the people1 and kindreds1 and tongues1 and nations1 shall #cejsee their dead bodies three days and an half1 and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves4 #bhj #i4 ,and they of the people4 ,some of the people2 a part of the people 4 ,the language is such as would be employed to describe a scene where a considerable portion of a company of people should be referred to1 without intending to include all4 ,the essential idea is1 that there would be an assemblage of different classes of people to whom their carcasses would be exposed1 and that they would come and look upon them4 ,we should expect to find the fulfilment of this in some place where1 from any cause1 a variety of people should be assembledas in some capital1 or some commercial city1 to which they would be naturally attracted4 ,shall see their dead bodies4 ,that is1 a state of things will occur as if these witnesses were put to death1 and their carcasses were publicly exposed4 ,three days and an half4 ,this might be either literally three days and a half1 or1 more in accordance with the usual style of this book1 these would be prophetic days2 that is1 three years and a half4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #e1 #ae4 ,and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves4 ,that is1 there would be a course of conduct in regard to these witnesses such as would be shown to the dead if they were not suffered to be decently interred4 ,the language used here8shall not suffer0seems to imply that there would be those who might be disposed to show them the respect evinced by interring the dead1 but that this would not be permitted4 ,this would find a fulfilment if1 in a time of persecution1 those who had borne faithful testimony were silenced and treated with dishonour1 and if there should be those who were disposed to show them respect1 but who would be prevented by positive acts on the part of their persecutors4 ,this has often been the case in persecution1 and there could be no difficulty in finding numerous instances in the history of the church to which this language would be applicable4 #aj ,and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them1 and make merry1 and shall send gifts one to another2 because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth4 #aj4 ,and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them4 ,those dwelling in the land would rejoice over their fall and ruin4 ,this cannot1 of course1 mean all who inhabit the globe2 but1 according to the usage in ,scripture1 those who dwell in the country where this would occur4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,lu4 ii4 #a4 ,we now affix to the word 8earth0 an idea which was not necessarily implied in the ,hebrew word rtz 7comp4 ,ex4 iii4 #h2 xiii4 #e2 ,de4 xix4 #b1 #aj2 xxviii4 #ab2 ,ne4 ix4 #bb2 ,ps4 xxxvii4 #i1 #aa1 #bb1 #bi2 lxvi4 #d2 ,pr4 ii4 #ba2 x4 #cj2 ,joel i4 #b72 or the ,greek word g1 comp4 ,mat4 ii4 #f1 #bj1 #ba2 xiv4 #ae2 ,ac4 vii4 #g1 #aa1 #cf1 #dj2 xiii4 #ag4 ,our word land1 as now commonly understood1 would better express the idea intended to be conveyed here2 and thus understood1 the meaning is1 that the dwellers in the country where these things would happen would thus rejoice4 ,the meaning is1 that while alive they would1 by their faithful testimony against existing errors1 excite so much hatred against themselves1 and would be so great an annoyance to the governing powers1 that there would be general exultation when the voice of their testimony should be silenced4 ,this1 too1 has been so common in the world that there would be no difficulty in applying the language here used1 or in finding events which it would appropriately describe4 ,and make merry4 ,be glad4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 xii4 #ai2 xv4 #bc4 ,the ,greek word does not necessarily denote the light-hearted mirth expressed by our word merriment1 but rather joy or happiness in general4 ,the meaning is1 that they would be filled with joy at such an event4 ,and shall send gifts one to another4 ,as expressive of their joy4 ,to send presents is a natural expression of our own happiness1 and our desire for the happiness of othersas is indicated now by 8,christmas0 and 8,new ,year's gifts40 ,comp4 also ,ne4 viii4 #ajab3 8,then he said unto them1 ,go your way1 eat the fat1 and drink the sweet1 and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared3 for this day is holy unto our ,lord3 neither be ye sorry2 for the joy of the ,lord is your #bha strength10 c4 ,see also ,es4 ix4 #aibb4 ,because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth4 ,they 8tormented0 them1 or were a source of annoyance to them1 by bearing testimony to the truth2 by opposing the prevailing errors2 and by rebuking the vices of the age3 perhaps by demanding reformation1 and by denouncing the judgment of heaven on the guilty4 ,there is no intimation that they tormented them in any other way than by the truths which they held forth4 ,see the word explained in the ,notes on #b ,pe4 ii4 #h4 #aa ,and after three days and an half the #cea,spirit of life from ,god entered into them1 and they stood upon their feet2 and great fear fell upon them which saw them4 #aa4 ,and after three days and an half4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #i4 ,the ,spirit of life from ,god4 ,the living1 or life-giving ,spirit that proceeds from ,god entered into them4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job xxxiii4 #d4 ,there is evidently allusion here to ,ge4 ii4 #g1 where ,god is spoken of as the ,author of life4 ,the meaning is1 that they would seem to come to life again1 or that effects would follow as if the dead were restored to life4 ,if1 when they had been compelled to cease from prophesying1 they should1 after the interval here denoted by three days and a half1 again prophesy1 or their testimony should be again borne to the truth as it had been before1 this would evidently be all that would be implied in the language here employed4 ,entered into them4 ,seemed to animate them again4 ,and they stood upon their feet4 ,as if they had come to life again4 ,and great fear fell upon them which saw them4 ,this would be true if those who were dead should be literally restored to life2 and this would be the effect if those who had given great annoyance by their doctrines1 and who had been silenced1 and who seemed to be dead1 should again1 as if animated anew by a divine power1 begin to prophesy1 or to proclaim their doctrines to the world4 ,the statement in the symbol is1 that those who had put them to death had been greatly troubled by these 8witnesses20 that they had sought to silence them1 and in order to this had put them to death2 that they then greatly rejoiced1 as if they would no more be annoyed by them4 ,the fact that they seemed to come to life again would1 therefore1 fill them with consternation1 for they would anticipate a renewal of their troubles1 and they would see in this fact evidence of the divine favour towards those whom they persecuted1 and reason to apprehend divine vengeance on themselves4 #ab ,and they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them1 ,come up hither4 ,and they #ceb;ascended up to heaven in a cloud2 and #cectheir enemies beheld them4 #ab4 ,and they heard a great voice from heaven4 ,some manuscripts read1 8,i heard0but the more approved reading is that of the common text4 ,john says that a voice was addressed to them calling them to ascend to heaven4 ,come up hither4 ,to heaven4 ,and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud4 ,so the ,saviour ascended1 ,ac4 i4 #i2 and so probably ,elijah1 #b ,ki4 ii4 #aa4 ,and their enemies beheld them4 ,that is1 it was done openly1 so that their enemies1 who had put them to death1 saw that they were approved of ,god1 as if they had been publicly taken up to heaven4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that this would literally occur4 ,all this is1 manifestly1 mere symbol4 ,the meaning is1 that they would triumph as if they should ascend to heaven1 and be received into the presence of ,god4 ,the sense of the whole is1 that these witnesses1 after bearing a faithful testimony against prevailing errors and sins1 would be persecuted and silenced2 that for a considerable period their voice of faithful testimony would be hushed as if they were dead2 that during that period they would be treated with contempt and scorn1 as if their unburied bodies should be exposed to the public gaze2 that there would be general exultation and joy that they were thus silenced2 that they would again revive1 as if the dead were restored to life1 and bear a faithful testimony to the truth again2 and that they would have the divine attestation in their favour1 as if they were raised up visibly and publicly to heaven4 #ac ,and the same hour was there a great earthquake1 and the tenth part#ced of the city fell1 and in the earthquake were slain #ceeof men seven thousand3 and the remnant were affrighted1 and #cef;gave glory to the ,god of heaven4 #ac4 ,and the same hour4 ,in immediate connection with their triumph4 ,was there a great earthquake4 ,an earthquake #bhb is a symbol of commotion1 agitation1 change2 of great political revolutions1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #ab4 ,the meaning here is1 that the triumph of the witnesses1 represented by their ascending to heaven1 would be followed by such revolutions as would be properly symbolized by an earthquake4 ,and the tenth part of the city fell4 ,that is1 the tenth part of that which is represented by the 8city0the persecuting power4 ,a city would be the seat and centre of the power1 and the acts of persecution would seem to proceed from it2 but the destruction1 we may suppose1 would extend to all that was represented by the persecuting power4 ,the word 8tenth0 is probably used in a general sense to denote that a considerable portion of the persecuting power would be thus involved in ruin2 that is1 that in respect to that power there would be such a revolution1 such a convulsion or commotion1 such a loss1 that it would be proper to represent it by an earthquake4 ,and in the earthquake4 ,in the convulsions consequent on what would occur to the witnesses4 ,were slain of men seven thousand4 ,marg41 as in the ,greek1 8names of men0the name being used to denote the men themselves4 ,the number here mentionedseven thousandseems to have been suggested because it would bear some proportion to the tenth part of the city which fell4 ,it is not necessary to suppose1 in seeking for the fulfilment of this1 that just seven thousand would be killed2 but the idea clearly is1 that there would be such a diminution of numbers as would be well represented by a calamity that would overwhelm a tenth part of the city1 such as the apostle had in his eye1 and a proportional number of the inhabitants4 ,the number that would be slain1 therefore1 in the convulsions and changes consequent on the treatment of the witnesses1 might be numerically much larger than seven thousand1 and might be as great as if a tenth part of all that were represented by the 8city0 should be swept away4 ,and the remnant were affrighted4 ,fear and alarm came on them in consequence of these calamities4 ,the 8remnant0 here refers to those who still remained in the 8city0that is1 to those who belonged to the community or people designed to be represented here by the city4 ,and gave glory to the ,god of heaven4 ,comp4 ,lu4 v4 #bf3 8,and they were all amazed1 and they glorified ,god1 and were filled with fear1 saying1 ,we have seen strange things to-day40 ,all that seems to be meant by this is1 that they stood in awe at what ,god was doing1 and acknowledged his power in the changes that occurred4 ,it does not mean1 necessarily1 that they would repent and become truly his friends1 but that there would be a prevailing impression that these changes were produced by his power1 and that his hand was in these things4 ,this would be fulfilled if there should be a general willingness among mankind to acknowledge ,god1 or to recognize his hand in the events referred to2 if there should be a disposition extensively prevailing to regard the 8witnesses0 as on the side of ,god1 and to favour their cause as one of truth and righteousness2 and if these convulsions should so far change public sentiment as to produce an impression that theirs was the cause of ,god4 #ad ,the #cegsecond woe is past2 and1 behold1 the third woe cometh quickly4 #ad4 ,the second woe is past4 ,that is1 the second of the three that were announced as yet to come1 ch4 viii4 #ac2 comp4 ch4 ix4 #ab4 ,and1 behold1 the third woe cometh quickly4 ,the last of the series4 ,the meaning is1 that that which was signified by the third 8woe0 would be the next1 and final event1 in order4 ,on the meaning of the word 8quickly10 see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a2 comp4 ii4 #e1 #af2 iii4 #aa2 xxii4 #g1 #ab1 #bj4 ,in reference now to the important question about the application of this portion of the book of ,revelation1 it need hardly be said that the greatest variety of opinion has prevailed among expositors4 ,it would be equally unprofitable1 humiliating1 and discouraging to attempt to enumerate all the opinions which have been held2 and ,i must refer the reader who has any desire to become acquainted with them to ,poole's ,synopsis1 in loco1 and to the copious statement of ,professor ,stuart1 ,com4 #bhc vol4 ii4 pp4 #baibbg4 ,professor ,stuart himself supposes that the meaning is1 that 8a competent number of divinely-commissioned and faithful ,christian witnesses1 endowed with miraculous powers1 should bear testimony against the corrupt ,jews1 during the last days of their commonwealth1 respecting their sins2 that they should proclaim the truths of the gospel2 and that the ,jews1 by destroying them1 would bring upon themselves an aggravated and an awful doom10 ii4 #bbf4 ,instead of attempting to examine in detail the opinions which have been held1 ,i shall rather state what seems to me to be the fair application of the language used1 in accordance with the principles pursued thus far in the exposition4 ,the inquiry is1 whether there have been any events to which this language is applicable1 or in reference to which1 if it be admitted that it was the design of the ,spirit of inspiration to describe them1 it may be supposed that such language would be employed as we find here4 ,in this inquiry it may be assumed that the preceding exposition is correct1 and the application now to be made must accord with thatthat is1 it must be found that events occurred in such times and circumstances as would be consistent with the supposition that that exposition is correct4 ,it is to be assumed1 therefore1 that ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba1 refers to the state of the ecclesiastical world after the conquest of ,constantinople by the ,turks1 and previous to the ,reformation2 that ch4 x4 refers to the ,reformation itself2 that ch4 xi4 #a1 #b1 refers to the necessity1 at the time of the ,reformation1 of ascertaining what was the true church1 of reviving the ,scripture doctrine respecting the atonement and justification1 and of drawing correct lines as to membership in the church4 ,all this has reference1 according to this interpretation1 to the state of the church while the ,papacy would have the ascendency1 or during the twelve hundred and sixty years in which it would trample down the church as if the holy city were in the hands of the ,gentiles4 ,assuming this to be the correct exposition1 then what is here said 7ver4 #cac7 must relate to that period1 for it is with reference to that same timethe period of 8a thousand two hundred and threescore days10 or twelve hundred and sixty yearsthat it is said 7ver4 #c7 the witnesses would 8prophesy10 8clothed in sackcloth40 ,if this be so1 then what is here stated 7ver4 #cac7 must be supposed to occur during the ascendency of the ,papacy1 and must mean1 in general1 that during that long period of apostasy1 darkness1 corruption1 and sin1 there would be faithful witnesses for the truth1 who1 though they were few in number1 would be sufficient to keep up the knowledge of the truth on the earth1 and to bear testimony against the prevailing errors and abominations4 ,the object of this portion of the book1 therefore1 is to describe the character of the faithful witnesses for the truth during this long period of darkness2 to state their influence2 to record their trials2 and to show what would be the ultimate result in regard to them1 when their 8testimony0 should become triumphant4 ,this general view will be seen to accord with the exposition of the previous portion of the book1 and will be sustained1 ,i trust1 by the more particular inquiry into the application of the passage to which ,i now proceed4 ,the essential points in the passage 7ver4 #cac7 respecting the 8witnesses0 are six3 7#a7 who are meant by the witnesses2 7#b7 the war made on them2 7#c7 their death2 7#d7 their resurrection2 7#e7 their reception into heaven2 and 7#f7 the consequences of their triumph in the calamity that came upon the city4 ,i4 ,who are meant by the witnesses1 ver4 #cf4 ,there are several specifications in regard to this point which it is necessary to notice4 7a7 ,the fact that1 during this long period of error1 corruption1 and sin1 there were those who were faithful witnesses for the truthmen who opposed the prevailing errors2 who maintained the great doctrines of the ,christian faith2 and who were ready to lay down their lives in defence of the truth4 ,for a full confirmation of this it would be necessary to trace the history of the church down from the rise of the ,papal power through the long lapse of the subsequent ages2 but such an examination would be far too extensive for the purpose contemplated in these ,notes1 and1 indeed1 would require a volume by itself4 ,happily1 this has already been done2 and all that is necessary now is to refer to the works where the fact here affirmed has been abundantly established4 ,in many of the histories of the church,mosheim1 ,neander1 ,milner1 ,milman1 ,geselermost ample proof may be found1 that amidst the general darkness and corruption #bhd there were those who faithfully adhered to the truth as it is in ,jesus1 and who1 amidst many sufferings1 bore their testimony against prevailing errors4 ,the investigation has been made1 also1 with special reference to an illustration of this passage1 by ,mr4 ,elliott1 ,hor ,apoca4 vol4 ii4 pp4 #aicdjf2 and although it must be admitted that some of the details are of doubtful applicability1 yet the main fact is abundantly established1 that during that long period there were 8witnesses0 for the pure truths of the gospel1 and a faithful testimony borne against the abominations and errors of the ,papacy4 ,these 8witnesses0 are divided by ,mr4 ,elliott into 7#a7 the earlier ,western witnessesembracing such men1 and their followers1 as ,serenus1 bishop of ,marseilles2 the ,anglo-,saxon church in ,england2#ceh ,agobard1 archbishop of ,lyons from ,a4,d4 #haj to #hda1 on the one side of the ,alps1 and ,claude of ,turin on the other2 ,gotteschalcus1 ,a4,d4 #hhd2 ,berenger1 ,arnold of ,brescia1 ,peter de ,bruys1 and his disciple ,henry1 and then the ,waldenses4 7#b7 ,the ,eastern1 or ,paulikian line of witnesses1 a sect deriving their origin1 about ,a4,d4 #fec1 from an ,armenian by the name of ,constantine1 who received from a deacon1 by whom he was hospitably entertained1 a present of two volumes1 very rare1 one containing the ,gospels1 and the other the ,epistles of ,paul1 and who applied himself to the formation of a new sect or church1 distinct from the ,manicheans1 and from the ,greek ,church4 ,in token of the nature of their profession1 they adopted the name by which they were ever after distinguished1 ,paulikiani1 ,paulicians1 or 8disciples of the disciple of ,paul40 ,this sect continued to bear 8testimony0 in the ,east from the time of its rise till the eleventh or twelfth centuries1 when it commenced a migration to the ,west1 where it bore the same honourable character for its attachment to the truth4 ,see ,elliott1 ii4 #bccbdf1 #bgecae4 7#c7 ,witnesses during the eleventh and twelfth centuries1 up to the time of ,peter ,waldo4 ,among these are to be noticed those who were arraigned for heresy before the councils of ,orleans1 ,arras1 ,thoulouse1 ,oxford1 and ,lombers1 in the years #ajbb1 #ajbe1 #aaai1 #aafj1 #aafe1 respectively1 and who were condemned by those councils for their departure from the doctrines held by the ,papacy4 ,for a full illustration of the doctrines held by those who were thus condemned1 and of the fact that they were 8witnesses0 for the truth1 see ,elliott1 ii4 #bdgbge4 7#d7 ,the ,waldenses and ,albigenses4 ,the nature of the testimony borne by these persecuted people is so well known that it is not necessary to dwell on the subject2 and a full statement of their testimony would require the entire transcription of their history4 ,no ,protestant will doubt that they were 8witnesses0 for the truth1 or that from the time of their rise1 through all the periods of their persecution1 they bore full and honourable testimony to the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,the general ground of this claim to be regarded as ,apocalyptic witnesses1 will be seen from the following summary statements of their doctrines4 ,those statements are found in a work called ,the ,noble ,lesson1 written within some twenty years of #aagj4 ,the treatise begins in this manner3 8,o brethren1 hear a ,noble ,lesson4 ,we ought always to watch and pray10 c4 ,in this treatise the following doctrines are drawn out1 says ,mr4 ,elliott1 8with much simplicity and beauty3 the origin of sin in the fall of ,adam2 its transmission to all men1 and the offered redemption from it through the death of ,jesus ,christ2 the union and co-operation of the three persons of the blessed ,trinity in man's salvation2 the obligation and spirituality of the moral law under the gospel2 the duties of prayer1 watchfulness1 self-denial1 unworldliness1 humility1 love1 as #8the way of ,jesus ,christ2' their enforcement by the prospect of death and judgment1 and the world's near ending2 by the narrowness1 too1 of the way of life1 and the fewness of those who find it2 as also by the hope of coming glory at the judgment and revelation of ,jesus ,christ4 ,besides which we find in it a protest against the ,romish system generally1 as one of soul-destroying idolatry2 against masses for the dead1 and therein against the whole doctrine of purgatory2 against the system of the confessional1 and asserted power of the priesthood to absolve from sin2 this last point being insisted on as the most deadly point of heresy1 and its origin referred to the mercenariness of the priesthood1 #bhe and their love of money2the iniquity further noticed of the ,romish persecutions of good men and teachers that wished to teach the way of ,jesus ,christ2 and the suspicion half-hinted1 and apparently half-formed1 that1 though a personal ,antichrist might be expected1 yet ,popery itself might be one form of ,antichrist40 ,in another work1 the ,treatise of ,antichrist1 there is a strong and decided identification of the ,antichristian system and the ,papacy4 ,this was written probably in the last quarter of the fourteenth century4 8,from this10 says ,mr4 ,elliott 7ii4 #cee71 8the following will appear to have been the ,waldensian views3 that the ,papal or ,romish system was that of ,antichrist2 which1 from infancy in apostolic times1 had grown gradually by the increase of its constituent parts to the stature of a full-grown man2 that its prominent characteristics wereto defraud ,god of the worship due to ,him1 rendering it to creatures1 whether departed saints1 relics1 images1 or ,antichrist2to defraud ,christ1 by attributing justification and forgiveness to ,antichrist's authority and words1 to saints' intercession1 to the merits of men's own performances1 and to the fire of purgatory2to defraud the ,holy ,spirit1 by attributing regeneration and sanctification to the opus operatum of the two sacraments2 that the origin of this ,antichristian religion was the covetousness of the priesthood2 its tendency1 to lead men away from ,christ2 its essence1 a ceremonial2 its foundation1 the false notion of grace and forgiveness40 ,this work is so important as a 8testimony0 against ,antichrist1 and for the truth1 and is so clear as showing that the ,papacy was regarded as ,antichrist1 that ,i will copy1 from the work itself1 the portion containing these sentimentssentiments which may be regarded as expressing the uniform testimony of the ,waldenses on the subject3 8,antichrist is the falsehood of eternal damnation1 covered with the appearance of the truth and righteousness of ,christ and his spouse4 ,the iniquity of such a system is with all his ministers1 great and small3 and inasmuch as they follow the law of an evil and blinded heart1 such a congregation1 taken together1 is called ,antichrist1 or ,babylon1 or the ,fourth ,beast1 or the ,harlot1 or the ,man of ,sin1 who is the son of perdition4 8,his first work is1 that the service of latria1 properly due to ,god alone1 he perverts unto ,antichrist himself and to his doings2 to the poor creature1 rational or irrational1 sensible or insensible2 as1 for instance1 to male or female saints departed this life1 and to their images1 or carcasses1 or relics4 ,his doings are the sacraments1 especially that of the ,eucharist1 which he worships equally with ,god and ,christ1 prohibiting the adoration of ,god alone4 8,his second work is1 that he robs and deprives ,christ of the merits of ,christ1 with the whole sufficiency of grace1 and justification1 and regeneration1 and remission of sins1 and sanctification1 and confirmation1 and spiritual nourishment2 and imputes and attributes them to his own authority1 or to a form of words1 or to his own performances1 or to the saints and their intercession1 or to the fire of purgatory4 ,thus he divides the people from ,christ1 and leads them away to the things already mentioned2 that so they may seek not the things of ,christ1 nor through ,christ1 but only the work of their own hands2 not through a living faith in ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ1 and the ,holy ,spirit2 but through the will and the work of ,antichrist1 agreeably to the preaching that man's salvation depends on his own deeds4 8,his third work is1 that he attributes the regeneration of the ,holy ,spirit to a dead outward faith2 baptizing children in that faith1 and teaching that by the mere outward consecration of baptism regeneration may be procured4 8,his fourth work is1 that he rests the whole religion of the people upon his ,mass2 for leading them to hear it1 he deprives them of spiritual and sacramental manducation4 8,his fifth work is1 that he does everything to be seen1 and to glut his insatiable avarice4 8,his sixth work is1 that he allows manifest sins without ecclesiastical censure4 8,his seventh work is1 that he defends his unity1 not by the ,holy ,spirit1 but by the secular power4 8,his eighth work is1 that he hates1 and persecutes1 and searches after1 and robs and destroys the members of ,christ4 8,these things1 and many others1 are the cloak and vestment of ,antichrist2 by which he covers his lying wickedness1 lest he should be rejected as a heathen4 #bhf ,but there is no other cause of idolatry than a false opinion of grace1 and truth1 and authority1 and invocation1 and intercession2 which this ,antichrist has taken away from ,god1 and which he has ascribed to ceremonies1 and authorities1 and a man's own works1 and to saints1 and to purgatory0 7,elliott1 ii4 #ced1 #cee74 ,it is impossible not to be struck with the application of this to the ,papacy1 and no one can doubt that the ,papacy was intended to be referred to4 ,and1 if this be so1 this was a bold and decided 8testimony0 against the abominations of that system1 and they who bore this testimony deserved to be regarded as 8witnesses0 for ,christ and his truth4 ,if to the 8testimony0 thus briefly referred to1 we add that of such men as ,wycliffe1 ,john ,huss1 and ,jerome of ,prague1 and then that of the ,reformers1 ,luther1 ,calvin1 ,zuingle1 ,melancthon1 and their fellow-labourers1 we can see with what propriety it was predicted that even during the prevalence of the great apostasy there would be a competent number of 8witnesses0 to keep up the knowledge of the truth in the world4 ,and supposing that this is what was designed to be represented1 it is easy to perceive that the symbol which is employed is admirably appropriate4 ,the design of what is here said is merely to show that during the whole of the period of the ,papal apostasywhenever it may be supposed to have begun1 and whenever it shall cease1 it is and will be true that the ,saviour has had true 8witnesses0 on the earththat there have been those who have 8testified0 against these abominations1 and who1 often at great personal peril and sacrifice1 have borne a faithful testimony for the truth4 7b7 ,the number of the witnesses4 ,in ver4 #c1 this is said to be 8two10 and this has been shown to mean that there would be a competent number1 yet probably with the implied idea that the number would not be large4 ,the only question then is1 whether1 in looking through this long period1 it would be found that1 according to the established laws of testimony under the divine code1 there was a competent number to bear witness to the truth4 ,and of this no one can doubt1 for1 in respect to each and every part of the period of the great apostasy1 it is possible now to show that there was a sufficient number of the true friends of the ,redeemer to testify against all the great and cardinal errors of the ,papacy4 ,this simple and obvious interpretation of the language1 it may be added1 also1 makes wholly unnecessary and inappropriate all the efforts which have been made by expositors to find precisely two such witnesses1 or two churches or people with whom the line of the faithful testimony was preserved3 all such interpretations as that the ,old and ,new ,testaments are referred to1 as ,melchior1 ,affelman1 and ,croly suppose2 or that preachers are referred to who are instructed by the ,law and the ,gospel1 as ,pannonius and ,thomas ,aquinas1 supposed2 or that ,christ and ,john the ,baptist are referred to1 as ,ubertinus supposed2 or that ,pope ,sylvester and ,mena1 who wrote against the ,eutychians1 are meant1 as ,lyranus and ,ederus supposed2 or that ,francis and ,dominic1 the respective heads of two orders of monks1 are intended1 as ,cornelius ,lapide supposed2 or that the great wisdom and sanctity of the primitive preachers are meant1 as ,alcassar maintained2 or that ,john ,huss and ,luther1 or ,john ,huss and ,jerome of ,prague1 or the ,waldenses and ,albigenses1 or the ,jewish and ,gentile ,christians in lia1 are intended1 as others have supposed4 ,according to the obvious and fair meaning of the language1 all this is mere fancy1 and can illustrate nothing but the fertility of invention of those who have written on the ,apocalypse4 ,all that is necessarily implied is1 that the number of true and uncorrupted followers of the ,saviour has been at all times sufficiently large to bear a competent testimony to the world1 or to keep up the remembrance of the truth upon the earthand the reality of this no one acquainted with the history of the church will doubt4 7c7 ,the condition of the 8witnesses0 as 8clothed in sackcloth10 ver4 #c4 ,this has been shown to mean that they would be in a state of sadness and grief2 and they would be exposed to trouble and persecution4 ,it is unnecessary to prove that all this was abundantly fulfilled4 ,the long history of those times was a history of persecutions2 and if it be admitted that the passage before us was designed to refer to those above mentioned as 8witnesses10 no more correct description could be given of them than to say that they were 8clothed in sackcloth40 #bhg 7d7 ,the power of the witnesses1 ver4 #e1 #f4 ,of this there are several specifications4 7#a7 ,they had power over those who should injure or hurt them1 ver4 #e4 ,this is represented by 8fire proceeding out of their mouth1 and devouring their enemies40 ,this has been shown to refer to the doctrines which they would proclaim1 and the denunciations which they would utter1 and which would resemble consuming fire4 ,this would be accomplished or fulfilled if their solemn testimonytheir proclamations of truthand their denunciations of the wrath of ,god should have the effect ultimately to bring down the divine vengeance on their persecutors4 ,and no one can doubt that this has had an ample fulfilment4 ,that is1 the effect of the testimony borne2 of the solemn appeals made2 of the denunciations of the judgment of heaven1 has been to show that that great persecuting power that oppressed them is arrayed against ,god1 and must be finally overthrown4 ,in order to see the complete fulfilment of this1 it would be necessary to trace all the effect of the testimony of the witnesses for the truth from age to age on that power1 and to see how far it has been among the causes of the ultimate and final overthrow of the ,papacy4 ,of course1 it may be said that in an important sense it is all to be traced to that1 since if they had forborne to bear that testimony1 and to protest against those corruptions and abominations1 that colossal power would have stood unshaken4 ,but the solemn appeals made from age to age by the friends of truth1 amidst much persecution1 have contributed to weaken that power1 and to prepare the world for its ultimate fallas if fire from heaven fell upon it4 ,the causes of the decline of the ,papal power were1 therefore1 laid far back in the solemn truths urged by those persecuted 8witnesses20 and the calamities which have ravaged ,europe for these three hundred years1 and the changes now occurring which make it so certain that this mighty power hastens to its fall1 may all be the regular results of the 8testimony0 for the truths of a pure gospel borne long ago by the men that dwelt amidst the ,alps1 and their fellow-sufferers in persecution4 7#b7 ,they 8have power to shut heaven1 that it rain not in the days of their prophecy10 ver4 #f4 ,this has been shown to mean that they would have power to cause blessings to be withheld from men as if the rain were withheld4 ,the reference here is probably to the spiritual heavens1 and to that of which rain is the natural emblemthe influences of truth1 and the influences of the ,divine ,spirit on the world4 ,so ,moses says1 in ,de4 xxxii4 #b1 8,my doctrine shall drop as the rain1 and my speech shall distil as the dew1 as the small rain upon the tender herb1 and as the showers upon the grass40 ,so the psalmist 7,ps4 lxxii4 #f71 8,he shall come down like rain upon the mown grass3 as showers that water the earth40 ,so ,isaiah 7lv4 #aj1 #aa71 8,for as the rain cometh down1 and the snow from heaven1 so shall my word be10 c4 ,comp4 ,mi4 v4 #g4 ,the meaning here1 then1 must be1 that spiritual influences would seem to be under their control2 or that they would be imparted at their bidding1 and withheld at their will4 ,this found an ample fulfilment in the history of the church in those dark periods1 in the fact that it was in connection with these 8witnesses10 and in answer to their prayers1 that the influences of the ,holy ,spirit were imparted to the world1 and that the true religion was kept up on the earth4 8,it is an historical fact10 says the author of ,the ,seventh ,vial 7p4 #acj71 8that during the ages of their ministry1 there was neither dew nor rain of a spiritual kind upon the earth1 but at the word of the witnesses4 ,there was no knowledge of salvation but by their preachingno descent of the ,spirit but in answer to their prayers2 and1 as the witnesses were shut out from ,christendom generally1 a universal famine ensued40 7#c7 ,they had power over the waters to turn them to blood1 and to smite the earth with all plagues1 ver4 #f4 ,that is1 as explained above1 calamities would come upon the earth as if the waters were turned into blood1 and this would be so connected with them1 and with the treatment which they would receive1 that these calamities would seem to have been called down from heaven in answer to their prayers1 and in order to avenge their wrongs4 ,and can anyone be ignorant that wars1 commotions1 troubles1 disasters have followed the attempts to destroy those who have borne a faithful testimony for ,christ in the dark period of the world here referred to8 ,the calamities that have befallen the ,papal communion from time to time may have been1 and seem to have been1 to a great degree1 the consequence of its #bhh persecuting spirit1 and of its attempts to quench the light of truth4 ,when the oppressed and persecuted nations of ,europe had borne it long1 and when attempts had long been made to extinguish every spark of true liberty1 the spirit of freedom and revenge was roused4 ,the yoke was broken2 and in the wars that ensued rivers of blood flowed upon the earth1 as if these 8witnesses0 or martyrs had1 by their own power and prayers1 brought these calamities upon their oppressors4 ,a philosophic historian carefully studying human nature1 and the essential spirit of ,christianity1 might find in these facts a sufficient explanation of all the calamities that have come upon that once colossal powerthe ,papacyand a full demonstration that1 under the operation of these causes1 that power must ultimately fallas if in revenge called down from heaven by the martyrs for the wrongs done to them who had borne a faithful testimony to the truth4 ,,ii4 ,the war against the witnesses1 ver4 #g4 ,there are several circumstances stated in regard to this which demand explanation in order to a full understanding of the prophecy4 ,those circumstances relate to the time when this would occur2 to the government by which this war would be waged2 and to the victory4 7a7 ,the time when the war referred to would be waged4 ,the whole narrative 7comp4 ver4 #c1 #e7 supposes that opposition would be made to them at all times1 and that their condition would be such that they could properly be represented as always clothed in sackcloth2 but it is evident that a particular period is here referred to1 when there would be such a war waged with them that they would be for a time overcome1 and would seem to be dead4 ,this time is referred to by the phrase 8when they shall have finished their testimony0 7ver4 #g72 and it is to the period when this could be properly said of them that we are to look for the fulfilment of what is here predicted4 ,this must mean1 when they should have borne full or ample testimony2 that is1 when they had borne their testimony on all the great points on which they were appointed to bear witness4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #g4 ,this1 then1 must not be understood as referring to the time of the completion of the twelve hundred and sixty years1 but to any time during that period when it could be said that they had borne a full and ample testimony for the truths of the gospel1 and against the abominations and errors that prevailed4 ,in this general expression there is not1 indeed1 anything that would accurately designate the time1 but no one can doubt that this had been done at the time of the ,reformation4 ,in the preceding remarks it has been shown that there was a succession of faithful witnesses for the truth in the darkest periods of the church1 and that to all the great points pertaining to the system of religion revealed in the gospel1 as well as against the errors that prevailed1 they had borne an unambiguous testimony4 ,there is no impropriety1 therefore1 in fixing this period at about the time of the ,reformation1 for all that is necessarily implied in the language is fulfilled on such a supposition4 ,faithful testimony had been borne during the long period of the ,papal corruptions1 until it could be said that their peculiar work had been accomplished4 ,the earlier witnesses for the truththe ,paulicians1 the ,waldenses1 the ,vaudois1 and other bodies of true ,christianshad borne an open testimony1 from the beginning1 against the various corruptions of ,romeher errors in doctrine1 her idolatries in worship1 and her immoralities1 until in the end of the twelfth centurythe same century in which1 according to ,mr4 ,gibbon1 the meridian of ,papal greatness was attainedthey proclaimed her1 as we have seen1 to be the ,antichrist of ,scripture1 the ,harlot of the ,apocalypse4 ,thus did they fulfil their testimony2 and then was the war waged against them1 with all the power of apostate ,rome1 to silence and to destroy them4 ,this war was commenced in the edicts of councils1 which stigmatized the pure doctrines of the ,bible1 and branded those who held them as heretics4 ,the next step was to pronounce the most dreadful anathemas on those who were regarded as heretics1 which were executed in the same remorseless and exterminating manner in which they were conceived4 ,the confessors of the truth were denied both their natural and their civil rights4 ,they were forbidden all participation in dignities and offices2 their goods were confiscated2 their houses were to be razed and never more to be rebuilt2 and their lands were given to those who were able to seize them4 ,they were shut out from the solace of human converse2 no one might give them shelter #bhi while living1 or ,christian burial when dead4 ,at length a crusade was proclaimed against them4 ,preachers were sent abroad through ,europe to sound the trumpet of vengeance1 and to assemble the nations4 ,the pope wrote to all ,christian princes1 exhorting them to earn their pardon and win heaven rather by bearing the cross against heretics than by marching against the ,saracens4 ,the war1 in particular1 which was waged against the ,waldenses1 is well known1 and the horror of its details is among the darkest pages of history4 ,the peaceful and fertile valleys of the ,vaudois were invaded1 and speedily devastated with fire and sword2 their towns and villages were burnt2 while not one individual1 in many cases1 escaped to carry the tidings to the next valley4 ,to all the cruelties of these wars1 and to all the open persecutions which were waged1 are to be added the horrors of the ,inquisition1 as an illustration of the fact that 8wars0 would be made against the true witnesses for ,christ4 ,calculations1 more or less accurate1 have been made of the numbers that ,popery has slain2 and the lowest of those calculations would confirm what is said here1 on the supposition that the reference is to the ,papal power4 ,from the year #aedj to the year #aegj1 comprehending a space of only thirty years1 no fewer than nine hundred thousand ,protestants were put to death by the ,papists1 in different countries of ,europe4 ,during the short pontificate of ,paul the ,fourth1 which lasted only four years 7,a4,d4 #aeeeaeei71 the ,inquisition alone1 on the testimony of ,vergerius1 destroyed a hundred and fifty thousand6 ,when he died1 the indignant populace of ,rome crowded to the prison of the ,inquisition1 broke open the doors1 and released seventeen hundred prisoners1 and then set fire to the building 7,bowers' ,history of the ,popes1 iii4 #cai1 edit4 #ahde74 ,those who perished in ,germany during the wars of ,charles the ,fifth1 and in ,flanders1 under the infamous ,duke of ,alva1 are reckoned by hundreds of thousands4 ,in ,france several millions were destroyed in the innumerable massacres that took place in that kingdom4 ,it has been computed that since the rise of the ,papacy1 not fewer than fifty millions of persons have been put to death on account of religion6 ,of this vast number the greater part have been cut off during the last six hundred years2 for the ,papacy persecuted very little during the first half of its existence1 and it was in this way that it was not until the witnesses had 8completed0 their testimony1 or had borne full and ample testimony1 that it made war against them4 ,comp4 ,the ,seventh ,vial1 pp4 #adiaeg4 ,for a full illustration of the facts here referred to1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #ba4 ,there can be no reasonable doubt that ,daniel and ,john refer to the same thing4 7b7 ,by whom this was to be done4 ,in ver4 #g1 it is said that it would be by 8the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit40 ,this is undoubtedly the same as the fourth beast of ,daniel 7,da4 vii471 and for a full illustration ,i must refer to the ,notes on that chapter4 ,it is necessary only to add here1 if the above representation is correct1 that it is easy to see the propriety of this application of the symbol to the ,papacy4 ,nothing would better represent that cruel persecuting power 8making war with the witnesses10 than a fierce and cruel monster that seemed to ascend from the bottomless pit4 7c7 ,the victory of the persecutors1 and the death of the witnesses3 8and shall overcome them1 and kill them10 ver4 #g4 ,that is1 they would gain a temporary victory over them1 and the witnesses would seem for a time to be dead4 ,the subsequent statement shows1 however1 that they would revive again1 and would again resume their prophesying4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #bj4 ,the victory over them would appear to be complete1 and the great object of the persecuting power would seem to have been gained4 ,a few facts on this subject will show the propriety of the statement that 8when they had finished10 or had fully borne their testimony1 a victory was obtained over them1 and that they were so silenced that it might be said they were killed4 ,the first will be in the words of ,milner1 in his account of the opening of the sixteenth century 7,history of the ,church1 p4 #ffj1 ed4 ,edin4 #ahce73 8,the sixteenth century opened with a prospect of all others the most gloomy1 in the eyes of every true ,christian4 ,corruption both in doctrine and in practice had exceeded all bounds2 and the general face of ,europe1 though the name of ,christ was everywhere professed1 presented nothing that was properly evangelical4 ,the ,waldenses were too feeble to molest the popedom2 and the ,hussites1 divided #bij among themselves1 and worn out by a long series of contentions1 were reduced to silence4 ,among both were found persons of undoubted godliness1 but they appeared incapable of making effectual impressions on the kingdom of ,antichrist4 ,the ,roman pontiffs were still the uncontrolled patrons of impiety2 neither the scandalous crimes of ,alexander ,,vi41 nor the military ferocity of ,julius ,,ii41 seemed to have lessened the dominion of the court of ,rome1 or to have opened the eyes of men so as to induce them to make a sober investigation of the nature of true religion40 ,the language of ,mr4 ,cunninghame may here be adopted as describing the state of things at the beginning of the sixteenth century3 8,at the commencement of the sixteenth century1 ,europe reposed in the deep sleep of spiritual death1 under the iron yoke of the ,papacy4 ,that haughty power1 like the ,assyrian of the prophet1 said in the plenitude of his insolence1 #8,my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people2 and as one gathereth eggs1 ,i have gathered all the earth2 and there was none that moved the wing1 or opened the mouth1 or peeped4'0 ,and in a similar manner1 the writer of the article on the ,reformation1 in the ,encyclopdia ,britannicain a statement made1 of course1 with no reference to the fulfilment of this passagethus speaks of that period3 8,everything was quiet2 every heretic was exterminated1 and the whole ,christian world supinely acquiesced in the enormous absurdities inculcated by the ,romish church40 ,these quotations will show the propriety of the language used here by ,john1 on the supposition that it was intended to refer to this period4 ,no symbol would be more striking1 or more appropriate to that state of things1 than to represent the witnesses for the truth as overcome and slain1 so that1 for a time at least1 they would cease to bear their testimony against the prevailing errors and corruptions4 ,it will be remembered1 also1 that this occurred at a time when it might be said that they had 8fulfilled0 their testimony1 or when1 in a most solemn manner1 they had protested against the existing idolatries and abominations4 ,,iii4 ,the witnesses dead1 ver4 #haj4 ,the preceding verse contains the statement that they would be overcome and killed2 these verses describe their treatment when they would be dead2 that is1 when they would be silenced4 ,there are several circumstances referred to here which demand notice4 7a7 ,the place where it is said that this would occurthat 8great city which spiritually is called ,sodom and ,egypt1 where also our ,lord was crucified10 ver4 #h4 ,in the explanation of this verse1 it has been shown that the language used here is such as would be properly employed1 on the supposition that the intention was to refer to ,rome1 or the ,romish communion4 ,a few testimonies may serve to confirm the interpretation proposed in the ,notes on ver4 #h1 and to show farther the propriety of applying the appellation 8,sodom0 and 8,egypt0 to ,rome4 ,thus among the ,reformers1 8,grosteste perceived that the whole scheme of the ,papal government was enmity with ,god1 and exclaimed that nothing but the sword could deliver the church from the ,egyptian bondage0 7,d',aubign74 ,wycliffe compared the ,romish priestcraft to 8the accursed sorceries with which the sages of ,pharaoh presumed to emulate the works of ,jehovah0 7,le ,bas' ,wycliffe1 pp4 #fh1 #adg74 ,luther1 in a letter to ,melancthon1 says1 8,italy is plunged1 as in ancient times in ,egypt1 in darkness that may be felt40 ,and of ,zuingle in ,switzerland1 they who longed for the light of salvation said of him1 8,he will be our ,moses1 to deliver us out of the darkness of ,egypt40 ,any number of passages could be found in the writings of the ,reformers1 and even some in the writings of ,romanists themselves1 in which the abominations that prevailed in ,rome are compared with those in ,sodom4 ,comp4 ,elliott1 ii4 pp4 #chf1 #chg1 notes4 ,assuming this to be the correct interpretation1 the meaning is1 that a state of things would exist after the silencing of the witnesses which would be well represented by supposing that their dead bodies would lie unburied2 that is1 that there would be dishonour and indignity heaped upon them1 such as is shown to the dead when they are suffered to lie unburied4 ,no one needs to be informed that this accurately represents the state of things throughout the ,roman world4 ,to the 8witnesses0 thus persecuted1 downtrodden1 and silenced1 there was the same kind of indignity shown which there is when the dead are left unburied4 7b7 ,the exposure of their bodies1 ver4 #h4 ,that is1 as we have seen1 they #bia would be treated with indignity1 as if they were not worthy of ,christian burial4 ,now this not only expresses what was in fact the general feeling among the ,papists in respect to those whom they regarded as heretics1 but it had a literal fulfilment in numerous cases where the rites of ,christian burial were denied them4 ,one of the punishments most constantly decreed and constantly enforced in reference to those who were called 8heretics10 was their exclusion from burial as persons excommunicated and without the pale of the church4 ,thus1 in the third council of ,lateran 7,a4,d4 #aagi71 ,christian burial was denied to heretics2 the same in the ,lateran council ,a4,d4 #abae1 and the ,papal decree of ,gregory ,,ix41 ,a4,d4 #abbg2 the same again in that of ,pope ,martin1 ,a4,d4 #adbb2 and the same thing was determined in the council of ,constance1 ,a4,d4 #adbb1 which ordered that the body of ,wycliffe should be exhumed1 and that the ashes of ,john ,huss1 instead of being buried1 should be collected and thrown into the lake of ,constance4 ,it may be added that ,savonarola's ashes were in a similar manner cast into the ,arno1 ,a4,d4 #adih2 and that in the first bull intrusted to the cardinal ,cajetan against ,luther1 this was one of the declared penalties1 that both ,luther and his partisans should be deprived of ecclesiastical burial4 ,see ,waddington1 p4 #gag2 ,d',aubign1 i4 #cee2 ,foxe1 v4 #fgg4 7c7 ,the mutual congratulations of those who had put them to death2 their exultation over them2 and the expression of their joy by the interchange of presents3 8,and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them10 c41 ver4 #aj4 ,the language here used is expressive of general joy and rejoicing1 and there can be no doubt that such joy and rejoicing occurred at ,rome whenever a new victory was obtained over those who were regarded as heretics4 ,pareus remarks on the passage in ,luke xv4 #cb1 8,it was meet that we should make merry10 c41 that 8when heretics are burnt1 ,papists play at frolicsome games1 celebrate feasts and banquets1 sing ,te ,deum laudamus1 and wish one another joy40 ,and so too ,bullinger1 in loco4 ,but there was special rejoicing1 which accorded entirely with the prediction here1 at the close of the sessions of the ,lateran council ,a4,d4 #aeag1 in the splendour of the dinners and ftes given by the cardinals4 ,the scene on the closing of the council is thus described by ,dean ,waddington3 8,the pillars of the ,papal strength seemed visible and palpable2 and ,rome surveyed them with exultation from her golden palaces4 ,the assembled princes and prelates separated from the council with complacency1 confidence1 and mutual congratulations on the peace1 unity1 and purity of the church40 ,still1 while this was true of that particular council1 it should be added that the language here used is general1 and may be regarded as descriptive of the usual joy which would be felt1 and which was felt at ,rome1 in view of the efforts made to suppress heresy in the church4 7d7 ,the time during which the witnesses would remain 8dead40 ,this1 it is said 7ver4 #i71 would be for 8three days and an half10 during which time they would 8not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves20 that is1 there would be a course of conduct1 and a state of things1 as if the dead were left unburied4 ,this time1 as we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #i71 means probably three years and a half2 and in the application of this we are to look for some striking event relating to the 8witnesses10 when they should have 8finished their testimony10 or when they had fully borne their testimony1 that would fully correspond with this4 ,now it happens that there was a point of time1 just previous to the ,reformation1 when it was supposed that a complete victory was gained for ever over those who were regarded as 8heretics10 but who were in fact the true witnesses for ,christ4 ,that point of time was during the session of the council of ,lateran1 which was assembled ,a4,d4 #aeac1 and which continued its sessions to ,may #af1 #aeag4 ,in the ninth session of this council a remarkable proclamation was made1 indicating that all opposition to the ,papal power had now ceased4 ,the scene is thus described by ,mr4 ,elliott 7ii4 #cif1 #cig73 8,the orator of the session ascended the pulpit2 and1 amidst the applause of the assembled council1 uttered that memorable exclamation of triumphan exclamation which1 notwithstanding the long multiplied anti-heretical decrees of popes and councils1 notwithstanding the yet more multiplied anti-heretical crusades and inquisitorial fires1 was never1 ,i believe1 pronounced before1 and certainly never since#8,jam nemo reclamat1 nullus obsistit'#8,there is an end of resistance to the ,papal rule and religion2 opposers there exist no more3' #bib and again1 #8,the whole body of ,christendom is now seen to be subjected to its ,head1 i4e4 to ,thee4'0 ,this occurred ,may #e1 #aead4 ,it is1 probably1 from this 8time0 that the three days and a half1 or the three years and a half1 during which the 8dead bodies of the witnesses remained unburied10 and were exposed to public gaze and derision1 are to be reckoned4 ,but it was with remarkable accuracy that a period of three years and a half occurred from the time when this proclamation was made1 and when it was supposed that these 8witnesses0 were 8dead10 to the time when the voice of living witnesses for the truth was heard again1 as if those witnesses that had been silenced had come to life again2 and 8not in the compass of the whole ecclesiastical history of ,christendom1 except in the case of the death and resurrection of ,christ himself1 is there any such example of the sudden1 mighty1 and triumphant resuscitation of his church from a state of deep depression1 as was1 just after the separation of the ,lateran council1 exhibited in the protesting voice of ,luther1 and the glorious ,reformation40 ,all accounts agree in placing the beginning of the ,reformation in ,a4,d4 #aeag4 ,see ,bowers' ,history of the ,popes1 iii4 #bie2 ,murdock's ,mosheim1 iii4 #aa1 note4 ,the effect of this1 as compared with the supposed suppression of heresy1 or the death of the witnesses1 and as an illustration of the passage before us1 will be seen from the following language of a writer in the ,encyclopdia ,britannica38,everything was quiet2 every heretic exterminated2 and the whole ,christian world supinely acquiescing in the enormous absurdities inculcated in the ,romish church1 when1 in #aeag1 the empire of superstition received its first attack from ,luther40 ,or1 in the language of ,mr4 ,cunninghame1 8,at the commencement of the sixteenth century1 ,europe reposed in the deep sleep of spiritual death1 under the iron yoke of the ,papacy4 ,there was none that moved the wing1 or opened the mouth1 or peeped3 when suddenly in one of the universities of ,germany the voice of an obscure monk was heard1 the sound of which rapidly filled ,saxony1 ,germany1 and ,europe itself1 shaking the very foundations of the ,papal power1 and arousing men from the lethargy of ages40 ,the remarkable coincidence in regard to timesupposing that three years and a half are intendedwill be seen from the following statement4 ,the day of the ninth session of the ,lateran council1 when the proclamation above referred to was made1 was1 as we have seen1 ,may #e1 #aead2 the day of ,luther's posting up his theses at ,wittemberg 7the well-known epoch of the beginning of the ,reformation71 was ,october #ca1 #aeag4 8,now1 from ,may #e1 #aead1 to ,may #e1 #aeag1 are three years2 and from ,may #e1 #aeag1 to ,october #ca of the same year1 #aeag1 the reckoning in days is as follows3 ,may #eca #bg ,june #cj #cj ,july #ca #ca ,august #ca #ca ,september #cj #cj ,october #ca #ca in all #ahj1 or half of #cfj days1 that is1 half a year2 so that the whole interval is precisely1 to a day1 three and a half years0 7,elliott1 ii4 #djb1 #djc74 ,but1 without insisting on this very minute accuracy1 anyone can see1 and all must be prepared to admit1 that1 on the supposition that it was intended by the ,spirit of ,god to refer to these events1 this is the language which would be used2 or1 in other words1 nothing would better represent this state of things than the declaration that the witnesses would be 8slain10 and would be suffered to 8remain unburied0 during this period of time1 and that at the end of this period1 a public testimony would be borne again for the truth1 and against the abominations of the ,papacy1 as if 8the ,spirit of life from ,god should again enter into them1 and they should stand upon their feet10 ver4 #aa4 ,,iv4 ,the resurrection of the witnesses1 ver4 #aa4 ,little need be added on this point1 after what has been said on the previous portions of the chapter4 ,we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #aa7 that this must mean that a state of things would occur which would be well represented by their being restored to life again2 and if the previous illustrations are correct1 there will be little difficulty in admitting that this had its fulfilment in the commencement of the ,reformation4 ,as to the time when they would revive1 we have seen above how remarkably this accords with the commencement of the ,reformation in #aeag2 and as to the correspondence of this with what is here symbolized1 nothing would better represent this than to describe the witnesses as coming to life again4 ,it was as if 8the ,spirit of life from ,god entered into0 those who had been slain1 #bic and 8they stood upon their feet0 again1 and again bore their solemn testimony to the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,for 7a7 it was the same kind of testimonytestimony to the same truths1 and against the same evilswhich had been borne by the long array of the confessors and martyrs that had been put to death4 ,the truths proclaimed by the ,reformers on the great doctrines of grace were the same which had been professed by the ,waldenses1 by ,wycliffe1 by ,john ,huss1 and others2 and the abominations of image-worship1 of the invocations of the saints1 of the arrogant claims of the pope1 of the doctrine of human merit in justification1 of the corruptions of the monastic systems1 of the celibacy of the clergy1 of the doctrine of purgatory1 against which they testified1 were the same4 7b7 ,that testimony was borne by men of the same spirit and character4 ,in what would now be called personal religious experience there was the closest resemblance between the ,waldenses and the other 8witnesses0 before the ,reformation1 and the ,reformers themselvesbetween the piety of ,huss1 ,jerome of ,prague1 ,wycliffe1 and ,peter ,waldo2 and ,luther1 ,melancthon1 ,zuingle1 ,calvin1 ,bucer1 ,latimer1 ,ridley1 and ,knox4 ,they were men who belonged to the same spiritual communion1 and who had been moulded and fashioned in their spiritual character by the same power from on high4 7c7 ,the testimony was borne with the same fearlessness1 and in the midst of the same kind of persecution and opposition4 ,all that occurred was as if the same 8witnesses0 had been restored to life and again lifted up their voice in the cause for which they had been persecuted and slain4 ,the propriety of this language1 as applied to these events1 may be further seen from expressions used by the 8witnesses0 themselves1 or by the persecuted friends of the truth4 8,and ,i10 said ,john ,huss1 speaking of the gospel-preachers who should appear after he had suffered at the stake1 8and ,i1 awaking as it were from the dead1 and rising from the grave1 shall rejoice with exceeding great joy40 ,again1 in #aebc1 after the ,reformation had broken out1 we find ,pope ,hadrian saying1 in a missive addressed to the ,diet at ,nuremberg1 8,the heretics ,huss and ,jerome are now alive again in the person of ,martin ,luther0 7,the ,seventh ,vial1 p4 #aij74 ,v4 ,the ascension of the witnesses1 ver4 #ab3 8,and they ascended to heaven in a cloud40 ,we have seen 7,notes on this verse7 that this means that events would take place as if they should ascend in triumph to heaven1 or which should be properly symbolized by such an ascent to heaven4 ,all that is here represented would be fulfilled by a triumph of the truth under the testimony of the witnesses1 or by its becoming gloriously established in view of the nations of the earth1 as if the witnesses ascended publicly and were received to the presence of ,god in heaven4 ,all this was fulfilled in the various influences that served to establish and confirm the ,reformation1 and to introduce the great principles of religious freedom1 giving to that work ultimate triumph1 and showing that it had the favour of ,god4 ,this would embrace the whole series of events after the ,reformation was begun1 by which its triumph was secure1 or by which that state of things was gradually introduced which now exists1 in which the true religion is free from persecution1 in which it is advancing into so many parts of the world where the ,papacy once had the control1 and in which1 with so little molestation1 and with such an onward march toward ultimate victory1 it is extending its conquests over the earth4 ,the triumphant ascent of the witnesses to heaven1 and the public proof of the divine favour thus shown to them1 would be an appropriate symbol of this4 ,,vi4 ,the consequences of the resurrection1 ascension1 and triumph of the witnesses1 ver4 #ac4 ,these are said to be1 that there would be 8in the same hour a great earthquake2 that a tenth part of the city would fall2 that seven thousand would be slain1 and that the remainder would be affrighted and would give glory to the ,god of heaven40 7a7 ,the earthquake4 ,this1 as we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #ac71 denotes that there would be a shock or a convulsion in the world1 so that the powers of the earth would be shaken1 as cities1 trees1 and hills are in the shocks of an earthquake4 ,there can be little difficulty in applying this to the shock produced throughout ,europe by the boldness of ,luther and his fellow-labourers in the ,reformation4 ,no events have ever taken place in history that would be better compared with the shock of an earthquake than those which occurred when the long-established governments of ,europe1 and especially the #bid domination of the ,papacy1 so long consolidated and confirmed1 were shaken by the ,reformation4 ,in the suddenness of the attack made on the existing state of things1 in the commotions which were produced1 in the overthrow of so many governments1 there was a striking resemblance to the convulsions caused by an earthquake4 ,so ,dr4 ,lingard speaks of the ,reformation3 8,that religious revolution which astonished and convulsed the nations of ,europe40 ,nothing would better represent the convulsions caused in ,germany1 ,switzerland1 ,prussia1 ,saxony1 ,sweden1 ,denmark1 and ,england by the ,reformation than an earthquake4 7b7 ,the fate of a part of the city3 8,and the tenth part of the city fell40 ,that is1 as we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #ac71 of that which is represented by the city1 to wit1 the ,roman power4 ,the fall of a 8tenth part0 would denote the fall of a considerable portion of that power2 as if1 in an earthquake1 a tenth part of a city should be demolished4 ,this would well represent what occurred in the ,reformation1 when so considerable a portion of the colossal ,papal power suddenly fell away1 and the immediate effect on the portions of ,europe where the ,reformation prevailed1 as compared with the whole of that power1 might well be represented by the fall of the tenth part of a city4 ,it is true that a much larger proportion ultimately fell off from ,rome1 so that now the number of ,romanists and ,protestants is not far from being equal2 but in the first convulsionin what passed before the eye in vision as represented by the earthquakethat proportion would not be improperly represented by the tenth part of a city4 ,the idea is1 that the sudden destruction of a tenth part of a great city by an earthquake would well represent the convulsion at the breaking out of the ,reformation1 by which a considerable portion of the ,papal power would fall4 7c7 ,those who were slain1 ver4 #ac3 8,and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand40 ,that is1 as we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #ac71 a calamity would occur to this vast ,papal power1 as if this number should be killed in the earthquake1 or which would be well represented by that4 ,in other words1 a portion of those who were represented by the city would be slain1 which1 compared with the whole number1 would bear about the same proportion which seven thousand would to the usual dwellers in such a city4 ,as the numbers in the city are not mentioned1 it is impossible to form any exact estimate of the numbers that would be slain on this supposition4 ,but if we suppose that the city contained a hundred thousand1 then the proportion would be something like a fourteenth part2 but if it were half a million1 then it would be about a seventieth part2 if it were a million1 then it would be about a hundred and forty-fifth part2 and1 as we may suppose that ,john1 in these visions1 had his eye on ,rome as it was in the age in which he lived1 we may1 if we can ascertain what the size of ,rome was at that period1 take that estimate as the basis of the interpretation4 ,mr4 ,gibbon 7ii4 #bea1 #beb7 has endeavoured to form an estimate of the probable number of the inhabitants of ancient ,rome2 and1 after enumerating all the circumstances which throw any light on the subject1 says3 8,if we adopt the same average which1 under similar circumstances1 has been found applicable to ,paris1 and indifferently allow about twenty-five persons for each house1 of every degree1 we may fairly estimate the inhabitants of ,rome at twelve hundred thousand40 ,allowing this to be the number of the inhabitants of the city1 then the number here specified that was slainseven thousandwould be about the one hundred and seventieth part1 or one in one hundred and seventy4 ,this would1 according to the purport of the vision here1 represent the number that would perish in the convulsion denoted by the earthquakea number which1 though it would be large in the aggregate1 is not probably too large in fact as referring to the number of persons that perished in ,papal ,europe in the wars that were consequent on the ,reformation4 7d7 ,the only other circumstance in this representation is1 that 8the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the ,god of heaven10 ver4 #ac4 ,that is1 as we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #ac71 fear and consternation came upon them1 and they stood in awe at what was occurring1 and acknowledged the power of ,god in the changes that took place4 ,how well this was fulfilled in what occurred in the ,reformation1 it is hardly necessary to state4 ,the events which then took place had every mark of being under the divine hand1 and were such as to fill the minds of men with awe and to teach them to recognize the hand of ,god4 ,the power which tore asunder that immense ecclesiastical establishment1 that #bie had so long held the whole of ,europe in servitude2 which dissolved the charm which had so long held kings1 and princes1 and people spell-bound2 which rent away for ever so large a portion of the ,papal dominions2 which led kings to separate themselves from the control to which they had been so long subjected1 and which emancipated the human mind1 and diffused abroad the great principles of civil and religious liberty1 was well adapted to fill the mind with awe1 and to lead men to recognize the hand and the agency of ,god2 and if it be admitted that the ,holy ,spirit in this passage meant to refer to these events1 it cannot be doubted that the language here used is such as is well adapted to describe the effects produced on the minds of men at large4 #ae ,and the #ceiseventh angel sounded2 and there were great voices in heaven1 saying1 #cfj,the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our ,lord1 and of his ,christ2 and #cfa;he shall reign for ever and ever4 #ae4 ,and the seventh angel sounded4 ,see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #b1 #f1 #g4 ,this is the last of the trumpets1 implying1 of course1 that under this the series of visions was to end1 and that this was to introduce the state of things under which the affairs of the world were to be wound up4 ,the place which this occupies in the order of time1 is when the events pertaining to the colossal ,roman powerthe fourth kingdom of ,daniel 7,da4 ii4vii47should have been completed1 and when the reign of the saints 7,da4 vii4 #iad1 #bg1 #bh7 should have been introduced4 ,this1 both in ,daniel and in ,john1 is to occur when the mighty power of the ,papacy shall have been overthrown at the termination of the twelve hundred and sixty years of its duration4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,in both ,daniel and ,john the termination of that persecuting power is the commencement of the reign of the saints2 the downfall of the ,papacy1 the introduction of the kingdom of ,god1 and its establishment on the earth4 ,and there were great voices in heaven4 ,as of exultation and praise4 ,the grand consummation had come1 the period so long anticipated and desired when ,god should reign on the earth had arrived1 and this lays the foundation for joy and thanksgiving in heaven4 ,the kingdoms of this world4 ,the modern editions of the ,new ,testament 7see ,tittmann and ,hahn7 read this in the singular number8,the kingdom of this world has become10 c4 ,according to this reading1 the meaning would be1 either that the sole reign over this world had become that of the ,lord ,jesus2 or1 more probably1 that the dominion over the earth had been regarded as one in the sense that ,satan had reigned over it1 but had now become the kingdom of ,god2 that is1 that 8the kingdoms of this world are many considered in themselves2 but in reference to the sway of ,satan1 there is only one kingdom ruled over by the #8god of this world'0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,the sense is not materially different whichever reading is adopted2 though the authority is in favour of the latter 7,wetstein74 ,according to the common reading1 the sense is1 that all the kingdoms of the earth1 being many in themselves1 had been now brought under the one sceptre of ,christ2 according to the other1 the whole world was regarded as in fact one kingdomthat of ,satanand the sceptre had now passed from his hands into those of the ,saviour4 ,the kingdoms of our ,lord4 ,or1 the kingdom of our ,lord1 according to the reading adopted in the previous part of the verse4 ,the word ,lord here evidently has reference to ,god as suchrepresented as the original source of authority1 and as giving the kingdom to his ,son4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #ac1 #ad2 comp4 ,ps4 ii4 #h4 ,the word ,lordimplies the notion of possessor1 owner1 sovereign1 supreme rulerand is thus properly given to ,god4 ,see ,mat4 i4 #bb2 v4 #cc2 ,mar4 v4 #ai2 ,lu4 i4 #f1 #bh2 ,ac4 vii4 #cc2 ,he4 viii4 #b1 #aj2 ,ja4 iv4 #ae1 al4 spe ,and of his ,christ4 ,of his anointed2 of him who is set apart as the ,messiah1 and consecrated to this high office4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 i4 #a4 ,he is called 8his ,christ10 because he is set apart by him1 or appointed by him to perform the work appropriate to that office on earth4 ,such language as that which occurs here is often employed1 in which ,god and ,christ are spoken of as1 in some respects1 distinctas sustaining different offices1 and performing different works4 ,the essential meaning here is1 that the kingdom of this world had now become the kingdom of ,god under #bif ,christ2 that is1 that that kingdom is administered by the ,son of ,god4 ,and he shall reign for ever and ever4 ,a kingdom is commenced which shall never terminate4 ,it is not said that this would be on the earth2 but the essential idea is1 that the sceptre of the world had now1 after so long a time1 come into his hands never more to pass away4 ,the fuller characteristics of this reign are stated in a subsequent part of this book 7ch4 xx4xxii474 ,what is here stated is in accordance with all the predictions in the ,bible4 ,a time is to come when1 in the proper sense of the term1 ,god is to reign on the earth2 when his kingdom is to be universal2 when his laws shall be everywhere recognized as binding2 when all idolatry shall come to an end2 and when the understandings and the hearts of men everywhere shall bow to his authority4 ,comp4 ,ps4 ii4 #h2 ,is4 ix4 #g2 xi4 #i2 xlv4 #bb2 lx42 ,da4 ii4 #ce1 #dd1 #de2 vii4 #ac1 #ad1 #bg1 #bh2 ,zec4 xiv4 #i2 ,mal4 i4 #aa2 ,lu4 i4 #cc4 ,on this whole subject1 see the very ample illustrations and proofs in the ,notes on ,da4 ii4 #dd1 #de2 vii4 #ac1 #ad1 #bg1 #bh2 comp4 ,notes on chap4 xx4xxii4 #af ,and the #cfb;four and twenty elders1 which sat before ,god on their seats1 fell upon their faces1 and worshipped ,god4 #af4 ,and the four and twenty elders which sat1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d4 ,fell upon their faces1 and worshipped ,god4 ,prostrated themselves before himthe usual form of profound adoration4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #had4 #ag ,saying1 ,we give thee thanks1 ,o ,lord ,god ,almighty1 #cfcwhich art1 and wast1 and art to come2 because thou hast taken to thee thy great power1 and #cfd;hast reigned4 #ag4 ,saying1 ,we give thee thanks4 ,we1 as the representatives of the church1 and as identified in our feelings with it 7see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d71 acknowledge thy goodness in thus delivering the church from all its troubles1 and having conducted it through the times of fiery persecution1 thus establishing it upon the earth4 ,the language here used is an expression of their deep interest in the church1 and of the fact that they felt themselves identified with it4 ,they1 as representatives of the church1 would of course rejoice in its prosperity and final triumph4 ,o ,lord ,god ,almighty4 ,referring to ,god as all-powerful1 because it was by his omnipotent arm alone that this great work had been accomplished4 ,nothing else could have defended the church in its many trials2 nothing else could have established it upon the earth4 ,which art1 and wast1 and art to come4 ,the ,eternal ,one1 always the same4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #h4 ,the reference here is to the fact that ,god1 who had thus established his church on the earth1 is unchanging4 ,in all the revolutions which occur on the earth1 he always remains the same4 ,what he was in past times he is now2 what he is now he always will be4 ,the particular idea suggested here seems to be1 that he had now shown this by having caused his church to triumph2 that is1 he had shown that he was the same ,god who had early promised that it should ultimately triumph2 he had carried forward his glorious purposes without modifying or abandoning them amidst all the changes that had occurred in the world2 and he had thus given the assurance that he would now remain the same1 and that all his purposes in regard to his church would be accomplished4 ,the fact that ,god remains always unchangeably the same is the sole reason why his church is safe1 or why any individual member of it is kept and saved4 ,comp4 ,mal4 iii4 #f4 ,because thou hast taken to thee thy great power4 ,to wit1 by setting up thy kingdom over all the earth4 ,before that it seemed as if he had relaxed that power1 or had given the power to others4 ,satan had reigned on the earth4 ,disorder1 anarchy1 sin1 rebellion1 had prevailed4 ,it seemed as if ,god had let the reins of government fall from his hand4 ,now he came forth as if to resume the dominion over the world1 and to take the sceptre into his own hand1 and to exert his great power in keeping the nations in subjection4 ,the setting up of his kingdom all over the world1 and causing his laws everywhere to be obeyed1 will be among the highest demonstrations of divine power4 ,nothing can accomplish this but the power of ,god2 when that power is exerted nothing can prevent its accomplishment4 ,and hast reigned4 ,professor ,stuart1 8and shown thyself as king0that is1 8hast become king1 or acted as a king40 ,the idea is1 that he had now vindicated #big his regal power 7,rob4 ,lex47that is1 he had now set up his kingdom on the earth1 and had truly begun to reign4 ,one of the characteristics of the millenniumand indeed the main characteristicwill be that ,god will be everywhere obeyed2 for when that occurs all will be consummated that properly enters into the idea of the millennial kingdom4 #ah ,and the nations #cfewere angry1 and thy wrath is come1 and #cffthe time of the dead1 that they should be judged1 and that thou #cfgshouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets1 and to the saints1 and them that fear thy name1 #cfhsmall and great2 and shouldest destroy them which #cfi;destroy the earth4 #ah4 ,and the nations were angry4 ,were enraged against thee4 ,this they had shown by their opposition to his laws2 by persecuting his people2 by slaying his witnesses2 by all the attempts which they had made to destroy his authority on the earth4 ,the reference here seems to be to the whole series of events preceding the final establishment of his kingdom on the earth2 to all the efforts which had been made to throw off his government and to crush his church4 ,at this period of glorious triumph it was natural to look back to those dark times when the 8nations raged0 7comp4 ,ps4 ii4 #ac71 and when the very existence of the church was in jeopardy4 ,and thy wrath is come4 ,that is1 the time when thou wilt punish them for all that they have done in opposition to thee1 and when the wicked shall be cut off4 ,there will be1 in the setting up of the kingdom of ,god1 some manifestation of his wrath against the powers that opposed it2 or something that will show his purpose to destroy his enemies1 and to judge the wicked4 ,the representations in this book lead us to suppose that the final establishment of the kingdom of ,god on the earth will be introduced or accompanied by commotions and wars which will end in the overthrow of the great powers that have opposed his reign1 and by such awful calamities in those portions of the world as shall show that ,god has arisen in his strength to cut off his enemies1 and to appear as the vindicator of his people4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #abaf2 xix4 #aabf4 ,and the time of the dead1 that they should be judged4 ,according to the view which the course of the exposition thus far pursued leads us to entertain of this book1 there is reference here1 in few words1 to the same thing which is more fully stated in ch4 xx41 and the meaning of the sacred writer will1 therefore1 come up for a more distinct and full examination when we consider that chapter4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xx4 #df1 #abae4 ,the purpose of the writer does not require that a detailed statement of the order of the events referred to should be made here1 for it would be better made when1 after another line of illustration and of symbol 7ch4 xi4 #ai1 xii4xix471 he should have reached the same catastrophe1 and when1 in view of both1 the mind would be prepared for the fuller description with which the book closes1 ch4 xx4xxii4 ,all that occurs here1 therefore1 is a very general statement of the final consummation of all things4 ,and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants4 ,the righteous4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xxv4 #cddj2 ,re4 xxi41 xxii4 ,that is1 in the final winding-up of human affairs1 ,god will bestow the long-promised reward on those who have been his true friends4 ,the wicked that annoyed and persecuted them will annoy and persecute them no more2 and the righteous will be publicly acknowledged as the friends of ,god4 ,for the manner in which this will be done1 see the details in ch4 xx4xxii4 ,the prophets4 ,all who1 in every age1 have faithfully proclaimed the truth4 ,on the meaning of the word1 see ,notes on ch4 x4 #aa4 ,and to the saints4 ,to all who are holyunder whatever dispensation1 and in whatever land1 and at whatever time1 they may have lived4 ,then will be the time when1 in a public manner1 they will be recognized as belonging to the kingdom of ,god1 and as being his true friends4 ,and them that fear thy name4 ,another way of designating his people1 since religion consists in a profound veneration for ,god1 ,mal4 iii4 #af2 ,job i4 #a2 ,ps4 xv4 #d2 xxii4 #bc2 cxv4 #aa2 ,pr4 i4 #g2 iii4 #ac2 ix4 #aj2 ,is4 xi4 #b2 ,ac4 x4 #bb1 #ce4 ,small and great4 ,young and old2 low and high2 poor and rich4 ,the language is designed to comprehend all1 of every class1 who have a claim to be numbered among the friends of ,god1 and it furnishes a plain intimation that men of all classes will be found at last #bih among his true people4 ,one of the glories of the true religion is1 that1 in bestowing its favours1 it disregards all the artificial distinctions of society1 and addresses man as man1 welcoming all who are human beings to the blessings of life and salvation4 ,this will be illustriously shown in the last period of the world's history1 when the distinctions of wealth1 and rank1 and blood shall lose the importance which has been attributed to them1 and when the honour of being a child of ,god shall have its true place4 ,comp4 ,ga4 iii4 #bh4 ,and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth4 ,that is1 all who have1 in their conquests1 spread desolation over the earth1 and who have persecuted the righteous1 and all who have done injustice and wrong to any class of men4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xx4 #acae4 ,here ends1 as ,i suppose1 the first series of visions referred to in the volume sealed with the seven seals1 ch4 v4 #a4 ,at this point1 where the division of the chapter should have been made1 and which is properly marked in our common ,bibles by the sign of the paragraph 771 there commences a new series of visions1 intended also1 but in a different line1 to extend down to the consummation of all things4 ,the former series traces the history down mainly through the series of civil changes in the world1 or the outward affairs which affect the destiny of the church2 the latterthe portion still before usembraces the same period with a more direct reference to the rise of ,antichrist1 and the influence of that power in affecting the destiny of the church4 ,when that is completed 7ch4 xi4 #ai1 xii4xix471 the way is prepared 7ch4 xx4xxii47 for the more full statement of the final triumph of the gospel1 and the universal prevalence of religion1 with which the book so appropriately closes4 ,that portion of the book1 therefore1 refers to the same period as the one which has just been considered under the sounding of the seventh trumpet1 and the description of the final state of things would have immediately succeeded if it had not been necessary1 by another series of visions1 to trace more particularly the history of ,antichrist on the destiny of the church1 and the way in which that great and fearful power would be finally overcome4 ,see the ,analysis of the ,book1 part ,v4 ,the way is then prepared for the description of the state of things which will exist when all the enemies of the church shall be subdued2 when ,christianity shall triumph2 and when the predicted reign of ,god shall be set up on the earth1 ch4 xx4xxii4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,ch4 ,,xi4 #ai1 ,,xii4 ,this portion of the book commences1 according to the view presented in the closing remarks on the last chapter1 a new series of visions1 designed more particularly to represent the internal condition of the church2 the rise of ,antichrist1 and the effect of the rise of that formidable power on the internal history of the church to the time of the overthrow of that power1 and the triumphant establishment of the kingdom of ,god4 ,see the ,analysis of the ,book1 part ,v4 ,the portion before us embraces the following particulars3 7#a7 ,a new vision of the temple of ,god as opened in heaven1 disclosing the ark of the testimony1 and attended with lightnings1 and voices1 and thunderings1 and an earthquake1 and great hail1 ch4 xi4 #ai4 ,the view of the 8temple10 and the 8ark10 would naturally suggest a reference to the church1 and would be an appropriate representation on the supposition that this vision related to the church4 ,the attending circumstances of the lightnings1 c41 were well fitted to impress the mind with awe1 and to leave the conviction that great and momentous events were about to be disclosed4 ,i regard this verse1 therefore1 which should have been separated from the eleventh chapter and attached to the twelfth1 as the introduction to a new series of visions1 similar to what we have in the introduction of the previous series1 ch4 iv4 #a4 ,the vision was of the templethe symbol of the churchand it was 8opened0 so that ,john could see into its inmost parteven within the veil where the ark wasand could have a view of what most intimately pertained to it4 7#b7 ,a representation of the church1 under the image of a woman about to give birth to a child1 ch4 xii4 #a1 #b4 ,a woman is seen1 clothed1 as it were1 with the sunemblem of majesty1 truth1 intelligence1 and glory2 she has the moon under her feet1 as if she walked the heavens2 she has on her head a glittering diadem of stars2 she is about to become a mother4 ,this seems to have been designed to represent the church as about to be increased1 and as in that #bii condition watched by a dragona mighty foeready to destroy its offspring1 and thus compelled to flee into the wilderness for safety4 ,thus understood1 the point of time referred to would be when the church was in a prosperous condition1 and when it would be encountered by ,antichrist1 represented here by the dragon1 and compelled to flee into the wilderness2 that is1 the church for a time would be driven into obscurity1 and be almost unknown4 ,it is no uncommon thing1 in the ,scriptures1 to compare the church with a beautiful woman4 ,see ,notes on ,isa4 i4 #h4 ,the following remarks of ,professor ,stuart 7vol4 ii4 #beb71 though he applies the subject in a manner very different from what ,i shall1 seem to me accurately to express the general design of the symbol38,the daughter of ,zion is a common personification of the church in the ,old ,testament2 and in the writings of ,paul1 the same image is exhibited by the phrase1 ,jerusalem1 which is the mother of us all2 i4e4 of all ,christians1 ,ga4 iv4 #bf4 ,the main point before us is the illustration of that church1 ancient or later1 under the image of a woman4 ,if the ,canticles are to have a spiritual sense given to them1 it is plain enough1 of course1 how familiar such an idea was to the ,jews4 ,whether the woman thus exhibited as a symbol be represented as bride or mother depends1 of course1 on the nature of the case1 and the relations and exigencies of any particular passage40 7#c7 ,the dragon that stood ready to devour the child1 ver4 #c1 #d4 ,this represents some formidable enemy of the church1 that was ready to persecute and destroy it4 ,the real enemy here referred to is1 undoubtedly1 ,satan1 the great enemy of ,god and the church1 but here it is ,satan in the form of some fearful opponent of the church that would arise at a period when the church was prosperous1 and when it was about to be enlarged4 ,we are to look1 therefore1 for some fearful manifestation of this formidable power1 having the characteristics here referred to1 or some opposition to the church such as we may suppose ,satan would originate1 and by which the existence of the church might seem to be endangered4 7#d7 ,the fact that the child which the woman brought forth was caught up to heavensymbolical of its real safety1 and of its having the favour of ,goda pledge that the ultimate prosperity of the church was certain1 and that it was safe from real danger1 ver4 #e4 7#e7 ,the fleeing of the woman into the wilderness1 for the space of a thousand two hundred and threescore days1 or #abfj years1 ver4 #f4 ,this act denotes the persecuted and obscure condition of the church during that time1 and the period which would elapse before it would be delivered from this persecution1 and restored to the place in the earth which it was designed to have4 7#f7 ,the war in heaven2 a struggle between the mighty powers of heaven and the dragon1 ver4 #gi4 ,michael and his angels contend against the dragon1 in behalf of the church1 and finally prevail4 ,the dragon is overcome1 and is cast out1 and all his angels with him2 in other words1 the great enemy of ,god and his church is overcome and subdued4 ,this is evidently designed to be symbolical1 and the meaning is1 that a state of things would exist in regard to the church1 which would be well represented by supposing that such a scene should occur in heaven2 that is1 as if a war should exist there between the great enemy of ,god and the angels of light1 and as if1 being there vanquished1 ,satan should be cast down to the earth1 and should there exert his malignant power in a warfare against the church4 ,the general idea is1 that his warfare would be primarily against heaven1 as if he fought with the angels in the very presence of ,god1 but that the form in which he would seem to prevail would be against the church1 as if1 being unsuccessful in his direct warfare against the angels of ,god1 he was permitted1 for a time1 to enjoy the appearance of triumph in contending with the church4 7#g7 ,the shout of victory in view of the conquest over the dragon1 ver4 #ajab4 ,a loud voice is heard in heaven1 saying1 that now the kingdom of ,god is come1 and that the reign of ,god would be set up1 for the dragon is cast down and overcome4 ,the grand instrumentality in overcoming this foe was 8the blood of the ,lamb1 and the word of their testimony20 that is1 the great doctrines of truth pertaining to the work of the ,redeemer would be employed for this purpose1 and it is proclaimed that the heavens and all that dwell therein had occasion to rejoice at the certainty that a victory would be ultimately obtained over this great enemy of ,god4 ,still1 however1 his influence was not wholly at an end1 #cjj for he would yet rage for a brief period on the earth4 7#h7 ,the persecution of the woman1 ver4 #acae4 ,she is constrained to fly1 as on wings given her for that purpose1 into the wilderness1 where she is nourished for the time that the dragon is to exert his powera 8time1 times1 and half a time0or for #abfj years4 ,the dragon in rage pours out a flood of water1 that he may cause her to be swept away by the flood3 referring to the persecutions that would exist while the church was in the wilderness1 and the efforts that would be made to destroy it entirely4 7#i7 ,the earth helps the woman1 ver4 #af4 ,that is1 a state of things would exist as if1 in such a case1 the earth should open and swallow up the flood4 ,the meaning is1 that the church would not be swept away1 but that there would be an interposition in its behalf1 as if the earth should1 in the case supposed1 open its bosom1 and swallow up the swelling waters4 7#aj7 ,the dragon1 still enraged1 makes war with all that pertains to the woman1 ver4 #ag4 ,here we are told literally who are referred to by the 8seed0 of the woman4 ,they are those who 8keep the commandments of ,god1 and have the testimony of ,jesus ,christ0 7ver4 #ag72 that is1 the true church4 ,the chapter1 therefore1 may be regarded as a general vision of the persecutions that would rage against the church4 ,it seemed to be about to increase and to spread over the world4 ,satan1 always opposed to it1 strives to prevent its extension4 ,the conflict is represented as if in heaven1 where war is waged between the celestial beings and ,satan1 and where1 being overcome1 ,satan is cast down to the earth1 and permitted to wage the war there4 ,the church is persecuted2 becomes obscure and almost unknown1 but still is mysteriously sustained2 and when most in danger of being wholly swallowed up1 is kept as if a miracle were wrought in its defence4 ,the detailthe particular form in which the war would be wagedis drawn out in the following chapters4 #ai ,and the #cgjtemple of ,god was opened in heaven1 and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament3 and there were #cgalightnings1 and voices1 and thunderings1 and an #cgb;earthquake1 and great hail4 ,ch4 xi4 #ai4 ,and the temple of ,god was opened in heaven4 ,the temple of ,god at ,jerusalem was a pattern of the heavenly one1 or of heaven1 ,he4 viii4 #ae4 ,in that temple ,god was supposed to reside by the visible symbol of his presencethe ,shekinahin the holy of holies4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #g4 ,thus ,god dwells in heaven1 as in a holy temple1 of which that on earth was the emblem4 ,when it is said that that was 8opened in heaven10 the meaning is1 that ,john was permitted1 as it were1 to look into heaven1 the abode of ,god1 and to see him in his glory4 ,and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #d4 ,that is1 the very interior of heaven was laid open1 and ,john was permitted to witness what was transacted in its obscurest recesses1 and what were its most hidden mysteries4 ,it will be remembered1 as an illustration of the correctness of this view of the meaning of the verse1 and of its proper place in the divisions of the bookassigning it as the opening verse of a new series of visionsthat in the first series of visions we have a statement remarkably similar to this1 ch4 iv4 #a3 8,after this ,i looked1 and1 behold1 a door was opened in heaven20 that is1 there was1 as it were1 an opening made into heaven1 so that ,john was permitted to look in and see what was occurring there4 ,the same idea is expressed substantially here1 by saying that the very interior of the sacred temple where ,god resides was 8opened in heaven10 so that ,john was permitted to look in and see what was transacted in his very presence4 ,this1 too1 may go to confirm the idea suggested in the ,analysis of the ,book1 part ,v41 that this portion of the ,apocalypse refers rather to the internal affairs of the church1 or the church itselffor of this the temple was the proper emblem4 ,then appropriately follows the series of visions describing1 as in the former case1 what was to occur in future times3 this series referring to the internal affairs of the church1 as the former did mainly to what would outwardly affect its form and condition4 ,and there were lightnings1 c4 ,symbolic of the awful presence of ,god1 and of his majesty and glory1 as in the commencement of the first series of visions4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #e4 #cja ,the similarity of the symbols of the divine majesty in the two cases may also serve to confirm the supposition that this is the beginning of a new series of visions4 ,and an earthquake4 ,also a symbol of the divine majesty1 and perhaps of the great convulsions that were to occur under this series of visions4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 vi4 #ab4 ,thus1 in the sublime description of ,god in ,ps4 xviii4 #g1 8,then the earth shook and trembled1 the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken1 because he was wroth40 ,so in ,ex4 xix4 #ah1 8,and ,mount ,sinai was altogether on a smokeand the whole mount quaked greatly40 ,comp4 ,am4 viii4 #h1 #i2 ,joel ii4 #aj4 ,and great hail4 ,also an emblem of the presence and majesty of ,god1 perhaps with the accompanying idea that he would overwhelm and punish his enemies4 ,so in ,ps4 xviii4 #ac1 8,the ,lord also thundered in the heavens1 and the ,highest gave his voice3 hailstones and coals of fire40 ,so also ,job xxxviii4 #bb1 #bc3 8,hast thou entered into the treasures of snow8 ,or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail8 ,which ,i have reserved against the time of trouble4 ,against the day of battle and war80 ,so in ,ps4 cv4 #cb3 8,he gave them hail for rain1 ,and flaming fire in their land40 ,comp4 ,ps4 lxxviii4 #dh2 ,is4 xxx4 #cj2 ,eze4 xxxviii4 #bb4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,and there appeared a great #cgcwonder in heaven2 a #cgdwoman clothed with the #cgesun1 and the moon under her feet1 and upon her head a crown of twelve stars3 ,ch4 xii4 #a4 ,and there appeared a great wonder in heaven4 ,in that heavenly world thus disclosed1 in the very presence of ,god1 he saw the impressive and remarkable symbol which he proceeds to describe4 ,the word wonderproperly means something extraordinary1 or miraculous1 and is commonly rendered sign4 ,see ,mat4 xii4 #ch1 #ci2 xvi4 #a1 #c1 #d2 xxiv4 #c1 #bd1 #cj2 xxvi4 #dh2 ,mar4 viii4 #aa1 #ab2 xiii4 #d1 #bb2 xvi4 #ag1 #bj2;in all which1 and in numerous other places in the ,new ,testament1 it is rendered sign1 and mostly in the sense of miracle4 ,when used in the sense of a miracle1 it refers to the fact that the miracle is a sign or token by which the divine power or purpose is made known4 ,sometimes the word is used to denote a sign of future thingsa portent or presage of coming events2 that is1 some remarkable appearances which foreshadow the future4 ,thus in ,mat4 xvi4 #c3 8signs of the times20 that is1 the miraculous events which foreshadow the coming of the ,messiah in his kingdom4 ,so also in ,mat4 xxiv4 #c1 #cj2 ,mar4 xiii4 #d2 ,lu4 xxi4 #g1 #aa4 ,this seems to be the meaning here1 that the woman who appeared in this remarkable manner was a portent or token of what was to occur4 ,a woman clothed with the sun4 ,bright1 splendid1 glorious1 as if the sunbeams were her raiment4 ,comp4 ch4 i4 #af2 x4 #a2 see also ,ca4 vi4 #aj;a passage which1 very possibly1 was in the mind of the writer when he penned this description3 8,who is she that looketh forth as the morning1 fair as the moon1 clear as the sun1 and terrible as an army with banners80 ,and the moon under her feet4 ,the moon seemed to be under her feet4 ,she seemed as if she stood on the moon1 its pale light contrasted with the burning splendour of the sun1 heightening the beauty of the whole picture4 ,the woman1 beyond all question1 represents the church4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,is the splendour of the sunlight designed to denote the brightness of the gospel8 ,is the moon designed to represent the comparatively feeble light of the ,jewish dispensation8 ,is the fact that she stood upon the moon1 or that it was under her feet1 designed to denote the superiority of the gospel to the ,jewish dispensation8 ,such a supposition gives much beauty to the symbol1 and is not foreign to the nature of symbolic language4 ,and upon her head a crown of twelve stars4 ,a diadem in which there were placed twelve stars4 ,that is1 there were twelve sparkling gems in the crown which she wore4 ,this would1 of course1 greatly increase the beauty of the vision2 and there can be no doubt that the number twelve here is significant4 ,if the woman here is designed to symbolize the church1 then the number twelve has1 in all probability1 some allusion either to the twelve tribes of ,israelas being a number which one who was born and educated as a ,jew would be likely to use 7comp4 ,ja4 i4 #a71 or to the twelve apostlesan allusion which1 it may be supposed1 an apostle would be more #cjb likely to make4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xix4 #bh2 ,re4 xxi4 #ad4 #b ,and she being with child cried1 travailing in birth1 and pained to be delivered4 #b4 ,and she being with child cried1 travailing in birth1 c4 ,that is1 there would be something which would be properly represented by a woman in such circumstances4 ,the question now is1 what is referred to by this woman8 ,and here it need hardly be said that there has been1 as in regard to almost every other part of the book of ,revelation1 a great variety of interpretations4 ,it would be endless to undertake to examine them1 and would not be profitable if it could be done2 and it is better1 therefore1 and more in accordance with the design of these ,notes1 to state briefly what seems to me to be the true interpretation4 7#a7 ,the woman is evidently designed to symbolize the church2 and in this there is a pretty general agreement among interpreters4 ,the image1 which is a beautiful one1 was very familiar to the ,jewish prophets4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 i4 #h2 xlvii4 #a2 comp4 ,eze4 xvi4 7#b7 ,but still the question arises1 to what time this representation refers3 whether to the church before the birth of the ,saviour1 or after8 ,according to the former of these opinions1 it is supposed to refer to the church as giving birth to the ,saviour1 and the 8man child0 that is born 7ver4 #e7 is supposed to refer to ,christ1 who 8sprang from the church0 according to the flesh 7,professor ,stuart1 vol4 ii4 p4 #beb74 ,the church1 according to this view1 is not simply regarded as ,jewish1 but1 in a more general and theocratic sense1 as the people of ,god4 8,from the ,christian church1 considered as ,christian1 he could not spring2 for this took its rise only after the time of his public ministry4 ,but from the bosom of the people of ,god the ,saviour came4 ,this church1 ,judaical indeed 7at the time of his birth7 in respect to rites and forms1 but to become ,christian after he had exercised his ministry in the midst of it1 might well be represented here by the woman which is described in ch4 xii40 7,professor ,stuart74 ,but to this view there are some1 as it seems to me1 unanswerable objections4 ,for1 7a7 there seems to be a harshness and incongruity in representing the ,saviour as the ,son of the church1 or representing the church as giving birth to him4 ,such imagery is not found elsewhere in the ,bible1 and is not in accordance with the language which is employed1 where ,christ is rather represented as the ,husband of the church than the ,son3 8,prepared as a bride adorned for her husband10 ,re4 xxi4 #b4 8,i will show thee the bride1 the ,lamb's wife10 ,re4 xxi4 #i2 comp4 ,is4 liv4 #e2 lxi4 #aj2 lxii4 #e4 7b7 ,if this interpretation be adopted1 then this must refer to the ,jewish church1 and thus the woman will personify the ,jewish community before the birth of ,christ4 ,but this seems contrary to the whole design of the ,apocalypse1 which has reference to the ,christian church1 and not to the ancient dispensation4 7c7 ,if this interpretation be adopted1 then the statement about the dwelling in the wilderness for a period of #abfj days or years 7ver4 #ad7 must be assigned to the ,jewish communitya supposition every way improbable and untenable4 ,in what sense could this be true8 ,when did anything happen to the ,jewish people that could1 with any show of probability1 be regarded as the fulfilment of this8 7d7 ,it may be added1 that the statement about the 8man child0 7ver4 #e7 is one that can with difficulty be reconciled to this supposition4 ,in what sense was this true1 that the 8man child0 was 8caught up unto ,god1 and to his throne80 ,the ,saviour1 indeed1 ascended to heaven1 but it was not1 as here represented1 that he might be protected from the danger of being destroyed2 and when he did ascend1 it was not as a helpless and unprotected babe1 but as a man in the full maturity of his powers4 ,the other opinion is1 that the woman here refers to the ,christian church1 and that the object is to represent that church as about to be enlargedrepresented by the condition of the woman1 ver4 #b4 ,a beautiful woman appears1 clothed with lightemblematic of the brightness and purity of the church2 with the moon under her feetthe ancient and comparatively obscure dispensation now made subordinate and humble2 with a glittering diadem of twelve stars on her headthe stars representing the usual well-known division of the people of ,god into twelve partsas the stars in the ,american flag denote the original states of the ,union2 and in a condition 7ver4 #b7 which showed that the church was to be increased4 ,the time there referred to is at the #cjc early period of the history of the church1 when1 as it were1 it first appears on the theatre of things1 and going forth in its beauty and majesty over the earth4 ,john sees this church1 as it was about to spread in the world1 exposed to a mighty and formidable enemya hateful dragonstationing itself to prevent its increase1 and to accomplish its destruction4 ,from that impending danger it is protected in a manner that would be well represented by the saving of the child of the woman1 and bearing it up to heaven1 to a place of safetyan act implying that1 notwithstanding all dangers1 the progress and enlargement of the church was ultimately certain4 ,in the meantime1 the woman herself flees into the wildernessan act representing the obscure1 and humble1 and persecuted state of the churchtill the great controversy is determined which is to have the ascendency,god or the ,dragon4 ,in favour of this interpretation1 the following considerations may be suggested37a7 ,it is the natural and obvious interpretation4 7b7 ,if it be admitted that ,john meant to describe what occurred in the world at the time when the true church seemed to be about to extend itself over the earth1 and when that prosperity was checked by the rise of the ,papal power1 the symbol employed would be strikingly expressive and appropriate4 7c7 ,it accords with the language elsewhere used in the ,scriptures when referring to the increase of the church4 8,before she travailed1 she brought forth2 before her pain came1 she was delivered of a man child4 ,who hath heard such a thing8 ,as soon as ,zion travailed1 she brought forth her children10 ,is4 lxvi4 #g1 #h4 8,sing1 ,o barren1 thou that didst not bear2 for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife1 saith the ,lord10 ,is4 liv4 #a4 8,the children which thou shalt have1 after thou shalt have lost the other1 shall say again in thy ears1 ,the place is too strait for me2 give place to me that ,i may dwell10 ,is4 xlix4 #bj4 ,the comparison of the church to a woman as the mother of children1 is one that is very common in the ,scriptures4 7d7 ,the future destiny of the child and of the woman agrees with this supposition4 ,the child is caught up to heaven1 ver4 #e;emblematic of the fact that ,god will protect the church1 and not suffer its increase to be cut off and destroyed2 and the woman is driven for #abfj years into the wilderness and nourished there1 ver4 #ad;emblematic of the long period of obscurity and persecution in the true church1 and yet of the fact that it would be protected and nourished4 ,the design of the whole1 therefore1 ,i apprehend1 is to represent the peril of the church at the time when it was about to be greatly enlarged1 or in a season of prosperity1 from the rise of a formidable enemy that would stand ready to destroy it4 ,i regard this1 therefore1 as referring to the time of the rise of the ,papacy1 when1 but for that formidable1 corrupting1 and destructive power1 it might have been hoped that the church would have spread all over the world4 ,in regard to the rise of that power1 see all that ,i have to say1 or can say1 in the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bdbh4 #c ,and there appeared another wonder#cgf in heaven2 and behold a #cgg;great red dragon1 having seven heads and ten horns1 and seven crowns upon his heads4 #c4 ,and there appeared another wonder in heaven4 ,represented as in heaven4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,that is1 he saw this as occurring at the time when the church was thus about to increase4 ,and behold a great red dragon4 ,the word rendered dragonoccurs1 in the ,new ,testament1 only in the book of ,revelation1 where it is uniformly rendered as heredragon3 ch4 xii4 #c1 #d1 #g1 #i1 #ac1 #af1 #ag2 xiii4 #b1 #d1 #aa2 xvi4 #ac2 xx4 #b4 ,in all these places there is reference to the same thing4 ,the word properly means a large serpent2 and the allusion in the word commonly is to some serpent1 perhaps such as the anaconda1 that resides in a desert or wilderness4 ,see a full account of the ideas that prevailed in ancient times respecting the dragon1 in ,bochart1 ,hieroz4 lib4 iii4 cap4 xiv41 vol4 ii4 pp4 #dbhddj4 ,there was much that was fabulous respecting this monster1 and many notions were attached to the dragon which did not exist in reality1 and which were ascribed to it by the imagination at a time when natural history was little understood4 ,the characteristics ascribed to the dragon1 according to ,bochart1 are1 that it was distinguished 7a7 for its vast size2 7b7 that it had something like a beard or dew-lap2 7c7 that it had three rows of teeth2 7d7 that its colour was black1 #cjd red1 yellow1 or ashy2 7e7 that it had a wide mouth2 7f7 that in its breathing it not only drew in the air1 but also birds that were flying over it2 and 7g7 that its hiss was terrible4 ,occasionally1 also1 feet and wings were attributed to the dragon1 and sometimes a lofty crest4 ,the dragon1 according to ,bochart1 was supposed to inhabit waste places and solitudes 7comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xiii4 #bb71 and it became1 therefore1 an object of great terror4 ,it is probable that the original of this was a huge serpent1 and that all the other circumstances were added by the imagination4 ,the prevailing ideas in regard to it1 however1 should be borne in mind1 in order to see the force and propriety of the use of the word by ,john4 ,two special characteristics are stated by ,john in the general description of the dragon3 one is1 its red colour2 the other1 that it was great4 ,in regard to the former1 as above mentioned1 the dragon was supposed to be black1 red1 yellow1 or ashy4 ,see the authorities referred to in ,bochart1 ut sup41 pp4 #dce1 #dcf4 ,there was doubtless a reason why the one seen by ,john should be represented as red4 ,as to the other characteristicgreatthe idea is that it was a huge monster1 and this would properly refer to some mighty1 terrible power which would be properly symbolized by such a monster4 ,having seven heads4 ,it was not unusual to attribute many heads to monsters1 especially to fabulous monsters1 and these greatly increased the terror of the animal4 8,thus ,cerberus usually has three heads assigned to him2 but ,hesiod 7,theog4 #cab7 assigns him fifty1 and ,horace 7,ode ,,ii4 #ac1 #cd7 one hundred4 ,so the ,hydra of the ,lake ,lerna1 killed by ,hercules1 had fifty heads 7,virg4 n4 vi4 #egf72 and in ,kiddushim1 fol4 #bi1 #b1 ,rabbi ,achse is said to have seen a demon like a dragon with seven heads0 7,professor ,stuart1 in loco74 ,the seven heads would somehow denote power1 or seats of power4 ,such a number of heads increase the terribleness1 and1 as it were1 the vitality of the monster4 ,what is here represented would be as terrible and formidable as such a monster2 or such a monster would appropriately represent what was designed to be symbolized here4 ,the number seven may be used here 8as a perfect number10 or merely to heighten the terror of the image2 but it is more natural to suppose that there would be something in what is here represented which would lay the foundation for the use of this number4 ,there would be something either in the origin of the power2 or in the union of various powers now combined in the one represented by the dragon2 or in the seat of the power1 which this would properly symbolize4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #f4 ,and ten horns4 ,emblems of power1 denoting that1 in some respects1 there were ten powers combined in this one4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #g1 #h1 #bj1 #bd4 ,there can be little doubt that ,john had those passages of ,daniel in his eye1 and perhaps as little that the reference is to the same thing4 ,the meaning is1 that1 in some respects1 there would be a tenfold origin or division of the power represented by the dragon4 ,and seven crowns upon his heads4 ,gr41 diadems4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #g4 ,there is a reference here to some kingly power1 and doubtless ,john had some kingdom or sovereignty in his eye that would be properly symbolized in this manner4 ,the method in which these heads and horns were arranged on the dragon is not stated1 and is not material4 ,all that is necessary in the explanation is1 that there was something in the power referred to that would be properly represented by the seven heads1 and something by the ten horns4 ,in the application of this1 it will be necessary to inquire what was properly symbolized by these representations1 and to refer again to these particulars with this view4 7a7 ,the dragon4 ,this is explained in ver4 #i of this chapter3 8,and the great dragon was cast out1 that old serpent1 called the ,devil1 and ,satan1 which deceiveth the whole world40 ,so again1 ch4 xx4 #b1 8,and he laid hold on the dragon1 that old serpent1 which is the ,devil40 ,comp4 ,bochart1 ,hieroz4 ii4 pp4 #dci1 #ddj4 ,there can be no doubt1 therefore1 that the reference here is to ,satan1 considered as the enemy of ,god1 and the enemy of the peace of man1 and especially as giving origin and form to some mighty power that would threaten the existence of the church4 7b7 ,great4 ,this will well describe the power of ,satan as originating the organizations that were engaged for so long a time in persecuting the church1 and endeavouring to destroy it4 ,it was a work of vast power1 controlling kings and nations for ages1 and could have been accomplished only by one to whom the appellation here used could be given4 #cje 7c7 ,red4 ,this1 too1 is an appellation properly applied here to the dragon1 or ,satan1 considered as the enemy of the church1 and as originating this persecuting power1 either 7#a7 because it well represents the bloody persecutions that would ensue1 or 7#b7 because this would be the favourite colour by which this power would be manifest4 ,comp4 ch4 xvii4 #c1 #d2 xviii4 #ab1 #af4 7d7 ,the seven heads4 ,there was1 doubtless1 as above remarked1 something significant in these heads1 as referring to the power designed to be represented4 ,on the supposition that this refers to ,rome1 or to the power of ,satan as manifested by ,roman persecution1 there can be no difficulty in the application2 and1 indeed1 it is such an image as the writer would naturally use on the supposition that it had such a designed reference4 ,rome was built1 as is well known1 on seven hills 7comp4 ,notes on ch4 x4 #c71 and was called the seven-hilled city 7,septicollis71 from having been originally built on seven hills1 though subsequently three hills were added1 making the whole number ten4 ,see ,eschenburg1 ,manual of ,classical ,literature1 p4 #a1 #ec4 ,thus ,ovid3 8,sed qu de septem totum circumspicit orbem ,montibus1 imperii ,rom ,demque locus40 ,horace3 8,dis quibus septem placuere colles40 ,propertius3 8,septem urbs alta jugis1 toti qu prsidet orbi40 ,tertullian38,i appeal to the citizens of ,rome1 the populace that dwell on the seven hills0 7,apol4 #ce74 ,and again1 ,jerome to ,marcella1 when urging her to quit ,rome for ,bethlehem3 8,read what is said in the ,apocalypse of the seven hills10 c4 ,the situation of the city1 if that was destined to be represented by the dragon1 would naturally suggest the idea of the seven-headed monster4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 ,the explanation which is here given of the meaning of the 8seven heads0 is1 in fact1 one that is given in the book of ,revelation itself1 and there can be no danger of error in this part of the interpretation4 ,see ch4 xvii4 #i3 8,the seven heads are seven mountains1 on which the woman sitteth40 ,comp4 ver4 #ah4 7e7 ,the ten horns4 ,these were emblems of power1 denoting that in reference to that power there were1 in some respects1 ten sources4 ,the same thing is referred to here which is in ,da4 vii4 #g1 #h1 #bj1 #bd4 ,see the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bd1 where this subject is fully considered4 ,the creature that ,john saw was indeed a monster1 and we are not to expect entire congruity in the details4 ,it is sufficient that the main idea is preserved1 and that would be1 if the reference was to ,rome considered as the place where the energy of ,satan1 as opposed to ,god and the church1 was centered4 7f7 ,the seven crowns4 ,this would merely denote that kingly or royal authority was claimed4 ,illustration3 ,roman ,standard4 ,the general interpretation which refers this vision to ,rome may receive confirmation from the fact that the dragon was at one time the ,roman standard1 as is represented by the annexed engraving from ,montfauon4 ,ammianus ,marcellinus 7xvi4 #aj7 thus describes this standard3 8,the dragon was covered with purple cloth1 and fastened to the end of a pike gilt and adorned with precious stones4 ,it opened its wide throat1 and the wind blew through it2 and it hissed as if in a rage1 with its tail floating in several folds through the air40 ,he elsewhere often gives it the epithet of purpureuspurple-red3 purpureum signum draconis1 c4 ,with #cjf this the description of ,claudian well agrees also3 8,hi volucres tollent aquilas2 hi picta draconum ,colla levant3 multumque tumet per nubila serpens1 ,iratus stimulante noto1 vivitque receptis ,flatibus1 et vario mentitur sibila flatu40 ,the dragon was first used as an ensign near the close of the second century of the ,christian era1 and it was not until the third century that its use had become common2 and the reference here1 according to this fact1 would be to that period of the ,roman power when this had become a common standard1 and when the applicability of this image would be readily understood4 ,it is simply ,rome that is referred to,rome1 the great agent of accomplishing the purposes of ,satan towards the church4 ,the eagle was the common ,roman ensign in the time of the republic1 and in the earlier periods of the empire2 but in later periods the dragon became also a standard as common and as well known as the eagle4 8,in the third century it had become almost as notorious among ,roman ensigns as the eagle itself2 and is in the fourth century noted by ,prudentius1 ,vegetius1 ,chrysostom1 ,ammianus1 c42 in the fifth1 by ,claudian and others0 7,elliott74 #d ,and his #cghtail drew the third part of the stars of heaven1 and did cast them to the earth3 and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered1 for to devour her child as soon as it was born4 #d4 ,and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven4 ,the word rendered drewmeans to draw1 drag1 haul4 ,professor ,stuart renders it 8drew along20 and explains it as meaning that 8the danger is represented as being in the upper region of the air1 so that his tail may be supposed to interfere with and sweep down the stars1 which1 as viewed by the ancients1 were all set in the visible expanse or welkin40 ,so ,daniel 7viii4 #aj71 speaking of the little horn1 says that 8it waxed great1 even to the host of heaven1 and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground40 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,the main idea here undoubtedly is that of power1 and the object of ,john is to show that the power of the dragon was as if it extended to the stars1 and as if it dragged down a third part of them to the earth1 or swept them away with its tail1 leaving two-thirds unaffected4 ,a power that would sweep them all away would be universal2 a power that would sweep away one-third only would represent a dominion of that extent only4 ,the dragon is represented as floating in the aira monster extended along the skyand one-third of the whole expanse was subject to his control4 ,suppose1 then1 that the dragon here was designed to represent the ,roman ,pagan power2 suppose that it referred to that power about to engage in the work of persecution1 and at a time when the church was about to be greatly enlarged1 and to fill the world2 suppose that it referred to a time when but one-third part of the ,roman world was subject to ,pagan influence1 and the remaining two-thirds were1 for some cause1 safe from this influence1all the conditions here referred to would be fulfilled4 ,now it so happens that at a time when the 8dragon0 had become a common standard in the ,roman armies1 and had in some measure superseded the eagle1 a state of things did exist which well corresponds with this representation4 ,there were times under the emperors when1 in a considerable part of the empire1 after the establishment of ,christianity1 the church enjoyed protection1 and the ,christian religion was tolerated1 while in other parts ,paganism still prevailed1 and waged a bitter warfare with the church4 8,twice1 at least1 before the ,roman empire became divided permanently into the two parts1 the ,eastern and the ,western1 there was a tripartite division of the empire4 ,the first occurred ,a4,d4 #caa1 when it was divided between ,constantine1 ,licinius1 and ,maximin2 the other ,a4,d4 #ccg1 on the death of ,constantine1 when it was divided between his three sons1 ,constantine1 ,constans1 and ,constantius40 8,in two-thirds of the empire1 embracing its whole ,european and ,african territory1 ,christians enjoyed toleration2 in the other1 or ,asiatic portion1 they were still1 after a brief and uncertain respite1 exposed to persecution1 in all its bitterness and cruelty as before0 7,elliott74 ,i do not deem it absolutely essential1 however1 in order to a fair exposition of this passage1 that we should #cjg be able to refer to minute historical facts with names and dates4 ,a sufficient fulfilment is found if there was a period when the church1 bright1 glorious1 and prosperous1 was apparently about to become greatly enlarged1 but when the monstrous ,pagan power still held its sway over a considerable part of the world1 exposing the church to persecution4 ,even after the establishment of the church in the empire1 and the favour shown to it by the ,roman government1 it was long before the ,pagan power ceased to rage1 and before the church could be regarded as safe4 ,and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered1 for to devour her child4 ,to prevent the increase and spread of the church in the world4 #e ,and #cgishe brought forth a man child1 #chjwho was to rule all nations with a rod of iron3 and her child was caught up unto ,god1 and to his throne4 #e4 ,and she brought forth a man child4 ,representing1 according to the view above taken1 the church in its increase and prosperityas if a child were born that was to rule over all nations4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,who was to rule all nations4 ,that is1 according to this view1 the church thus represented was destined to reign in all the earth1 or all the earth was to become subject to its laws4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #ac1 #ad4 ,with a rod of iron4 ,the language here used is derived from ,ps4 ii4 #i3 8,thou shalt break them with a rod of iron40 ,the form of the expression here used1 8who was to rule0 is derived from the ,septuagint translation of the ,psalm8thou shalt rule them20 to wit1 as a shepherd does his flock4 ,the reference is to such control as a shepherd employs in relation to his flockprotecting1 guarding1 and defending them1 with the idea that the flock is under his care2 and1 on the supposition that this refers to the church1 it means that it would yet have the ascendency or the dominion over the earth4 ,the meaning in the phrase1 8with a rod of iron10 is1 that the dominion would be strong or irresistibleas an iron sceptre is one that cannot be broken or resisted4 ,the thoughts here expressed1 therefore1 are1 7a7 that the church would become universalor that the principles of truth and righteousness would prevail everywhere on the earth2 7b7 that the ascendency of religion over the understandings and consciences of men would be irresistibleas firm as a government administered under a sceptre of iron2 yet 7c7 that it would be rather of a character of protection than of force or violence1 like the sway which a shepherd wields over his flock4 ,i understand the 8man child0 here1 therefore1 to refer to the church in its increase under the ,messiah1 and the idea to be1 that that church was1 at the time referred to1 about to be enlarged1 and that1 though its increase was opposed1 yet it was destined ultimately to assert a mild sway over all the world4 ,the time here referred to would seem to be some period in the early history of the church when religion was likely to be rapidly propagated1 and when it was opposed and retarded by violent persecutionperhaps the last of the persecutions under the ,pagan ,roman empire4 ,and her child was caught up unto ,god4 ,this is evidently a symbolical representation4 ,some event was to occur1 or some divine interposition was to take place1 as if the child thus born were caught up from the earth to save it from death1 and was rendered secure by being in the presence of ,god1 and near his throne4 ,it cannot be supposed that anything like this would literally occur4 ,any divine interposition to protect the church in its increase1 or to save it from being destroyed by the dragonthe fierce ,pagan powerwould be properly represented by this4 ,why may we not suppose the reference to be to the time of ,constantine1 when the church came under his protection2 when it was effectually and finally saved from ,pagan persecution2 when it was rendered safe from the enemy that waited to destroy it8 ,on the supposition that this refers to an increasing but endangered church1 in whose defence a civil power was raised up1 exalting ,christianity to the throne1 and protecting it from danger1 this would be well represented by the child caught up to heaven4 ,this view may derive confirmation from some well-known facts in history4 ,the old ,pagan power was concentrated in ,maximin1 who was emperor from the ,nile to the ,bosphorus1 and who raged against the gospel and the church 8with ,satanic enmity40 8,infuriate at the now imminent prospect of the ,christian body #cjh attaining establishment in the empire1 ,maximin renewed the persecution against ,christians within the limits of his own dominion2 prohibiting their assemblies1 and degrading1 and even killing their bishops40 ,comp4 ,gibbon1 i4 #cbe1 #cbf4 ,the last struggle of ,pagan ,rome to destroy the church by persecution1 before the triumph of ,constantine1 and the public establishment of the ,christian religion1 might be well represented by the attempt of the dragon to destroy the child2 and the safety of the church1 and its complete deliverance from ,pagan persecution1 by the symbol of a child caught up to heaven1 and placed near the throne of ,god4 ,the persecution under ,maximin was the last struggle of ,paganism to retain the supremacy1 and to crush ,christianity in the empire4 8,before the decisive battle10 says ,milner1 8,maximin vowed to ,jupiter that1 if victorious1 he would abolish the ,christian name4 ,the contest between ,jehovah and ,jupiter was now at its height1 and drawing to a crisis40 ,the result was the defeat and death of ,maximin1 and the termination of the efforts of ,paganism to destroy ,christianity by force4 ,respecting this event1 ,mr4 ,gibbon remarks1 8,the defeat and death of ,maximin soon delivered the church from the last and most implacable of her enemies10 i4 #cbf4 ,christianity was1 after that1 rendered safe from ,pagan persecution4 ,mr4 ,gibbon says1 8,the gratitude of the church has exalted the virtues of the generous patron who seated ,christianity on the throne of the ,roman world40 ,if1 however1 it should be regarded as a forced and fanciful interpretation to suppose that the passage before us refers to this specific event1 yet the general circumstances of the times would furnish a fulfilment of what is here said4 7a7 ,the church would be well represented by the beautiful woman4 7b7 ,the prospect of its increase and universal dominion would be well represented by the birth of the child4 7c7 ,the furious opposing ,pagan power would be well represented by the dragon in its attempts to destroy the child4 7d7 ,the safety of the church would be well represented by the symbol of the child caught up to ,god1 and placed near his throne4 #f ,and the woman fled into the wilderness1 where she hath a place prepared of ,god1 that they should feed her there #cha;a thousand two hundred and threescore days4 #f4 ,and the woman4 ,the woman representing the church4 ,notes1 ver4 #a4 ,fled4 ,that is1 she fled in the manner1 and at the time1 stated in ver4 #ad4 ,john here evidently anticipates1 by a summary statement1 what he relates more in detail in ver4 #adag4 ,he had referred 7ver4 #be7 to what occurred to the child in its persecutions1 and he here alludes1 in general1 to what befell the true church as compelled to flee into obscurity and safety4 ,having briefly referred to this1 the writer 7ver4 #gac7 gives an account of the efforts of ,satan consequent on the removal of the child to heaven4 ,into the wilderness4 ,on the meaning of the word wilderness in the ,new ,testament1 see ,notes on ,mat4 iii4 #a4 ,it means a desert place1 a place where there are few or no inhabitants2 a place1 therefore1 where one might be concealed and unknownremote from the habitations and the observations of men4 ,this would well represent the fact1 that the true church became for a time obscure and unknownas if it had fled away from the habitations of men1 and had retired to the solitude and loneliness of a desert4 ,yet even there 7ver4 #ad1 #af7 it would be mysteriously nourished1 though seemingly driven out into wastes and solitudes1 and having its abode among the rocks and sands of a desert4 ,where she hath a place prepared of ,god4 ,a place where she might be safe1 and might be kept alive4 ,the meaning is1 that during that time the true church1 though obscure and almost unknown1 would be the object of the divine protection and carea beautiful representation of the church during the corruptions of the ,papacy and the darkness of the middle ages4 ,that they should feed her4 ,that they should nourish or sustain herto wit1 as specified in ver4 #ad1 #af4 ,those who were to do this1 represented by the word 8they10 are not particularly mentioned1 and the simple idea is that she would be nourished during that time4 ,that is1 stripped of the figure1 the church during that time would find true friends1 and would be kept alive4 ,it is hardly necessary to say that this has1 in fact1 occurred in the darkest periods of the history of the church4 ,a thousand two hundred and threescore days4 ,that #cji is1 regarding these as prophetic days1 in which a day denotes a year1 twelve hundred and sixty years4 ,the same period evidently is referred to in ver4 #ad1 in the words 8for a time1 and times1 and half a time40 ,and the same period is undoubtedly referred to in ,da4 vii4 #be3 8,and they shall be given into his hand until a time1 and times1 and the dividing of time40 ,for a full consideration of the meaning of this language1 and its application to the ,papacy1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,the full investigation there made of the meaning and application of the language renders its consideration here unnecessary4 ,i regard it here1 as ,i do there1 as referring to the proper continuance of the ,papal power1 during which the true church would remain in comparative obscurity1 as if driven into a desert4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xi4 #b4 ,the meaning here is1 that during that period the true church would not become wholly extinct4 ,it would have an existence upon the earth1 but its final triumph would be reserved for the time when this great enemy should be finally overthrown4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #adag4 #g ,and there was war in heaven3 ,michael and his angels fought against the dragon2 and the dragon fought and his angels4 #g4 ,and there was war in heaven4 ,there was a state of things existing in regard to the woman and the childthe church in the condition in which it would then bewhich would be well represented by a war in heaven2 that is1 by a conflict between the powers of good and evil1 of light and darkness4 ,of course it is not necessary to understand this literally1 any more than the other symbolical representations in the book4 ,all that is meant is1 that a vision passed before the mind of ,john as if there was a conflict1 in regard to the church1 between the angels in heaven and ,satan4 ,there is a vision of the persecuted churchof the woman fleeing into the desertand the course of the narrative is here interrupted by going back 7ver4 #gac7 to describe the conflict which led to this result1 and the fact that ,satan1 as it were cast out of heaven1 and unable to achieve a victory there1 was suffered to vent his malice against the church on earth4 ,the seat of this warfare is said to be heaven4 ,this language sometimes refers to heaven as it appears to usthe skythe upper regions of the atmosphere1 and some have supposed that that was the place of the contest4 ,but the language in ch4 xi4 #ai1 xii4 #a 7see ,notes on those places71 would rather lead us to refer it to heaven considered as lying beyond the sky4 ,this accords1 too1 with other representations in the ,bible1 where ,satan is described as appearing before ,god1 and among the sons of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,job i4 #f4 ,of course this is not to be understood as a real transaction1 but as a symbolical representation of the contest between good and evilas if there was a war waged in heaven between ,satan and the leader of the heavenly hosts4 ,michael4 ,there have been very various opinions as to who ,michael is4 ,many ,protestant interpreters have supposed that ,christ is meant4 ,the reasons usually alleged for this opinion1 many of which are very fanciful1 may be seen in ,hengstenberg 7,die ,offenbarung des heiliges ,johannes71 i4 #faafbb4 ,the reference to ,michael here is probably derived from ,da4 x4 #ac2 xii4 #a4 ,in those places he is represented as the guardian angel of the people of ,god2 and it is in this sense1 ,i apprehend1 that the passage is to be understood here4 ,there is no evidence in the name itself1 or in the circumstances referred to1 that ,christ is intended2 and if he had been1 it is inconceivable why he was not referred to by his own name1 or by some of the usual appellations which ,john gives him4 ,michael1 the archangel1 is here represented as the guardian of the church1 and as contending against ,satan for its protection4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 x4 #ac4 ,this representation accords with the usual statements in the ,bible respecting the interposition of the angels in behalf of the church 7see ,notes on ,he4 i4 #ad71 and is one which cannot be proved to be unfounded4 ,all the analogies which throw any light on the subject1 as well as the uniform statements of the ,bible1 lead us to suppose that good beings of other worlds feel an interest in the welfare of the redeemed church below4 ,and his angels4 ,the angels under him4 ,michael is represented as the archangel1 and all the statements in the ,bible suppose that the heavenly hosts are distributed into different ranks and orders4 ,see ,notes on ,jude #i2 ,ep4 i4 #ba4 ,if ,satan is permitted to make war against the church1 there is no improbability in supposing that1 in those higher regions where #caj the war is carried on1 and in those aspects of it which lie beyond the power and the knowledge of man1 good angels should be employed to defeat his plans4 ,fought4 ,see ,notes on ,jude #i4 ,against the dragon4 ,against ,satan4 ,notes1 ver4 #c4 ,and the dragon fought and his angels4 ,that is1 the master-spirit,satan1 and those under him4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #a4 ,of the nature of this warfare nothing is definitely stated4 ,its whole sphere lies beyond mortal vision1 and is carried on in a manner of which we can have little conception4 ,what weapons ,satan may use to destroy the church1 and in what way his efforts may be counteracted by holy angels1 are points on which we can have little knowledge4 ,it is sufficient to know that the fact of such a struggle is not improbable1 and that ,satan is successfully resisted by the leader of the heavenly host4 #h ,and prevailed not2 neither was their place found any more in heaven4 #h4 ,and prevailed not4 ,satan and his angels failed in their purpose4 ,neither was their place found anymore in heaven4 ,they were cast out1 and were seen there no more4 ,the idea is1 that they were defeated and driven away1 though for a time they were suffered to carry on the warfare elsewhere4 #i ,and the great dragon was cast out1 that old #chbserpent1 called the #chc;,devil1 and #chd,satan1 which deceiveth the whole world2 he was cast out into the earth1 and his angels were cast out with him4 #i4 ,and the great dragon was cast out4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,that there may be an allusion in the language here to what actually occurred in some far-distant period of the past1 when ,satan was ejected from heaven1 there can be no reason to doubt4 ,our ,saviour seems to refer to such an event in the language which he uses when he says 7,lu4 x4 #ah71 8,i beheld ,satan as lightning fall from heaven20 and ,jude1 perhaps 7ver4 #f71 may refer to the same event4 ,all that we know on the subject leads us to suppose that at some time there was a revolt among the angels1 and that the rebellious part were cast out of heaven1 for an allusion to this is not unfrequent in the ,scriptures4 ,still the event here referred to is a symbolical representation of what could occur at a later period1 when the church would be about to spread and be triumphant1 and when ,satan would wage a deadly war against it4 ,that opposition would be as if he made war on ,michael the archangel1 and the heavenly hosts1 and his failure would be as great as if he were vanquished and cast out of heaven4 ,that old serpent4 ,this doubtless refers to the serpent that deceived ,eve 7,ge4 iii4 #aaa2 ,re4 xx4 #b2 comp4 ,notes on #b ,co4 xi4 #c72 and this passage may be adduced as a proof that the real tempter of ,eve was the devil1 who assumed the form of a serpent4 ,the word old here refers to the fact that his appearance on earth was at an early stage of the world's history1 and that he had long been employed in the work which is here attributed to himthat of opposing the church4 ,called the ,devil4 ,to whom the name ,devil is given4 ,that is1 this is the same being that is elsewhere and commonly known by that name4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #a4 ,and ,satan4 ,another name given to the same beinga name1 like the other1 designed to refer to something in his character4 ,see it explained in the ,notes on ,job i4 #f4 ,which deceiveth the whole world4 ,whose character is that of a deceiver2 whose agency extends over all the earth4 ,see ,notes on ,jn4 viii4 #dd1 and #a ,jn4 v4 #ai4 ,he was cast out into the earth4 ,that is1 he was not suffered to pursue his designs in heaven1 but was cast down to the earth1 where he is permitted for a time to carry on his warfare against the church4 ,according to the interpretation proposed above1 this refers to the period when there were indications that ,god was about to set up his kingdom on the earth4 ,the language1 however1 is such as would be used on the supposition that there had been1 at some period1 a rebellion in heaven1 and that ,satan and his followers had been cast out to return there no more4 ,it is difficult to explain this language except on that supposition2 and such a supposition is1 in itself1 no more improbable than the apostasy and rebellion of man4 ,and his angels were cast out with him4 ,they shared the lot of their leader4 ,as applicable to the state of things to which this refers1 the meaning is1 that all were overthrown2 that no enemy of the church would remain #caa unsubdued2 that the victory would be final and complete4 ,as applicable to the event from which the language is supposed to have been derivedthe revolt in heaventhe meaning is1 that the followers in the revolt shared the lot of the leader1 and that all who rebelled were ejected from heaven4 ,the first and the only revolt in heaven was quelled2 and the result furnished to the universe an impressive proof that none who rebelled there would be forgiventhat apostasy so near the throne could not be pardoned4 #aj ,and ,i heard a loud voice saying in heaven1 #che,now is come salvation1 and strength1 and the kingdom of our ,god1 and the power of his ,christ3 for the accuser of our brethren is cast down1 which accused them before our ,god day and night4 #aj4 ,and ,i heard a loud voice saying in heaven4 ,the great enemy was expelled2 the cause of ,god and truth was triumphant2 and the conquering hosts united in celebrating the victory4 ,this representation of a song1 consequent on victory1 is in accordance with the usual representations in the ,bible4 ,see the song of ,moses at the ,red ,sea1 ,ex4 xv42 the song of ,deborah1 ,ju4 v42 the song of ,david when the ,lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies1 #b ,sa4 xxii42 and ,is4 xii41 xxv4 ,on no occasion could such a song be more appropriate than on the complete routing and discomfiture of ,satan and his rebellious hosts4 ,viewed in reference to the time here symbolized1 this would relate to the certain triumph of the church and of truth on the earth2 in reference to the language1 there is an allusion to the joy and triumph of the heavenly hosts when ,satan and his apostate legions were expelled4 ,now is come salvation4 ,that is1 complete deliverance from the power of ,satan4 ,and strength4 ,that is1 now is the mighty power of ,god manifested in casting down and subduing the great enemy of the church4 ,and the kingdom of our ,god4 ,the reign of our ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 iii4 #b4 ,that is now established among men1 and ,god will henceforward rule4 ,this refers to the certain ultimate triumph of his cause in the world4 ,and the power of his ,christ4 ,his anointed2 that is1 the kingdom of ,christ as the ,messiah1 or as anointed and set apart to rule over the world4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 i4 #a4 ,for the accuser of our brethren is cast down4 ,the phrase 8our brethren0 shows by whom this song is celebrated4 ,it is sung in heaven2 but it is by those who belonged to the redeemed church1 and whose brethren were still suffering persecution and trial on the earth4 ,it shows the tenderness of the tie which unites all the redeemed as brethren1 whether on earth or in heaven2 and it shows the interest which they 8who have passed the flood0 have in the trials1 the sorrows1 and the triumphs of those who are still upon the earth4 ,we have here another appellation given to the great enemy8accuser of the brethren40 ,the word here used1 in later editions of the ,new ,testament means properly an accuser1 one who blames another1 or charges another with crime4 ,the word occurs in ,jn4 viii4 #aj2 ,ac4 xxiii4 #cj1 #ce2 xxiv4 #h2 xxv4 #af1 #ah2 ,re4 xii4 #aj1 in all which places it is rendered accuser or accusers1 though only in the latter place applied to ,satan4 ,the verb frequently occurs1 ,mat4 xii4 #aj2 xxvii4 #ab2 ,mar4 iii4 #b2 xv4 #c1 et al4 ,the description of ,satan as an accuser accords with the opinion of the ancient ,hebrews in regard to his character4 ,thus he is represented in ,job i4 #iaa2 ii4 #d1 #e2 ,zec4 iii4 #a1 #b2 #a ,ch4 xxi4 #a4 ,the phrase 8of the brethren0 refers to ,christians1 or to the people of ,god2 and the meaning here is1 that one of the characteristics of ,satana characteristic so well known as to make it proper to designate him by itis that he is an accuser of the righteous2 that he is employed in bringing against them charges affecting their character and destroying their influence4 ,the propriety of this appellation cannot be doubted4 ,it is1 as it has always been1 one of the characteristics of ,satanone of the means by which he keeps up his influence in the worldto bring accusations against the people of ,god4 ,thus1 under his suggestions1 and by his agents1 they are charged with hypocrisy2 with insincerity2 with being influenced by bad motives2 with pursuing sinister designs under the cloak of religion2 with secret vices and crimes4 ,thus it was that the martyrs were accused2 thus it is that unfounded accusations are often brought against #cab ministers of the gospel1 palsying their power and diminishing their influence1 or that when a professed ,christian falls the church is made to suffer by an effort to cast suspicion on all who bear the ,christian name4 ,perhaps the most skilful thing that ,satan does1 and the thing by which he most contributes to diminish the influence of the church1 is in thus causing 8accusations0 to be brought against the people of ,god4 ,is cast down4 ,the period here referred to was1 doubtless1 the time when the church was about to be established and to flourish in the world1 and when accusations would be brought against ,christians by various classes of calumniators and informers4 ,it is well known that in the early ages of ,christianity crimes of the most horrid nature were charged on ,christians1 and that it was by these slanders that the effort was made to prevent the extension of the ,christian church4 ,which accused them before our ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,job i4 #i1 #aj4 ,the meaning is1 that he accused them1 as it were1 in the very presence of ,god4 ,day and night4 ,he never ceased bringing these accusations1 and sought by the perseverance and constancy with which they were urged to convince the world that there was no sincerity in the church and no reality in religion4 #aa ,and they #chfovercame him by the blood of the ,lamb1 and by the word of their testimony2 and #chgthey loved not their lives unto the death4 #aa4 ,and they overcame him4 ,that is1 he was foiled in his attempt thus to destroy the church4 ,the reference here1 undoubtedly1 is primarily to the martyr age and to the martyr spirit2 and the meaning is1 that religion had not become extinct by these accusations1 as ,satan hoped it would be1 but lived and triumphed4 ,by their holy lives1 by their faithful testimony1 by their patient sufferings1 they showed that all these accusations were false1 and that the religion which they professed was from ,god1 and thus in fact gained a victory over their accuser4 ,instead of being themselves subdued1 ,satan himself was vanquished1 and the world was constrained to acknowledge that the persecuted religion had a heavenly origin4 ,no design was ever more ineffectual than that of crushing the church by persecution1 no victory was ever more signal than that which was gained when it could be said that 8the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church40 ,by the blood of the ,lamb4 ,the ,lord ,jesusthe ,lamb of ,god4 ,notes1 ch4 v4 #f2 comp4 ,notes on ,jn4 i4 #bi4 ,the blood of ,christ was that by which they were redeemed1 and it was in virtue of the efficacy of the atonement that they were enabled to achieve the victory4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,phi4 iv4 #ac4 ,christ himself achieved a victory over ,satan by his death 7see ,notes on ,col4 ii4 #ae2 ,he4 ii4 #ae71 and it is in virtue of the victory which he thus achieved that we are now able to triumph over our great foe4 8,i ask them whence their victory came4 ,they1 with united breath1 ,ascribe their conquest to the ,lamb1 ,their triumph to his death40 ,and by the word of their testimony4 ,the faithful testimony which they bore to the truth4 ,that is1 they adhered to the truth in their sufferings1 they declared their belief in it1 even in the pains of martyrdom2 and it was by this that they overcame the great enemythat is1 by this that the belief in the gospel was established and maintained in the world4 ,the reference here is to the effects of persecution and to the efforts of ,satan to drive religion from the world by persecution4 ,john says that the result as he saw it in vision was1 that the persecuted church bore a faithful testimony to the truth1 and that the great enemy was overcome4 ,and they loved not their lives unto the death4 ,they did not so love their lives that they were unwilling to die as martyrs4 ,they did not shrink back when threatened with death1 but remained firm in their attachment to their ,saviour1 and left their dying testimony to the truth and power of religion4 ,it was by these means that ,christianity was established in the world1 and ,john1 in the scene before us1 saw it thus triumphant1 and saw the angels and the redeemed in heaven celebrating the triumph4 ,the result of the attempts to destroy the ,christian religion by persecution demonstrated that it was to triumph4 ,no more mighty power could be employed to crush it than was employed by the ,roman emperors2 and when it was seen that ,christianity could survive those efforts to crush it it was certain #cac that it was destined to live for ever4 #ab ,therefore#chh rejoice1 ye heavens1 and ye that dwell in them4 ,woe#chi to the inhabiters of the earth1 and of the sea6 for the devil is come down unto you1 having great wrath1 because #cij;he knoweth that he hath but a short time4 #ab4 ,therefore rejoice1 ye heavens4 ,it is not unusual in the ,scriptures to call on the heavens and the earth to sympathize with the events that occur4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 i4 #b4 ,here the heavens are called on to rejoice because of the signal victory which it was seen would be achieved over the great enemy4 ,heaven itself was secure from any further rebellion or invasion1 and the foundation was laid for a final victory over ,satan everywhere4 ,and ye that dwell in them4 ,the angels and the redeemed4 ,this is an instance of the sympathy of the heavenly inhabitantsthe unfallen and holy beings before the thronewith the church on earth1 and with all that may affect its welfare4 ,compare ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #ab4 ,woe to the inhabiters of the earth4 ,this is not an imprecation1 or a wish that woe might come upon them1 but a prediction that it would4 ,the meaning is this3 ,satan would ultimately be entirely overcomea fact that was symbolized by his being cast out of heaven2 but there would be still temporary war upon the earth1 as if he were permitted to roam over the world for a time and to spread woe and sorrow there4 ,and of the sea4 ,those who inhabit the islands of the sea and those who are engaged in commerce4 ,the meaning is1 that the world as such would have occasion to mournthe dwellers both on the land and on the sea4 ,for the devil is come down unto you4 ,as if cast out of heaven4 ,having great wrath4 ,wrath shown by the symbolical war with ,michael and his angels 7ver4 #g72 wrath increased and inflamed because he has been discomfited2 wrath the more concentrated because he knows that his time is limited4 ,because he knoweth that he hath but a short time4 ,that is1 he knows that the time is limited in which he will be permitted to wage war with the saints on the earth4 ,there is allusion elsewhere to the fact that the time of ,satan is limited1 and that he is apprised of that4 ,thus in ,mat4 viii4 #bi1 8,art thou come hither to torment us before the time80 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,within that limited space1 ,satan knows that he must do all that he ever can do to destroy souls1 and to spread woe through the earth1 and hence it is not unnatural that he should be represented as excited to deeper wrath1 and as rousing all his energy to destroy the church4 #ac ,and when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth1 he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child4 #ac4 ,and when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth4 ,that is1 when ,satan saw that he was doomed to discomfiture and overthrow1 as if he had been cast out of heaven2 when he saw that his efforts must be confined to the earth1 and that only for a limited time1 he 8persecuted the woman10 and was more violently enraged against the church on earth4 ,he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,the child is represented as safe2 that is1 the ultimate progress and extension of the church was certain4 ,but ,satan was permitted still to wage a warfare against the churchrepresented here by his wrath against the woman1 and by her being constrained to flee into the wilderness4 ,it is unnecessary to say that1 after the ,pagan persecutions ceased1 and ,christianity was firmly established in the empire2 after ,satan saw that all hope of destroying the church in that manner was at an end1 his enmity was vented in another formin the rise of the ,papacy1 and in the persecutions under thatan opposition to spiritual religion no less determined and deadly than that which had been waged by ,paganism4 #ad ,and to the woman were given two #ciawings of a great eagle1 that she might fly into the wilderness1 into her place1 where she is nourished for a time1 and times1 and half a time1 from the face of the serpent4 #ad4 ,and to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle4 ,the most powerful of birds1 and among the most rapid in flight4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #g4 ,the meaning here is1 that the #cad woman is represented as prepared for a rapid flight2 so prepared as to be able to outstrip her pursuer1 and to reach a place of safety4 ,divested of the figure1 the sense is1 that the church1 when exposed to this form of persecution1 would be protected as if miraculously supplied with wings4 ,that she might fly into the wilderness4 ,there is here a more full description of what is briefly stated in ver4 #f4 ,a wilderness or desert is often represented as a place of safety from pursuers4 ,thus ,david 7#a ,sa4 xxiii4 #ad1 #ae7 is represented as fleeing into the wilderness from the persecutions of ,saul4 ,so ,elijah 7#a ,ki4 xix4 #d7 fled into the wilderness from the persecutions of ,jezebel4 ,the simple idea here is1 that the church1 in the opposition which would come upon it1 would find a refuge4 ,into her place4 ,a place appointed for her2 that is1 a place where she could be safe4 ,where she is nourished4 ,the word here rendered nourished is the samewhich occurs in ver4 #f1 and which is there rendered feed4 ,it means to feed1 nurse1 or nourish1 as the young of animals 7,mat4 vi4 #bf2 xxv4 #cg2 ,lu4 xii4 #bd2 ,ac4 xii4 #bj72 that is1 to sustain by proper food4 ,the meaning here is1 that the church would be kept alive4 ,it is not indeed mentioned by whom this would be done1 but it is evidently implied that it would be by ,god4 ,during this long period in which the church would be in obscurity1 it would not be suffered to become extinct4 ,comp4 #a ,ki4 xvii4 #cf4 ,for a time1 and times1 and half a time4 ,a year1 two years1 and half a year2 that is1 forty-two months 7see ,notes on ch4 xi4 #b72 or1 reckoning the month at thirty days1 twelve hundred and sixty days2 and regarding these as prophetic days1 in which a day stands for a year1 twelve hundred and sixty years4 ,for a full discussion of the meaning of this language1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be2 and ,editor's ,pref4 ,for the evidence1 also1 that the time thus specified refers to the ,papacy1 and to the period of its continuance1 see the ,notes on that place4 ,the full consideration given to the subject there renders it unnecessary to discuss it here4 ,for it is manifest that there is an allusion here to the passage in ,daniel2 that the twelve hundred and sixty days refer to the same thing2 and that the true explanation must be made in the same way4 ,the main difficulty1 as is remarked on the ,notes on that passage1 is in determining the time when the ,papacy properly commenced4 ,if that could be ascertained with certainty1 there would be no difficulty in determining when it would come to an end4 ,but though there is considerable uncertainty as to the exact time when it arose1 and though different opinions have been entertained on that point1 yet it is true that all the periods assigned for the rise of that power lead to the conclusion that the time of its downfall cannot be remote4 ,the meaning in the passage before us is1 that during all the time of the continuance of that formidable1 persecuting power1 the true church would not in fact become extinct4 ,it would be obscure and comparatively unknown1 but it would still live4 ,the fulfilment of this is found in the fact1 that during all the time here referred to1 there has been a true church on the earth4 ,pure1 spiritual religionthe religion of the ,new ,testamenthas never been wholly extinct4 ,in the history of the ,waldenses1 and ,albigenses1 the ,bohemian brethren1 and kindred people2 in deserts and places of obscurity2 among individuals and among small and persecuted sects2 here and there in the cases of individuals in monasteries1#cib the true religion has been kept up in the world1 as in the days of ,elijah ,god reserved seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to ,baal3 and it is possible now for us1 with a good degree of certainty1 to show1 even during the darkest ages1 and when ,rome seemed to have entirely the ascendency1 where the true church was4 ,to find out this1 was the great design of the ,ecclesiastical ,history of ,milner2 it has been done1 also1 with great learning and skill1 by ,neander4 ,from the face of the serpent4 ,the dragonor ,satan represented by the dragon4 ,notes1 ver4 #c4 ,the reference here is #cae to the opposition which ,satan makes to the true church under the persecutions and corruptions of the ,papacy4 #ae ,and the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a #cic;flood1 after the woman1 that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood4 #ae4 ,and the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood4 ,this is peculiar and uncommon imagery1 and it is not necessary to suppose that anything like this literally occurs in nature4 ,some serpents are indeed said to eject from their mouths poisonous bile when they are enraged1 in order to annoy their pursuers2 and some sea-monsters1 it is known1 spout forth large quantities of water2 but the representation here does not seem to be taken from either of those cases4 ,it is the mere product of the imagination1 but the sense is clear4 ,the woman is represented as having wings1 and as being able thus to escape from the serpent4 ,but1 as an expression of his wrath1 and as if with the hope of destroying her in her flight by a deluge of water1 he is represented as pouring a flood from his mouth1 that he might1 if possible1 sweep her away4 ,the figure here would well represent the continued malice of the ,papal body against the true church1 in those dark ages when it was sunk in obscurity1 and1 as it were1 driven out into the desert4 ,that malice never slumbered1 but was continually manifesting itself in some new form1 as if it were the purpose of ,papal ,rome to sweep it entirely away4 ,that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood4 ,might cause the church wholly to be destroyed4 ,the truth taught is1 that ,satan leaves no effort untried to destroy the church4 #af ,and the earth helped the woman1 and the earth opened her mouth1 and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth4 #af4 ,and the earth helped the woman4 ,the earth seemed to sympathize with the woman in her persecutions1 and to interpose to save her4 ,the meaning is1 that a state of things would exist in regard to the church thus driven into obscurity1 which would be well represented by what is here said to occur4 ,it was cut off from human aid4 ,it was still in danger2 still persecuted4 ,in this state it was nourished from some unseen source4 ,it was enabled to avoid the direct attacks of the enemy1 and when he attacked it in a new form1 a new mode of intervention in its behalf was granted1 as if the earth should open and swallow up a flood of water4 ,we are not1 therefore1 to look for any literal fulfilment of this1 as if the earth interposed in some marvellous way to aid the church4 ,the sense is1 that1 in that state of obscurity and solitude1 the divine interposition was manifested1 in an unexpected manner1 as if1 when an impetuous stream was rolling along that threatened to sweep everything away1 a chasm should suddenly open in the earth and absorb it4 ,during the dark ages many such interventions occurred1 saving the church from utter destruction4 ,overflowing waters are often in the ,scriptures an emblem of mighty enemies4 ,ps4 cxxiv4 #be1 8,if it had not been the ,lord who was on our side1 when men rose up against us2 then they had swallowed us up quick1 when their wrath was kindled against us3 then the waters had overwhelmed us1 the stream had gone over our soul3 then the proud waters had gone over our soul40 ,ps4 xviii4 #af1 8,he sent from above1 he took me1 he drew me out of many waters40 ,je4 xlvii4 #b1 8,behold1 waters rise up out of the north1 and shall be an overflowing flood1 and shall overflow the land10 c4 ,comp4 ,je4 xlvi4 #g1 #h1 and ,notes on ,is4 viii4 #g1 #h4 ,and the earth opened her mouth4 ,a chasm was made sufficient to absorb the waters4 ,that is1 ,john saw that the church was safe from this attack1 and that1 in order to preserve it1 there was an interposition as marked and wonderful as if the earth should suddenly open and swallow up a mighty flood4 #ag ,and #cidthe dragon was wroth with the woman1 and went to make war with the remnant of her seed1 which keep the commandments of ,god1 and have the testimony of ,jesus ,christ4 #ag4 ,and the dragon was wroth with the woman4 ,this wrath had been vented by his persecuting her 7ver4 #ac72 by his pursuing her2 and by his pouring out the flood of water to sweep her away 7ver4 #ae72 and the same wrath was now vented against her children4 ,as he could not reach and destroy the woman #caf herself1 he turned his indignation against all who were allied to her4 ,stripped of the imagery1 the meaning is1 that as he could not destroy the church as such1 he vented his malice against all who were the friends of the church1 and endeavoured to destroy them4 8,the church1 as such1 he could not destroy2 therefore he turned his wrath against individual ,christians1 to bring as many of them as possible to death0 7,de ,wette74 ,and went to make war with the remnant of her seed4 ,no mention is made before of his persecuting the children of the woman1 except his opposition to the 8man child0 which she bore1 ver4 #ad4 ,the 8woman0 represents the church1 and the phrase 8the remnant of her seed0 must refer to her scattered children1 that is1 to the scattered members of the church1 wherever they could be found4 ,the reference here is to persecutions against individuals1 rather than a general persecution against the church itself1 and all that is here said would find an ample fulfilment in the vexations and troubles of individuals in the ,roman communion in the dark ages1 when they evinced the spirit of pure evangelical piety2 in the cruelties practised in the ,inquisition on individual ,christians under the plea that they were heretics2 and in the persecutions of such men as ,wycliffe1 ,john ,huss1 and ,jerome of ,prague4 ,this warfare against individual ,christians was continued long in the ,papal church1 and tens of thousands of true friends of the ,saviour suffered every form of cruelty and wrong as the result4 ,which keep the commandments of ,god4 ,who were true ,christians4 ,this phrase characterizes correctly those who1 in the dark ages1 were the friends of ,god1 in the midst of abounding corruption4 ,and have the testimony of ,jesus ,christ4 ,that is1 they bore a faithful testimony to his truth1 or were real martyrs4 ,see ch4 ii4 #ac4 ,the scene1 then1 in this chapter is this3 ,john saw a most beautiful woman1 suitably adorned1 representing the church as about to be enlarged1 and to become triumphant in the earth4 ,then he saw a great red monster1 representing ,satan1 about to destroy the church3 the ,pagan power1 infuriated1 and putting forth its utmost energy for its destruction4 ,he then saw the child caught up into heaven1 denoting that the church would be ultimately safe1 and would reign over all the world4 ,another vision appears4 ,it is that of a contest between ,michael1 the protecting angel of the people of ,god1 and the great foe1 in which victory declares in favour of the former1 and ,satan suffers a discomfiture1 as if he were cast from heaven to earth4 ,still1 however1 he is permitted for a time to carry on a warfare against the church1 though certain that he would be ultimately defeated4 ,he puts forth his power1 and manifests his hostility1 in another formthat of the ,papacyand commences a new opposition against the spiritual church of ,christ4 ,the church is1 however1 safe from that attempt to destroy it1 for the woman is represented as fleeing to the wilderness beyond the power of the enemy1 and is there kept alive4 ,still filled with rage1 though incapable of destroying the true church itself1 he turns his wrath1 under the form of ,papal persecutions1 against individual ,christians1 and endeavours to cut them off in detail4 ,this is the general representation in this chapter1 and on the supposition that it was designed to represent the various forms of opposition which ,satan would make to the church of ,christ1 under ,paganism and the ,papacy1 it must be admitted1 ,i think1 that no more expressive or appropriate symbols could have been chosen4 ,this fact should be allowed to have due influence in confirming the interpretation suggested above2 and if it be admitted to be a correct interpretation1 it is conclusive evidence of the inspiration of the book4 ,further details of this opposition of ,satan to the church under the ,papal form of persecution are made in the subsequent chapters4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter is closely connected with ch4 xii41 which is properly introductory to this and to the subsequent portions of the book to ch4 xx4 ,see the ,analysis of the ,book4 ,the vision in this chapter is of two distinct 8beasts10 each with peculiar characteristics1 yet closely related1 deriving their power from a common source2 aiding each other in the accomplishment of the same object1 and manifestly relating to the same power under different forms4 ,to see the design of the chapter1 it will be necessary to exhibit the peculiar characteristics of the two 8beasts10 and #cag the points in which they resemble each other1 and sustain each other4 ,i4 ,,the ,,characteristics ,,of ,,the ,,beasts4 ,a4 ,the characteristics of the first beast1 ver4 #aaj4 7a7 ,it comes up out of the sea 7ver4 #a7out of the commotion1 the agitation of nationsa new power that springs up from those disturbed elements4 7b7 ,it has seven heads and ten horns1 and upon its horns ten crowns or diadems1 ver4 #a4 7c7 ,in its general form it resembles a leopard2 its feet are like those of a bear2 its mouth like that of a lion4 ,its connection with the great 8dragon0with ,satanis indicated by the statement that it derives its 8power1 and its seat1 and its authority0 from him 7ver4 #b7;a striking representation of the fact that the civil or secular ,roman power which supported the church of ,rome through all its corrupt and bloody progress was the putting forth of the power of ,satan on the earth4 7d7 ,one of the heads of this beast is 8wounded to death0that is1 with a wound that is in itself mortal4 ,this wound is1 however1 in some way as yet unexplained1 so healed that the vitality yet remains1 and all the world pays homage to the beast1 ver4 #c4 ,a blow is aimed at this authority which seems to be fatal2 and there is some healing or restorative process by which its power is recovered1 and by which the universality of its dominion and influence is again restored4 7e7 ,the effect of this is1 that the world renders homage really to the 8dragon10 the source of this power1 though in the form of adoration of the 8beast10 ver4 #d4 ,that is1 while the outward homage is rendered to the 8beast10 the real worship is that of the 8dragon10 or ,satan4 ,this beast is regarded as 7#a7 incomparable8,who is like unto the #8beast8'0 and 7#b7 invincible8,who is able to war with him80 7f7 ,in this form the beast is endowed with a mouth that 8speaks great things and blasphemies10 ver4 #ethat is1 the power here referred to is arrogant1 and reviles the ,god of heaven4 7g7 ,the time during which he is to continue is 8forty and two months0that is1 twelve hundred and sixty days1 or twelve hundred and sixty years4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xi4 #b4 7h7 ,the characteristics of this beast1 and of his dominion1 are these37#a7 ,he opens his mouth in blasphemy against ,god1 and his church1 and all holy beings1 ver4 #f4 7#b7 ,he makes war with the saints and overcomes them1 ver4 #g4 7#c7 ,he asserts his power over all nations1 ver4 #g4 7#d7 ,he is worshipped by all that dwell on the earth1 whose names are not in the book of life1 ver4 #h4 7i7 ,all are called on to hearas if the announcement were important for the church1 ver4 #i4 7j7 ,the result or issue of the power represented by this monster1 ver4 #aj4 ,it had led others into captivity1 it would itself be made captive2 it had been distinguished for slaying others1 it would itself feel the power of the sword4 ,until this is accomplished the patience and faith of the saints must be sorely tried1 ver4 #aj4 ,b4 ,the characteristics of the second beast1 ver4 #aaah4 7a7 ,it comes out of the earth 7ver4 #aa7;having a different origin from the former2 not springing from troubled elements1 as of nations at strife1 but from that which is firm and establishedlike the solid earth4 7b7 ,it has two horns like a lamb1 but it speaks as a dragon 7ver4 #aa74 ,it is apparently mild1 gentle1 lamb-like1 and inoffensive2 but it is1 in fact1 arrogant1 haughty1 and imperative4 7c7 ,its dominion is coextensive with that of the first beast1 and the effect of its influence is to induce the world to do homage to the first beast1 ver4 #ab4 7d7 ,it has the power of performing great wonders1 and particularly of deceiving the world by the 8miracles0 which it performs4 ,this power is particularly manifested in restoring what might be regarded as an 8image0 of the beast which was wounded1 though not put to death1 and by giving life to that image1 and causing those to be put to death who will not worship it1 ver4 #acae4 7e7 ,this beast causes a certain mark to be affixed to all1 small and great1 and attempts a jurisdiction over all persons1 so that none may buy or sell1 or engage in any business1 who have not the mark affixed to themthat is1 the power represented attempts to set up a control over the commerce of the world1 ver4 #af1 #ag4 7f7 ,the way by which the power here referred to may be known is by some #cah proper application of the number #fff4 ,this is stated in an enigmatical form1 and yet with such clearness that it is supposed that it would be sufficient to indicate the power here referred to4 ,,ii4 ,,points ,,in ,,which ,,the ,,two ,,beasts ,,resemble ,,or ,,sustain ,,each ,,other4 ,it is manifest1 on the slightest inspection of the characteristics of the 8beasts0 referred to in this chapter1 that they have a close relation to each other2 that1 in important respects1 the one is designed to sustain the other1 and that both are manifestations or embodiments of that one and the same power represented by the 8dragon10 ver4 #d4 ,he is the great original source of power to both1 and both are engaged in accomplishing his purposes1 and are combined to keep up his dominion over the earth4 ,the points of resemblance which it is very important to notice are the following3 7#a7 ,they have the same originthat is1 they both owe their power to the 8dragon10 and are designed to keep up his ascendency in human affairs1 ch4 xii4 #c2 xiii4 #b1 #d1 #ab4 7#b7 ,they have the same extent of power and dominion4 ,,first ,,beast4 ,the world wonders after the beast1 ver4 #c4 ,they worship the dragon and the beast1 ver4 #d2 and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him1 ver4 #h4 ,,second ,,beast4 ,he exercises all the power of the first beast1 ver4 #ab4 ,he causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast1 ver4 #ab4 ,he has power to give life unto the image of the beast1 ver4 #ae4 ,he sets up jurisdiction over the commerce of the world1 ver4 #af1 #ag4 7#c7 ,they do the same things4 ,,first ,,beast4 ,the dragon gives power to the beast1 ver4 #d4 ,there is given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies1 ver4 #e4 ,he opens his mouth in blasphemy against ,god1 ver4 #f4 ,it is given him to make war with the saints1 and to overcome them1 ver4 #g4 ,,second ,,beast4 ,he exercises all the power of the first beast1 ver4 #ab4 ,he does great wonders1 ver4 #ac4 ,he makes fire come down from heaven in the sight of men1 ver4 #ac4 ,he performs miracles1 ver4 #ad4 ,he causes that as many as would not worship the first beast should be killed1 ver4 #ae4 ,he claims dominion over all1 ver4 #af1 #ag4 7#d7 ,the one is the means of healing the wounded head of the other1 and of restoring its authority4 ,,first ,,beast4 ,one of his heads is1 as it were1 wounded to death3 a wound that would be mortal if it were not healed1 ver4 #c4 ,,second ,,beast4 ,has power to heal the wound of the first beast1 ver4 #ab2 for it is manifest that the healing comes from some influence of the second beast4 7#e7 ,the one restores life to the other when dying4 ,,first ,,beast4 ,is wounded1 ver4 #c1 and his power manifestly becomes exhausted4 ,,second ,,beast4 ,causes an 8image0 of the first beastsomething that should resemble that1 or be the same power revived1 to be made1 and to be worshipped1 ver4 #ae4 7#f7 ,they have the same general characteristics4 ,,first ,,beast4 ,has a mouth given him to speak great things and blasphemies1 ver4 #e2 opens his mouth in blasphemy1 ver4 #f2 blasphemes the name of ,god1 and his tabernacle1 and his people1 ver4 #f2 makes war with the saints and overcomes them1 ver4 #g4 ,,second ,,beast4 ,speaks like a dragon1 ver4 #aa2 deceives those that dwell upon the earth1 ver4 #ad2 is a persecuting powercausing those who would not worship the image of the first beast to be killed1 ver4 #ae4 ,from this comparison of the two beasts1 the following things are plain37#a7 ,that the same general power is referred to1 or that they are both modifications of one general dominion on the earth2 having the same origin1 having the same locality1 and aiming at the same result4 7#b7 ,it is the same general domination prolongedthat is1 the one is1 in another form1 but the continuation of the other4 7#c7 ,the one becomes weak1 or is in some way likely to lose its authority and power1 and is revived by the otherthat is1 the other restores its waning authority1 and sets up substantially the same dominion again over the earth1 and causes the same great power to be acknowledged on the earth4 7#d7 ,the one runs into the other2 that is1 one naturally produces1 or is followed by the other4 7#e7 ,one sustains the other4 7#f7 ,they1 therefore1 have a very close relation to each other3 having the same object2 possessing the same general characteristics2 and accomplishing substantially the same thing on the earth4 ,what this was1 will be better seen after the exposition of the chapter shall have been made4 ,it may be sufficient here to remark1 that1 on the very face of this statement1 it is impossible not to have #cai the ,roman power suggested to the mind1 as a mighty persecuting power1 in the two forms of the civil and ecclesiastical authority1 both having the same origin2 aiming at the same object2 the one sustaining the other2 and both combined to keep up the dominion of the great enemy of ,god and man upon the earth4 ,it is impossible1 also1 not to be struck with the resemblance1 in many particulars1 between this vision and that of ,daniel 7ch4 vii471 and to be impressed with the conviction that they are intended to refer to the same kingdom in general1 and to the same events4 ,but this will be made more manifest in the exposition of the chapter4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,and ,i stood upon the sand of the sea1 and saw a #cie;beast rise up out of the sea1 #cif;having seven heads and ten horns1 and upon his horns ten crowns1 and upon his heads the #cigname of blasphemy4 #a4 ,and ,i stood upon the sand of the sea4 ,the sand upon the shore of the sea4 ,that is1 he seemed to stand there1 and then had a vision of a beast rising out of the waters4 ,the reason of this representation may1 perhaps1 have been that among the ancients the sea was regarded as the appropriate place for the origin of huge and terrible monsters 7,professor ,stuart1 in loco74 ,this vision strongly resembles that in ,da4 vii4 #b1 seq41 where the prophet saw four beasts coming up in succession from the sea4 ,see ,notes on that place4 ,in ,daniel1 the four winds of heaven are described as striving upon the great sea 7ver4 #b71 and the agitated ocean represents the nations in commotion1 or in a state of disorder and anarchy1 and the four beasts represent four successive kingdoms that would spring up4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #b4 ,in the passage before us1 ,john indeed describes no storm or tempest2 but the sea itself1 as compared with the land 7see ,notes on ver4 #aa71 represents an agitated or unsettled state of things1 and we should naturally look for that in the rise of the power here referred to4 ,if the reference be to the civil or secular ,roman power that has always appeared in connection with the ,papacy1 and that has always followed its designs1 then it is true that it rose amidst the agitations of the world1 and from a state of commotion that might well be represented by the restless ocean4 ,the sea in either case naturally describes a nation or people1 for this image is frequently so employed in the ,scriptures4 ,comp41 as above1 ,da4 vii4 #b1 and ,ps4 lxv4 #g2 ,je4 li4 #db2 ,is4 lx4 #e2 ,re4 x4 #b4 ,the natural idea1 therefore1 in this passage1 would be that the power that was represented by the 8beast0 would spring up among the nations1 when restless or unsettled1 like the waves of the ocean4 ,and saw a beast4 ,daniel saw four in succession 7ch4 vii4 #cg71 all different1 yet succeeding each other2 ,john saw two in succession1 yet strongly resembling each other1 ver4 #a1 #aa4 ,on the general meaning of the word beastsee ,notes on ch4 xi4 #g4 ,the beast here is evidently a symbol of some power or kingdom that would arise in future times4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #c4 ,having seven heads4 ,so also the dragon is represented in ch4 xii4 #c4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,the representation there is of ,satan1 as the source of all the power lodged in the two beasts that ,john subsequently saw4 ,in ch4 xvii4 #i1 referring substantially to the same vision1 it is said that 8the seven heads are seven mountains20 and there can be no difficulty1 therefore1 in referring this to the seven hills on which the city of ,rome was built 7comp4 ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c71 and consequently this must be regarded as designed1 in some way1 to be a representation of ,rome4 ,and ten horns4 ,see this also explained in the ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c2 comp4 also the more extended illustration in the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be1 seq4 ,the reference here is to ,rome1 or the one ,roman power1 contemplated as made up of ten subordinate kingdoms1 and therefore subsequently to the invasion of the ,northern hordes1 and to the time when the ,papacy was about to rise4 ,comp4 ,re4 xvii4 #ab3 8,and the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings marg4 kingdoms1 which have received no kingdom as yet1 but receive power as kings with the beast40 ,for a full illustration of this1 see the copious ,notes at the close of the seventh chapter of ,daniel4 ,and upon his horns ten crowns4 ,greek1 ten diadems4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c4 ,these indicated dominion or authority4 ,in ch4 xii4 #c1 the 8dragon is represented as having seven diadems on his head20 #cbj here1 the beast is represented as having ten4 ,the dragon there represents the ,roman domination1 as such1 the seven-hilled1 or seven-headed power1 and1 therefore1 properly described as having seven diadems2 the beast here represents the ,roman power1 as now broken up into the ten dominations which sprung up 7see ,notes on ,daniel as above7 from the one original ,roman power1 and that became henceforward the supporters of the ,papacy1 and1 therefore1 properly represented here as having ten diadems4 ,and upon his heads the name of blasphemy4 ,that is1 the whole power was blasphemous in its claims and pretensions4 ,the word blasphemy here seems to be used in the sense that titles and attributes were claimed by it which belonged only to ,god4 ,on the meaning of the word blasphemy1 see ,notes on ,mat4 ix4 #c2 xxvi4 #fe4 ,the meaning here is1 that each one of these heads appeared to have a frontlet1 with an inscription that was blasphemous1 or that ascribed some attribute to this power that properly belonged to ,god2 and that the whole power thus assumed was in derogation of the attributes and claims of ,god4 ,in regard to the propriety of this description considered as applicable to the ,papacy1 see ,notes on #b ,th4 ii4 #d4 #b ,and the beast which ,i saw was #cihlike unto a leopard1 and his feet were as the feet of a bear1 and his mouth as the mouth of a lion3 and #ciithe dragon gave him his power1 and #djj;his seat1 and great authority4 #b4 ,and the beast which ,i saw was like unto a leopard4 ,for a description of the leopard1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #f4 ,it is distinguished for bloodthirstiness and cruelty1 and thus becomes an emblem of a fierce1 tyrannical power4 ,in its general character it resembles a lion1 and the lion and the leopard are often referred to together4 ,in this description1 it is observable that ,john has combined in one animal or monster1 all those which ,daniel brought successively on the scene of action as representing different empires4 ,thus in ,daniel 7vii4 #bg7 the lion is introduced as the symbol of the ,babylonian power2 the bear1 as the symbol of the ,medo-,persian2 the leopard1 as the symbol of the ,macedonian2 and a nondescript animal1 fierce1 cruel1 and mighty1 with two horns1 as the symbol of the ,roman4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,in ,john there is one animal representing the ,roman power1 as if it were made up of all these3 a leopard with the feet of a bear1 and the mouth of a lion1 with two horns1 and with the general description of a fierce monster4 ,there was an obvious propriety in this1 in speaking of the ,roman power1 for it was1 in fact1 made up of the empires represented by the other symbols in ,daniel1 and 8combined in itself all the elements of the terrible and the oppressive1 which had existed in the aggregate in the other great empires that preceded it40 ,at the same time there was an obvious propriety in the symbol itself2 for the bloodthirstiness and cruelty of the leopard would well represent the ferocity and cruelty of the ,roman power1 especially as ,john saw it here as the great antagonistic power of the true church1 sustaining the ,papal claim1 and thirsting for blood4 ,and his feet mere as the feet of a bear4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #e4 ,the idea here seems to be that of strength1 as the strength of the bear resides much in its feet and claws4 ,at the same time1 there is the idea of a combination of fierce qualitiesas if the bloodthirstiness1 the cruelty1 and the agility of the leopard were united with the strength of the bear4 ,and his mouth as the mouth of a lion4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #d4 ,the mouth of the lion is made to seize and hold its prey1 and is indicative of the character of the animal as a beast of prey4 ,john has thus brought together the qualities of activity1 bloodthirstiness1 strength1 ferocity1 all as symbolical of the power that was intended to be represented4 ,it is hardly necessary to say that this description is one that would apply well1 in all respects1 to ,rome2 nor is it necessary to say1 that if it be supposed that he meant to refer to ,rome1 this is such a description as he would have adopted4 ,and the dragon4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c4 ,gave him his power4 ,satan claimed1 in the time of the ,saviour1 all power over the kingdoms of the world1 and asserted that he could give them to whomsoever he pleased4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #h1 #i4 ,how far the power of ,satan in this respect may extend1 it may not be possible to determine2 but it cannot be doubted that the ,roman power seemed to have such an #cba origin1 and that in the main it was such as1 on that supposition1 it would be4 ,in its arrogance and haughtinessin its thirst for dominionin its persecutionsit had such characteristics as we may suppose ,satan would originate4 ,if1 therefore1 as the whole connection leads us to suppose1 this refers to the ,roman secular power1 considered as the support of the ,papacy1 there is the most evident propriety in the representation4 ,and the seat4 ,hence our word throne4 ,the word properly means a seat2 then a high seat2 then a throne1 as that on which a king sits4 ,here it refers to this power as exercising dominion on the earth4 ,and great authority4 ,the authority was great4 ,it extended over a large part of the earth1 and1 alike in its extent and character1 it was such as we may suppose ,satan would set up in the world4 #c ,and ,i saw one of his heads1 as it were #djawounded to death2 and his deadly wound was healed3 and all #djbthe world wondered after the beast4 #c4 ,and ,i saw one of his heads1 as it were wounded to death4 ,the phrase 8wounded to death0 means properly that it received a mortal wound1 that is1 the wound would have been mortal if it had not been healed4 ,a blow was struck that would be naturally fatal1 but there was something that prevented the fatal result4 ,john does not say1 however1 by whom the wound was inflicted1 nor does he describe farther the nature of the wound4 ,he says that 8one of the heads0that is1 one of the seven headswas thus wounded4 ,in ch4 xvii4 #i1 he says that 8the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth40 ,in ch4 xvii4 #aj1 he says1 8there are seven kings40 ,and this would lead us to suppose that there were 8seven0 administrations1 or forms of dominion1 or dynasties1 that were presented to the eye of ,john2 and that while the number 8seven10 as applied to the 8heads10 so far identified the power as to fix its location on the seven 8hills0 7ch4 xvii4 #i71 in another respect also the number 8seven0 suggested forms of administration of dynasties1 ch4 xvii4 #aj4 ,what is meant by saying that one of these heads was wounded to death has been among the most perplexing of all the inquiries pertaining to the book of ,revelation4 ,the use of the word seven1 and the explanation in ch4 xvii4 #i1 make it morally certain that ,rome1 in some form of its administration1 is referred to4 ,of this there can be no doubt1 and in this all are agreed4 ,it is not1 however1 the ,papal power as such that is here referred to2 for 7a7 the ,papal power is designated under the image of the second beast2 7b7 the descriptions pertaining to the first beast are all applicable to a secular power2 and 7c7 there was no form of the ,papal spiritual dominion which would properly correspond with what is said in ch4 xvii4 #aj4 ,the reference in this place is1 therefore1 to ,rome considered as a civil or secular power1 yet ,rome regarded as giving support to the second beastthe ,papal power4 ,the general idea here is1 that a state of things would exist in regard to that power1 at the time referred to1 as if one of the seven heads of the monster should receive a wound which would be fatal1 if it were not healed in some way4 ,that is1 its power would be weakened2 its dominion would be curtailed1 and that portion of its power would have come to an end1 if there had not been something which would1 as it were1 restore it1 and save it from the wrath that was impending4 ,the great point of difficulty relates to the particular application of this2 to the facts in history that would correspond with the symbol4 ,on this there have been almost as many opinions as there have been interpreters of the ,apocalypse1 and there is no impropriety in saying that none of the solutions are wholly free from objection4 ,the main difficulty1 so far as the interpretation proposed above is concerned1 is1 in the fact that 8one0 of the seven heads is referred to as wounded unto death2 as if one-seventh part of the power was endangered4 ,i confess ,i am not able wholly to solve this difficulty2 but1 after all1 is it certain that the meaning is that just one-seventh part of the power was in peril2 that the blow affected just such a portion that it might be described as the one-seventh part8 ,is not the number seven so used in the ,scriptures as to denote a considerable portiona portion quite material and important8 ,and may not all that is intended here be1 that ,john saw a wound inflicted on that mighty power which would have been fatal if it had not been marvellously healed8 ,and was it not true #cbb that the ,roman civil and secular power was so waning and decaying1 that it might properly be represented as if one of the seven heads of the monster had received a fatal wound1 until its power was restored by the influence of the spiritual domination of the church of ,rome8 ,if this be the correct exposition1 then what is implied here may be thus stated3 7a7 ,the general subject of the representation is the ,roman power1 as seen at first in its vigour and strength2 7b7 then that power is said to be greatly weakened1 as if one of its heads were smitten with a deadly wound2 7c7 then the wound was healedthis power was restoredby being brought into alliance with the ,papacy2 that is1 the whole ,roman power over the world would have died away1 if it had not been restored and perpetuated by means of this new and mighty influence1 ver4 #ab4 ,under this new form1 ,rome had all the power which it had ever had1 and was guilty of all the atrocities of which it had ever been guilty3 it was ,rome still4 ,every wound that was inflicted on that power by the incursion of barbarians1 and by the dividing off of parts of the empire1 was healed by the ,papacy1 and under this form its dominion became as wide and as formidable as under its ancient mode of administration4 ,if a more particular application of this is sought for1 ,i see no reason to doubt that it may be found in the quite common interpretation of the passage given by ,protestants1 that the reference is to the forms of administration under which this power appeared in the world4 ,the number of distinct forms of government which the ,roman power assumed from first to last was the following3kings1 consuls1 dictators1 decemvirs1 military1 tribunes1 emperors4 ,these seven forms of administration were1 at least1 sufficiently prominent and marked to be represented by this symbol1 or to attract the attention of one contemplating this formidable powerfor it was under these forms that its conquests had been achieved1 and its dominion set up over the earth4 ,in the time of ,john1 and the time contemplated in this vision1 all these had passed away but the imperial4 ,that1 too1 was soon to be smitten with a deadly wound by the invasion of the ,northern hordes2 and that would have wholly and for ever ceased if it had not been restoredthe deadly wound being healedby the influence of the ,papal power1 giving ,rome its former ascendency4 ,see ,notes at the close of ver4 #ae4 ,and his deadly wound was healed4 ,that is1 as explained above1 the waning ,roman secular power was restored by its connection with the spiritual powerthe ,papacy4 ,this was 7a7 a simple matter of fact1 that the waning secular power of ,rome was thus restored by connecting itself with the spiritual or ecclesiastical power1 thus prolonging what might properly be called the ,roman domination far beyond what it would otherwise have been2 and 7b7 this would be properly represented by just the symbol employed herethe fatal wound inflicted on the head1 and the healing of that wound1 or preventing what would naturally be the effects4 ,on the fulfilment of this1 see ,notes on ver4 #ae1 at the close4 ,and all the world wondered after the beast4 ,the word here usedmeans1 properly1 to be astonished2 to be amazed2 then to wonder at2 then to admire and follow 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,in ver4 #d1 it is said that the world 8worshipped0 the beast2 and the general idea is1 that the beast received such universal reverence1 or inspired such universal awe1 as to be properly called worship or adoration4 ,there can be no doubt of the propriety of this1 considered as applicable to that secular ,roman power which sustained the ,papacy4 ,the homage was as wide as the limits of the ,roman empire had ever been1 and might be said to embrace 8all the world40 #d ,and they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast3 and they worshipped the beast1 saying1 ,who is like unto the beast8 #djcwho is able to make war with him8 #d4 ,and they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast4 ,notes1 chap4 xii4 #c2 xiii4 #b4 ,that is1 they in fact worshipped him4 ,the word worshipis not always1 however1 used in a religious sense4 ,it means1 properly1 to kiss2 to kiss towards anyone2 that is1 to kiss his own hand and to extend it towards a person1 in token of respect and homage 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,comp4 ,job xxxi4 #bg4 ,then it means to show respect to one who is our superior2 to kings and princes2 to parents2 and pre-eminently to ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 ii4 #b4 ,the word may be used here to mean that homage or reverence1 #cbc as to a higher power1 was rendered to the 8dragon20 not strictly that he was openly worshipped in a religious sense as ,god4 ,can anyone doubt that this was the case under ,papal ,rome2 that the power which was set up under that entire domination1 civil and ecclesiastical1 was such as ,satan approved1 and such as he sought to have established on the earth8 ,and can anyone doubt that the homage thus rendered1 so contrary to the law of ,god1 and so much in derogation of his claims1 was in fact homage rendered to this presiding spirit of evil8 ,and they worshipped the beast4 ,that is1 they did it1 as is immediately specified1 by saying that he was incomparable and invincible2 in other words1 that he was superior to all others1 and that he was almighty4 ,for the fulfilment of this1 see ,notes on #b ,th4 ii4 #d4 ,who is like unto the beast8 ,that is1 he is to be regarded as unequalled and as supreme4 ,this was1 in fact1 ascribing honours to him which belonged only to ,god2 and this was the manner in which that civil and secular power was regarded in the period here supposed to be referred to4 ,it was the policy of rulers and princes in those times to augment in every way possible the respect in which they were held2 to maintain that they were the viceregents of heaven2 to claim for themselves sacredness of character and of person2 and to secure from the people a degree of reverence which was in fact idolatrous4 ,never was this more marked than in the times when the ,papacy had the ascendency1 for it was its policy to promote reverence for the power that sustained itself1 and to secure for itself the idolatrous veneration of the people4 ,who is able to make war with him8 ,that is1 he is invincible4 ,they thus attributed to him omnipotencean attribute belonging only to ,god4 ,this found a fulfilment in the honour shown to the civil authority which sustained the ,papacy2 for the policy was to impress the public mind with the belief that that power was invincible4 ,in fact1 it was so regarded4 ,nothing was able to resist that absolute despotism2 and the authority of princes and rulers that were allied with the ,papal rule was of the most absolute kind1 and the subjugation of the world was complete4 ,there was no civil1 as there was no religious liberty2 and the whole arrangement was so ordered as to subdue the world to an absolute and uncontrollable power4 #e ,and there was given unto him a#djd mouth speaking great things and blasphemies3 and power was given unto him to #dje;continue #djf;forty andtwo months4 #e4 ,and there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things4 ,john does not say by whom this was given2 but we may suppose that it was by the 8dragon10 who is said 7ver4 #b7 to have given him his power1 and seat1 and authority4 ,the fulfilment of this is found in the claims set up by the princes and rulers here referred tothat mighty secular power that sustained the ,papacy1 and that was1 in some sort1 a part of the ,papacy itself4 ,these arrogant claims consisted in the assertion of a divine right2 in the power assumed over the liberty1 the property1 and the consciences of the people2 in the arbitrary commands that were issued2 and in the right asserted of giving absolute law4 ,the language here used is the same as that which is found in ,daniel 7vii4 #h7 when speaking of the 8little horn30 8,in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man1 and a mouth speaking great things40 ,for an illustration of the meaning of this1 see ,notes on that passage4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,and blasphemies4 ,that is1 the whole power represented by the 8beast0 will be blasphemous4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months4 ,three years and a half1 reckoned as months2 or twelve hundred and sixty days1 reckoning thirty days for a month2 or twelve hundred and sixty years1 regarding the days as prophetic days4 ,for the evidence that this is to be so regarded1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,this is the same period that we meet with in chap4 xi4 #b1 and in chap4 xii4 #f4 ,see ,notes on those places4 ,this fact proves that the same power is referred to in these places and in ,daniel2 and this fact may be regarded as a confirmation of the views here taken1 that the power here referred to is designed to have a connection in some form with the ,papacy4 ,the duration of the existence of this power is the same as that which is everywhere ascribed to the ,papacy1 in the passages which refer to it2 and #cbd all the circumstances1 as before remarked1 show that the same general power is referred to by the two 8beasts0 which are described in this chapter4 ,if so1 the continuance or duration may be supposed to be the same2 and this is indicated in the passage before us1 where it is said that it would be twelve hundred and sixty years4 ,in regard to the application of this to the ,papal power1 and the manner in which the calculation is to be made of the duration of that power1 see the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be1 and the remarks at the end of that chapter4 ,the meaning in the passage before us ,i take to be1 that the ,papal power1 considered as a civil or secular institution1 will have1 from the time when that properly commenced1 a duration of twelve hundred and sixty years4 ,in the ,scriptures there is nothing more definite in regard to any future event than this4 #f ,and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against ,god1 to blaspheme his name1 and #djg;his tabernacle1 and #djhthem that dwell in heaven4 #f4 ,and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against ,god1 to blaspheme his name4 ,by his own arrogant claims2 by his assumed authority in matters of conscience2 by setting aside the divine authority2 and by impious declarations in derogation of the divine claims4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,and his tabernacle4 ,literally1 his 8tent04 ,this is the word which is commonly applied to the sacred tent or tabernacle among the ,hebrews1 in which the ark was kept1 and which was the seat of the ,jewish worship before the building of the temple4 ,it is thus used to denote a place of worship1 considered as the dwelling-place of ,god1 and is in this sense applied to heaven1 ,he4 viii4 #b2 ix4 #aa2 ,re4 xv4 #e4 ,it seems to be used here in a general sense to denote the place where ,god was worshipped2 and the meaning is1 that there would be a course of conduct in regard to the true churchthe dwelling-place of ,god on the earthwhich could properly be regarded as blasphemy4 ,let anyone remember the anathemas and excommunications uttered against the ,waldenses and ,albigenses1 and those of kindred spirit that appeared in the long period of the ,papal rule1 and he will find no difficulty in perceiving a complete fulfilment of all that is here said4 ,and them that dwell in heaven4 ,the true worshippers2 the members of the true church1 represented as dwelling in this holy tabernacle4 ,no one acquainted with the reproaches cast on the devoted and sincere followers of the ,saviour during the dark periods of the ,papal rule can fail to see that there was in that a complete fulfilment of all that is here predicted4 #g ,and it was given unto him #djito make war with the saints1 and to overcome them3 and #dajpower was given him over all kindreds1 and tongues1 and nations4 #g4 ,and it was given unto him4 ,by the same power that taught him to blaspheme ,god and his church4 ,notes on ver4 #b1 #e4 ,to make war with the saints4 ,see this fully illustrated in the ,notes on the parallel passage in ,da4 vii4 #ba1 and at the end of that chapter1 7f74 ,and to overcome them4 ,in those wars4 ,this was abundantly fulfilled in the wars with the ,waldenses1 the ,albigenses1 and the other sincere followers of the ,saviour in the time of the ,papal persecutions4 ,the language here used is the same as that which is found in ,da4 vii4 #ba3 8,the same horn made war with the saints1 and prevailed against them40 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,and power was given him4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,over all kindreds1 and tongues1 and nations4 ,for the meaning of these words see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #i4 ,the meaning here is1 that this dominion was set up over the world4 ,comp4 ,da4 vii4 #be4 ,the fact that so large a portion of the kingdoms of the earth was under the influence of the ,papacy1 and sustained it1 and the claim which it set up to universal dominion1 and to the right of deposing kings and giving away kingdoms1 corresponds entirely with the language here used4 #h ,and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him1 whose names are not written in #daathe book of life of the ,lamb slain #dab;from the foundation of the world4 #h4 ,and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him4 ,that is1 as immediately stated1 all whose names are not in the book of life4 ,on the word worship1 see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,whose #cbe names are not written in the book of life of the ,lamb4 ,that is1 of the ,lord ,jesusthe ,lamb of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,phi4 iv4 #c4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,jn4 i4 #bi4 ,the representation here is1 that the ,lord ,jesus keeps a book or register1 in which are recorded the names of all who shall obtain everlasting life4 ,slain from the foundation of the world4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 iii4 #e4 ,the meaning here is1 not that he was actually put to death 8from the foundation of the world10 but that the intention to give him for a sacrifice was formed then1 and that it was so certain that it might be spoken of as actually then occurring4 ,see ,ro4 iv4 #ag4 ,the purpose was so certain1 it was so constantly represented by bloody sacrifices from the earliest ages1 all typifying the future ,saviour1 that it might be said that he was 8slain from the foundation of the world40 ,professor ,stuart1 however 7,com4 in loco71 supposes that this phrase should be connected with the former member of the sentence1 8whose names are not written1 from the foundation of the world1 in the life-book of the ,lamb1 which was slain4 0 ,either construction makes good sense2 but it seems to me that that which is found in our common version is the most simple and natural4 #i ,if any man have an ear1 let him hear4 #i4 ,if any man have an ear1 let him hear4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,the idea here is1 that what was here said respecting the 8beast0 was worthy of special attention1 as it pertained to most important events in the history of the church4 #aj ,he#dac that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity3 #dad;he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword4 ,here is the #daepatience and the faith of the saints4 #aj4 ,he that leadeth into captivity4 ,this is clearly intended to refer to the power or government which is denoted by the beast4 ,the form of expression here in the ,greek is peculiar8,if any one leadeth into captivity10 c4 4 ,the statement is general1 and is intended to make use of a general or prevalent truth with reference to this particular case4 ,the general truth is1 that men will1 in the course of things1 be dealt with according to their character and their treatment of others2 that nations characterized by war and conquests will be subject to the evils of war and conquestor that they may expect to share the same lot which they have brought on others4 ,this general statement accords with what the ,saviour says in ,mat4 xxvi4 #eb3 8,all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword40 ,this has been abundantly illustrated in the world2 and it is a very important admonition to nations not to indulge in the purposes of conquest and to individuals not to engage in strife and litigation4 ,the particular idea here is1 that it would be a characteristic of the power here referred to that it would 8lead others into captivity40 ,this would be fulfilled if it was the characteristic of this power to invade other countries and to make their inhabitants prisoners of war2 if it made slaves of other people2 if it set up an unjust dominion over other people2 or if it was distinguished for persecuting and imprisoning the innocent1 or for depriving the nations of liberty4 ,it is unnecessary to say that this is strikingly descriptive of ,rome1 considered in any and every point of view1 whether under the republic or the empire1 whether secular or ecclesiastical1 whether ,pagan or ,papal4 ,in the following forms there has been a complete fulfilment under that mighty power of what is here said3 7a7 ,in the desire of conquest or of extending its dominion1 and1 of course1 leading others captive as prisoners of war or subjecting them to slavery4 7b7 ,in its persecutions of true ,christians1 alike pursued under the ,pagan and the ,papal form of the administration4 7c7 ,especially in the imprisonments practised under the ,inquisition1 where tens of thousands have been reduced to the worst kind of captivity4 ,in every way this description is applicable to ,rome1 as seeking to lead the world captive or to subject it to its own absolute sway4 ,shall go into captivity4 ,as a just recompense for subjecting others to bondage1 and as an illustration of a general principle of the divine administration4 ,this is yet1 in a great measure1 to be fulfilled2 and1 as ,i understand it1 it discloses the manner in which the ,papal secular power will come to an end4 ,it will be by being subdued1 so that it might seem to be made captive and led off by some victorious host4 ,rome now is practically held in subjection by foreign arms1 #cbf and has no true independence2 perhaps this will be more and more so as its ultimate fall approaches4 ,he that killeth with the sword4 ,see ,notes1 as above1 on ,mat4 xxvi4 #eb4 ,there can be no doubt that this is applicable to ,rome in all the forms of its administration considered as a ,pagan power2 or considered as a nominally ,christian power1 either with reference to its secular or its spiritual dominion4 ,compute the numbers of human beings that have been put to death by that ,roman power1 and no better language could have been chosen to characterize it than that which is here used8killed with the sword40 ,comp4 ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bdbh1 ,,ii4 7#c71 7g74 ,must be killed with the sword4 ,this domination must be brought to an end by war and slaughter4 ,nothing is more probable than this in itself2 nothing could be more in accordance with the principles of the divine dealings in the world4 ,such a power as that of ,rome will not be likely to be overcome but by the force of arms2 and the probability is that it will ultimately be overthrown in a bloody revolution1 or by foreign conquest4 ,indeed1 there are not a few intimations now that this result is hastening on4 ,italy is becoming impatient of the secular power swayed in connection with the ,papacy1 and sighs for freedom2 and it is every way probable that that land would have been free1 and that the secular power of the ,papacy1 if not every form of the ,papacy itself1 would have come to an end in the late convulsion 7#ahdh71 if it had not been for the intervention of ,france and ,austria4 ,the period designated by prophecy for the final overthrow of that power had not arrived2 but nothing can secure its continuance for any very considerable period longer4 ,here is the patience and the faith of the saints4 ,that is1 the trial of their patience and of their faith4 ,nowhere on earth have the patience and the faith of the saints been put to a severer test than under the ,roman persecutions4 ,the same idea occurs in ch4 xiv4 #ab4 #aa ,and ,i beheld #daf;another beast coming up out of the earth2 and he had two horns like a lamb1 and he spake as a dragon4 #aa4 ,and ,i beheld another beast4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,this was so distinct from the first that its characteristics could be described1 though1 as shown in the ,analysis of the ,chapter1 there was in many points a strong resemblance between them4 ,the relations between the two will be more fully indicated in the ,notes4 ,coming up out of the earth4 ,professor ,stuart renders this1 8ascending from the land40 ,the former was represented as rising up out of the sea 7ver4 #a72 indicating that the power was to rise from a perturbed or unsettled state of affairslike the ocean4 ,this1 from that which was more settled and stableas the land is more firm than the waters4 ,it may not be necessary to carry out this image2 but the natural idea1 as applied to the two forms of the ,roman power supposed to be here referred to1 would be that the formerthe secular power that sustained the ,papacyrose out of the agitated state of the nations in the invasions of the northern hordes1 and the convulsions and revolutions of the falling empire of ,rome2 and that the latter1 the spiritual power itselfrepresented by the beast coming up from the landgrew up under the more settled and stable order of things4 ,it was comparatively calm in its origin1 and had less the appearance of a frightful monster rising up from the agitated ocean4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,and he had two horns like a lamb4 ,in some respects he resembled a lamb2 that is1 he seemed to be a mild1 gentle1 inoffensive animal4 ,it is hardly necessary to say that this is a most striking representation of the actual manner in which the power of the ,papacy has always been put forthputting on the apparent gentleness of the lamb2 or laying claim to great meekness and humility1 even when deposing kings1 and giving away crowns1 and driving thousands to the stake1 or throwing them into the dungeons of the ,inquisition4 ,and he spake as a dragon4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c4 ,the meaning here is1 that he spoke in a harsh1 haughty1 proud1 arrogant toneas we should suppose a dragon would if he had the power of utterance4 ,the general sense is1 that while this 8beast0 had1 in one respectin its resemblance to a lambthe appearance of great gentleness1 meekness1 and kindness1 it had1 in another respect1 a haughty1 imperious1 and arrogant spirit4 ,how appropriate this is1 as a symbol1 to represent the ,papacy1 considered as a spiritual power1 it is unnecessary to say4 ,it will be admitted1 whatever may be thought #cbg of the design of this symbol1 that if it was in fact intended to refer to the ,papacy1 a more appropriate one could not have been chosen4 #ab ,and he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him1 and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast1 #dagwhose deadly wound was healed4 #ab4 ,and he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him4 ,the same amount of power2 the same kind of power4 ,this shows a remarkable relationship between these two beasts2 and proves that it was intended to refer to the same power substantially1 though manifested in a different form4 ,in the fulfilment of this1 we should naturally look for some government whose authority extended far1 and which was absolute and arrogant in its character1 for this is the power attributed to the first beast4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b1 #c1 #d1 #g1 #h4 ,this description had a remarkable fulfilment in the ,papacy1 considered as a spiritual dominion4 ,the relation to the secular power is the same as would be indicated by these two beasts2 the dominion was as wide-spread2 the authority was as absolute and arrogant4 ,in fact1 on these points they have been identical4 ,the one has sustained the other2 either one would long since have fallen if it had not been upheld by the other4 ,the ,papacy1 considered as a spiritual domination1 was in fact a new power starting up in the same place as the old ,roman dominion1 to give life to that as it was tending to decay1 and to continue its ascendency over the world4 ,these two things1 the secular and the spiritual power1 constituting the ,papacy in the proper sense of the term1 are in fact but the continuance or the prolongation of the old ,roman dominionthe fourth kingdom of ,danielunited so as to constitute in reality but one kingdom1 and yet so distinct in their origin1 and in their manifestations1 as to be capable of separate contemplation and description1 and thus properly represented by the two 8beasts0 that were shown in vision to ,john4 ,and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast4 ,that is1 to respect1 to reverence1 to honour4 ,the word worship here refers to civil respect1 and not to religious adoration4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,the meaning here1 according to the interpretation proposed all along in this chapter1 is1 that the ,papacy1 considered in its religious influence1 or as a spiritual powerrepresented by the second beastsecured for the civil or secular powerrepresented by the first beastthe homage of the world4 ,it was the means of keeping up that dominion1 and of giving it its ascendency among the nations of the earth4 ,the truth of this1 as an historical fact1 is well known4 ,the ,roman civil power would have long ago lost all its influence and been unknown1 if it had not been for the ,papacy2 and1 in fact1 all the influence which it has had since the irruption of the northern barbarians1 and the changes which their invasion produced1 can be traced to that new power which arose in the form of the ,papacyrepresented in ,daniel 7ch4 vii4 #h7 by the 8little horn40 ,that new power gave life and energy to the declining influence of ,rome1 and brought the world again to respect and honour its authority4 ,whose deadly wound was healed4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,that is1 was healed by the influence of this new power represented by the second beast4 ,a state of things occurred1 on the rise of that new power1 as if a wound in the head1 otherwise fatal1 was healed4 ,the striking applicability of this to the decaying ,roman powersmitten as with a deadly wound by the blows inflicted by the northern hordes1 and by internal dissensionswill occur to every one4 ,it was as if a healing process had been imparted by some life-giving power1 and1 as a consequence1 the ,roman dominionthe prolongation of ,daniel's fourth kingdomhas continued to the present time4 ,other kingdoms passed awaythe ,assyrian1 the ,babylonian1 the ,medo-,persian1 the ,macedonian2 ,rome alone1 of all the ancient empires1 has prolonged its power over men4 ,in all changes elsewhere1 an influence has gone forth from the seven-hilled city as wide and as fearful as it was in the brightest days of the republic1 the triumvirate1 or the empire1 and a large part of the world still listens reverently to the mandates which issue from the seat which so long gave law to mankind4 ,the fact that it is so is to be traced solely to the influence of that power represented here by the second beast that appeared in vision to ,johnthe ,papacy4 #ac ,and he doeth #dah;great wonders1 so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men1 #cbh #ac4 ,and he doeth great wonders4 ,signsthe word commonly employed to denote miracles 7comp4 ,notes on ,ac4 ii4 #ai72 and the representation here is1 that the power referred to by the second beast would found its claim on pretended miracles1 and would accomplish an effect on the world as if it actually did work miracles4 ,the applicability of this to ,papal ,rome no one can doubt4 ,see ,notes on #b ,th4 ii4 #i4 ,comp4 ver4 #ad4 ,that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men4 ,that is1 he pretends this2 he accomplishes an effect as if he did it4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that he actually did this1 any more than it is to suppose that he actually performed the other pretended miracles referred to in other places4 ,john describes him as he saw him in the vision2 and he saw him laying claim to this power1 and actually producing an effect as if by a miracle he actually made fire to descend from heaven upon the earth4 ,this is to be understood as included in what the apostle ,paul 7#b ,th4 ii4 #i7 calls 8signs and lying wonders10 as among the things by which the 8man of sin and the son of perdition0 would be characterized1 and by which he would be sustained4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,why this particular pretended miracle is specified here is not certain4 ,it may be because this would be among the most striking and impressive of the pretended miracles wroughtas if lying beyond all human poweras ,elijah made fire come down from heaven to consume the sacrifice 7#a ,ki4 xviii4 #cg1 #ch71 and as the apostles proposed to do on the ,samaritans 7,lu4 ix4 #ed71 as if fire were called down on them from heaven4 ,the phrase 8in the sight of men0 implies that this would be done publicly1 and is such language as would be used of pretended miracles designed for purposes of ostentation4 ,amidst the multitudes of pretended miracles of the ,papacy1 it would probably not be difficult to find instances in which the very thing here described was attempted1 in which various devices of pyrotechnics were shown off as miracles4 ,for an illustration of the wonders produced in the dark ages in reference to fire1 having all the appearance of miracles1 and regarded as miracles by the masses of men1 the reader is referred to ,dr4 ,brewster's ,letters on ,natural ,magic1 particularly ,letter xii4 #ad ,and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast2 saying to them that dwell on the earth1 that they should make an image to the beast1 which had the #daiwound by a sword1 and did live4 #ad4 ,and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles4 ,nothing could possibly be more descriptive of the ,papacy than this4 ,it has been kept up by deception and delusion1 and its pretended miracles have been1 and are to this day1 the means by which this is done4 ,anyone in the slightest degree acquainted with the pretended miracles practised at ,rome1 will see the propriety of this description as applied to the ,papacy4 ,the main fact here stated1 that the ,papacy would endeavour to sustain itself by pretended miracles1 is confirmed by an incidental remark of ,mr4 ,gibbon1 when speaking of the pontificate of ,gregory the ,great2 he says3 8,the credulity or the prudence of ,gregory was always disposed to confirm the truths of religion by the evidence of ghosts1 miracles1 and resurrections0 7,decline and ,fall1 iii4 #baj74 ,even within a month of the time that ,i am writing 7,october #e1 #ahej71 intelligence has been received in this country of extraordinary privileges conferred on some city in ,italy1 because the eyes of a picture of the ,virgin in that city have miraculously movedgreatly to the 8confirmation of the faithful40 ,such things are constantly occurring2 and it is by these that the supremacy of the ,papacy has been and is sustained4 ,the ,breviary teems with examples of miracles wrought by the saints4 ,for instance3 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier turned a sufficient quantity of salt water into fresh to save the lives of five hundred travellers who were dying of thirst1 enough being left to allow a large exportation to different parts of the world1 where it wrought astonishing cures4 ,st4 ,raymond de ,pennafort laid his cloak on the sea1 and sailed from ,majorca to ,barcelona1 a distance of a hundred and #cbi sixty miles1 in six hours4 ,st4 ,juliana lay on her death-bed2 her stomach rejected all solid food1 and in consequence she was prevented from receiving the ,eucharist4 ,in compliance with her earnest solicitations1 the consecrated wafer was laid on her breast2 the priest prayed2 the wafer vanished1 and ,juliana expired4 ,many pages might be filled with accounts of modern miracles of the most ridiculous description1 yet believed by ,roman ,catholicsthe undoubted means by which ,papal ,rome 8deceives the world10 and keeps up its ascendency in this age4 ,see ,forsyth's ,italy1 ii4 pp4 #aedaeg2 ,rome in the ,nineteenth ,century1 i4 p4 #dj1 #hf1 ii4 p4 #cef1 iii4 pp4 #aicbja2 ,lady ,morgan's ,italy1 ii4 p4 #cjf1 iii4 p4 #ahi2 ,graham's ,three ,months' ,residence1 c4 p4 #bda4 ,saying to them that dwell on the earth4 ,that is1 as far as its influence would extend4 ,this implies that there would be authority1 and that this authority would be exercised to secure this object4 ,that they should make an image to the beast4 ,that is1 something that would represent the beast1 and that might be an object of worship4 ,the word rendered imagemeans properly1 7a7 an image1 effigy1 figure1 as an idol1 image1 or figure2 7b7 a likeness1 resemblance1 similitude4 ,here the meaning would seem to be1 that1 in order to secure the acknowledgment of the beast1 and the homage to be rendered to him1 there was something like a statue made1 or that ,john saw in vision such a representationthat is1 that a state of things existed as if such a statue were made1 and men were constrained to acknowledge this4 ,all that is stated here would be fulfilled if the old ,roman civil power should become to a large extent dead1 or cease to exert its influence over men1 and if then the ,papal spiritual power should cause a form of domination to exist1 strongly resembling the former in its general character and extent1 and if it should secure this resultthat the world would acknowledge its sway or render it homage as it did to the old ,roman government4 ,this would receive its fulfilment if it be supposed that the first 8beast0 represented the ancient ,roman civil power as such2 that this died awayas if the head had received a fatal wound2 that it was again revived under the influence of the ,papacy2 and that1 under that influence1 a civil government1 strongly resembling the old ,roman dominion1 was caused to exist1 depending for its vital energy on the ,papacy1 and1 in its turn1 lending its aid to support the ,papacy4 ,all this in fact occurred in the decline of the ,roman power after the time of ,constantine1 and its final apparent extinction1 as if 8wounded to death10 in the exile of the last of the emperors1 the son of ,orestes1 who assumed the names of ,romulus and ,augustus1 names which were corrupted1 the former by the ,greeks into ,momyllus1 and the latter by the ,latins 8into the contemptible diminutive ,augustulus40 ,see ,gibbon ii4 #cha4 ,under him the empire ceased1 until it was revived in the days of ,charlemagne4 ,in the empire which then sprung up1 and which owed much of its influence to the sustaining aid of the ,papacy1 we discern the 8image0 of the former ,roman power2 the prolongation of the ,roman ascendency over the world4 ,on the exile of the feeble son of ,orestes 7,a4,d4 #dgf71 the government passed into the hands of ,odoacer1 8the first barbarian who reigned in ,italy0 7,gibbon72 and then the authority was divided among the sovereignties which sprang up after the conquests of the barbarians1 until the 8empire0 was again restored in the time and the person of ,charlemagne4 ,see ,gibbon1 iii4 #cdd1 seq4 ,which had the wound by a sword1 and did live4 ,which had a wound that was naturally fatal1 but whose fatal consequences were prevented by the intervention of another power4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,that is1 according to the explanation given above1 the ,roman imperial power was 8wounded with a fatal wound0 by the invasions of the northern hordesthe sword of the conquerors4 ,its power1 however1 was restored by the ,papacy1 giving life to that which resembled essentially the ,roman civil jurisdictionthe 8image0 of the former beast2 and that power1 thus restored1 asserted its dominion again1 as the prolonged ,roman dominionthe fourth kingdom of ,daniel 7see ,notes on ,dan4 vii4 #ai1 seq47over the world4 #ae ,and he had power to give life#dbj unto the image of the beast1 that the image of the beast should both speak1 and cause that as many as would not #dbaworship the image of the beast should be killed4 #ccj #ae4 ,and he had power to give life unto the image of the beast4 ,that is1 that image of the beast would be naturally powerless1 or would have no life in itself4 ,the second beast1 however1 had power to impart life to it1 so that it would be invested with authority1 and would exercise that authority in the manner specified4 ,if this refers1 as is supposed1 to the ,roman civil powerthe power of the empire restoredit would find a fulfilment in some act of the ,papacy by which the empire that resembled in the extent of its jurisdiction1 and in its general character1 the former ,roman empire1 received some vivifying impulse1 or was invested with new power4 ,that is1 it would have power conferred on it through the ,papacy which it would not have in itself1 and which would confirm its jurisdiction4 ,how far events actually occurred corresponding with this1 will be considered in the ,notes at the close of this verse4 ,that the image of the beast should both speak4 ,should give signs of life2 should issue authoritative commands4 ,the speaking here referred to pertains to that which is immediately specified1 in issuing a command that they who 8would not worship the image of the beast should be killed40 ,and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast4 ,would not honour it1 or acknowledge its authority4 ,the 8worship0 here referred to is civil1 not religious homage4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,the meaning is1 that what is here called the 8image of the beast0 had power given it1 by its connection with the second 8beast10 to set up its jurisdiction over men1 and to secure their allegiance on pain of death4 ,the power by which this was done was derived from the second beast2 the obedience and homage demanded was of the most entire and submissive character2 the nature of the government was in a high degree arbitrary2 and the penalty enforced for refusing this homage was death4 ,the facts that we are to look for in the fulfilment of this are1 7#a7 that the ,roman imperial power was about to expireas if wounded to death by the sword2 7#b7 that this was revived in the form of what is here called the 8image of the beast0that is1 in a form closely resembling the former power2 7#c7 that this was done by the agency of the ,papal power1 represented by the second beast2 7#d7 that the effect of this was to set up over men a wide-extended secular jurisdiction1 of a most arbitrary and absolute kind1 where the penalty of disobedience to its laws was death1 and where the infliction of this was1 in fact1 to be traced to the influence of the second beastthat is1 the ,papal spiritual power4 ,the question now is1 whether facts occurred that corresponded with this emblematic representation4 ,now1 as to the leading fact1 the decline of the ,roman imperial powerthe fatal wound inflicted on that by the 8sword0there can be no doubt4 ,in the time of 8,augustulus10 as above stated1 it had become practically extinct8wounded as it were to death10 and so wounded that it would never have been revived again had it not been for some foreign influence4 ,it is true also1 that1 when the ,papacy arose1 the necessity was felt of allying itself with some wide-extended civil or secular dominion1 that might be under its own control1 and that would maintain its spiritual authority4 ,it is true1 also1 that the empire was revivedthe very 8image0 or copy1 so far as it could be1 of the former ,roman power1 in the time of ,charlemagne1 and that the power which was wielded in what was called the 8empire10 was that which was1 in a great measure1 derived from the ,papacy1 and was designed to sustain the ,papacy1 and was actually employed for that purpose4 ,these are the main facts1 ,i suppose1 which are here referred to1 and a few extracts from ,mr4 ,gibbon will show with what propriety and accuracy the symbols were employed were used1 on the supposition that this was the designed reference4 7a7 ,the rise1 or restoration of this imperial power in the time and the person of ,charlemagne4 ,mr4 ,gibbon says 7iii4 #cdb71 8,it was after the ,nicene synod1 and under the reign of the pious ,irene1 that the popes consummated the separation of ,rome and ,italy from the ,eastern empire by the translation of the empire to the less orthodox ,charlemagne4 ,they were compelled to choose between the rival nations2 religion was not the sole motive of their choice2 and while they dissembled the failings of their friends1 they beheld with reluctance and suspicion the ,catholic virtues of their foes4 ,the difference of language and manners had perpetuated the enmity of the two capitals ,rome and ,constantinople2 and they were alienated from each other by the hostile opposition of seventy #cca years4 ,in that schism the ,romans had tasted of freedom1 and the popes of sovereignty2 their submission would have exposed them to the revenge of a jealous tyrant1 and the revolution of ,italy had betrayed the impotence as well as the tyranny of the ,byzantine court40 ,mr4 ,gibbon then proceeds to state reasons why ,charlemagne was selected as the one who was to be placed at the head of the revived imperial power1 and then adds 7p4 #cdc71 8,the title of patrician was below the merit and greatness of ,charlemagne2 and it was only by reviving the ,western empire that they could pay their obligations1 or secure their establishment4 ,by this decisive measure they would finally eradicate the claims of the ,greeks2 from the debasement of a provincial town the majesty of ,rome would be restored2 the ,latin ,christians would be united1 under a supreme head1 in their ancient metropolis2 and the conquerors of the ,west would receive their crown from the successors of ,st4 ,peter4 ,the ,roman church would acquire a zealous and respectable advocate2 and under the shadow of the ,carlovingian power1 the bishop might exercise1 with honour and safety1 the government of the city40 ,all this seems as if it were a designed commentary on such expressions as these3 8,and he exerciseth all the power of the first beast1 and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast1 whose deadly wound was healed10 8saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword1 and did live2 and he had power to give life unto the image of the beast10 c4 7b7 ,its extent4 ,it is said 7ver4 #ab71 8,and he exerciseth all the power of the first beast1 and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast1 whose deadly wound was healed40 ,comp4 ver4 #ad1 #ae4 ,that is1 the extent of the jurisdiction of the revived power1 or the restored empire1 would be as great as it was before the wound was inflicted4 ,of the extent of the restored empire under ,charlemagne1 ,mr4 ,gibbon has given a full account1 iii4 pp4 #edfedi4 ,the passage is too long to be copied here in full1 and a summary of it only can be given4 ,he says1 8,the empire was not unworthy of its title2 and some of the fairest kingdoms of ,europe were the patrimony or conquest of a prince who reigned at the same time in ,france1 ,spain1 ,italy1 ,germany1 and ,hungary4 ,i4 ,the ,roman province of ,gaul had been transformed into the name and monarchy of ,,france1 c4 ,,ii4 ,the ,saracens had been expelled from ,france by the grandfather and father of ,charlemagne1 but they still possessed the greatest part of ,spain1 from the rock of ,gibraltar to the ,pyrenees4 ,amidst their civil divisions1 an ,arabian emir of ,saragossa implored his protection in the diet of ,paderborn4 ,charlemagne undertook the expedition1 restored the emir1 and1 without distinction of faith1 impartially crushed the resistance of the ,christians1 and rewarded the obedience and service of the ,mohammedans4 ,in his absence he instituted the ,spanish ,march1 which extended from the ,pyrenees to the river ,ebro3 ,barcelona was the residence of the ,french governor2 he possessed the counties of ,rousillon and ,catalonia2 and the infant kingdoms of ,navarre and ,aragon were subject to his jurisdiction4 ,,iii4 ,as king of the ,lombards1 and patrician of ,rome1 he reigned over the greatest part of ,,italy1 a tract of a thousand miles from the ,alps to the borders of ,calabria1 c4 ,,iv4 ,charlemagne was the first who united ,,germany under the same sceptre1 c4 ,v4 ,he retaliated on the ,avars1 or ,huns of ,pannonia1 the same calamities which they had inflicted on the nations3 the royal residence of the ,chagan was left desolate and unknown2 and the treasures1 the rapine of two hundred and fifty years1 enriched the victorious troops1 or decorated the churches of ,italy and ,gaul40 8,if we retrace the outlines of the geographical picture10 continues ,mr4 ,gibbon1 8it will be seen that the empire of the ,franks extended1 between east and west1 from the ,ebro to the ,elbe or ,vistula2 between the north and south1 from the duchy of ,beneventum to the river ,eyder1 the perpetual boundary of ,germany and ,denmark4 ,two-thirds of the ,western empire of ,rome were subject to ,charlemagne1 and the deficiency was amply supplied by his command of the inaccessible or invincible nations of ,germany40 7c7 ,the dependence of this civil or revived secular power on the ,papacy4 8,his deadly wound was healed40 8,and caused the earth to worship the first beast40 8,saying to them that dwell on the earth1 that they should make an image to the beast40 8,he had power to give life unto the image of the beast40 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon #ccb 7iii4 #cdc7 says1 8,from the debasement of a provincial town1 the majesty of ,rome would be restored2 the ,latin ,christians would be united1 under a supreme head1 in their ancient metropolis2 and the conquerors of the ,west would receive their crown from the successors of ,st4 ,peter40 ,and again 7iii4 #cdd7 he says1 8,on the festival of ,christmas1 the last year of the eighth century1 ,charlemagne appeared in the church of ,st4 ,peter2 and1 to gratify the vanity of ,rome1 he had exchanged the simple dress of his country for the habit of a patrician4 ,after the celebration of the holy mysteries1 ,leo suddenly placed a precious crown on his head1 and the dome resounded with the acclamations of the people1 #8,long life and victory to ,charles1 the most pious ,augustus1 crowned by ,god the great and pacific emperor of the ,romans6' ,the head and body of ,charlemagne were consecrated by the royal unction2 his coronation oath represents a promise to maintain the faith and privileges of the church2 and the first-fruits are paid in rich offerings to the shrine of the apostle4 ,in his familiar conversation the emperor protested his ignorance of the intentions of ,leo1 which he would have disappointed by his absence on that memorable day4 ,but the preparations of the ceremony must have disclosed the secret2 and the journey of ,charlemagne reveals his knowledge and expectation2 he had acknowledged that the imperial title was the object of his ambition1 and a ,roman senate had pronounced that it was the only adequate reward of his merit and services40 ,so again 7iii4 #cej71 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 speaking of the conquests of ,otho 7,a4,d4 #ifb71 and of his victorious march over the ,alps1 and his subjugation of ,italy1 says1 8,from that memorable era1 two maxims of public jurisprudence were introduced by force and ratified by time4 ,i4 ,that the prince who was elected in the ,german diet1 acquired from that instant the subject kingdoms of ,italy and ,rome4 ,,ii4 ,but that he might not legally assume the titles of emperor and ,augustus1 till he had received the crown from the hands of the ,roman ,pontiff40 ,in connection with these quotations from ,mr4 ,gibbon1 we may add1 from ,sigonius1 the oath which the emperor took on the occasion of his coronation3 8,i1 the ,emperor1 do engage and promise1 in the name of ,christ1 before ,god and the blessed apostle ,peter1 that ,i will be a protector and defender of this holy church of ,rome1 in all things wherein ,i can be useful to it1 so far as divine assistance shall enable me1 and so far as my knowledge and power can reach0 7quoted by ,professor ,bush1 ,hieroph4 ,nov4 #ahdb1 p4 #ada74 ,we learn1 also1 from the biographers of ,charlemagne that a commemorative coin was struck at ,rome under his reign1 bearing this inscription3 8,renovatio ,imperii ,romani08,revival of the ,roman ,empire0 7,ibid474 ,these quotations1 whose authority will not be questioned1 and whose authors will not be suspected of having had any design to illustrate these passages in the ,apocalypse1 will serve to confirm what is said in the ,notes of the decline and restoration of the ,roman secular power2 of its dependence on the ,papacy to give it life and vigour2 and of the fact that it was designed to sustain the ,papacy1 and to perpetuate the power of ,rome4 ,it needs only to be added1 that down to the time of ,charles the ,fifththe period of the ,reformationnothing was more remarkable in history than the readiness of this restored secular power to sustain the ,papacy and to carry out its designs2 or than the readiness of the ,papacy to sustain an absolute civil despotism1 and to make the world subject to it by suppressing all attempts in favour of civil liberty4 #af ,and he caused all1 both small and great1 rich and poor1 free and bond1 to #dbbreceive a mark in their right hand1 or in their foreheads3 #af4 ,and he caused all4 ,he claims jurisdiction1 in the matters here referred to1 over all classes of persons1 and compels them to do his will4 ,this is the second beast1 and1 according to the interpretation given above1 it relates to the ,papal power1 and to its claim of universal jurisdiction4 ,both small and great4 ,all these expressions are designed to denote universalityreferring to various divisions into which the human family may be regarded as divided4 ,one of those divisions is into 8small and great20 that is1 into young and old2 those small in stature and those large in stature2 those of humble1 and those of elevated rank4 ,rich and poor4 ,another way of dividing the human race1 and denoting here1 as in the former case1 allfor it is a common #ccc method1 in speaking of mankind1 to describe them as 8the rich and poor40 ,free and bond4 ,another method still of dividing the human race1 embracing allfor all the dwellers upon the earth are either free or bond4 ,these various forms of expression1 therefore1 are designed merely to denote1 in an emphatic manner1 universality4 ,the idea is1 that1 in the matter referred to1 none were exempt1 either on account of their exalted rank1 or on account of their humble condition2 either because they were so mighty as to be beyond control1 or so mean and humble as to be beneath notice4 ,and if this refers to the ,papacy1 every one will see the propriety of the description4 ,the jurisdiction set up by that power has been as absolute over kings as over the feeble and the poor2 over masters and their slaves2 alike over those in the humblest and in the most elevated walks of life4 ,to receive a mark in their right hand1 or in their foreheads4 ,the word here rendered markoccurs only in one place in the ,new ,testament except in the book of ,revelation 7,ac4 xvii4 #bi71 where it is rendered graven4 ,in all the other places where it is found 7,re4 xiii4 #af1 #ag2 xiv4 #i1 #aa2 xv4 #b2 xvi4 #b2 xix4 #bj2 xx4 #d71 it is rendered mark1 and is applied to the same thingthe 8mark of the beast40 ,the word properly means something graven or sculptured2 hence1 7a7 a graving1 sculpture1 sculptured work1 as images or idols2 7b7 a mark cut in or stampedas the stamp on coin4 ,applied to men1 it was used to denote some stamp or mark on the hand or elsewhereas in the case of a servant on whose hand or arm the name of the master was impressed2 or of a soldier on whom some mark was impressed denoting the company or phalanx to which he belonged4 ,it was no uncommon thing to mark slaves or soldiers in this way2 and the design was either to denote their ownership or rank1 or to prevent their escaping so as not to be detected4#dbc ,most of us have seen such marks made on the hands or arms of sailors1 in which1 by a voluntary tattooing1 their names1 or the names of their vessels1 were written1 or the figure of an anchor1 or some other device1 was indelibly made by punctures in the skin1 and by inserting some kind of colouring matter4 ,the thing which it is here said was engraven on the hand or the forehead was the 8name0 of the beast1 or the 8number0 of his name1 ver4 #ag4 ,that is1 the 8name0 or the 8number0 was so indelibly inscribed either on the hand or the forehead1 as to show that he who bare it appertained to the 8beast10 and was subject to his authorityas a slave is to his master1 or a soldier to his commander4 ,applied to the ,papacy1 the meaning is1 that there would be some mark of distinction2 some indelible sign2 something which would designate1 with entire certainty1 those persons who belonged to it1 and who were subject to it4 ,it is hardly necessary to say that1 in point of fact1 this has eminently characterized the ,papacy4 ,all possible care has been taken to designate with accuracy those who belong to that communion1 and1 all over the world1 it is easy to distinguish those who render allegiance to the ,papal power4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 vii4 #c4 #ag ,and that no man might buy or sell1 save he that had the mark1 or the name of the beast1 or #dbdthe number of his name4 #ag4 ,and that no man might buy or sell4 ,that is1 this mighty power would claim jurisdiction over the traffic of the world1 and endeavour to make it tributary to its own purposes4 ,comp4 ch4 xviii4 #aaac1 #agai4 ,this is represented by saying that no one might 8buy or sell0 except by its permission2 and it is clear that where this power exists of determining who may 8buy and sell10 there is absolute control over the wealth of the world4 ,save he that had the mark4 ,to keep it all among its own friends2 among those who showed allegiance to this power4 ,or the name of the beast4 ,that is1 the 8mark0 referred to was either the name of the beast1 or the number of his name4 ,the meaning is1 that he had something branded on him that showed that he #ccd belonged to the beastas a slave had the name of his master2 in other words1 there was something that certainly showed that he was subject to its authority4 ,or the number of his name4 ,in regard to what is denoted by the number of the beast1 see ,notes on ver4 #ah4 ,the idea here is1 that that 8number10 whatever it was1 was so marked on him as to show to whom he belonged4 ,according to the interpretation here proposed1 the meaning of this passage is1 that the ,papacy would claim jurisdiction over traffic and commerce2 or would endeavour to bring it under its control1 and make it subservient to its own ends4 ,traffic or commerce is one of the principal means by which property is acquired1 and he who has the control of this has1 to a great degree1 the control of the wealth of a nation2 and the question now is1 whether any such jurisdiction has been set up1 or whether any such control has in fact been exercised1 so that the wealth of the world has been subject to ,papal ,rome8 ,for a more full illustration of this ,i may refer to the ,notes on ch4 xviii4 #aaac1 #af1 #ag2 but at present it may be sufficient to remark1 that the manifest aim of the ,papacy1 in all its history1 has been to control the world1 and to get dominion over its wealth1 in order that it might accomplish its own purposes4 ,but1 besides this1 there have been numerous specified acts more particularly designed to control the business of 8buying and selling40 ,it has been common in ,rome to prohibit1 by express law1 all traffic with heretics4 ,thus a canon of the ,lateran council1 under ,pope ,alexander ,,iii41 commanded that no man should entertain or cherish them in his house or land1 or traffic with them 7,hard4 vi41 ii4 #afhd74 ,the synod of ,tours1 under the same ,pope ,alexander1 passed the law that no man should presume to receive or assist the heretics1 no1 not so much as to exercise commerce with them in selling or buying4 ,and so1 too1 the ,constance council1 as expressed in ,pope ,martin's bull 7,elliott1 vol4 iii4 pp4 #bbj1 #bba74 #ah ,here is wisdom4 ,let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast3 for it is the number of a man2 and his number is six hundred threescore and six4 #ah4 ,here is wisdom4 ,that is1 in what is stated respecting the name and the number of the name of the beast4 ,the idea is1 either that there would be need of peculiar sagacity in determining what the 8number0 of the 8beast0 or of his 8name0 was1 or that peculiar 8wisdom0 was shown by the fact that the number could be thus expressed4 ,the language used in the verse would lead the reader to suppose that the attempt to make out the 8number0 was not absolutely hopeless1 but that the number was so far enigmatical as to require much skill in determining its meaning4 ,it may also be implied that1 for some reason1 there was true 8wisdom0 in designating the name by this number1 either because a more direct and explicit statement might expose him who made it to persecution1 and it showed practical wisdom thus to guard against this danger2 or because there was 8wisdom0 or skill shown in the fact that a number could be found which would thus correspond with the name4 ,on either of these suppositions1 peculiar wisdom would be required in deciphering its meaning4 ,let him that hath understanding4 ,implying 7a7 that it was practicable to 8count the number of the name20 and 7b7 that it would require uncommon skill to do it4 ,it could not be successfully attempted by all2 but still there were those who might do it4 ,this is such language as would be used respecting some difficult matter1 but where there was hope that1 by diligent application of the mind1 and by the exercise of a sound understanding1 there would be a prospect of success4 ,count the number of the beast4 ,in ver4 #af it is 8the number of his name40 ,the word here rendered 8count0means1 properly1 to count or reckon with pebbles1 or counters2 then to reckon1 to estimate4 ,the word here means compute2 that is1 ascertain the exact import of the number1 so as to identify the beast4 ,the 8number0 is that which is immediately specified1 8six hundred threescore and six0#fff4 ,the phrase 8the number of the beast0 means1 that somehow this number was so connected with the beast1 or would so represent its name or character1 that the 8beast0 would be identified by its proper application4 ,the mention in ver4 #ag of 8the name of the beast10 and 8the number of his name10 shows that this 8number0 was somehow connected with his proper designation1 so that by #cce this he would be identified4 ,the plain meaning is1 that the number #fff would be so connected with his name1 or with that which would properly designate him1 that it could be determined who was meant by finding that number in his name or in his proper designation4 ,this is the exercise of the skill or wisdom to which the writer here refers3 substantially that which is required in the solution of a riddle or a conundrum4 ,if it should be said here that this is undignified and unworthy of an inspired book1 it may be replied1 7a7 that there might be some important reason why the name or designation should not be more plainly made2 7b7 that it was important1 nevertheless1 that it should be so made that it would be possible to ascertain who was referred to2 7c7 that this should be done only in some way which would involve the principle of the enigma8where a known thing was concealed under obscure language0 7,webster's ,dict472 7d7 that the use of symbols1 emblems1 hieroglyphics1 and riddles was common in the early periods of the world2 and 7e7 that it was no uncommon thing in ancient times1 as it is in modern1 to test the capacity and skill of men by their ability to unfold the meaning of proverbs1 riddles1 and dark sayings4 ,comp4 the riddle of ,samson1 ,ju4 xiv4 #ab1 seq4 ,see also ,ps4 xlix4 #d2 lxxviii4 #b2 ,eze4 xvii4 #bh2 ,pr4 i4 #bf2 ,da4 viii4 #bc4 ,it would be a sufficient vindication of the method adopted here if it was certain or probable that a direct and explicit statement of what was meant would have been attended with immediate danger1 and if the object could be secured by an enigmatical form4 ,for it is the number of a man4 ,various interpretations of this have been proposed4 ,clericus renders it1 8,the number is small1 or not such as cannot be estimated by a man40 ,rosenmller1 8,the number indicates a man1 or a certain race of men40 ,professor ,stuart1 8,the number is to be computed more humano1 not more angelico20 8it is a man's number40 ,de ,wette1 8,it is such a number as is commonly reckoned or designated by men40 ,other interpretations may be seen in ,poole's ,synopsis4 ,that which is proposed by ,rosenmller1 however1 meets all the circumstances of the case4 ,the idea is1 evidently1 that the number indicates or refers to a certain man1 or order of men4 ,it does not pertain to a brute1 or to angelic beings4 ,thus it would be understood by one merely interpreting the language1 and thus the connection demands4 ,and his number is six hundred threescore and six4 ,the number of his name1 ver4 #ag4 ,this cannot be supposed to mean that his name would be composed of six hundred and sixty-six letters2 and it must1 therefore1 mean that somehow the number #fff would be expressed by his name in some well-understood method of computation4 ,the number heresix hundred and sixty-sixis1 in ,walton's ,polyglott1 written out in full3 4 ,in ,wetstein1 ,griesbach1 ,hahn1 ,tittmann1 and the common ,greek text1 it is expressed by the characters #fff4 ,there can be no doubt that this is the correct number1 though1 in the time of ,irenus1 there was in some copies another reading #faf4 ,this reading was adopted by the expositor ,tychonius2 but against this ,irenus inveighs 7,liv4 v4 c4 #cj74 ,there can be no doubt that the number #fff is the correct reading1 though it would seem that this was sometimes expressed in letters1 and sometimes written in full4 ,wetstein supposes that both methods were used by ,john2 that in the first copy of his book he used the letters1 and in a subsequent copy wrote it in full4 ,this inquiry is not of material consequence4 ,it need not be said that much has been written on this mysterious 8number10 and that very different theories have been adopted in regard to its application4 ,for the views which have been entertained on the subject1 the reader may consult1 with advantage1 the article in ,calmet's ,dict41 under the word 8,antichrist40 ,it was natural for ,calmet1 being a ,roman ,catholic1 to endeavour to show that the interpretations have been so various1 that there could be no certainty in the application1 and especially in the common application to the ,papacy4 ,in endeavouring to ascertain the meaning of the passage1 the following general remarks may be made1 as containing the result of the investigation thus far37a7 ,there was some mystery in the mattersome designed concealmentsome reason why a more explicit statement was not adopted4 ,the reason of this is not stated2 but it may not be improper to suppose that it arose from something in the circumstances of the writer1 and that the adoption of this enigmatical expression was designed to avoid some #ccf peril to which he or others might be exposed if there were a more explicit statement4 7b7 ,it is implied1 nevertheless1 that it could be understood2 that is1 that the meaning was not so obscure that1 by proper study1 the designed reference could not be ascertained without material danger of error4 7c7 ,it required skill to do this2 either natural sagacity1 or particular skill in interpreting hieroglyphics and symbols1 or uncommon spiritual discernment4 7d7 ,some man1 or order of men1 is referred to that could properly be designated in this manner4 7e7 ,the method of designating persons obscurely by a reference to the numerical signification of the letters in their names was not very uncommon1 and was one that was not unlikely1 in the circumstances of the case1 to have been resorted to by ,john4 8,thus1 among the ,pagans1 the ,egyptian mystics spoke of ,mercury1 or ,thouth1 under the name #abah1 because the ,greek letters composing the word ,thouth1 when estimated by their numerical value1 together made up that number4 ,by others1 ,jupiter was invoked under the mystical number #gag2 because the letters of ,beginning1 or ,first ,origin1 which was a characteristic of the supreme deity worshipped as ,jupiter1 made up that number4 ,and ,apollo under the number #fjh1 as being that of or 1 words expressing certain solar attributes4 ,again1 the pseudo-,christian1 or semi-,pagan ,gnostics1 from ,st4 ,john's time and downwards1 affixed to their gems and amulets1 of which multitudes remain to the present day1 the mystic word abrasax or abraxas1 under the idea of some magic virtue attaching to its number #cfe1 as being that of the days of the annual solar circle10 c4 ,see other instances referred to in ,elliott1 iii4 #bje4 ,these facts show that ,john would not be unlikely to adopt some such method of expressing a sentiment which it was designed should be obscure in form1 but possible to be understood4 ,it should be added here1 that this was more common among the ,jews than among any other people4 7f7 ,it seems clear that some ,greek word is here referred to1 and that the mystic number is to be found in some word of that language4 ,the reasons for this opinion are these3 7#a7 ,john was writing in ,greek1 and it is most natural to suppose that this would be the reference2 7#b7 he expected that his book would be read by those who understood the ,greek language1 and it would have been unnatural to have increased the perplexity in understanding what he referred to by introducing a word of a foreign language2 7#c7 the first and last letters of the ,greek alphabet1 and not those of the ,hebrew1 are expressly selected by the ,saviour to denote his eternity8,i am ,alpha and ,omega10 ch4 i4 #h1 #aa2 and 7#d7 the numerals by which the enigma is expressedare ,greek4 ,it has indeed been supposed by many that the solution is to be found in the ,hebrew language1 but these reasons seem to me to show conclusively that we are to look for the solution in some ,greek word4 ,the question now is1 whether there is any word which corresponds with these conditions1 and which would naturally be referred to by ,john in this manner4 ,the exposition thus far has led us to suppose that the ,papacy in some form is referred to2 and the inquiry now is1 whether there is any word which is so certain and determinate as to make it probable that ,john meant to designate that4 ,the word ,lateinos1 the ,latin ,manactually has all the conditions supposed in the interpretation of this passage4 ,from this word the number specified#fff;is made out as follows3 #cj #a #cjj #e #aj #ej #gj #bjj #fff ,in support of the opinion that this is the word intended to be referred to1 the following suggestions may be made3 7a7 ,it is a ,greek word4 7b7 ,it expresses the exact number1 and corresponds in this respect with the language used by ,john4 7c7 ,it was early suggested as the probable meaning1 and by those who lived near the time of ,john2 who were intimately acquainted with the ,greek language2 and who may be supposed to have been familiar with this mode of writing4 ,thus it was suggested by ,irenus1 who says1 8,it seems to me very probable2 for this is a name of the last of ,daniel's four kingdoms2 they being ,latins that now reign40 ,it is true that he also mentions two other words as those which may be meant1 a word which had been suggested by others1 but concerning which he makes no remarks1 and which1 of course1 must have been destitute of any probability in his view2 and 1 which he thinks has the clearest claims #ccg for admissionthough he speaks of the word ,lateinos as having a claim of probability4 7b7 ,this word would properly denote the ,roman power1 or the then ,latin power1 and would refer to that dominion as a ,latin dominionas it properly was2 and if it be supposed that it was intended to refer to that1 and1 at the same time1 that there should be some degree of obscurity about it1 this would be more likely to be selected than the word ,roman1 which was better known2 and 7c7 there was a special propriety in this1 on the supposition that it was intended to refer to the ,papal ,latin power4 ,the most appropriate appellation1 if it was designed to refer to ,rome as a civil power1 would undoubtedly have been the word ,roman2 but if it was intended to refer to the ecclesiastical power1 or to the ,papacy1 this is the very word to express the idea4 ,in earlier times the more common appellation was ,roman4 ,this continued until the separation of the ,eastern and ,western empires1 when the ,eastern was called ,greek1 and the ,western the ,latin2 or when the ,eastern empire assumed the name of ,roman1 and affixed to the ,western kingdoms one and all that were connected with ,rome the appellation of ,latin4 ,this appellation1 originally applied to the language only1 was adopted by the ,western kingdoms1 and came to be that by which they were best designated4 ,it was the ,latin world1 the ,latin kingdom1 the ,latin church1 the ,latin patriarch1 the ,latin clergy1 the ,latin councils4 ,to use ,dr4 ,more's words1 8,they ,latinize everything3 mass1 prayers1 hymns1 litanies1 canons1 decretals1 bulls1 are conceived in ,latin4 ,the ,papal councils speak in ,latin1 women themselves pray in ,latin4 ,the ,scriptures are read in no other language under the ,papacy than ,latin4 ,in short1 all things are ,latin40 ,with what propriety1 then1 might ,john1 under the influence of inspiration1 speak1 in this enigmatical manner1 of the new power that was symbolized by the beast as ,latin4 ,the only objection to this solution that has been suggested is1 that the orthography of the ,greek word is ,latinos1 and not ,lateinos1 giving the number #ffa1 and not #fff2 and ,bellarmine asserts that this is the uniform method of spelling in ,greek authors4 ,all that is necessary in reply to this is to copy the following remark from ,professor ,stuart1 vol4 ii4 p4 #def3 8,as to the form of the ,greek word ,lateinos1 viz41 that is employed for the ,latin long 1 it is a sufficient vindication of it to cite 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 c4 ,or we may refer to the custom of the more ancient ,latin1 as in ,plautus1 of writing i by ei2 e4g41 solitei1 ,diveis1 captivei1 preimus1 ,lateina1 c40 ,see this point examined further1 in ,elliott1 iii4 #bajbac4 ,as a matter of historical interest1 it may be observed that the solution of the difficulty has been sought in numerous other words1 and the friends of the ,papacy and the enemies of the ,bible have endeavoured to show that such terms are so numerous that there can be no certainty in the application4 ,thus ,calmet 7,dict4 art4 8,antichrist071 after enumerating many of these terms1 says3 8,the number #fff is found in names the most sacred1 the most opposite to ,antichrist4 ,the wisest and best way is to be silent40 ,we have seen that1 besides the name ,lateinos1 two other words had been referred to in the time of ,irenus4 ,some of the words in which the mysterious number has been since supposed to be found are the following3 ,neron ,csar #ej #bjj #f #ej1 and #ajj #fj #bjj #fff ,diocles ,augustus 7,dioclesian7 ,,dclxvi4 ,c4 ,f4 ,julianus ,csar ,atheus 7the ,apostate7 ,,dclxvi4 ,luther #bjj #djj #cj #f #cj #fff ,lampetis1 #cj #a #dj #hj #e #cjj #aj #bjj #fff #h #cj #a #cjj #aj #ej #h #b #a #bjj #aj #cj #e #aj #a #fff #aj #cjj #a #cj #aj #bj #a #e #bj #bj #cj #h #bjj #aj #a #fff 7the ,apostate7 #a #hj #gj #f #a #cjj #h #bjj #fff 7,roman1 sc4 ,sedes7 #bjj #f #dj #aj #aj #djj #fff 7,romanus1 sc4 ,man7 #bjj #dj #gj #ej #f #cjj #fff ,it will be admitted that many of these1 and others that might be named1 are fanciful1 and perhaps had their origin in a determination1 on the one hand1 to find ,rome referred to somehow1 or in a determination1 on the other hand1 equally strong1 not to find this2 but still it is remarkable how #cch many of the most obvious solutions refer to ,rome and the ,papacy4 ,but the mind need not be distracted1 nor need doubt be thrown over the subject1 by the number of the solutions proposed4 ,they show the restless character of the human mind1 and the ingenuity of men2 but this should not be allowed to bring into doubt a solution that is simple and natural1 and that meets all the circumstances of the case4 ,such a solution1 ,i believe1 is found in the word ,lateinos1 as illustrated above2 and as that1 if correct1 settles the case1 it is unnecessary to pursue the matter further4 ,those who are disposed to do so1 however1 may find ample illustration in ,calmet1 ,dict4 art4 8,antichrist20 ,elliott1 ,hor ,apoca4 iii4 #bjgbba2 ,prof4 ,stuart1 ,com4 vol4 ii4 ,excursus iv42 ,bibliotheca ,sacra1 i4 #hdhf2 ,robert ,fleming on the ,rise and ,fall of the ,papacy1 #bh1 seq42 ,de ,wette1 ,exegetisches ,handbuch1 ,n4,t41 iii4 #adjadb2 ,vitringa1 ,com4 #fbefcg1 ,excursus iv42 ,nov4 ,tes4 ,edi4 ,koppian1 vol4 x4 b1 pp4 #bcebfe2 and the ,commentaries generally4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,in the previous chapters 7xii4 xiii47 there is a description of the woes and sorrows which1 for a long period1 would come upon the church1 and which would threaten to destroy it4 ,it was proper that this gloomy picture should be relieved1 and accordingly this chapter1 having much of the aspect of an episode1 is thrown in to comfort the hearts of those who should see those troublous times4 ,there were bright scenes beyond1 and it was important to direct the eye to them1 that the hearts of the sad might be consoled4 ,this chapter1 therefore1 contains a succession of symbolical representations designed to show the ultimate result of all these things8to hold out the symbols of ultimate and certain victory0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,those symbols are the following3 7#a7 ,the vision of the hundred and forty-four thousand on ,mount ,zion1 as emblematical of the final triumph of the redeemed1 ver4 #ae4 ,they have the ,father's name in their foreheads 7ver4 #a72 they sing a song of victory 7ver4 #b1 #c72 they are found without fault before ,godrepresentatives1 in this respect1 of all that will be saved1 ver4 #d1 #e4 7#b7 ,the vision of the final triumph of the gospel1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,an angel is seen flying in the midst of heaven1 having the everlasting gospel to preach to all that dwell upon the earth1 and announcing that the end is neara representation designed to show that the gospel will be thus preached among all nations2 and when that is done1 the time will draw on when the affairs of the world will be wound up4 7#c7 ,the fall of ,babylon1 the mighty ,antichristian power1 ver4 #h4 ,an angel is seen going forth announcing the glad tidings that this mighty power is overthrown1 and that1 therefore1 its oppressions are come to an end4 ,this1 to the church in trouble and persecution1 is one of the most comforting of all the assurances that ,god makes in regard to the future4 7#d7 ,the certain and final destruction of all the upholders of that ,antichristian power1 ver4 #iab4 ,another angel is seen making proclamation that all the supporters and abettors of this formidable power would drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god2 that they would be tormented with fire and brimstone2 and that the smoke of their torment would ascend up for ever and ever4 7#e7 ,the blessedness of all those who die in the ,lord2 who1 amidst the persecutions and trials that were to come upon the church1 would be found faithful unto death1 ver4 #ac4 ,they would rest from their labours2 the works of mercy which they had done on the earth would follow them to the future world1 securing rich and eternal blessings there4 7#f7 ,the final overthrow of all the enemies of the church1 ver4 #adbj4 ,this is the grand completion2 to this all things are tending2 this will be certainly accomplished in due time4 ,this is represented under various emblems3 7a7 ,the ,son of man appears seated on a cloud1 having on his head a golden crown1 and in his hand a sharp sickleemblem of gathering in the great harvest of the earth1 and of his own glorious reign in heaven1 ver4 #ad4 7b7 ,an angel is seen coming out of the temple1 announcing that the time had come1 and calling on the great ,reaper to thrust in his sickle1 for the harvest of the world was ripe1 ver4 #ae4 7c7 ,he that has the sickle thrusts in his sickle to reap the great harvest1 ver4 #af4 7d7 ,another angel is seen representing the final judgment of ,god on the wicked1 ver4 #agbj4 ,he also has a sharp sickle2 he is commanded by an angel that has power over fire to thrust in his sickle #cci into the earth2 he goes forth and gathers the clusters of the vine of the earth1 and casts them into the great wine-press of the wrath of ,god4 ,this whole chapter1 therefore1 is designed to relieve the gloom of the former representations4 ,the action of the grand moving panorama is stayed that the mind may not be overwhelmed with gloomy thoughts1 but that it may be cheered with the assurance of the final triumph of truth and righteousness4 ,the chapter1 viewed in this light1 is introduced with great artistic skill1 as well as great beauty of poetic illustration2 and1 in its place1 it is adapted to set forth this great truth1 that1 to the righteous1 and to the church at large1 in the darkest times1 and with the most threatening prospect of calamity and sorrow1 there is the certainty of final victory1 and that this should be allowed to cheer and sustain the soul4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,and ,i looked1 and1 lo1 a #dbe,lamb stood on the mount ,zion1 and with him #dbf;an hundred forty and four thousand1 #dbg;having his ,father's name written in their foreheads4 #a4 ,and ,i looked4 ,my attention was drawn to a new vision4 ,the eye was turned away from the beast and his image to the heavenly worldthe ,mount ,zion above4 ,and1 lo1 a ,lamb4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,stood on the mount ,zion4 ,that is1 in heaven4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 xii4 #bb4 ,zion1 literally the southern hill in the city of ,jerusalem1 was a name also given to the whole city2 and1 as that was the seat of the divine worship on earth1 it became an emblem of heaventhe dwelling-place of ,god4 ,the scene of the vision here is laid in heaven1 for it is a vision of the ultimate triumph of the redeemed1 designed to sustain the church in view of the trials that had already come upon it1 and of those which were yet to come4 ,and with him an hundred forty and four thousand4 ,these are evidently the same persons that were seen in the vision recorded in ch4 vii4 #ch1 and the representation is made for the same purposeto sustain the church in trial1 with the certainty of its future glory4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #d4 ,having his ,father's name written in their foreheads4 ,showing that they were his4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #c2 xiii4 #af4 ,in ch4 vii4 #c1 it is merely said that they were 8sealed in their foreheads20 the passage here shows how they were sealed4 ,they had the name of ,god so stamped or marked on their foreheads as to show that they belonged to him4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 vii4 #ch4 #b ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven1 as #dbhthe voice of many waters1 and as the voice of a great thunder3 and ,i heard the voice of #dbi;harpers harping with their harps3 #b4 ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven4 ,showing that the scene is laid in heaven1 but that ,john in the vision was on the earth4 ,as the voice of many waters4 ,as the sound of the ocean1 or of a mighty cataract4 ,that is1 it was so loud that it could be heard from heaven to earth4 ,no comparison could express this more sublimely than to say that it was like the roar of the ocean4 ,as the voice of a great thunder4 ,as the loud sound of thunder4 ,and ,i heard the voice of harpers4 ,in heaven3 the song of redemption accompanied with strains of sweet instrumental music4 ,for a description of the harp1 see ,notes on ,is4 v4 #ab4 ,harping with their harps4 ,playing on their harps4 ,this image gives new beauty to the description4 ,though the sound was loud and swelling1 so loud that it could be heard on the earth1 yet it was not mere shouting1 or merely a tumultuous cry4 8,it was like the sweetness of symphonious harps40 ,the music of heaven1 though elevated and joyous1 is sweet and harmonious2 and perhaps one of the best representations of heaven on earth1 is the effect produced on the soul by strains of sweet and solemn music4 #c ,and they sung as it were #dcj;a new song before the throne1 and before the four beasts1 and the elders3 and no man could learn that song but #dcathe hundred and forty and four thousand1 which were redeemed from the earth4 #c4 ,and they sung as it were a new song4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #i4 ,it was proper to call this 8new10 because it was on a new occasion1 or pertained to a new object4 ,the song here was in celebration of the complete redemption of the church1 and was the song to be sung in view of its final triumph over all its foes4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 vii4 #i1 #aj4 ,before the throne4 ,the throne of ,god in heaven4 ,see ,notes #cdj on ch4 iv4 #b4 ,and before the four beasts4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #fh4 ,and the elders4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d4 ,and no man could learn that song1 c4 ,none could understand it but the redeemed4 ,that is1 none who had not been redeemed could enter fully into the feelings and sympathies of those who were4 ,a great truth is taught here4 ,to appreciate fully the songs of ,zion2 to understand the language of praise2 to enter into the spirit of the truths which pertain to redemption2 one must himself have been redeemed by the blood of ,christ4 ,he must have known what it is to be a sinner under the condemnation of a holy law2 he must have known what it is to be in danger of eternal death2 he must have experienced the joys of pardon1 or he can never understand1 in its true import1 the language used by the redeemed4 ,and this is only saying what we are familiar with in other things4 ,he who is saved from peril2 he who is rescued from long captivity2 he who is pardoned at the foot of the scaffold2 he who is recovered from dangerous illness2 he who presses to his bosom a beloved child just rescued from a watery grave1 will have an appreciation of the language of joy and triumph which he can never understand who has not been placed in such circumstances3 but of all the joy ever experienced in the universe1 so far as we can see1 that must be the most sublime and transporting1 which will be experienced when the redeemed shall stand on ,mount ,zion above1 and shall realize that they are saved4 #d ,these are they which were not defiled with women2 for they are #dcbvirgins4 ,these are they #dccwhich follow the ,lamb whithersoever he goeth4 ,these were #dcdredeemed from among men1 being #dcethe first-fruits unto ,god and to the ,lamb4 #d4 ,these are they4 ,in this verse1 and in the following verse1 the writer states the leading characteristics of those who are saved4 ,the general idea is1 that they are chaste2 that they are the followers of the ,lamb2 that they are redeemed from among men2 and that they are without guile4 ,which were not defiled with women4 ,who were chaste4 ,the word defiled here determines the meaning of the passage1 as denoting that they were not guilty of illicit intercourse with women4 ,it is unnecessary to show that this is a virtue everywhere required in the ,bible1 and everywhere stated as among the characteristics of the redeemed4 ,on no point are there more frequent exhortations in the ,scriptures than on this2 on no point is there more solicitude manifested that the professed friends of the ,saviour should be without blame4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ac4 xv4 #bj2 ,ro4 i4 #bdcb2 #a ,co4 vi4 #ah2 ,he4 xiii4 #d4 ,see also #a ,co4 v4 #a2 vi4 #ac2 ,ga4 v4 #ai2 ,ep4 v4 #c2 ,col4 iii4 #e2 #a ,th4 iv4 #c4 ,this passage cannot be adduced in favour of celibacy1 whether among the clergy or laity1 or in favour of monastic principles in any form2 for the thing that is specified is1 that they were not 8defiled with women10 and a lawful connection of the sexes1 such as marriage1 is not defilement4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 xiii4 #d4 ,the word here rendered defiled1 from is a word that cannot be applied to the marriage relation4 ,it means properly to soil1 to stain1 to defile4 #a ,co4 viii4 #g3 8,their conscience being weak1 is defiled40 ,re4 iii4 #d3 8,which have not defiled their garments40 ,the word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament1 except in the passage before us1 and it will be seen at once that it cannot be applied to that which is lawful and proper1 and consequently that it cannot be construed as an expression against marriage and in favour of celibacy4 ,it is a word that is properly expressive of illicit intercourseof impurity and unchastity of lifeand the statement is1 that they who are saved are not impure and unchaste4 ,for they are virgins4 ,this is the masculine form1 but this form is found in the later ,greek and in the ,christian fathers4 ,see ,suidas and ,suicer1 ,thes4 ,the meaning of the word1 when found in the feminine form1 is well understood4 ,it denotes a virgin1 a maiden1 and thence it is used to denote that which is chaste and pure3 virgin modesty2 virgin gold2 virgin soil2 virgin blush2 virgin shame4 ,the word in the masculine form must have a similar meaning as applied to men1 and may denote #cda 7a7 those who are unmarried2 7b7 those who are chaste and pure in general4 ,the word is applied by ,suidas to ,abel and ,melchizedek4 8,the sense10 says ,de ,wette1 in loco1 8cannot be that all these #add1jjj had lived an unmarried life2 for how could the apostle ,peter1 and others who were married1 have been excluded8 ,but the reference must be to those who held themselves from all impurityunkeuschheit und hurereiwhich1 in the view of the apostles1 was closely connected with idolatry40 ,comp4 ,bleek1 ,beitr4 i4 #ahe4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that the main reference here is to those who had kept themselves from idolatry1 and who were thus pure4 ,it seems to me1 however1 that the most obvious meaning is the correct one1 that it refers to the redeemed as chaste1 and thus brings into view one of the prominent things in which ,christians are distinguished from the devotees of nearly every other form of religion1 and1 indeed1 exclusively from the world at large4 ,this passage1 also1 cannot be adduced in favour of the monastic system1 because1 7a7 whatever may be said anywhere of the purity of virgins1 there is no such commendation of it as to imply that the married life is impure2 7b7 it cannot be supposed that ,god meant in any way to reflect on the married life as in itself impure or dishonourable2 7c7 the language does not demand such an interpretation2 and 7d7 the facts in regard to the monastic life have shown that it has had very little pretensions to a claim of virgin purity4 ,these are they which follow the ,lamb4 ,this is another characteristic of those who are redeemedthat they are followers of the ,lamb of ,god4 ,that is1 they are his disciples2 they imitate his example2 they obey his instructions2 they yield to his laws2 they receive him as their counsellor and their guide4 ,see ,notes on ,jn4 x4 #c1 #bg4 ,whithersoever he goeth4 ,as sheep follow the shepherd4 ,comp4 ,ps4 xxiii4 #a1 #b4 ,it is one characteristic of true ,christians that they follow the ,saviour wherever he leads them4 ,be it into trouble1 into danger1 into difficult duty2 be it in ,christian or heathen lands2 be it in pleasant paths1 or in roads rough and difficult1 they commit themselves wholly to his guidance1 and submit themselves wholly to his will4 ,these were redeemed from among men4 ,this is another characteristic of those who are seen on ,mount ,zion4 ,they are there because they are redeemed1 and they have the character of the redeemed4 ,they are not there in virtue of rank or blood 7,jn4 i4 #ac72 not on the ground of their own works 7,tit4 iii4 #e72 but because they are redeemed unto ,god by the blood of his ,son4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #i1 #aj4 ,none will be there of whom it cannot be said that they are 8redeemed20 none will be absent who have been truly redeemed from sin4 ,being the first-fruits unto ,god4 ,on the meaning of the word first-fruits1 see ,notes on #a ,co4 xv4 #bj4 ,the meaning here would seem to be1 that the hundred and forty-four thousand were not to be regarded as the whole of the number that was saved1 but that they were representatives of the redeemed4 ,they had the same characteristics which all the redeemed must have2 they were a pledge that all the redeemed would be there4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that the sense is1 that they were1 as it were1 8an offering peculiarly acceptable to ,god40 ,the former explanation1 however1 meets all the circumstances of the case1 and is more in accordance with the usual meaning of the word4 ,and to the ,lamb4 ,they stood there as redeemed by him1 thus honouring him as their ,redeemer1 and showing forth his glory4 #e ,and in their mouth #dcfwas found no guile3 for they are #dcgwithout fault before the throne of ,god4 #e4 ,and in their mouth was found no guile4 ,no deceit1 fraud1 hypocrisy4 ,they were sincerely and truly what they professed to bethe children of ,god4 ,this is the last characteristic which is given of them as redeemed1 and it is not necessary to say that this is always represented as one of the characteristics of the true children of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,jn4 i4 #dg4 ,for they are without fault before the throne of ,god4 ,the word here rendered without faultmeans1 properly1 spotless1 without blemish1 #a ,pe4 i4 #ai4 ,see ,notes on ,col4 i4 #bb4 ,this cannot be construed as meaning that they were by nature pure and holy1 but only that they were pure as they stood before the throne of ,god in heaven8having washed their robes1 and made them pure in the blood of the ,lamb40 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #ad4 ,it will be certainly true that all who stand there will #cdb be1 in fact1 pure1 for nothing impure or unholy shall enter there1 ch4 xxi4 #bg4 ,the design of this portion of the chapter was evidently to comfort those to whom the book was addressed1 and1 in the same way1 to comfort all the children of ,god in times of persecution and trial4 ,those living in the time of ,john were suffering persecution1 and1 in the previous chapters1 he had described more fearful trials yet to come on the church4 ,in these trials1 therefore1 present and prospective1 there was a propriety in fixing the thoughts on the final triumph of the redeemedthat glorious state in heaven where all persecution shall cease1 and where all the ransomed of the ,lord shall stand before his throne4 ,what could be better fitted than this view to sustain the souls of the persecuted and the sorrowful8 ,and how often since in the history of the churchin the dark times of religious declension and of persecutionhas there been occasion to seek consolation in this bright view of heaven8 ,how often in the life of each believer1 when sorrows come upon him like a flood1 and earthly consolation is gone1 is there occasion to look to that blessed world where all the redeemed shall stand before ,god2 where all tears shall be wiped away from every face2 and where there shall be the assurance that the last pang has been endured1 and that the soul is to be happy for ever8 #f ,and ,i saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven1 having #dchthe everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth1 and to #dci;every nation1 and kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 #f4 ,and ,i saw another angel4 ,this must1 of course1 mean a different one from some one mentioned before2 but no such angel is referred to in the previous chapters1 unless we go back to ch4 xii4 #g4 ,it is not necessary1 however1 to suppose that ,john refers to a particular angel immediately preceding this4 ,in the course of these visions he had seen many angels2 and now1 accustomed to these visions1 he says that he saw 8another0 one employed in a remarkable embassy1 whose message was fitted to cheer the hearts of the desponding1 and to support the souls of the persecuted and the sadfor his appearing was the pledge that the gospel would be ultimately preached to all that dwell upon the earth4 ,the design of this vision is1 therefore1 substantially the same as the formerto cheer the heart1 and to sustain the courage and the faith of the church1 in the persecutions and trials which were yet to come1 by the assurance that the gospel would be ultimately triumphant4 ,fly in the midst of heaven4 ,in the air2 so as to appear to be moving along the face of the sky4 ,the scene cannot be in heaven1 as the gospel is not to be preached there2 but the word must denote heaven as it appears to usthe sky4 ,professor ,stuart renders it correctly 8mid-air40 ,he is represented as flying1 to denote the rapidity with which the gospel would spread through the world in that future period referred to4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 vi4 #b4 ,having the everlasting gospel4 ,the gospel is here called everlasting or eternal1 7a7 because its great truths have always existed1 or it is conformed to eternal truth2 7b7 because it will for ever remain unchangednot being liable to fluctuation like the opinions held by men2 7c7 because its effects will be everlastingin the redemption of the soul and the joys of heaven4 ,in all the glorious eternity before the redeemed1 they will be but developing the effects of that gospel on their own hearts1 and enjoying the results of it in the presence of ,god4 ,to preach unto them that dwell on the earth4 ,to all menas is immediately specified4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xxviii4 #ai2 ,mar4 xvi4 #ae4 ,and to every nation1 and kindred1 c4 ,to all classes and conditions of men2 to all men1 without any distinction or exception4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #i4 ,the truth here taught is1 that the gospel is to be preached to all men as on an equality1 without any reference to their rank1 their character1 or their complexion2 and it is implied also1 that at the time referred to this will be done4 ,when that time will be the writer does not intimate farther1 than that it would be after the beast and his adherents had attempted to stay its progress2 and for the fulfilment of this1 therefore1 we are to look to a period subsequent to the rise and fall of that great ,antichristian power symbolized by the beast and his image4 ,this is in entire accordance with the prediction in ,daniel4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #aibb4 #g ,saying with a loud voice1 ,fear ,god1 and give glory to him2 for the #ddj;hour of his judgment is come3 and worship him that made heaven1 and earth1 and the sea1 and the fountains of waters4 #g4 ,saying with a loud voice4 ,as if #cdc all the nations were summoned to hear4 ,fear ,god4 ,that is1 reverence1 honour1 obey ,god4 ,render homage not to the beast1 to his image1 or to any idol1 but to the only true ,god4 ,this is the substance of the gospelits end and designto turn men from all forms of idol worship and superstition1 to the worship of the only true ,god4 ,and give glory to him4 ,to give glory to him is to acknowledge him as the only true ,god2 to set up his pure worship in the heart2 and to praise him as the great ,ruler of heaven and earth4 ,for the hour of his judgment is come4 ,his judgment on the beast and on those who worship him4 ,the imagery here is substantially the same as in ,da4 vii4 #i1 #aj1 #ad1 #bf1 #bg2 and there can be no doubt that there is reference to the same subject4 ,see ,notes on those verses4 ,the main idea is1 that when ,god shall be about to cause his gospel to spread through the world1 there will be1 as it were1 a solemn judgment on that ,antichristian power which had so long resisted his truth and persecuted his saints1 and that on the fall of that power his own kingdom will be set up on the earth2 that is1 in the language of ,daniel1 8the kingdom1 and the dominion1 and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven1 shall be given to the people of the saints of the ,most ,high40 ,and worship him that made heaven1 and earth1 c4 ,the true ,god1 the ,creator of all things4 ,as already remarked1 this is the ultimate design of the gospel1 and1 when this is accomplished1 the great end for which it was revealed will be reached4 ,the design of this portion of the chapter 7ver4 #f1 #g71 also1 was to comfort those to whom the book was addressed1 and in the same way to comfort the church in all the persecution and opposition which the truth would encounter4 ,the ground of consolation then was1 that a time was predicted when the 8everlasting gospel0 would be made to fly speedily through the earth1 and when it would be announced that a final judgment had come upon the ,antichristian power which had prevented its being before diffused over the face of the world4 ,the same ground of encouragement and consolation exists now1 and the more so as we see the day approaching2 and in all times of despondency we should allow our hearts to be cheered as we see that great ,antichristian power waning1 and as we see evidence that the way is thus preparing for the rapid and universal diffusion of the pure gospel of ,christ4 #h ,and there followed another angel1 saying1 #dda;,babylon is fallen1 is fallen1 that great city1 because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication4 #h4 ,and there followed another angel4 ,that is1 in the vision4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that this would1 in the fulfilment1 succeed the other in time4 ,the chapter is made up of a number of representations1 all designed to illustrate the same general thing1 and to produce the same general effect on the mindthat the gospel would be finally triumphant1 and that1 therefore1 the hearts of the troubled and the afflicted should be comforted4 ,the representation in this verse1 bearing on this point1 is1 that ,babylon1 the great enemy1 would fall to rise no more4 ,babylon4 ,this is the first time that the word ,babylon occurs in this book1 though it is repeatedly mentioned afterwards1 ch4 xvi4 #ai2 xvii4 #e2 xviii4 #b1 #aj1 #ba4 ,in reference to the literal ,babylon1 the word is used1 in the ,new ,testament1 in ,mat4 i4 #aaac2 ,ac4 vii4 #dc2 #a ,pe4 v4 #ac4 ,see ,intro4 to #a ,peter1 #b4 ,babylon was a well-known city on the ,euphrates 7for a full description of which see ,notes on ,isaiah1 analysis of ch4 xiii41 xiv471 and was1 in the days of its pride and glory1 the head of the heathen world4 ,in reference to the meaning of the word in this place1 it may be remarked1 7#a7 ,that the general characteristics of ,babylon were1 that it was proud1 haughty1 insolent1 oppressive4 ,it was chiefly known and remembered by the ,hebrew people as a power that had invaded the ,holy ,land2 that had reduced its capital and temple to ruins2 that had destroyed the independence of their country1 subjecting it to the condition of a province1 and that had carried away the inhabitants into a long and painful captivity4 ,it became1 #cdd therefore1 the emblem of all that was haughty and oppressive1 and especially of all that persecuted the church of ,god4 7#b7 ,the word must be used here to denote some power that resembled the ancient and literal ,babylon in these characteristics4 ,the literal ,babylon was no more2 but the name might be properly used to denote a similar power4 ,we are to seek1 therefore1 in the application of this1 for some power that had the same general characteristics which the literal ,babylon had4 7#c7 ,in inquiring1 then1 what is referred to here by the word ,babylon1 we may remark1 7a7 that it could not be the literal ,babylon on the ,euphrates1 for the whole representation here is of something future1 and the literal ,babylon had long since disappeared1 never1 according to the prophecies1 to be rebuilt4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xiii4 #bjbb4 7b7 ,all the circumstances require us to understand this of ,rome1 at some period of its history3 for ,rome1 like ,babylon1 was the seat of empire1 and the head of the heathen world2 ,rome was characterized by many of the same attributes as ,babylon1 being arrogant1 proud1 oppressive2 ,rome1 like ,babylon1 was distinguished for its conquests1 and for the fact that it made all other nations subject to its control2 ,rome had been1 like ,babylon1 a desolating power1 having destroyed the capital of the ,holy ,land1 and burnt its beautiful temple1 and reduced the country to a province4 ,rome1 like ,babylon of old1 was the most formidable power with which the church had to contend4 ,yet 7c7 it is not1 ,i suppose1 ,rome considered as ,pagan that is here meant1 but ,rome considered as the prolongation of the ancient power in the ,papal form4 ,alike in this book and in ,daniel1 ,rome1 ,pagan and ,papal1 is regarded as one power1 standing in direct opposition to the gospel of ,christ1 resisting its progress in the world1 and preventing its final prevalence4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 ,when that falls1 the last enemy of the church will be destroyed1 and the final triumph of the true religion will be speedy and complete4 ,see ,da4 vii4 #bf1 #bg4 7d7 ,so it was understood among the early ,christians4 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 speaking of the expectations of the early ,christians about the end of the world1 and the glory of the literal reign of the ,messiah1 says1 8,whilst the happiness and glory of a temporal reign were promised to the disciples of ,christ1 the most dreadful calamities were denounced against an unbelieving world4 ,the edification of the ,new ,jerusalem was to advance by equal steps with the destruction of the mystic ,babylon2 and as long as the emperors who reigned before ,constantine persisted in the profession of idolatry1 the epithet of ,babylon was applied to the city and to the empire of ,rome10 vol4 i4 p4 #bfc4 ,is fallen4 ,that is1 an event appeared in vision as if a mighty city fell to rise no more4 ,is fallen4 ,this is repeated to give emphasis to the declaration1 and to express the joyousness of that event4 ,that great city4 ,babylon in its glory was the largest city of the world4 ,rome1 in its turn1 also became the largest2 and the expression used here denotes that the power here referred to would be properly represented by cities of their magnitude4 ,because she made all nations drink of the wine4 ,this language is probably taken from ,je4 li4 #g3 8,babylon hath been a golden cup in the ,lord's hand1 that made all the earth drunken3 the nations have drunk of the wine1 therefore the nations are mad40 ,babylon here1 in accordance with the usual custom of the sacred writers when speaking of cities 7see ,notes on ,is4 i4 #h71 is represented as a femalehere a female of abandoned character1 holding in her hand a cup of wine to attract her lovers2 that is1 she allures and intoxicates them4 ,this is a beautiful image to denote the influence of a great and corrupt city1 and especially a city corrupt in its religion and devoted to idolatry and superstition1 and may well be applied either to ,babylon or ,rome1 literal or mystical4 ,of the wrath4 ,there seems an incongruity in the use of this word here1 and ,professor ,stuart proposes to render it 8the inflammatory wine of her fornication20 that is1 inebriating winewine that excited the passions and that led to uncleanness4 ,he supposes that the word here usedmeans heat1 inflammation1 corresponding to the ,hebrew 4 ,there are no instances1 however1 in the ,new ,testament in which the word is used in this sense4 ,the common and proper meaning is mind1 soul1 then mind agitated with passion or under the influence of desirea violent commotion of mind1 as wrath1 anger1 indignation 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,the ground of the representation here seems to be that ,jehovah is often described as giving to the nations in his wrath an intoxicating cup so that they should reel and stagger to their destruction4 ,comp4 ,je4 xxv4 #ae2 li4 #g4 ,the meaning #cde here is1 that the nations had drunk of that cup which brought on the wrath of ,god on account of her 8fornication40 ,babylon is represented as a harlot1 with a cup of wine in her hand1 and the effect of drinking that cup was to expose them to the wrath of ,god1 hence called 8the wine of the wrath of her fornication0the alluring cup that was followed by wrath on account of her fornication4 ,of her fornication4 ,due to her fornication4 ,the word 8fornication0 here is used to denote spiritual uncleanness2 that is1 heathen and superstitious rites and observances4 ,the term is often used in the ,scriptures as applicable to idolatry and superstition4 ,the general meaning here is1 that ,rome,papal ,romewould employ all forms of voluptuous allurements to bring the nations to the worship of the beast and his image1 and that the 8wrath0 of ,god would be poured out on account of these abominations4 ,the design of this verse also is to impart consolation by the assurance that this great enemythis mighty1 formidable1 persecuting powerwould be entirely overthrown4 ,this is everywhere held up as the brightest hope of the church1 for with this will fall its last great enemy1 and the grand obstruction to the final triumph of the gospel on earth will be removed4 #i ,and the third angel followed them1 saying with a loud voice1 ,if#ddb any man worship the beast and his image1 and receive his mark in his forehead1 or in his hand1 #i4 ,and the third angel followed them4 ,this was a new vision designed to represent the removal of all the obstructions to the final prevalence of the gospel4 ,we are not necessarily to suppose that this event would succeed those mentioned before in the order of time1 though this would be the natural construction4 ,the design of this is to show that the worshippers of the beast and his image would be certainly and finally destroyed4 ,saying with a loud voice4 ,making a loud proclamation4 ,ver4 #g4 ,if any man worship the beast and his image4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #d1 #h1 #ab1 #ae4 ,this declaration is universal1 affirming of all who thus render idolatrous reverence to the power represented by the beast and his image that they should drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god4 ,the general meaning is1 that they were guilty of idolatry of a gross form2 and wherever this existed they who were guilty of it would come under the denunciations in the ,scriptures against idolaters4 ,and why should not such denunciations fall on idolaters under the ,papacy as well as on others8 ,is it not true that there is as real idolatry there as in the heathen world8 ,is not the idolatry as gross and debasing8 ,is it not attended with as real corruption in the heart and the life8 ,is it not encompassed with as many things to inflame the passions1 corrupt the morals1 and alienate the soul from ,god8 ,and is it not all the worse for being a perversion of ,christianity1 and practised under the forms of the religion of the ,saviour8 ,on what principle should idolatry be denounced and condemned anywhere if it is not in ,papal ,rome8 ,comp4 ,notes on #b ,th4 ii4 #d4 ,and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #af4 ,the word 8receive0 here implies that there was1 on their part1 some degree of voluntariness3 it was not a mark impressed by force1 but a mark received4 ,this is true in respect to all idolatry2 and this lays the ground for condemnation4 ,whatever art is used to induce men to worship the beast and his image1 it is still true that the worshippers are voluntary1 and that1 being voluntary1 it is right that they should be treated as such4 ,it is on this ground only that any idolaters1 or any sinners of any kind1 can be1 in the proper sense of that term1 punished4 #aj ,the same shall #ddc;drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god1 which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation2 and he shall be tormented #dddwith fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels1 and in the presence of the ,lamb3 #aj4 ,the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,the 8wine of the wrath of ,god0 is the cup in the hand of the ,lord1 which1 when drunk1 makes them reel and fall4 ,the image would seem to have been taken from the act of holding out a cup of poison to a condemned man that he might drink and die4 ,see the sentiment here expressed illustrated in the ,notes on ,is4 li4 #ag4 ,which is poured #cdf out without mixture4 ,without being diluted with waterthat is1 in its full strength4 ,in other words1 there would be no mitigation of the punishment4 ,into the cup of his indignation4 ,the cup held in his hand1 and given them to drink4 ,this is expressive of his indignation1 as it causes them to reel and fall4 ,the sentiment here is substantially the same1 though in another form1 as that which is expressed in #b ,th4 ii4 #ab4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,and he shall be tormented4 ,shall be punished in a manner that would be well represented by being burned with fire and brimstone4 ,on the meaning of this word see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #e2 xi4 #aj4 ,comp4 also ch4 xviii4 #g1 #aj1 #ae2 xx4 #aj2 ,mat4 viii4 #bi2 ,mar4 v4 #g2 ,lu4 viii4 #bh4 ,the word commonly denotes severe torture4 ,with fire and brimstone4 ,as if with burning sulphur4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 xvii4 #bhcj4 ,comp4 ,ps4 xi4 #f2 ,job xviii4 #ae2 ,is4 xxx4 #cc2 ,eze4 xxxviii4 #bb4 ,the imagery is taken from the destruction of ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 ,ge4 xix4 #bd4 ,the common representation of the punishment of the wicked is1 that it will be in the manner here represented1 ,mat4 v4 #bb2 xiii4 #db2 xviii4 #i2 xxv4 #da2 ,mar4 ix4 #dddh2 #b ,pe4 iii4 #g2 ,jude #g2 ,re4 xx4 #ad4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #bb2 ,mar4 ix4 #dd4 ,in the presence of the holy angels4 ,this may mean either 7a7 that the angels will be present at their condemnation 7,mat4 xxv4 #ca71 or 7b7 that the punishment will be actually witnessed by the angels1 as it is most probable it will be4 ,comp4 ,is4 lxvi4 #bd2 ,lu4 xvi4 #bcbf4 ,and in the presence of the ,lamb4 ,the ,lamb of ,godthe final ,judge4 ,this also may mean either that the condemnation will occur in his presence1 or that the punishment will be under his eye4 ,both of these things will be true in regard to him2 and it will be no small aggravation of the punishment of the wicked1 that it will occur in the very presence of their slighted and rejected ,saviour4 #aa ,and the #ddesmoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever3 and they #ddf;have no rest day nor night1 who worship the beast and his image1 and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name4 #aa4 ,and the smoke of their torment4 ,the smoke proceeding from their place of torment4 ,this language is probably derived from the account of the destruction of ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 ,ge4 xix4 #bh3 8,and he ,abraham looked toward ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 and toward all the land of the plain1 and beheld1 and lo1 the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace40 ,the destruction of these cities is regarded as an emblem of the destruction of the wicked1 and the smoke that ascended from them as a representation of that which ascends from the place where the wicked suffer for ever4 ,see ,notes on ,jude #g4 ,ascendeth up4 ,continually rises from that world of woe4 ,for ever and ever4 ,see ,notes on ,jude #g4 ,this does not indeed affirm that their individual sufferings would be eternal1 since it is only a declaration that 8the smoke of their torment ascends20 but it is such language as would be used on the supposition that they would suffer for ever1 and as can be explained only on that supposition4 ,it implies that their torments continued1 and were the cause of that ascending smoke2 that is1 that they were tormented while it ascended2 and1 as this is declared to be 8for ever and ever10 it implies that the sufferings of the wicked will be eternal3 and this is such language as would not1 and could not have been used in a revelation from ,god1 unless the punishment of the wicked is eternal4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 xxv4 #df4 ,and they have no rest day nor night4 8,day and night0 include all time2 and hence the phrase is used to denote perpetuityalways4 ,the meaning here is1 that they never have any restany interval of pain4 ,this is stated as a circumstance strongly expressive of the severity of their torment4 ,here1 rest comes to the sufferer4 ,the prisoner in his cell lies down on his bed1 though hard1 and sleeps2 the overworked slave has also intervals of sleep2 the eyes of the mourner are locked in repose1 and for moments1 if not hours1 he forgets his sorrows2 no pain that we endure on earth can be so certain and prolonged that nature will not1 sooner or later1 find the luxury of sleep1 or will find rest in the grave4 ,but it will be one of the bitterest ingredients in the cup of woe1 in the world of despair1 that this luxury will be denied for ever1 and that they who enter that gloomy prison sleep no more1 never know the respite of a moment1 never even lose the consciousness of their heavy doom4 ,oh how different from the condition of sufferers here6 ,and oh how sad and strange #cdg that any of our race will persevere in sin1 and go down to those unmitigated and unending sorrows6 ,who worship the beast and his image4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #d1 #ae4 ,and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ag4 ,the meaning here is1 that such worshippers will receive the punishment which other idolaters and sinners do4 ,no exception will be made in favour of an idolater1 though he worships idols under the forms of an abused ,christianity2 none will be made in favour of a sinner because he practised iniquity under the garb of religion4 #ab ,here is the patience of the saints3 here are they that keep the commandments of ,god1 and the faith of ,jesus4 #ab4 ,here is the patience of the saints4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #aj4 ,here are they that keep the commandments of ,god4 ,that is1 in exercising such patience4 ,those who exercise that 8patience0 in these long-continued persecutions and trials1 will show that they belong to those who keep the commandments of ,god1 and are his true children4 ,or perhaps the meaning may be1 8,here is a disclosure respecting the final destiny of these persecutors1 which is adapted to comfort and sustain the saints in the trials which they will endure2 an encouragement to constancy in obeying the commands of ,god1 and in evincing the meek faith of the gospel40 ,and the faith of ,jesus4 ,to encourage persevering faith in the ,saviour4 ,in these times of trial it will be shown who are the friends of the ,saviour2 and in the prospect of the certain overthrow of all the enemies of ,god and his cause1 there is a ground of encouragement for continued attachment to him4 ,the design of this portion of the chapter 7ver4 #iab7 is to encourage ,christians in their trials by the assurance1 that this formidable ,antichristian power would be overthrown1 and that all the enemies of ,god would receive their just doom in the world of despair4 ,fearful as that doctrine is1 and terrible as is the idea of the everlasting suffering of any of the creatures of ,god1 yet the final overthrow of the wicked is necessary to the triumph of truth and holiness1 and there is consolation in the belief that religion will ultimately triumph4 ,the desire for its triumph necessarily supposes that the wicked will be overthrown and punished2 and indeed it is the aim of all governments1 and of all administrations of law1 that the wicked shall be overthrown1 and that truth and justice shall prevail4 ,what would be more consolatory in a human government than the idea that all the wicked would be arrested and punished as they deserve8 ,for what else is government instituted8 ,for what else do magistrates and police-officers discharge the functions of their office8 #ac ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven1 saying unto me1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead which #ddg;die in the ,lord #ddh;from henceforth3 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labours2 and their works do follow them4 #ac4 ,and ,i heard a voice from heaven4 ,a voice that seemed to speak from heaven4 ,saying unto me1 ,write4 ,make a record of this truth4 ,we may suppose that ,john was engaged in making a record of what he saw in vision2 he was now instructed to make a record of what he heard4 ,this passage may be referred to as a proof that he wrote this book while in ,patmos1 or as the heavenly disclosures were made to him1 and not afterwards from memory4 ,blessed are the dead4 ,that is1 the condition of those who die in the manner which is immediately specified1 is to be regarded as a blessed or happy one4 ,it is much to be able to say of the dead that they are 8blessed40 ,there is much in death that is sad2 we so much dread it by nature2 it cuts us off from so much that is dear to us2 it blasts so many hopes2 and the grave is so cold and cheerless a resting-place1 that we owe much to a system of religion which will enable us to say and to feel1 that it is a blessed thing to die4 ,assuredly we should be grateful for any system of religion which will enable us thus to speak of those who are dead2 which will enable us1 with corresponding feeling1 to look forward to our own departure from this world4 ,which die in the ,lord4 ,not all the dead2 for ,god never pronounces the condition of the wicked who die1 blessed or happy4 ,religion guards this point1 and confines the declaration to those who furnish evidence that they are prepared for #cdh heaven4 ,the phrase 8to die in the ,lord0 implies the following things37#a7 ,that they who thus die are the friends of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,the language 8to be in the ,lord0 is often used to denote true attachment to him1 or close union with him4 ,comp4 ,jn4 xv4 #dg2 ,ro4 xvi4 #ac1 #bb2 #a ,co4 iv4 #ag2 vii4 #ci2 ,phi4 i4 #ad2 ,col4 iv4 #g4 ,the assurance1 then1 is limited to those who are sincere ,christians2 for this the language properly implies1 and we are authorized to apply it only as there is evidence of true religion4 7#b7 ,to 8die in the ,lord0 would seem also to imply that there should be1 at the time1 the evidence of his favour and friendship4 ,this would apply 7a7 to those who die as martyrs1 giving their lives as a testimony to the truth of religion1 and as an evidence of their love for it2 and 7b7 to those who have the comforting evidence of his presence and favour on the bed of death4 ,from henceforth4 ,this word has given no little perplexity to expositors1 and it has been variously rendered4 ,some have connected it with the word blessed8,blessed henceforth are the dead who die in the ,lord20 that is1 they will be ever-onward blessed3 some with the word die1 referring to the time when the apostle was writing8,blessed are they who1 after this time1 die in the ,lord20 designing to comfort those who were exposed to death1 and who would die as martyrs3 some as referring to the times contemplated in these visions8,blessed will they be who shall die in those future times40 ,witsius understands this as meaning that1 from the time of their death1 they would be blessed1 as if it had been said1 immediately after their dissolution they would be blessed4 ,doddridge renders it1 8,henceforth blessed are the dead40 ,the language is evidently not to be construed1 as implying that they who had died in the faith before were not happy1 but that in the times of trial and persecution that were to come1 they were to be regarded as peculiarly blessed who should escape from these sorrows by a ,christian death4 ,scenes of woe were indeed to occur1 in which many believers would die4 ,but their condition was not to be regarded as one of misfortune1 but of blessedness and joy1 for 7a7 they would die in an honourable cause2 7b7 they would emerge from a world of sorrow2 and 7c7 they would rise to eternal life and peace4 ,the design1 therefore1 of the verse is to impart consolation and support to those who would be exposed to a martyr's death1 and to those who1 in times of persecution1 would see their friends exposed to such a death4 ,it may be added that the declaration here made is true still1 and ever will be4 ,it is a blessed thing to die in the ,lord4 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit4 ,the ,holy ,spirit2 8the ,spirit by whose inspiration and command ,i record this0 7,doddridge74 ,that they may rest from their labours4 ,the word here rendered labourmeans properly wailing1 grief1 from 1 to beat1 and hence a beating of the breast as in grief4 ,then the word denotes toil1 labour1 effort1 ,jn4 iv4 #ch2 #a ,co4 iii4 #h2 xv4 #eh2 #b ,co4 vi4 #e2 x4 #ae2 xi4 #bc1 #bg4 ,it is here used in the sense of wearisome toil in doing good1 in promoting religion1 in saving souls1 in defending the truth4 ,from such toils the redeemed in heaven will be released2 for although there will be employment there1 it will be without the sense of fatigue or weariness4 ,and in view of such eternal rest from toil1 we may well endure the labours and toils incident to the short period of the present life1 for1 however arduous or difficult1 it will soon be ended4 ,and their works do follow them4 ,that is1 the rewards or the consequences of their works will follow them to the eternal world1 the word works here being used for the rewards or results of their works4 ,in regard to this1 considered as an encouragement to labour1 and as a support in the trials of life1 it may be remarked1 7a7 that all that the righteous do and suffer here will be appropriately recompensed there4 7b7 ,this is all that can follow a man to eternity4 ,he can take with him none of his gold1 his lands1 his raiment2 none of the honours of this life2 none of the means of sensual gratification4 ,all that will go with him will be his character1 and the results of his conduct here1 and1 in this respect1 eternity will be but a prolongation of the present life4 7c7 ,it is one of the highest honours of our nature that we can make the present affect the future for good2 that by our conduct on the earth we can lay the foundation for happiness millions of ages hence4 ,in no other respect does man appear so dignified as in this2 nowhere do we so clearly see the grandeur of the soul as in the fact1 that what we do to-day may determine our happiness in that future period1 when all the affairs of this world shall have been wound up1 and when ages #cdi which cannot now be numbered shall have rolled by4 ,it is then a glorious thing to live1 and will be a glorious thing to die4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,co4 xv4 #eh4 #ad ,and ,i looked1 and behold a white cloud1 and upon the cloud one sat #ddilike unto the ,son of man1 having on his head a golden crown1 and in his hand a sharp sickle4 #ad4 ,and ,i looked4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,his attention is arrested by a new vision4 ,the ,son of man himself comes forth to close the scene1 and to wind up the affairs of the world4 ,this1 too1 is of the nature of an episode1 and the design is the same as the previous visionsto support the mind in the prospect of the trials that the church was to experience1 by the assurance that it would be finally triumphant1 and that every enemy would be destroyed4 ,and behold a white cloud4 ,bright1 splendid1 dazzlingappropriate to be the seat of the ,son of ,god4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 xvii4 #e2 ,re4 i4 #g4 ,see also ,mat4 xxiv4 #cj2 xxvi4 #fd2 ,lu4 xx4 #bg2 ,ac4 i4 #i2 #a ,th4 iv4 #ag2 ,re4 x4 #a4 ,and upon the cloud one sat like unto the ,son of man4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #ac2 ,da4 vii4 #ac4 ,it is probable that there is here a designed reference to the passage in ,daniel4 ,the meaning is1 that one appeared on the cloud in a human form1 whom ,john at once recognized as he to whom the appellation of 8the ,son of man0 peculiarly belongedthe ,lord ,jesus4 ,the meaning of that term had not been fixed in the time of ,daniel 7vii4 #ac72 subsequently it was appropriated by the ,saviour1 and was the favourite term by which he chose to speak of himself1 ,mat4 viii4 #bj2 ix4 #f2 x4 #bc2 xi4 #ai2 xii4 #h1 #cb1 #dj1 et al4 ,having on his head a golden crown4 ,appropriate to him as king4 ,it was mainly in virtue of his kingly power and office that the work was to be done which ,john is now about to describe4 ,and in his hand a sharp sickle4 ,the word sickle heremeans a crooked knife or scythe for gathering the harvest1 or vintage1 by cutting off the clusters of grapes4 ,see ver4 #ag4 ,the image of a harvest is often employed in the ,new ,testament to describe moral subjects1 ,mat4 ix4 #cg1 #ch2 xiii4 #cj1 #ci2 ,mar4 iv4 #bi2 ,lu4 x4 #b2 ,jn4 iv4 #ce4 ,here the reference is to the consummation of all things1 when the great harvest of the world will be reaped1 and when all the enemies of the church will be cut offfor that is the grand idea which is kept before the mind in this chapter4 ,in various forms1 and by various images1 that idea had already been presented to the mind1 but here it is introduced in a grand closing image1 as if the grain of the harvest-field were gathered in1illustrating the reception of the righteous into the kingdom1and the fruit of the vineyard were thrown into the wine-press1 representing the manner in which the wicked would be crushed1 ver4 #ai1 #bj4 #ae ,and another angel came out of the temple1 crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud1 #dej,thrust in thy sickle1 and reap3 for the time is come for thee to reap2 for the #dea;harvest of the earth is #debripe4 #ae4 ,and another angel4 ,the fourth in order1 ver4 #f1 #h1 #i4 ,came out of the temple4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xi4 #ai4 ,came1 as it were1 from the immediate presence of ,god2 for the temple was regarded as his peculiar dwelling-place4 ,crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud4 ,to the ,messiah1 ver4 #ad4 ,that is1 the command was borne directly from ,god by the angel to the ,messiah1 to go forth and reap the great harvest of the world4 ,it is not a command of the angel1 but a command from ,god the ,father to the ,son4 ,this is in accordance with all the representations in the ,new ,testament1 that the ,son1 as ,messiah or ,redeemer1 is subordinate to the ,father1 and performs the work which has been given him to do4 ,see ,jn4 iii4 #af1 #ag2 v4 #ai2 x4 #ah2 xii4 #di2 xiv4 #ca4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,re4 i4 #a4 ,thrust in thy sickle1 and reap4 ,into the great harvest of the world4 ,for the time is come for thee to reap4 ,that is1 8the harvest which thou art to reap is ripe2 the seed which thou hast sown has grown up2 the earth which thou hast cultivated has produced this golden grain1 and it is fit that thou shouldst now gather it in40 ,this language is appropriately addressed to the ,son of ,god1 for all the fruits of righteousness on the earth may be regarded as the result of his culture4 ,for the harvest of the earth is ripe4 ,the 8harvest0 in #cej reference to the righteousthe fruit of the good seed sown by the ,saviour and his apostles and ministers4 ,the time alluded to here is the end of the world1 when the affairs of earth shall be about to be wound up4 ,the design is to state that the ,redeemer will then gather in a great and glorious harvest1 and by this assurance to sustain the hearts of his people in times of trial and persecution4 #af ,and he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth2 and the earth was reaped4 #af4 ,and he that sat on the cloud4 ,the ,saviour1 ver4 #ad4 ,thrust in his sickle on the earth4 ,to cut down the harvestthat is1 to gather his people to himself4 ,and the earth was reaped4 ,so far as the righteous were concerned4 ,the end had come2 the church was redeemed2 the work contemplated was accomplished2 and the results of the work of the ,saviour were like a glorious harvest4 #ag ,and another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven1 he also having a sharp sickle4 #ag4 ,and another angel4 ,the fifth in order4 ,this angel came for a different purposewith reference to the cutting off of the enemies of ,god1 represented by the gathering of a vintage4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xiii4 #da2 xxiv4 #ca4 ,came out of the temple which is in heaven4 ,sent or commissioned by ,god4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ae4 ,he also having a sharp sickle4 ,on the word sickle1 see ,notes on ver4 #ad4 #ah ,and another angel came out from the altar1 which had power over fire2 and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle1 saying1 #dec,thrust in thy sharp sickle1 and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth2 for her grapes are fully ripe4 #ah4 ,and another angel4 ,the sixth in order4 ,he came1 like the angel in ver4 #ae1 with a command to him who had the sickle to go forth and execute his commission4 ,came out from the altar4 ,this stood in the front of the temple 7see ,notes on ,mat4 xxi4 #ab2 comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #bc1 #bd71 and was the place where burnt-sacrifices were made4 ,as the work now to be done was a work of destruction1 this was an appropriate place in the representation4 ,which had power over fire4 ,as if he kept the fire on the altar4 ,fire is the usual emblem of destruction2 and as the work now to be done was such1 it was proper to represent this angel as engaged in it4 ,and cried with a loud cry1 c4 ,see ver4 #ae4 ,that is1 he came forth1 as with a command from ,god1 to call on him who was appointed to do the work of destruction1 now to engage in performing it4 ,the time had fully come4 ,thrust in thy sharp sickle4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth4 ,that portion of the earth which might be represented by a vineyard in which the grapes were to be gathered and crushed4 ,the image here employed occurs elsewhere to denote the destruction of the wicked4 ,see the very beautiful description in ,is4 lxiii4 #af1 respecting the destruction of ,edom1 and the ,notes on that passage4 ,for her grapes are fully ripe4 ,that is1 the time has come for the ingathering2 or1 to apply the image1 for the winding up of human affairs by the destruction of the wicked4 ,the time here1 as in the previous representation1 is the end of the world2 and the design is1 to comfort the church in its trials and persecutions1 by the assurance that all its enemies will be cut off4 #ai ,and the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth1 and gathered the vine of the earth1 and cast it into the great #dedwine-press of the wrath of ,god4 #ai4 ,and the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth4 ,that is1 into that part of the earth which might be represented by a vineyard2 or the earth considered as having been the abode of wicked men4 ,and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of ,god4 ,see ,is4 lxiii4 #af4 ,that is1 the wine-press where the grapes are crushed1 and where the juice1 resembling blood1 flows out1 may be used as a symbol to denote the destruction of the wicked in the last day2 and as the numbers will be immensely great1 it is called the 8great wine-press of divine wrath40 ,the symbol appears to be used here alike with reference to the colour of the wine resembling blood1 and the pressure necessary to force it out2 and thus employed it is one of the most striking emblems conceivable to denote the final destruction of the wicked4 #bj ,and the wine-press was #deetrodden #defwithout the city1 and #deg;blood came out of the wine-press1 #deh;even unto the horse-bridles1 by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs4 #cea #bj4 ,and the wine-press was trodden without the city4 ,the representation was made as if it were outside of the citythat is1 the city of ,jerusalem1 for that is represented as the abode of the holy4 ,the word trodden refers to the manner in which wine was usually prepared1 by being trodden by the feet of men4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 lxiii4 #b4 ,the wine-press was usually in the vineyardnot in the cityand this is the representation here4 ,as appearing to the eye of ,john1 it was not within the walls of any city1 but standing without4 ,and blood came out of the wine-press4 ,the representation is1 that there would be a great destruction which would be well represented by the juice flowing from a wine-press4 ,even unto the horse-bridles4 ,deep1 as blood would be in a field of slaughter where it would come up to the very bridles of the horses4 ,the idea is1 that there would be a great slaughter4 ,by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs4 ,that is1 two hundred miles2 covering a space of two hundred miles squarea lake of blood4 ,this is designed to represent a great slaughter2 but why the space here employed to describe it was chosen is unknown4 ,some have supposed it was in allusion to the length of ,palestine4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that it refers to the breadth of ,italy1 and that the allusion is to the attack made on the city of the beast4 ,but it is impossible to determine why this space was chosen1 and it is unnecessary4 ,the idea is1 that there would be a slaughter so great1 as it were1 as to produce a lake or sea of blood2 that the enemies of the church would be completely and finally overthrown1 and that the church1 therefore1 delivered from all its enemies1 would be triumphant4 ,the design of this1 as of the previous representations in this chapter1 is to show that all the enemies of ,god will be destroyed1 and that1 therefore1 the hearts of the friends of religion should be cheered and consoled in the trials and persecutions which were to come upon it4 ,what could be better fitted to sustain the church in the time of trial1 than the assurance that every foe will be ultimately cut off8 ,what is better fitted to sustain the heart of the individual believer1 than the assurance that all his foes will be quelled1 and that he will ere long be safe in heaven8 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter has a close connection in design with the previous chapter4 ,in that1 pledges and assurances had been given that all the enemies of religion would be cut off1 and that the church would be ultimately triumphant1 and particularly that that formidable ,antichristian power represented by the 8beast0 would be destroyed4 ,this chapter commences the statement in regard to the manner in which these pledges would be accomplished1 and the statement is pursued through the subsequent chapters1 giving in detail what is here promised in a general manner4 ,the vision in this chapter may be thus described3 ,i4 ,the writer sees a new sign or wonder in heaven4 ,seven angels appear1 having the seven last plagues that fill up or complete the wrath of ,god2 representing the wrath that is to come upon the beast1 or the complete overthrow of this formidable ,antichristian power1 ver4 #a4 ,,ii4 ,those who in former times had 8gotten the victory over the beast10 now appear standing on a sea of glass1 rejoicing and rendering thanks for the assurance that this great enemy of the church was now to be destroyed1 and that now all nations were to come and worship before ,god1 ver4 #bd4 ,,iii4 ,the writer sees the interior of the temple opened in heaven1 and the seven angels1 having the seven plagues1 issuing forth to execute their commission4 ,they come clothed in pure and white linen1 and girded with golden girdles4 ,one of the four beasts before the throne forthwith gives them the seven golden vials full of the wrath of ,god1 to empty them upon the earththat is1 to bring upon the beast the predicted destruction4 ,the temple is immediately filled with smoke1 so that no one might enter2 that is1 no one could now approach to make intercession1 and the destruction of this great enemy's power is now certain1 ver4 #eh4 ,this chapter1 therefore1 is merely introductory to what follows1 and its #ceb interpretation is attended with no particular difficulty4 ,it is a beautiful scenic representation preparatory to the infliction of predicted judgments1 and designed to introduce the account of those judgments with suitable circumstances of solemnity4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,and ,i saw another sign in heaven1 great and marvellous1 seven angels having the seven last plagues2 for in them is filled up the #deiwrath of ,god4 #a4 ,and ,i saw another sign in heaven4 ,another wonder or extraordinary symbol4 ,the word sign hereis the same which in ch4 xii4 #a1 #c2 xiii4 #ac1 is rendered wonder and wonders1 and in ch4 xiii4 #ad2 xvi4 #ad2 xix4 #bj1 miracles4 ,the word is not elsewhere found in the book of ,revelation1 though it is of frequent occurrence in other parts of the ,new ,testament4 ,see it explained in the ,notes on ch4 xii4 #a4 ,here it is used to denote something wonderful or marvellous4 ,this is represented as appearing in heaven1 for the judgments that were to fall upon the world were to come thence4 ,comp4 ch4 xi4 #ai2 xii4 #a2 xiv4 #a1 #f1 #ac1 #ad1 #ag4 ,great and marvellous4 ,great and wonderful1 or fitted to excite admiration4 ,the subsequent statements fully justify this1 and show that the vision was one of portentous character1 and that was fitted to hold the mind in astonishment4 ,seven angels4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #d4 ,having the seven last plagues4 ,the article here1 8the seven last plagues10 would seem to imply that the plagues referred to had been before specified1 or that it would be at once understood what is referred to4 ,these plagues1 however1 have not been mentioned before1 and the reason why the article is used here seems to be this3 the destruction of this great ,antichristian power had been distinctly mentioned1 ch4 xiv4 ,that might be spoken of as a thing now well known1 and the mention of it would demand the article2 and as that was well known1 and would demand the article1 so any allusion to it1 or description of it1 might be spoken of in the same manner1 as a thing that was definite and fixed1 and hence the mention of the plagues by which it was to be accomplished would be referred to in the same manner4 ,the word plagues1 from means properly a wound caused by a stripe or blow1 and is frequently rendered stripe and stripes1 ,lu4 xii4 #dh2 ,ac4 xvi4 #bc1 #cc2 #b ,co4 vi4 #e2 xi4 #bc4 ,it does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament1 except in the book of ,revelation4 ,in this book it is rendered wound in ch4 xiii4 #c1 #ab1 #ad2 and plagues in ch4 ix4 #bj2 xi4 #f2 xv4 #a1 #f1 #h2 xvi4 #i1 #ba2 xviii4 #d1 #h2 xxi4 #i2 xxii4 #ah4 ,it does not occur elsewhere4 ,the secondary meaning of the word1 and the meaning in the passage before us1 is a stripe or blow inflicted by ,god2 calamity or punishment4 ,the word 8last0 means those under which the order of things here referred to would terminate2 the winding up of the affairs respecting the beast and his imagenot necessarily the closing of the affairs of the world4 ,important events were to occur subsequent to the destruction of this ,antichristian power 7xix4xxii471 but these were the plagues which would come finally upon the beast and his image1 and which would terminate the existence of this formidable enemy4 ,for in them is filled up the wrath of ,god4 ,that is1 in regard to the beast and his image4 ,all the expressions of the divine indignation towards that oppressive and persecuting power will be completed or exhausted by the pouring out of the contents of these vials4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 x4 #g1 where the word rendered filled upis rendered finished4 #b ,and ,i saw as it were a #dfjsea of glass #dfamingled with fire3 and them that had gotten the victory #dfbover the beast1 and over his image1 and over his mark1 and over the number of his name1 stand on the sea of glass1 having the #dfc;harps of ,god4 #b4 ,and ,i saw as it were a sea of glass4 ,in ch4 iv4 #f1 a similar vision is recorded8,and before the throne there was a sea of glass1 like unto crystal40 ,see the ,notes on that passage4 ,the sea of glass here means a sea clear1 pellucid1 like glass3 an expanse that seemed to be made of glass4 ,there it was entirely clear2 here it is mingled with fire4 ,mingled with fire4 ,that is1 a portion of the sea was red like fire4 ,it was not all clear and pellucid1 as in ch4 iv4 #f1 but it was as it were a tesselated expanse1 composed in part of what seemed to be glass1 and in part of a material of a red or fiery colour4 ,in the former case 7ch4 iv4 #f71 the emblem was designed #cec to represent the pure worship of heaven without reference to any other symbolic design1 and hence the sea is wholly clear and pellucid2 here1 in connection with the purpose of furnishing an appropriate symbol of the divine majesty1 there is united the idea of punishment on the foes of ,god1 represented by the fiery or red colour4 ,if it is proper1 from conjecture1 to suggest the meaning of this as an emblem1 it would be that the foundationthe main elementof all the divine dealings is justice or holinessrepresented by the portion of the sea that seemed to be glass2 and that there was1 in this case1 intermingled with that1 the image of wrath or angerrepresented by the portion that was fiery or red4 ,the very sight of the pavement1 therefore1 on which they stood when worshipping ,god1 would keep before their minds impressive views of his character and dealings4 ,and them that had gotten the victory over the beast4 ,ch4 xiii4 #aa4 ,that is1 they who had gained a victory in times of persecution and temptation2 or they whom the 8beast0 had not been able1 by arts or arms1 to subdue4 ,the persons referred to here1 ,i suppose1 are those who in the long dominion of the ,papal power1 and amidst all its arts and corruptionsits threats and persecutionshad remained steadfast in the truth1 and who might thus be said to have gained a victoryfor such victories of piety1 virtue1 and truth1 amidst the corrupting influences of sin and error1 and the intimidations of power1 are the most important that are gained in this world4 ,and over his image4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,the meaning is1 that they had not been led to apostatize by the dread of the power represented here by the 8image of the beast40 ,in all the attempts of that power to subdue themto intimidate themto induce them to give up their attachment to the truth as it is in ,jesusthey had remained steadfast in the faith1 and had triumphed4 ,and over his mark4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #af4 ,over all the attempts of the beast to fix his mark upon them1 or to designate them as his own4 ,and over the number of his name4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ag1 #ah4 ,over all the attempts to fix upon them that mysterious number which expressed his name4 ,the general sense is1 that in times of general error and corruption2 when the true friends of ,christ were exposed to persecution2 when every effort was made to induce them to become the followers of the 8beast10 and to yield to the corrupt system represented by the 8beast10 they remained unmoved1 and adhered firmly to the truth4 ,the number of such in the aggregate was not small2 and with great beauty and propriety they are here represented as rejoicing and giving thanks to ,god on the overthrow of that corrupt and formidable power4 ,stand on the sea of glass4 ,that is1 before ,god4 ,they are now seen in heaven1 redeemed and triumphant4 ,having the harps of ,god4 ,harps that pertained to the worship of ,god2 harps to be employed in his praise4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #b4 #c ,and they sing the #dfdsong of ,moses the servant of ,god1 and the #dfesong of the ,lamb1 saying1 ,great and marvellous are thy works1 ,lord ,god ,almighty2 #dff;just and true are thy ways1 thou ,king of #dfgsaints4 #c4 ,and they sing the song of ,moses the servant of ,god4 ,a song of thanksgiving and praise1 such as ,moses taught the ,hebrew people to sing after their deliverance from ,egyptian bondage4 ,see ,ex4 xv4 ,the meaning here is1 not that they would sing that identical song1 but that1 as ,moses taught the people to celebrate their deliverance with an appropriate hymn of praise1 the redeemed would celebrate their delivery and redemption in a similar manner4 ,there is an obvious propriety here in referring to the 8song of ,moses10 because the circumstances are very similar2 the occasion of the redemption from that formidable ,antichristian power here referred to1 had a strong resemblance to the rescue from ,egyptian bondage4 ,and the song of the ,lamb4 ,the hymn which is sung in honour of the ,lamb1 as their great deliverer4 #ced ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #i1 #aj1 #ab1 #ac4 ,saying1 ,great and marvellous are thy works4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,the meaning is1 that great power was evinced in redeeming them2 and that the interposition of the divine goodness in doing it was marvellous1 or was such as to excite wonder and admiration4 ,lord ,god ,almighty4 ,this would seem to mean the same thing as the expression so common in the ,old ,testament1 8,jehovah1 ,god of hosts40 ,the union of these appellations give solemnity and impressiveness to the ascription of praise1 for it brings into view the fact1 that he whose praise is celebrated is ,lordthe ,,jehovahthe uncreated and eternal ,one2 that he is ,godthe creator1 upholder1 and sovereign of all things2 and that he is ,almightyhaving all power in all worlds4 ,all these names and attributes are suggested when we think of redemption2 for all the perfections of a glorious ,god are suggested in the redemption of the soul from death4 ,it is the ,lordthe ,ruler of all worlds2 it is ,godthe ,maker of the race1 and the ,father of the race1 who performs the work of redemption2 and it is a work which could be accomplished only by one who is ,almighty4 ,just and true4 ,the attributes of justice and truth are brought prominently into view also in the redemption of man4 ,the fact that ,god is just1 and that in all this work he has been careful to maintain his justice 7,ro4 iii4 #bf72 and the fact that he is true to himself1 true to the creation1 true to the fulfilment of all his promises1 are prominent in this work1 and it is proper that these attributes should be celebrated in the songs of praise in heaven4 ,are thy ways4 ,thy ways or dealings with us1 and with the enemies of the church4 ,that is1 all the acts or 8ways0 of ,god in the redemption of his people had been characterized by justice and truth4 ,thou ,king of saints4 ,king of those who are holy2 of all who are redeemed and sanctified4 ,the more approved reading here1 however1 is ,king of nations instead of ,king of saints 4 ,so it is read in the critical editions of ,griesbach1 ,tittmann1 and ,hahn4 ,the sense is not materially affected by the difference in the reading4 #d ,who#dfh shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify thy name8 for thou #dfionly art holy3 for #dgj;all nations shall come and worship before thee2 for thy judgments are made manifest3 #d4 ,who shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord4 ,reverence and adore thee2 for the word fear1 in the ,scriptures1 is commonly used in this sense when applied to ,god4 ,the sense here is1 that the judgments about to be inflicted on the beast and his image should and would teach men to reverence and adore ,god4 ,there is1 perhaps1 included here also the idea of awe1 inasmuch as this would be the effect of punishment4 ,and glorify thy name4 ,honour theethe name being put for the person who bare it4 ,the sense is1 that1 as a consequence of these judgments1 men would be brought to honour ,god1 and to acknowledge him as the ,ruler of the earth4 ,for thou only art holy4 ,that is1 in these judgments he would show himself to be a holy ,god2 a ,god hating sin1 and loving righteousness and truth4 ,when it is said that he 8only0 is holy1 the expression is used1 of course1 in a comparative sense4 ,he is so pure that it may be said that1 in comparison with him1 no one else is holy4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job iv4 #ah2 xv4 #ae4 ,for all nations shall come and worship before thee4 ,that is1 as the result of these punishments inflicted on this dread ,antichristian power1 they shall come and worship thee4 ,everywhere in the ,new ,testament the destruction of that power is connected with the promise of the speedy conversion of the world4 ,for thy judgments are made manifest4 ,to wit1 on the beast4 ,that formidable power is overthrown1 and the grand hindrance to the universal spread of the true religion is now taken away4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xxvi4 #i4 #e ,and after that ,i looked1 and behold1 the #dgatemple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened3 #e4 ,and after that ,i looked4 ,after ,i had seen in vision the redeemed thus referred to1 celebrating the praises of ,god1 ,i saw the preparation made for the execution of these purposes of judgment4 ,and behold1 the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony4 ,not the whole temple1 but only that part to which this name was given4 ,the word tabernaclemeans properly a booth1 hut1 tent1 and was the name commonly given #cee to the tent or tabernacle that was erected in the wilderness for the service of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ,ac4 vii4 #dd4 ,the same word came naturally to be applied to the temple that was reared for the same purpose in ,jerusalem4 ,it is called the 8tabernacle of testimony10 because it was a testimony or witness of the presence of ,god among the peoplethat is1 it served to keep up the remembrance of him4 ,see ,notes as above on ,ac4 vii4 #dd1 where the same ,greek phrase is used as hererendered there 8tabernacle of witness40 ,the word temple heredoes not refer to the whole of the building called the 8temple10 but to the holy of holies4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #c4 ,this was regarded as the peculiar dwelling-place of ,god2 and it was this sacred place1 usually closed from all access1 that now seemed to be opened1 implying that the command to execute these purposes came directly from ,god himself4 ,in heaven4 ,that is1 that part of heaven which corresponds to the most holy place in the temple was opened2 to wit1 that which is the peculiar residence of ,god himself4 ,was opened4 ,was thrown open to the view of ,john1 so that he was permitted to look1 as it were1 upon the very dwelling-place of ,god4 ,from his holy presence now came forth the angels to execute his purposes of judgment on that ,antichristian power which had so long corrupted religion and oppressed the world4 #f ,and the seven angels came out of the temple1 having the seven plagues1 clothed in pure and white linen1 and having their breasts girded with golden girdles4 #f4 ,and the seven angels4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,came out of the temple4 ,were seen to come from the temple2 that is1 from the immediate presence of ,god4 ,having the seven plagues4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,each one intrusted with a single 8plague0 to be executed upon the earth4 ,the meaning here is1 that they were designated or appointed to execute those plagues in judgments4 ,the symbols of their officethe golden vialswere given to them afterwards1 ver4 #g4 ,clothed in pure and white linen4 ,the emblem of holinessthe common representation in regard to the heavenly inhabitants4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #d2 vii4 #ac4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xvii4 #b2 ,lu4 ix4 #bi2 ,mar4 xvi4 #e4 ,and having their breasts girded with golden girdles4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ac4 ,the meaning is1 that they were attired in a manner befitting their rank and condition4 #g ,and one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials1 full of the wrath of ,god1 who liveth for ever and ever4 #g4 ,and one of the four beasts4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #f1 #g4 ,which one of the four is not mentioned4 ,from the explanation given of the design of the representation of the 8four beasts10 or living creatures1 in the ,notes on ch4 iv4 #f1 #g1 it would seem that the meaning here is1 that the great principles of that divine government would be illustrated in the events which are now to occur4 ,in events that were so closely connected with the honour of ,god and the triumph of his cause on the earth1 there was a propriety in the representation that these living creatures1 symbolizing the great principles of divine administration1 would be particularly interested4 ,gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials4 ,the ,word here usedmeans properly1 8a bowl or goblet1 having more breadth than depth0 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,our word vial1 though derived from this1 means rather a thin long bottle of glass1 used particularly by apothecaries and druggists4 ,the word would be better rendered by bowl or goblet1 and probably the representation here was of such bowls as were used in the temple service4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #h4 ,they are called in ch4 xvi4 #a1 8vials of the wrath of ,god20 and here they are said to be 8full of the wrath of ,god40 ,the allusion seems to be to a drinking cup or goblet filled with poison1 and given to persons to drinkan allusion drawn from one of the methods of punishment in ancient times4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aj4 ,these vials or goblets thus became emblems of divine wrath1 to be inflicted on the beast and his image4 ,full of the wrath of ,god4 ,filled with that which represented his wrath2 that is1 they seemed to be filled with a poisonous mixture1 which being poured upon the earth1 the sea1 the rivers1 the sun1 the seat of the beast1 the river ,euphrates1 and into the air1 was followed by severe divine judgments on this great ,antichristian power4 ,see ch4 xvi4 #bd1 #h1 #aj1 #ab1 #ag4 ,who liveth for ever and ever4 ,the eternal ,god4 #cef ,the particular object in referring to this attribute here appears to be1 that though there may seem to be delay in the execution of his purposes1 yet they will be certainly accomplished1 as he is the ever-living and unchangeable ,god4 ,he is not under a necessity of abandoning his purposes1 like men1 if they are not soon accomplished4 #h ,and the temple was #dgb;filled with smoke from the #dgc;glory of ,god1 and from his power2 and no man was able to enter into the temple1 till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled4 #h4 ,and the temple was filled with smoke4 ,the usual symbol of the divine presence in the temple4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 iv4 #e2 vi4 #d4 ,from the glory of ,god4 ,from the manifestation of the divine majesty4 ,that is1 the smoke was the proper accompaniment of the ,divine ,being when appearing in majesty4 ,so on ,mount ,sinai he is represented as appearing in this manner3 8,and mount ,sinai was altogether on a smoke1 because the ,lord descended on it in fire3 and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace1 and the whole mount quaked greatly10 ,ex4 xix4 #ah4 ,the purpose here seems to have been1 partly to represent the smoke as the proper symbol of the divine presence1 and partly to represent it as so filling the temple that no one could enter it until the seven plagues were fulfilled4 ,and from his power4 ,produced by his power2 and the symbol of his power4 ,and no man was able to enter into the temple1 till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled4 ,till those vials had been poured out1 and all that was indicated by them was accomplished4 ,the meaning here seems to be1 that no one would be permitted to enter to make intercessionto turn away his wrathto divert him from his purpose4 ,that is1 the purpose of punishment had been formed1 and would certainly be executed4 ,the agents or instrumentalities in this fearful work had been now sent forth1 and they would by no means be recalled4 ,the mercy-seat1 in this respect1 was inaccessible2 the time of judgment on the great foe had come1 and the destruction of the grand enemy of the church was certain4 ,the point1 therefore1 at which this vision leaves us is1 that where all the preparations are made for the infliction of the threatened punishment on the grand ,antichristian power which had so long stood up against the truth2 where the agents had prepared to go forth2 and where no intercession will ever avail to turn away the infliction of the divine wrath4 ,the detail follows in the next chapter4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,the previous chapter had described the preparation for the last plagues that were to come upon that mighty ,antichristian power to which this series of prophetic visions refers4 ,all is now ready2 and this chapter contains the description of those seven last 8plagues0 under which this power would reel and fall4 ,these 8plagues0 are described as if they were a succession of physical calamities that would come upon this ,antichristian power1 and bring it to an end2 though perhaps it is not necessary to look for a literal infliction of such calamities4 ,the course of the exposition thus far will lead us to regard this chapter as a description of the successive blows by which the ,papacy will fall4 ,a part of this is still undoubtedly future1 though perhaps not far distant2 and1 in reference to this1 and to some portions of the remainder of the book1 there may be more difficulty in satisfying the mind than in the portions which pertain to past events4 ,the chapter comprises statements on the following points3 ,a command is issued from the temple to the seven angels1 to go and execute the commission with which they were intrusted1 ver4 #a4 ,the first angel pours out his vial upon the earthfollowed by a plague upon those who had worshipped the beast and his image1 ver4 #b4 ,the second angel pours out his vial upon the seafollowed by the death of all that were in the sea1 ver4 #c4 ,the third angel pours out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters1 and they become blood4 ,this is followed by an ascription of praise from the angel of the waters1 because ,god had given to those who had shed the blood #ceg of the saints blood to drink1 with a response from the altar that this was just1 ver4 #dg4 ,the fourth angel pours out his vial upon the sun1 and an intenser heat is given to it to scorch men4 ,the consequence is1 that they blaspheme the name of ,god1 but repent not of their sins1 ver4 #h1 #i4 ,the fifth angel pours out his vial upon the very seat of the beast1 and his kingdom is full of darkness4 ,men still blaspheme the name of ,god and repent not of their sins1 ver4 #aj1 #aa4 ,the sixth angel pours out his vial upon the great river ,euphrates4 ,the consequence is1 that the waters of the river are dried up1 so that the way of the kings of the ,east might be prepared4 ,the writer sees also1 in this connection1 three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon1 and out of the mouth of the beast1 and out of the mouth of the false prophet1 that go forth into all the earth to gather all nations to the great day of the battle of ,god ,almighty1 ver4 #abaf4 ,the seventh angel pours out his vial into the air1 and a voice is heard answering that 8it is done30 the time of the consummation has comethe formidable ,antichristian power is to come to an end4 ,the great city is divided into three parts2 the cities of the nations fall2 great ,babylon thus comes up in remembrance before ,god to receive the punishment which is her due4 ,this terrific scene is accompanied with voices1 and thunderings1 and lightnings1 and an earthquake1 and with great haila tempest of wrath beating upon that formidable power that had so long stood up against ,god1 ver4 #agba4 ,the detail of the actual destruction of this power is carried forward in the subsequent chapters4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,and ,i heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven#dgd angels1 ,go your ways1 and pour out the vials of the wrath of ,god upon the earth4 #a4 ,and ,i heard a great voice out of the temple4 ,a loud voice out of the temple as seen in heaven 7,notes on ch4 xi4 #ai71 and that came1 therefore1 from the very presence of ,god4 ,saying to the seven angels4 ,that had the seven vials of wrath4 ,notes on ch4 xv4 #a1 #g4 ,go your ways4 ,your respective ways1 to the fulfilment of the task assigned to each4 ,and pour out the vials of the wrath of ,god4 ,empty those vials2 cause to come upon the earth the plagues indicated by their contents4 ,the order in which this was to be done is not intimated4 ,it seems to be supposed that that would be understood by each4 ,upon the earth4 ,the particular part of the earth is not here specified1 but it should not be inferred that it was to be upon the earth in general1 or that there were any calamities1 in consequence of this pouring out of the vials of wrath1 to spread over the whole world4 ,the subsequent statements show what parts of the earth were particularly to be affected4 #b ,and the first went1 and poured out his vial #dgeupon the earth2 and there fell a noisome and grievous #dgfsore upon the men which had the #dggmark of the beast1 and upon them which worshipped his image4 #b4 ,and the first went4 ,went forth from heaven1 where the seat of the vision was laid4 ,and poured out his vial upon the earth4 ,that is1 upon the land1 in contradistinction from the sea1 the rivers1 the air1 the seat of the beast1 the sun1 as represented in the other vials4 ,in ver4 #a1 the word earth is used in the general sense to denote this world as distinguished from heaven2 in this verse it is used in the specific sense1 to denote land as distinguished from other things4 ,comp4 ,mar4 iv4 #a2 vi4 #dg2 ,jn4 vi4 #ba2 ,ac4 xxvii4 #bi1 #dc1 #dd4 ,in many respects there is a strong resemblance between the pouring out of those seven vials1 and the sounding of the seven trumpets1 in ch4 viii41 ix41 though they refer to different events4 ,in the sounding of the first trumpet 7ch4 viii4 #g71 it was the earth that was particularly affected in contradistinction from the sea1 the fountains1 and the sun3 8,the first angel sounded1 and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood1 and they were cast upon the earth40 ,comp4 ch4 viii4 #h1 #aj1 #ab4 ,in regard to the symbolical meaning of the term earth1 considered with reference to divine judgments1 see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #g4 ,and there fell a noisome and grievous sore4 ,the judgment here is specifically different from that inflicted under the first trumpet1 ch4 viii4 #g4 #ceh ,there it is said to have been that 8the third part of trees was burnt up1 and all green grass was burnt up40 ,here it is that there fell upon men a 8noisome and grievous sore40 ,the two1 therefore1 are designed to refer to different events1 and to different forms of punishment4 ,the word rendered sore properly denotes a wound 7,hom4 ,il4 xi4 #hab71 and then1 in later writers1 an ulcer or sore4 ,it is used in the ,new ,testament only in the following places3 ,lu4 xvi4 #ba1 8,the dogs came and licked his sores20 and in ,re4 xvi4 #b1 #aa1 where it is rendered sore1 and sores4 ,it is used in the ,septuagint1 in reference to the boils that were brought upon the ,egyptians1 in ,ex4 ix4 #iab1 and probably ,de4 xxviii4 #bg2 in reference to the leprosy1 ,le4 xiii4 #ahbj1 #bc2 in reference to the boil1 ulcer1 or elephantiasis brought upon ,job1 ch4 ii4 #g2 and in reference to any sore or ulcer1 in ,de4 xxviii4 #ce4 ,in all these places it is the translation of the word shehhinrendered in our ,english version boil1 ,ex4 ix4 #iaa2 ,le4 xiii4 #ahbj1 #bc2 #b ,ki4 xx4 #g2 ,job ii4 #g2 ,is4 xxxviii4 #ba2 and botch1 ,de4 xxviii4 #bg1 #ce4 ,the proper meaning1 therefore1 is that or a sore1 ulcer1 or boil of a severe and painful character2 and the most obvious reference in the passage1 to one who was accustomed to the language of ,scripture1 would be to some fearful plague like that which was sent upon the ,egyptians4 ,in the case of ,hezekiah 7#b ,ki4 xx4 #g2 ,is4 xxxviii4 #ba71 it was probably used to denote a plague-boil1 or the black leprosy4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xxxviii4 #ba4 ,the word 8noisome01 evil1 badis used here to characterize the plague referred to as being peculiarly painful and dangerous4 ,the word grievousbad1 malignant1 hurtfulis further used to increase the intensity of the expression1 and to characterize the plague as particularly severe4 ,there is no reason to suppose that it is meant that this would be literally inflicted1 any more than it is in the next plague1 where it is said that the 8rivers and fountains became blood40 ,what is obviously meant is1 that there would be some calamity which would be well represented or symbolized by such a fearful plague4 ,upon the men4 ,though the plague was poured upon 8the earth10 yet its effects were seen upon 8men40 ,some grievous calamity would befall them1 as if they were suddenly visited with the plague4 ,which had the mark of the beast4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #af1 #ag4 ,this determines the portion of the earth that was to be afflicted4 ,it was not the whole world2 it was only that part of it where the 8beast0 was honoured4 ,according to the interpretation proposed in ch4 xiii41 this refers to those who are under the dominion of the ,papacy4 ,and upon them which worshipped his image4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,according to the interpretation in ch4 xiii41 those are meant who sustained the civil or secular power to which the ,papacy gave life and strength1 and from which it1 in turn1 received countenance and protection4 ,in regard to the application or fulfilment of this symbol1 it is unnecessary to say that there have been very different opinions in the world1 and that very different opinions still prevail4 ,the great mass of ,protestant commentators suppose that it refers to the ,papacy2 and of those who entertain this opinion1 the greater portion suppose that the calamity referred to by the pouring out of this vial is already past1 though it is supposed by many that the things foreshadowed by a part of these 8vials0 are yet to be accomplished4 ,as to the true meaning of the symbol before us1 ,i would make the following remarks3 7#a7 ,it refers to the ,papal power4 ,this application is demanded by the results which were reached in the examination of ch4 xiii4 ,see the remarks on the 8beast0 in the ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #a1 #b1 #aa1 and on 8the image of the beast0 in the ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,this one mighty power existed in two forms closely united1 and mutually sustaining each otherthe civil or secular1 and the ecclesiastical or spiritual4 ,it is this combined and consolidated powerthe ,papacy as suchthat is referred to here1 for this has been the grand ,antichristian power in the world4 7#b7 ,it refers to some grievous and fearful calamity which would come upon that power1 and which would be like a plague-spot on the human bodysomething which would be of the nature of a divine judgment1 resembling that which came upon the ,egyptians for their treatment of the people of ,god4 7#c7 ,the course of this exposition leads us to suppose1 that this would be the beginning in the series of judgments1 #cei which would terminate in the complete overthrow of that formidable power4 ,it is the first of the vials of wrath1 and the whole description evidently contemplates a series of disasters1 which would be properly represented by these successive vials4 ,in the application of this1 therefore1 we should naturally look for the first of a series of such judgments1 and should expect to find some facts in history which would be properly represented by the vial 8poured upon the earth40 7#d7 ,in accordance with this representation1 we should expect to find such a series of calamities gradually weakening1 and finally terminating the ,papal power in the world1 as would be properly represented by the number seven4 7#e7 ,in regard now to the application of this series of symbolical representations1 it may be remarked1 that most recent expositorsas ,elliott1 ,cunninghame1 ,keith1 ,faber1 ,lord1 and othersrefer them to the events of the ,french revolution1 as important events in the overthrow of the ,papal power2 and this1 ,i confess1 although the application is attended with some considerable difficulties1 has more plausibility than any other explanation proposed4 ,in support of this application1 the following considerations may be suggested3 7a7 ,france1 in the time of ,charlemagne1 was the kingdom to which the ,papacy owed its civil organization and its strengtha kingdom to which could be traced all the civil or secular power of the ,papacy1 and which was1 in fact1 a restoration or reconstruction of the old ,roman powerthe fourth kingdom of ,daniel4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bdbh2 and comp4 ,notes on ,re4 xiii4 #c1 #abad4 ,the restoration of the old ,roman dominion under ,charlemagne1 and the aid which he rendered to the ,papacy in its establishment as to a temporal power1 would make it probable that this kingdom would be referred to in the series of judgments that were to accomplish the overthrow of the ,papal dominion4 7b7 ,in an important sense ,france has always been the head of the ,papal power4 ,the king of ,france has been usually styled1 by the popes themselves1 8the eldest son of the church40 ,in reference to the whole ,papal dominion in former times1 one of the principal reliances has been on ,france1 and1 to a very large extent1 the state of ,europe has been determined by the condition of ,france4 8,a revolution in ,france10 said ,napoleon1 8is sooner or later followed by a revolution in ,europe0 7,alison74 ,its central position2 its power2 its direct relation to all the purposes and aims of the ,papacy1 would seem to make it probable that1 in the account of the final destruction of that power1 this kingdom would not be overlooked4 7c7 ,the scenes which occurred in the times of the ,french revolution were such as would be properly symbolized by the pouring out of the first1 the second1 the third1 and the fourth vials4 ,in the passage before usthe pouring out of the first vialthe symbol employed is that of 8a noisome and grievous sore0boil1 ulcer1 plague-spot8on the men which had the mark of the beast1 and on them which worshipped his image40 ,this representation was undoubtedly derived from the account of the sixth plague on ,egypt 7,ex4 ix4 #iaa72 and the sense here is1 not that this would be literally inflicted on the power here referred to1 but that a calamity would come upon it which would be well represented by that1 or of which that would be an appropriate emblem4 ,this interpretation is further confirmed by ch4 xi4 #h1 where ,rome is referred to under the name of ,egypt1 and where it is clear that we are to look for a course of divine dealing1 in regard to the one1 resembling that which occurred to the other4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,now1 this 8noisome and grievous sore0 would well represent the moral corruption1 the pollution1 the infidelity1 the atheism1 the general dissolution of society1 that preceded and accompanied the ,french revolution2 for that was a universal breaking out of loathsome internal diseaseof corruption at the centreand in its general features might be represented as a universal plague-spot on society1 extending over the countries where the beast and his image were principally worshipped4 ,the symbol would properly denote that 8tremendous outbreak of social and moral evil1 of democratic fury1 atheism1 and vice1 which was specially seen to characterize the ,french revolution3 that of which the ultimate source was in the long and deep-seated corruption and irreligion of the nation2 the outward vent1 expression1 and organ of its ,jacobin clubs1 and seditious and atheistic publications2 the result1 the dissolution of all society1 all morals1 and all #cfj religion2 with acts of atrocity and horror accompanying1 scarce paralleled in the history of men2 and suffering and anguish of correspondent intensity throbbing throughout the social mass and corroding it2 that which1 from ,france as a centre1 spread like a plague throughout its affiliated societies to the other countries of ,papal ,christendom1 and was1 wherever its poison was imbibed1 as much the punishment as the symptoms of the corruption within40 ,of this sad chapter in the history of man1 it is unnecessary to give any description here4 ,for scenes of horror1 pollution1 and blood1 its parallel has never been found in the history of our race1 and1 as an event in history1 it was worthy of a notice in the symbols which portrayed the future4 ,the full details of these amazing scenes must be sought in the histories which describe them1 and to such works as ,alison's ,history of ,europe1 and ,burke's ,letters on a ,regicide ,peace1 the reader must be referred4 ,a few expressions copied from those letters of ,mr4 ,burke1 penned with no design of illustrating this passage in the ,apocalypse1 and no expectation that they would be ever so applied1 will show with what propriety the spirit of inspiration suggested the phrase1 8a noisome and grievous sore0 or plague-spot1 on the supposition that the design was to refer to these scenes4 ,in speaking of the revolutionary spirit in ,france1 ,mr4 ,burke calls it 8the fever of aggravated ,jacobinism10 8the epidemic of atheistical fanaticism10 8an evil lying deep in the corruptions of human nature10 8the malignant ,french distemper10 8a plague1 with its fanatical spirit of proselytism1 that needed the strictest quarantine to guard against it10 whereof1 though the mischief might be 8skimmed over0 for a time1 yet the result1 into whatever country it entered1 was 8the corruption of all morals10 8the decomposition of all society10 c4 ,but it is unnecessary to describe those scenes farther4 ,the 8world has them by heart10 and they can never be obliterated from the memory of man4 ,in the whole history of the race there has never been an outbreak of evil that showed so deep pollution and corruption within4 7d7 ,the result of this was to affect the ,papacya blow1 in fact1 aimed at that power4 ,of course1 all the infidelity and atheism of the ,french nation1 before so strongly ,papal1 went just so far in weakening the power of the ,papacy2 and in the ultimate result it will perhaps yet be found that the horrid outbreaks in the ,french revolution were the first in the series of providential events that will result in the entire overthrow of that ,antichristian power4 ,at all events1 it will be admitted1 ,i think1 that1 on the supposition that it was intended that this should be descriptive of the scenes that occurred in ,europe at the close of the last century1 no more expressive symbol could have been chosen than has been employed in the pouring out of this first vial of wrath4 #c ,and the second angel poured out his vial #dghupon the sea2 and it became as the #dgi;blood of a dead man3 and every living soul died in the sea4 #c4 ,and the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea4 ,so the second trumpet 7ch4 viii4 #h71 8,and the second angel sounded1 and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea2 and the third part of the sea became blood40 ,for the meaning of this as a symbol1 see ,notes on that verse4 ,and it became as the blood of a dead man4 8,either very bloody1 like a mangled corse1 or else coloured1 as it were1 with the dark and almost black blood of a dead man0 7,professor ,stuart1 in loco74 ,the latter would seem to be1 most probably1 the meaning2 implying that the ocean would become discoloured1 and indicating that this was the effect of blood shed in great quantities on its waters4 ,in ch4 viii4 #h it is1 8the sea became blood20 here the allusion to the blood of a dead man would more naturally suggest the idea of naval conflicts1 and of the blood of the slain poured in great quantities into the deep4 ,and every living soul died in the sea4 ,in ch4 viii4 #i it is said that 8the third part of the creatures that were in the sea died1 and the third part of the ships were destroyed40 ,here the destruction is more general2 the calamity is more severe and awful4 ,it is as if every living thing had died4 ,no emphasis should be put on the word soul here1 for the word means merely a creature1 a living thing1 an animal1 ,ac4 ii4 #dc2 iii4 #bc2 ,ro4 xiii4 #a2 #a ,co4 xv4 #de4 ,see ,rob4 ,lex4 sub voce1 c4 #cfa ,the sense here is1 that there would be some dreadful calamity1 as if the sea were to be changed into dark blood1 and as if every living thing in it were to die4 ,in inquiring into the proper application of this1 it is natural to look for something pertaining to the sea1 or the ocean 7see ,notes on ch4 viii4 #h1 #i71 and we should expect to find the fulfilment in some calamity that would fall on the marine force1 or the commerce of the power that is here referred to2 that is1 according to the interpretation all along adopted1 of the ,papal power2 and the proper application1 according to this interpretation1 would be the complete destruction or annihilation of the naval force that contributed to sustain the ,papacy4 ,this we should look for in respect to the naval power of ,france1 ,spain1 and ,portugal1 for these are the only ,papal nations that have had a navy4 ,we should expect1 in the fulfilment of this1 to find a series of naval disasters1 reddening the sea with blood1 which would tend to weaken the power of the ,papacy1 and which might be regarded as one in the series of events that would ultimately result in its entire overthrow4 ,accordingly1 in pursuance of the plan adopted in explaining the pouring out of the first vial1 it is to be observed that immediately succeeding1 and connected with1 the events thus referred to1 there was a series of naval disasters that swept away the fleets of ,france1 and that completely demolished the most formidable naval power that had ever been prepared by any nation under the ,papal dominion4 ,this series of disasters is thus noticed by ,mr4 ,elliott 7iii4 #cbi1 #ccj738,meanwhile1 the great naval war between ,france and ,england was in progress2 which1 from its commencement in ,february1 #agic1 lasted for above twenty years1 with no intermission but that of the short and delusive peace of ,amiens2 in which war the maritime power of ,great ,britain was strengthened by the ,almighty ,providence that protected her to destroy everywhere the ,french ships1 commerce1 and smaller colonies2 including those of the fast and long-continued allies of the ,french1 ,holland and ,spain4 ,in the year #agic1 the greater part of the ,french fleet at ,toulon was destroyed by ,lord ,hood2 in ,june1 #agid1 followed ,lord ,howe's great victory over the ,french off ,ushant2 then the taking of ,corsica1 and nearly all the smaller ,spanish and ,french ,west ,india ,islands2 then1 in #agie1 ,lord ,bridport's naval victory1 and the capture of the ,cape of ,good ,hope2 as also soon after of a ,french and ,dutch fleet1 sent to retake it2 then1 in #agig1 the victory over the ,spanish fleet off ,cape ,st4 ,vincent2 and that of ,camperdown over the ,dutch2 then1 in succession1 ,lord ,nelson's three mighty victoriesof the ,nile in #agih1 of ,copenhagen in #ahja1 and in #ahje of ,trafalgar4 ,altogether in this naval war1 from its beginning in #agic1 to its end in #ahae1 it appears that there were destroyed near #bjj ships of the line1 between #cjj and #djj frigates1 and an almost incalculable number of smaller vessels of war and ships of commerce4 ,the whole history of the world does not present such a period of naval war1 destruction1 and bloodshed40 ,this brief summary may show1 if this was referred to1 the propriety of the expression1 8,the sea became as the blood of a dead man20 and may show also that1 on the supposition that it was intended that these events should be referred to1 an appropriate symbol has been employed4 ,no language could more strikingly set forth these bloody scenes4 #d ,and the third angel poured out his vial #dhjupon the rivers and fountains of waters2 and they became blood4 #d4 ,and the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters4 ,this coincides also with the account of the sounding of the third trumpet 7ch4 viii4 #aj1 #aa738;,and the third angel sounded1 and there fell a great star from heaven1 burning as a lamp1 and it fell upon the third part of the rivers1 and upon the fountains of waters40 ,as to the meaning of the phrase1 8rivers and fountains of waters10 see ,notes on that passage4 ,we found1 it was supposed1 in the application of that passage1 that the invasion of the ,roman empire by ,attila1 king of the ,huns1 was referred to1 affecting mainly those parts of the empire where the rivers and streams had their origin4 ,the analogy would lead us1 in the fulfilment of the passage before us1 to look for some similar desolations on those portions of ,europe4 ,see ,notes at the close of ver4 #g4 ,and they became blood4 ,this would properly mean that they became as blood2 or became red #cfb with blood2 and it would be fulfilled if bloody battles were fought near them1 so that they seemed to run blood4 #e ,and ,i heard the angel of the waters say1 #dha,thou art righteous1 ,o ,lord1 which art1 and wast1 and shalt be1 because thou hast judged thus4 #e4 ,and ,i heard the angel of the waters say4 ,the angel who presides over the element of water2 in allusion to the common opinion among the ,hebrews that the angels presided over elements1 and that each element was committed to the jurisdiction of a particular angel4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 vii4 #a4 ,thou art righteous1 ,o ,lord4 ,in view of the judgments that reddened these streams and fountains with the blood of men1 the angel ascribes righteousness to ,god4 ,these judgments seemed terriblethe numbers slain were so vastthe bloody stream indicated so great slaughter1 and such severity of the divine judgment2 yet the angel sees in all this only the act of a righteous ,god bringing just retribution on the guilty4 ,which art1 and wast1 and shalt be4 ,that is1 who art eternalexisting now2 who hast existed in all past time2 and who will exist ever onward4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #h4 ,the reason why this attribute of ,god is here referred to1 seems to be that the mind of the angel adverts to it in the changes and desolations that were occurring around him4 ,in such overturnings among mensuch revolutions of kingdomssuch desolations of warthe mind naturally turns to one who is unchanging2 to one whose throne is from everlasting to everlasting4 ,because thou hast judged thus4 ,hast suffered these wars to occur that have changed rivers and fountains to blood4 #f ,for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets1 and #dhbthou hast given them blood to drink2 for they are worthy4 #f4 ,for they have shed the blood of saints4 ,the nations here referred to4 ,they have been engaged in scenes of bloody persecution1 and this is a just recompense4 ,and prophets4 ,teachers of religion2 ministers of truth4 ,it is not necessary to understand the word prophets here in its technical sense1 as denoting those who are raised up by ,god and sent forth as inspired men1 but it may be understood in its more common signification in the ,new ,testament as denoting teachers of religion in general4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 xii4 #f2 #a ,co4 xiv4 #a4 ,and thou hast given them blood to drink4 ,to wit1 by turning the streams and fountains into blood1 ver4 #d4 ,blood had been poured out in such abundance that it seemed to mingle with the very water that they drank4 ,this was a recompense for their having1 in those very regions1 poured out so much blood in persecuting the saints and prophetsthe pious private members of the church1 and the public teachers of religion4 ,for they are worthy4 ,that is1 they deserve this2 or this is a just recompense for their sins4 ,it is not intended that those who would thus suffer had been individually guilty of this1 or that this was properly a punishment on them2 but it is meant that in those countries there had been bloody persecutions1 and that this was a fit recompense for what had there occurred4 #g ,and ,i heard another out of the altar say1 ,even so1 #dhc,lord ,god ,almighty1 true and righteous are thy judgments4 #g4 ,and ,i heard another4 ,evidently another angel1 though this is not specified4 ,out of the altar4 ,either the angel of the altarthat is1 who presided over the altar 7,professor ,stuart71 or an angel whose voice seemed to come from the altar4 ,the sense is essentially the same4 ,the writer seemed to hear a voice coming from the altar responding to what had just been said in regard to the judgment of ,god1 or to his righteousness in bringing the judgment upon men1 ver4 #e4 ,this was evidently the voice of some one who was interested in what was occurring1 or to whom these things particularly appertained2 that is1 one who was particularly connected with the martyrs referred to1 whose blood was now1 as it were1 to be avenged4 ,we are naturally reminded by this of the martyr-scene in ch4 vi4 #iaa1 in the opening of the fifth seal1 though it cannot be supposed that the same events are referred to4 ,there 8the souls of those that had been slain for the word of ,god0 are represented as being 8under the altar10 and as crying to ,god to 8avenge their blood on them who dwelt on the earth40 ,here a voice is heard with reference to martyrs1 as of one interested in them1 #cfc ascribing praise to ,god for having brought a righteous judgment on those who had shed the blood of the saints4 ,they are both1 for similar reasons1 connected with the 8altar10 and the voice is heard proceeding from the same source4 ,in regard to the meaning of the word altar here1 and the reason why the martyrs are represented in connection with it1 see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #i4 ,true and righteous1 are thy judgments4 ,responding to what is said in ver4 #e4 ,that is1 ,god is 8true0 or faithful to his promises made to his people1 and 8righteous0 in the judgments which he has now inflicted4 ,these judgments had come upon those who had shed the blood of the martyrs1 and they were just4 ,in regard to the application of this there are several things to be said4 ,the following points are clear37a7 ,that this judgment would succeed the first-mentioned1 and apparently at a period not remote4 7b7 ,it would occur in a region where there had been much persecution4 7c7 ,it would be in a country of streams1 and rivers1 and fountains4 7d7 ,it would be a just retribution for the bloody persecutions which had occurred there4 ,the question now is1 where we shall find the fulfilment of this1 assuming that the explanation of the pouring out of the first vial is correct4 ,and here1 ,i think1 there can be no mistake in applying it to the events bearing on the ,papacy1 and the ,papal powers1 which followed the ,french revolution4 ,the next material event1 after that revolution1 was the invasion of ,italy1 where ,napoleon began his career of victories1 and where he first acquired his fame4 ,at this stage of my examination of this passage1 ,i looked into ,alison's ,history of ,europe to see what events1 in fact1 followed the scenes of confusion1 crime1 blood1 atheism1 and pollution in the ,french revolution1 and ,i found that the next chapters in these eventful scenes1 were such as would be well represented by the vial poured upon the rivers and fountains1 and by their being turned into blood4 ,the detail would be too long for my limits1 and ,i can state merely a summary of a few of the chapters in that history4 ,ch4 xix4 contains the 8,history of the ,french ,republic from the fall of ,robespierre to the establishment of the ,directory0comprising properly the closing scenes of 8the ,reign of ,terror40 ,ch4 xx4 contains an account of the campaign in ,italy in #agif1 embracing1 as stated in the summing up of contents in this chapter1 the 8,battles of ,montenotte1 ,millesimo1 ,dego2 the passage of the bridge of ,lodi1 and fall of ,milan2 the siege of ,mantua1 and the battle of ,castiglione2 the battles of ,caldero and ,arcola2 and the battles of ,rivoli and ,mantua40 ,this is followed 7ch4 xxiii47 with an account of the campaign of #agig1 which closed with the fall of ,venice2 and this is followed 7ch4 xxvi47 with an account of the invasion of ,switzerland1 c4 ,it is unnecessary to dwell on the details of the wars which followed the ,french revolution on the ,rhine1 the ,po1 and the ,alpine streams of ,piedmont and ,lombardy4 ,the slightest acquaintance with that history will show the propriety of the following remarks37a7 ,these wars occurred in regions under the influence of the ,papacy1 for these were all ,papal states and territories4 7b7 ,these scenes followed closely on the ,french revolution1 and grew out of it as a natural consequence1 and would be properly represented as a second 8vial0 poured out immediately after the first4 7c7 ,the country is such as here supposed8of rivers and fountains0for1 being mostly a mountainous region1 it abounds with springs1 and fountains1 and streams4 ,indeed1 on the supposition that this is the land referred to1 a more appropriate description could not have been given of it than is found in this passage4 ,one has only to look upon a map of ,northern ,italy to see that there is no other portion of the world which would more naturally be suggested when speaking of a country abounding in 8rivers and fountains of water40 ,the admirable map of this region prefixed to the volume1 for which ,i am indebted to the work of ,dr4 ,alexander ,keith1 on the ,signs of the ,times1 will clearly illustrate this passage1 and the corresponding passage in ch4 viii4 #aj1 #aa4 ,let anyone look at the ,po and its tributaries on the map1 and then read with attention the twentieth chapter of ,alison's ,history of ,europe 7vol4 i4 pp4 #ciadbd71 and he will be struck with the appropriateness of the description1 on the supposition that this portion of the book of ,revelation was designed to refer to these scenes2 for he cannot but see that the battles there described were fought in a country in every way corresponding with the statement here4 7d7 ,this country corresponds with the description here given in another respect4 ,in #cfd ver4 #e1 #f there is a tribute of praise rendered to ,god1 in view of these judgments1 because he was righteous in bringing them upon a land where the blood of saints and prophets had been sheda land of martyrs4 ,now this is applicable to the circumstances supposed1 not only in the sense that ,italy in general had been the land where the blood of martyrs had been shedthe land of ,roman persecution1 alike under ,paganism and the ,papacybut true in a more definite sense1 from the fact that this was the very region where the persecutions against the ,waldenses and the ,albigenses had been carried onthe valleys of ,piedmont4 ,in the times of ,papal persecution these valleys had been made to flow with the blood of the saints2 and it seemed1 at least1 to be a righteous retribution that these desolations of war1 these conflagrations1 and these scenes of carnage1 should occur in that very land1 and that the very fountains and streams which had before been turned into blood1 by the slaughter of the friends of the ,saviour1 should now be reddened with the blood of men slain in battle4 ,this is1 perhaps1 what ,john saw in vision3 a land where persecution had raged1 and the blood of the holy had flowed freely1 and then the same land brought under the awful judgments of ,god1 and the fountains and streams reddened with the blood of the slain4 ,there was a propriety1 therefore1 that a voice should be heard ascribing righteousness to ,god for avenging the blood of the saints 7ver4 #e1 #f71 and that another voice should be heard from the 8altar0 of the martyrs 7ver4 #g7 responding and saying1 8,even so1 ,lord ,god ,almighty1 true and righteous are thy judgments40 7e7 ,it may be added1 to show the propriety of this1 that this was one of the series of events which will be found in the end to have contributed to the overthrow of the ,papal power2 for a blow was struck1 in the ,french invasion of ,italy1 from which ,rome has never recovered1 and sentiments were diffused as the result in favour of liberty which it has been difficult ever since to suppress1 and which are destined yet to burst out in favour of freedom1 and to be one of the means of the final destruction of the power4 ,comp4 ,alison's ,history of ,europe1 vol4 i4 p4 #djc4 #h ,and the fourth angel poured out his vial #dhdupon the sun3 and power was given unto him to scorch men #dhewith fire4 #h4 ,and the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun4 ,toward the sun1 or so as to reach the sun4 ,the effect was as if it had been poured upon the sun1 giving it an intense heat1 and thus inflicting a severe judgment upon men4 ,this corresponds also with the fourth trumpet 7ch4 viii4 #ab71 where it is said1 that the 8third part of the sun was smitten1 and the third part of the moon1 and the third part of the stars40 ,for the general meaning of this symbol see ,notes on that place4 ,the idea is1 that a scene of calamity and woe would occur as if the sun should be made to pour forth such intense heat that men would be 8scorched40 ,it cannot be supposed that the sun would be literally made hotter1 or that the exact nature of these calamities would be that men would be consumed by its rays4 ,and power was given unto him4 ,to the sun4 ,the meaning is1 that a calamity would follow as if such an increased power should be given to its rays4 ,to scorch men with fire4 ,literally1 8,and it was given him to scorch men with fire0that is1 with heat so great that it seemed to be fire4 ,the ,greek wordmeaning to burn1 to scorchis used in the ,new ,testament only in ,mat4 xiii4 #f2 ,mar4 iv4 #f2 ,re4 xvi4 #h1 #i1 in all which places it is rendered scorch and scorched4 ,compare1 however1 the use of the word 1 in ,re4 vii4 #af2 xvi4 #i2 1 in ,he4 vi4 #h2 1 in #a ,pe4 iii4 #aj1 #ab2 and 1 in ,mat4 xx4 #ab2 ,lu4 xii4 #ee2 ,ja4 i4 #aa4 ,the notion of intense or consuming heat is implied in all the forms of the word2 and the reference here is to some calamity that would be well represented by such an increased heat of the sun4 #i ,and men were #dhfscorched with great heat1 and #dhg;blasphemed the name of ,god1 which hath power over these plagues3 and #dhhthey repented not1 to give him glory4 #i4 ,and men were scorched with great heat4 ,that is1 as above expressed1 calamity came upon them which would be well represented by such heat4 ,it is said that this calamity would come upon men1 and we are to suppose that it would be such that human life would be particularly affected2 and as that heat of the #cfe sun must be exceedingly intense which would cut down men1 we are to suppose that the judgment here referred to would be intensely severe4 ,and blasphemed the name of ,god4 ,the effect would be to cause them to blaspheme ,god or to reproach him as the author of these calamities2 and in the fulfilment of this we are to look for a state of things when there would be augmented wickedness and irreligion1 and when men would become worse and worse1 notwithstanding the woes that had come upon them4 ,which hath power over these plagues4 ,who had brought these plagues upon them1 and who had power to remove them4 ,and they repented not4 ,the effect was not to produce repentance1 though it was manifest that these judgments had come upon them on account of their sins4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #ba4 ,to give him glory4 ,to turn from sin2 to honour him by lives of obedience4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,jn4 ix4 #bd4 ,in regard to the application of this the following things may be remarked37a7 ,that the calamity here referred to was one of the series of events which would precede the overthrow of the 8beast10 and contribute to that1 for to this all these judgments tend4 7b7 ,in the order in which it stands it is to follow1 and apparently to follow soon1 the third judgmentthe pouring of the vial upon the fountains and streams4 7c7 ,it would be a calamity such as if the sun1 the source of light and comfort to mankind1 were smitten1 and became a source of torment4 7d7 ,this would be attended by a great destruction of men1 and we should naturally look in such an application for calamities in which multitudes of men would be1 as it were1 consumed4 7e7 ,this would not be followed1 as it might be hoped it would1 by repentance1 but would be attended with reproaches of ,god1 with profaneness1 with a great increase of wickedness4 ,now1 on the supposition that the explanation of the previous passages is correct1 there can be no great difficulty in supposing that this refers to the wars of ,europe following the ,french revolution1 the wars that preceded the direct attack on the ,papacy and the overthrow of the ,papal government1 for these events had all the characteristics here referred to4 7a7 ,they were one of a series in weakening the ,papal power in ,europeheavy blows that will yet be seen to have been among the means preliminary to its final overthrow4 7b7 ,they followed in their order the invasion of ,northern ,italy1 for one of the purposes of that invasion was to attack the ,austrian power there1 and ultimately through the ,tyrol to attack ,austria itself4 ,napoleon1 after his victories in ,northern ,italy1 above referred to 7comp4 ch4xx4 of ,alison's ,history of ,europe71 thus writes to the ,french ,directory3 8,coni1 ,ceva1 and ,alexandria are in the hands of our army2 if you do not ratify the convention ,i will keep these fortresses and march upon ,turin4 ,meanwhile ,i shall march to-morrow against ,beaulieu1 and drive him across the ,po2 ,i shall follow close at his heels1 overrun all ,lombardy1 and in a month be in the ,tyrol1 join the army of the ,rhine1 and carry our united forces into ,bavaria4 ,that design is worthy of you1 of the army1 and of the destinies of ,france0 7,alison1 i4 #dja74 7c7 ,the campaign in ,germany in #agif followed immediately this campaign in ,italy4 ,thus1 in ch4 xx4 of ,alison's ,history1 we have an account of the campaign in ,italy2 in ch4 xxi4 we have the account of the campaign in ,germany2 and the other wars in ,europe that continued so long1 and that were so fierce and bloody1 followed in quick successionall tending1 in their ultimate results1 to weaken the ,papal power and to secure its final overthrow4 7d7 ,it is hardly necessary to say here that these wars had all the characteristics here supposed4 ,it was as if the sun were smitten in the heavens and power were given to scorch men with fire4 ,europe seemed to be on fire with musketry and artillery1 and presented almost the appearance of the broad blaze of a battle-field4 ,the number that perished was immense4 ,these wars were attended with the usual consequencesblasphemy1 profaneness1 and reproaches of ,god in every form4 ,and yet there was another effect wholly in accordance with the statement here1 that none of these judgments brought men to 8repentance1 that they might give ,god the glory40 ,perhaps these remarks1 which might be extended to great length1 will show that1 on the supposition that it was intended to refer to those scenes by the outpouring of this vial1 the symbol was well chosen and appropriate4 #aj ,and the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the #dhiseat of the beast2 and his kingdom was full of #dij;darkness2 and they gnawed their tongues for pain1 #aj4 ,and the fifth angel poured out his #cff vial upon the seat of the beast4 ,the previous judgments had been preparatory to this4 ,they all had a bearing on this1 and were all preliminary to it2 but the 8seat0the home1 the centre of the power of the beasthad not yet been reached4 ,here1 however1 there was a direct blow aimed at that power1 still not such yet as to secure its final overthrow1 for that is reserved for the pouring out of the last vial1 ver4 #agba4 ,all that is represented here is a heavy judgment which was merely preliminary to that final overthrow1 but which affected the very seat of the beast4 ,the phrase 8the seat of the beast0 means the seat or throne which the representative of that power occupied1 the central point of the ,antichristian dominion4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #b4 ,see also ch4 ii4 #ac4 ,i understand this as referring to the very seat of the ,papal power,romethe ,vatican4 ,and his kingdom was full of darkness4 ,confusiondisorderdistress1 for darkness is often the emblem of calamity1 ,is4 lix4 #i1 #aj2 ,je4 xiii4 #af2 ,eze4 xxx4 #ah2 xxxii4 #g1 #h2 xxxiv4 #ab2 ,joel ii4 #b4 ,and they gnawed their tongues for pain4 ,this is a 8most significant expression of the writhings of anguish40 ,the word here rendered gnawed does not occur elsewhere in the ,new ,testament1 nor is the expression elsewhere used in the ,bible2 but its meaning is plainit indicates deep anguish4 #aa ,and blasphemed the ,god of heaven because of #diatheir pains and their sores1 and repented not of their deeds4 #aa4 ,and blasphemed the ,god of heaven4 ,the same effect which it was said would be produced by the pouring out of the fourth vial1 ver4 #i4 ,because of their pains and their sores4 ,of the calamities that had come upon them4 ,and repented not of their deeds4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #i4 ,comp4 ch4 ix4 #ba4 ,in regard to the fulfilment and application of this1 the following general remarks may be made here37a7 ,it would succeed1 at no great interval probably1 what is referred to under the previous 8vials10 and would be one in the series tending to the same result4 7b7 ,it would fall directly on the seat of the authority of the 8beast0on the central power of the ,papacy1 according to the interpretation of the other symbols2 and we should look1 therefore1 for some calamity that would come upon ,rome itself1 and still more specifically upon the pope himself1 and those immediately around him4 7c7 ,this would be attended with deep distress and darkness in the ,papal dominions4 7d7 ,there would be an increase of what is here called 8blasphemy20 that is1 of impiety and reproaches of the ,divine ,being4 7e7 ,there would be no repentance produced4 ,there would be no reformation4 ,the system would be as corrupt as it was before1 and men would be as much under its influence4 ,and 7f7 we should not expect that this would be the final overthrow of the system4 ,that is reserved for the outpouring of the seventh and last vial in the series 7ver4 #agba71 and under that the system would be overthrown1 and would come to an end4 ,this is distinctly stated in the account of that 8vial20 and therefore we are not to expect to find1 in the application of the fifth 8vial10 that the calamity brought upon 8the seat of the beast0 would be such that it would not recover for a time1 and maintain1 apparently1 in some good degree1 its former power and influence4 ,with this view of what we are to expect1 and in connection with the explanations of the previous symbols1 it seems to me that there can be no hesitation in applying this to the direct attacks on the ,papal power and on the pope himself1 as one of the consequences of the ,french revolution1 and to the calamities that were thus brought upon the ,papal ,states4 ,in order to show the appropriateness of this application1 ,i will state a few facts which will show that1 on the supposition that it was the intention in this symbol to refer to the ,papal power at that time1 the symbol has been well chosen1 and has been fulfilled4 ,and1 in doing this1 ,i will merely copy from ,alison's ,history of ,europe 7vol4 i4 pp4 #edbedf7 a few statements1 which1 like many that have been quoted from ,mr4 ,gibbon in the former part of these ,notes1 would seem almost to have been penned in view of this prophecy1 and with a view to record its fulfilment4 ,the statement is as follows3 8,the ,ecclesiastical ,states were the #cfg next object of attack4 ,it had long been an avowed object of ambition with the ,republican government to revolutionize the ,roman people1 and plant the tricolour flag in the city of ,brutus10 and fortune at length presented them with a favourable opportunity to accomplish the design4 8,the situation of the pope had become1 since the ,french conquests in ,italy1 in the highest degree precarious4 ,cut off by the ,cisalpine ,republic from any support from ,austria2 left by the treaty of ,campo ,formio entirely at the mercy of the ,french republic2 threatened by the heavings of the democratic spirit within his own dominions2 and exposed to all the contagion arising from the complete establishment and close vicinity of republican governments in the north of ,italy1 he was almost destitute of the means of resisting so many seen and unseen enemies4 ,the pontifical treasury was exhausted by the immense payments stipulated by the treaty of ,tolentino2 while the activity and zeal of the revolutionary clubs in all the principal towns of the ,ecclesiastical ,states was daily increasing with the prospect of success4 ,to enable the government to meet the enormous demands of the ,french army1 the principal ,roman families1 like the pope1 had sold their gold1 their silver1 their jewels1 their horses1 their carriagesin a word1 all their valuable effects2 but the exactions of the republican agents were still unabated4 ,in despair they had recourse to the fatal expedient of issuing a paper circulation2 but that1 in a country destitute of credit1 soon fell to an inconsiderable value1 and augmented rather than relieved the public distress4 ,joseph ,bonaparte1 brother to ,napoleon1 had been appointed ambassador at the court of ,rome2 but as his character was deemed too honourable for political intrigue1 ,generals ,duphot and ,sherlock were sent along with him1 the former of whom had been so successful in effecting the overthrow of the ,genoese aristocracy4 ,the ,french embassy1 under their direction1 soon became the centre of the revolutionary action2 and those numerous ardent characters with which the ,italian cities abound1 flocked there as to a common focus1 from whence the next great explosion of democratic power was to be expected4 ,in this extremity1 ,pius ,,vi41 who was above eighty years of age1 and sinking into the grave1 called to his counsels the ,austrian general ,provera1 already distinguished in the ,italian campaigns2 but the ,directory soon compelled the humiliated pontiff to dismiss that intrepid counsellor4 ,as his recovery then seemed hopeless1 the instructions of government to their ambassador were to delay the proclamation of a republic till his death1 when the vacant chair of ,st4 ,peter might be overturned with little difficulty2 but such was the activity of the revolutionary agents1 that the train was ready to take fire before that event took place1 and the ears of the ,romans were assailed by incessant abuse of the ecclesiastical government1 and vehement declamations in favour of republican freedom4 8,the resolution to overturn the ,papal government1 like all the other ambitious projects of the ,directory1 received a very great impulse from the re-ascendent of ,jacobin influence at ,paris1 by the results of the revolution of #ahth ,fructidor4 ,one of the first measures of the new government was to despatch an order to ,joseph ,bonaparte at ,rome1 to promote1 by all the means in his power1 the approaching revolution in the ,papal ,states2 and1 above all things1 to take care that at the pope's death no successor should be elected to the chair of ,st4 ,peter4 ,napoleon's language to the ,roman pontiff became daily more menacing4 ,immediately before setting out for ,rastadt1 he ordered his brother ,joseph to intimate to the pope that three thousand additional troops had been forwarded to ,ancona2 that if ,provera was not dismissed within twenty-four hours1 war would be declared2 that if any of the revolutionists who had been arrested were executed1 reprisals would forthwith be exercised on the cardinals2 and that1 if the ,cisalpine ,republic was not recognized1 it would be the signal for immediate hostilities4 ,at the same time ten thousand troops of the ,cisalpine ,republic advanced to ,st4 ,leon1 in the ,papal duchy of ,urbino1 and made themselves masters of that fortress2 while at ,ancona1 which was still garrisoned by ,french troops1 notwithstanding its stipulated restoration by the treaty of ,tolentino to the ,holy ,see1 the democratic party openly proclaimed the #8,anconite ,republic4' ,similar revolutionary movements took place at ,corneto1 ,civita ,vecchia1 ,pesaro1 and ,senigaglia2 while at ,rome itself1 ,joseph #cfh ,bonaparte1 by compelling the ,papal government to liberate all persons confined for political offences1 suddenly vomited forth upon the capital several hundreds of the most heated republicans in ,italy4 ,after this great addition1 measures were no longer kept with the government4 ,seditious meetings were constantly held in every part of the city2 immense collections of tricolour cockades were made to distinguish the insurgents1 and deputations of the citizens openly waited on the ,french ambassador to invite him to support the insurrection1 to which he replied1 in ambiguous terms#8,the fate of nations1 as of individuals1 being buried in the womb of futurity1 it is not given to me to penetrate its mysteries4' 8,in this temper of men's minds1 a spark was sufficient to occasion an explosion4 ,on the #bgth of ,december1 #agig1 an immense crowd assembled1 with seditious cries1 and moved to the palace of the ,french ambassador1 where they exclaimed1 #8,vive la ,rpublique ,romaine6' and loudly invoked the aid of the ,french to enable them to plant the tricolour flag on the ,capitol4 ,the insurgents displayed the tricolour cockade1 and evinced the most menacing disposition2 the danger was extreme2 from similar beginnings the overthrow of the governments of ,venice and ,genoa had rapidly followed4 ,the ,papal ministers sent a regiment of dragoons to prevent any sortie of the revolutionists from the palace of the ,french ambassador2 and they repeatedly warned the insurgents that their orders were to allow no one to leave its precincts4 ,duphot1 however1 indignant at being restrained by the pontifical troops1 drew his sword1 rushed down the staircase1 and put himself at the head of one hundred and fifty armed ,roman democrats1 who were now contending with the dragoons in the courtyard of the palace4 ,he was immediately killed by a discharge ordered by the sergeant commanding the patrol of the ,papal troops2 and the ambassador himself1 who had followed to appease the tumult1 narrowly escaped the same fate4 ,a violent scuffle ensued2 several persons were killed and wounded on both sides2 and1 after remaining several hours in the greatest alarm1 ,joseph ,bonaparte1 with his suite1 retired to ,florence4 8,this catastrophe1 however1 obviously occasioned by the revolutionary schemes which were in agitation at the residence of the ,french ambassador1 having taken place within the precincts of his palace1 was1 unhappily1 a violation of the law of nations1 and gave the ,directory too fair a ground to demand satisfaction4 ,but they instantly resolved to make it the pretext for the immediate occupation of ,rome and overthrow of the ,papal government4 ,the march of troops out of ,italy was countermanded1 and ,berthier1 the commander-in-chief1 received orders to advance rapidly into the ,ecclesiastical ,states4 ,meanwhile1 the democratic spirit burst forth more violently than ever at ,ancona and the neighbouring towns1 and the ,papal authority was soon lost in all the provinces on the eastern slope of the ,apennines4 ,to these accumulated disasters the pontiff could only oppose the fasts and prayers of an aged conclaveweapons of spiritual warfare little calculated to arrest the conquerors of ,arcola and ,lodi4 8,berthier1 without an instant's delay1 carried into execution the orders of the ,directory4 ,six thousand ,poles were stationed at ,rimini to cover the ,cisalpine ,republic2 a reserve was established at ,tolentino1 while the commander-in-chief1 at the head of eighteen thousand veteran troops1 entered ,ancona4 ,having completed the work of revolution in that turbulent district1 and secured the fortress1 he crossed the ,apennines2 and1 advancing by ,foligno and ,narni1 appeared on the #ajth of ,february before the ,eternal ,city4 ,the pope1 in the utmost consternation1 shut himself up in the ,vatican1 and spent night and day at the foot of the altar in imploring the divine protection4 8,rome1 almost defenceless1 would have offered no obstacle to the entrance of the ,french troops2 but it was part of the policy of the ,directory to make it appear that their aid was invoked by the spontaneous efforts of the inhabitants4 ,contenting himself1 therefore1 with occupying the castle of ,st4 ,angelo1 from which the feeble guards of the pope were soon expelled1 ,berthier kept his troops for five days encamped without the walls4 ,at length1 the revolutionists having completed their preparations1 a noisy crowd assembled in the ,campo ,vaccino1 the ancient ,forum2 the old foundations of the ,capitol were made again to resound with the cries1 if not the spirit1 of freedom1 and the venerable #cfi ensigns1 ,s4 ,p4 ,q4 ,r41 after the lapse of fourteen hundred years1 again floated in the winds4 ,the multitude tumultuously demanded the overthrow of the ,papal authority2 the ,french troops were invited to enter2 the conquerors of ,italy1 with a haughty air1 passed the gates of ,aurelian1 defiled through the ,piazza del ,popolo1 gazed on the indestructible monuments of ,roman grandeur1 and1 amid the shouts of the inhabitants1 the tricolour flag was displayed from the summit of the ,capitol4 8,but while part of the ,roman populace were surrendering themselves to a pardonable intoxication upon the fancied recovery of their liberties1 the agents of the ,directory were preparing for them the sad realities of slavery4 ,the pope1 who had been guarded by five hundred soldiers ever since the entry of the republicans1 was directed to retire into ,tuscany2 his ,swiss guard relieved by a ,french one2 and he himself ordered to dispossess himself of all his temporal authority4 ,he replied1 with the firmness of a martyr1 #8,i am prepared for every species of disgrace4 ,as supreme pontiff1 ,i am resolved to die in the exercise of all my powers4 ,you may employ forceyou have the power to do so2 but know that1 though you may be masters of my body1 you are not so of my soul4 ,free in the region where it is placed1 it fears neither the events nor the sufferings of this life4 ,i stand on the threshold of another world2 there ,i shall be sheltered alike from the violence and impiety of this4' ,force was soon employed to dispossess him of his authority2 he was dragged from the altar in his palace1 his repositories all ransacked and plundered1 the rings even torn from his fingers1 the whole effects in the ,vatican and ,quirinal inventoried and seized1 and the aged pontiff conducted1 with only a few domestics1 amid the brutal jests and sacrilegious songs of the ,french dragoons1 into ,tuscany1 where the generous hospitality of the grand-duke strove to soften the hardships of his exile4 ,but1 though a captive in the hands of his enemies1 the venerable old man still retained the supreme authority in the church4 ,from his retreat in the convent of the ,chartreuse1 he yet guided the counsels of the faithful2 multitudes fell on their knees wherever he passed1 and sought that benediction from a captive which they would1 perhaps1 have disregarded from a ruling pontiff4 8,the subsequent treatment of this venerable man was as disgraceful to the republican government as it was honourable to his piety and constancy as the head of the church4 ,fearful that from his virtues and sufferings he might have too much influence on the continent of ,italy1 he was removed by their orders to ,leghorn1 in ,march1 #agii1 with the design of transferring him to ,cagliari in ,sardinia2 and the ,english cruisers in the ,mediterranean redoubled their vigilance in the generous hope of rescuing the father of an opposite church from the persecution of his enemies4 ,apprehensive of losing their prisoner1 the ,french altered his destination2 and forcing him to traverse1 often during the night1 the ,apennines and the ,alps in a rigorous season1 he at length reached ,valence1 where1 after an illness of ten days1 he expired1 in the eighty-second year of his age1 and the twenty-fourth of his pontificate4 ,the cruelty of the ,directory increased as he approached their dominions1 all his old attendants were compelled to leave him1 and the father of the faithful was allowed to expire1 attended only by his confessor4 ,yet even in this disconsolate state he derived the highest satisfaction from the devotion and reverence of the people in the provinces of ,france through which he passed4 ,multitudes from ,gap1 ,vizelle1 and ,grenoble flocked to the road to receive his benediction2 and he frequently repeated1 with tears in his eyes1 the words of ,scripture3 #8,verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,i have not seen such faith1 no1 not in ,israel4' 8,but long before the pope had sunk under the persecution of his oppressors1 ,rome had experienced the bitter fruits of republican fraternization4 ,immediately after the entry of the ,french troops1 commenced the regular and systematic pillage of the city4 ,not only the churches and the convents1 but the palaces of the cardinals and of the nobility1 were laid waste4 ,the agents of the ,directory1 insatiable in the pursuit of plunder1 and merciless in the means of exacting it1 ransacked every quarter within its walls1 seized the most valuable works of art1 and stripped the ,eternal ,city of those treasures which had survived the ,gothic fire and the rapacious hands of the ,spanish soldiers4 ,the bloodshed was much less1 but the spoil collected incomparably greater1 #cgj than at the disastrous sack which followed the death of the ,constable ,bourbon4 ,almost all the great works of art which have since that time been collected throughout ,europe1 were then scattered abroad4 ,the spoliation exceeded all that the ,goths or ,vandals had effected4 ,not only the palaces of the ,vatican1 and the ,monte ,cavallo1 and the chief nobility of ,rome1 but those of ,castel ,gandolfo1 on the margin of the ,alban ,lake1 of ,terracina1 the ,villa ,albani1 and others in the environs of ,rome1 were plundered of every article of value which they possessed4 ,the whole sacerdotal habits of the pope and cardinals were burned1 in order to collect from the flames the gold with which they were adorned4 ,the ,vatican was stripped to its naked walls2 the immortal frescoes of ,raphael and ,michael ,angelo1 which could not be removed1 remained in solitary beauty amid the general desolation4 ,a contribution of four millions in money1 two millions in provisions1 and three thousand horses1 was imposed on a city already exhausted by the enormous exactions it had previously undergone4 ,under the direction of the infamous commissary ,haller1 the domestic library1 museum1 furniture1 jewels1 and even the private clothes of the pope were sold4 ,nor did the palaces of the ,roman nobility escape devastation4 ,the noble galleries of the ,cardinal ,braschi1 and the ,cardinal ,york1 the last relic of the ,stuart line1 underwent the same fate4 ,others1 as those of the ,chigi1 ,borghese1 and ,doria palaces1 were rescued from destruction only by enormous ransoms4 ,everything of value that the treaty of ,tolentino had left in ,rome became the prey of republican cupidity1 and the very name of freedom soon became odious1 from the sordid and infamous crimes which were committed in its name4 8,nor were the exactions of the ,french confined to the plunder of palaces and churches4 ,eight cardinals were arrested and sent to ,civita ,castellana1 while enormous contributions were levied on the ,papal territory1 and brought home the bitterness of conquest to every poor man's door4 ,at the same time the ample territorial possessions of the church and the monasteries were confiscated1 and declared national propertya measure which1 by drying up at once the whole resources of the affluent classes1 precipitated into the extreme of misery the numerous poor who were maintained by their expenditure1 or fed by their bounty4 ,all the respectable citizens and clergy were in fetters2 and a base and despicable faction alone1 among whom1 to their disgrace be it told1 were found fourteen cardinals1 followed in the train of the oppressors2 and1 at a public festival1 returned thanks to ,god for the miseries they had brought upon their country40#dib #ab ,and the sixth angel poured out his vial upon #dicthe great river ,euphrates2 and the water thereof was #did;dried up1 that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared4 #ab4 ,and the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river ,euphrates4 ,on the situation of that river1 and the symbolical meaning of this language1 see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #adba4 ,the reference there was supposed to be to the ,turkish power1 and the analogy of interpretation would seem to require that it should be so understood here4 ,there is every reason1 therefore1 to suppose that this passage has reference to something in the future history of the ,turkish dominions1 and to some bearing of the events which are to occur in that history on the ultimate downfall of the ,antichristian power referred to by the 8beast40 ,and the water thereof was #cga dried up1 that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared4 ,that is1 as the effect of pouring out the vial4 ,there is an allusion here1 undoubtedly1 to the dividing of the waters of the ,red ,sea1 so that the children of ,israel might pass4 ,see ,ex4 xiv4 #ba1 #bb4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xi4 #ae4 ,in this description the ,euphrates is represented as a barrier to prevent the passage of 8the kings of the ,east10 on their way to the ,west for some purpose not yet specified2 that is1 applying the symbol of the ,euphrates as being the seat of the ,turkish power1 the meaning is1 that that power is such a hindrance1 and that1 in some way that hindrance is to be removed as if the waters of an unbridged and unfordable river were dried up so as to afford a safe and easy passage through4 ,still there are several inquiries as to the application of this1 which is not easy1 and1 as it refers to what is still future1 it may be impossible to answer4 ,the language requires us to put upon it the following interpretation37a7 ,the persons here referred to as 8kings of the ,east10 were ready to make a movement towards the ,west1 over the ,euphrates1 and would do this if this obstruction were not in their way4 ,who these 8kings of the ,east0 are is not said1 and perhaps cannot be conjectured4 ,the natural interpretation is1 that they are the kings that reign in the ,east1 or that preside over the countries of the eastern hemisphere4 ,why there was a proposed movement to the ,west is not said4 ,it might have been for conquest1 or it might have been that they were to bring their tribute to the spiritual ,jerusalem1 in accordance with what is so often said in the prophets1 that under the gospel kings and princes would consecrate themselves and their wealth to ,god4 ,see ,ps4 lxxii4 #aj1 #aa3 8,the kings of ,tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents3 the kings of ,sheba and ,seba shall offer gifts4 ,yea1 all kings shall fall down before him40 ,so also ,is4 lx4 #df1 #i1 #aa3 8,thy sons shall come from far4,the forces of the ,gentiles shall come unto thee4,all they from ,sheba shall come3 they shall bring gold and incense4,the isles shall wait for me1 and the ships of ,tarshish first1 to bring thy sons from far1 their silver and their gold with them4,thy gates shall be open continually2 they shall not be shut day nor night2 that men may bring unto thee the forces of the ,gentiles1 and that their kings may be brought40 ,all that is fairly implied in the language used here is1 that the kings of the ,east would be converted to the true religion1 or that they were1 at the time referred to1 in a state of readiness to be converted1 if there were no hindrance or obstruction4 7b7 ,there was some hindrance or obstruction to their conversion2 that is1 as explained1 from the ,turkish power3 in other words1 they would be converted to the true faith if it were not for the influence of that power4 7c7 ,the destruction of that power1 represented by the drying up of the ,euphrates1 would remove that obstruction1 and the way would thus be 8prepared0 for their conversion to the true religion4 ,we should most naturally1 therefore1 look1 in the fulfilment of this1 for some such decay of the ,turkish power as would be followed by the conversion of the rulers of the ,east to the gospel4 #ac ,and ,i saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of #diethe dragon1 and out of the mouth of #difthe beast1 and out of the mouth of #digthe false prophet4 #ac4 ,and ,i saw three unclean spirits4 ,they assumed a visible form which would well represent their odiousnessthat of frogsbut still they are spoken of as 8spirits40 ,they were evil powers1 or evil influences 7ver4 #ad1 8spirits of devils071 and the language here is undoubtedly designed to represent some such power or influence which would1 at that period1 proceed from the dragon1 the beast1 and the false prophet4 ,like frogs4 ,this word does not occur in the ,new ,testament except in the passage before us4 ,it is properly translated frogs4 ,the frog is here employed clearly as a symbol1 and it is designed that certain qualities of the 8spirits0 here referred to should be designated by the symbol4 ,for a full illustration of the meaning of the symbol1 the reader may consult ,bochart1 ,hieroz4 ,p4 ,,ii4 lib4 v4 cap4 iv4 ,according to ,bochart1 the frog is characterized1 as a symbol1 7#a7 for its rough1 harsh1 coarse voice2 7#b7 on this account1 as a symbol of complaining or reproaching2 7#c7 as a symbol of empty loquacity2 7#d7 as a symbol of heretics and philosophers1 as understood by ,augustine2 7#e7 because the frog has its origin in #cgb mud1 and lives in mud1 as a symbol of those who are born in sin1 and live in pollution2 7#f7 because the frog endures all changes of the seasoncold and heat1 summer1 winter1 rain1 frostas a symbol of monks who practise self-denial2 7#g7 because the frog1 though abstemious of food1 yet lives in water and drinks often1 as a symbol of drunkards2 7#h7 as a symbol of impudence2 7#i7 because the frog swells his size1 and distends his cheeks1 as a symbol of pride4 ,see the authorities for these uses of the word in ,bochart4 ,how many or few of these ideas enter into the symbol here1 it is not easy to decide4 ,we may suppose1 however1 that the spirits referred to would be characterized by pride1 arrogance1 impudence1 assumption of authority2 perhaps impurity and vileness1 for all these ideas enter into the meaning of the symbol4 ,they are not here1 probably1 symbols of persons1 but of influences or opinions which would be spread abroad1 and which would characterize the age referred to4 ,the reference is to what the 8dragon10 the 8beast10 and the 8false prophet0 would do at that time in opposing the truth1 and in preparing the world for the great and final conflict4 ,out of the mouth of the dragon4 ,one of which seemed to issue from the mouth of the dragon4 ,on the symbolic meaning of the word 8dragon10 see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c4 ,it1 in general1 represents ,satan1 the great enemy of the church2 perhaps here ,satan under the form of heathenism or paganism1 as in ch4 xii4 #c1 #d4 ,the idea then is1 that1 at the time referred to1 there would be some manifestation of the power of ,satan in the heathen nations1 which would be bold1 arrogant1 proud1 loquacious1 hostile to truth1 and which would be well represented by the hoarse murmur of the frog4 ,and out of the mouth of the beast4 ,the ,papacy1 as above explained1 ch4 xiii4 ,that is1 there would be some putting forth of arrogant pretensions2 some loud denunciation or complaining2 some manifestation of pride and self-consequence1 which would be well represented by the croaking of the frog4 ,we have seen above 7,notes on ver4 #e1 #f71 that although the fifth vial was poured upon 8the seat of the beast10 the effect was not to crush and overthrow that power entirely4 ,the ,papacy would still survive1 and would be finally destroyed under the outpouring of the seventh vial1 ver4 #agba4 ,in the passage before us we have a representation of it as still living2 as having apparently recovered its strength2 and as being as hostile as ever to the truth1 and able to enter into a combination1 secret or avowed1 with the 8dragon0 and the 8false prophet10 to oppose the reign of truth upon the earth4 ,and out of the mouth of the false prophet4 ,the word rendered false prophetdoes not before occur in the book of ,revelation1 though the use of the article would seem to imply that some well-known power or influence was referred to by this4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 x4 #c4 ,the word occurs in other places in the ,new ,testament1 ,mat4 vii4 #ae2 xxiv4 #aa1 #bd2 ,mar4 xiii4 #bb2 ,lu4 vi4 #bf2 ,ac4 xiii4 #f2 #b ,pe4 ii4 #a2 #a ,jn4 iv4 #a2 and twice elsewhere in the book of ,revelation1 with the same reference as here1 ch4 xix4 #bj2 xx4 #aj4 ,in both these latter places it is connected with the 8beast30 8,and the beast was taken1 and with him the false prophet20 8,and the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone1 where the beast and the false prophet are40 ,it would seem1 then1 to refer to some power that was similar to that of the beast1 and that was to share the same fate in the overthrow of the enemies of the gospel4 ,as to the application of this1 there is no opinion so probable as that it alludes to the ,mahometan powernot strictly the ,turkish power1 for that was to be 8dried up10 or to diminish2 but to the ,mahometan power as such1 that was still to continue for a while in its vigour1 and that was yet to exert a formidable influence against the gospel1 and probably in some combination1 in fact1 if not in form1 with ,paganism and the ,papacy4 ,the reasons for this opinion are3 7a7 that this was referred to1 in the former part of the book1 as one of the formidable powers that would arise1 and that would materially affect the destiny of the worldand it may be presumed that it would be again referred to in the account of the final consummation1 see ch4 ix4 #aaa2 7b7 the name 8false prophet0 would1 better than any other1 describe that power1 and would naturally suggest it in future timesfor to no one that has ever appeared in our world could the name be so properly applied as to ,mahomet2 and 7c7 what is said will be found to agree with the facts in regard to that power1 as1 in connection with the ,papacy and with ,paganism1 constituting the sum of the #cgc obstruction to the spread of the gospel around the world4 #ad ,for they are the #dihspirits of devils1 #diiworking miracles1 which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of #ejjthe whole world1 to gather them to the #eja;battle of that great day of ,god ,almighty4 #ad4 ,for they are the spirits of devils4 ,on the meaning of the word used here1 see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #bj4 ,it is used here1 as it is in ch4 ix4 #bj1 in a bad sense1 as denoting evil spirits4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #a1 #b1 #bd4 ,working miracles4 ,working what seemed to be miracles2 that is1 such wonders as to deceive the world with the belief that they were miracles4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ac1 #ad1 where the same power is ascribed to the 8beast40 ,which go forth unto the kings of the earth4 ,which particularly affect and influence kings and rulers4 ,no class of men have been more under the influence of ,pagan superstition1 ,mahometan delusion1 or the ,papacy1 than kings and princes4 ,we are taught by this passage that this will continue to be so in the circumstances referred to4 ,and of the whole world4 ,that is1 so far that it might be represented as affecting the whole worldto wit1 the heathen1 the ,mahometan1 and the ,papal portions of the earth4 ,these still embrace so large a portion of the globe1 that it might be said1 that what would affect those powers now would influence the whole world4 ,to gather them4 ,not literally to assemble them all in one place1 but so to unite and combine them that it might be represented as an assembling of the hosts for battle4 ,to the battle of that great day of ,god ,almighty4 ,not the day of judgment1 but the day which would determine the ascendency of true religion in the worldthe final conflict with those powers which had so long opposed the gospel4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that there would be a literal 8battle10 in which ,god would be seen to contend with his foes2 but there would be that which might be properly represented as a battle4 ,that is1 there would be a combined struggle against the truth1 and in that ,god would appear by his providence and ,spirit on the side of the church1 and would give it the victory4 ,it accords with all that has occurred in the past1 to suppose that there will be such a combined struggle before the church shall finally triumph in the world4 #ae ,behold1 #ejb;,i come as a thief4 ,blessed is he that watcheth1 and keepeth his garments1 lest he walk #ejcnaked1 and they see his shame4 #ae4 ,behold1 ,i come as a thief4 ,that is1 suddenly and unexpectedly4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxiv4 #dc2 #a ,th4 v4 #b4 ,this is designed evidently to admonish men to watch1 or to be in readiness for his coming1 since1 whenever it would occur1 it would be at a time when men were not expecting him4 ,blessed is he that watcheth4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xxiv4 #dbdd4 ,the meaning here is1 that he who watches for these events1 who marks the indications of their approach1 and who is conscious of a preparation for them1 is in a better and happier state of mind than he on whom they come suddenly and unexpectedly4 ,and keepeth his garments4 ,the allusion here seems to be to one who1 regardless of danger1 or of the approach of an enemy1 should lay aside his garments and lie down to sleep4 ,then the thief might come and take away his garments1 leaving him naked4 ,the essential idea1 therefore1 here1 is the duty of vigilance4 ,we are to be awake to duty and to danger2 we are not to be found sleeping at our post2 we are to be ready for deathready for the coming of the ,son of man4 ,lest he walk naked4 ,his raiment being carried away while he is asleep4 ,and they see his shame4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 iii4 #ah4 ,the meaning here is1 that1 as ,christians are clothed with the garments of righteousness1 they should not lay them aside1 so that their spiritual nakedness should be seen4 ,they are to be always clothed with the robes of salvation2 always ready for any event1 however soon or suddenly it may come upon them4 #af ,and he gathered them together into a place called in the ,hebrew tongue ,armageddon4 #af4 ,and he gathered them together4 ,who gathered them8 ,professor ,stuart renders it1 8they gathered them together10 supposing that it refers to the 8spirits0in ver4 #ac1 and that this is the construction of the neuter plural with a singular verb4 ,so ,de ,wette understands it4 ,hengstenberg supposes #cgd that it means that ,god gathered them together2 others suppose that it was the sixth angel2 others that it was ,satan2 others that it was the beast2 and others that it was ,christ4 ,see ,poole's ,synopsis1 in loco4 ,the authority of ,de ,wette and ,professor ,stuart is sufficient to show that the construction which they adopt is authorized by the ,greek1 as indeed no one can doubt1 and perhaps this accords better with the context than any other construction proposed4 ,thus1 in ver4 #ad1 the spirits are represented as going forth into the whole world for the purpose of gathering the nations together to the great battle1 and it is natural to suppose that the reference is to them here as having accomplished what they went forth to do4 ,but who are to be gathered together8 ,evidently those who1 in ver4 #ad1 are described by the word 8them0the 8kings of the earth1 and the whole world20 that is1 there will be a state of things which would be well described by a universal gathering of forces in a central battle-field4 ,it is by no means necessary to suppose that what is here represented will literally occur4 ,there will be a mustering of spiritual forces2 there will be a combination and a unity of opposition against the truth2 there will be a rallying of the declining powers of ,heathenism1 ,mahometanism1 and ,romanism1 as if the forces of the earth1 marshalled by kings and rulers1 were assembled in some great battle-field1 where the destiny of the world was to be decided4 ,into a place called in the ,hebrew tongue ,armageddon4 ,the word ,armageddonoccurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament1 and is not found in the ,septuagint4 ,it seems to be formed from the ,hebrew ,har ,megiddo,mountain of ,megiddo4 ,comp4 #b ,ch4 xxxv4 #bb1 where it is said that ,josiah 8came to fight in the valley of ,megiddo40 ,megiddo was a town belonging to ,manasseh1 although within the limits of ,issachar1 ,jos4 xvii4 #aa4 ,it had been originally one of the royal cities of the ,canaanites 7,jos4 xii4 #ba71 and was one of those of which the ,israelites were unable for a long time to take possession4 ,it was rebuilt and fortified by ,solomon 7#a ,ki4 ix4 #ae71 and thither ,ahaziah king of ,judah fled when wounded by ,jehu1 and died there1 #b ,ki4 ix4 #bg4 ,it was here that ,deborah and ,barak destroyed ,sisera and his host 7,ju4 v4 #ai72 and it was in a battle near this that ,josiah was slain by ,pharaoh-,necho1 #b ,ki4 xxiii4 #bi1 #cj2 #b ,ch4 xxxv4 #bjbe4 ,from the great mourning held for his loss1 it became proverbial to speak of any grievous mourning as being 8like the mourning of ,hadadrimmon in the valley of ,megiddon10 ,zec4 xii4 #aa4 ,it has not been found easy to identify the place1 but recent searches have made it probable that the vale or plain of ,megiddo comprehended1 if it was not wholly composed of1 the prolongation of the plain of ,esdraelon1 towards ,mount ,carmel2 that the city of ,megiddo was situated there2 and that the waters of ,megiddo1 mentioned in ,ju4 v4 #ai1 are identical with the stream ,kishon in that part of its course4 ,see ,biblical ,repository1 vol4 i4 pp4 #fjb1 #fjc4 ,it is supposed that the modern town called ,lejjn occupies the site of the ancient ,megiddo 7,robinson's ,biblical ,researches1 vol4 iii4 pp4 #aggahj74 ,megiddo was distinguished for being the place of the decisive conflict between ,deborah and ,sisera1 and of the battle in which ,josiah was slain by the ,egyptian invaders2 and hence it became emblematic of any decisive battle-fieldjust as ,marathon1 ,leuctra1 ,arbela1 or ,waterloo is4 ,the word 8mountain10 in the term ,armageddon8,mountain of ,megiddo0seems to have been used because ,megiddo was in a mountainous region1 though the battles were fought in a valley adjacent4 ,the meaning here is1 that there would be1 as it were1 a decisive battle which would determine the question of the prevalence of true religion on the earth4 ,what we are to expect as the fulfilment of this would seem to be1 that there will be some mustering of strengthsome rallying of forcessome opposition made to the kingdom of ,god in the gospel1 by the powers here referred to1 which would be decisive in its character1 and which would be well represented by the battles between the people of ,god and their foes in the conflicts in the valley of ,megiddo4 ,as this constitutes1 according to the course of the exposition by which we have been conducted1 an important division in the book of ,revelation1 it may be proper to pause here and make a few remarks4 ,the previous parts of the book1 according to the interpretation proposed1 relate to the past1 and thus far we have found such a correspondence between the predictions and facts which have occurred as to lead us to suppose that these predictions have #cge been fulfilled4 ,at this point1 ,i suppose1 we enter on that part which remains yet to be fulfilled1 and the investigation must carry us into the dark and unknown future4 ,the remaining portion comprises a very general sketch of things down to the end of time1 as the previous portion has touched on the great events pertaining to the church and its progress for a period of more than one thousand eight hundred years4 ,a few general remarks1 therefore1 seem not inappropriate at this point4 7a7 ,in the previous interpretations1 we have had the facts of history by which to test the accuracy of the interpretation4 ,the plan pursued has been1 first1 to investigate the meaning of the words and symbols1 entirely independent of any supposed application1 and then to inquire whether there have been any facts that may be regarded as corresponding with the meaning of the words and symbols as explained4 ,of this method of testing the accuracy of the exposition1 we must now take our leave4 ,our sole reliance must be in the exposition itself1 and our work must be limited to that4 7b7 ,it is always difficult to interpret a prophecy4 ,the language of prophecy is often apparently enigmatical2 the symbols are sometimes obscure2 and prophecies relating to the same subject are often in detached fragments1 uttered by different persons at different times2 and it is necessary to collect and arrange them1 in order to have a full view of the one subject4 ,thus the prophecies respecting the ,messiah were many of them obscure1 and indeed apparently contradictory1 before he came2 they were uttered at distant intervals1 and by different prophets2 at one time one trait of his character was dwelt upon1 and at another another2 and it was difficult to combine these so as to have an accurate view of what he would be1 until he came4 ,the result has shown what the meaning of the prophecies was2 and at the same time has demonstrated that there was entire consistency in the various predictions1 and that to one who could have comprehended all1 it would have been possible to combine them so as to have had a correct view of the ,messiah1 and of his work1 even before he came4 ,the same remark is still more applicable to the predictions in the book of ,revelation1 or to the similar predictions in the book of ,daniel1 and to many portions of ,isaiah4 ,it is easy to see how difficult it would have been1 or rather how impossible by any human powers1 to have applied these prophecies in detail before the events occurred2 and yet1 now that they have occurred1 it may be seen that the symbols were the happiest that could have been chosen1 and the only ones that could with propriety have been selected to describe the remarkable events which were to take place in future times4 7c7 ,the same thing we may presume to be the case in regard to events which are to occur4 ,we may expect to find 7#a7 language and symbols that are1 in themselves1 capable of clear interpretation as to their proper meaning2 7#b7 the events of the future so sketched out by that language1 and by those symbols1 that we may obtain a general view that will be accurate2 and yet 7#c7 an entire impossibility of filling up beforehand the minute details4 ,in regard1 then1 to the application of the particular portion now before us1 ver4 #abaf1 the following remarks may be made3 7#a7 ,the ,turkish power1 especially since its conquest of ,constantinople under ,mahomet ,,ii4 in #adec1 and its establishment in ,europe1 has been a grand hindrance to the spread of the gospel4 ,it has occupied a central position2 it has possessed some of the richest parts of the world2 it has1 in general1 excluded all efforts to spread the pure gospel within its limits2 and its whole influence has been opposed to the spread of pure ,christianity4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #adba4 8,by its laws it was death to a ,mussulman to apostatize from his faith1 and become a ,christian2 and examples1 not a few1 have occurred in recent times to illustrate it40 ,it was not until quite recently1 and that under the influence of missionaries in ,constantinople1 that evangelical ,christianity has been tolerated in the ,turkish dominions4 7#b7 ,the prophecy before us implies that there would be a decline of that formidable powerrepresented by the 8drying up of the great river ,euphrates40 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ab4 ,and no one can be insensible to the fact that events are occurring which would be properly represented by such a symbol2 or that there is1 in fact1 now such a decline of that ,turkish power1 and that the beginning of that decline closely followed1 in regard to time1 if not in regard to the cause1 the events which it is supposed #cgf were designated by the previous vialsthose connected with the successive blows on the ,papacy and the seat of the beast4 ,in reference1 then1 to the decline of that power1 we may refer to the following things37a7 ,the first great cause was internal revolt and insurrection4 ,in #ahbj ,ali ,pasha asserted his independence1 and by his revolt precipitated the ,greek insurrection which had been a long time secretly preparingan insurrection so disastrous to the ,turkish power4 7b7 ,the ,greek insurrection followed4 ,this soon spread to the gean isles1 and to the districts of ,northern ,greece1 ,epirus1 and ,thessaly2 while at the same time the standard of revolt was raised in ,wallachia and ,moldavia4 ,the progress and issue of that insurrection are well known4 ,a ,turcoman army of #cj1jjj that entered the ,morea to reconquer it was destroyed in #ahbc in detail1 and the freedom of the peninsula was nearly completed by the insurgents4 ,by sea the ,greeks emulated their ancestors of ,salamis and ,mycale2 and1 attended with almost uniform success1 encountered and vanquished the superior ,turkish and ,egyptian fleets4 ,meanwhile the sympathies of ,western ,christendom were awakened in behalf of their brother ,christians struggling for independence2 and just when the tide of success began to turn1 and the ,morea was again nearly subjected by ,ibrahim ,pasha1 the united fleets of ,england1 ,france1 and ,russia 7in contravention of all their usual principles of policy7 interposed in their favour2 attacked and destroyed the ,turco-,egyptian fleets in the battle of ,navarino 7,september1 #ahbg71 and thus secured the independence of ,greece4 ,nothing had ever occurred that tended so much to weaken the power of the ,turkish empire4 7c7 ,the rebellion of the great ,egyptian pasha1 ,mehemet ,ali1 soon followed4 ,the ,french invasion of ,egypt had prepared him for it1 by having taught him the superiority of ,european discipline1 and thus this event was one of the proper results of those described under the first four vials4 ,mehemet ,ali1 through ,ibrahim1 attacked and conquered ,syria2 defeated the sultan's armies sent against him in the great battles of ,hems1 of ,nezib1 and of ,iconium2 and1 but for the intervention of the ,european powers of ,england1 ,russia1 ,prussia1 and ,austria1 by which he was driven out of ,syria1 and forced back to his proper pashalic1 ,egypt1 he would probably have advanced to ,constantinople and subdued it4 7d7 ,there has been for centuries a gradual weakening of the ,turkish power4 ,it has done nothing to extend its empire by arms4 ,it has been resting in inglorious ease1 and1 in the meantime1 its wealth and its strength have been gradually decreasing4 ,it has lost ,moldavia1 ,wallachia1 ,greece1 ,algiers1 and1 practically1 ,egypt2 and is doing nothing to recruit its wasted and exhausted strength4 ,russia only waits for a favourable opportunity to strike the last blow on that enfeebled power1 and to put an end to it for ever4 7e7 ,the general condition of the ,turkish empire is thus described by the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,walsh1 chaplain to the ,british ambassador to ,constantinople38,the circumstances most striking to a traveller passing through ,turkey is its depopulation4 ,ruins where villages had been built1 and fallows where land had been cultivated1 are frequently seen with no living thing near them4 ,this effect is not so visible in larger towns1 though the cause is known to operate there in a still greater degree4 ,within the last twenty years1 ,constantinople has lost more than half its population4 ,two conflagrations happened while ,i was in ,constantinople1 and destroyed fifteen thousand houses4 ,the ,russian and ,greek wars were a constant drain on the janizaries of the capital2 the silent operation of the plague is continually active1 though not always alarming2 it will be no exaggeration to say that1 within the period mentioned1 from three to four hundred thousand persons have been swept away in one city in ,europe by causes which were not operating in any otherconflagration1 pestilence1 and civil commotion4 ,the ,turks1 though naturally of a robust and vigorous constitution1 addict themselves to such habits as are very unfavourable to populationthe births do little more than exceed the ordinary deaths1 and cannot supply the waste of casualties4 ,the surrounding country is1 therefore1 continually drained to supply this waste in the capital1 which1 nevertheless1 exhibits districts nearly depopulated4 ,we see every day life going out in the fairest portion of ,europe2 and the human race threatened with extinction in a soil and climate capable of supporting the most abundant population0 7,walsh's ,narrative1 pp4 #bbbf1 as quoted in ,bush on the ,millennium1 #bdc1 #bdd74 ,the probability now is1 that this gradual decay #cgg will be continued2 that the ,turkish power will more and more diminish2 that one portion after another will set up for independence2 and that1 by a gradual process of decline1 this power will become practically extinct1 and what is here symbolized by the 8drying up of the great river ,euphrates0 will have been accomplished4 7#c7 ,this obstacle removed1 we may look for a general turning of the princes1 and rulers1 and people of the ,eastern world to ,christianity1 represented 7ver4 #ab7 by its being said that 8the way of the kings of the ,east might be prepared40 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,it is clear that nothing would be more likely to contribute to this1 or to prepare the way for it1 than the removal of that ,turcoman dominion which for more than four hundred years has been an effectual barrier to the diffusion of the gospel in the lands where it has prevailed4 ,how rapidly1 we may suppose1 the gospel would spread in the ,east1 if all the obstacles thrown in its way by the ,turkish power were at once removed6 7#d7 ,in accordance with the interpretation suggested on ver4 #ac1 #ad1 we may look for something that would be well represented by a combined effort on the part of ,heathenism1 ,mahometanism1 and ,romanism1 to stay the progress and prevent the spread of evangelical religion4 ,that is1 according to the fair interpretation of the passage1 we should look for some simultaneous movement as if their influence was to be about to cease1 and as if it were necessary to arouse all their energies for a last and desperate struggle4 ,it may be added that1 in itself1 nothing would be more probable than this2 but when it will occur1 and what form the aroused enemy will assume1 it would be vain to conjecture4 7#e7 ,and in accordance with the interpretation suggested on ver4 #ae1 we are to suppose that something will occur which would be well represented by the decisive conflicts in the valley of ,megiddo2 that is1 something that will determine the ascendency of true religion in the world1 as if these great powers of ,heathenism1 ,mahometanism1 and ,romanism should stake all their interests on the issue of a single battle4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that this will literally occur1 and there are no certain intimations as to the time when what is represented will happen2 but all that is meant may be1 that events will take place which would be well represented by such a conflict4 ,still1 nothing in the prophecy prevents the supposition that these combined powers may be overthrown in some fierce conflict with ,christian powers4 #ag ,and the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air2 and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven1 from the throne1 saying1 #ejd;,it is done4 #ag4 ,and the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air4 ,this introduces the final catastrophe in regard to the 8beast0his complete and utter overthrow1 accompanied with tremendous judgments4 ,why the vial was poured into the air is not stated4 ,the most probable supposition as to the idea intended to be represented is1 that1 as storms and tempests seem to be engendered in the air1 so this destruction would come from some supernatural cause1 as if the whole atmosphere should be filled with wind and storm2 and a furious and desolating whirlwind should be aroused by some invisible power4 ,and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven4 ,the voice of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xi4 #ai4 ,from the throne4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #b4 ,this shows that it was the voice of ,god1 and not the voice of an angel4 ,saying1 ,it is done4 ,the series of judgments is about to be completed2 the dominion of the beast is about to come to an end for ever4 ,the meaning here is1 that that destruction was so certain1 that it might be spoken of as now actually accomplished4 #ah ,and there were voices1 and thunders1 and lightnings2 and there was a #eje;great earthquake1 #ejfsuch as was not since men were upon the earth1 so mighty an earthquake1 and so great4 #ah4 ,and there were voices1 and thunders1 and lightnings4 ,accompanying the voice that was heard from the throne4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #e2 xi4 #ai4 ,and there was a great earthquake1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #ab2 xi4 #ai4 ,the meaning is1 that a judgment followed as if the world were shaken by an earthquake1 or which would be properly represented by that4 ,so mighty an #cgh earthquake1 and so great4 ,all this is intensive1 and is designed to represent the severity of the judgment that would follow4 #ai ,and the #ejg;great city was divided into three parts1 and the cities of the nations fell3 and great ,babylon came in remembrance before ,god1 to give unto her the #ejh;cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath4 #ai4 ,and the great city was divided into three parts4 ,the city of ,babylon2 or the mighty power that was represented by ,babylon4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,the division here mentioned into three parts was manifestly with reference to its destructioneither that one part was smitten and the others remained for a time1 or that one form of destruction came on one part1 and another on the others4 ,in ch4 xi4 #ac it is said1 speaking of 8the great city spiritually called ,sodom and ,egypt0representing ,rome1 that 8the tenth part of the city fell1 and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand0 7see ,notes on that place72 here it is said that the whole city1 in the calamities that came upon it1 was divided into three portions1 though it is evidently implied that1 in these calamities1 the whole city was sooner or later destroyed4 ,professor ,stuart 7in loco7 supposes that the number three is used here1 as it is throughout the book1 8in a symbolical way10 and that the meaning is1 that 8the city was severed and broken in pieces1 so that the whole was reduced to a ruinous state40 ,he supposes that it refers to ,pagan ,rome1 or to the ,pagan ,roman persecuting power4 ,others refer it to ,jerusalem1 and suppose that the allusion is to the divisions of the city1 in the time of the siege1 into ,jewish1 ,samaritan1 and ,christian parties2 others suppose that it refers to a division of the ,roman empire under ,honorius1 ,attalus1 and ,constantine2 others to the fact1 that when ,jerusalem was besieged by ,titus1 it was divided into three factions2 and others1 that the number three is used to denote perfection1 or the total ruin of the city4 ,all that1 it seems to me1 can be said now on the point is1 7a7 that it refers to ,papal ,rome1 or the ,papal power2 7b7 that it relates to something yet future1 and that it may not be possible to determine with precise accuracy what will occur2 7c7 that it probably means that1 in the time of the final ruin of that power1 there will be a threefold judgmenteither a different judgment in regard to some threefold manifestation of that power1 or a succession of judgments1 as if one part were smitten at a time4 ,the certain and entire ruin of the power is predicted by this1 but still it is not improbable that it will be by such divisions1 or such successions of judgments1 that it is proper to represent the city as divided into three portions4 ,and the cities of the nations fell4 ,in alliance with it1 or under the control of the central power4 ,as the capital fell1 the dependent cities fell also4 ,considered as relating to ,papal ,rome1 the meaning here is1 that what may be properly called 8the cities of the nations0 that were allied with it would share the same fate4 ,the cities of numerous 8nations0 are now1 and have been for ages1 under the control of the ,papal power1 or the spiritual ,babylon2 and the calamity that will smite the central power as suchthat is1 as a spiritual powerwill reach and affect them all4 ,let the central power at ,rome be destroyed2 the ,papacy cease2 the superstition with which ,rome is regarded come to an end2 the power of the priesthood in ,italy be destroyed1 and however widely the ,roman dominion is spread now1 it cannot be kept up4 ,if it falls in ,rome1 there is not influence enough out of ,rome to continue it in beingand in all its extended ramifications it will die as the body dies when the head is severed2 as the power of provinces ceases when ruin comes upon the capital4 ,this the prophecy leads us to suppose will be the final destiny of the ,papal power4 ,and great ,babylon4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,came in remembrance before ,god4 ,that is1 for purposes of punishment4 ,it had been1 as it were1 overlooked4 ,it had been permitted to carry on its purposes1 and to practise its abominations1 unchecked1 as if ,god did not see it4 ,now the time had come when all that it had done was to be remembered1 and when the long-suspended judgment was to fall upon it4 ,to give unto her the cup of the wine1 c4 ,to punish2 to destroy her4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aj4 #bj ,and #eji;every island fled away1 and the mountains were not found4 #cgi #bj4 ,and every island fled away4 ,expressive of great and terrible judgments1 as if the very earth were convulsed1 and everything were moved out of its place4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #ad4 ,and the mountains were not found4 ,the same image occurs in ch4 vi4 #ad4 ,see ,notes on that place4 #ba ,and there fell upon men a great #eaj;hail out of heaven1 every stone about the weight of a talent3 and men blasphemed ,god because of the plague of the hail2 for the plague thereof was exceeding great4 #ba4 ,and there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven4 ,perhaps this is an allusion to one of the plagues of ,egypt1 ,ex4 ix4 #bbbf4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xi4 #ai4 ,for a graphic description 7by ,com4 ,porter7 of the effects of a hail-storm1 see ,notes on ,is4 xxx4 #cj4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job xxxviii4 #bb4 ,every stone about the weight of a talent4 ,the ,attic talent was equal to about #ee lbs4 or #ef lbs4 ,troy weight2 the ,jewish talent to about #aac lbs4 ,troy4 ,whichever weight is adopted1 it is easy to conceive what must be the horror of such a storm1 and what destruction it must cause4 ,we are not1 of course1 to suppose necessarily1 that this would literally occur2 it is a frightful image to denote the terrible and certain destruction that would come upon ,babylonthat is1 upon the ,papal power4 ,and men blasphemed ,god4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #i4 ,because of the plague of the hail4 ,using the word plague in allusion to the plagues of ,egypt4 ,for the plague thereof was exceeding great4 ,the calamity was great and terrible4 ,the design of the whole is to show that the destruction would be complete and awful4 ,this finishes the summary statement of the final destruction of this formidable ,antichristian power4 ,the details and the consequences of that overthrow are more fully stated in the subsequent chapters4 ,the fulfilment of what is here stated will be found1 according to the method of interpretation proposed1 in the ultimate overthrow of the ,papacy4 ,the process described in this chapter is that of successive calamities that would weaken it and prepare it for its fall2 then a rallying of its dying strength2 and then some tremendous judgment that is compared with a storm of hail1 accompanied with lightning1 and thunder1 and an earthquake1 that would completely overthrow all that was connected with it4 ,we are not1 indeed1 to suppose that this will literally occur2 but the fair interpretation of prophecy leads us to suppose that that formidable power will1 at no very distant period1 be overthrown in a manner that would be well represented by such a fearful storm4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter properly commences a more detailed description of the judgment inflicted on the formidable ,antichristian power referred to in the last chapter1 though under a new image4 ,it contains an account of the sequel of the pouring out of the last vial1 and the description1 in various forms1 continues to the close of ch4 xix4 ,the whole of this description 7ch4 xvii4xix47 constitutes the last great catastrophe represented under the seventh vial 7ch4 xvi4 #agba71 at the close of which the great enemy of ,god and the church will be destroyed1 and the church will be triumphant1 ch4 xix4 #agba4 ,the image in this chapter is that of a harlot1 or abandoned woman1 on whom severe judgment is brought for her sins4 ,the action is here delayed1 and this chapter has much the appearance of an explanatory episode1 designed to give a more clear and definite idea of the character of that formidable ,antichristian power on which the judgment was to descend4 ,the chapter1 without any formal division1 embraces the following points3 7#a7 ,introduction1 ver4 #ac4 ,one of the seven angels intrusted with the seven vials comes to ,john1 saying that he would describe to him the judgment that was to come upon the great harlot with whom the kings of the earth had committed fornication1 and who had made the dwellers upon the earth drunk by the wine of her fornicationthat is1 of that ,antichristian power so often referred to in this book1 which by its influence had deluded the nations1 and brought their rulers under its control4 7#b7 ,a particular description of this ,antichristian powerrepresented as an abandoned and attractive female1 in the usual attire of an harlot1 ver4 #cf4 ,she is seated on a scarlet-coloured beast1 covered over with blasphemous namesa beast with seven heads and #chj ten horns4 ,she is arrayed in the usual gorgeous and alluring attire of an harlot1 clothed in purple1 decked with gold1 and precious stones1 and pearls1 with a golden cup in her hand full of abomination and filthiness4 ,she has on her forehead a name expressive of her character4 ,she is represented as drunken with the blood of the saints1 and is such as to attract attention and excite wonder4 7#c7 ,an explanation of what is meant by this scarlet-clothed woman1 and of the design of the representation1 ver4 #gah4 ,this comprises several parts3 7a7 ,a promise of the angel that he would explain this1 ver4 #g4 7b7 ,an enigmatical or symbolical representation of the design of the vision1 ver4 #had4 ,this description consists of an account of the beast on which the woman sat1 ver4 #h2 of the seven heads of the beast1 as representing seven mountains1 ver4 #i2 of the succession of kings or dynasties represented1 ver4 #iaa2 of the ten horns as representing ten kings or kingdoms giving their power and strength to the beast1 ver4 #ab1 #ac2 and of the conflict or warfare of all these confederated or consolidated powers with the ,lamb1 and their discomfiture by him1 ver4 #ad4 7c7 ,a more literal statement of what is meant by this1 ver4 #aeah4 ,the waters on which the harlot sat represent a multitude of people subject to her control1 ver4 #ae4 ,the ten horns1 or the ten kingdoms1 on the beast1 would ultimately hate the harlot1 and destroy her1 as if they should eat her flesh1 and consume her with fire1 ver4 #af4 ,this would be done because ,god would put it into their hearts to fulfil his purposes1 alike in giving their kingdom to the beast1 and then turning against it to destroy it1 ver4 #ag4 ,the woman referred to is at last declared to be the great city which reigned over the kings of the earth1 ver4 #ah4 ,for particularity and definiteness1 this is one of the most remarkable chapters in the book1 and there can be no doubt that it was the design in it to give such an explanation of what was referred to in these visions1 that there could be no mistake in applying the description4 8,all that remains between this and the twentieth chapter10 says ,andrew ,fuller1 8would in modern publications be called notes of illustration4 ,no new subject is introduced1 but mere enlargement on what has already been announced0 7,works1 vi4 #bje74 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,and there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials1 and talked with me1 saying unto me1 ,come hither2 ,i will show unto thee the judgment of the #eaa;great whore that #eabsitteth upon many waters3 #a4 ,and there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xv4 #a1 #g4 ,reference is again made to these angels in the same manner in ch4 xxi4 #i1 where one of them says that he would show to ,john 8the bride1 the ,lamb's wife40 ,no particular one is specified4 ,the general idea seems to be1 that to those seven angels was intrusted the execution of the last things1 or the winding up of affairs introductory to the reign of ,god1 and that the communications respecting those last events were properly made through them4 ,it is clearly quite immaterial by which of these it is done4 ,the expression 8which had the seven vials10 would seem to imply that though they had emptied the vials in the manner stated in the previous chapter1 they still retained them in their hands4 ,and talked with me4 ,spake to me4 ,the word talk would imply a more protracted conversation than occurred here4 ,come hither4 ,gr41 8,here1 hither40 ,this is a word merely calling the attention1 as we should say now1 8,here40 ,it does not imply that ,john was to leave the place where he was4 ,i will show thee4 ,partly by symbols1 and partly by express statements2 for this is the way in which1 in fact1 he showed him4 ,the judgment4 ,the condemnation and calamity that will come upon her4 ,of the great whore4 ,it is not uncommon in the ,scriptures to represent a city under the image of a womana pure and holy city under the image of a virgin or chaste female2 a corrupt1 idolatrous1 and wicked city under the image of an abandoned or lewd woman4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 i4 #ba3 8,how is the faithful city become an harlot60 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 i4 #h4 ,in ver4 #ah of this chapter it is expressly said that 8this woman is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth0that is1 as ,i suppose1 ,papal ,rome2 and the design here is to represent it as resembling an abandoned femalefit representative of an apostate1 #cha corrupt1 unfaithful church4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #ba4 ,that sitteth upon many waters4 ,an image drawn either from ,babylon1 situated on the ,euphrates1 and encompassed by the many artificial rivers which had been made to irrigate the country1 or ,rome1 situated on the ,tiber4 ,in ver4 #ae these waters are said to represent the peoples1 multitudes1 nations1 and tongues over which the government symbolized by the woman ruled4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,waters are often used to symbolize nations4 #b ,with#eac whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication1 and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication4 #b4 ,with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication4 ,spiritual adultery4 ,the meaning is1 that ,papal ,rome1 unfaithful to ,god1 and idolatrous and corrupt1 had seduced the rulers of the earth1 and led them into the same kind of unfaithfulness1 idolatry1 and corruption4 ,comp4 ,jer4 iii4 #h1 #i2 v4 #g2 xiii4 #bg2 xxiii4 #ad2 ,eze4 xvi4 #cb2 xxiii4 #cg2 ,ho4 ii4 #b2 iv4 #b4 ,how true this is in history need not be stated4 ,all the princes and kings of ,europe in the dark ages1 and for many centuries were1 and not a few of them are now1 entirely under the influence of ,papal ,rome4 ,and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication4 ,the alluring cup which1 as an harlot1 she had extended to them4 ,see this image explained in the ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,there it is said that ,babylonreferring to the same thinghad 8made them drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication20 that is1 of the cup that led to wrath or punishment4 ,here it is said that the harlot had made them 8drunk with the wine of her fornication20 that is1 they had been1 as it were1 intoxicated by the alluring cup held out to them4 ,what could better describe the influence of ,rome on the people of the world1 in making them1 under these delusions1 incapable of sober judgment1 and in completely fascinating and controlling all their powers8 #c ,so he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness2 and ,i saw a woman sit upon a #eadscarlet-coloured beast1 full of names of blasphemy1 #eae;having seven heads and ten horns4 #c4 ,so he carried me away in the spirit4 ,in vision4 ,he seemed to himself to be thus carried away2 or the scene which he is about to describe was made to pass before him as if he were present4 ,into the wilderness4 ,into a desert4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xii4 #f4 ,why this scene is laid in a wilderness or desert is not mentioned4 ,professor ,stuart supposes that it is because it is 8appropriate to symbolize the future condition of the beast40 ,so ,de ,wette and ,rosenmller4 ,the imagery is changed somewhat from the first appearance of the harlot in ver4 #a4 ,there she is represented as 8sitting upon many waters40 ,now she is represented as 8riding on a beast10 and of course the imagery is adapted to that4 ,possibly there may have been no intentional significancy in this2 but on the supposition1 as the interpretation has led us to believe all along1 that this refers to ,papal ,rome1 may not the propriety of this be seen in the condition of ,rome and the adjacent country1 at the rise of the ,papal power8 ,that had its rise 7see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #be1 seq47 after the decline of the ,roman civil power1 and properly in the time of ,clovis1 ,pepin1 or ,charlemagne4 ,perhaps its first visible appearance1 as a power that was to influence the destiny of the world1 was in the time of ,gregory the ,great1 ,a4,d4 #eijfje4 ,on the supposition that the passage before us refers to the period when the ,papal power became thus marked and defined1 the state of ,rome at this time1 as described by ,mr4 ,gibbon1 would show with what propriety the term wilderness or desert might be then applied to it4 ,the following extract from this author1 in describing the state of ,rome at the accession of ,gregory the ,great1 has almost the appearance of being a designed commentary on this passage1 or is1 at anyrate1 such as a partial interpreter of this book would desire and expect to find4 ,speaking of that period1 he says 7,decline and ,fall1 iii4 #bjgbaa738,rome had reached1 about the close of the sixth century1 the lowest period of her depression4 ,by the removal of the seat of empire1 and the successive loss of the provinces1 the sources of public and private opulence were exhausted2 #chb the lofty tree under whose shade the nations of the earth had reposed was deprived of its leaves and branches1 and the sapless trunk was left to wither on the ground4 ,the ministers of command and the messengers of victory no longer met on the ,appian or ,flaminian ,way2 and the hostile approach of the ,lombards was often felt and continually feared4 ,the inhabitants of a potent and peaceful capital1 who visit without an anxious thought the garden of the adjacent country1 will faintly picture in their fancy the distress of the ,romans2 they shut or opened their gates with a trembling hand1 beheld from the walls the flames of their houses1 and heard the lamentations of their brethren who were coupled together like dogs1 and dragged away into distant slavery beyond the sea and the mountains4 ,such incessant alarms must annihilate the pleasures1 and interrupt the labours of a rural life2 and the ,campagna of ,rome was speedily reduced to the state of a dreary ,,wilderness1 in which the land is barren1 the waters are impure1 and the air is infectious4 ,curiosity and ambition no longer attracted the nations to the capital of the world2 but if chance or necessity directed the steps of a wandering stranger1 he contemplated with horror the vacancy and solitude of the city2 and might be tempted to ask1 ,where is the ,senate1 and where are the people8 ,in a season of excessive rains1 the ,tiber swelled above its banks1 and rushed with irresistible violence into the valleys of the seven hills4 ,a pestilential disease arose from the stagnation of the deluge1 and so rapid was the contagion that fourscore persons expired in an hour in the midst of a solemn procession which implored the mercy of ,heaven4 ,a society in which marriage is encouraged1 and industry prevails1 soon repairs the accidental losses of pestilence and war2 but as the far greater part of the ,romans was condemned to hopeless indigence and celibacy1 the depopulation was constant and visible1 and the gloomy enthusiasts might expect the approaching failure of the human race4 ,yet the number of citizens still exceeded the measure of subsistence2 their precarious food was supplied from the harvests of ,sicily or ,egypt2 and the frequent repetition of famine betrays the inattention of the emperor to a distant province4 ,the edifices of ,rome were exposed to the same ruin and decay2 the mouldering fabrics were easily overthrown by inundations1 tempests1 and earthquakes2 and the monks who had occupied the most advantageous stations exulted in their base triumph over the ruins of antiquity4 8,like ,thebes1 or ,babylon1 or ,carthage1 the name of ,rome might have been erased from the earth1 if the city had not been animated by a vital principle which again restored her to honour and dominion4 ,the power as well as the virtue of the apostles resided with living energy in the breast of their successors2 and the chair of ,st4 ,peter1 under the reign of ,maurice1 was occupied by the first and greatest of the name of ,gregory4 ,the sword of the enemy was suspended over ,rome2 it was averted by the mild eloquence and seasonable gifts of the pontiff1 who commanded the respect of heretics and barbarians40 ,comp4 ,rev4 xiii4 #c1 #abae4 ,on the supposition1 now1 that the inspired author of the ,apocalypse had ,rome1 in that state when the civil power declined and the ,papacy arose1 in his eye1 what more expressive imagery could he have used to denote it than he has employed8 ,on the suppositionif such a supposition could be madethat ,mr4 ,gibbon meant to furnish a commentary on this passage1 what more appropriate language could he have used8 ,does not this language look as if the author of the ,apocalypse and the author of the ,decline and ,fall meant to play into each other's hands8 ,and1 in further confirmation of this1 ,i may refer to the testimony of two ,roman ,catholic writers1 giving the same view of ,rome1 and showing that1 in their apprehension also1 it was only by the reviving influence of the ,papacy that ,rome was saved from becoming a total waste4 ,they are both of the middle ages4 ,the first is ,augustine ,steuchus1 who thus writes38,the empire having been overthrown1 unless ,god had raised up the pontificate1 ,rome1 resuscitated and restored by none1 would have become uninhabitable1 and been a most foul habitation thenceforward of cattle4 ,but in the pontificate it revived as with a second birth2 its empire in magnitude not indeed equal to the old empire1 but its form not very dissimilar3 because all nations1 from ,east and from ,west1 venerate the pope1 not otherwise than they before obeyed the emperor40 ,the other is ,flavio ,blondas38,the princes of the world now adore and worship as #chc perpetual dictator the successor not of ,csar but of the fisherman ,peter2 that is1 the supreme pontiff1 the substitute of the aforesaid emperor40 ,see the original in ,elliott1 iii4 #aac4 ,and ,i saw a woman4 ,evidently the same which is referred to in ver4 #a4 ,sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast4 ,that is1 either the beast was itself naturally of this colour1 or it was covered with trappings of this colour4 ,the word scarlet properly denotes a bright red colourbrighter than crimson1 which is a red colour tinged with blue4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 i4 #ah4 ,the word here usedoccurs in the ,new ,testament only in the following places3,mat4 xxvii4 #bh2 ,he4 ix4 #ai2 ,re4 xvii4 #c1 #d2 xviii4 #ab1 #af;in all which places it is rendered scarlet4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxvii4 #bh and ,he4 ix4 #ai4 ,the colour was obtained from a small insect which was found adhering to the shoots of a species of oak in ,spain and ,western ,asia4 ,this was the usual colour in the robes of princes1 military cloaks1 c4 ,it is applicable in the description of ,papal ,rome1 because this is a favourite colour there4 ,thus it is used in ch4 xii4 #c1 where the same power is represented under the image of a 8red dragon40 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,it is remarkable that nothing would better represent the favourite colour at ,rome than this1 or the actual appearance of the pope1 the cardinals1 and the priests in their robes1 on some great festival occasion4 ,those who are familiar with the descriptions given of ,papal ,rome by travellers1 and those who have passed much time in ,rome1 will see at once the propriety of this description1 on the supposition that it was intended to refer to the ,papacy4 ,i caused this inquiry to be made of an intelligent gentleman who had passed much time in ,romewithout his knowing my designwhat would strike a stranger on visiting ,rome1 or what would be likely particularly to arrest his attention as remarkable there2 and he unhesitatingly replied1 8,the scarlet colour40 ,this is the colour of the dress of the cardinalstheir hats1 and cloaks1 and stockings being always of this colour4 ,it is the colour of the carriages of the cardinals1 the entire body of the carriage being scarlet1 and the trappings of the horses the same4 ,on occasion of public festivals and processions1 scarlet is suspended from the windows of the houses along which processions pass4 ,the inner colour of the cloak of the pope is scarlet2 his carriage is scarlet2 the carpet on which he treads is scarlet4 ,a large part of the dress of the body-guard of the pope is scarlet2 and no one can take up a picture of ,rome without seeing that this colour is predominant4 ,i looked through a volume of engravings representing the principal officers and public persons of ,rome4 ,there were few in which the scarlet colour was not found as constituting some part of their apparel2 in not a few the scarlet colour prevailed almost entirely4 ,and in illustration of the same thought1 ,i introduce here an extract from a foreign newspaper1 copied into an ,american newspaper of ,feb4 #bb1 #ahea1 as an illustration of the fact that the scarlet colour is characteristic of ,rome1 and of the readiness with which it is referred to in that respect38,curious ,costumes4,the three new cardinals1 the archbishops of ,thoulouse1 ,rheims1 and ,besanon1 were presented to the president of the ,french ,republic by the ,pope's nuncio4 ,they wore red caps1 red stockings1 black ,roman coats lined and bound with red1 and small cloaks40 ,i conclude1 therefore1 that if it be admitted that it was intended to represent ,papal ,rome in the vision1 the precise description would have been adopted which is found here4 ,full of names of blasphemy4 ,all covered over with blasphemous titles and names4 ,what could more accurately describe ,papal ,rome than this8 ,comp4 for some of these names and titles the ,notes on #b ,th4 ii4 #d2 #a ,ti4 iv4 #ad2 and ,notes on ,re4 xiii4 #a1 #e4 ,having seven heads and ten horns4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #a4 #d ,and the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour1 and decked#eaf with gold and precious stones and pearls1 #eag;having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations of filthiness of her fornication3 #d4 ,and the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour4 ,on the nature of the scarlet colour1 see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,the purple colourwas obtained from a species of shell-fish found on the coasts of the ,mediterranean1 which yielded a reddish-purple dye1 much prized by the ancients4 ,robes dyed in that colour were commonly #chd worn by persons of rank and wealth1 ,mar4 xv4 #ag1 #bj2 ,lu4 xvi4 #ai4 ,the purple colour contains more blue than the crimson1 though the limits are not very accurately defined1 and the words are sometimes interchanged4 ,thus the mock robe put on the ,saviour is called in ,mar4 xv4 #ag1 #bj1 purple1 and in ,mat4 xxvii4 #bh1 crimson4 ,on the applicability of this to the ,papacy1 see ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,and decked with gold4 ,after the manner of an harlot1 with rich jewelry4 ,and precious stones4 ,sparkling diamonds1 c4 ,and pearls4 ,also a much-valued female ornament4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 vii4 #f2 xiii4 #df4 ,having a golden cup in her hand4 ,as if to entice lovers4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,full of abominations4 ,of abominable things2 of things fitted to excite abhorrence and disgust2 things unlawful and forbidden4 ,the word1 in the ,scriptures1 is commonly used to denote the impurities and abominations of idolatry4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 ix4 #bg4 ,the meaning here is1 that it seemed to be a cup filled with wine1 but it was in fact a cup full of all abominable drugs1 leading to all kinds of corruption4 ,how much in accordance this is with the fascinations of the ,papacy1 it is not necessary now to say1 after the ample illustrations of the same thing already furnished in these ,notes4 ,and filthiness of her fornication4 ,the image here is that of ,papal ,rome1 represented as an abandoned woman in gorgeous attire1 alluring by her arts the nations of the earth1 and seducing them into all kinds of pollution and abomination4 ,it is a most remarkable fact that the ,papacy1 as if designing to furnish a fulfilment of this prophecy1 has chosen to represent itself almost precisely in this manneras a female extending an alluring cup to passers byas will be seen by the engraving on this page4 ,far as the design of striking this medal may have been from confirming this portion of the book of ,revelation1 yet no one can fail to see that if this had been the design1 no more happy illustration could have been adopted4 ,apostate churches1 and guilty nations1 often furnish the very proofs necessary to confirm the truth of the ,scriptures4 ,illustration3 ,medal of ,pope ,leo ,,xii4 #e ,and upon her forehead was a name written1 #eah,,mystery1 ,,babylon ,,the ,,great1 ,,the ,,mother ,,of #eai;,,harlots ,,and ,,abominations ,,of ,,the ,,earth4 #e4 ,and upon her forehead4 ,in a circlet around her forehead4 ,that is1 it was made prominent and public1 as if written on the forehead in blazing capitals4 ,in ch4 xiii4 #a it is said that 8the name of blasphemy0 was written on the 8heads0 of the beast4 ,the meaning in both places is substantially the same1 that it was prominent and unmistakable4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,comp4 ,note on ch4 xiv4 #a4 ,was a name written4 ,a title1 or something that would properly indicate her character4 ,mystery4 ,it is proper to remark that there is nothing in the original as written by ,john1 so far as now known1 that corresponded with what is implied in placing this inscription in capital letters2 and the same remark may be made of the 8title0 or inscription that was placed over the head of the ,saviour on the cross1 ,mat4 xxvii4 #cg2 ,mar4 xv4 #bf2 ,lu4 xxiii4 #ch2 ,jn4 xix4 #ai4 ,our translators have adopted this form1 apparently for the sole purpose of denoting that it was an inscription or title4 ,on the meaning of the word mystery1 see ,notes on #a ,co4 ii4 #g4 ,comp4 ,notes on #che #a ,ti4 iii4 #af4 ,here it seems to be used to denote that there was something hidden1 obscure1 or enigmatical1 under the title adopted2 that is1 the word ,babylon1 and the word mother1 were symbolical4 ,our translators have printed and pointed the word mystery as if it were part of the inscription4 ,it would probably be better to regard it as referring to the inscription1 thus3 8a name was writtena mysterious name1 to wit1 ,babylon10 c4 ,or1 8a name was written mysteriously40 ,according to this1 it would mean1 not that there was any wonderful 8mystery0 about the thing itself1 whatever might be true on that point1 but that the name was enigmatical or symbolical2 or that there was something hidden or concealed under the name4 ,it was not to be literally understood4 ,babylon the great4 ,papal ,rome1 the nominal head of the ,christian world1 as ,babylon had been of the heathen world4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,the mother of harlots4 7a7 ,of that spiritual apostasy from ,god which1 in the language of the prophets1 might be called adultery4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 7b7 ,the promoter of lewdness by her institutions4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #ba4 ,in both these senses1 there never was a more expressive or appropriate title than the one here employed4 ,and abominations of the earth4 ,abominable things that prevail on the earth1 ver4 #d4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba4 #f ,and ,i saw the woman #ebj;drunken with the blood of the saints1 and with the blood of the martyrs of ,jesus3 and when ,i saw her ,i wondered with great admiration4 #f4 ,and ,i saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints4 ,a reeling1 intoxicated harlot1 for that is the image which is kept up all along4 ,in regard to the phrase 8drunken with blood10 comp4 ,je4 xlvi4 #aj4 8,the phraseology is derived from the barbarous custom 7still extant among many ,pagan nations7 of drinking the blood of the enemies slain in the way of revenge4 ,the effect of drinking blood is said to be to exasperate1 and to intoxicate with passion and a desire of revenge0 7,prof4 ,stuart1 in loco74 ,the meaning here is1 that the persecuting power referred to had shed the blood of the saints2 and that1 in its fury1 it had1 as it were1 drunk the blood of the slain1 and had become1 by drinking that blood1 intoxicated and infuriated4 ,no one need say how applicable this has been to the ,papacy4 ,compare1 however1 the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #ba1 #be2 ,re4 xii4 #ac1 #ad2 xiii4 #ae4 ,and with the blood of the martyrs of ,jesus4 ,especially with their blood4 ,the meaning is1 that the warfare1 in which so much blood was shed1 was directed against the saints as such1 and that1 in fact1 it terminated particularly on those who1 amidst cruel sufferings1 were faithful witnesses for the ,lord ,jesus1 and deserved to be called1 by way of eminence1 martyrs4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ii4 #ac2 vi4 #i2 xi4 #e1 #g4 ,how applicable this is to the ,papacy1 let the blood shed in the valleys of ,piedmont2 the blood shed in the ,low ,countries by the ,duke of ,alva2 the blood shed on ,st4 ,bartholomew's day2 and the blood shed in the ,inquisition1 testify4 ,and when ,i saw her1 ,i wondered with great admiration4 ,i was astonished at her appearance1 at her apparel1 and at the things which were so significantly symbolized by her4 #g ,and the angel said unto me1 ,wherefore didst thou marvel8 ,i will tell thee the mystery of #ebathe woman1 and of #ebbthe beast that carrieth her1 which hath the seven heads and ten horns4 #g4 ,and the angel said unto me1 ,wherefore didst thou marvel8 ,he was doubtless struck with the appearance of ,john as he stood fixed in astonishment4 ,the question asked him1 why he wondered1 was designed to show him that the cause of his surprise would be removed or lessened1 for that he would proceed so to explain this that he might have a correct view of its design4 ,i will tell thee the mystery of the woman4 ,on the word mystery1 see ,notes on ver4 #e4 ,the sense is1 8,i will explain what is meant by the symbolthe hidden meaning that is couched under it40 ,that is1 he would so far explain it that a just view might be obtained of its signification4 ,the explanation follows1 ver4 #hah4 ,and of the beast that carrieth her1 c4 ,ver4 #c4 #h ,the beast that thou sawest was1 and is not2 and shall #ebc;ascend out of the bottomless pit1 and #ebd;go into perdition1 and they that dwell on the earth shall #ebewonder1 whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world1 when they behold the beast that was1 and is not1 and yet is4 #h4 ,the beast that thou sawest was1 and is not4 ,in the close of the verse it is added1 8and yet is08the beast that was1 and is not1 and yet is40 ,there are #chf three things affirmed here3 first1 that there is a sense in which it might be said of the power here referred to1 that it 8was10 or that1 before this1 it had an existence2 second1 that there was a sense in which it might be said that it is 8not10 that is1 that it had become practically extinct2 and third1 that there is a sense in which that power would be so revived that it might be said that it 8still is40 ,the 8beast0 here referred to is the same that is mentioned in ver4 #c of this chapter1 and in ch4 xiii4 #a1 #c1 #aaaf4 ,that is1 there was one great formidable power1 having essentially the same origin1 though manifested under somewhat different modifications1 to one and all of which might1 in their different manifestations1 be given the same name1 8the beast40 ,and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit 4 ,on the meaning of the word here used1 see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #a4 ,the meaning here is1 that this power would seem to come up from the nether world4 ,it would appear at one time to be extinct1 but would revive again as if coming from the world over which ,satan presides1 and would1 in its revived character1 be such as might be expected from such an origin4 ,and go into perdition4 ,that is1 its end will be destruction4 ,it will not be permanent1 but will be overthrown and destroyed4 ,the word perdition here is properly rendered by ,prof4 ,stuart destruction1 but nothing is indicated by the word of the nature of the destruction that would come upon it4 ,and they that dwell on the earth4 ,the inhabitants of the earth generally2 that is1 the matter referred to will be so remarkable as to attract general attention4 ,shall wonder4 ,it will be so contrary to the regular course of events1 so difficult of explanation1 so remarkable in itself1 as to excite attention and surprise4 ,whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world4 ,see this explained in the ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #h4 ,the idea seems to be1 that those whose names are written in the book of life1 or who are truly the friends of ,god1 would not be drawn off in admiration of the beast1 or in rendering homage to it4 ,when they behold the beast that was1 and is not1 and yet is4 ,that is1 the power that once was mighty2 that had declined to such a state that it became1 as it were1 extinct2 and that was revived again with so much of its original strength1 that it might be said that it still exists4 ,the fact of its being revived in this manner1 as well as the nature of the power itself1 seemed fitted to excite this admiration4 #i ,and here is the mind which hath wisdom4 ,the #ebfseven heads are seven mountains1 on which the woman sitteth4 #i4 ,and here is the mind which hath wisdom4 ,here is that which requires wisdom to interpret it2 or1 here is a case in which the mind that shows itself able to explain it will evince true sagacity4 ,so in ch4 xiii4 #ah4 ,see ,notes on that place4 ,prof4 ,stuart renders this1 8,here is a meaning which compriseth wisdom40 ,it is undoubtedly implied that the symbol might be understoodwhether in the time of ,john1 or afterwards1 he does not say2 but it was a matter which could not be determined by ordinary minds1 or without an earnest application of the understanding4 ,the seven heads are seven mountains4 ,referring1 undoubtedly1 to ,romethe seven-hilled city,septicollis ,roma4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c1 7d74 ,on which the woman sitteth4 ,the city represented as a woman1 in accordance with a common usage in the ,scriptures4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 i4 #h4 #aj ,and there are seven kings3 five are fallen1 and one is1 and the other is not yet come2 and when he cometh1 he must continue a short space4 #aj4 ,and there are seven kings4 ,that is1 seven in all1 as they are enumerated in this verse and the next4 ,an eighth is mentioned in ver4 #aa1 but it is1 at the same time1 said that this one so pertains to the seven1 or is so properly in one sense of the number seven1 though1 in another sense1 to be regarded as an eighth1 that it may be properly reckoned as the seventh4 ,the word kingsmay be understood1 so far as the meaning of the word is concerned1 7a7 literally1 as denoting a king1 or one who exercises royal authority2 7b7 in a more general sense1 as denoting one of distinguished honoura viceroy1 prince1 leader1 chief1 ,mat4 ii4 #a1 #c1 #i2 ,lu4 i4 #e2 ,ac4 xii4 #a2 7c7 in a still larger sense1 #chg as denoting a dynasty1 a form of government1 a mode of administration1 as that which1 in fact1 rules4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bd1 where the word king undoubtedly denotes a dynasty1 or form of rule4 ,the notion of ruling1 or of authority1 is undoubtedly in the word1 for the verb means to rule1 but the word may be applied to anything in which sovereignty resides4 ,thus it is applied to a king's son1 to a military commander1 to the gods1 to a ,greek archon1 c4 ,see ,passow4 ,it would be contrary to the whole spirit of this passage1 and to what is demanded by the proper meaning of the word1 to insist that the word should denote literally kings1 and that it could not be applied to emperors1 or to dictators1 or to dynasties4 ,five are fallen4 ,have passed away as if fallen2 that is1 they have disappeared4 ,the language would be applicable to rulers who have died1 or who had been dethroned2 or to dynasties or forms of government that had ceased to be4 ,in the fulfilment of this1 it would be necessary to find five such successive kings or rulers who had died1 and who appertained to one sovereignty or nation2 or five such dynasties or forms of administrations that had successively existed1 but which had ceased4 ,and one is4 ,that is1 there is onea sixththat now reigns4 ,the proper interpretation of this would be1 that this existed in the time of the writer2 that is1 according to the view taken of the time of the writing of the ,apocalypse 7see ,intro41 #b71 at the close of the first century4 ,and the other is not yet come4 ,the sixth one is to be succeeded by another in the same line1 or occupying the same dominion4 ,and when he cometh4 ,when that form of dominion is set up4 ,no intimation is yet given as to the time when this would occur4 ,he must continue a short space4 ,a short time2 his dominion will be of short duration4 ,it is observable that this characteristic is stated as applicable only to this one of the seven2 and the fair meaning would seem to be1 that the time would be short as compared with the six that preceded1 and as compared with the one that followedthe eighthinto which it was to be merged1 ver4 #aa4 #aa ,and the beast that was1 and is not1 even he is the eighth1 and is of the seven1 and goeth into perdition4 #aa4 ,and the beast that was1 and is not4 ,that is1 the one power that was formerly mighty2 that died away so that it might be said to be extinct2 and yet 7ver4 #h7 that 8still is10 or has a prolonged existence4 ,it is evident that1 by the 8beast0 here1 there is some one power1 dominion1 empire1 or rule1 whose essential identity is preserved through all these changes1 and to which it is proper to give the same name4 ,it finds its termination1 or its last form1 in what is here called the 8eighth20 a power which1 it is observed1 sustains such a peculiar relation to the seven1 that it may be said to be 8of the seven10 or to be a mere prolongation of the same sovereignty4 ,even he is the eighth4 ,the eighth in the succession4 ,this form of sovereignty1 though a mere prolongation of the former government1 so much so as to be1 in fact1 but keeping up the same empire in the world1 appears in such a novelty of form1 that1 in one sense1 it deserves to be called the eighth in order1 and yet is so essentially a mere concentration and continuance of the one power1 that1 in the general reckoning 7ver4 #aj71 it might be regarded as pertaining to the former4 ,there was a sense in which it was proper to speak of it as the eighth power2 and yet1 viewed in its relation to the whole1 it so essentially combined and concentrated all that there was in the seven1 that1 in a general view1 it scarcely merited a separate mention4 ,we should look for the fulfilment of this in some such concentration and embodiment of all that it was1 in the previous forms of sovereignty referred to1 that it perhaps would deserve mention as an eighth power1 but that it was1 nevertheless1 such a more prolongation of the previous forms of the one power1 that it might be said to be 8of the seven20 so that1 in this view1 it would not claim a separate consideration4 ,this seems to be the fair meaning1 though there is much that is enigmatical in the form of the expression4 ,and goeth into perdition4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,in inquiring now into the application of this very difficult passage1 it may be proper to suggest some of the principal opinions which have been held1 and then to endeavour to ascertain the true meaning4 #chh ,i4 ,the principal opinions which have been held may be reduced to the following3 7#a7 ,that the seven kings here refer to the succession of ,roman emperors1 yet with some variation as to the manner of reckoning4 ,prof4 ,stuart begins with ,julius ,csar1 and reckons them in this manner3the 8five that are fallen0 are ,julius ,csar1 ,augustus1 ,tiberius1 ,caligula1 ,claudius4 ,nero1 who1 as he supposes1 was the reigning prince at the time when the book was written1 he regards as the sixth2 ,galba1 who succeeded him1 as the seventh4 ,others1 who adopt this literal method of explaining it1 suppose that the time begins with ,augustus1 and then ,galba would be the sixth1 and ,otho1 who reigned but three months1 would be the seventh4 ,the expression1 8the beast that was1 and is not1 who is the eighth10 ,prof4 ,stuart regards as referring to a general impression among the heathen and among ,christians1 in the time of the persecution under ,nero1 that he would again appear after it was reported that he was dead1 or that he would rise from the dead and carry on his persecution again4 ,see ,prof4 ,stuart1 ,com4 vol4 ii41 ,excur4 iii4 ,the beast1 according to this view1 denotes the ,roman emperors1 specifically ,nero1 and the reference in ver4 #h is to 8the well-known hariolation respecting ,nero1 that he would be assassinated1 and would disappear for a while1 and then make his appearance again to the confusion of all his enemies40 8,what the angel10 says he1 8says1 seems to be equivalent to this#8,the beast means the ,roman emperors1 specifically ,nero1 of whom the report spread throughout the empire that he will revive1 after being apparently slain1 and will come1 as it were1 from the abyss or ,hades1 but he will perish1 and that speedily1'0 vol4 ii4 p4 #cbc4 7#b7 ,that the word 8kings0 is not to be taken literally1 but that it refers to forms of government1 dynasties1 or modes of administration4 ,the general opinion among those who hold this view is1 that the first six refer to the forms of the ,roman government7#a7 kings2 7#b7 consuls2 7#c7 dictators2 7#d7 decemvirs2 7#e7 military tribunes2 7#f7 the imperial form1 beginning with ,augustus4 ,this has been the common ,protestant interpretation1 and in reference to these six forms of government there has been a general agreement4 ,but1 while the mass of ,protestant interpreters have supposed that the 8six0 heads refer to these forms of administration1 there has been much diversity of opinion as to the seventh2 and here1 on this plan of interpretation1 the main1 if not the sole difficulty lies4 ,among the opinions held are the following3 7a7 ,that of ,mr4 ,mede4 ,he makes the seventh head what he calls the 8,demi-,csar10 or the 8,western emperor who reigned after the division of the empire into ,east and ,west1 and which continued1 after the last division1 under ,honorius and ,arcadius1 about sixty yearsa short space0 7,works1 book iii4 ch4 #h2 book v4 ch4 #ab74 7b7 ,that of ,bishop ,newton1 who regards the sixth or imperial 8head0 as continuing uninterruptedly through the line of ,christian as well as ,pagan emperors1 until ,augustulus and the ,heruli2 and the seventh to be the ,dukedom of ,rome1 established soon after under the exarchate of ,ravenna 7,prophecies1 pp4 #ege1 #egf74 7c7 ,that of ,dr4 ,more and ,mr4 ,cunninghame1 who suppose the ,christian emperors1 from ,constantine to ,augustulus1 to constitute the seventh head1 and that this had its termination by the sword of the ,heruli4 7d7 ,that of ,mr4 ,elliott1 who supposes the seventh head or power to refer to a new form of administration introduced by ,diocletian1 changing the administration from the original imperial character to that of an absolute ,asiatic sovereignty4 ,for the important changes introduced by ,diocletian that justify this remark1 see the ,decline and ,fall1 vol4 i4 pp4 #babbag4 ,numerous other solutions may be found in ,poole's ,synopsis1 but these embrace the principal1 and the most plausible that have been proposed4 ,,ii4 ,i proceed1 then1 to state what seems to me to be the true explanation4 ,this must be found in some facts that will accord with the explanation given of the meaning of the passage4 7#a7 ,there can be no doubt that this refers to ,rome1 either ,pagan1 ,christian1 or ,papal4 ,all the circumstances combine in this2 all respectable interpreters agree in this4 ,this would be naturally understood by the symbols used by ,john1 and by the explanations furnished by the angel4 ,see ver4 #ah3 8,and the woman which thou sawest is that great city1 which reigneth over the kings of the earth40 ,every circumstance combines here in leading to the conclusion #chi that ,rome is intended4 ,there was no other power or empire on the earth to which this could be properly applied2 there was everything in the circumstances of the writer to lead us to suppose that this was referred to2 there is an utter impossibility now in applying the description to anything else4 7#b7 ,it was to be a revived power2 not a power in its original form and strength4 ,this is manifest1 because it is said 7ver4 #h7 that the power represented by the beast 8was1 and is not1 and yet is0that is1 it was once a mighty power2 it then declined so that it could be said that 8it is not20 and yet there was so much remaining vitality in it1 or so much revived power1 that it could be said that it 8still is0 4 ,now1 this is strictly applicable to ,rome when the ,papal power arose4 ,the old ,roman might had departed2 the glory and strength evinced in the days of the consuls1 the dictators1 and the emperors1 had disappeared1 and yet there was a lingering vitality1 and a reviving of power under the ,papacy1 which made it proper to say that it still continued1 or that that mighty power was prolonged4 ,the civil power connected with the ,papacy was a revived ,roman powerthe ,roman power prolonged under another formfor it is susceptible of clear demonstration that1 if it had not been for the rise of the ,papal power1 the sovereignty of ,rome1 as such1 would have been wholly extinct4 ,for the proof of this1 see the passages quoted in the ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #c1 #ab1 #ae4 7#c7 ,it was to be a power emanating from the 8abyss10 or that would seem to ascend from the dark world beneath4 ,see ver4 #h4 ,this was true in regard to the ,papacy1 either 7a7 as apparently ascending from the lowest state and the most depressed condition1 as if it came up from below 7see ,notes on ver4 #c1 comp4 ch4 xiii4 #aa72 or 7b7 as1 in fact1 having its origin in the world of darkness1 and being under the control of the prince of that world1 which1 according to all the representations of that formidable ,antichristian power in the ,scriptures1 is true1 and which the whole history of the ,papacy1 and of its influence on religion1 confirms4 7#d7 ,one of the powers referred to sustained the other4 8,the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth10 ver4 #i4 ,that is1 the power represented by the harlot was sustained or supported by the power represented by the seven heads or the seven mountains4 ,literally applied1 this would mean that the ,papacy1 as an ecclesiastical institution1 was sustained by the civil power1 with which it was so closely connected4 ,for the illustration and support of this1 see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #b1 #c1 #ab1 #ae4 ,in the ,notes on those passages it is shown that the support was mutual2 that while the ,papacy1 in fact1 revived the almost extinct ,roman civil power1 and gave it new vitality1 the price of that was1 that it should be1 in its turn1 sustained by that revived ,roman civil power4 ,all history shows that that has been the fact2 that in all its aggressions1 assumptions1 and persecutions1 it has1 in fact1 and professedly1 leaned on the arm of the civil power4 7#e7 ,a more important inquiry1 and a more serious difficulty1 remains in respect to the statements respecting the 8seven kings10 ver4 #aj1 #aa4 ,the statements on this point are1 that the whole number properly was seven2 that of this number five had fallen or passed away2 that one was in existence at the time when the author wrote2 that another one was yet to appear who would continue for a little time2 and that the general power represented by all these would be embodied in the 8beast that was1 and is not10 and that might1 in some respects1 be regarded as an 8eighth40 ,these points may be taken up in their order4 7a7 ,the first inquiry relates to the five that were fallen and the one that was then in existencethe first six4 ,these may be taken together1 for they are manifestly of the same class1 and have the same characteristics1 at least so far as to be distinguished from the 8seventh0 and the 8eighth40 ,the meaning of the word 8kings0 here has been already explained1 ver4 #aj4 ,it denotes ruling power1 or forms of power2 and1 so far as the signification of the word is concerned1 it might be applicable to royalty1 or to any other form of administration4 ,it is not necessary1 then1 to find an exact succession of princes or kings that would correspond with thisfive of whom were dead1 and one of whom was then on the throne1 and all soon to be succeeded by one more1 who would soon die4 ,the true explanation of this seems to be that which refers this to the forms of the ,roman government or administration4 ,these six 8heads10 or forms of #cij administration1 were1 in their order1 ,kings1 ,consuls1 ,dictators1 ,decemvirs1 ,military ,tribunes1 and ,emperors4 ,of these1 five had passed away in the time when ,john wrote the ,apocalypse2 the sixth1 the imperial1 was then in power1 and had been from the time of ,augustus ,csar4 ,the only questions that can be raised are1 whether these forms of administration were so distinct and prominent1 and whether in the times previous to ,john they so embraced the whole ,roman power1 as to justify this interpretationthat is1 whether these forms of administration were so marked in this respect that it may be supposed that ,john would use the language here employed in describing them4 ,as showing the probability that he would use this language1 ,i refer to the following arguments1 viz43 7#a7 ,the authority of ,livy1 lib4 vi4 cap4 #a4 ,speaking of the previous parts of his history1 and of what he had done in writing it1 he says3 8,qu ab condita urbe ,roma ad captam eandem urbem1 ,romani sub regibus primum1 consulibus deinde ac dictatoribus1 decemviris ac tribunis consularibus gessere1 foris bella1 domi seditiones1 quinque libris exposui40 ,that is1 8,in five books ,i have related what was done at ,rome1 pertaining both to foreign wars and domestic strifes1 from the foundation of the city to the time when it was taken1 as it was governed by kings1 by consuls1 by dictators1 by the decemvirs1 and by consular tribunes40 ,here he mentions five forms of administration under which ,rome had been governed in the earlier periods of its history4 ,the imperial power had a later origin1 and did not exist until near the time of ,livy himself4 7#b7 ,the same distribution of power1 or forms of government1 among the ,romans1 is made by ,tacitus1 ,annal4 lib4 i4 cap4 #a3 8,urbem ,romam principio reges habuere4 ,libertatem et consulatum ,l4 ,brutus instituit4 ,dictatur ad tempus sumebantur4 ,neque decemviralis potestas ultr biennium1 neque tribunorum militum consulare jus diu valuit4 ,non ,cinn1 non ,syll longa dominatio3 et ,pompeii ,crassique potentia cito in ,csarem1 ,lepidi atque ,antonii arma in ,augustum cessere2 qui cuncta1 discordiis civilibus fessa1 nomine principis sub imperium accepit40 ,that is1 8,in the beginning1 ,rome was governed by kings4 ,then ,l4 ,brutus gave to her liberty and the consulship4 ,a temporary power was conferred on the dictators4 ,the authority of the decemvirs did not continue beyond the space of two years3 neither was the consular power of the military tribunes of long duration4 ,the rule of ,cinna and ,sylla was brief2 and the power of ,pompey and ,crassus passed into the hands of ,csar2 and the arms of ,lepidus and ,antony were surrendered to ,augustus1 who united all things1 broken by civil discord1 under the name of prince in the imperial government40 ,here ,tacitus distinctly mentions the six forms of administration that had prevailed in ,rome1 the last of which was the imperial4 ,it is true1 also1 that he mentions the brief rule of certain menas ,cinna1 ,sylla1 ,antony1 and ,lepidus2 but these are not forms of administration1 and their temporary authority did not indicate any change in the governmentfor some of these men were dictators1 and none of them1 except ,brutus and ,augustus1 established any permanent form of administration4 7#c7 ,the same thing is apparent in the usual statements of history1 and the books that describe the forms of government at ,rome4 ,in so common a book as ,adam's ,roman ,antiquities1 a description may be found of the forms of ,roman administration that corresponds almost precisely with this4 ,the forms of supreme power in ,rome1 as enumerated there1 are what are called ordinary and extraordinary magistrates4 ,under the former are enumerated kings1 consuls1 prtors1 censors1 qustors1 and tribunes of the people4 ,but of these1 in fact1 the supreme power was vested in two2 for there were1 under this1 but two forms of administrationthat of kings and consuls2 the offices of prtor1 censor1 qustor1 and tribune of the people being merely subordinate to that of the consuls1 and no more a new form of administration than the offices of secretary of the state1 of war1 of the navy1 of the interior1 are now4 ,under the latterthat of extraordinary magistratesare enumerated dictators1 decemvirs1 military tribunes1 and the interrex4 ,but the interrex did not constitute a form of administration1 or a change of government1 any more than1 when the ,president or ,vice-president of the ,united ,states should die1 the performance of the duties of the office of president by the speaker of the senate would indicate a change1 or than the regency of the ,prince of ,wales in the time of ,george ,,iii4 constituted #cia a new form of government4 ,so that1 in fact1 we have enumerated1 as constituting the supreme power at ,rome1 kings1 consuls1 dictators1 decemvirs1 and military tribunesfive in number4 ,the imperial power was the sixth4 7#d7 ,in confirmation of the same thing1 ,i may refer to the authority of ,bellarmine1 a distinguished ,roman ,catholic writer4 ,in his work ,de ,pontiff41 cap4 #b1 he thus enumerates the changes which the ,roman government had experienced1 or the forms of administration that had existed there3 #a4 ,kings2 #b4 ,consuls2 #c4 ,decemvirs2 #d4 ,dictators2 #e4 ,military ,tribunes with consular power2 #f4 ,emperors4 ,see ,poole's ,synop41 in loco4 ,and 7#e7 it may be added1 that this would be understood by the contemporaries of ,john in this sense4 ,these forms of government were so marked that1 in connection with the mention of the 8seven mountains10 designating the city1 there could be no doubt as to what was intended4 ,reference would at once be made to the imperial power as then existing1 and the mind would readily and easily turn back to the five main forms of the supreme administration which had existed before4 7b7 ,the next inquiry is1 what is denoted by the seventh4 ,if the word 8kings0 here refers1 as is supposed 7,notes on ver4 #aj71 to a form of government or administration2 if the 8five0 refer to the forms previous to the imperial1 and the 8sixth0 to the imperial2 and if ,john wrote during the imperial government1 then it follows that this must refer to some form of administration that was to succeed the imperial4 ,if the ,papacy was 8the eighth10 and of the 8seventh10 then it is clear that this must refer to some form of civil administration lying between the decline of the imperial and the rise of the ,papal power3 that 8short space0for it was a short space that intervened4 ,now1 there can be no difficulty1 ,i think1 in referring this to that form of administration over ,romethat 8dukedom0 under the exarchate of ,ravenna1 which succeeded the decline of the imperial power1 and which preceded the rise of the ,papal power2between the year #eff or #efh1 when ,rome was reduced to a dukedom1 under the exarchate of ,ravenna1 and the time when the city revolted from this authority and became subject to that of the pope1 about the year #gbg4 ,this period continued1 according to ,mr4 ,gibbon1 about two hundred years4 ,he says1 8,during a period of two hundred years1 ,italy was unequally divided between the kingdom of the ,lombards and the exarchate of ,ravenna4 ,the offices and professions1 which the jealousy of ,constantine had separated1 were united by the indulgence of ,justinian2 and eighteen successive exarchs were invested1 in the decline of the empire1 with the full remains of civil1 of military1 and even of ecclesiastical power4 ,their immediate jurisdiction1 which was afterwards consecrated as the patrimony of ,st4 ,peter1 extended over the modern ,romagna1 the marshes or valleys of ,ferrara and ,commachio1 five maritime cities from ,rimini to ,ancona1 and a second inland ,pentapolis1 between the ,adriatic coast and the hills of the ,apennine4 ,the duchy of ,rome appears to have included the ,tuscan1 ,sabine1 and ,latian conquests1 of the first four hundred years of the city2 and the limits may be distinctly traced along the coast1 from ,civita ,vecchia to ,terracina1 and with the course of the ,tiber from ,ameria and ,narni to the port of ,ostia0 7,dec4 and ,fall1 iii4 #bjb74 ,how accurate is this if it be regarded as a statement of a new power or form of administration that succeeded the imperiala power that was1 in fact1 a prolongation of the old ,roman authority1 and that was designed to constitute and embody it all6 ,could ,mr4 ,gibbon have furnished a better commentary on the passage if he had adopted the interpretation of this portion of the ,apocalypse above proposed1 and if he had designed to describe this as the seventh power in the successive forms of the ,roman administration8 ,it is worthy of remark1 also1 that this account in ,mr4 ,gibbon's history immediately precedes the account of the rise of the ,papacy2 the record respecting the exarchate1 and that concerning ,gregory the ,great1 described by ,mr4 ,gibbon as 8the ,saviour of ,rome10 occurring in the same chapter1 vol4 iii4 #bjbbaa4 7c7 ,this was to 8continue for a short space0for a little time4 ,if this refers to the power to which in the remarks above it is supposed to refer1 it is easy to see the propriety of this statement4 ,compared with the previous form of administrationthe imperialit was of short duration2 absolutely considered1 it was brief4 #cib ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iii4 #bjb7 has marked it as extending through 8a period of two hundred years20 and if this is compared with the form of administration which preceded it1 extending to more than five hundred years1 and more especially with that which followedthe ,papal formwhich has extended now some twelve hundred years1 it will be seen with what propriety this is spoken of as continuing for a 8short space40 7d7 8,the beast that was1 and is not1 even he is the eighth1 and is of the seven10 ver4 #aa4 ,if the explanations above given are correct1 there can be no difficulty in the application of this to the ,papal power2 for 7#a7 all this power was concentrated in the ,papacy1 all that revived or prolonged ,roman power had now passed into the ,papacy1 constituting that mighty dominion which was to be set up for so many centuries over what had been the ,roman world4 ,see the statements of ,mr4 ,gibbon 7iii4 #bjgbaa71 as quoted in the ,notes on ver4 #c4 ,compare also1 particularly2 the remarks of ,augustine ,steuchus1 a ,roman ,catholic writer1 as quoted in the ,notes on that verse3 8,the empire having been overthrown1 unless ,god had raised up the pontificate1 ,rome1 resuscitated and restored by none1 would have become uninhabitable1 and been thenceforward a most foul habitation of cattle4 ,but in the pontificate it revived as with a second birth2 its empire in magnitude not indeed equal to the old empire1 but its form not very dissimilar3 because all nations1 from ,east and from ,west1 venerate the pope1 not otherwise than they before obeyed the emperor40 7#b7 ,this was an eighth power or form of administrationfor it was different1 in many respects1 from that of the kings1 the consuls1 the dictators1 the decemvirs1 the military tribunes1 the emperors1 and the dukedomthough it comprised substantially the power of all4 ,indeed1 it could not have been spoken of as identical with either of the previous forms of administration1 though it concentrated the power which had been wielded by them all4 7#c7 ,it was 8of the seven20 that is1 it pertained to them2 it was a prolongation of the same power4 ,it had the same central seat,rome2 it extended over the same territory1 and it embraced sooner or latter the same nations4 ,there is not one of those forms of administration which did not find a prolongation in the ,papacy2 for it aspired after1 and succeeded in obtaining1 all the authority of kings1 dictators1 consuls1 emperors4 ,it was in fact still the ,roman sceptre swayed over the world2 and with the strictest propriety it could be said that it was 8of the seven10 as having sprung out of the seven1 and as perpetuating the sway of this mighty domination4 ,for full illustration of this1 see the ,notes on ,da4 vii4 and ,re4 xiii4 7#d7 ,it would 8go into perdition20 that is1 it would be under this form that this mighty domination that had for so many ages ruled over the earth would die away1 or this would be the last in the series4 ,the ,roman dominion1 as such1 would not be extended to a ninth1 or tenth1 or eleventh form1 but would finally expire under the eighth4 ,every indication shows that this is to be so1 and that with the decline of the ,papal power the whole ,roman domination1 that has swayed a sceptre for two thousand five hundred years1 will have come for ever to an end4 ,if this is so1 then we have found an ample and exact application of this passage even in its most minute specifications4 #ab ,and the #ebgten horns which thou sawest are ten kings1 which have received no kingdom as yet2 but receive power as kings one hour with the beast4 #ab4 ,and the ten horns which thou sawest4 ,on the scarlet-coloured beast1 ver4 #c4 ,are ten kings4 ,represent or denote ten kings2 that is1 kingdoms or powers4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vii4 #bd4 ,which have received no kingdom as yet4 ,that is1 they were not in existence when ,john wrote4 ,it is implied1 that during the period under review they would arise1 and would become connected1 in an important sense1 with the power here represented by the 8beast40 ,for a full illustration respecting the ten 8kings10 or kingdoms here referred to1 see ,notes on ,da4 vii41 at the close of the chapter1 ,,ii4 7#b74 ,but receive power4 ,it is not said from what source this power is received1 but it is simply implied that it would in fact be conferred on them4 ,as kings4 ,that is1 the power would be that which is usually exercised by kings4 ,one hour4 ,it cannot be supposed that this is to be taken literally4 ,the meaning clearly is1 that this would be brief and temporary2 #cic that is1 it was a form of administration which would be succeeded by one more fixed and permanent4 ,anyone can see that1 in fact1 this is strictly applicable to the governments1 as referred to in the ,notes on ,daniel1 which sprang up after the incursion of the northern barbarians1 and which were finally succeeded by the permanent forms of government in ,europe4 ,most of them were very brief in their duration1 and they were soon remodelled in the forms of permanent administration4 ,thus1 to take the arrangement proposed by ,sir ,isaac ,newton1 7#a7 the kingdom of the ,vandals and ,alans in ,spain and ,africa2 7#b7 the kingdom of the ,suevians in ,spain2 7#c7 the kingdom of the ,visigoths2 7#d7 the kingdom of the ,alans in ,gallia2 7#e7 the kingdom of the ,burgundians2 7#f7 the kingdom of the ,franks2 7#g7 the kingdom of the ,britons2 7#h7 the kingdom of the ,huns2 7#i7 the kingdom of the ,lombards2 7#aj7 the kingdom of ,ravennahow temporary were most of these2 how soon they passed into the more permanent forms of administration which succeeded them in ,europe6 ,with the beast4 ,with that rising ,papal power4 ,they would exercise their authority in connection with that1 and under its influence4 #ac ,these have one mind1 and shall give their power and strength unto the beast4 #ac4 ,these have one mind4 ,that is1 they are united in the promotion of the same object4 ,though in some respects wholly independent of each other1 yet they may be regarded as1 in fact1 so far united that they tend to promote the same ultimate end4 ,as a fact in history1 all these kingdoms1 though of different origin1 and though not unfrequently engaged in war with each other1 became ,roman ,catholics1 and were united in the support of the ,papacy4 ,it was with propriety1 therefore1 that they should be regarded as so closely connected with that power that they could be represented as 8ten horns0 on the seven-headed monster4 ,and shall give their power and strength unto the beast4 ,shall lend their influence to the support of the ,papacy1 and become the upholders of that power4 ,the meaning1 according to the interpretation above proposed1 is1 that they would all become ,papal kingdoms1 and supporters of the ,papal power4 ,it is unnecessary to pause to show how true this has been in history4 ,at first1 most of the people out of whom these kingdoms sprang were ,pagans2 then many of them embraced ,christianity under the prevailing form of ,arianism1 and this fact was for a time a bar to their perfect adhesion to the ,roman see2 but they were all ultimately brought wholly under its influence1 and became its supporters4 ,in ,a4,d4 #dif1 ,clovis1 the king of the ,franks1 on occasion of his victory over the ,allemanni1 embraced the ,catholic faith1 and so received the title1 transmitted downward through nearly thirteen hundred years to the ,french kings as his successors1 of 8the eldest son of the church20 in the course of the sixth century1 the kings of ,burgundy1 ,bavaria1 ,spain1 ,portugal1 ,england1 embraced the same religion1 and became the defenders of the ,papacy4 ,it is well known that each one of the powers above enumerated as constituting these ten kingdoms1 became subject to the ,papacy1 and continued so during their separate existence1 or when merged into some other power1 until the ,reformation in the sixteenth century4 ,all 8their power and strength was given unto the beast20 all was made subservient to the purposes of ,papal ,rome4 #ad ,these shall #ebhmake war with the ,lamb1 and the ,lamb #ebishall overcome them3 for he is #ecj,lord of lords1 and ,king of kings3 and #ecathey that are with him are #ecb;called1 and #ecc;chosen1 and #ecd;faithful4 #ad4 ,these shall make war with the ,lamb4 ,the ,lamb of ,godthe ,lord ,jesus 7,notes1 ch4 v4 #f72 that is1 they would combine with the ,papacy in opposing evangelical religion4 ,it is not meant that they would openly and avowedly proclaim war against the ,son of ,god1 but that they would practically do this in sustaining a persecuting power4 ,it is unnecessary to show how true this has been in history2 how entirely they sustained the ,papacy in all its measures of persecution4 ,and the ,lamb shall overcome them4 ,shall ultimately gain the victory over them4 ,the meaning is1 that they would not be able to extinguish the true religion4 ,in spite of all opposition and persecution1 that would still live in the world1 until it would be said that a complete triumph #cid was gained4 ,for he is ,lord of lords1 and ,king of kings4 ,he has supreme power over all the earth1 and all kings and princes are subject to his control4 ,comp4 ch4 xix4 #af4 ,and they that are with him4 ,the reference is to the persecuted saints who have adhered to him as his faithful followers in all these protracted conflicts4 ,are called4 ,that is1 called by him to be his followers2 as if he had selected them out of the world to maintain his cause4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 i4 #g4 ,and chosen4 ,see ,notes on ,jn4 xv4 #af1 and #a ,pe4 i4 #b4 ,in their steadfast adherence to the truth1 they had shown that they were truly chosen by the ,saviour1 and could be relied on in the warfare against the powers of evil4 ,and faithful4 ,they had shown themselves faithful to him in times of persecution1 and in the hour of darkness4 #ae ,and he saith unto me1 #ece,the waters which thou sawest1 where the whore sitteth1 are #ecfpeoples1 and multitudes1 and nations1 and tongues4 #ae4 ,and he saith unto me4 ,the angel1 ver4 #g4 ,this commences the more literal statement of what is meant by these symbols4 ,see the ,analysis of the chapter4 ,the waters which thou sawest4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,are peoples1 and multitudes1 and nations1 and tongues4 ,for an explanation of these terms1 see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #i4 ,the meaning here is1 7a7 that these waters represent a multitude of people4 ,this is a common and an obvious symbolfor outspread seas or raging floods would naturally represent such a multitude4 ,see ,is4 viii4 #g1 #h2 xvii4 #ab1 #ac2 ,je4 xlvii4 #b4 ,comp4 ,iliad1 v4 #cid4 ,the sense here is1 that vast numbers of people would be subject to the power here represented by the woman4 7b7 ,they would be composed of different nations1 and would be of different languages4 ,it is unnecessary to show that this1 in both respects1 is applicable to the ,papacy4 ,nations have been1 and are subject to its control1 and nations speaking a large part of the languages of the world4 ,perhaps under no one governmentnot even the ,babylonian1 the ,macedonian1 or the ancient ,romanwas there so great a diversity of people1 speaking so many different languages1 and having so different an origin4 #af ,and the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast1 #ecgthese shall hate the whore1 and shall #echmake her desolate and naked1 and shall eat her flesh1 and #eci;burn her with fire4 #af4 ,and the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast4 ,ver4 #c4 ,the ten powers or kingdoms represented by those horns4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ab4 ,these shall hate the whore4 ,there seems to be some incongruity between this statement and that which was previously made4 ,in the former 7ver4 #abad71 these ten governments are represented as in alliance with the beast2 as 8giving all their power and strength0 unto it2 and as uniting with it in making war with the ,lamb4 ,what is here said must1 therefore1 refer to some subsequent period1 indicating some great change in their feelings and policy4 ,we have seen the evidence of the fulfilment of the former statements4 ,this statement will be accomplished if these same powers1 represented by the ten horns1 that were formerly in alliance with the ,papacy1 shall become its enemy1 and contribute to its final overthrow4 ,that is1 it will be accomplished if the nations of ,europe1 embraced within the limits of those ten kingdoms1 shall become hostile to the ,papacy1 and shall combine for its overthrow4 ,is anything more probable than this8 ,france 7see ,notes on ch4 xvi47 has already struck more than one heavy blow on that power2 ,england has been detached from it2 many of the states of ,italy are weary of it1 and are ready to rise up against it2 and nothing is more probable than that ,spain1 ,portugal1 ,france1 ,lombardy1 and the ,papal ,states themselves1 will yet throw off the yoke for ever1 and put an end to a power that has so long ruled over men4 ,it was with the utmost difficulty1 in #ahdh1 that the ,papal power was sustained1 and this was done only by foreign swords2 the ,papacy could not probably be protected in another such outbreak4 ,and this passage leads us to anticipate that the period will comeand that probably not far in the futurewhen those powers that have for so many ages sustained the ,papacy will become its determined foes1 and will rise in their might and bring it for ever to an end4 ,and shall make her desolate and naked4 ,strip her of all her power and all her attractiveness4 #cie ,that is1 applied to ,papal ,rome1 all that is so gorgeous and alluringher wealth1 and pomp1 and splendourshall be taken away1 and she will be seen as she is1 without anything to dazzle the eye or to blind the mind4 ,and shall eat her flesh4 ,shall completely destroy heras if her flesh were consumed4 ,perhaps the image is taken from the practice of cannibals eating the flesh of their enemies slain in battle4 ,if so1 nothing could give a more impressive idea of the utter destruction of this formidable power1 or of the feelings of those by whom its end would be brought about4 ,and burn her with fire4 ,another image of total destruction4 ,perhaps the meaning may be1 that after her flesh was eaten1 such parts of her as remained would be thrown into the fire and consumed4 ,if this be the meaning1 the image is a very impressive one to denote absolute and total destruction4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xviii4 #h4 #ag ,for #edj;,god hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will1 and to agree1 and give their kingdom unto the beast1 #edauntil the words of ,god shall be fulfilled4 #ag4 ,for ,god hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will4 ,that is1 in regard to the destruction of this mighty power4 ,they would be employed as his agents in bringing about his designs4 ,kings and princes are under the control of ,god1 and1 whatever may be their own designs1 they are in fact employed to accomplish his purposes1 and are instruments in his hands4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 x4 #g4 ,comp4 ,ps4 lxxvi4 #aj4 ,and to agree4 ,see ver4 #ac4 ,that is1 they act harmoniously in their support of this power1 and so they will in its final destruction4 ,and give their kingdom unto the beast4 ,notes1 ver4 #ac4 ,until the words of ,god shall be fulfilled4 ,not for ever2 not as a permanent arrangement4 ,god has fixed a limit to the existence of this power4 ,when his purposes are accomplished1 these kingdoms will withdraw their support1 and this mighty power will fall to rise no more4 #ah ,and the woman which thou sawest is #edbthat great city1 which reigneth over the kings of the earth4 #ah4 ,and the woman which thou sawest4 ,ver4 #c4 ,is that great city4 ,represents that great city4 ,which reigneth over the kings of the earth4 ,rome would of course be understood by this language in the time of ,john1 and all the circumstances1 as we have seen1 combined to show that ,rome1 in some form of its dominion1 is intended4 ,even the name could hardly have designated it more clearly1 and all expositors agree in supposing that ,rome1 either as ,pagan or as ,christian1 is referred to4 ,the chapter shows that its power is limited2 and that1 although for purposes which he saw to be wise1 ,god allows it to have a wide influence over the nations of the earth1 yet1 in his own appointed time1 the very powers that have sustained it will become its foes1 and combine for its overthrow4 ,europe needs but little farther provocation1 and the fires of liberty1 which have been so long pent up1 will break forth1 and that storm of indignation which has expelled the ,jesuits from all the courts of ,europe2 which has abolished the ,inquisition2 which has more than once led hostile armies to the very gates of ,papal ,rome1 will again be aroused in a manner which cannot be allayed1 and that mighty power1 which has controlled so large a part of the nations of ,europe for more than a thousand years of the world's history1 will come to an end4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter may be regarded as a still further explanatory episode 7comp4 ,anal4 to ch4 xvii471 designed to show the effect of pouring out the seventh vial 7ch4 xvi4 #agba7 on the formidable ,antichristian power so often referred to4 ,the description in this chapter is that of a rich merchant-city reduced to desolation1 and is but carrying out the general idea under a different form4 ,the chapter comprises the following points3 7#a7 ,another angel is seen descending from heaven1 having great power1 and making proclamation that ,babylon the great is fallen1 and is become utterly desolate1 ver4 #ac4 7#b7 ,a warning voice is heard from heaven1 calling on the people of ,god to come out of her1 and to be partakers neither of her sins nor her plagues4 ,her torment and sorrow would be proportionate to her pride and luxury2 and her plagues would come upon her suddenly2 #cif death1 and mourning1 and famine1 and consumption by fire1 ver4 #dh4 7#c7 ,lamentation over her fallby those especially who had been connected with her2 who had been corrupted by her2 who had been profited by her1 ver4 #iai4 7a7 ,by kings1 ver4 #i1 #aj4 ,they had lived deliciously with her1 and they would lament her4 7b7 ,by merchants1 ver4 #aaag4 ,they had trafficked with her1 but now that traffic was to cease1 and no man would buy of her4 ,their business1 so far as she was concerned1 was at an end4 ,all that she had accumulated was now to be destroyed2 all her gathered riches were to be consumed2 all the traffic in those things by which she had been enriched was to be ended2 and the city that was more than all others enriched by these things1 as if clothed in fine linen1 and purple1 and scarlet1 and decked with gold1 and precious stones1 and pearls1 was to be destroyed for ever4 7c7 ,by ship-masters and seamen1 ver4 #agai4 ,they had been made rich by this traffic1 but now all was ended2 the smoke of her burning is seen to ascend1 and they stand afar off and weep4 7#d7 ,rejoicing over her fall1 ver4 #bj4 ,heaven is called upon to rejoice1 and the holy apostles and prophets1 for their blood is avenged1 and persecution ceases in the earth4 7#e7 ,the final destruction of the city1 ver4 #babd4 ,a mighty angel takes up a stone and casts it into the sea as an emblem of the destruction that is to come upon it4 ,the voice of harpers1 and musicians1 and pipers would be heard no more in it2 and no craftsmen would be there1 and the sound of the millstone would be heard no more1 and the light of a candle would shine no more there1 and the voice of the bridegroom and bride would be heard no more4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,and after these things ,i saw another angel come down from heaven1 having great power2 and the#edc;earth was lightened with his glory4 #a4 ,and after these things4 ,after the vision referred to in the previous chapter4 ,i saw another angel come down from heaven4 ,different from the one that had last appeared1 and therefore coming to make a new communication to him4 ,it is not unusual in this book that different communications should be intrusted to different angels4 ,comp4 ch4 xiv4 #f1 #h1 #i1 #ae1 #ag1 #ah4 ,having great power4 ,that is1 he was one of the higher rank or order of angels4 ,and the earth was lightened with his glory4 ,the usual representation respecting the heavenly beings4 ,comp4 ,ex4 xxiv4 #af2 ,mat4 xvii4 #b2 ,lu4 ii4 #i2 ,ac4 ix4 #c4 ,this would1 of course1 add greatly to the magnificence of the scene4 #b ,and he cried mightily with a strong voice1 saying1 #edd;,babylon the great is fallen1 is fallen1 and is #ede;become the habitation of devils1 and the hold of every foul spirit1 and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird4 #b4 ,and he cried mightily4 ,literally1 8he cried with a strong great voice40 ,see ch4 x4 #c4 ,babylon the great is fallen1 is fallen4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,the proclamation here is substantially the same as in that place1 and no doubt the same thing is referred to4 ,and is become the habitation of devils4 ,of demonsin allusion to the common opinion that the demons inhabited abandoned cities1 old ruins1 and deserts4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xii4 #dcde4 ,the language here is taken from the description of ,babylon in ,is4 xiii4 #bjbb2 and for a full illustration of the meaning1 see ,notes on that passage4 ,and the hold of every foul spirit4 ,a watch-post1 station1 haunt of such spirits4 ,that is1 they1 as it were1 kept guard there2 were stationed there2 haunted the place4 ,and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird4 ,that is1 they would resort there1 and abide there as in a cage4 ,the word translated 8cage0 is the same which is rendered 8hold04 ,in ,is4 xiii4 #ba1 it is said1 8and owls shall dwell there20 and in ,is4 xiv4 #bc1 it is said that it would be a 8possession for the bittern40 ,the idea is that of utter desolation2 and the meaning here is1 that spiritual ,babylon,papal ,rome 7ch4 xiv4 #h7will be reduced to a state of utter desolation resembling that of the real ,babylon4 ,it is not necessary to suppose this of the city of ,rome itselffor that is not the object of the representation4 ,it is the ,papacy1 represented #cig under the image of the city1 and having its seat there4 ,that is to be destroyed as utterly as was ,babylon of old2 that will become as odious1 and loathsome1 and detestable as the literal ,babylon1 the abode of monsters is4 #c ,for #edf;all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication1 and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her1 and the #edgmerchants of the earth are waxed rich through the #edh;abundance of her delicacies4 #c4 ,for all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,this is given as a reason why this utter ruin had come upon her4 ,she had beguiled and corrupted the nations of the earth1 leading them into estrangement from ,god1 and into pollution and sin4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #bj1 #ba4 ,and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her4 ,spiritual adultery2 that is1 she has been the means of seducing them from ,god and leading them into sinful practices4 ,and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies4 ,the word rendered 8abundance0 here1 means commonly power4 ,it might here denote influence1 though it may also mean number1 quantity1 wealth4 ,comp4 ch4 iii4 #h1 where the same word is used4 ,the word rendered delicaciesoccurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament4 ,it properly means rudeness1 insolence1 pride2 and hence revel1 riot1 luxury4 ,it may be rendered here properly luxury1 or proud voluptuousness2 and the reference is to such luxuries as are found commonly in a great1 a gay1 and a splendid city4 ,these1 of course1 give rise to much traffic1 and furnish employment to many merchants and sailors1 who thus procure a livelihood1 or become wealthy as the result of such traffic4 ,babylonor ,papal ,romeis here represented under the image of such a luxurious city2 and of course1 when she falls1 they who have thus been dependent on her1 and who have been enriched by her1 have occasion for mourning and lamentation4 ,it is not necessary to expect to find a literal fulfilment of this1 for it is emblematic and symbolical4 ,the image of a great1 rich1 splendid1 proud and luxurious city having been employed to denote that ,antichristian power1 all that is said in this chapter follows1 of course1 on its fall4 ,the general idea is1 that she was doomed to utter desolation1 and that all who were connected with her1 far and near1 would be involved in her ruin4 #d ,and ,i heard another voice from heaven1 saying1 #edi;,come out of her1 my people1 that ye be not partakers of her sins1 and that ye receive not of her plagues4 #d4 ,and ,i heard another voice from heaven4 ,he does not say whether this was the voice of an angel1 but the idea seems rather to be that it is the voice of ,god4 ,come out of her1 my people4 ,the reasons for this1 as immediately stated1 are two3 7a7 that they might not participate in her sins2 and 7b7 that they might not be involved in the ruin that would come upon her4 ,the language seems to be derived from such passages in the ,old ,testament as the following38,go ye forth of ,babylon1 flee ye from the ,chaldeans1 with a voice of singing10 ,is4 xlviii4 #bj4 8,flee out of the midst of ,babylon1 and deliver every man his soul2 be not cut off in her iniquity10 ,je4 li4 #f4 8,my people1 go ye out of the midst of her1 and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the ,lord10 ,je4 li4 #de4 ,comp4 ,je4 l4 #h4 ,that ye be not partakers of her sins4 ,for the meaning of this expression1 see ,notes on #a ,ti4 v4 #bb4 ,it is implied here that by remaining in ,babylon they would lend their sanction to its sins by their presence1 and would1 in all probability1 become contaminated by the influence around them4 ,this is an universal truth in regard to iniquity1 and hence it is the duty of those who would be pure to come out from the world1 and to separate themselves from all the associations of evil4 ,and that ye receive not of her plagues4 ,of the punishment that was to come upon heras they must certainly do if they remained in her4 ,the judgment of ,god that was to come upon the guilty city would make no discrimination among those who were found there2 and if they would escape these woes they must make their escape from her4 ,as applicable to ,papal ,rome1 in view of her impending ruin1 this means1 7a7 that there might be found in her some who were the true people of ,god2 7b7 that it was their duty to separate wholly from hera command that will not only justify the ,reformation1 but which would have made a longer continuance in communion #cih with the ,papacy1 when her wickedness was fully seen1 an act of guilt before ,god2 7c7 that they who remain in such a communion cannot but be regarded as partaking of her sin2 and 7d7 that if they remain1 they must expect to be involved in the calamities that will come upon her4 ,there never was any duty plainer than that of withdrawing from ,papal ,rome2 there never has been any act attended with more happy consequences than that by which the ,protestant world separated itself for ever from the sins and the plagues of the ,papacy4 #e ,for her sins have #eejreached unto heaven1 and ,god hath #eearemembered her iniquities4 #e4 ,for her sins have reached unto heaven4 ,so in ,je4 li4 #i1 speaking of ,babylon1 it is said1 8,for her judgment reacheth unto heaven1 and is lifted up even to the skies40 ,the meaning is not that the sins of this mystical ,babylon were like a mass or pile so high as to reach to heaven1 but that it had become so prominent as to attract the attention of ,god4 ,comp4 ,ge4 iv4 #aj1 8,the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground40 ,see also ,ge4 xviii4 #bj4 ,and ,god hath remembered her iniquities4 ,he had seemed to forget them1 or not to notice them1 but now he acted as if they had come to his recollection4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ai4 #f ,reward#eeb;her even as she rewarded you1 and double unto her double according to her works3 in the cup which she hath filled1 fill to her double4 #f4 ,reward her even as she rewarded you4 ,it is not said to whom this command is addressed1 but it would seem to be to those who had been persecuted and wronged4 ,applied to mystical ,babylon,papal ,romeit would seem to be a call on the nations that had been so long under her sway1 and among whom1 from time to time1 so much blood had been shed by her1 to arise now in their might1 and to inflict deserved vengeance4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #af1 #ag4 ,and double unto her double according to her works4 ,that is1 bring upon her double the amount of calamity which she has brought upon others2 take ample vengeance upon her4 ,comp4 for similar language1 ,is4 xl4 #b1 8,she hath received of the ,lord's hand double for all her sins40 8,for your shame ye shall have double10 ,is4 lxi4 #g4 ,in the cup which she hath filled4 ,to bring wrath on others4 ,notes1 ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,fill to her double4 ,let her drink abundantly of the wine of the wrath of ,goddouble that which she has dealt out to others4 ,that is1 either let the quantity administered to her be doubled1 or let the ingredients in the cup be doubled in intensity4 #g ,how much she hath glorified herself1 and lived deliciously1 so much torment and sorrow give her2 for she saith in her heart1 #eec;,i sit a queen1 and am no widow1 and shall see no sorrow4 #g4 ,how much she hath glorified herself4 ,been proud1 boastful1 arrogant4 ,this was true of ancient ,babylon1 that she was proud and haughty2 and it has been no less true of mystical ,babylon,papal ,rome4 ,and lived deliciously4 ,by as much as she has lived in luxury and dissoluteness1 so let her suffer now4 ,the word used here and rendered lived deliciouslyis derived from the nounwhich is used in ver4 #c1 and rendered delicacies4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,it means properly1 8to live strenuously1 rudely10 as in ,english1 8to live hard20 and then to revel1 to live in luxury1 riot1 dissoluteness4 ,no one can doubt the propriety of this as descriptive of ancient ,babylon1 and as little can its propriety be doubted as applied to ,papal ,rome4 ,so much torment and sorrow give her4 ,let her punishment correspond with her sins4 ,this is expressing substantially the same idea which occurs in the previous verse4 ,for she saith in her heart4 ,this is the estimate which she forms of herself4 ,i sit a queen4 ,indicative of pride1 and of an asserted claim to rule4 ,and am no widow4 ,am not in the condition of a widowa state of depression1 sorrow1 and mourning4 ,all this indicates security and self-confidence1 a description in every way applicable to ,papal ,rome4 ,and shall see no sorrow4 ,this is indicative of a state where there was nothing feared1 not withstanding all the indications which existed of approaching calamity4 ,in #cii this state we may expect to find ,papal ,rome1 even when its last judgments are about to come upon it2 in this state it has usually been2 in this state it is now1 notwithstanding all the indications that are abroad in the world that its power is waning1 and that the period of its fall approaches4 #h ,therefore shall her plagues come in one day1 death1 and mourning1 and famine2 and she shall be utterly #eed;burned with fire3 for #eeestrong is the ,lord ,god who judgeth her4 #h4 ,therefore4 ,in consequence of her pride1 arrogance1 and luxury1 and of the calamities that she has brought upon others4 ,shall her plagues come in one day4 ,they shall come in a time when she is living in ease and security2 and they shall come at the same timeso that all these terrible judgments shall seem to be poured upon her at once4 ,death4 ,this expression1 and those which follow1 are designed to denote the same thing under different images4 ,the general meaning is1 that there would be utter and final destruction4 ,it would be as if death should come and cut off the inhabitants4 ,and mourning4 ,as there would be where many were cut off by death4 ,and famine4 ,as if famine raged within the walls of a besieged city1 or spread over a land4 ,and she shall be utterly burned with fire4 ,as completely destroyed as if she were entirely burned up4 ,the certain and complete destruction of that formidable ,antichristian power is predicted under a great variety of emphatic images4 ,see ch4 xiv4 #aj1 #aa2 xvi4 #agba2 xvii4 #i1 #af4 ,perhaps in this so frequent reference to a final destruction of that formidable ,antichristian power by fire1 there may be more intended than merely a figurative representation of its final ruin4 ,there is some degree of probability1 at least1 that ,rome itself will be literally destroyed in this manner1 and that it is in this way that ,god intends to put an end to the ,papal power1 by destroying that which has been so long the seat and the centre of this authority4 ,the extended prevalence of this belief1 and the grounds for it1 may be seen from the following remarks37#a7 ,it was an early opinion among the ,jewish rabbies that ,rome would be thus destroyed4 ,vitringa1 on the ,apocalypse1 cites some opinions of this kind2 the ,jewish expectation being founded1 as he says1 on the passage in ,is4 xxxiv4 #i1 as ,edom was supposed to mean ,rome4 8,this chapter10 says ,kimchi1 8points out the future destruction of ,rome1 here called ,bozra1 for ,bozra was a great city of the ,edomites40 ,this is1 indeed1 worthless as a proof or an interpretation of ,scripture1 for it is a wholly unfounded interpretation2 it is of value only as showing that somehow the ,jews entertained this opinion4 7#b7 ,the same expectation was entertained among the early ,christians4 ,thus ,mr4 ,gibbon 7vol4 i4 p4 #bfc1 ch4 xv471 referring to the expectations of the glorious reign of the ,messiah on the earth 7comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h71 says1 speaking of ,rome as the mystic ,babylon1 and of its anticipated destruction3 8,a regular series was prepared in the minds of ,christians of all the moral and physical evils which can afflict a flourishing nation2 intestine discord1 and the invasion of the fiercest barbarians from the unknown regions of the north2 pestilence and famine1 comets and eclipses1 earthquakes and inundations4 ,all these were only so many preparatory and alarming signs of the great catastrophe of ,rome1 when the country of the ,scipios and ,csars should be consumed by a flame from heaven1 and the city of the seven hills1 with her palaces1 her temples1 and her triumphal arches1 should be buried in a vast lake of fire and brimstone40 ,so even ,gregory the ,great1 one of the most illustrious of the ,roman pontiffs1 himself says1 acknowledging his belief in the truth of the tradition3 ,roma ,gentilibus non exterminabitur2 sed tempestatibus1 coruscis turbinibus1 ac terr motu1 in se marcescet 7,dial4 ii4 #ae74 7#c7 ,whatever may be thought of these opinions and expectations1 there is some foundation for the opinion in the nature of the case4 7a7 ,the region is adapted to this4 8,it is not tna1 the ,lipari volcanic islands1 ,vesuvius1 that alone offer visible indications of the physical adaptedness of ,italy for such a catastrophe4 ,the great ,apennine mountain-chain is mainly volcanic in its character1 and the country of ,rome more especially is as strikingly so almost as that of ,sodom itself40 ,thus the mineralogist ,ferber1 in his ,tour in ,italy1 says3 8,the road from ,rome to ,ostia is all volcanic ashes till within two miles of ,ostia40 8,from ,rome to ,tivoli ,i went on fields and hills of volcanic #djj ashes or tufa40 8,a volcanic hill in an amphitheatrical form includes a part of the plain over ,albano1 and a flat country of volcanic ashes and hills to ,rome4 ,the ground about ,rome is generally of that nature10 pp4 #ahi1 #aia1 #bjj1 #bcd4 7b7 ,mr4 ,gibbon1 with his usual accuracy1 as if commenting on the ,apocalypse1 has referred to the physical adaptedness of the soil of ,rome for such an overthrow4 ,speaking of the anticipation of the end of the world among the early ,christians1 he says3 8,in the opinion of a general conflagration1 the faith of the ,christian very happily coincided with the tradition of the ,east1 the philosophy of the ,stoics1 and the analogy of nature2 and even the country1 which1 from religious motives1 had been chosen for the origin and principal scene of the conflagration1 was the best adapted for that purpose by natural and physical causes2 by its deep caverns1 beds of sulphur1 and numerous volcanoes1 of which those of tna1 of ,vesuvius1 and of ,lipari1 exhibit a very imperfect representation10 vol4 i4 p4 #bfc1 ch4 xv4 ,as to the general state of ,italy1 in reference to volcanoes1 the reader may consult1 with advantage1 ,lyell's ,geology1 book ii4 ch4 ix4xii4 ,see also ,murray's ,encyclopdia of ,geography1 book ii4 ch4 ii4 ,of the country around ,rome it is said in that work1 among other things3 8,the country around ,rome1 and also the hills on which it is built1 is composed of tertiary marls1 clays1 and sandstones1 and intermixed with a preponderating quantity of granular and lithoidal volcanic tufas4 ,the many lakes around ,rome are formed by craters of ancient volcanoes40 8,on the road to ,rome is the ,lake of ,vico1 formerly the ,lacus ,cimini1 which has all the appearance of a crater40 ,the following extract from a recent traveller will still further confirm this representation38,i behold everywherein ,rome1 near ,rome1 and through the whole region from ,rome to ,naplesmost astounding proof1 not merely of the possibility1 but the probability1 that the whole region of central ,italy will one day be destroyed by such a catastrophe by earthquakes or volcanoes4 ,the soil of ,rome is tufa1 with a volcanic subterranean action going on4 ,at ,naples the boiling sulphur is to be seen bubbling near the surface of the earth4 ,when ,i drew a stick along the ground1 the sulphurous smoke followed the indentation2 and it would never surprise me to hear of the utter destruction of the southern peninsula of ,italy4 ,the entire country and district is volcanic4 ,it is saturated with beds of sulphur and the substrata of destruction4 ,it seems as certainly prepared for the flames1 as the wood and coal on the hearth are prepared for the taper which shall kindle the fire to consume them4 ,the divine hand alone seems to me to hold the element of fire in check by a miracle as great as that which protected the cities of the plain1 till the righteous ,lot had made his escape to the mountains0 7,townsend's ,tour in ,italy in #ahej74 ,for strong is the ,lord ,god who judgeth her4 ,that is1 ,god has ample power to bring all these calamities upon her4 #i ,and the #eefkings of the earth1 who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her1 shall bewail her1 and lament for her1 when they shall see the smoke of her burning1 #i4 ,and the kings of the earth4 ,this verse commences the description of the lamentation over the fall of the mystical ,babylon 7see the ,analysis of the chapter74 ,who have committed fornication4 ,that is1 who have been seduced by her from the true ,god1 and have been led into practical idolatry4 ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h4 ,the kings of the earth seem to be represented as among the chief mourners1 because they had derived important aid from the power which was now to be reduced to ruin4 ,as a matter of fact1 the kings of ,europe have owed much of their influence and power to the support which has been derived from the ,papacy1 and when that power shall fall1 there will fall much that has contributed to sustain oppressive and arbitrary governments1 and that has prevented the extension of popular liberty4 ,in fact1 ,europe might have been long since free1 if it had not been for the support which despotic governments have derived from the ,papacy4 ,and lived deliciously with her4 ,in the same kind of luxury and dissoluteness of manners4 ,see ver4 #c1 #g4 ,the courts of ,europe1 under the ,papacy1 have had the same general character for dissoluteness and licentiousness as ,rome itself4 ,the same views of religion produce the same effects everywhere4 ,shall bewail her1 and lament for her4 ,because their ally is destroyed1 and #dja the source of their power is taken away4 ,the fall of the ,papacy will be the signal for a general overturning of the thrones of ,europe4 ,when they shall see the smoke of her burning4 ,when they shall see her on fire1 and her smoke ascending towards heaven4 ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aa4 #aj ,standing afar off for the fear of her torment1 saying1 ,alas1 alas1 that great city ,babylon1 that mighty city6 for #eeg;in one hour is thy judgment come4 #aj4 ,standing afar off for the fear of her torment4 ,not daring to approach1 to attempt to rescue and save her4 ,they who had so long contributed to the support of the ,papal power1 and who had1 in turn1 been upheld by that1 would not now even attempt to rescue her1 but would stand by and see her destroyed1 unable to render relief4 ,alas1 alas1 that great city ,babylon4 ,the language of lamentation that so great and so mighty a city should fall4 ,for in one hour is thy judgment come4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,the general sentiment here is1 that1 in the final ruin of ,papal ,rome1 the kings and governments that had sustained her1 and had been sustained by her1 would see the source of their power taken away1 but that they would not1 or could not attempt her rescue4 ,there have been not a few indications already that this will ultimately occur1 and that the ,papal power will be left to fall1 without any attempt1 on the part of those governments which have been so long in alliance with it1 to sustain or restore it4 #aa ,and the #eehmerchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her2 for no man buyeth her merchandise any more2 #aa4 ,and the merchants of the earth4 ,who have been accustomed to traffic with her1 and who have been enriched by the traffic4 ,the image is that of a rich and splendid city4 ,of course1 such a city depends much on its merchandise2 and when it declines and falls1 many who had been accustomed to deal with it1 as merchants or traffickers1 are affected by it1 and have occasion to lament its fall4 ,shall weep and mourn over her2 for no man buyeth their merchandise any more4 ,the merchandise which they were accustomed to take to the city1 and by the sale of which they lived4 ,the enumeration of the articles of merchandise which follows1 seems to have been inserted for the purpose of filling out the representation of what is usually found in such a city1 and to show the desolation which would occur when this traffic was suspended4 #ab ,the merchandise of #eei;gold1 and silver1 and precious stones1 and of pearls1 and fine linen1 and purple1 and silk1 and scarlet1 and all #efjthyine wood1 and all manner vessels of ivory1 and all manner vessels of most precious wood1 and of brass1 and iron1 and marble1 #ab4 ,the merchandise of gold1 and silver4 ,of course1 these constitute an important article of commerce in a great city4 ,and precious stones4 ,diamonds1 emeralds1 rubies1 c4 ,these have always been important articles of traffic in the world1 and1 of course1 most of the traffic in them would find its way to great commercial cities4 ,and pearls4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 vii4 #f2 xiii4 #df4 ,these1 too1 have been always1 and were1 particularly in early times1 valuable articles of commerce4 ,mr4 ,gibbon mentions them as among the articles that contributed to the luxury of ,rome in the age of the ,antonines3 8precious stones1 among which the pearl claimed the first rank after the diamond10 vol4 i4 p4 #cd4 ,and fine linen4 ,this was also a valuable article of commerce4 ,it was obtained chiefly from ,egypt4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xix4 #i4 ,linen1 among the ancients1 was an article of luxury1 for it was worn chiefly by the rich1 ,ex4 xxviii4 #db2 ,le4 vi4 #aj2 ,lu4 xvi4 #ai4 ,the original word here is 1 byssus1 and it is found in the ,new ,testament only in this place1 and in ,lu4 xvi4 #ai4 ,it was a 8species of fine cotton1 highly prized by the ancients40 ,various kinds are mentionedas that of ,egypt1 the cloth which is still found wrapped around mummies2 that of ,syria1 and that of ,india1 which grew on a tree similar to the poplar2 and that of ,achaia1 which grew in the vicinity of ,elis4 ,see ,rob4 ,lex4 ,and purple4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 xvi4 #ai4 ,cloth of this colour was a valuable article of commerce1 as it was worn by rich men and princes4 ,and silk4 ,silk was a very valuable article of commerce1 as it was costly1 and could be worn only by the #djb rich4 ,it is mentioned by ,mr4 ,gibbon as such an article in ,rome in the age of the ,antonines38,silk1 a pound of which was esteemed not inferior in value to a pound of gold10 vol4 i4 p4 #cd4 ,on the cultivation and manufacture of silk by the ancients1 see the work entitled1 ,the ,history of ,silk1 ,cotton1 ,linen1 and ,wool1 c41 published by ,harper ,brothers1 ,new ,york1 #ahde1 pp4 #aba4 ,and scarlet4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #c4 ,and all thyine wood4 ,the word here usedoccurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament4 ,it denotes an evergreen ,african tree1 from which statues and costly vessels were made4 ,it is not agreed1 however1 whether it was a species of cedar1 savin1 or lignum-vit1 which latter constitutes the modern genus ,thuja1 or ,thyia4 ,see ,rees' ,cyclo41 art4 8,thuja40 ,and all manner vessels of ivory4 ,everything that is made of ivory4 ,ivory1 or the tusk of the elephant1 has always been among the precious articles of commerce4 ,and all manner vessels of most precious wood4 ,furniture of costly woodcedar1 the citron tree1 lignum-vit1 c4 ,and of brass1 and iron1 and marble4 ,brass or copper would1 of course1 be a valuable article of commerce4 ,the same would be the case with iron2 and so marble1 for building1 for statuary1 c41 would likewise be4 #ac ,and cinnamon1 and odours1 and ointments1 and frankincense1 and wine1 and oil1 and fine flour1 and wheat1 and beasts1 and sheep1 and horses1 and chariots1 and #efaslaves1 and #efbsouls of men4 #ac4 ,and cinnamon4 ,cinnamon is the aromatic bark of the ,laurus ,cinnamomam1 which grows in ,arabia1 ,india1 and especially in the island of ,ceylon4 ,it was formerly1 as it is now1 a valuable article in the ,oriental trade4 ,and odours4 ,aromatics employed in religious worship1 and for making perfumes4 ,mr4 ,gibbon 7vol4 i4 p4 #cd7 mentions1 among the articles of commerce and luxury1 in the age of the ,antonines1 8a variety of aromatics that were consumed in religious worship and the pomp of funerals40 ,it is unnecessary to say that the use of such odours has been always common at ,rome4 ,and ointments4 ,unguentsas spikenard1 c4 ,these were in common use among the ancients4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xiv4 #g2 ,mar4 xiv4 #c4 ,and frankincense4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 ii4 #aa4 ,it is unnecessary to say that incense has been always much used in public worship in ,rome1 and that it has been1 therefore1 a valuable article of commerce there4 ,and wine4 ,an article of commerce and luxury in all ages4 ,and oil4 ,that is1 olive oil4 ,this1 in ancient times1 and in ,oriental countries particularly1 was an important article of commerce4 ,and fine flour4 ,the word here means the best and finest kind of flour4 ,and beasts1 and sheep1 and horses4 ,also important articles of merchandise4 ,and chariots4 ,the word here usedmeans1 properly a carriage with four wheels1 or a carriage drawn by mules 7,prof4 ,stuart74 ,it was properly a travelling carriage4 ,the word is of ,gallic origin 7,quinctil4 i4 #i2 ,cic4 ,mil4 #aj2 ,att4 v4 #ag2 vi4 #a4 ,see ,adam's ,rom4 ,ant4 p4 #ebe74 ,it was an article of luxury4 ,and slaves4 ,the ,greek here is 8of bodies40 ,prof4 ,stuart renders it grooms1 and supposes that it refers to a particular kind of slaves who were employed in taking care of horses and carriages4 ,the word properly denotes bodyan animal bodywhether of the human body1 living or dead1 or the body of a beast2 and then the external manthe person1 the individual4 ,in later usage1 it comes to denote a slave 7see ,rob4 ,lex471 and in this sense it is used here4 ,the traffic in slaves was common in ancient times1 as it is now4 ,we know that this traffic was carried on to a large extent in ancient ,rome1 the city which ,john probably had in his eye in this description4 ,see ,gibbon1 ,dec4 and ,fall1 vol4 i4 pp4 #be1 #bf4 ,athenus1 as quoted by ,mr4 ,gibbon 7p4 #bf71 says that 8he knew very many ,romans who possessed1 not for use1 but for ostentation1 ten1 and even twenty thousand slaves40 ,it should be said here1 however1 that although this refers evidently to traffic in slaves1 it is not necessary to suppose that it would be literally characteristic of ,papal ,rome4 ,all this is symbolical1 designed to exhibit the ,papacy under the image of a great city1 with what was customary in such a city1 or with what most naturally presented itself to the imagination of ,john as found in such a city2 and it is no more necessary to suppose that the ,papacy would be engaged in the traffic of slaves1 than in the traffic of cinnamon1 or fine flour1 or sheep and horses4 #djc ,and souls of men4 ,the word used1 and rendered soulsthough commonly denoting the soul 7properly the breath1 or vital principle71 is also employed to denote the living thingthe animalin which the soul or vital principle resides2 and hence may denote a person or a man4 ,under this form it is used to denote a servant or slave4 ,see ,rob4 ,lex4 ,professor ,robinson supposes that the word here means female slaves1 in distinction from those designated by the previous word4 ,professor ,stuart 7in loco7 supposes that the previous word denotes a particular kind of slavesthose who had the care of horsesand that the word here is used in a generic sense1 denoting slaves in general4 ,this kind of traffic in the 8persons0 or souls of men is mentioned as characterizing ancient ,tyre1 in ,eze4 xxvii4 #ac3 8,javan1 ,tubal1 and ,meshech1 they were thy merchants2 they traded in the persons of men40 ,it is not quite clear why1 in the passage before us1 this traffic is mentioned in two forms1 as that of the bodies and the souls of men2 but it would seem most probable that the writer meant to designate all that would properly come under this traffic1 whether male or female slaves were bought and sold2 whether they were for servitude1 or for the gladiatorial sports 7see ,wetstein1 in loco72 whatever might be the kind of servitude that they might be employed in1 and whatever might be their condition in life4 ,the use of the two words would include all that is implied in the traffic1 for1 in most important senses1 it extends to the body and the soul4 ,in slavery both are purchased2 both are supposed1 so far as he can avail himself of them1 to become the property of the master4 #ad ,and the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee1 and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee1 and thou shalt find them no more at all4 #ad4 ,and the fruits that thy soul lusted after4 ,literally1 8the fruits of the desire of thy soul40 ,the word rendered fruitsproperly means1 late summer2 dog-days1 the time when ,sirius1 or the ,dog-star1 is predominant4 ,in the ,east this is the season when the fruits ripen1 and hence the word comes to denote fruit4 ,the reference is to any kind of fruit that would be brought for traffic into a great city1 and that would be regarded as an article of luxury4 ,are departed from thee4 ,that is1 they are no more brought for sale into the city4 ,and all things which were dainty and goodly4 ,these words 8characterize all kinds of furniture and clothing which were gilt1 or plated1 or embroidered1 and therefore were bright or splendid0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,and thou shalt find them no more at all4 ,the address here is decidedly to the city itself4 ,the meaning is1 that they would no more be found there4 #ae ,the merchants of these things1 which were made rich by her1 shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment1 weeping and wailing1 #ae4 ,the merchants of these things4 ,who trafficked in these things1 and who supplied the city with them1 ver4 #aa4 ,which were made rich by her4 ,by traffic with her4 ,shall stand afar off4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,for fear of her torment4 ,struck with terror by her torment1 so that they did not dare to approach her1 ver4 #aj4 #af ,and saying1 ,alas1 alas1 that great city1 that was #efc;clothed in fine linen1 and purple1 and scarlet1 and decked with gold1 and precious stones1 and pearls6 #af4 ,and saying1 ,alas1 alas1 c4 ,notes on ver4 #aj4 ,that was clothed in fine linen4 ,in the previous description 7ver4 #ab1 #ac71 these are mentioned as articles of traffic2 here the city1 under the image of a female1 is represented as clothed in the most rich and gay of these articles4 ,and purple1 and scarlet4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #c1 #d4 ,comp4 ver4 #ab of this chapter4 ,and decked with gold1 and precious stones1 and pearls4 ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #d4 #ag ,for in one hour so great riches is come to nought4 ,and #efd;every ship-master1 and all the company in ships1 and sailors1 and as many as trade by sea1 stood afar off1 #ag4 ,for in one hour4 ,in a very brief periodso short1 that it seemed to them to be but one hour4 ,in the prediction 7ver4 #h71 it is said that it would be 8in one day0 7see ,notes on that place72 here it is said that1 to the lookers-on1 it seemed to be but an hour4 ,there is no inconsistency1 therefore1 between the #djd two statements4 ,so great riches is come to nought4 ,all the accumulated wealth of so great and rich a city4 ,this should have been united with ver4 #af1 as it is a part of the lamentation of the merchants1 and as the lamentation of the mariners commences in the other part of the verse4 ,it is so divided in the ,greek ,testaments4 ,and every ship-master4 ,this introduces the lamentation of the mariners1 who would1 of course1 be deeply interested in the destruction of a city with which they had been accustomed to trade1 and by carrying merchandise to which they had been enriched4 ,the word ship-mastermeans1 properly1 a governor2 then a governor of a shipthe steersman or pilot1 ,ac4 xxvii4 #aa4 ,and all the company in ships4 ,professor ,stuart renders this coasters4 ,there is here1 however1 an important difference in the reading of the text4 ,the commonly received text is1 8the whole company in ships10 as in our common version2 the reading which is now commonly adopted1 and which is found in ,griesbach1 ,hahn1 and ,tittmann1 is 8he who sails to a place20 that is1 he who sails from one place to another along the coast1 or who does not venture out far to sea2 and thus the phrase would denote a secondary class of sea-captains or officersthose less venturesome1 or experienced1 or bold than others4 ,there can be little doubt that this is the correct reading 7comp4 ,wetstein1 in loco72 and hence the class of seamen here referred to is coasters4 ,such seamen would naturally be employed where there was a great and luxurious maritime city1 and would have a deep interest in its fall4 ,and sailors4 ,common seamen4 ,and as many as trade by sea4 ,in any kind of craft1 whether employed in a near or a remote trade4 ,stood afar off4 ,notes on ver4 #aj4 #ah ,and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning1 saying1 ,what#efe city is like unto this great city6 #ah4 ,and cried1 c4 ,that is1 as they had a deep interest in it1 they would1 on their own account1 as well as hers1 lift up the voice of lamentation4 ,what city is like unto this great city8 ,in her destruction4 ,what calamity has ever come upon a city like this8 #ai ,and they #eff;cast dust on their heads1 and cried1 weeping and wailing1 saying1 ,alas1 alas1 that great city1 wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness6 for in one hour is she made desolate4 #ai4 ,and they cast dust on their heads4 ,a common sign of lamentation and mourning among the ,orientals4 ,see ,notes on ,job ii4 #ab4 ,by reason of her costliness4 ,the word rendered costlinessmeans1 properly1 preciousness1 costliness2 their magnificence1 costly merchandise4 ,the luxury of a great city enriches many individuals1 however much it may impoverish itself4 ,for in one hour is she made desolate4 ,so it seemed to them4 ,notes on ver4 #ag4 #bj ,rejoice#efg over her1 thou heaven1 and ye holy apostles and prophets2 for ,god hath #efh;avenged you on her4 #bj4 ,rejoice over her4 ,over her ruin4 ,there is a strong contrast between this language and that which precedes4 ,kings1 merchants1 and seamen1 who had been countenanced and sustained by her in the indulgence of corrupt passions1 or who had been enriched by traffic with her1 would have occasion to mourn4 ,but not so they who had been persecuted by her4 ,not so the church of the redeemed4 ,not so heaven itself4 ,the great oppressor of the church1 and the corrupter of the world1 was now destroyed2 the grand hindrance to the spread of the gospel was now removed1 and all the holy in heaven and on earth would have occasion to rejoice4 ,this is not the language of vengeance1 but it is the language of exultation and rejoicing in view of the fact1 that the cause of truth might now spread1 without hindrance1 through the earth4 ,thou heaven4 ,the inhabitants of heaven4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 i4 #b4 ,the meaning here is1 that the dwellers in heaventhe holy angels and the redeemedhad occasion to rejoice over the downfall of the great enemy of the church4 ,and ye holy apostles4 ,professor ,stuart renders this1 8,ye saints1 and apostles1 and prophets40 ,in the common ,greek text1 it is1 as in our version1 8holy apostles and prophets40 ,in the text of ,griesbach1 ,hahn1 and ,tittmann1 the word 7and7 is interposed between the word 8holy0 and 8apostle40 ,this #dje is1 doubtless1 the true reading4 ,the meaning1 then1 is that the saints in heaven are called on to rejoice over the fall of the mystical ,babylon4 ,apostles4 ,the twelve who were chosen by the ,saviour to be his witnesses on earth4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 ix4 #a4 ,the word is commonly limited to the twelve1 but1 in a larger sense1 it is applied to other distinguished teachers and preachers of the gospel4 ,see ,notes on ,ac4 xiv4 #ad4 ,there is no impropriety1 however1 in supposing that the apostles are referred to here as such1 since they would have occasion to rejoice that the great obstacle to the reign of the ,redeemer was now taken away1 and that that cause in which they had suffered and died was now to be triumphant4 ,and prophets4 ,prophets of the ,old ,testament and distinguished teachers of the ,new4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 xii4 #f4 ,all these would have occasion to rejoice in the prospect of the final triumph of the true religion4 ,for ,god hath avenged you on her4 ,has taken vengeance on her for her treatment of you4 ,that is1 as she had persecuted the church as such1 they all might be regarded as interested in it and affected by it4 ,all the redeemed1 therefore1 in earth and in heaven1 are interested in whatever tends to retard or to promote the cause of truth4 ,all have occasion to mourn when the enemies of the truth triumph2 to rejoice when they fall4 #ba ,and a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone1 and cast it into the sea1 saying1 #efi,thus with violence shall that great city ,babylon be thrown down1 and shall be found no more at all4 #ba4 ,and a mighty angel4 ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,this seems1 however1 to have been a different angel from the one mentioned in ver4 #a1 though1 like that1 he is described as having great power4 ,took up a stone like a great millstone4 ,on the structure of mills among the ancients see ,notes on ,mat4 xxiv4 #da4 ,and cast it into the sea4 ,as an emblem of the utter ruin of the city2 an indication that the city would be as completely destroyed as that stone was covered by the waters4 ,saying1 ,thus with violence4 ,with force1 as the stone was thrown into the sea4 ,the idea is1 that it would not be by a gentle and natural decline1 but by the application of foreign power4 ,this accords with all the representations in this book1 that violence will be employed to overthrow the ,papal power4 ,see ch4 xvii4 #af1 #ag4 ,the origin of this image is probably ,je4 li4 #fc1 #fd3 8,and it shall be1 when thou hast made an end of reading this book1 that thou shalt bind a stone to it1 and cast it into the midst of ,euphrates2 and thou shalt say1 ,thus shall ,babylon sink1 and shall not rise from the evil that ,i will bring on her40 #bb ,and the voice of harpers1 and musicians1 and of pipers1 and trumpeters1 shall be heard no more at all in thee2 and no craftsman1 of whatsoever craft he be1 shall be found any more in thee2 and #egjthe sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee2 #bb4 ,and the voice of harpers4 ,those who play on the harp4 ,this was usually accompanied with singing4 ,the idea1 in this verse and the following1 is substantially the same as in the previous parts of the chapter1 that the mystical ,babylon,papal ,romewould be brought to utter desolation4 ,this thought is here exhibited under another formthat all which constituted festivity1 joy1 and amusement1 and all that indicated thrift and prosperity1 would disappear4 ,of course1 in a great and gay city1 there would be all kinds of music2 and when it is said that this would be heard there no more it is a most striking image of utter desolation4 ,and musicians4 ,musicians in general2 but perhaps here singers1 as distinguished from those who played on instruments4 ,and of pipers4 ,those who played on pipes or flutes4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 xiv4 #g2 ,mat4 xi4 #ag4 ,and trumpeters4 ,trumpets were common instruments of music1 employed on festival occasions1 in war1 and in worship4 ,only the principal instruments of music are mentioned here1 as representatives of the rest4 ,the general idea is1 that the sound of music1 as an indication of festivity and joy1 would cease4 ,shall be heard no more at all in thee4 ,it would become utterly and permanently desolate4 ,and no craftsman1 of whatsoever craft4 ,that is1 artificers of all kinds would cease to ply their trades there4 ,the word here usedwould include all artisans or mechanics1 all who were engaged in any kind of trade or craft4 ,the meaning here is1 that all these would disappear1 an image1 #djf of course1 of utter decay4 ,and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more4 ,taylor 7,frag4 to ,cal4 ,dict4 vol4 iv4 p4 #cdf7 supposes that this may refer not so much to the rattle of the mill as to the voice of singing1 which usually accompanied grinding4 ,the sound of a mill is cheerful1 and indicates prosperity2 its ceasing is an image of decline4 #bc ,and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee2 and the #egavoice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee3 for thy #egbmerchants were the great men of the earth2 for by thy #egcsorceries were all nations deceived4 #bc4 ,and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee4 ,another image of desolation1 as if every light were put out1 and there were total darkness4 ,and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee4 ,the merry and cheerful voice of the marriage procession in the streets 7,notes on ,mat4 xxv4 #ag71 or the cheerful1 glad voice of the newly-married couple in their own dwelling 7,notes on ,jn4 iii4 #bi74 ,for thy merchants were the great men of the earth4 ,those who dealt with thee were the rich1 and among them were even nobles and princes2 and now that they trade with thee no more there is occasion for lamentation and sorrow4 ,the contrast is great between the time when distinguished foreigners crowded thy marts1 and now1 when none of any kind come to traffic with thee4 ,the origin of this representation is probably the description of ,tyre in ,eze4 xxvii4 ,for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived4 ,this is stated as a reason for the ruin that had come upon her4 ,it is a common representation of ,papal ,rome that she has deceived or deluded the nations of the earth 7see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ad71 and no representation ever made accords more with facts as they have occurred4 ,the word sorceries here refers to the various artsthe tricks1 impostures1 and false pretences by which this has been done4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #ba4 #bd ,and in her was found the blood of prophets1 and of saints1 and of #egd;all that were slain upon the earth4 #bd4 ,and in her4 ,when she came to be destroyed1 and her real character was seen4 ,was found the blood of prophets4 ,of the public teachers of the true religion4 ,on the word prophets see ,notes on ver4 #bj4 ,and of saints4 ,of the holy4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #bj4 ,and of all that were slain upon the earth4 ,so numerous have been the slain1 so constant and bloody have been the persecutions there1 that it may be said that all the blood ever shed has been poured out there4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 xxiii4 #ce4 ,no one can doubt the propriety of this representation with respect to ,pagan and ,papal ,rome4 ,in regard to the general meaning and application of this chapter the following remarks may be made3 7#a7 ,it refers to ,papal ,rome1 and is designed to describe the final overthrow of that formidable ,antichristian power4 ,the whole course of the interpretation of the previous chapters demands such an application1 and the chapter itself naturally suggests it4 7#b7 ,if it be asked why so much of this imagery is derived from the condition of a maritime power1 or pertains to commerce1 since both ,babylon and ,rome were at some distance from the sea1 and neither could with propriety be regarded as seaport towns1 it may be replied1 7a7 that the main idea in the mind of ,john was that of a rich and magnificent city2 7b7 that all the things enumerated were doubtless found1 in fact1 in both ,babylon and ,rome2 7c7 that though not properly seaport towns1 they were situated on rivers that opened into seas1 and were therefore not unfavourably situated for commerce2 and 7d7 that1 in fact1 they traded with all parts of the earth4 ,the leading idea is that of a great and luxurious city1 and this is filled up and decorated with images of what is commonly found in large commercial towns4 ,we are not1 therefore1 to look for a literal application of this1 and it is not necessary to attempt to find all these things1 in fact1 in the city referred to4 ,much of the description may be for the mere sake of keeping1 or ornament4 7#c7 ,if this refers to ,rome1 as is supposed1 then1 in accordance with the previous representations1 it shows that the destruction of the ,papal power is to be complete and final4 ,the image which ,john had in his eye as illustrating that was undoubtedly ancient ,babylon #djg as prophetically described in ,is4 xiii41 xiv41 and the destruction of the power here referred to is to be as complete as was the destruction described there4 ,it would not be absolutely necessary in the fulfilment of this to suppose that ,rome itself is to become a heap of ruins like ,babylon1 whatever may be true on that point1 but that the ,papal power1 as such1 is to be so utterly destroyed that the ruins of desolate ,babylon would properly represent it4 7#d7 ,if this interpretation is correct1 then the ,reformation was in entire accordance with what ,god would have his people do1 and was demanded by solemn duty to him4 ,thus1 in ver4 #d of this chapter1 his people are expressly commanded to 8come out of her1 that they might not be partakers of her sins1 nor of her plagues40 ,if it had been the design of the ,reformers to perform a work that should be in all respects a fulfilling of the command of ,god1 they could have done nothing that would have more literally met the divine requirement4 ,indeed1 the church has never performed a duty more manifestly in accordance with the divine will1 and more indispensable for its own purity1 prosperity1 and safety1 than the act of separating entirely and for ever from ,papal ,rome4 7#e7 ,the ,reformation was a great movement in human affairs4 ,it was the index of great progress already reached1 and the pledge of still greater4 ,the affairs of the world were at that period placed on a new footing1 and from the period of the ,reformation1 and just in proportion as the principles of the ,reformation are acted on1 the destiny of mankind is onward4 7#f7 ,the fall of ,papal ,rome1 as described in this chapter1 will remove one of the last obstructions to the final triumph of the gospel4 ,in the ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ajaf1 we saw that one great hindrance to the spread of the true religion would be taken away by the decline and fall of the ,turkish power4 ,a still more formidable hindrance will be taken away by the decline and fall of the ,papal power2 for that power holds more millions of the race under its subjection1 and with a more consummate art1 and a more powerful spell4 ,the ,papal influence has been felt1 and still is felt1 in a considerable part of the world4 ,it has churches1 and schools1 and colleges1 in almost all lands4 ,it exercises a vast influence over governments4 ,it has powerful societies organized for the purpose of propagating its opinions2 and it so panders to some of the most powerful passions of our nature1 and so converts to its own purposes all the resources of superstition1 as still to retain a mighty1 though a waning hold on the human mind4 ,when this power shall finally cease1 anyone can see that perhaps the most mighty obstruction which has ever been on the earth for a thousand years to the spread of the gospel will have been removed1 and the way will be prepared for the introduction of the long-hoped-for millennium4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter1 as well as the last1 is an episode1 delaying the final catastrophe1 and describing more fully the effect of the destruction of the mystical ,babylon4 ,the chapter consists of the following parts3 ,i4 ,a hymn of the heavenly hosts in view of the destruction of the mystical ,babylon1 ver4 #ag4 7a7 ,a voice is heard in heaven shouting ,hallelujah1 in view of the fact that ,god had judged the great harlot that had corrupted the earth1 ver4 #a1 #b4 7b7 ,the sound is echoed and repeated as the smoke of her torment ascends1 ver4 #c4 7c7 ,the four and twenty elders1 and the four living creatures1 as interested in all that pertains to the church1 unite in that shout of ,hallelujah1 ver4 #d4 7d7 ,a voice is heard from the throne commanding them to praise ,god1 ver4 #e2 and 7e7 the mighty shout of ,hallelujah is echoed and repeated from unnumbered hosts1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,,ii4 ,the marriage of the ,lamb1 ver4 #h1 #i4 ,the ,lamb of ,god is united to his bridethe churchnever more to be separated2 and after all the persecutions1 conflicts1 and embarrassments which had existed1 this long-desired union is consummated1 and the glorious triumph of the church is described under the image of a joyous wedding ceremony4 ,,iii4 ,john is so overcome with this representation1 that in his transports of feeling he prostrates himself before the angel who shows him all this1 ready to worship one who discloses such bright and glorious scenes1 ver4 #aj4 ,he is gently rebuked for allowing himself to be so overcome that he would render divine homage to any creature1 and is told that he who communicates this to #djh him is but a fellow-servant1 and that ,god only is to be worshipped4 ,,iv4 ,the final conquest over the beast and the false prophet1 and the subjugation of all the foes of the church1 ver4 #aaba4 7a7 ,a description of the conquerorthe ,son of ,god1 ver4 #aaaf4 ,he appears on a white horseemblem of victory4 ,he has on his head many crowns2 wears a vesture dipped in blood2 is followed by the armies of heaven on white horses2 from his mouth goes a sharp sword2 and his name is prominently written on his vesture and his thighall emblematic of certain victory4 7b7 ,an angel is seen standing in the sun1 calling on all the fowls of heaven to come to the great feast prepared for them in the destruction of the enemies of ,godas if there were a great slaughter sufficient to supply all the fowls that feed on flesh1 ver4 #ag1 #ah4 7c7 ,the final war1 ver4 #ai1 #ba4 ,the beast1 and the kings of the earth1 and their armies are gathered together for battle2 the beast and the false prophet are taken1 and are cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone2 and all that remain of the enemies of ,god are slain1 and the fowls are satisfied with their flesh4 ,the last obstacle that prevented the dawn of the millennial morning is taken away1 and the church is triumphant4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,and after these things ,i heard a #ege;great voice of much people in heaven1 saying1 #egf;,alleluia2 #egg,salvation1 and glory1 and honour1 and power1 unto the ,lord our ,god3 #a4 ,and after these things4 ,the things particularly that were exhibited in the previous chapter4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xviii4 #a4 ,i heard a voice of much people in heaven4 ,the voice of the worshippers before the throne4 ,saying1 ,alleluia4 ,the ,greek method of writing ,hallelujah4 ,this wordoccurs in the ,new ,testament only in this chapter1 ver4 #a1 #c1 #d1 #f4 ,the ,hebrew phrase ,hallelujahoccurs often in the ,old ,testament4 ,it means1 properly1 ,praise ,jehovah1 or ,praise the ,lord4 ,the occasion on which it is introduced here is very appropriate4 ,it is uttered by the inhabitants of heaven1 in the immediate presence of ,god himself1 and in view of the final overthrow of the enemies of the church1 and the triumph of the gospel4 ,in such circumstances it was fit that heaven should render praise1 and that a song of thanksgiving should be uttered in which all holy beings could unite4 ,salvation4 ,that is1 the salvation is to be ascribed to ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #aj4 ,and glory1 and honour4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #ab4 ,and power4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #ac4 ,unto the ,lord our ,god4 ,that is1 all that there is of honour1 glory1 power1 in the redemption of the world belongs to ,god1 and should be ascribed to him4 ,this is expressive of the true feelings of piety always2 this will constitute the song of heaven4 #b ,for #eghtrue and righteous are his judgments3 for he hath judged the great whore1 which did corrupt the earth with her fornication1 and hath #egi;avenged the blood of his servants at her hand4 #b4 ,for true and righteous are his judgments4 ,that is1 the calamities that come upon the power here referred to are deserved4 ,for he hath judged the great whore4 ,the power represented by the harlot4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #a4 ,which did corrupt the earth with her fornication4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #h2 xvii4 #b1 #d1 #e2 xviii4 #c4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 ix4 #ba4 ,and hath avenged the blood of his servants4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xviii4 #bj1 #bd4 ,at her hand4 ,shed by her hand4 #c ,and again they said1 ,alleluia4 ,and her #ehjsmoke rose up for ever and ever4 #c4 ,and again they said1 ,alleluia4 ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,the event was so glorious and so important2 the final destruction of the great enemy of the church was of so much moment in its bearing on the welfare of the world1 as to call forth repeated expressions of praise4 ,and her smoke rose up for ever and ever4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aa4 ,this is an image of final ruin2 the image being derived probably from the description in ,genesis of the smoke that ascended from the cities of the plain1 ,ge4 xix4 #bh4 ,on the joy expressed here in her destruction1 comp4 ,notes on ch4 xviii4 #bj4 #d ,and the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped ,god that sat on the throne1 saying1 ,amen2 ,alleluia4 #d4 ,and the four and twenty elders and the four beasts4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #d1 #f1 #g4 ,as representatives of the church1 #dji and as interested in its welfare1 they are now introduced as rejoicing in its final triumph1 and in the destruction of its last foe4 ,fell down4 ,prostrated themselvesthe usual posture of worship4 ,and worshipped ,god that sat on the throne4 ,ch4 iv4 #b1 #c1 #aj4 ,that is1 they now adored him for what he had done in delivering the church from all its persecutions1 and causing it to triumph in the world4 ,saying1 ,amen4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 vi4 #ac4 ,the word here is expressive of approbation of what ,god had done2 or of their solemn assent to all that had occurred in the destruction of the great enemy of the church4 ,alleluia4 ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,the repetition of this word so many times shows the intenseness of the joy of heaven in view of the final triumph of the church4 #e ,and a voice came out of the throne1 saying1 #eha,praise our ,god1 all ye his servants1 and ye that fear him1 both small and great4 #e4 ,and a voice came out of the throne4 ,a voice seemed to come from the very midst of the throne4 ,it is not said by whom this voice was uttered4 ,it cannot be supposed1 however1 that it was uttered by ,god himself1 for the command which it gave was this3 8,praise our ,god10 c4 ,for the same reason it seems hardly probable that it was the voice of the ,messiah1 unless it be supposed that he here identifies himself with the redeemed church1 and speaks of ,god as his ,god and hers4 ,it would seem rather that it was a responsive voice that came from those nearest the throne1 calling on all to unite in praising ,god in view of what was done4 ,the meaning then will be1 that all heaven was interested in the triumph of the church1 and that one portion of the dwellers there called on the others to unite in offering thanksgiving4 ,praise our ,god4 ,the ,god that we worship4 ,all ye his servants4 ,all in heaven and earth2 all have occasion for thankfulness4 ,and ye that fear him4 ,that reverence and obey him4 ,the fear of the ,lord is a common expression in the ,scriptures to denote true piety4 ,both small and great4 ,all of every class and conditionpoor and richyoung and old2 those of humble and those of exalted rank4 ,comp4 ,ps4 cxlviii4 #gac4 #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 many thunderings1 saying1 ,alleluia2 #ehb;for the ,lord ,god omnipotent reigneth4 #f4 ,and ,i heard as it were the voice of a great multitude4 ,in ver4 #a he says that he 8heard a great voice of much people20 here he says he 8heard as it were a voice of a great multitude40 ,that is1 in the former case he heard a shout that he at once recognized as the voice of a great multitude of persons2 here he says that he heard a sound not distinctly recognized at first as such1 but which resembled such a shout of a multitude4 ,in the former case it was distinct2 here it was confusedbearing a resemblance to the sound of roaring waters1 or to muttering thunder1 but less distinct than the former4 ,this phrase would imply 7a7 a louder sound2 and 7b7 that the sound was more remote1 and therefore less clear and distinct4 ,and as the voice of many waters4 ,the comparison of the voices of a host of people with the roar of mighty waters is not uncommon in the ,scriptures4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xvii4 #ab1 #ac4 ,so in ,homer3 8,the monarch spoke1 and straight a murmur rose1 ,loud as the surges when the tempest blows2 ,that dash'd on broken rocks tumultuous roar1 ,and foam and thunder on the stony shore40 ,and as the voice of mighty thunderings4 ,the loud1 deep1 heavy voice of thunder4 ,the distant shouts of a multitude may properly be represented by the sound of heavy thunder4 ,saying1 ,alleluia4 ,notes on ver4 #a4 ,this is the fourth time in which this is uttered as expressive of the joy of the heavenly hosts in view of the overthrow of the enemies of the church4 ,the occasion will be worthy of this emphatic expression of joy4 ,for the ,lord ,god omnipotent reigneth4 ,jehovah,god ,almightythe true ,god4 ,the meaning is1 that as the last enemy of the church is destroyed1 he now truly reigns4 ,this is the result of his power1 and therefore it is proper that he should be praised as the omnipotent or ,almighty ,godfor he has shown that he can overcome all his enemies1 and bring the world to his feet4 #g ,let us be glad and rejoice1 and give honour to him3 for the #ehcmarriage of the ,lamb is come1 and his #ehdwife hath made herself ready4 #daj #g4 ,let us be glad and rejoice4 ,let all in heaven rejoicefor all have an interest in the triumph of truth2 all should be glad that the government of ,god is set up over an apostate world4 ,and give honour to him4 ,because the work is glorious2 and because it is by his power alone that it has been accomplished4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #ab4 ,for the marriage of the ,lamb is come4 ,of the ,lamb of ,godthe ,redeemer of the world4 ,notes on ch4 v4 #f4 ,the relation of ,god1 and especially of the ,messiah1 to the church1 is often in the ,scriptures represented under the image of marriage4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 liv4 #df2 lxii4 #d1 #e2 #b ,co4 xi4 #b2 ,ep4 v4 #bccc4 ,comp4 ,je4 iii4 #ad2 xxxi4 #cb2 ,ho4 ii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,the idea is also said to be common in ,arabic and ,persian poetry4 ,it is to be remembered1 also1 that ,papal ,rome has just been represented as a gay and meretricious woman2 and there is a propriety1 therefore1 in representing the true church as a pure bride1 the ,lamb's wife1 and the final triumph of that church as a joyous marriage4 ,the meaning is1 that the church was now to triumph and rejoice as if in permanent union with her glorious head and ,lord4 ,and his wife hath made herself ready4 ,by putting on her beautiful apparel and ornaments4 ,all the preparations had been made far a permanent and uninterrupted union with its ,redeemer1 and the church was henceforward to be recognized as his beautiful bride1 and was no more to appear as a decorated harlotas it had during the ,papal supremacy4 ,between the church under the ,papacy1 and the church in its true form1 there is all the difference which there is between an abandoned woman gaily decked with gold and jewels1 and a pure virgin chastely and modestly adorned1 about to be led to be united in bonds of love to a virtuous husband4 #h ,and to her was granted that she should be #ehe;arrayed in fine linen1 clean and #ehfwhite3 for the fine linen is the #ehgrighteousness of saints4 #h4 ,and to her was granted4 ,it is not said here by whom this was granted1 but it is perhaps implied that this was conferred by the ,saviour himself on his bride4 ,that the should be arrayed in fine linen1 clean and white4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #d1 #e1 #ah2 vii4 #ac4 ,white has1 perhaps1 in all countries been the usual colour of the bridal dressas an emblem of innocence4 ,for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints4 ,represents the righteousness of the saints2 or is an emblem of it4 ,it should be remarked1 however1 that it is implied here1 as it is everywhere in the ,scriptures1 that this is not their own righteousness1 for it is said that this was 8given0 to the brideto the saints4 ,it is the gracious bestowment of their ,lord2 and the reference here must be to that righteousness which they obtain by faiththe righteousness which results from justification through the merits of the ,redeemer4 ,of this ,paul speaks1 when he says 7,phi4 iii4 #i71 8,and be found in him1 not having mine own righteousness1 which is of the law1 but that which is through the faith of ,christ1 the righteousness which is of ,god by faith40 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ro4 iii4 #be1 #bf4 #i ,and he saith unto me1 ,write1 #ehh;,blessed are they which are called unto the #ehimarriage-supper of the ,lamb4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,these#eij;are the true sayings of ,god4 #i4 ,and he saith unto me4 ,the angel who made these representations to him4 ,see ver4 #aj4 ,write1 ,blessed are they4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #ac4 ,which are called unto the marriage-supper of the ,lamb4 ,the idea of a festival1 or a marriage-supper1 was a familiar one to the ,jews to represent the happiness of heaven1 and is frequently found in the ,new ,testament4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,lu4 xiv4 #ae1 #af2 xvi4 #bb2 xxii4 #af2 ,mat4 xxii4 #b4 ,the image in the passage before us is that of many guests invited to a great festival4 ,and he saith unto me1 ,these are the true sayings of ,god4 ,confirming all by a solemn declaration4 ,the importance of what is here said2 the desirableness of having it fixed in the mind1 amidst the trials of life and the scenes of persecution through which the church was to pass1 makes this solemn declaration proper4 ,the idea is1 that in all times of persecutionin every dark hour of despondencythe church1 as such1 and every individual member of the church1 should receive it as a solemn truth never to be doubted1 that the religion of ,christ would finally #daa prevail1 and that all persecution and sorrow here would be followed by joy and triumph in heaven4 #aj ,and#eia ,i fell at his feet to worship him4 ,and he said unto me1 ,see thou do it not3 ,i am thy fellow-servant1 and of thy brethren that have the testimony of ,jesus2 worship ,god3 for the #eibtestimony of ,jesus is the spirit of prophecy4 #aj4 ,and ,i fell at his feel to worship him4 ,at the feet of the angel4 ,notes on ver4 #i4 ,this is a common posture of adoration in the ,east4 ,see ,rosenmller's ,morgenland1 in loco4 ,notes on #a ,co4 xiv4 #be4 ,john was entirely overcome with the majesty of the heavenly messenger1 and with the amazing truths that he had disclosed to him1 and in the overflowing of his feelings he fell upon the earth in the posture of adoration4 ,or it may be that he mistook the rank of him who addressed him1 and supposed that he was the ,messiah whom he had been accustomed to worship1 and who had first 7ch4 i47 appeared to him4 ,if so1 his error was soon corrected4 ,he was told by the angel himself who made these communications that he had no claims to such homage1 and that the praise which he offered him should be rendered to ,god alone4 ,it should be observed that there is not the slightest intimation that this was the ,messiah himself1 and consequently this does not contain any evidence that it would be improper to worship him4 ,the only fair conclusion from the passage is1 that it is wrong to offer religious homage to an angel4 ,and he said unto me1 ,see thou do it not4 ,that is1 in rendering the homage which you propose to me1 you would in fact render it to a creature4 ,this may be regarded as an admonition to be careful in our worship2 not to allow our feelings to overcome us2 and not to render that homage to a creature which is due to ,god alone4 ,of course1 this would prohibit the worship of the ,virgin ,mary1 and of any of the saints1 and all that homage rendered to a created being which is due to ,god only4 ,nothing is more carefully guarded in the ,bible than the purity and simplicity of worship2 nothing is more sternly rebuked than idolatry2 nothing is more contrary to the divine law than rendering in any way that homage to a creature which belongs of right to the ,creator4 ,it was necessary to guard even ,john1 the beloved disciple1 on that subject2 how much more needful1 therefore1 is it to guard the church at large from the dangers to which it is liable4 ,i am thy fellow-servant4 ,evidently this was an angel1 and yet he here speaks of himself as a 8fellow-servant0 of ,john4 ,that is1 he was engaged in the service of the same ,god2 he was endeavouring to advance the same cause1 and to honour the same ,redeemer4 ,the sentiment is1 that in promoting religion in the world1 we are associated with angels4 ,it is no condescension in them to be engaged in the service of the ,redeemer1 though it seems to be condescension for them to be associated with us in anything2 it constitutes no ground of merit in us to be engaged in the service of the ,redeemer 7comp4 ,lu4 xvii4 #aj71 though we may regard it as an honour to be associated with the angels1 and it may raise us in conscious dignity to feel that we are united with them4 ,and of thy brethren4 ,of other ,christians2 for all are engaged in the same work4 ,that have the testimony of ,jesus4 ,who are witnesses for the ,saviour4 ,it is possible that there may be here a particular reference to those who were engaged in preaching the gospel1 though the language will apply to all who give their testimony to the value of the gospel by consistent lives4 ,worship ,god4 ,he is the only proper object of worship2 he alone is to be adored4 ,for the testimony of ,jesus4 ,the meaning here seems to be1 that this angel1 and ,john1 and their fellow-servants1 were all engaged in the same workthat of bearing their testimony to ,jesus4 ,thus1 in this respect1 they were on a level1 and one of them should not worship another1 but all should unite in the common worship of ,god4 ,no one in this work1 though an angel1 could have such a pre-eminence that it would be proper to render the homage to him which was due to ,god alone4 ,there could be but one being whom it was proper to worship1 and they who were engaged in simply bearing testimony to the work of the ,saviour should not worship one another4 ,is the spirit of prophecy4 #dab ,the design of prophecy is to bear testimony to ,jesus4 ,the language does not mean1 of course1 that this is the only design of prophecy1 but that this is its great and ultimate end4 ,the word prophecy here seems to be used in the large sense in which it is often employed in the ,new ,testamentmeaning to make known the divine will 7see ,notes on ,ro4 xii4 #f71 and the primary reference here would seem to be to the preachers and teachers of the ,new ,testament4 ,the sense is1 that their grand business is to bear testimony to the ,saviour4 ,they are allwhether angels1 apostles1 or ordinary teachersappointed for this1 and therefore should regard themselves as 8fellow-servants40 ,the design of the angel in this seems to have been1 to state to ,john what was his own specific business in the communications which he made1 and then to state a universal truth applicable to all ministers of the gospel1 that they were engaged in the same work1 and that no one of them should claim adoration from others4 ,thus understood1 this passage has no direct reference to the prophecies of the ,old ,testament1 and teaches nothing in regard to their design1 though it is in fact undoubtedly true that their grand and leading object was to bear testimony to the future ,messiah4 ,but this passage will not justify the attempt so often made to 8find ,christ0 everywhere in the prophecies of the ,old ,testament1 or justify the many forced and unnatural interpretations by which the prophecies are often applied to him4 #aa ,and ,i saw heaven opened1 and behold1 a #eicwhite horse2 and he that sat upon him was #eid;called ,faithful and ,true1 and #eie;in righteousness he doth judge and make war4 #aa4 ,and ,i saw heaven opened4 ,he saw a new vision1 as if an opening were made through the sky1 and he was permitted to look into heaven4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #a4 ,and behold1 a white horse4 ,on the white horse as a symbol1 see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #b4 ,he is here the symbol of the final victory that is to be obtained over the beast and the false prophet 7ver4 #bj71 and of the final triumph of the church4 ,and he that sat upon him was called ,faithful and ,true4 ,he is not designated here by his usual and real name1 but by his attributes4 ,there can be no doubt that the ,messiah is intended1 as he goes forth to the subjugation of the world to himself4 ,the attributes here referred tofaithful and trueare peculiarly appropriate1 for they are not only strongly marked attributes of his character1 but they would be particularly manifested in the events that are described4 ,he would thus show that he was faithfulor worthy of the confidence of his church in delivering it from all its enemies2 and true to all the promises that he has made to it4 ,and in righteousness he doth judge4 ,all his acts of judgment in determining the destiny of men are righteous4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xi4 #ce4 ,and make war4 ,that is1 the war which he wages is not a war of ambition2 it is not for the mere purpose of conquest2 it is to save the righteous1 and to punish the wicked4 #ab ,his#eif eyes were as a flame of fire1 and on his head were #eigmany crowns2 and he had a #eihname written1 that no man knew but he himself4 #ab4 ,his eyes were as a flame of fire4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ad4 ,and on his head were many crowns4 ,many diadems1 indicative of his universal reign4 ,it is not said how these were worn or arranged on his headperhaps the various diadems worn by kings were in some way wreathed into one4 ,and he had a name written4 ,that is1 probably on the frontlet of this compound diadem4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #a2 xiv4 #a4 ,that no man knew but he himself4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #ag4 ,this cannot here mean that no one could read the name1 but the idea is1 that no one but himself could fully understand its import4 ,it involved a depth of meaning1 and a degree of sacredness1 and a relation to the ,father1 which he alone could apprehend in its true import4 ,this is true of the name here designated8the ,word of ,god0the ,logos2 and it is true of all the names which he bears4 ,see ,mat4 xi4 #bg4 ,comp4 a quotation from ,dr4 ,buchanan in the ,asiatic ,researches1 vol4 i4 vi4 p4 #bfd1 as quoted by ,rosenmller1 ,morgenland1 in loco4 #ac ,and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood3 and his name is called #eii,the ,word of ,god4 #ac4 ,and he was clothed with a vesture #dac dipped in blood4 ,red1 as if dipped in bloodemblem of slaughter4 ,the original of this image is probably ,is4 lxiii4 #b1 #c4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,and his name is called ,the ,word of ,god4 ,the name which in ver4 #ab1 it is said that no one knew but he himself4 ,this name is 1 or 8the ,logos of ,god40 ,that is1 this is his peculiar name2 a name which belongs only to him1 and which distinguishes him from all other beings4 ,the name ,logos1 as applicable to the ,son of ,god1 and expressive of his nature1 is found in the ,new ,testament only in the writings of ,john1 and is used by him to denote the higher or divine nature of the ,saviour4 ,in regard to its meaning1 and the reason why it is applied to him1 see ,notes on ,jn4 i4 #a4 ,the reader also may consult1 with great advantage1 an article by ,professor ,stuart in the ,bibliotheca ,sacra1 vol4 vii4 pp4 #afca4 ,the following may be some of the reasons why it is said 7ver4 #ab7 that no one understands this but he himself37#a7 ,no one but he can understand its full import1 as it implies so high a knowledge of the nature of the ,deity2 7#b7 no one but he can understand the relation which it supposes in regard to ,god1 or the relation of the ,son to the ,father2 7#c7 no one but he can understand what is implied in it1 regarded as the method in which ,god reveals himself to his creatures on earth2 7#d7 no one but he can understand what is implied in it in respect to the manner in which ,god makes himself known to other worlds4 ,it may be added1 as a further illustration of this1 that none of the attempts made to explain it have left the matter so that there are no questions unsolved which one would be glad to ask4 #ad ,and the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses1 #fjj;clothed in fine linen1 white and clean4 #ad4 ,and the armies which were in heaven followed him4 ,the heavenly hosts2 particularly1 it would seem1 the redeemed1 as there would be some incongruity in representing the angels as riding in this manner4 ,doubtless the original of this picture is ,is4 lxiii4 #c3 8,i have trodden the wine-press alone1 and of the people there was none with me40 ,these hosts of the redeemed on white horses accompany him to be witnesses of his victory1 and to participate in the joy of the triumph1 not to engage in the work of blood4 ,upon white horses4 ,emblems of triumph or victory4 ,see ,notes on ch4 vi4 #b4 ,clothed in fine linen1 white and clean4 ,the usual raiment of those who are in heaven1 as everywhere represented in this book4 ,see ch4 iii4 #d1 #e2 iv4 #d2 vii4 #i1 #ac2 xv4 #f4 #ae ,and #fjaout of his mouth goeth a sharp sword1 that with it he should smite the nations3 and he shall rule them with a #fjbrod of iron3 and #fjc;he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of ,almighty ,god4 #ae4 ,and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #af4 ,in that place the sword seems to be an emblem of his words or doctrines1 as penetrating the hearts of men2 here it is the emblem of a work of destruction wrought on his foes4 ,that with it he should smite the nations4 ,the nations that were opposed to him2 to wit1 those especially who were represented by the beast and the false prophet1 ver4 #ahbj4 ,and he shall rule them with a rod of iron4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #bg2 xii4 #e4 ,and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of ,almighty ,god4 ,this language is probably derived from ,is4 lxiii4 #ad4 ,see it explained in the ,notes on that place1 and on ch4 xiv4 #ai1 #bj4 ,it means here that his enemies would be certainly crushed before himas grapes are crushed under the feet of him that treads in the wine-vat4 #af ,and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written1 ,,king#fjd ,,of ,,kings1 ,,and ,,lord ,,of ,,lords4 #af4 ,and he hath on his vesture4 ,that is1 this name was conspicuously written on his garmentprobably his military robe4 ,and on his thigh4 ,the robe or military cloak may be conceived of as open and flowing1 so as to expose the limbs of the rider2 and the idea is1 that the name was conspicuously written not only on the flowing robe1 but on the other parts of his dress1 so that it must be conspicuous whether his military cloak were wrapped closely around him1 or whether it was open to the breeze4 ,grotius supposes #dad that this name was on the edge or hilt of the sword which depended from his thigh4 ,a name written4 ,or a title descriptive of his character4 ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords4 ,as in ch4 xvii4 #e1 so here1 there is nothing in the original to denote that this should be distinguished1 as it is1 by capital letters4 ,as a conspicuous title1 however1 it is not improper4 ,it means that he is1 in fact1 the sovereign over the kings of the earth1 and that all nobles and princes are under his controla rank that properly belongs to the ,son of ,god4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ep4 i4 #bjbb4 ,see also ver4 #ab of this chapter4 ,the custom here alluded to of inscribing the name or rank of distinguished individuals on their garments1 so that they might be readily recognized1 was not uncommon in ancient times4 ,for full proof of this1 see ,rosenmller1 ,morgenland1 vol4 iii4 pp4 #bcbbcf4 ,the authorities quoted there are1 ,thevenot's ,travels1 vol4 i4 p4 #adi2 ,gruter1 p4 #ihi2 ,dempster's ,etruria ,regalis1 t4 ii4 tab4 #ic2 ,montfauon1 ,antiq4 ,expliq4 t4 iii4 tab4 #ci4 ,thus ,herodotus 7vol4 ii4 p4 #aif71 speaking of the figures of ,sesostris in ,ionia1 says that1 8,across his breast1 from shoulder to shoulder1 there is this inscription in the sacred characters of ,egypt1 #8,i conquered this country by the force of my arms4'0 ,comp4 ,cic4 ,verr4 iv4 #bc2 ,le ,moyne ad ,jer4 xxiii4 #f2 ,mnter1 ,diss4 ad ,apoc4 xvii4 #e1 as referred to by ,professor ,stuart1 in loco4 #ag ,and ,i saw an angel standing in the sun2 and he cried with a loud voice1 saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven1 #fje;,come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great ,god2 #ag4 ,and ,i saw an angel standing in the sun4 ,a different angel evidently from the one which had before appeared to him4 ,the number of angels that appeared to ,john1 as referred to in this book1 was very great1 and each one came on a new errand1 or with a new message4 ,everyone must be struck with the image here4 ,the description is as simple as it can be2 and yet as sublime4 ,the fewest words possible are used2 and yet the image is distinct and clear4 ,a heavenly being stands in the blaze of the brightest of the orbs that ,god permits us here to seeyet not consumed1 and himself so bright that he can be distinctly seen amidst the dazzling splendours of that luminary4 ,it is difficult to conceive of an image more sublime than this4 ,why he has his place in the sun is not stated1 for there does not appear to be anything more intended by this than to give grandeur and impressiveness to the scene4 ,and he cried with a loud voice4 ,so that all the fowls of heaven could hear4 ,saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven4 ,that is1 to all the birds of preyall that feed on fleshsuch as hover over a battle-field4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xviii4 #f2 lvi4 #i4 ,see also ,je4 vii4 #cc2 xii4 #i2 ,eze4 xxxix4 #dbj4 ,come and gather yourselves together4 ,all this imagery is taken from the idea that there would be a great slaughter1 and that the bodies of the dead would be left unburied to the birds of prey4 ,unto the supper of the great ,god4 ,as if the great ,god were about to give you a feastto wit1 the carcasses of those slain4 ,it is called 8his supper0 because he gives it2 and the image is merely that there would be a great slaughter of his foes1 as is specified in the following verse4 #ah ,that ye may eat the flesh of kings1 and the flesh of captains1 and the flesh of mighty men1 and the flesh of horses1 and of them that sit on them1 and the flesh of all men1 both free and bond1 both small and great4 #ah4 ,that ye may eat the flesh of kings4 ,of the kings under the control of the beast and the false prophet1 ch4 xvi4 #ad2 xvii4 #abad4 ,and the flesh of captains4 ,of those subordinate to kings in command4 ,the ,greek word is chiliarchsdenoting captains of a thousand1 or1 as we should say1 commanders of a regiment4 ,the word colonel would better convey the idea with us2 as he is the commander of a regiment1 and a regiment is usually composed of about a thousand men4 ,and the flesh of mighty men4 ,the word here means strong1 and the reference is to the robust soldieryrank and file in the army4 ,and the flesh of horses1 and of them that sit on them4 ,cavalryfor most armies are composed in part of horsemen4 ,and the flesh of all men1 both free and bond4 ,freemen and #dae slaves4 ,it is not uncommon that freemen and slaves are mingled in the same army4 ,this was the case in the ,american ,revolution1 and is common in the ,east4 ,both small and great4 ,young and old2 of small size and of great size2 of those of humble1 and those of exalted rank4 ,the later armies of ,napoleon were composed in great part of conscripts1 many of whom were only about eighteen years of age1 and to this circumstance many of his later defeats are to be traced4 ,in the army that was raised after the invasion of ,russia no less than one hundred and fifty thousand of the conscripts were between eighteen and nineteen years of age 7,alison's ,history of ,europe1 vol4 iv4 p4 #bg74 ,indeed1 it is common in most armies that a considerable portion of the enlistments are from those in early life2 and besides this1 it is usual to employ mere boys on various services about a camp4 #ai ,and ,i saw the beast1 and the kings of the earth1 and their armies1 gathered#fjf together to make war against him that sat on the horse1 and against his army4 #ai4 ,and ,i saw the beast4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #a1 #aa4 ,comp4 ch4 xvii4 #ac4 ,and the kings of the earth1 and their armies1 gathered together4 ,there is allusion here to the same assembling of hostile forces which is described in ch4 xvi4 #ac1 #ad1 for the great decisive battle that is to determine the destiny of the worldthe question whether the ,messiah or ,antichrist shall reign4 ,there can be no doubt that the writer in these passages designed to refer to the same eventsthe still future scenes that are to occur when the ,roman1 the ,pagan1 and the ,mahometan powers shall be aroused to make common cause against the true religion1 and shall stake all on the issue of the great conflict4 ,see the ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ac1 #ad4 ,against him that sat on the horse4 ,the ,messiahthe ,son of ,god4 ,notes on ver4 #aa4 ,and against his army4 ,the hosts that are associated with himhis redeemed people4 ,notes on ver4 #ad4 #bj ,and the #fjg;beast was taken1 and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him1 with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast1 and them that worshipped his image4 ,these both were #fjh;cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone4 #bj4 ,and the beast was taken4 ,that is1 was taken alive1 to be thrown into the lake of fire4 ,the hosts were slain 7ver4 #ba71 but the leaders were made prisoners of war4 ,the general idea is1 that these armies were overcome1 and that the ,messiah was victorious2 but there is a propriety in the representation here that the leadersthe authors of the warshould be taken captive1 and reserved for severer punishment than death on the battle-field would befor they had stirred up their hosts1 and summoned these armies to make rebellion against the ,messiah4 ,the beast here1 as all along1 refers to the ,papal power2 and the idea is that of its complete and utter overthrow1 as if the leader of an army were taken captive and tormented in burning flames1 and all his followers were cut down on the field of battle4 ,and with him the false prophet4 ,as they had been practically associated together1 there was a propriety that they should share the same fate4 ,in regard to the false prophet1 and the nature of this alliance1 see ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ac4 ,that wrought miracles before him4 ,that is1 the false prophet had been united with the beast in deceiving the nations of the earth4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ad4 ,with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #afah4 ,by these arts they had been deceivedthat is1 they had been led into the alliance1 and had been sustained in their opposition to the truth4 ,the whole representation is that of an alliance to prevent the spread of the true religion1 as if the ,papacy and ,mahometanism were combined1 and the one was sustained by the pretended miracles of the other4 ,there would be a practical array against the reign of the ,son of ,god1 as if these great powers should act in concert1 and as if the peculiar claims which each set up in behalf of its own divine origin became a claim which went to support the whole combined organization4 ,these both were cast alive into a lake of fire4 ,the beast and the false prophet4 ,that is1 the overthrow will be as signal1 and the destruction as complete1 as if the leaders of the combined hosts should be taken alive1 and thrown into a pit or lake that burns with an intense heat4 ,there is no necessity for supposing that this #daf is to be literally inflictedfor the whole scene is symbolicalmeaning that the destruction of these powers would be as complete as if they were thrown into such a burning lake4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aj1 #aa4 ,burning with brimstone4 ,sulphurthe usual expression to denote intense heat1 and especially as referring to the punishment of the wicked4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aj4 #ba ,and the remnant were #fjislain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse1 which sword proceeded out of his mouth2 and #faj;all the fowls were filled with their flesh4 #ba4 ,and the remnant4 ,the remainder of the assembled hoststhe army at large1 in contradistinction from the leaders4 ,were slain with the sword4 ,cut down with the sword2 not rescued for protracted torment4 ,a proper distinction is thus made between the deceived multitudes and the leaders who had deceived them4 ,of him that sat upon the horse4 ,the ,messiah1 ver4 #aa4 ,which sword proceeded out of his mouth4 ,notes on ver4 #ae4 ,that is1 they were cut down by a word4 ,they fell before him as he spake1 as if they were slain by the sword4 ,perhaps this indicates that the effect that is to be produced when these great powers shall be destroyed is a moral effect2 that is1 that they will be subdued by the word of the ,son of ,god4 ,and all the fowls were filled with their flesh4 ,notes on ver4 #ag4 ,an effect was produced as if the fowls of heaven should feed upon the carcasses of the slain4 ,the general idea here is1 that these great ,antichristian powers which had so long resisted the gospel1 and prevented its being spread over the earth2 which had shed so much blood in persecution1 and had so long corrupted and deceived mankind1 would be subdued4 ,the true religion would be as triumphant as if the ,son of ,god should go forth as a warrior in his own might1 and secure their leaders for punishment1 and give up their hosts to the birds of prey4 ,this destruction of these great enemieswhich the whole course of the interpretation leads us to suppose is still futureprepares the way for the millennial reign of the ,son of ,godas stated in the following chapter4 ,the 8beast0 and the 8false prophet0 are disposed of1 and there remains only the subjugation of the great dragonthe source of all this evilto prepare the way for the long-anticipated triumph of the gospel4 ,the subjugation of the great original source of all those evil influences is stated in ch4 xx4 #ac2 and then follows the account of the thousand years' rest of the saints1 the resurrection of the dead1 and the final judgment4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,the ,,chapter4 ,this chapter1 like chapters xvi4 #abba1 xvii41 xviii41 xix41 pertains to the future1 and discloses things which are yet to occur4 ,it is not to be wondered at1 therefore1 for the reason stated in the ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #af1 that much obscurity should hang over it1 nor that it is difficult to explain it so as to remove all obscurity4 ,the statement in this chapter1 however1 is distinct and clear in its general characteristics1 and time will make all its particular statements free from ambiguity4 ,in the previous chapter1 an account is given of the final destruction of two of the most formidable enemies of the church1 and consequently the removal of two of the hindrances to the universal spread of the gospelthe beast and the false prophetthe ,papal and the ,mahometan powers4 ,but one obstacle remains to be removedthe power of ,satan as concentrated and manifested in the form of ,pagan power4 ,these three powers it was said 7ch4 xvi4 #ac1 #ad7 would concentrate their forces as the time of the final triumph of ,christianity drew on2 and with these the last great battle was to be fought4 ,two of these have been subdued2 the conquest over the other remains1 and ,satan is to be arrested and bound for a thousand years4 ,he is then to be released for a time1 and afterwards finally destroyed1 and at that period the end will come4 ,the chapter comprises the following parts3 ,i4 ,the binding of ,satan1 ver4 #ac4 ,an angel comes down from heaven with the key of the bottomless pit1 and a #dag great chain in his hand1 and seizes upon the dragon1 and casts him into the pit1 that for a thousand years he should deceive the nations no more4 ,the great enemy of ,god and his cause is thus made a prisoner1 and is restrained from making war in any form against the church4 ,the way is thus prepared for the peace and triumph which follow4 ,,ii4 ,the millennium1 ver4 #df4 ,john sees thrones1 and persons sitting on them2 he sees the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of ,jesus1 and for the word of ,godthose who had not worshipped the beast nor his imageliving and reigning with ,christ during the thousand years3 the spirits of the martyrs revived1 and becoming again the reigning spirit on earth4 ,this he calls the first resurrection2 and on all such he says the second death has no power4 ,temporal death they might experiencefor such the martyrs had experiencedbut over them the second death has no dominion1 for they live and reign with the ,saviour4 ,this is properly the millenniumthe long period when the principles of true religion will have the ascendency on the earth1 as if the martyrs and confessorsthe most devoted and eminent ,christians of other timesshould appear again upon the earth1 and as if their spirit should become the reigning and pervading spirit of all who professed the ,christian name4 ,,iii4 ,the release of ,satan1 ver4 #g1 #h4 ,after the thousand years of peace and triumph shall have expired1 ,satan will be released from his prison1 and will be permitted to go out and deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth1 and gather them together to battle2 that is1 a state of things will exist as if ,satan were then released4 ,there will be again an outbreak of sin on the earth1 and a conflict with the principles of religion1 as if an innumerable multitude of opposers should be marshalled for the conflict by the great author of all evil4 ,,iv4 ,the final subjugation of ,satan1 and destruction of his power on the earth1 ver4 #i1 #aj4 ,after the temporary and partial outbreak of evil 7ver4 #g1 #h71 ,satan and his hosts will be entirely destroyed4 ,the destruction will be as if fire should come down from heaven to devour the assembled hosts 7ver4 #i71 and as if ,satan1 the great leader of evil1 should be cast into the same lake where the beast and false prophet are to be tormented for ever4 ,then the church will be delivered from all its enemies1 and religion henceforward will be triumphant4 ,how long the interval will be between this state and that next disclosed 7ver4 #aaae7the final judgmentis not stated4 ,the eye of the seer glances from one to the other1 but there is nothing to forbid the supposition1 that1 according to the laws of prophetic vision1 there may be a long interval in which righteousness shall reign upon the earth4 ,comp4 ,intro4 to ,isaiah1 #g1 ,,iii4 7#c77e74 ,v4 ,the final judgment1 ver4 #aaae4 ,this closes the earthly scene4 ,henceforward 7ch4 xxi41 xxii47 the scene is transferred to heaventhe abode of the redeemed4 ,the last judgment is the winding up of the earthly affairs4 ,the enemies of the church are all long since destroyed2 the world has experienced1 perhaps for a long series of ages1 the full influence of the gospel2 countless millions have been1 we may suppose1 brought under its power2 and then at last1 in the winding up of human affairs1 comes the judgment of the great day1 when the dead1 small and great1 shall stand before ,god2 when the sea shall give up its dead2 when death and hell shall give up the dead that are in them2 when the records of human actions shall be opened1 and all shall be judged according to their works2 and when all who are not found written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire4 ,this is the earthly consummation2 henceforward the saints shall reign in glorythe ,new ,jerusalem above1 ch4 xxi41 xxii4 ,in order to prepare the way for a proper understanding of this chapter1 the following additional remarks may be here made3 7a7 ,the design of this book did not demand a minute detail of the events which would occur in the consummation of human affairs4 ,the main purpose was to trace the history of the church to the scene of the final triumph when all its enemies would be overthrown1 and when religion would be permanently established upon the earth4 ,hence1 though in the previous chapters we have a detailed account of the persecutions that would be endured2 of the enemies that would rise up against the church1 and of their complete ultimate overthrowleaving religion triumphant on the earthyet we have no minute statement of what will occur in the millennium4 ,a rapid view is taken of the closing scenes of the earth's #dah history1 and the general results only are stated4 ,it would not be strange1 therefore1 if there should be much in this that would seem to be enigmatical and obscure1 especially as it is now all in the future4 7b7 ,there may be long intervening periods between the events thus thrown together into the final grouping4 ,we are not to suppose necessarily that these events will succeed each other immediately1 or that they will be of short duration4 ,between these events thus hastily sketched1 there may be long intervals that are not described1 and whose general character is scarcely even glanced at4 ,this results from the very nature of the prophetic vision1 as described in the ,intro4 to ,isaiah1 #g1 ,,iii4 7#c77e74 ,this may be illustrated by the view which we have in looking at a landscape4 ,when one is placed in a favourable situation1 he can mark distinctly the order of the objects in itthe successionthe grouping4 ,he can tell what objects appear to him to lie near to each other1 and are apparently in juxtaposition4 ,but there are objects which1 in such a vision1 the eye cannot take in1 and which would not be exhibited by any description which might be given of the view taken4 ,hills in the distant view may seem to lie near each other2 one may seem to rise just back of another1 and to the eye they may seem to constitute parts of the same mountain1 and yet between them there may be deep and fertile vales1 smiling villages1 running streams1 beautiful gardens and waterfalls1 which the eye cannot take in1 and the extent of which it may be wholly impossible to conjecture2 and a description of the whole scene1 as it appears to the observer1 would convey no idea of the actual extent of the intervals4 ,so it is in the prophecies4 ,between the events which are to occur hereafter1 as seen in vision1 there may be long intervals1 but the length of these intervals the prophet may have left us no means of determining4 ,see these thoughts more fully illustrated in the ,introduction to ,isaiah1 as above referred to4 ,what is here stated may have occurred in the vision which ,john had of the future1 as described in this chapter4 ,time is marked in the prophetic description until the fall of the great enemy of the church2 beyond that it does not seem to have been regarded as necessary to determine the actual duration of the events referred to4 ,comp4 ,professor ,stuart1 ,com4 ii4 #cec1 #ced4 7c7 ,these views are sustained by the most cursory glance of the chapter before us4 ,there is none of the detail which we have found in the previous portions of the bookfor such detail was not necessary to the accomplishment of the design of the book4 ,the grand purpose was to show that ,christianity would finally triumph1 and hence the detailed description is carried on until that occurs1 and beyond that we have only the most general statements4 ,thus1 in this chapter1 the great events that are to occur are merely hinted at4 ,the events of a thousand years2 the invasion by ,gog and ,magog2 the ultimate confinement and punishment of ,satan2 the general judgment1are all crowded into the space of twelve verses4 ,this shows that the distant future is only glanced at by the writer2 and we should not wonder1 therefore1 if it should be found to be obscure1 nor should we regard it as strange that much is left to be made clear by the events themselves when they shall occur4 7d7 ,the end is triumphant and glorious4 ,we are assured that every enemy of the church will be slain1 and that there will be a long period of happiness1 prosperity1 and peace4 8,the eye of hope10 says ,professor ,stuart1 beautifully1 8is directed forward1 and sees the thousand years of uninterrupted prosperity2 then the sudden destruction of a new and fatal enemy2 and all the rest is left to joyful anticipation4 ,when all clouds are swept from the face of the sky1 why should not the sun shine forth in all his glory8 ,i cannot1 therefore1 doubt that the setting sun of the church on earth is to be as a heaven of unclouded splendour4 ,peaceful and triumphant will be her latest age4 ,the number of the redeemed will be augmented beyond all computation2 and the promise made from the beginning1 that #8the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head1' will be fulfilled in all its extent1 and with a divine plenitude of meaning4 ,the understanding and pious reader closes the book with admiration1 with wonder1 with delight1 with lofty anticipations of the future1 and with undaunted resolution to follow on in the steps of those who1 through faith and patience1 have inherited the promises1 and entered into everlasting rest10 vol4 ii4 pp4 #ced1 #cee4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,and ,i saw an angel come down from heaven1 having the #faakey of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand4 #dai #a4 ,and ,i saw an angel come down from heaven4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 x4 #a4 ,he does not say whether this angel had appeared to him before1 but the impression is rather that it was a different one4 ,the whole character of the composition of the book leads us to suppose that different angels were employed to make these communications to ,john1 and that1 in fact1 in the progress of things disclosed in the book1 he had intercourse with a considerable number of the heavenly inhabitants4 ,the scene that is recorded here occurred after the destruction of the beast and the false prophet 7ch4 xix4 #ahba71 and therefore1 according to the principles expressed in the explanation of the previous chapters1 what is intended to be described here will take place after the final destruction of the ,papal and ,mahometan powers4 ,having the key of the bottomless pit4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ah2 ix4 #a4 ,the fact that he has the key of that underworld is designed to denote here1 that he can fasten it on ,satan so that it shall become his prison4 ,and a great chain in his hand4 ,with which to bind the dragon1 ver4 #b4 ,it is called great because of the strength of him that was to be bound4 ,the chain only appears to have been in his hand4 ,perhaps the key was suspended to his side4 #b ,and he laid hold on the #fab;dragon1 that old serpent1 which is the ,devil1 and ,satan1 and #fac;bound him a thousand years1 #b4 ,and he laid hold on4 ,seized him by violence4 ,the word denotes the employment of strength or force2 and it implies that he had power superior to that of the dragon4 ,comp4 ,mat4 xiv4 #c2 xviii4 #bh2 xxi4 #df2 xxii4 #f2 xxvi4 #d4 ,we can at once see the propriety of the use of this word in this connection4 ,the great enemy to be bound has himself mighty power1 and can be overcome only by a superior4 ,this may teach us that it is only a power from heaven that can destroy the empire of ,satan in the world2 and perhaps it may teach us that the interposition of angels will be employed in bringing in the glorious state of the millennium4 ,why should it not be8 ,the dragon4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #b4 ,comp4 ch4 xii4 #d1 #g1 #ac1 #af1 #ag2 xiii4 #b1 #d1 #aa2 xvi4 #ac4 ,there can be no doubt as to the meaning of the word here2 for it is expressly said to mean the devil1 and ,satan4 ,it would seem1 however1 that it refers to some manifestation of the power of ,satan that would exist after the beast and false prophetthat is1 the ,papacy and ,mahometanismshould be destroyed1 and probably the main reference is to the still existing power of ,paganism4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ac1 #ad4 ,it may include1 however1 all the forms of wickedness which ,satan shall have kept up on the earth1 and all the modes of evil by which he will endeavour to perpetuate his reign4 ,that old serpent4 ,this is undoubtedly an allusion to the serpent that deceived our first parents 7,ge4 iii4 #a1 seq471 and therefore a proof that it was ,satan that1 under the form of a serpent1 deceived them4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xii4 #c4 ,which is the ,devil4 ,on the meaning of this word1 see ,notes on ,mat4 iv4 #a4 ,and ,satan4 ,on the meaning of this word1 see ,notes on ,job i4 #f4 ,in regard to the repetition of the names of that great enemy of ,god and the church here1 ,mr4 ,taylor1 in the ,fragments to ,calmet's ,dictionary1 ,no4 #aeb1 says that this 8almost resembles a modern ,old ,bailey indictment1 in which special care is taken to identify the culprit1 by a sufficient number of aliases4 ,an angel from heaven1 having the key of the prison of the abyss1 and a great chain to secure the prisoner1 #8apprehended the dragon1 alias the old serpent1 alias the devil1 alias the ,satan1 alias the seducer of the world1' who was sentenced to a thousand years' imprisonment40 ,the object here1 however1 seems to be not so much to identify the culprit by these aliases1 as to show that under whatever forms1 and by whatever names he had appeared1 it was always the same being1 and that now the author of the whole evil would be arrested4 ,thus the one great enemy sometimes has appeared in a form that would be best represented by a fierce and fiery dragon2 at another1 in a form that would be best represented by a cunning and subtle serpent2 now in a form to which the word devil1 or accuser1 would be most appropriate2 and now in a form in which the word ,satanan adversarywould be most expressive of what he does4 ,in these various forms1 and under these various names1 he has ruled the #dbj fallen world2 and when this one great enemy shall be seized and imprisoned1 all those forms of evil will1 of course1 come to an end4 ,a thousand years4 ,this is the period usually designated as the ,,millenniumfor the word millennium means a thousand years4 ,it is on this passage that the whole doctrine of the millennium as such has been founded4 ,it is true that there are elsewhere in the ,scriptures abundant promises that the gospel will ultimately spread over the world2 but the notion of a millennium as such is found in this passage alone4 ,it is1 however1 enough to establish the doctrine1 if its meaning be correctly ascertained2 for it is a just rule in interpreting the ,bible1 that the clearly-ascertained sense of a single passage of ,scripture is sufficient to establish the truth of a doctrine4 ,the fact1 however1 that this passage stands alone in this respect1 makes it the more important to endeavour accurately to determine its meaning4 ,there are but three ways in which the phrase 8a thousand years0 can be understood here3 either 7a7 literally2 or 7b7 in the prophetic use of the term1 where a day would stand for a year1 thus making a period of three hundred and sixty thousand years2 or 7c7 figuratively1 supposing that it refers to a long but indefinite period of time4 ,it may be impossible to determine which of these periods is intended1 though the first has been generally supposed to be the true one1 and hence the common notion of the millennium4 ,there is nothing1 however1 in the use of the language here1 as there would be nothing contrary to the common use of symbols in this book in regard to time1 in the supposition that this was designed to describe the longest period here suggested1 or that it is meant that the world shall enjoy a reign of peace and righteousness during the long period of three hundred and sixty thousand years4 ,indeed1 there are some things in the arrangements of nature which look as if it were contemplated that the earth would continue under a reign of righteousness through a vastly long period in the future4 #c ,and cast him into the bottomless pit1 and shut him up1 and #fadset a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more1 till the thousand years should be fulfilled3 and after that he must be loosed a little season4 #c4 ,and cast him into the bottomless pit4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ix4 #a4 ,a state of peace and prosperity would exist as if ,satan1 the great disturber1 were confined in the nether world as a prisoner4 ,and shut him up4 ,closed the massive doors of the dark prison-house upon him4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,job x4 #ba1 #bb4 ,and set a seal upon him4 ,or1 rather1 8upon it0 4 ,the seal was placed upon the door or gate of the prison1 not because this would fasten the gate or door of itself1 and make it secure1 for this was secured by the key1 but because it prevented intrusion1 or any secret opening of it without its being known4 ,see ,notes on ,da4 vi4 #ag1 and ,mat4 xxvii4 #ff4 ,the idea here is1 that every precaution was taken for absolute security4 ,that he should deceive the nations no more4 ,that is1 during the thousand years4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xii4 #i4 ,till the thousand years should be fulfilled4 ,that is1 during that period there will be a state of things upon the earth as if ,satan should be withdrawn from the world1 and confined in the great prison where he is ultimately to dwell for ever4 ,and after that he must be loosed a little season4 ,see ver4 #g1 #h4 ,that is1 a state of things will then exist1 for a brief period1 as if he were again released from his prison-house1 and suffered to go abroad upon the earth4 ,the phrase 8a little season0 1 little timedenotes properly that this would be brief as compared with the thousand years4 ,no intimation is given as to the exact time1 and it is impossible to conjecture how long it will be4 ,all the circumstances stated1 however1 here and in ver4 #gaj1 would lead us to suppose that what is referred to will be like the sudden outbreak of a rebellion in a time of general peace1 but which will soon be quelled4 a4,condition of the world in the period referred to in ver4 #ac4 ,it may be proper1 in order to a correct understanding of this chapter1 to present a brief summary under the different parts 7see the ,analysis of the chapter7 of what1 according to the interpretation proposed1 may be expected #dba to be the condition of things in the time referred to4 ,on the portion now before us 7ver4 #ac71 according to the interpretation proposed1 the following suggestions may be made3 7#a7 ,this will be subsequent to the downfall of the ,papacy and the termination of the ,mahometan power in the world4 ,of course1 then1 this lies in the futurehow far in the future it is impossible to determine4 ,the interpretation of the various portions of this book1 and the book of ,daniel1 have1 however1 led to the conclusion that the termination of those powers cannot now be remote4 ,if so1 we are on the eve of important events in the world's history4 ,the affairs of the world look as if things were tending to a fulfilment of the prophecies so understood4 7#b7 ,it will be a condition of the world as if ,satan were bound2 that is1 where his influences will be suspended1 and the principles of virtue and religion will prevail4 ,according to the interpretation of the previous chapters1 it will be a state in which all that has existed1 and that now exists1 in the ,papacy to corrupt mankind1 to maintain error1 and to prevent the prevalence of free and liberal principles1 will cease2 in which all that there now is in the ,mahometan system to fetter and enslave mankindnow controlling more than one hundred and twenty millions of the raceshall have come to an end2 and in which1 in a great measure1 all that occurs under the direct influence of ,satan in causing or perpetuating slavery1 war1 intemperance1 lust1 avarice1 disorder1 scepticism1 atheism1 will be checked and stayed4 ,it is proper to say1 however1 that this passage does not require us to suppose that there will be a total cessation of ,satanic influence in the earth during that period4 ,satan will1 indeed1 be bound and restrained as to his former influence and power4 ,but there will be no change in the character of man as he comes into the world4 ,there will still be corrupt passions in the human heart4 ,though greatly restrained1 and though there will be a general prevalence of righteousness on the earth1 yet we are to remember that the race is fallen1 and that even then1 if restraint should be taken away1 man would act out his fallen nature4 ,this fact1 if remembered1 will make it appear less strange that1 after this period of prevalent righteousness1 ,satan should be represented as loosed again1 and as able once more for a time to deceive the nations4 7#c7 ,it will be a period of long duration4 ,on the supposition that it is to be literally a period of one thousand years1 this is in itself long1 and will give1 especially under the circumstances1 opportunity for a vast progress in human affairs4 ,to form some idea of the length of the period1 we need only place ourselves in imagination back for a thousand yearssay in the middle of the ninth centuryand look at the condition of the world then1 and think of the vast changes in human affairs that have occurred during that period4 ,it is to be remembered1 also1 that if the millennial period were soon to commence1 it would find the world in a far different state in reference to future progress from what it was in the ninth century1 and that it would start off1 so to speak1 with all the advantages in the arts and sciences which have been accumulated in all the past periods of the world4 ,even if there were no special divine interposition1 it might be presumed that the race1 in such circumstances1 would make great and surprising advances in the long period of a thousand years4 ,and here a very striking remark of ,mr4 ,hugh ,miller may be introduced as illustrating the subject4 8,it has been remarked by some student of the ,apocalypse10 says he1 8that the course of predicted events at first moves slowly1 as one after one1 six of seven seals are opened2 that1 on the opening of the seventh seal1 the progress is so considerably quickened that the seventh period proves as fertile in eventsrepresented by the sounding of the seven trumpetsas the foregoing six taken together2 and that on the seventh trumpet1 so great is the further acceleration1 that there is an amount of incident condensed in this seventh part of the seventh period equal1 as in the former case1 to that of all the previous six parts in one4 ,there are three cycles1 it has been said1 in the schemecycle within cyclethe second comprised within a seventh portion of the first1 and the third within a seventh portion of the second4 ,be this as it may1 we may1 at least1 see something that exceedingly resembles it in that actual economy of change and revolution manifested in ,english history for the last two centuries4 ,it would seem as if events1 in their downward course1 #dbb had come under the influence of that law of gravitation through which falling bodies increase in speed1 as they descend1 according to the squares of the distance0 7,first ,impressions of ,england and its ,people1 pp4 vii41 viii474 ,if to this we add the supposition1 which we have seen 7,notes on ver4 #b7 to be by no means improbable1 that it is intended1 in the description of the millennium in this chapter1 that the world will continue under a reign of peace and righteousness for the long period of three hundred and sixty thousand years1 it is impossible to anticipate what progress will be made during that period1 or to enumerate the numbers that will be saved4 ,on this subject1 see some very interesting remarks in the ,old ,red ,sandstone1 by ,hugh ,miller1 pp4 #bdhbej1 #beh1 #bei4 ,comp4 ,professor ,hitchcock's ,religion and ,geology1 pp4 #cgjdji4 7#d7 ,what1 then1 will be the state of things during that long period of a thousand years8 7a7 ,there will be a great increase in the population of the globe4 ,let wars cease1 and intemperance cease1 and slavery cease1 and the numberless passions that now shorten life be stayed1 and it is easy to see that there must be a vast augmentation in the number of the human species4 7b7 ,there will be a general diffusion of intelligence upon the earth4 ,every circumstance would be favourable to it1 and the world would be in a condition to make rapid advances in knowledge1 ,da4 xii4 #d4 7c7 ,that period will be characterized by the universal diffusion of revealed truth1 ,is4 xi4 #i2 xxv4 #g4 7d7 ,it will be marked by unlimited subjection to the sceptre of ,christ1 ,ps4 ii4 #g2 xxii4 #bgbi2 ,is4 ii4 #b1 #c2 lxvi4 #bc2 ,zec4 ix4 #aj2 xiv4 #i2 ,mat4 xiii4 #ca1 #cb2 ,re4 xi4 #ae4 7e7 ,there will be great progress in all that tends to promote the welfare of man4 ,we are not to suppose that the resources of nature are exhausted4 ,nature gives no signs of exhaustion or decay4 ,in the future there is no reason to doubt that there will yet be discoveries and inventions more surprising and wonderful than the art of printing1 or the use of steam1 or the magnetic telegraph4 ,there are profounder secrets of nature that may be delivered up than any of these1 and the world is tending to their development4 7f7 ,it will be a period of the universal reign of peace4 ,the attention of mankind will be turned to the things which tend to promote the welfare of the race1 and advance the best interests of society4 ,the single fact that wars will cease will make an inconceivable difference in the aspect of the world2 for if universal peace shall prevail through the long period of the millennium1 and the wealth1 the talent1 and the science now employed in human butchery shall be devoted to the interests of agriculture1 the mechanical arts1 learning1 and religion1 it is impossible now to estimate the progress which the race will make1 and the changes which will be produced on the earth4 ,for ,scripture proofs that it will be a time of universal peace1 see ,is4 ii4 #d2 xi4 #fi2 ,mi4 iv4 #c4 7g7 ,there will be a general prevalence of evangelical religion4 ,this is apparent in the entire description in this passage1 for the two most formidable opposing powers that religion has ever knownthe beast and the false prophetwill be destroyed1 and ,satan will be bound4 ,in this long period1 therefore1 we are to suppose that the gospel will exert its fair influence on governments1 on families1 on individuals2 in the intercourse of neighbours1 and in the intercourse of nations4 ,god will be worshipped in spirit and in truth1 and not in the mere forms of devotion2 and temperance1 truth1 liberty1 social order1 honesty1 and love1 will prevail over the world4 7h7 ,it will be a time when the ,hebrew peoplethe ,jewswill be brought to the knowledge of the truth1 and will embrace the ,messiah whom their fathers crucified1 ,zec4 xii4 #aj2 xiii4 #a2 ,ro4 xi4 #bfbi4 7i7 ,yet we are not necessarily to suppose that all the world will be absolutely and entirely brought under the power of the gospel4 ,there will be still on the earth the remains of wickedness in the corrupted human heart1 and there will be so much tendency to sin in the human soul1 that ,satan1 when released for a time 7ver4 #g1 #h71 will be able once more to deceive mankind1 and to array a formidable force1 represented by ,gog and ,magog1 against the cause of truth and righteousness4 ,we are not to suppose that the nature of mankind1 as fallen1 will be essentially changed1 or that there may not be sin enough in the human heart to make it capable of the same opposition to the #dbc gospel of ,god which has thus far been evinced in all ages4 ,from causes which are not fully stated 7ver4 #h1 #i71 ,satan will be enabled once more to rouse up their enmity1 and to make one more desperate effort to destroy the kingdom of the ,redeemer by rallying his forces for a conflict4 ,see these views illustrated in the work entitled ,christ's ,second ,coming1 by ,rev4 ,david ,brown1 of ,st4 ,james' ,free ,church1 ,glasgow1 pp4 #cihddb2 ,new ,york1 #ahea4 #d ,and ,i saw #faethrones1 and they sat upon them1 and #faf;judgment was given unto them3 and #fag;,i saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of ,jesus1 and for the word of ,god1 and which had not worshipped the beast1 neither his image1 neither had received his mark upon their foreheads1 or in their hands2 and they lived and #fahreigned with ,christ a thousand years4 #d4 ,and ,i saw thrones4 ,see ch4 i4 #d2 iii4 #ba2 iv4 #c1 #d4 ,john here simply says1 that he saw in vision thrones1 with persons sitting on them1 but without intimating who they were that sat on them4 ,it is not the throne of ,god that is now revealed1 for the word is in the plural number1 though the writer does not hint how many thrones there were4 ,it is intimated1 however1 that these thrones were placed with some reference to pronouncing a judgment1 or determining the destiny of some portion of mankind1 for it is immediately added1 8and judgment was given unto them40 ,there is considerable resemblance1 in many respects1 between this and the statement in ,daniel 7vii4 #i73 8,i beheld till the thrones were cast down1 and the ,ancient of days did sit20 or1 as it should be rendered1 8,i beheld0that is1 ,i continued to look8until the thrones were placed or set10 to wit1 for the purposes of judgment4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,so ,john here sees1 as the termination of human affairs approaches1 thrones placed with reference to a determination of the destiny of some portion of the race1 as if they were now to have a trial1 and to receive a sentence of acquittal or condemnation4 ,the persons on whom this judgment is to pass are specified1 in the course of the verse1 as those who were 8beheaded for the witness of ,jesus1 who had the word of ,god1 who had not worshipped the beast10 c4 ,the time when this was to occur manifestly was at the beginning of the thousand years4 ,and they sat upon them4 ,who sat on them is not mentioned4 ,the natural construction is1 that judges sat on them1 or that persons sat on them to whom judgment was intrusted4 ,the language is such as would be used on the supposition either that he had mentioned the subject before1 so that he would be readily understood1 or that1 from some other cause1 it was so well understood that there was no necessity for mentioning who they were4 ,john seems to have assumed that it would be understood who were meant4 ,and yet to us it is not entirely clear2 for ,john has not before this given us any such intimation that we can determine with certainty what is intended4 ,the probable construction is1 that those are referred to1 to whom it appropriately belonged to occupy such seats of judgment1 and who they are is to be determined from other parts of the ,scriptures4 ,in ,mat4 xix4 #bh1 the ,saviour says to his apostles1 8,when the ,son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory1 ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones1 judging the twelve tribes of ,israel40 ,in #a ,co4 vi4 #b1 ,paul asks the question1 8,do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world80 ,the meaning as thus explained is1 that ,christians will1 in some way1 be employed in judging the world2 that is1 that they will be exalted to the right hand of the ,judge1 and be elevated to a station of honour1 as if they were associated with the ,son of ,god in the judgment4 ,something of that kind is1 doubtless1 referred to here2 and ,john probably means to say that he saw the thrones placed on which those will sit who will be employed in judging the world4 ,if the apostles are specially referred to1 it was natural that ,john1 eminent for modesty1 should not particularly mention them1 as he was one of them1 and as the true allusion would be readily understood4 ,and judgment was given unto them4 ,the power of pronouncing sentence in the case referred to was conferred on them1 and they proceeded to exercise that power4 ,this was not in relation to the whole race of mankind1 but to the martyrs1 and to those who1 amidst many temptations and trials1 had kept themselves pure4 ,the sentence which is to be passed would seem to be that in consequence of which they are to be permitted to 8live and reign with ,christ a thousand years40 ,the form of this expressed approval is that of a resurrection and judgment2 whether this be the literal mode is another inquiry1 and will properly be considered when the exposition #dbd of the passage shall have been given4 ,and ,i saw the souls of them4 ,this is a very important expression in regard to the meaning of the whole passage4 ,john says he saw the soulsnot the bodies4 ,if the obvious meaning of this be the correct meaning2 if he saw the souls of the martyrs1 not the bodies1 this would seem to exclude the notion of a literal resurrection1 and consequently overturn many of the theories of a literal resurrection1 and of a literal reign of the saints with ,christ during the thousand years of the millennium4 ,the doctrine of the last resurrection1 as everywhere stated in the ,scripture1 is1 that the body will be raised up1 and not merely that the soul will live 7see #a ,co4 xv41 and the ,notes on that chapter72 and consequently ,john must mean to refer in this place to something different from that resurrection1 or to any proper resurrection of the dead as the expression is commonly understood4 ,the doctrine which has been held1 and is held1 by those who maintain that there will be a literal resurrection of the saints to reign with ,christ during a thousand years1 can receive no support from this passage1 for there is no ambiguity respecting the word soulsas used here4 ,by no possible construction can it mean the bodies of the saints4 ,if ,john had intended to state that the saints1 as such1 would be raised as they will be at the last day1 it is clear that he would not have used this language1 but would have employed the common language of the ,new ,testament to denote it4 ,the language here does not express the doctrine of the resurrection of the body2 and if no other language but this had been used in the ,new ,testament1 the doctrine of the resurrection1 as now taught and received1 could not be established4 ,these considerations make it clear to my mind that ,john did not mean to teach that there would be a literal resurrection of the saints1 that they might live and reign with ,christ personally during the period of a thousand years4 ,there was undoubtedly something that might be compared with the resurrection1 and that might1 in some proper sense1 be called a resurrection 7ver4 #e1 #f71 but there is not the slightest intimation that it would be a resurrection of the body1 or that it would be identical with the final resurrection4 ,john undoubtedly intends to describe some honour conferred on the spirits or souls of the saints and martyrs during this long period1 as if they were raised from the dead1 or which might be represented by a resurrection from the dead4 ,what that honour is to be1 is expressed by their 8living and reigning with ,christ40 ,the meaning of this will be explained in the exposition of these words2 but the word used here is fatal to the notion of a literal resurrection and a personal reign with ,christ on the earth4 ,that were beheaded4 ,the word here usedoccur nowhere else in the ,new ,testament4 ,it properly means1 to axe1 that is1 to hew or cut with an axefrom 1 axe4 ,hence it means to behead with an axe4 ,this was a common mode of execution among the ,romans1 and doubtless many of the ,christian martyrs suffered in this manner2 but 8it cannot be supposed to have been the intention of the writer to confine the rewards of martyrs to those who suffered in this particular way2 for this specific and ignominious method of punishment is designated merely as the symbol of any and every kind of martyrdom0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,for the witness of ,jesus4 ,as witnesses of ,jesus2 or bearing in this way their testimony to the truth of his religion4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #i2 comp4 ch4 vi4 #i4 ,and for the ,word of ,god4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #i4 ,which had not worshipped the beast4 ,who had remained faithful to the principles of the true religion1 and had resisted all the attempts made to seduce them from the faith1 even the temptations and allurements in the times of the ,papacy4 ,see this language explained in the ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #d4 ,neither his image4 ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,neither had received his mark upon their foreheads1 or in their hands4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xiii4 #af4 ,and they lived1 from 1 to live4 ,very much1 in the whole passage1 depends on this word4 ,the meanings given to the word by ,professor ,robinson 7,lex47 are the following37a7 to live1 to have life1 spoken of physical life and existence2 7b7 to live1 that is1 to sustain life1 to live on or by anything2 7c7 to live in any way1 to pass one's life in any manner2 7d7 to live and prosper2 to be blessed4 ,it may be applied to those who were before dead 7,mat4 ix4 #ah2 ,mar4 #dbe xvi4 #aa2 ,lu4 xxiv4 #bc2 ,jn4 v4 #be2 ,ac4 i4 #c2 ix4 #da71 but it does not necessarily imply this1 nor does the mere use of the word suggest it4 ,it is the proper notion of living1 or having life now1 whatever was the former statewhether non-existence1 death1 sickness1 or health4 ,the mind1 in the use of this word1 is fixed on the present as a state of living4 ,it is not necessarily in contrast with a former state as dead1 but it is on the fact that they are now alive4 ,as1 however1 there is reference1 in the passage before us1 to the fact that a portion of those mentioned had been 8beheaded for the witness of ,jesus10 it is to be admitted that the word here refers1 in some sense1 to that fact4 ,they were put to death in the body1 but their 8souls0 were now seen to be alive4 ,they had not ceased to be1 but they lived and reigned with ,christ as if they had been raised up from the dead4 ,and when this is said of the 8souls0 of those who were beheaded1 and who were seen to reign with ,christ1 it cannot mean 7a7 that their souls came to life again1 for there is no intimation that they had for a moment ceased to exist2 nor 7b7 that they then became immortal1 for that was always true of them2 nor 7c7 that there was any literal resurrection of the body1 as ,professor ,stuart 7ii4 #cfj1 #dge1 #dgf7 supposes1 and as is supposed by those who hold to a literal reign of ,christ on the earth1 for there is no intimation of the resurrection of the body4 ,the meaning1 then1 so far as the language is concerned1 must be1 that there would exist1 at the time of the thousand years1 a state of things as if the martyrs were raised up from the deadan honouring of the martyrs as if they should live and reign with ,christ4 ,their names would be vindicated2 their principles would be revived2 they would be exalted in public estimation above other men2 they would be raised from the low rank in which they were held by the world in times of persecution to a state which might well be represented by their sitting with ,christ on the throne of government1 and by their being made visible attendants on his glorious kingdom4 ,this would not occur in respect to the rest of the deadeven the pious dead 7ver4 #e7;for their honours and rewards would be reserved for the great day when all the dead should be judged according to their deeds4 ,in this view of the meaning of this passage there is nothing that forbids us to suppose that the martyrs will be conscious of the honour thus done to their names1 their memory1 and their principles on earth1 or that this consciousness will increase their joy even in heaven4 ,this sense of the passage is thus expressed1 substantially1 by ,archbishop ,whately 7,essays on the ,future ,state73 8,it may signify not the literal raising of dead men1 but the raising up of an increased ,christian zeal and holiness2 the revival in the ,christian church1 or in some considerable portion of it1 of the spirit and energy of the noble martyrs of old 7even as ,john the ,baptist came in the spirit and power of ,elias71 so that ,christian principles shall be displayed in action throughout the world in an infinitely greater degree than ever before40 ,this view of the signification of the word lived is sustained by its use elsewhere in the ,scriptures and by its common use among men4 ,thus in this very book1 ch4 xi4 #aa3 8,and after three days and a half1 the ,spirit of life from ,god entered into them1 and they stood upon their feet40 ,so in ,ezekiel1 in speaking of the restoration of the ,jews3 8,thus saith the ,lord ,god1 ,o my people1 ,i will open your graves1 and cause you to come up out of your graves1 and bring you into the land of ,israel4 ,and ye shall know that ,i am the ,lord1 when ,i have opened your graves1 and brought you up out of your graves1 and shall put my ,spirit in you1 and ye shall live10 ch4 xxvii4 #abad4 ,so in ,ho4 vi4 #b3 8,after two days he will revive us cause us to live again2 in the third day he will raise us up1 and we shall live in his sight40 ,so in the parable of the prodigal son3 8,this thy brother was dead1 and is alive again10 ,lu4 xv4 #cb4 ,so in ,is4 xxvi4 #ai3 8,thy dead men shall live1 together with my dead body shall they arise40 ,the following extract1 from ,d',aubign's ,history of the ,reformation1 will show how natural it is to use the very language employed here when the idea is intended to be conveyed of reviving former principles as if the men who held them should be raised to life again4 ,it is the language of the martyr ,john ,huss1 who1 in speaking of himself in view of a remarkable dream that he had1 said1 8,i am no dreamer1 but ,i maintain this for #dbf certain1 that the image of ,christ will never be effaced4 ,they his enemies have wished to destroy it1 but it shall be painted afresh in all hearts by much better preachers than myself4 ,the nation that loves ,christ will rejoice at this4 ,and ,i1 awaking from among the dead1 and rising1 so to speak1 from my grave1 shall leap with great joy40 ,so a ,brief addressed by ,pope ,adrian to the ,diet at ,nuremberg contains these words3 8,the heretics ,huss and ,jerome are now alive again in the person of ,martin ,luther40 ,for a further illustration of the passage see the remarks which follow 7 b7 on the state of things which may be expected to exist in the time referred to in ver4 #df4 ,and reigned with ,christ4 ,were exalted in their principles1 and in their personal happiness in heaven1 as if they occupied the throne with him1 and personally shared his honours and his triumphs4 ,who can tell1 also1 whether they may not be employed in special services of mercy1 in administering the affairs of his government during that bright and happy period8 ,a thousand years4 ,during the period when ,satan will be bound1 and when the true religion will have the ascendency in the earth4 ,notes on ver4 #b4 #e ,but the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished4 ,this is the first resurrection4 #e4 ,but the rest of the dead4 ,in contradistinction from the beheaded martyrs1 and from those who had kept themselves pure in the times of great temptation4 ,the phrase 8rest of the dead0 here would most naturally refer to the same general class which was before mentionedthe pious dead4 ,the meaning is1 that the martyrs would be honoured as if they were raised up and the others notthat is1 that special respect would be shown to their principles1 their memory1 and their character4 ,in other words1 special honour would be shown to a spirit of eminent piety during that period above the common and ordinary piety which has been manifested in the church4 ,the 8rest of the dead0the pious deadwould indeed be raised up and rewarded1 but they would occupy comparatively humble places1 as if they did not partake in the exalted triumphs when the world should be subdued to the ,saviour4 ,their places in honour1 in rank1 and in reward would be beneath that of those who in fiery times had maintained unshaken fidelity to the cause of truth4 ,lived not4 ,on the word lived see ,notes on ver4 #d4 ,that is1 they lived not during that period in the peculiar sense in which it is said 7ver4 #d7 that the eminent saints and martyrs lived4 ,they did not come into remembrance2 their principles were not what then characterized the church2 they did not see1 as the martyrs did1 their principles and mode of life in the ascendency1 and consequently they had not the augmented happiness and honour which the more eminent saints and martyrs had4 ,until the thousand years were finished4 ,then all who were truly the children of ,god1 though some might be less eminent than others had been1 would come into remembrance1 and would have their proper place in the rewards of heaven4 ,the language here is not necessarily to be interpreted as meaning that they would be raised up then1 or would live then1 whatever may be true on that point4 ,it is merely an emphatic mode of affirming that up to that period they would not live in the sense in which it is affirmed that the others would4 ,but it is not affirmed that they would even then 8live0 immediately4 ,a long interval might elapse before that would occur in the general resurrection of the dead4 ,see the ,analysis of the chapter4 ,this is the first resurrection4 ,the resurrection of the saints and martyrs1 as specified in ver4 #d4 ,it is called the first resurrection in contradistinction from the second and lastthe general resurrectionwhen all the dead will be literally raised up from their graves and assembled for the judgment1 ver4 #ab4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that what is called here the 8first resurrection0 will resemble the real and literal resurrection in every respect4 ,all that is meant is1 that there will be such a resemblance as to make it proper to call it a resurrectiona coming to life again4 ,this will be1 as explained in the ,notes on ver4 #d1 in the honour done to the martyrs1 in the restoration of their principles as the great actuating principles of the church1 and perhaps in the increased happiness conferred on them in heaven1 and in their being employed in promoting the cause of truth in the world4 #f ,blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection3 on such the #faisecond death hath no power1 but they shall be #fbjpriests of ,god and of ,christ1 and shall reign with him a thousand years4 #f4 ,blessed4 ,that is1 his condition is to be regarded as a happy or a #dbg favoured one4 ,this is designed apparently to support and encourage those who1 in the time of ,john1 suffered persecution1 or who might suffer persecution afterwards4 ,and holy4 ,that is1 no one will be thus honoured who has not an established character for holiness4 ,holy principles will then reign1 and none will be exalted to that honour who have not a character for eminent sanctity4 ,that hath part in the first resurrection4 ,that participated in it2 that is1 who is associated with those who are thus raised up4 ,on such the second death hath no power4 ,the 8second death0 is properly the death which the wicked will experience in the world of woe4 ,see ver4 #ad4 ,the meaning here is1 that all who are here referred to as having part in the first resurrection will be secure against that4 ,it will be one of the blessed privileges of heaven that there will be absolute security against ,,death in any and every form2 and when we think of what death is here1 and still more when we think of 8the bitter pains of the second death10 we may well call that state 8blessed0 in which there will be eternal exemption from either4 ,but they shall be priests of ,god and of ,christ1 and shall reign with him4 ,notes ch4 i4 #f2 v4 #aj4 b4,condition of the world in the period referred to in ver4 #df4 ,i4 ,it is well known that this passage is the principal one which is relied on by those who advocate the doctrine of the literal reign of ,christ on the earth for a thousand years1 or who hold what are called the doctrines of the 8second advent40 ,the points which are maintained by those who advocate these views are substantially1 7a7 that at that period ,christ will descend from heaven to reign personally upon the earth2 7b7 that he will have a central place of power and authority1 probably ,jerusalem2 7c7 that the righteous dead will then be raised1 in such bodies as are to be immortal2 7d7 that they will be his attendants1 and will participate with him in the government of the world2 7e7 that this will continue during the period of a thousand years2 7f7 that the world will be subdued and converted during this period1 not by moral means1 but by 8a new dispensation0by the power of the ,son of ,god2 and 7g7 that at the close of this period all the remaining dead will be raised1 the judgment will take place1 and the affairs of the earth will be consummated4 ,the opinion here adverted to was held substantially by ,papias1 ,justin ,martyr1 ,irenus1 ,tertullian1 and others among the ,christian ,fathers1 and1 it need not be said1 is held by many modern expositors of the ,bible1 and by large numbers of ,christian ministers of high standing1 and other ,christians4 ,see the ,literalist1 passim4 ,the opinion of the ,christian ,fathers1 with which the modern 8literalists10 as they are called1 substantially coincide1 is thus stated by ,mr4 ,elliott3 8,this resurrection is to be literally that of departed saints and martyrs1 then at length resuscitated in the body from death and the grave2 its time to synchronize with1 or follow instantly after1 the destruction of the beast ,antichrist1 on ,christ's personal second advent2 the binding of ,satan to be an absolute restriction of the power of hell from tempting1 deceiving1 or injuring mankind1 throughout a literal period of a thousand years1 thence calculated2 the government of the earth1 during its continuance to be administered by ,christ and the risen saintsthe latter being now in nature like angels2 and under it1 all false religion having been put down1 the ,jews and saved remnant of the ,gentiles been converted to ,christ1 the earth renovated by the fire of ,antichrist's destruction1 and ,jerusalem made the universal capital1 there will be a realization on earth of the blessedness depicted in the ,old ,testament prophecies1 as well as perhaps of that too which is associated with the ,new ,jerusalem in the visions of the ,apocalypseuntil at length this millennium having ended1 and ,satan gone forth to deceive the nations1 the final consummation will follow2 the new-raised enemies of the saints1 ,gog and ,magog1 be destroyed by fire from heaven3 and then the general resurrection and judgment take place1 the devil and his servants be cast into the lake of fire1 and the millennial reign of the saints extend itself into one of eternal duration0 7,elliott on the ,apocalypse1 iv4 #agg1 #agh74 ,mr4 ,elliott's own opinion1 representing1 it is supposed1 that of the great body of the 8literalists10 is thus expressed3 #dbh 8,it would seem1 therefore1 that in this state of things and of feeling in professing ,christendom a feeling of carnal security1 all suddenly1 and unexpectedly1 and conspicuous over the world as the lightning that shineth from the east even unto the west1 the second advent and appearing of ,christ will take place2 that at the accompanying voice of the archangel and trump of ,god1 the departed saints of either dispensation will rise from their graves to meet himalike patriarchs1 and prophets1 and apostles1 and martyrs1 and confessorsall at once and in the twinkling of an eye2 and then instantly the saints living at the time will be also caught up to meet him in the air2 these latter being separated out of the ungodly nations1 as when a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats1 and all1 both dead and living saints1 changed at the moment from corruption to incorruption1 from dishonour to glory1 though with very different degrees of glory2 and so in a new angelic nature1 to take part in the judging and ruling in this world4 ,meanwhile1 with a tremendous earthquake accompanying1 of violence unknown since the revolutions of primeval chaos1 an earthquake under which the ,roman world at least is to rock to and fro like a drunken man1 the solid crust of this earth shall be broken1 and fountains burst forth from its inner deep1 not as once of water1 but of liquid fire2 and that the flames shall consume the ,antichrist and his confederate kings1 while the sword also does its work of slaughter2 the risen saints being perhaps the attendants of the ,lord's glory in this destruction of ,antichrist1 and assessors in his judgment on a guilty world4 ,and then immediately the renovation of this our earth is to take place1 its soil being purified by the very action of the fire1 and the ,spirit poured out from on high1 to renew1 in a yet better sense1 the moral face of nature2 the ,shekinah1 or personal glory of ,christ amidst his saints1 being manifested chiefly in the ,holy ,land and at ,jerusalem1 but the whole earth partaking of the blessedness2 and thus the regeneration of all things1 and the world's redemption from the curse1 having their accomplishment1 according to the promise1 at the manifestation of the sons of ,god10 iv4 #bbdbca4fba ,to this account of the prevailing opinion of the 8literalists0 in interpreting the passage before us1 there should be added that of ,professor ,stuart1 who1 in general1 is as far as possible from sympathizing with this class of writers4 ,he says1 in his explanation of the expression 8they lived10 in ver4 #d1 8,there would seem to remain1 therefore1 only one meaning which can be consistently given to they lived2 viz41 that they 7the martyrs who renounced the beast7 are now restored to life1 viz41 such life as implies the vivification of the body4 ,not to a union of the soul with a gross material body indeed1 but with such an one as the saints in general will have at the final resurrectiona spiritual body1 #a ,co4 xv4 #dd4 ,in no other way can this resurrection be ranked as correlate with the second resurrection named in the sequel10 vol4 ii4 p4 #cfj4 ,so again1 ,excursus vi4 7vol4 ii4 p4 #dgf71 he says1 8,i do not see how we can1 on the ground of exegesis1 fairly avoid the conclusion that ,john has taught in the passage before us1 that there will be a resurrection of the martyr-saints1 at the commencement of the period after ,satan shall have been shut up in the dungeon of the great abyss40 ,this opinion he defends at length1 pp4 #dgfdij4 ,professor ,stuart1 indeed1 maintains that the martyrs thus raised up will be taken to heaven and reign with ,christ there1 and opposes the whole doctrine of the literal reign on the earth1 vol4 ii4 p4 #dhj4 ,the risen saints and martyrs are to be 8enthroned with ,christ2 that is1 they are to be where he dwells1 and where he will continue to dwell1 until he shall make his descent at the final judgment day40 ,,ii4 ,in regard to these views1 as expressive of the meaning of the passage under consideration1 ,i would make the following remarks3 7#a7 ,there is strong presumptive evidence against this interpretation1 and especially against the main point in the doctrine1 that there will be a literal resurrection of the bodies of the saints at the beginning of that millennial period1 to live and reign with ,christ on earth1 from the following circumstances37a7 ,it is admitted1 on all hands1 that this doctrine1 if contained in the ,scriptures at all1 is found in this one passage only4 ,it is not pretended that there is1 in any other place1 a direct affirmation that this will literally occur1 nor would the advocates for that opinion undertake #dbi to show that it is fairly implied in any other part of the ,bible4 ,but it is strange1 not to say improbable1 that the doctrine of the literal resurrection of the righteous1 a thousand years before the wicked1 should be announced in one passage only4 ,if it were so announced in plain and unambiguous language1 ,i admit that the believer in the divine origin of the ,scriptures would be bound to receive it2 but this is so contrary to the usual method of the ,scriptures on all great and important doctrines1 that this circumstance should lead us at least to doubt whether the passage is correctly interpreted4 ,the resurrection of the dead is a subject on which the ,saviour often dwelt in his instructions2 it is a subject which the apostles discussed very frequently and at great length in their preaching1 and in their writings2 it is presented by them in a great variety of forms1 for the consolation of ,christians in time of trouble1 and with reference to the condition of the world at the winding up of human affairs2 and it is strange that1 in respect to so important a doctrine as this1 if it be true1 there is not elsewhere1 in the ,new ,testament1 a hint1 an intimation1 an allusion1 that would lead us to suppose that the righteous are to be raised in this manner4 7b7 ,if this is a true doctrine1 it would be reasonable to expect that a clear and unambiguous statement of it would be made4 ,certainly1 if there is but one statement on the subject1 that might be expected to be a perfectly clear one1 it would be a statement about which there could be no diversity of opinion1 concerning which those who embraced it might be expected to hold the same views4 ,but it cannot be pretended that this is so in regard to this passage4 ,it occurs in the book which1 of all the books in the ,bible1 is most distinguished for figures and symbols2 it cannot be maintained that it is directly and clearly affirmed2 and it is not so taught that there is any uniformity of view among those who profess to hold it4 ,in nothing has there been greater diversity among men than in the opinions of those who profess to hold the 8literal0 views respecting the personal reign of ,christ on the earth4 ,but this fact assuredly affords presumptive evidence that the doctrine of the literal resurrection of the saints a thousand years before the rest of the dead1 is not intended to be taught4 7c7 ,it is presumptive proof against this1 that nothing is said of the employment of those who are raised up2 of the reason why they are raised2 of the new circumstances of their being2 and of their condition when the thousand years shall have ended4 ,in so important a matter as this1 we can hardly suppose that the whole subject would be left to a single hint in a symbolical representation1 depending on the doubtful meaning of a single word1 and with nothing to enable us to determine1 with absolute certainty1 that this must be the meaning4 7d7 ,if it be meant that this is a description of the resurrection of the righteous as suchembracing all the righteousthen it is wholly unlike all the other descriptions of the resurrection of the righteous that we have in the ,bible4 ,here the account is confined to 8those that were beheaded for the witness of ,jesus10 and to 8those who had not worshipped the beast40 ,if the righteous1 as such1 are here referred to1 why are these particular classes specified8 ,why are not the usual general terms employed8 ,why is the account of the resurrection confined to these8 ,elsewhere in the ,scriptures1 the account of the resurrection is given in the most general terms 7comp4 ,mat4 xxv4 #da2 ,jn4 iv4 #ed2 v4 #bh1 #bi2 ,ro4 ii4 #g2 #a ,co4 xv4 #bc2 ,phi4 iii4 #bj1 #ba2 #b ,th4 i4 #aj2 ,he4 ix4 #bh2 #a ,jn4 ii4 #bh1 #bi2 iii4 #b72 and if this had been the designed reference here1 it is inconceivable why the statement should be limited to the martyrs1 and to those who have evinced great fidelity in the midst of temptations and allurements to apostasy4 ,these circumstances furnish strong presumptive proofs1 at least1 against the doctrine that there is to be a literal resurrection of all the saints at the beginning of the millennial period4 ,comp4 ,christ's ,second ,coming1 by ,rev4 ,david ,brown1 p4 #bai1 seq4 7#b7 ,in reference to many of the views necessarily implied in the doctrine of the 8second advent10 and avowed by those who hold that doctrine1 it cannot be pretended that they receive any countenance or support from this passage4 ,in the language of ,professor ,stuart 7,com4 vol4 ii4 p4 #dgi71 there is 8not a word of ,christ's descent to the earth at the beginning of the millennium4 ,nothing of the literal assembling of the ,jews in ,palestine2 nothing of the ,messiah's temporal reign on earth2 nothing of the overflowing abundance #dcj of worldly peace and plenty40 ,indeed1 in all this passage1 there is not the remotest hint of the grandeur and magnificence of the reign of ,christ as a literal king upon the earth2 nothing of his having a splendid capital at ,jerusalem1 or anywhere else2 nothing of a new dispensation of a miraculous kind2 nothing of the renovation of the earth to fit it for the abode of the risen saints4 ,all this is the mere work of fancy1 and no man can pretend that it is to be found in this passage4 7#c7 ,nor is there anything here of a literal resurrection of the bodies of the dead1 as ,professor ,stuart himself supposes4 ,it is not a little remarkable that a scholar so accurate as ,professor ,stuart is1 and one1 too1 who has so little sympathy with the doctrines connected with a literal reign of ,christ on the earth1 should have lent the sanction of his name to perhaps the most objectionable of all the dogmas connected with that viewthe opinion that the bodies of the saints will be raised up at the beginning of the millennial period4 ,of this there is not one word1 one intimation1 one hint1 in the passage before us4 ,john says expressly1 and as if to guard the point from all possible danger of this construction1 that he 8saw the ,,souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of ,jesus20 he saw them 8living0 and 8reigning0 with ,christraised to the exalted honour during that period1 as if they had been raised from the dead2 but he nowhere mentions or intimates that they were raised up from their graves2 that they were clothed with bodies2 that they had their residence now literally on the earth2 or that they were1 in any way1 otherwise than disembodied spirits4 ,there is not even one word of their having 8a spiritual body40 7#d7 ,there are positive arguments1 which are perfectly decisive1 against the interpretation which supposes that the bodies of the saints will be raised up at the beginning of the millennial period1 to reign with ,christ on the earth for a thousand years4 ,among these are the following3 7a7 ,if the 8first resurrection0 means rising from the grave in immortal and glorified bodies1 we do not need the assurance 7ver4 #f71 that 8on such the second death hath no power20 that is1 that they would not perish for ever4 ,that would be a matter of course1 and there was no necessity for such a statement4 ,but if it be supposed that the main idea is that the principles of the martyrs and of the most eminent saints would be revived and would live1 as if the dead were raised up1 and would be manifested by those who were in mortal bodiesmen living on the earththen there would be a propriety in saying that all such were exempt from the danger of the second death4 ,once1 indeed1 they would die2 but the second death could not reach them4 ,comp4 ,re4 ii4 #aj1 #aa4 7b7 ,in the whole passage there are but two classes of men referred to4 ,there are those 8who have part in the first resurrection20 that is1 according to the supposition1 all the saints2 and there are those over whom 8the second death0 has power4 ,into which of these classes are we to put the myriads of men having flesh and blood who are to people the world during the millennium8 ,they have no part in 8the first resurrection10 if it be a bodily one4 ,are they then given over to the power of the 8second death80 ,but if the 8first resurrection0 be regarded as figurative and spiritual1 then the statement that those who are actuated by the spirit of the martyrs and of the eminent saints1 shall not experience the 8second death10 is seen to have meaning and pertinency4 7c7 ,the mention of the time during which they are to reign1 if it be literally understood1 is contrary to the whole statement of the ,bible in other places4 ,they are to 8live and reign with ,christ0 a thousand years4 ,what1 then8 ,are they to live no longer8 ,are they to reign no longer with him8 ,this supposition is entirely contrary to the current statement in the ,scriptures1 which is1 that they are to live and reign with him for ever3 #a ,th4 iv4 #ag1 8,and so shall we ever be with the ,lord40 ,according to the views of the 8literalists10 the declaration that they 8should live and reign with ,christ10 considered as the characteristic features of the millennial state1 is to terminate with the thousand yearsfor this is the promise1 according to that view1 that they should thus live and reign4 ,but it need not be said that this is wholly contrary to the current doctrine of the ,bible1 that they are to live and reign with him for ever4 7d7 ,a further objection to this view is1 that the wicked part of the world8the rest of the dead who lived not #dca again until the thousand years were finished0must of course be expected to 8live again0 in the same bodily sense when those thousand years were finished4 ,but1 so far from this1 there is no mention of their living then4 ,when the thousand years are finished1 ,satan is loosed for a season2 then the nations are roused to opposition against ,god2 then there is a conflict1 and the hostile forces are overthrown2 and then comes the final judgment4 ,during all this time we read of no resurrection at all4 ,the period after this is to be filled up with something besides the resurrection of the 8rest of the dead40 ,there is no intimation1 as the literal construction1 as it is claimed1 would demand1 that immediately after the 8thousand years are finished0 the 8rest of the dead0the wicked deadwould be raised up2 nor is there any intimation of such a resurrection until all the dead are raised up for the final trial1 ver4 #ab4 ,but every consideration demands1 if the interpretation of the 8literalists0 be correct1 that the 8rest of the dead0the unconverted deadshould be raised up immediately after the close of the millennial period1 and be raised up as a distinct and separate class4 7e7 ,there is no intimation in the passage itself that the righteous will be raised up as such in this period1 and the proper interpretation of the passage is contrary to that supposition4 ,there are but two classes mentioned as having part in the first resurrection4 ,they are those who were 8beheaded for the witness of ,jesus10 and those who 8had not worshipped the beast0that is1 the martyrs1 and those who had been eminent for their fidelity to the ,saviour in times of great temptation and trial4 ,there is no mention of the resurrection of the righteous as suchof the resurrection of the great body of the redeemed2 and if it could be shown that this refers to a literal resurrection1 it would be impossible to apply it1 according to any just rules of interpretation1 to any more than the two classes that are specified4 ,by what rules of interpretation is it made to to teach that all the righteous will be raised up on that occasion1 and will live on the earth during that long period8 ,in this view of the matter1 the passage does not express the doctrine that the whole church of ,god will be raised bodily from the grave4 ,and supposing it had been the design of the ,spirit of ,god to teach this1 is it credible1 when there are so many clear expressions in regard to the resurrection of the dead1 that so important a doctrine should have been reserved for one single passage so obscure1 and where the great mass of the readers of the ,bible in all ages have failed to perceive it8 ,that is not the way in which1 in the ,scriptures1 great and momentous doctrines are communicated to mankind4 7f7 ,the fair statement in ver4 #aaae is1 that all the dead will then be raised up and be judged4 ,this is implied in the general expressions there used8the dead1 small and great20 the 8book of life was opened0as if not opened before2 8the dead0all the dead8were judged out of those things which were written in the books20 8the sea gave up the dead which were in it1 and death and hell 7hades7 delivered up the dead which were in them40 ,this is entirely inconsistent with the supposition that a large part of the raceto wit1 all the righteoushad been before raised up2 had passed the solemn judgment2 had been clothed with their immortal bodies1 and had been admitted to a joint reign with the ,saviour on his throne4 ,in the last judgment what place are they to occupy8 ,in what sense are they to be raised up and judged8 ,would such a representation have been made as is found in ver4 #aaae1 if it had been designed to teach that a large part of the race had been already raised up1 and had received the approval of their judge8 7g7 ,this representation is wholly inconsistent1 not only with ver4 #aaae1 but with the uniform language of the ,scriptures1 that all the righteous and the wicked will be judged together1 and both at the coming of ,christ4 ,on no point are the statements of the ,bible more uniform and explicit than on this1 and it would seem that the declarations had been of design so made that there should be no possibility of mistake4 ,i refer for full proof on this point to the following passages of the ,new ,testament3,mat4 x4 #cb1 #cc1 compared with ,mat4 vii4 #babc2 xiii4 #cj1 #chdc2 xvi4 #bdbg2 xxv4 #aj1 #cadf2 ,mar4 viii4 #ch2 ,jn4 v4 #bh1 #bi2 ,ac4 xvii4 #ca3 ,ro4 ii4 #eaf2 xiv4 #aj1 #ab2 #a ,co4 iii4 #abae2 iv4 #e2 #b ,co4 v4 #iaa2 #b ,th4 i4 #faj2 #a ,ti4 v4 #bd1 #be2 #b ,pe4 iii4 #g1 #aj1 #ab2 #a ,jn4 ii4 #bh2 iv4 #ag2 ,re4 iii4 #e2 xx4 #aaae2 xxii4 #abae4 ,it is utterly impossible to explain these passages on any other supposition than that they are intended to teach that #dcb the righteous and the wicked will be judged together1 and both at the coming of ,christ4 ,and if this is so1 it is of course impossible to explain them consistently with the view that all the righteous will have been already raised up at the beginning of the millennium in their immortal and glorified bodies1 and that they have been solemnly approved by the ,saviour1 and admitted to a participation in his glory4 ,nothing could be more irreconcilable than these two views2 and it seems to me1 therefore1 that the objections to the literal resurrection of the saints at the beginning of the millennial period are insuperable4 ,,iii4 ,the following points1 then1 according to the interpretation proposed1 are implied in this statement respecting the 8first resurrection10 and these will clearly comprise all that is stated on the subject4 7#a7 ,there will be a reviving1 and a prevalence of the spirit which actuated the saints in the best days1 and a restoration of their principles as the grand principles which will control and govern the church1 as if the most eminent saints were raised again from the dead1 and lived and acted upon the earth4 7#b7 ,their memory will then be sacredly cherished1 and they will be honoured on the earth with the honour which is due to their names1 and which they should have received when in the land of the living4 ,they will be no longer cast out and reproached2 no longer held up to obloquy and scorn2 no longer despised and forgotten2 but there will be a reviving of sacred regard for their principles1 as if they lived on the earth1 and had the honour which was due to them4 7#c7 ,there will be a state of things upon the earth as if they thus lived and were thus honoured4 ,religion will no longer be trampled under foot1 but will triumph4 ,in all parts of the earth it will have the ascendency1 as if the most eminent saints of past ages lived and reigned with the ,son of ,god in his kingdom4 ,a spiritual kingdom will be set up with the ,son of ,god at the head of it1 which will be a kingdom of eminent holiness1 as if the saints of the best days of the church should come back to the earth and dwell upon it4 ,the ruling influence in the world will be the religion of the ,son of ,god1 and the principles which have governed the most holy of his people4 7#d7 ,it may be implied that the saints and martyrs of other times will be employed by the ,saviour in embassies of mercy2 in visitations of grace to our world to carry forward the great work of salvation on earth4 ,nothing forbids the idea that the saints in heaven may be thus employed1 and in this long period of a thousand years1 it may be that they will be occupied in such messages and agencies of mercy to our world as they have never been beforeas if they were raised from the dead1 and were employed by the ,redeemer to carry forward his purposes of mercy to mankind4 7#e7 ,in connection with these things1 and in consequence of these things1 they may be1 during that period1 exalted to higher happiness and honour in heaven4 ,the restoration of their principles to the earth2 the ,christian remembrance of their virtues2 the prevalence of those truths to establish which they laid down their lives1 would in itself exalt them1 and would increase their joy in heaven4 ,all this would be well represented1 in vision1 by a resurrection of the dead2 and admitting that this was all that was intended1 the representation of ,john here would be in the highest degree appropriate4 ,what could better symbolize itand we must remember that this is a symbolthan to say that at the commencement of this period there was1 as it were1 a solemn preparation for a judgment1 and that the departed dead seemed to stand there1 and that a sentence was pronounced in their favour1 and that they became associated with the ,son of ,god in the honours of his kingdom1 and that their principles were now to reign and triumph in the earth1 and that the kingdom which they laboured to establish would be set up for a thousand years1 and that1 in high purposes of mercy and benevolence during that period1 they would be employed in maintaining and extending the principles of religion in the world8 ,admitting that the ,holy ,spirit intended to represent these things1 and these only1 no more appropriate symbolical language could have been used2 none that would more accord with the general style of the book of ,revelation4 #g ,and when the thousand years are expired1 ,satan shall be loosed out of his prison1 #g4 ,and when the thousand years are #dcc expired4 ,see ver4 #b4 ,satan shall be loosed out of his prison4 ,see ver4 #c4 ,that is1 a state of things will then occur as if ,satan should be for a time let loose again1 and should be permitted to go as formerly over the world4 ,no intimation is given why or how he would be thus released from his prison4 ,we are not1 however1 to infer that it would be a mere arbitrary act on the part of ,god4 ,all that is necessary to be supposed is1 that there would be1 in certain parts of the world1 a temporary outbreak of wickedness1 as if ,satan were for a time released from his chains4 #h ,and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth1 #fbb;,gog and ,magog1 to #fbc;gather them together to battle3 the number of whom is as the sand of the sea4 #h4 ,and shall go out to deceive the nations4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xii4 #i4 ,the meaning here is1 that he would again1 for a time1 act in his true character1 and in some way delude the nations once more4 ,in what way this would be done is not stated4 ,it would be1 however1 clearly an appeal to the wicked passions of mankind1 exciting a hope that they might yet overthrow the kingdom of ,god on the earth4 ,which are in the four quarters of the earth4 ,literally1 corners of the earth1 as if the earth were one extended square plain4 ,the earth is usually spoken of as divided into four parts or quartersthe eastern1 the western1 the northern1 and the southern4 ,it is implied here that the deception or apostasy referred to would not be confined to one spot or portion of the world1 but would extend afar4 ,the idea seems to be1 that during that period1 though there would be a general prevalence of the gospel1 and a general diffusion of its blessings1 yet that the earth would not be entirely under its influence1 and especially that the native character of the human heart would not be changed4 ,man1 under powerful temptations1 would be liable to be deluded by the great master spirit that has so often corrupted the race4 ,once more he would be permitted to make the trial1 and then his power would for ever come to an end4 ,gog and ,magog4 ,the name ,gog occurs as the name of a prince in ,eze4 xxxviii4 #b1 #c1 #af1 #ah2 xxxix4 #a1 #aa4 8,he is an invader of the land of ,israel1 the chief prince of ,meshech and ,tubal10 ,eze4 xxxviii4 #b4 ,magog is also mentioned in ,eze4 xxxviii4 #b1 8the land of ,magog20 and in ,eze4 xxxix4 #f1 8,i will send a fire on ,magog40 ,as the terms are used in the ,old ,testament1 the representation would seem to be that ,gog was the king of a people called ,magog4 ,the signification of the names is unknown1 and consequently nothing can be determined about the meaning of this passage from that source4 ,nor is there much known about the people who are referred to by ,ezekiel4 ,his representation would seem to be1 that a great and powerful people1 dwelling in the extreme recesses of the north 7ch4 xxxviii4 #ae2 xxxix4 #b71 would invade the ,holy ,land after the return from the exile1 ch4 xxxviii4 #hab4 ,it is commonly supposed that they were ,scythians1 residing between the ,caspian and ,euxine ,seas1 or in the region of ,mount ,caucasus4 ,thus ,josephus 7,ant4 i4 #f1 #c7 has dropped the ,hebrew word ,magog1 and rendered it by ,scythians2 and so does ,jerome4 ,suidas renders it ,persians2 but this does not materially vary the view1 since the word ,scythians1 among the ancient writers1 is a collective word1 to denote all the north-eastern1 unknown1 barbarous tribes4 ,among the ,hebrews1 the name ,magog also would seem to denote all the unknown barbarous tribes about the ,caucasian mountains4 ,the fact that the names ,gog and ,magog are1 in ,ezekiel1 associated with ,meshech and ,tubal1 seems to determine the locality of these people1 for those two countries lie between the ,euxine and ,caspian ,seas1 or at the south-east extremity of the ,euxine ,sea 7,rosenmller1 ,bib4 ,geog4 vol4 i4 p4 #bdj74 ,the people of that region were1 it seems1 a terror to ,middle ,asia1 in the same manner as the ,scythians were to the ,greeks and ,romans4 ,intercourse with such distant and savage nations was scarcely possible in ancient times2 and hence1 from their numbers and strength1 they were regarded with great terror1 just as the ,scythians were regarded by the ancient ,greeks and ,romans1 and as the ,tartars were in the middle ages4 ,in this manner they became an appropriate symbol of rude and savage people2 of enemies fierce and warlike2 of foes to be dreaded2 and as such they were referred to by both ,ezekiel and ,john4 ,it has been made #dcd a question whether ,ezekiel and ,john do not refer to the same period1 but it is not necessary to consider that question here4 ,all that is needful to be understood is1 that ,john means to say that at the time referred to there would be formidable enemies of the church who might be compared with the dreaded dwellers in the land of ,magog2 or1 that after this long period of millennial tranquillity and peace1 there would be a state of things which might be properly compared with the invasion of the ,holy ,land by the dreaded barbarians of ,magog or ,scythia4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that any particular country is referred to1 or that there would be any one portion of the earth which the gospel would not reach1 and which would be still barbarous1 heathen1 and savage2 all that is necessary to be supposed is1 that though religion would generally prevail1 human nature would remain essentially corrupt and unchanged2 and that1 therefore1 from causes which are not stated1 there might yet be a fearful apostasy1 and a somewhat general prevalence of iniquity4 ,this would be nothing more than has occurred after the most favoured times in the church1 and nothing more than human nature would exhibit at any time1 if all restraints were withdrawn1 and men were suffered to act out their native feelings4 ,why this will be permitted2 what causes will bring it about2 what subordinate agencies will be employed1 is not said1 and conjecture would be vain4 ,the reader who wishes more information in regard to ,gog and ,magog may consult ,professor ,stuart on this book1 vol4 ii4 pp4 #cfdcfh1 and the authorities there referred to4 ,comp4 especially ,rosenmller on ,eze4 xxxviii4 #b4 ,see also ,sale's ,koran1 ,pre4 ,dis4 #d1 and the ,koran itself1 ,sura xviii4 #id1 and xxi4 #ie4 ,to gather them together to battle4 ,as if to assemble them for war2 that is1 a state of things would exist in regard to the kingdom of ,god and the prevalence of the true religion as if distant and barbarous nations should be aroused to make war on the church of ,god4 ,the meaning is1 that there would be an awakened hostility against the kingdom of ,christ in the earth4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #ad4 ,the number of whom is as the sand of the sea4 ,a common comparison in the ,scriptures to denote a great multitude1 ,ge4 xxii4 #ag2 xxxii4 #ab2 xli4 #di2 #a ,sa4 xiii4 #e2 #a ,ki4 iv4 #bj1 et al4 c4,condition of things in the period referred to in ver4 #g1 #h4 7#a7 ,this will occur at the close of the millennial periodthe period of the thousand years4 ,it is not said1 indeed1 that it would be immediately after that2 but the statement is explicit that it will be after that1 or 8when the thousand years are expired40 ,there may be an interval before it shall be accomplished of an indefinite time2 the alienation and corruption may be gradual2 a considerable period may elapse before the apostasy shall assume an organized form1 or1 in the language of ,john1 before the hosts shall 8be gathered to battle10 but it is to be the next marked and prominent event in the history of the world1 and is to precede the final consummation of all things4 7#b7 ,this will be a brief period4 ,compared with the long period of prosperity that preceded it1 and perhaps compared with the long period that shall follow it before the final judgment1 it will be short4 ,thus1 in ver4 #c1 it is said that ,satan 8must be loosed a little season40 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,there is no way of determining the time with exactness2 but we are assured that it will not be long4 7#c7 ,what will be the exact state of things then can be only a matter of conjecture4 ,we may say1 however1 that it will not be 7a7 necessarily war4 ,the language is figurative and symbolical1 and it is not necessary to suppose that an actual and bloody warfare will be literally waged against the church4 ,nor 7b7 will there be a literal invasion of the land of ,palestine as the residence of the saints and the capital of the ,redeemer's visible empire1 for there is not a hint of thisnot a word to justify such an interpretation4 ,nor 7c7 is it necessary to suppose that there will be literally such nations as will be then called 8,gog and ,magog10 for this language is figurative1 and designed to characterize the foes of the churchas being in some respects formidable and terrible as were those ancient nations4 ,we may thus suppose that at that time1 from causes which are unexplained1 there will be 7a7 a revived opposition to the truths of religion2 7b7 the prevalence1 to a greater or less extent1 of infidelity2 7c7 a great spiritual declension2 7d7 a combination of interests opposed to the gospel2 7e7 possibly some new form of error and delusion that shall extensively prevail4 #dce ,satan may set up some new form of religion1 or he may breathe into those that may already exist a spirit of worldliness and vanitysome new manifestation of the religion of formsthat shall for a limited period produce a general decline and apostasy4 ,as there is1 however1 no distinct specification of what will characterize the world at that time1 it is impossible to determine what is referred to any more than in this general manner4 7#d7 ,a few remarks may1 however1 be made on the probability of what is here affirmed1 for it seems contrary to what we should suppose would be the characteristics of the closing period of the world4 ,the following remarks1 then1 may show that this anticipated state of things is not improbable37a7 ,we are to remember that human nature will then be essentially the same as now4 ,there is no intimation that man1 as born into the world1 will be then different from what he is now1 or that any of the natural corrupt tendencies of the human heart will be changed4 ,men will be liable to the same outbreaks of passion1 to be influenced by the same forms of temptation1 to fall into the same degeneracy and corruption1 to feel the same unhappy influences of success and prosperity as now1 for all this appertains to a fallen nature1 except as it is checked and controlled by grace4 ,we often mistake much in regard to the millennial state by supposing that all the evils of the apostasy will be arrested and that the nature of man will be as wholly changed as it will be in the heavenly world4 7b7 ,the whole history of the church has shown that there is a liability to declension even in the best state and in the condition of the highest spiritual prosperity4 ,to see this we have only to remember the example of the ,hebrews1 and how readily they apostatized after the most striking manifestation of the divine mercies2 the early ,christian church1 and how soon it declined2 the seven churches of ,asia ,minor1 and how soon their spirituality departed2 the various revivals of religion that have occurred from time to time1 and how soon they have been succeeded by coldness1 worldliness1 and error2 the fact that great religious denominations1 which have begun their career with zeal and love1 have so soon degenerated in spirit1 and fallen into the same formality and worldliness which they have evinced who have gone before them2 and the case of the individual ,christian1 who from the most exalted state of love and joy so soon often declines into a state of conformity to the world4 ,these are sad views of human nature1 even under the influence of true religion2 but the past history of man has given but too much occasion for such reflections1 and too much reason to apprehend that the same things may occur1 for a time1 even under the best forms in which religion may manifest itself in a fallen world4 ,man's nature will be better in heaven1 and religion there1 in its purest and best form1 will be permanent2 here we are not to be surprised at any outbreak of sin or any form of declension in religion4 ,what has often occurred in the world on a small scale we may suppose may then occur on a larger scale4 8,just as on a small scale1 in some little community like that of ,northampton1 as described by ,president ,edwards1 after the remarkable sense of ,god's presence over the whole town had begun to wax feeble1 the still unconverted persons of it1 though subdued and seemingly won over to ,christ1 would by little and little recover themselves1 and at length venture forth in their true character2 so it will be1 in all probability1 on a vast scale1 at the close of the latter day4 ,the unconverted portion of the worldlong constrained by the religious influences everywhere surrounding them to fall in with the spirit of the day1 catching apparently its holy impulses1 but never coming savingly under its powerthis portion of mankind1 which we have reason to fear will not be small1 will now be freed from these irksome restraints1 no longer obliged to breathe an atmosphere uncongenial to their nature0 7,brown on the ,second ,coming of ,christ1 p4 #ddb74 8,no oppression is so grievous to an unsanctified heart as that which arises from the purity of ,christianity4 ,a desire to shake off this yoke is the true cause of the opposition which ,christianity has met with in the world in every period1 and will1 it is most likely1 be the chief motive to influence the followers of ,gog in his time0 7,frazer's ,key1 p4 #dee74 7c7 ,the representations of the ,new ,testament elsewhere confirm this view in regard to the latter state of the worldthe state when the ,lord ,jesus shall come to judgment4 8,when the ,son of man cometh1 shall he find faith on the earth80 ,lu4 xviii4 #h4 8,there shall come in the last days scoffers1 walking after their own lusts1 and saying1 ,where is the promise of #dcf his coming80 #b ,pe4 iii4 #c1 #d4 8,the day of the ,lord so cometh as a thief in the night4 ,for when they shall say1 ,peace and safety1 then sudden destruction cometh upon them1 as travail upon a woman with child1 and they shall not escape10 #a ,th4 v4 #b1 #c4 ,see especially ,lu4 xvii4 #bfcj3 8,as it was in the days of ,noe1 so shall it be also in the days of the ,son of man4 ,they did eat1 they drank1 they were given in marriage1 until the day that ,noe entered into the ark1 and the flood came and destroyed them all4 ,likewise also as it was in the days of ,lot2 they did eat1 they drank1 they bought1 they sold1 they planted1 they builded2 but the same day that ,lot went out of ,sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven1 and destroyed them all4 ,even thus shall it be in the day when the ,son of man is revealed40 #i ,and #fbdthey went up on the breadth of the earth1 and compassed the camp of the saints about1 and the beloved city3 and fire came down from ,god out of heaven1 and devoured them4 #i4 ,and they went up on the breadth of the earth4 ,they spread over the earth in extended columns4 ,the image is that of an invading army that seems1 in its march1 to spread all over a land4 ,the reference here is to the hosts assembled from the regions of ,gog and ,magog2 that is1 to the formidable enemies of the gospel that would be roused up at the close of the period properly called the millennial periodthe period of the thousand years4 ,it is not necessary to suppose that there would be literally armies of enemies of ,god summoned from lands that would be called lands of 8,gog and ,magog20 but all that is necessarily implied is1 that there will be a state of hostility to the church of ,christ which would be well illustrated by such a comparison with an invading host of barbarians4 ,the expression 8the breadth of the land0 occurs in ,hab4 i4 #f1 in a description of the invasion of the ,chaldeans1 and means there the whole extent of it2 that is1 they would spread over the whole country4 ,and compassed the camp of the saints about4 ,besieged the camp of the saints considered as engaged in war1 or as attacked by an enemy4 ,the 8camp of the saints0 here seems to be supposed to be without the walls of the city2 that is1 the army was drawn out for defence4 ,the fact that the foes were able to 8compass this camp about10 and to encircle the city at the same time1 shows the greatness of the numbers of the invaders4 ,and the beloved city4 ,jerusalema city represented as beloved by ,god and by his people4 ,the whole imagery here is derived from a supposed invasion of the land of ,palestineimagery than which nothing could be more natural to ,john in describing the hostility that would be aroused against the church in the latter day4 ,but no just principle of interpretation requires us to understand this literally4 ,comp4 ,he4 xii4 #bb4 ,indeed1 it would be absolutely impossible to give this chapter throughout a literal interpretation4 ,what would be the literal interpretation of the very first verses8 8,i saw an angel come down from heaven1 having the key of the bottomless pit1 and a great chain in his hand2 and he laid hold on the dragon and bound him40 ,can anyone believe that there is to be a literal key1 and a chain1 and an act of seizing a serpent1 and binding him8 ,as little is it demanded that the passage before us should be taken literally2 for if it is maintained that this should be1 we may insist that the same principle of interpretation should be applied to every part of the chapter1 and every part of the book4 ,and fire came down from ,god out of heaven1 and devoured them4 ,consumed themfire being represented as devouring or eating4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #af4 ,the meaning is1 that they would be destroyed as if fire should come down from heaven1 as on ,sodom and ,gomorrah4 ,but it is not necessary to understand this literally1 any more than it is the portions of the chapter just referred to4 ,what is obviously meant is1 that their destruction would be sudden1 certain1 and entire1 and that thus the last enemy of ,god and the church would be swept away4 ,nothing can be determined from this about the means by which this destruction will be effected2 and that must be left for time to disclose4 ,it is sufficient to know that the destruction of these last foes of ,god and the church will be certain and entire4 ,this language1 as denoting the final destruction of the enemies of ,god1 is often employed in the ,scriptures4 ,see ,ps4 xi4 #f2 ,is4 xxix4 #f2 ,eze4 xxxviii4 #bb2 xxxix4 #f4 #aj ,and the devil that deceived them was cast into the #fbelake of fire and brimstone1 where the beast and the false prophet are1 and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever4 #dcg #aj4 ,and the devil that deceived them4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #c1 #h4 ,was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone4 ,in ch4 xix4 #bj1 it is said of the beast and the false prophet that they were 8cast alive into a lake of fire1 burning with brimstone40 ,satan1 on the other hand1 instead of being doomed at once to that final ruin1 was confined for a season in a dark abyss1 ch4 xx4 #ac4 ,as the final punishment1 however1 he is appropriately represented as consigned to the same doom as the beast and the false prophet1 that those great enemies of ,god1 that had been associated and combined in deceiving the nations1 might share the same appropriate punishment in the end4 ,comp4 ch4 xvi4 #ac1 #ad4 ,where the beast and the false prophet are4 ,notes on ch4 xix4 #bj4 ,and shall be tormented day and night for ever4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #aa4 ,all the great enemies of the church are destroyed1 and henceforward there is to be no array of hostile forces2 no combination of malignant powers against the kingdom of ,god4 ,the gospel triumphs2 the way is prepared for the final consummation4 d4,condition of things in the period referred to in ver4 #i1 #aj4 7#a7 ,there will be1 after the release of ,satan1 and of course at the close of the millennial period properly so called1 a state of things which may be well represented by the invasion of a country by hostile1 formidable forces4 ,this1 as shown in the exposition1 need not be supposed to be literal2 but it is implied that there will be decided hostility against the true religion4 ,it may be an organization and consolidation1 so to speak1 of infidel principles1 or a decided worldly spirit1 or some prevalent form of error1 or some new form of depravity that shall be developed by the circumstances of that age4 ,what it will be it is impossible now to determine2 but1 as shown above 7 c1 7#d771 it is by no means improbable that this will occur even at the close of the millennium4 7#b7 ,there will be a decided defeat of these forces thus combined1 as if fire should come down from heaven to destroy an invading army4 ,the mode in which this will be done is not indeed stated1 for there is no necessity of understanding the statement in ver4 #i literally1 any more than the other parts of the chapter4 ,the fair inference1 however1 is that it will be by a manifest divine agency2 that it will be sudden1 and that the destruction will be entire4 ,we have no reason1 therefore1 to suppose that the outbreak will be of long continuance1 or that it will very materially disturb the settled order of human affairs on the earthany more than a formidable invasion of a country does1 when the invading army is suddenly cut off by some terrible judgment from heaven4 7#c7 ,this overthrow of the enemies of ,god and of the church will be final4 ,satan will be 8cast into the lake of fire and brimstone1 to be tormented day and night for ever40 ,the beast and the false prophet are already there 7ch4 xix4 #bj72 that is1 they will have ceased long since1 even before the beginning of the millennial period 7ch4 xix4 #bj1 compared with ch4 xx4 #ac71 to have opposed the progress of truth in the world1 and their power will have been brought to an end4 ,satan now1 the last enemy1 will be doomed to the same hopeless woe2 and all the enemies that have ever opposed the churchin all forms of ,paganism1 ,mahometanism1 ,popery1 and delusionwill be destroyed for ever4 ,the world then will have peace2 the church will have rest2 the great triumph will have been achieved4 7#d7 ,for reasons stated in the ,analysis of the ,chapter1 ,v4 7c71 it is possible that there will be a long period of continued prosperity and peace between the events stated in ver4 #i1 #aj1 and the final judgment1 as described in ver4 #aaae4 ,if so1 however1 the purpose of the book did not require that that should be described at length1 and it must be admitted that the most obvious interpretation of the ,new ,testament would not be favourable to such a supposition4 ,comp4 ,lu4 xvii4 #bfcj2 xviii4 #h2 #a ,th4 v4 #b1 #c2 #b ,pe4 iii4 #c1 #d4 ,the great glory of the world will be the millennial period2 when religion shall have the ascendency and the race shall have reached its highest point of progress on earth1 and the blessings of liberty1 intelligence1 peace1 and piety1 shall have during that period been spread over the globe4 ,in #dch that long duration1 who can estimate the numbers that shall be redeemed and saved8 ,that period passed1 the great purpose contemplated by the creation of the earththe glory of ,god in the redemption of a fallen race1 and in setting up a kingdom of righteousness in a world of apostasywill have been accomplished1 and there will be no reason why the final judgment should not then occur4 8,the work of redemption will now be finished4 ,the end for which the means of grace have been instituted shall be obtained4 ,all the effect which was intended to be accomplished by them shall now be accomplished4 ,all the great wheels of ,providence have gone roundall things are ripe for ,christ's coming to judgment0 7,president ,edwards' ,history of ,redemption74 #aa ,and ,i saw a great white throne1 and him that sat on it1 from whose face the #fbf;earth and the heaven fled away2 and there was found no place for them4 #aa4 ,and ,i saw a great white throne4 ,this verse commences the description of the final judgment1 which embraces the remainder of the chapter4 ,the first thing seen in the vision is the burning throne of the ,judge4 ,the things that are specified in regard to it are1 that it was great1 and that it was white4 ,the former expression means that it was high or elevated4 ,comp4 ,is4 vi4 #a4 ,the latter expressionwhitemeans that it was splendid or shining4 ,comp4 #a ,ki4 x4 #ahbj4 ,the throne here is the same which is referred to in ,mat4 xxv4 #ca1 and called there 8the throne of his glory40 ,and him that sat on it4 ,the reference here undoubtedly is to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the final ,judge of mankind 7comp4 ,mat4 xxv4 #ca71 and the scene described is that which will occur at his second advent4 ,from whose face4 ,or1 from whose presence2 though the word may be used here to denote more strictly his faceas illuminated1 and shining like the sun4 ,see ch4 i4 #af1 8,and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength40 ,the earth and the heaven fled away4 ,that is1 as the stars1 at the rising of the sun1 seem to flee to more remote regions1 and vanish from human view1 so when the ,son of ,god shall descend in his glory to judge the world1 the earth and all other worlds shall seem to vanish4 ,every one must admire the sublimity of this image2 no one can contemplate it without being awed by the majesty and glory of the final ,judge of mankind4 ,similar expressions1 where the natural creation shrinks back with awe at the presence of ,god1 frequently occur in the ,bible4 ,comp4 ,ps4 xviii4 #gae2 lxxvii4 #afai2 cxiv4 #ce2 ,hab4 iii4 #f1 #aj1 #aa4 ,and there was found no place for them4 ,they seemed to flee entirely away1 as if there was no place where they could find a safe retreat1 or which would receive and shelter them in their flight4 ,the image expresses1 in the most emphatic manner1 the idea that they entirely disappeared1 and no language could more sublimely represent the majesty of the ,judge4 #ab ,and ,i saw the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god2 and the #fbg;books were opened3 and #fbh;another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 #fbi;according to their works4 #ab4 ,and ,i saw the dead1 small and great4 ,all the deadfor this language would express thatthe whole race being composed of the 8small and great40 ,thus1 in other language1 the same idea might be expressed by saying1 the young and old2 the rich and poor2 the bond and free2 the sick and well2 the happy and the unhappy2 the righteous and the wicked2 for all the human family might1 in these respects1 be considered as thus divided4 ,the fair meaning in this place therefore is1 that all the dead would be there1 and of course this would preclude the idea of a previous resurrection of any part of the dead1 as of the saints1 at the beginning of the millennium4 ,there is no intimation here that it is the wicked dead that are referred to in this description of the final judgment4 ,it is the judgment of all the dead4 ,stand before ,god4 ,that is1 they appear thus to be judged4 ,the word 8,god0 here must naturally refer to the final ,judge on the throne1 and there can be no doubt 7see ,mat4 xxv4 #ca7 that this is the ,lord ,jesus4 ,comp4 #b ,co4 v4 #aj4 ,none can judge the secrets of the heart2 none can pronounce on the moral character of all mankind1 of all countries and ages1 and determine their everlasting allotment1 but he who is ,divine4 #dci ,and the books were opened4 ,that is1 the books containing the record of human deeds4 ,the representation is1 that all that men have done is recorded1 and that it will be exhibited on the final trial1 and will constitute the basis of the last judgment4 ,the imagery seems to be derived from the accusations made against such as are arraigned before human courts of justice4 ,and another book was opened1 which is the book of life4 ,the book containing the record of the names of all who shall enter into life1 or into heaven4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #e4 ,the meaning here is1 that ,john saw not only the general books opened containing the records of the deeds of men1 but that he had a distinct view of the list or roll of those who were the followers of the ,lamb4 ,it would seem that in regard to the multitudes of the impenitent and the wicked1 the judgment will proceed on their deeds in general2 in regard to the righteous1 it will turn on the fact that their names had been enrolled in the book of life4 ,that will be sufficient to determine the nature of the sentence that is to be passed on them4 ,he will be safe whose name is found in the book of life2 no one will be safe who is to have his eternal destiny determined by his own deeds4 ,this passage proves particularly that the righteous dead are referred to here as being present at the final judgment2 and is thus an additional argument against the supposition of a resurrection of the righteous1 and a judgment on them1 at the beginning of the millennium4 ,and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books4 ,the records which had been made of their deeds4 ,the final judgment will proceed on the record that has been made4 ,it will not be arbitrary1 and will not be determined by rank1 condition1 or profession1 but it will be according to the record4 ,according to their works4 ,see ,notes on #b ,co4 v4 #aj4 ,the fact that the name of anyone was found in the book of life would seem1 as above remarked1 to determine the certainty of salvation2 but the amount of reward would be in proportion to the service rendered to the ,redeemer1 and the attainments made in piety4 #ac ,and the sea gave up the dead which were in it2 and death and #fcj;hell delivered up the dead which were in them3 and they were judged every man according to their works4 #ac4 ,and the sea gave up the dead which were in it4 ,all that had been buried in the depths of ocean4 ,this number in the aggregate will be great4 ,if we include all who were swept off by the flood1 and all who have perished by shipwreck1 and all who have been killed in naval battles and buried in the sea1 and all who have been swept away by inundations of the ocean1 and all who have peacefully died at sea1 as sailors1 or in the pursuits of commerce or benevolence1 the number in the aggregate will be immensea number so vast that it was proper to notice them particularly in the account of the general resurrection and the last judgment4 ,and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them4 ,that is1 all the dead came1 from all regions where they were scatteredon the land and in the oceanin this world and in the invisible world4 8,death and hell0 are here personified1 and are represented as having dominion over the dead1 and as now delivering up1 or surrendering those who were held under them4 ,on the meaning of the words here used1 see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ah2 vi4 #h4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 x4 #bc2 ,job x4 #ba1 #bb2 ,is4 xiv4 #i4 ,this whole representation is entirely inconsistent with the supposition that a large part of the dead had been already raised up at the beginning of the millennial period1 and had been permitted1 in their glorified bodies1 to reign with ,christ4 ,and they were judged1 c4 ,all these were judgedthe righteous and the wicked2 those buried at sea1 and those buried on the land2 the small and the great2 the dead1 in whatever world they may have been4 #ad ,and #fca;death and hell were cast into the lake of fire4 ,this is the second death4 #ad4 ,and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire4 ,death and ,hades 7hell7 are here personified1 as they are in the previous verse4 ,the declaration is equivalent to the statement in #a ,co4 xv4 #bf3 8,the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death40 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,the idea is1 that death1 considered as the separation of soul and body1 with #ddj all the attendant woes1 will exist no more4 ,the righteous will live for ever1 and the wicked will linger on in a state never to be terminated by death4 ,the reign of ,death and ,hades1 as such1 would come to an end1 and a new order of things would commence where this would be unknown4 ,there might be that which would be properly called death1 but it would not be death in this form2 the soul would live for ever1 but it would not be in that condition represented by the word hades4 ,there would be death still1 but a 8second death differs from the first1 in the fact that it is not a separation of the soul and body1 but a state of continual agony like that which the first death inflictslike that in intensity1 but not in kind0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,this is the second death4 ,that is1 this whole process here describedthe condemnation1 and the final death and ruin of those whose names are 8not found written in the book of life0properly constitutes the second death4 ,this proves that when it is said that 8death and hell were cast into the lake of fire10 it cannot be meant that all punishment will cease for ever1 and that all will be saved1 for the writer goes on to describe what he calls 8the second death0 as still existing4 ,see ver4 #ae4 ,john describes this as the second death1 not because it in all respects resembles the first death1 but because it has so many points of resemblance that it may be properly called death4 ,death1 in any form1 is the penalty of law2 it is attended with pain2 it cuts off from hope1 from friends1 from enjoyment2 it subjects him who dies to a much-dreaded condition1 and in all these respects it was proper to call the final condition of the wicked deaththough it would still be true that the soul would live4 ,there is no evidence that ,john meant to affirm that the second death would imply an extinction of existence4 ,death never does that2 the word does not naturally and properly convey that idea4 #ae ,and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was #fcb;cast into the lake of fire4 #ae4 ,and whosoever4 ,all persons1 of all ranks1 ages1 and conditions4 ,no word could be more comprehensive than this4 ,the single condition here stated1 as being that which would save any from being cast into the lake of fire1 is1 that they are 8found written in the book of life40 ,all besides these1 princes1 kings1 nobles1 philosophers1 statesmen1 conquerors2 rich men and poor men2 the bond and the free2 the young and the aged2 the gay1 the vain1 the proud1 and the sober2 the modest and the humble1 will be doomed to the lake of fire4 ,unlike in all other things1 they will be alike in the only thing on which their eternal destiny will dependthat they have not so lived that their names have become recorded in the book of life4 ,as they will also be destitute of true religion1 there will be a propriety that they shall share the same doom in the future world4 ,written in the book of life4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #e4 ,was cast into the lake of fire4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxv4 #da4 ,that is1 they will be doomed to a punishment which will be well represented by their lingering in a sea of fire for ever4 ,this is the termination of the judgmentthe winding up of the affairs of men4 ,the vision of ,john here rests for a moment on the doom of the wicked1 and then turns to a more full contemplation of the happy lot of the righteous1 as detailed in the two closing chapters of the book4 e4,condition of things referred to in ver4 #aaae4 7#a7 ,there will be a general resurrection of the deadof the righteous and the wicked4 ,this is implied by the statement that the 8dead1 small and great10 were seen to stand before ,god2 that 8the sea gave up the dead which were in it20 that 8,death and ,hades gave up their dead40 ,all were there whose names were or were not written in the book of life4 7#b7 ,there will be a solemn and impartial judgment4 ,how long a time this will occupy is not said1 and is not necessary to be knownfor time is of no consequence where there is an eternity of devotionbut it is said that they will be all judged 8according to their works0that is1 strictly according to their character4 ,they will receive no arbitrary doom2 they will have no sentence which will not be just4 ,see ,mat4 xxv4 #cadf4 7#c7 ,this will be the final judgment4 ,after this1 the affairs of the race will be put on a different footing4 ,this will be the end of the present arrangements2 #dda the end of the present dispensations2 the end of human probation4 ,the great question to be determined in regard to our world will have been settled2 what the plan of redemption was intended to accomplish on the earth will have been accomplished2 the agency of the ,divine ,spirit in converting sinners will have come to an end2 and the means of grace1 as such1 will be employed no more4 ,there is not here or elsewhere an intimation that beyond this period any of these things will exist1 or that the work of redemption1 as such1 will extend into the world beyond the judgment4 ,as there is no intimation that the condition of the righteous will be changed1 so there is none that the condition of the wicked will be2 as there is no hint that the righteous will ever be exposed to temptation1 or to the danger of falling into sin1 so there is none that the offers of salvation will ever again be made to the wicked4 ,on the contrary1 the whole representation is1 that all beyond this will be fixed and unchangeable for ever4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xxii4 #aa4 7#d7 ,the wicked will be destroyed1 in what may be properly called the second death4 ,as remarked in the ,notes1 this does not mean that this death will in all respects resemble the first death1 but there will be so many points of resemblance that it will be proper to call it death4 ,it does not mean that they will be annihilated1 for death never implies that4 ,the meaning is1 that this will be a cutting off from what is properly called life1 from hope1 from happiness1 and from peace1 and a subjection to pain and agony1 which it will be proper to call deathdeath in the most fearful form2 death that will continue for ever4 ,no statements in the ,bible are more clear than those which are made on this point2 no affirmation of the eternal punishment of the wicked could be more explicit than those which occur in the sacred ,scriptures4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xxv4 #df1 and #b ,th4 i4 #i4 7#e7 ,this will be the end of the woes and calamities produced in the kingdom of ,god by sin4 ,the reign of ,satan and of ,death1 so far as the ,redeemer's kingdom is concerned1 will be at an end1 and henceforward the church will be safe from all the arts and efforts of its foes4 ,religion will be triumphant1 and the affairs of the universe be reduced to permanent order4 7#f7 ,the preparation is thus made for the final triumph of the righteousthe state to which all things tend4 ,the writer of this book has conducted the prospective history through all the times of persecution which awaited the church1 and stated the principal forms of error which would prevail1 and foretold the conflicts through which the church would pass1 and described its eventful history to the millennial period1 and to the final triumph of truth and righteousness2 and now nothing remains to complete the plan of the work but to give a rapid sketch of the final condition of the redeemed4 ,this is done in the two following chapters1 and with this the work is ended4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,analysis ,,of ,,chap4 ,,xxi41 ,,xxii4 #ae4 ,the whole of ch4 xxi41 and the first five verses of ch4 xxii41 relate to scenes beyond the judgment1 and are descriptive of the happy and triumphant state of the redeemed church1 when all its conflicts shall have ceased1 and all its enemies shall have been destroyed4 ,that happy state is depicted under the image of a beautiful city1 of which ,jerusalem was the emblem1 and it was disclosed to ,john by a vision of that citythe ,new ,jerusalemdescending from heaven4 ,jerusalem was regarded as the peculiar dwelling-place of ,god1 and to the ,hebrews it became thus the natural emblem or symbol of the heavenly world4 ,the conception having occurred of describing the future condition of the righteous under the image of a beautiful city1 all that follows is in keeping with that1 and is merely a carrying out of the image4 ,it is a city with beautiful walls and gates2 a city that has no templefor it is all a temple2 a city that needs no lightfor ,god is its light2 a city into which nothing impure ever enters2 a city filled with trees1 and streams1 and fountains1 and fruitsthe ,paradise ,regained4 ,the description of that blessed state comprises the following parts3 ,i4 ,a vision of a new heaven and a new earth1 as the final abode of the blessed1 ver4 #a4 ,the first heaven and the first earth passed away at the judgment 7ch4 xx4 #aaae71 to be succeeded by a new heaven and earth fitted to be the abode of the blessed4 ,,ii4 ,a vision of the holy citythe ,new ,jerusalemdescending from heaven1 as the abode of the redeemed1 prepared as a bride adorned for her #ddb husbandrepresenting the fact that ,god would truly abide with men1 ver4 #bd4 ,now all the effects of the apostasy will cease2 all tears will be wiped away1 and in that blessed state there will be no more death1 or sorrow1 or pain4 ,this contains the general statement of what will be the condition of the redeemed in the future world4 ,god will be there2 and all sorrow will cease4 ,,iii4 ,a command to make a record of these things1 ver4 #e4 ,,iv4 ,a general description of those who should dwell in that future world of blessedness1 ver4 #fh4 ,it is for all who are athirst2 for all who desire it1 and long for it2 for all who 8overcome0 their spiritual enemies1 who maintain a steady conflict with sin1 and gain a victory over it4 ,but all who are fearful and unbelievingall the abominable1 and murderers1 and sorcerers1 and idolaters1 and liarsshall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone4 ,that is1 that world will be pure and holy4 ,v4 ,a minute description of the city1 representing the happy abode of the redeemed1 ver4 #ibf4 ,this description embraces many particulars3 7#a7 ,its general appearance1 ver4 #aa1 #ah1 #ba4 ,it is bright and splendidlike a precious jasper-stone1 clear as crystal1 and composed of pure gold4 7#b7 ,its walls1 ver4 #ab1 #ah4 ,the walls are represented as 8great and high10 and as composed of 8jasper40 7#c7 ,its gates1 ver4 #ab1 #ac1 #ba4 ,the gates are twelve in number1 three on each side2 and are each composed of a single pearl4 7#d7 ,its foundations1 ver4 #ad1 #ahbj4 ,there are twelve foundations1 corresponding to the number of the apostles of the ,lamb4 ,they are all composed of precious stonesjasper1 sapphire1 chalcedony1 emerald1 sardonyx1 sardius1 chrysolite1 beryl1 topaz1 chrysoprasus1 jacinth1 and amethyst4 7#e7 ,its size1 ver4 #aeag4 ,it is squarethe length being as great as the breadth1 and its height the same4 ,the extent of each dimension is twelve thousand furlongsa length on each side and in height of three hundred and seventy-five miles4 ,it would seem1 however1 that though the city was of that height1 the wall was only an hundred and forty-four cubits1 or about two hundred and sixteen feet high4 ,the idea seems to be that the citythe dwellings within ittowered high above the wall that was thrown around it for protection4 ,this is not uncommon in cities that are surrounded by walls4 7#f7 ,its light1 ver4 #bc1 #bd2 ch4 xxii4 #e4 ,it has no need of the sun1 or of the moon1 or of a lamp 7ch4 xxii4 #e7 to lighten it2 and yet there is no night there 7ch4 xxii4 #e71 for the glory of ,god gives light to it4 7#g7 ,it is a city without a temple1 ver4 #bb4 ,there is no one place in it that is peculiarly sacred1 or where the worship of ,god will be exclusively celebrated4 ,it will be all a temple1 and the worship of ,god will be celebrated in all parts of it4 7#h7 ,it is always open1 ver4 #be4 ,there will be no need of closing it as walled cities on earth are closed to keep enemies out1 and it will not be shut to prevent those who dwell there from going out and coming in when they please4 ,the inhabitants will not be prisoners1 nor will they be in danger1 or be alarmed by the prospect of an attack from an enemy4 7#i7 ,its inhabitants will all be pure and holy1 ver4 #bg4 ,there will in no wise enter there anything that defiles1 or that works abomination1 or that is false4 ,they only shall dwell there whose names are written in the ,lamb's book of life4 7#aj7 ,its inclosures and environs1 ch4 xxii4 #a1 #b4 ,a stream of water1 pure as crystal1 proceeds from the throne of ,god and the ,lamb4 ,that stream flows through the city1 and on its banks is the tree of life constantly bearing fruitfruit to be partaken of freely4 ,it is ,paradise regaineda holy and beautiful abode1 of which the garden of ,eden was only an imperfect emblem1 where there is no prohibition1 as there was there1 of anything that grows1 and where there is no danger of falling into sin4 7#aa7 ,it is a place free1 consequently1 from the curse that was pronounced on man when he forfeited the blessings of the first ,eden1 and when he was driven out from the happy abodes where ,god had placed him4 7#ab7 ,it is a place where the righteous shall reign for ever1 ch4 xxii4 #e4 ,death shall never enter there1 and the presence and glory of ,god shall fill all with peace and joy4 ,such is an outline of the figurative and glowing description of the future blessedness of the redeemed2 the eternal abode of those who shall be saved4 #ddc ,it is poetic and emblematical2 but it is elevating1 and constitutes a beautiful and appropriate close1 not only of this single book1 but of the whole sacred volumefor to this the saints are everywhere directed to look forward2 this is the glorious termination of all the struggles and conflicts of the church2 this is the result of the work of redemption in repairing the evils of the fall1 and in bringing man to more than the bliss which he lost in ,eden4 ,the mind rests with delight on this glorious prospect2 the ,bible closes1 as a revelation from heaven should1 in a manner that calms down every anxious feeling2 that fills the soul with peace1 and that leads the child of ,god to look forward with bright anticipations1 and to say1 as ,john did1 8,come1 ,lord ,jesus10 ch4 xxii4 #bj4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,and ,i saw a #fccnew heaven and a new earth3 for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away2 and there was no more sea4 #a4 ,and ,i saw a new heaven and a new earth4 ,such a heaven and earth that they might properly be called new2 such transformations1 and such changes in their appearance1 that they seemed to be just created4 ,he does not say that they were created now1 or anew2 that the old heavens and earth were annihilated2but all that he says is1 that there were such changes that they seemed to be new4 ,if the earth is to be renovated by fire1 such a renovation will give an appearance to the globe as if it were created anew1 and might be attended with such an apparent change in the heavens that they might be said to be new4 ,the description here 7ver4 #a7 relates to scenes after the general resurrection and the judgmentfor those events are detailed in the close of the previous chapter4 ,in regard to the meaning of the language here1 see ,notes on #b ,pe4 iii4 #ac4 ,compare1 also1 ,the ,religion of ,geology and its ,connected ,sciences1 by ,edward ,hitchcock1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 pp4 #cgjdjh4 ,for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away4 ,they had passed away by being changed1 and a renovated universe had taken their place4 ,see ,notes on #b ,pe4 iii4 #aj4 ,and there was no more sea4 ,this change struck ,john more forcibly1 it would appear1 than anything else4 ,now1 the seas and oceans occupy about three-fourths of the surface of the globe1 and1 of course1 to that extent prevent the world from being occupied by menexcept by the comparatively small number that are mariners4 ,there1 the idea of ,john seems to be1 the whole world will be inhabitable1 and no part will be given up to the wastes of oceans4 ,in the present state of things1 these vast oceans are necessary to render the world a fit abode for human beings1 as well as to give life and happiness to the numberless tribes of animals that find their homes in the waters4 ,in the future state1 it would seem1 the present arrangement will be unnecessary2 and if man dwells upon the earth at all1 or if he visits it as a temporary abode 7see ,notes on #b ,pe4 iii4 #ac71 these vast wastes of water will be needless4 ,it should be remembered that the earth1 in its changes1 according to the teachings of geology1 has undergone many revolutions quite as remarkable as it would be if all the lakes1 and seas1 and oceans of the earth should disappear4 ,still1 it is not certain that it was intended that this language should be understood literally as applied to the material globe4 ,the object is to describe the future blessedness of the righteous2 and the idea is1 that that will be a world where there will be no such wastes as those produced by oceans4 #b ,and ,i ,john saw the #fcd;holy city1 new ,jerusalem1 coming down from ,god1 out of heaven1 prepared as #fce;a bride #fcf;adorned for her husband4 #b4 ,and ,i ,john saw the holy city1 new ,jerusalem1 coming down from ,god out of heaven4 ,see the ,analysis of the chapter4 ,on the phrase 8new ,jerusalem10 see ,notes on ,ga4 iv4 #bf1 and ,he4 xii4 #bb4 ,here it refers to the residence of the redeemed1 the heavenly world1 of which ,jerusalem was the type and symbol4 ,it is here represented as 8coming down from ,god out of heaven40 ,this1 of course1 does not mean that this great city was literally to descend upon the earth1 and to occupy any one part of the renovated world2 but it is a symbolical or figurative representation1 designed to show that the abode of the righteous will be splendid and glorious4 ,the idea of a city literally descending from heaven1 and being set upon the earth with such proportionsthree hundred #ddd and seventy miles high 7ver4 #af71 made of gold1 and with single pearls for gates1 and single gems for the foundationsis absurd4 ,no man can suppose that this is literally true1 and hence this must be regarded as a figurative or emblematic description4 ,it is a representation of the heavenly state under the image of a beautiful city1 of which ,jerusalem was1 in many respects1 a natural and striking emblem4 ,prepared as a bride adorned for her husband4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 xlix4 #ah2 lxi4 #aj4 ,the purpose here is1 to represent it as exceedingly beautiful4 ,the comparison of the church with a bride1 or a wife1 is common in the ,scriptures4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xix4 #g1 #h1 and on ,is4 i4 #ba4 ,it is also common in the ,scriptures to compare a city with a beautiful woman1 and these images here seem to be combined4 ,it is a beautiful city that seems to descend1 and this city is itself compared with a richly-attired bride prepared for her husband4 #c ,and ,i heard a great voice out of heaven1 saying1 ,behold1 the #fcgtabernacle of ,god is with men1 and he will dwell with them1 and they shall be #fch;his people1 and ,god himself shall be with them1 and be their ,god4 #c4 ,and ,i heard a great voice out of heaven4 ,as if uttered by ,god himself1 or the voice of angels4 ,behold the tabernacle of ,god is with men4 ,the tabernacle1 as that word is commonly used in the ,scriptures1 referring to the sacred tent erected in the wilderness1 was regarded as the peculiar dwelling-place of ,god among his peopleas the temple was afterwards1 which was also called a tabernacle4 ,see ,notes on ,he4 ix4 #b4 ,the meaning here is1 that ,god would now dwell with the redeemed1 as if in a tabernacle1 or in a house specially prepared for his residence among them4 ,it is not said that this would be on the earth1 although that may be2 for it is possible that the earth1 as well as other worlds1 may yet become the abode of the redeemed4 ,see ,notes on #b ,pe4 iii4 #ac4 ,and he will dwell with them4 ,as in a tent1 or tabernacle4 ,this is a common idea in the ,scriptures4 ,and they shall be his people4 ,he will acknowledge them in this public way as his own1 and will dwell with them as such4 ,and ,god himself shall be with them4 ,shall be permanently with them2 shall never leave them4 ,and be their ,god4 ,shall manifest himself as such1 in such a manner that there shall be no doubt4 #d ,and ,god shall #fciwipe away all tears from their eyes2 and there shall be #fdjno more death1 neither #fdasorrow1 nor crying1 neither shall there be any more pain3 for the former things are passed away4 #d4 ,and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes4 ,this will be one of the characteristics of that blessed state1 that not a tear shall ever be shed there4 ,how different will that be from the condition herefor who is there here who has not learned to weep8 ,see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #ag4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xxv4 #h4 ,and there shall be no more death44 ,in all that future world of glory1 not one shall ever die2 not a grave shall ever be dug6 ,what a view do we begin to get of heaven1 when we are told there shall be no death there6 ,how different from earth1 where death is so common2 where it spares no one2 where our best friends die2 where the wise1 the good1 the useful1 the lovely die2 where fathers1 mothers1 wives1 husbands1 sons1 daughters1 all die2 where we habitually feel that we must die4 ,assuredly we have here a view of heaven most glorious and animating to those who dwell in a world like this1 and to whom nothing is more common than death4 ,in all their endless and glorious career1 the redeemed will never see death again2 they will never themselves die4 ,they will never follow a friend to the tomb1 nor fear that an absent friend is dead4 ,the slow funeral procession will never be witnessed there2 nor will the soil ever open its bosom to furnish a grave4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 xv4 #ee4 ,neither sorrow4 ,the word sorrow heredenotes sorrow or grief of any kind2 sorrow for the loss of property or friends2 sorrow for disappointment1 persecution1 or care2 sorrow over our sins1 or sorrow that we love ,god so little1 and serve him so unfaithfully2 sorrow that we are sick1 or that we must die4 ,how innumerable are the sources of sorrow here2 how constant is it on the earth6 ,since the fall of man there has not been a day1 an hour1 a moment1 in which this has not been a sorrowful world2 there has not been a nation1 a tribea city or a villagenay1 not a family1 where there has #dde not been grief4 ,there has been no individual who has been always perfectly happy4 ,no one rises in the morning with any certainty that he may not end the day in grief2 no one lies down at night with any assurance that it may not be a night of sorrow4 ,how different would this world be if it were announced that henceforward there would be no sorrow6 ,how different1 therefore1 will heaven be when we shall have the assurance that henceforward grief shall be at an end6 ,nor crying4 ,this word properly denotes a cry1 an outcry1 as in giving a public notice2 a cry in a tumulta clamour1 ,ac4 xxiii4 #i2 and then a cry of sorrow1 or wailing4 ,this is evidently its meaning here1 and it refers to all the outbursts of grief arising from affliction1 from oppression1 from violence4 ,the sense is1 that as none of these causes of wailing will be known in the future state1 all such wailing will cease4 ,this1 too1 will make the future state vastly different from our condition here2 for what a change would it produce on the earth if the cry of grief were never to be heard again6 ,neither shall there be any more pain4 ,there will be no sickness1 and no calamity2 and there will be no mental sorrow arising from remorse1 from disappointment1 or from the evil conduct of friends4 ,and what a change would this producefor how full of pain is the world now6 ,how many lie on beds of languishing2 how many are suffering under incurable diseases2 how many are undergoing severe surgical operations2 how many are pained by the loss of property or friends1 or subjected to acuter anguish by the misconduct of those who are loved6 ,how different would this world be1 if all pain were to cease for ever2 how different1 therefore1 must the blessed state of the future be from the present6 ,for the former things are passed away4 ,the world as it was before the judgment4 #e ,and he that sat upon the throne said1 ,behold1 ,i make all things new4 ,and he said unto me1 ,write3 for these words are true and faithful4 #e4 ,and he that sat upon the throne said4 ,probably the ,messiah1 the dispenser of the rewards of heaven4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xx4 #aa4 ,behold1 ,i make all things new4 ,a new heaven and new earth 7ver4 #a71 and an order of things to correspond with that new creation4 ,the former state of things when sin and death reigned will be changed1 and the change consequent on this must extend to everything4 ,and he said unto me1 ,write4 ,make a record of these things1 for they are founded in truth1 and they are adapted to bless a suffering world4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 xiv4 #ac4 ,see also ch4 i4 #ai4 ,for these words are true and faithful4 ,they are founded in truth1 and they are worthy to be believed4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xix4 #i4 ,comp4 also ,notes on ,da4 xii4 #d4 #f ,and he said unto me1 #fdb;,it is done4 ,i#fdc am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the end4 ,i#fdd will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely4 #f4 ,and he said unto me4 ,that is1 he that sat on the thronethe ,messiah4 ,it is done4 ,it is finished1 complete2 or1 still more expressively1 it is4 ,an expression remarkably similar to this occurs in ,john xix4 #cj1 when the ,saviour on the cross said1 8,it is finished40 ,the meaning in the passage before us evidently is1 8,the great work is accomplished2 the arrangement of human affairs is complete4 ,the redeemed are gathered in2 the wicked are cut off2 truth is triumphant1 and all is now completeprepared for the eternal state of things40 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the end4 ,this language makes it morally certain that the speaker here is the ,lord ,jesus1 for it is the very language which he uses of himself in ch4 i4 #aa4 ,see its meaning explained in the ,notes on ch4 i4 #h4 ,if it is applied to him here1 it proves that he is divine1 for in the following verse 7#g7 the speaker says that he would be a ,god to him who should 8overcome40 ,the meaning of the language as here used1 regarded as spoken by the ,redeemer at the consummation of all things1 and as his people are about entering into the abodes of blessedness1 is1 8,i am now indeed the ,alpha and the ,omegathe first and the last4 ,the attributes implied in this language which ,i claimed for myself are now verified in me1 and it is seen that these properly belong to me4 ,the scheme for setting up a kingdom in the lost world began in me1 and it ends in methe glorious #ddf and triumphant king40 ,i will give unto him that is athirst4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #f2 ,jn4 iv4 #ad2 vii4 #cg4 ,of the fountain of the water of life4 ,an image often used in the ,scriptures to represent salvation4 ,it is compared with a fountain that flows in abundance1 where all may freely slake their thirst4 ,freely4 ,without money and without price 7,notes on ,is4 lv4 #a2 ,jn4 vii4 #cg72 the common representation in the ,scriptures4 ,the meaning here is1 not that he would do this in the future1 but that he had shown that this was his character1 as he had claimed1 in the same way as he had shown that he was the ,alpha and the ,omega4 ,the freeness and the fulness of salvation will be one of the most striking things made manifest when the immense hosts of the redeemed shall be welcomed to their eternal abodes4 #g ,he that overcometh shall inherit #fde;all things2 and ,i will be his ,god1 and he shall be my son4 #g4 ,he that overcometh4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #g4 ,shall inherit all things4 ,be an heir of ,god in all things4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 viii4 #ag4 ,comp4 ,re4 ii4 #g1 #aa1 #ag1 #bf2 iii4 #e1 #ab1 #ba4 ,and ,i will be his ,god4 ,that is1 for ever4 ,he would be to them all that is properly implied in the name of ,god2 he would bestow upon them all the blessings which it was appropriate for ,god to bestow4 ,see ,notes on #b ,co4 vi4 #ah2 ,he4 viii4 #aj4 ,and he shall be my son4 ,he shall sustain to me the relation of a son1 and shall be treated as such4 ,he would ever onward sustain this relation1 and be honoured as a child of ,god4 #h ,but the #fdf;fearful1 and #fdgunbelieving1 and the #fdh;abominable1 and murderers1#fdi and #fejwhoremongers1 and #feasorcerers1 and #feb;idolaters1 and all #fecliars1 shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone3 which is the second death4 #h4 ,but the fearful4 ,having stated1 in general terms1 who they were who would be admitted into that blessed world1 he now states explicitly who would not4 ,the fearful denote those who had not firmness boldly to maintain their professed principles1 or who were afraid to avow themselves as the friends of ,god in a wicked world4 ,they stand in contrast with those who 8overcome10 ver4 #g4 ,and unbelieving4 ,those who have not true faith2 avowed infidels2 infidels at heart2 and all who have not the sincere faith of the gospel4 ,see ,notes on ,mar4 xvi4 #af4 ,and the abominable4 ,the verb from which this word is derived means to excite disgust2 to feel disgust at2 to abominate or abhor2 and hence the participle8the abominable0refers to all who are detestable1 to wit1 on account of their sins2 all whose conduct is offensive to ,god4 ,thus it would include those who live in open sin2 who practise detestable vices2 whose conduct is fitted to excite disgust and abhorrence4 ,these must all1 of course1 be excluded from a pure and holy world2 and this description1 alas6 would embrace a lamentably large portion of the world as it has hitherto been4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 i4 #bf1 seq4 ,and murderers4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 i4 #bi2 ,ga4 v4 #ba4 ,and whoremongers4 ,see ,notes on ,ga4 v4 #ai4 ,and sorcerers4 ,see the word here usedexplained in the ,notes on ,ga4 v4 #ai1 under the word witchcraft4 ,and idolaters4 #a ,co4 vi4 #i2 ,ga4 v4 #ai4 ,and all liars4 ,all who are false in their statements1 their promises1 their contracts4 ,the word would embrace all who are false towards ,god 7,ac4 v4 #ac71 and false towards men4 ,see ,ro4 i4 #ca4 ,shall have their part in the lake which burneth1 c4 ,notes on ch4 xx4 #ad4 ,that is1 they will be excluded from heaven1 and punished for ever4 ,see ,notes on #a ,co4 vi4 #i1 #aj2 ,ga4 v4 #aiba4 #i ,and there came unto me one of the #fedseven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues1 and talked with me1 saying1 ,come hither1 ,i will show thee the #fee;bride1 the ,lamb's wife4 #i4 ,and there came unto me one of the seven angels1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvi4 #f1 #g4 ,why one of these angels was employed to make this communication is not stated4 ,it may be that as they had been engaged in bringing destruction on the enemies of the church1 and securing its final triumph1 there was a propriety that that triumph should be announced by one of their number4 ,and talked with me4 ,that is1 in regard to what he was about to show me4 #ddg ,i will show thee the bride1 the ,lamb's wife4 ,i will show you what represents the redeemed church now to be received into permanent union with its ,lordas a bride about to be united to her husband4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,comp4 ch4 xix4 #g1 #h4 #aj ,and he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain1 and showed me #fefthat great city1 the holy ,jerusalem1 descending out of heaven from ,god1 #aj4 ,and he carried me away in the spirit4 ,gave him a vision of the city2 seemed to place him where he could have a clear view of it as it came down from heaven4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #aj4 ,to a great and high mountain4 ,the elevation1 and the unobstructed range of view1 gave him an opportunity to behold it in its glory4 ,and showed me that great city1 c4 ,as it descended from heaven4 ,notes on ver4 #b4 #aa ,having the #feg;glory of ,god3 and her light was like unto a stone most precious1 even like a jasper stone1 clear as crystal2 #aa4 ,having the glory of ,god4 ,a glory or splendour such as became the dwelling place of ,god4 ,the nature of that splendour is described in the following verses4 ,and her light4 ,in ver4 #bc it is said that 8the glory of ,god did lighten it40 ,that is1 it was made light by the visible symbol of the ,deitythe ,shekinah4 ,see ,notes on ,lu4 ii4 #i2 ,ac4 ix4 #c4 ,the word here rendered lightoccurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament except in ,phi4 ii4 #ae4 ,it means1 properly1 a light1 a light-giver1 and1 in profane writers1 means commonly a window4 ,it is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the divine glory1 as supplying the place of the sun1 or of a window4 ,like unto a stone most precious4 ,a stone of the richest or most costly nature4 ,even like a jasper stone4 ,on the jasper1 see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #c4 ,it is used there for the same purpose as here1 to illustrate the majesty and glory of ,god4 ,clear as crystal4 ,pellucid or resplendent like crystal4 ,there are various kinds of jasperas red1 yellow1 and brown1 brownish yellow1 c4 ,the stone is essentially a quartz1 and the word crystal here is used to show that the form of it referred to by ,john was clear and bright4 #ab ,and had a wall great and high1 and had #fehtwelve gates1 and at the gates twelve angels1 and names written thereon1 which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of ,israel3 #ab4 ,and had a wall great and high4 ,ancient cities were always surrounded with walls for protection1 and ,john represents this as inclosed in the usual manner4 ,the word great means that it was thick and strong4 ,its height also is particularly noticed1 for it was unusual4 ,see ver4 #af4 ,and had twelve gates4 ,three on each side4 ,the number of the gates correspond to the number of the tribes of the children of ,israel1 and to the number of the apostles4 ,the idea seems to be that there would be ample opportunity of access and egress4 ,and at the gates twelve angels4 ,stationed there as guards to the ,new ,jerusalem4 ,their business seems to have been to watch the gates that nothing improper should enter2 that the great enemy should not make an insidious approach to this city as he did to the earthly paradise4 ,and names written thereon4 ,on the gates4 ,which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of ,israel4 ,so in the city which ,ezekiel saw in vision1 which ,john seems also to have had in his eye4 ,see ,eze4 xlviii4 #ca4 ,the inscription in ,ezekiel denoted that that was the residence of the people of ,god2 and the same idea is denoted here4 ,the ,new ,jerusalem is the eternal residence of the children of ,god1 and this is indicated at every gate4 ,none can enter who do not belong to that people2 all who are within are understood to be of their number4 #ac ,on the east three gates2 on the north three gates2 on the south three gates2 and on the west three gates4 #ac4 ,on the east three gates1 c4 ,the city was square 7ver4 #af71 and the same number of gates is assigned to each quarter4 ,there does not appear to be any special significancy in this fact1 unless it be to denote that there is access to this city from all quarters of the world1 and that they who dwell there will have come from each of the #ddh great divisions of the earththat is1 from every land4 #ad ,and the wall of the city had twelve foundations1 and #fei;in them the names of the twelve apostles of the ,lamb4 #ad4 ,and the wall of the city had twelve foundations4 ,it is not said whether these foundations were twelve rows of stones placed one above another under the city1 and extending round it1 or whether they were twelve stones placed at intervals4 ,the former would seem to be the most probable1 as the latter would indicate comparative feebleness and liability to fall4 ,compare ,notes on ver4 #ai4 ,and in them4 ,in the foundation of stones4 ,that is1 the names of the apostles were cut or carved in them so as to be conspicuous4 ,the names of the twelve apostles of the ,lamb4 ,of the ,lamb of ,god2 the ,messiah4 ,for an illustration of this passage1 see ,notes on ,ep4 ii4 #bj4 #ae ,and he that talked with me had a golden #ffjreed to measure the city1 and the gates thereof1 and the wall thereof4 #ae4 ,and he that talked with me4 ,the angel1 ver4 #i4 ,had a golden reed to measure the city4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xi4 #a4 ,the reed1 or measuring rod1 here1 is of gold1 because all about the city is of the most rich and costly materials4 ,the rod is thus suited to the personage who uses it1 and to the occasion4 ,compare a similar description in ,eze4 xl4 #ce2 xliii4 #af4 ,the object of this measuring is to show that the city has proper architectural proportions4 ,and the gates thereof1 c4 ,to measure every part of the city1 and to ascertain its exact dimensions4 #af ,and the city lieth four-square1 and the length is as large as the breadth3 and he measured the city with the reed1 twelve thousand furlongs4 ,the length1 and the breadth1 and the height of it are equal4 #af4 ,and the city lieth four-square4 ,it was an exact square4 ,that is1 there was nothing irregular about it2 there were no crooked walls2 there was no jutting out1 and no indentation in the walls1 as if the city had been built at different times without a plan1 and had been accommodated to circumstances4 ,most cities have been determined in their outline by the character of the groundby hills1 streams1 or ravines2 or have grown up by accretions1 where one part has been joined to another1 so that there is no regularity1 and so that the original plan1 if there was any1 has been lost sight of4 ,the ,new ,jerusalem1 on the contrary1 had been built according to a plan of the utmost regularity1 which had not been modified by the circumstances1 or varied as the city grew4 ,the idea here may be1 that the church1 as it will appear in its state of glory1 will be in accordance with an eternal plan1 and that the great original design will have been fully carried out4 ,and the length1 is as large as the breadth4 ,the height also of the city was the sameso that it was an exact square4 ,and he measured the city with the reed1 twelve thousand furlongs4 ,as eight furlongs make a mile1 the extent of the walls1 therefore1 must have been three hundred and seventy-five miles4 ,of course1 this must preclude all idea of there being such a city literally in ,palestine4 ,this is clearly a figurative or symbolical representation2 and the idea is1 that the city was on the most magnificent scale1 and with the largest proportions1 and the description here is adopted merely to indicate this vastness1 without any idea that it would be understood literally4 ,the length1 and the breadth1 and the height of it are equal4 ,according to this representation1 the height of the city1 not of the walls 7comp4 ver4 #ag71 would be three hundred and seventy-five miles4 ,of course1 this cannot be understood literally1 and the very idea of a literal fulfilment of this shows the absurdity of that method of interpretation4 ,the idea intended to be conveyed by this immense height would seem to be that it would contain countless numbers of inhabitants4 ,it is true that such a structure has not existed1 and that a city of such a height may seem to be out of all proportion2 but we are to remember 7a7 that this is a symbol2 and 7b7 that1 considered as one mass or pile of buildings1 it may not seem to be out of proportion4 ,it is no uncommon thing that a house should be as high as it is long or broad4 ,the idea of vastness and of capacity is the main idea designed to be represented4 ,the image before the mind is1 that the numbers of the redeemed will be immense4 #ag ,and he measured the wall thereof1 an hundred and forty and four cubits1 according to the measure of a man1 that is1 of the angel4 #ddi #ag4 ,and he measured the wall thereof4 ,in respect to its height4 ,of course1 its length corresponded with the extent of the city4 ,an hundred and forty and four cubits4 ,this would be1 reckoning the cubit at eighteen inches1 two hundred and sixteen feet4 ,this is less than the height of the walls of ,babylon1 which ,herodotus says were three hundred and fifty feet high4 ,see ,introduction to ch4 xiii4 of ,isaiah4 ,as the walls of a city are designed to protect it from external foes1 the height mentioned here gives all proper ideas of security2 and we are to conceive of the city itself as towering immensely above the walls4 ,its glory1 therefore1 would not be obscured by the wall that was thrown around it for defence4 ,according to the measure of a man4 ,the measure usually employed by men4 ,this seems to be added in order to prevent any mistake as to the size of the city4 ,it is an angel who makes the measurement1 and without this explanation it might perhaps be supposed that he used some measure not in common use among men1 so that1 after all1 it would be impossible to form any definite idea of the size of the city4 ,that is1 of the angel4 ,that is1 8which is the measure employed by the angel40 ,it was1 indeed1 an angel who measured the city1 but the measure which he employed was that in common use among men4 #ah ,and the building of the wall of it was of jasper2 and the city was pure gold1 like unto clear glass4 #ah4 ,and the building of the wall of it4 ,the material of which the wall was composed4 ,this means the wall above the foundation1 for that was composed of twelve rows of precious stones1 ver4 #ad1 #ai1 #bj4 ,the height of the foundation is not stated1 but the entire wall above was composed of jasper4 ,was of jasper4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #c4 ,of course1 this cannot be taken literally2 and an attempt to explain all this literally would show that that method of interpreting the ,apocalypse is impracticable4 ,and the city was pure gold4 ,the material of which the edifices were composed4 ,like unto clear glass4 ,the word rendered glass in this placeoccurs in the ,new ,testament only here and in ver4 #ba of this chapter4 ,it means1 properly1 8anything transparent like water20 as1 for example1 any transparent stone or gem1 or as rock-salt1 crystal1 glass 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,here the meaning is1 that the golden city would be so bright and burnished that it would seem to be glass reflecting the sunbeams4 ,would the appearance of a city1 as the sun is setting1 when the reflection of its beams from thousands of panes of glass gives it the appearance of burnished gold1 represent the idea here8 ,if we were to suppose a city made entirely of glass1 and the setting sunbeams falling on it1 it might convey the idea represented here4 ,it is certain that1 as nothing could be more magnificent1 so nothing could more beautifully combine the two ideas referred to herethat of gold and glass4 ,perhaps the reflection of the sunbeams from the 8,crystal ,palace10 erected for the late 8industrial exhibition0 in ,london1 would convey a better idea of what is intended to be represented here than anything which our world has furnished4 ,the following description from one who was an eye-witness1 drawn up by him at the time1 and without any reference to this passage1 and furnished at my request1 will supply a better illustration of the passage before us than any description which ,i could give38,seen as the morning vapours rolled around its baseits far-stretching roofs rising one above another1 and its great transept1 majestically arched1 soaring out of the envelope of cloudsits pillars1 window-bars1 and pinnacles1 looked literally like a castle in the air2 like some palace1 such as one reads of in idle tales of ,arabian enchantment1 having about it all the ethereal softness of a dream4 ,looked at from a distance at noon1 when the sunbeams came pouring upon the terraced and vaulted roof1 it resembles a regal palace of silver1 built for some ,eastern prince2 when the sun at eventide sheds on its sides his parting rays1 the edifice is transformed into a temple of gold and rubies2 and in the calm hours of night1 when the moon walketh in her brightness1 the immense surface of glass which the building presents looks like a sea1 or like throwing back1 in flickering smile1 the radiant glances of the queen of heaven40 #ai ,and the #ffa;foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones4 ,the first foundation was jasper2 the second1 sapphire2 the third1 a chalcedony2 the fourth1 an emerald2 #dej #ai4 ,and the foundations of the wall of the city4 ,notes on ver4 #ad4 ,were garnished4 ,were adorned1 or decorated4 ,that is1 the foundations were composed of precious stones1 giving them this highly ornamented and brilliant appearance4 ,the first foundation4 ,the first row1 layer1 or course4 ,notes on ver4 #ad4 ,was jasper4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #c4 ,the second1 sapphire4 ,this stone is not elsewhere mentioned in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is a precious stone1 next in hardness to the diamond1 usually of an azure or sky-blue colour1 but of various shades4 ,the third1 a chalcedony4 ,this word occurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament4 ,the stone referred to is an uncrystallized translucent variety of quartz1 having a whitish colour1 and of a lustre nearly like wax4 ,it is found covering the sides of cavities1 and is a deposit from nitrated silicious waters4 ,when it is arranged in stripes1 it constitutes agate2 and if the stripes are horizontal1 it is the onyx4 ,the modern carnelian is a variety of this4 ,the carnelian is of a deep flesh red1 or reddish-white colour4 ,the name chalcedony is from ,chalcedon1 a town in ,asia ,minor1 opposite to ,byzantium1 or ,constantinople1 where this stone was probably first known 7,webster's ,dict474 ,the fourth1 an emerald4 ,see ,notes on ,re4 iv4 #c4 ,the emerald is green4 #bj ,the fifth1 sardonyx2 the sixth1 sardius2 the seventh1 chrysolite2 the eighth1 beryl2 the ninth1 a topaz2 the tenth1 a chrysoprasus2 the eleventh1 a jacinth2 the twelfth1 an amethyst4 #bj4 ,the fifth1 sardonyx4 ,this word does not occur elsewhere in the ,new ,testament4 ,the name is derived from ,sardis1 a city in ,asia ,minor 7,notes on ch4 iii4 #a71 and 1 a nailso named1 according to ,pliny1 from the resemblance of its colour to the flesh and the nail4 ,it is a silicious stone or gem1 nearly allied to the onyx4 ,the colour is a reddish yellow1 nearly orange 7,webster1 ,dict474 ,the sixth1 sardius4 ,this word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is also derived from ,sardis1 and the name was probably given to the gem because it was found there4 ,it is a stone of a blood-red or flesh colour1 and is commonly known as a carnelian4 ,it is the same as the sardine stone mentioned in ,re4 iv4 #c4 ,see ,notes on that place4 ,the seventh1 chrysolite4 ,this word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is derived from 1 gold1 and 1 stone1 and means golden stone1 and was applied by the ancients to all gems of a golden or yellow colour1 probably designating particularly the topaz of the moderns 7,rob4 ,lex474 ,but in ,webster's ,dict4 it is said that its prevalent colour is green4 ,it is sometimes transparent4 ,this is the modern chrysolite4 ,the ancients undoubtedly understood by the name a yellow gem4 ,the eighth1 beryl4 ,this word occurs nowhere else in the ,new ,testament4 ,the beryl is a mineral of great hardness1 and is of a green or bluish-green colour4 ,it is identical with the emerald1 except in the colour1 the emerald having a purer and richer green colour1 proceeding from a trace of oxide of chrome4 ,prisms of beryl are sometimes found nearly two feet in diameter in the state of ,new ,hampshire 7,webster74 ,the ninth1 a topaz4 ,this word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament4 ,the topaz is a well-known mineral1 said to be so called from ,topazos1 a small island in the ,arabian ,gulf4 ,it is generally of a yellowish colour1 and pellucid1 but it is also found of greenish1 bluish1 or brownish shades4 ,the tenth1 a chrysoprasus4 ,this word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is derived from 1 gold1 and 1 a leek1 and denotes a precious stone of greenish golden colour1 like a leek2 that is1 8apple-green passing into a grass-green0 7,rob4 ,lex474 8,it is a variety of quartz4 ,it is commonly apple-green1 and often extremely beautiful4 ,it is translucent1 or sometimes semi-transparent2 its hardness little inferior to flint0 7,webster1 ,dict474 ,the eleventh1 a jacinth4 ,the word does not elsewhere occur in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is the same word as hyacinthand denotes properly the well-known flower of that name1 usually of a deep purple or reddish blue4 ,here it denotes a gem of this colour4 ,it is a #dea red variety of zircon4 ,see ,webster's ,dict4 under the word hyacinth4 ,the twelfth1 an amethyst4 ,this word1 also1 is found only in this place in the ,new ,testament4 ,it denotes a gem of a deep purple or violet colour4 ,the word is derived from 1 priv41 and 1 to be intoxicated1 became this gem was supposed to be an antidote against drunkenness4 ,it is a species of quartz1 and is used in jewelry4 #ba ,and the twelve gates were twelve pearls2 every several gate was of one pearl3 and the street of the city was pure gold1 as it were transparent glass4 #ba4 ,and the twelve gates4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,were twelve pearls4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xvii4 #d2 ,mat4 xiii4 #df4 ,every several gate was of one pearl4 ,each gate4 ,of course1 this is not to be understood literally4 ,the idea is that of ornament and beauty1 and nothing could give a more striking view of the magnificence of the future abode of the saints4 ,and the street of the city was pure gold4 ,was paved with gold2 that is1 all the vacant space that was not occupied with buildings was of pure gold4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #ah4 #bb ,and ,i saw no temple therein3 for the ,lord ,god ,almighty and the ,lamb are the temple of it4 #bb4 ,and ,i saw no temple therein4 ,no structure reared expressly for the worship of ,god2 no particular place where he was adored4 ,it was all templenothing but a temple4 ,it was not like ,jerusalem1 where there was but one house reared expressly for divine worship1 and to which the inhabitants repaired to praise ,god2 it was all one great temple reared in honour of his name1 and where worship ascended from every part of it4 ,with this explanation1 this passage harmonises with what is said in ch4 ii4 #ab3 vii4 #ae4 ,for the ,lord ,god ,almighty and the ,lamb are the temple of it4 ,they are present in all parts of it in their glory2 they fill it with light2 and the splendour of their presence may be said to be the temple4 ,the idea here is1 that it would be a holy worldall holy4 ,no particular portion would be set apart for purposes of public worship1 but in all places ,god would be adored1 and every portion of it devoted to the purposes of religion4 #bc ,and the city #ffb;had no need of the sun1 neither of the moon1 to shine in it2 for the glory of ,god did lighten it1 and #ffcthe ,lamb is the light thereof4 #bc4 ,and the city had no need of the sun1 neither of the moon1 to shine in it4 ,this imagery seems to be derived from ,is4 lx4 #ai1 #bj4 ,see ,notes on those verses4 ,no language could give a more striking or beautiful representation of the heavenly state than that which is here employed4 ,for the glory of ,god did lighten it4 ,by the visible splendour of his glory4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #aa4 ,that supplied the place of the sun and the moon4 ,and the ,lamb is the light thereof4 ,the ,son of ,god2 the ,messiah4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #f2 ,is4 lx4 #ai4 #bd ,and the #ffdnations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it3 and the #ffekings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it4 #bd4 ,and the nations of them which are saved4 ,all the nations that are saved2 or all the saved considered as nations4 ,this imagery is doubtless derived from that in ,isaiah1 particularly ch4 lx4 #hi4 ,see ,notes on that passage4 ,shall walk in the light of it4 ,shall enjoy its splendour1 and be continually in its light4 ,and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it4 ,all that they consider as constituting their glory1 treasures1 crowns1 sceptres1 robes4 ,the idea is1 that all these will be devoted to ,god in the future days of the church in its glory1 and will be1 as it were1 brought and laid down at the feet of the ,saviour in heaven4 ,the language is derived1 doubtless1 from the description in ,is4 lx4 #cad4 ,comp4 ,is4 xlix4 #bh4 #be ,and the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day2 for #fffthere shall be no night there4 #be4 ,and the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day4 ,it shall be constantly open1 allowing free ingress and egress to all who reside there4 ,the language is derived from ,is4 lx4 #aa4 ,see ,notes on that place4 ,applied to the future state of the blessed1 it would seem to mean1 that while this will be their permanent #deb abode1 yet that the dwellers there will not be prisoners4 ,the universe will be open to them4 ,they will be permitted to go forth and visit every world1 and survey the works of ,god in all parts of his dominions4 ,for there shall be no night there4 ,it shall be all day2 all unclouded splendour4 ,when1 therefore1 it is said that the gates should not be 8shut by day10 it means that they would never be shut4 ,when it is said that there would be no night there1 it is1 undoubtedly1 to be taken as meaning that there would be no literal darkness1 and nothing of which night is the emblem3 no calamity1 no sorrow1 no bereavement1 no darkened windows on account of the loss of friends and kindred4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #d4 #bf ,and they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it4 #bf4 ,and they shall bring1 c4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #bd4 ,that blessed world shall be made up of all that was truly valuable and pure on the earth4 #bg ,and#ffg there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth1 neither whatsoever worketh abomination1 or maketh a lie3 but they which are written in the #ffh,lamb's book of life4 #bg4 ,and there shall in no wise4 ,on no account2 by no means4 ,this strong language denotes the absolute exclusion of all that is specified in the verse4 ,anything that defileth4 ,literally1 anything 8common40 ,see ,notes on ,ac4 x4 #ad4 ,it means here that nothing will be found in that blessed abode which is unholy or sinful4 ,it will be a pure world1 #b ,pe4 iii4 #ac4 ,neither whatsoever worketh abomination1 or maketh a lie4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,but they which are written in the ,lamb's book of life4 ,whose names are there recorded4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #e4 ,comp4 ,notes on ver4 #h4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,for the analysis of the first five verses of this chapter1 see the ,analysis of ch4 xxi4 ,the chapter comprises the remainder of the description of the 8,new ,jerusalem0the blessed abode of the saints 7ver4 #ae71 and then 7ver4 #fba7 the conclusion or epilogue of the whole book4 ,it is difficult to conceive what induced the author of the division of the ,new ,testament into chapters1 to separate the first five verses of this chapter from the preceding chapter4 ,a new chapter should have commenced at ver4 #f of ch4 xxii42 for the remainder properly comprises the conclusion of the whole book4 ,comp4 ,intro4 to ,notes on the ,gospels1 vol4 i4 pp4 vii41 viii4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,and he showed me a pure river of water of life1 clear as crystal1 proceeding out of the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb4 #a4 ,and he showed me a pure river of water of life4 ,in the ,new ,jerusalem2 the happy abode of the redeemed4 ,the phrase 8water of life10 means living or running water1 like a spring or fountain1 as contrasted with a stagnant pool4 ,see ,notes on ,john iv4 #ad4 ,the allusion here is doubtless to the first ,eden1 where a river watered the garden 7,gen4 ii4 #aj1 seq471 and as this is a description of ,eden recovered1 or ,paradise regained1 it was natural to introduce a river of water also1 yet in such a way as to accord with the general description of that future abode of the redeemed4 ,it does not spring up1 therefore1 from the ground1 but flows from the throne of ,god and the ,lamb4 ,perhaps1 also1 the writer had in his eye the description in ,eze4 xlvii4 #aab1 where a stream issues from under the temple1 and is parted in different directions4 ,clear as crystal4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iv4 #f4 ,proceeding out of the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb4 ,flowing from the foot of the throne4 ,comp4 ch4 iv4 #f4 ,this idea is strictly in accordance with ,oriental imagery4 ,in the ,east1 fountains and running streams constituted an essential part of the image of enjoyment and prosperity 7see ,notes on ,is4 xxxv4 #f71 and such fountains were common in the courts of ,oriental houses4 ,here1 the river is an emblem of peace1 happiness1 plenty2 and the essential thought in its flowing from the throne is1 that all the happiness of heaven proceeds from ,god4 #b ,in#ffi the midst of #fgjthe street of it1 and on either side of the river1 was there #fgathe tree of life1 which bare twelve manner of fruits1 and yielded her fruit every month3 and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations4 #b4 ,in the midst of the street of it4 ,professor ,stuart renders this1 8between the street thereof and the river20 and says that 8the writer conceives of the river as running through the whole city2 #dec then of streets parallel to it on either side2 and then1 on the banks of the river1 between the water and the street1 the whole stream is lined on either side with two rows of the tree of life40 ,the more common interpretation1 however1 is doubtless admissible1 and would give a more beautiful image2 that in the street1 or streets of the city1 as well as on the banks of the river1 the tree of life was planted4 ,it abounded everywhere4 ,the city had not only a river passing through it1 but it was pervaded by streets1 and all those streets were lined and shaded with this tree4 ,the idea in the mind of the writer is that of ,eden or ,paradise2 but it is not the ,eden of the book of ,genesis1 or the ,oriental or ,persian ,paradise3 it is a picture where all is combined1 that in the view of the writer would constitute beauty1 or contribute to happiness4 ,and on either side of the river4 ,as well as in all the streets4 ,the writer undoubtedly conceives of a single river running through the cityprobably as meandering alongand that river lined on both sides with the tree of life4 ,this gives great beauty to the imagery4 ,was there the tree of life4 ,not a single tree1 but it abounded everywhereon the banks of the river1 and in all the streets4 ,it was the common tree in this blessed ,paradiseof which all might partake1 and which was everywhere the emblem of immortality4 ,in this respect1 this new ,paradise stands in strong contrast with that in which ,adam was placed at his creation1 where there seems to have been a single tree that was designated as the tree of life1 ,ge4 iii4 #bb1 #bc4 ,in the future state of the blessed1 that tree will abound1 and all may freely partake of it2 the emblem1 the pledge of immortal life1 will be constantly before the eyes1 whatever part of the future abode may be traversed1 and the inhabitants of that blessed world may constantly partake of it4 ,which bare twelve manner of fruits4 8,producing twelve fruit-harvests2 not 7as our version7 twelve manner of fruits0 7,professor ,stuart74 ,the idea is not that there are twelve kinds of fruit on the same tree1 for that is not implied in the language used by ,john4 ,the literal rendering is1 8producing twelve fruits0 4 ,the word 8manner0 has been introduced by the translators without authority4 ,the idea is1 that the tree bore every month in the year1 so that there were twelve fruit-harvests4 ,it was not like a tree that bears but once a year1 or in one season only1 but it constantly bore fruitit bore every month4 ,the idea is that of abundance1 not variety4 ,the supply never fails2 the tree is never barren4 ,as there is but a single class of trees referred to1 it might have been supposed1 perhaps1 that1 according to the common method in which fruit is produced1 there would be sometimes plenty and sometimes want2 but the writer says that1 though there is but one kind1 yet the supply is ample4 ,the tree is everywhere2 it is constantly producing fruit4 ,and yielded her fruit every month4 ,the word 8and0 is also supplied by the translators1 and introduces an idea which is not in the original1 as if there was not only a succession of harvests1 which is in the text1 but that each one differed from the former1 which is not in the text4 ,the proper translation is1 8producing twelve fruits1 yielding or rendering its fruit in each month40 ,thus there is1 indeed1 a succession of fruit-crops1 but it is the same kind of fruit4 ,we are not to infer1 however1 that there will not be variety in the occupations and the joys of the heavenly state1 for there can be no doubt that there will be ample diversity in the employments1 and in the sources of happiness1 in heaven2 but the single thought expressed here is1 that the means of life will be abundant3 the trees of life will be everywhere1 and they will be constantly yielding fruit4 ,and the leaves of the tree4 ,not only the fruit will contribute to give life1 but even the leaves will be salutary4 ,everything about it will contribute to sustain life4 ,were for the healing4 ,that is1 they contribute to impart life and health to those who had been diseased4 ,we are not to suppose that there will be sickness1 and a healing process in heaven1 for that idea is expressly excluded in ch4 xxi4 #d2 but the meaning is1 that the life and health of that blessed world will have been imparted by partaking of that tree2 and the writer says that1 in fact1 it was owing to it that they who dwell there had been healed of their spiritual maladies1 and had been made to live for ever4 ,of the nations4 ,of all the nations assembled there1 ch4 xxi4 #bd4 #ded ,there is a close resemblance between the language here used by ,john and that used by ,ezekiel 7xlvii4 #ab71 and it is not improbable that both these writers refer to the same thing4 ,comp4 also in the ,apocrypha1 #b ,esdras ii4 #ab2 viii4 #ebed4 #c ,and #fgbthere shall be no more curse3 but the #fgcthrone of ,god and of the ,lamb shall be in it2 and his #fgdservants shall serve him3 #c4 ,and there shall be no more curse4 ,this is doubtless designed to be in strong contrast with our present abode2 and it is affirmed that what now properly comes under the name of a curse1 or whatever is part of the curse pronounced on man by the fall1 will be there unknown4 ,the earth will be no more cursed1 and will produce no more thorns and thistles2 man will be no more compelled to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow2 woman will be no more doomed to bear the sufferings which she does now2 and the abodes of the blessed will be no more cursed by sickness1 sorrow1 tears1 and death4 ,but the throne of ,god and of the ,lamb shall be in it4 ,god will reign there for ever2 the principles of purity and love which the ,lamb of ,god came to establish1 will pervade that blessed abode to all eternity4 ,and his servants shall serve him4 ,all his servants that are there2 that is1 all the inhabitants of that blessed world4 ,for the meaning of this passage1 see ,notes on ch4 vii4 #ae4 #d ,and#fge they shall see his face2 and #fgf;his name shall be in their foreheads4 #d4 ,and they shall see his face4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xviii4 #aj4 ,they would be constantly in his presence1 and be permitted continually to behold his glory4 ,and his name shall be in their foreheads4 ,they shall be designated as his4 ,see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #ab2 vii4 #c2 xiii4 #af4 #e ,and#fgg there shall be no night there3 and they need no candle1 neither light of the sun2 for #fghthe ,lord ,god giveth them light3 and #fgithey shall reign for ever and ever4 #e4 ,and there shall be no night there4 ,notes on ch4 xxi4 #be4 ,and they need no candle4 ,no lamp2 no artificial light1 as in a world where there is night and darkness4 ,neither light of the sun2 for the ,lord ,god1 c4 ,notes on ch4 xxi4 #bc4 ,and they shall reign for ever and ever4 ,that is1 with ,god2 they shall be as kings4 ,see ,notes on ch4 v4 #aj2 xx4 #f4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,ro4 viii4 #af2 #b ,ti4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 ,,remarks ,,on ,,chap4 ,,xxi41 ,,xxii4 #ae4 ,this portion of the ,apocalypse contains the most full and complete continuous description of the state of the righteous1 in the world of blessedness1 that is to be found in the ,bible4 ,it seems to be proper1 therefore1 to pause on it for a moment1 and to state in a summary manner what will be the principal features of that blessedness4 ,all can see that1 as a description1 it occupies an appropriate place1 not only in regard to this book1 but to the volume of revealed truth4 ,in reference to this particular book1 it is the appropriate close of the account of the conflicts1 the trials1 and the persecutions of the church2 in reference to the whole volume of revealed truth1 it is appropriate because it occurs in the last of the inspired books that was written4 ,it was proper that a volume of revealed truth given to mankind1 and designed to describe a great work of redeeming mercy1 should close with a description of the state of the righteous after death4 ,the principal features in the description are the following3 7#a7 ,there will be a new heaven and a new earth3 a new order of things1 and a world adapted to the condition of the righteous4 ,there will be such changes produced in the earth1 and such abodes fitted up for the redeemed1 that it will be proper to say that they are new1 ch4 xxi4 #a4 7#b7 ,the locality of that abode is not determined4 ,no particular place is revealed as constituting heaven2 nor is it intimated that there would be such a place4 ,for anything that appears1 the universe at large will be heaventhe earth and all worlds2 and we are left free to suppose that the redeemed will yet occupy any position of the universe1 and be permitted to behold the peculiar glories of the divine character that are manifested in each of the worlds that he has made4 ,comp4 ,notes on #a ,pe4 i4 #ab4 ,that there may be some one place in the universe that will be their permanent home1 and that will be more properly called heaven1 where the glory of their ,god and ,saviour will be peculiarly manifested1 is not improbable2 but still there is nothing to prevent the hope and the belief that in the infinite duration that awaits them they will be permitted to #dee visit all the worlds that ,god has made1 and to learn in each1 and from each2 all that he has peculiarly manifested of his own character and glory there4 7#c7 ,that future state will be entirely and for ever free from all the consequences of the apostasy as now seen on the earth4 ,there will be neither tears1 nor sorrow1 nor death1 nor crying1 nor pain1 nor curse1 ch4 xxi4 #d2 xxii4 #c4 ,it will1 therefore1 be a perfectly happy abode4 7#d7 ,it will be pure and holy4 ,nothing will ever enter there that shall contaminate and defile1 ch4 xxi4 #h1 #bg4 ,on this account1 also1 it will be a happy world1 for 7a7 all real happiness has its foundation in holiness2 and 7b7 the source of all the misery that the universe has experienced is sin4 ,let that be removed1 and the earth would be happy2 let it be extinguished from any world1 and its happiness will be secure4 7#e7 ,it will be a world of perfect light1 ch4 xxi4 #bbbe2 xxii4 #e4 ,there will be 7a7 literally no night there2 7b7 spiritually and morally there will be no darknessno error1 no sin4 ,light will be cast on a thousand subjects now obscure2 and on numerous points pertaining to the divine government and dealings which now perplex the mind there will be poured the splendour of perfect day4 ,all the darkness that exists here will be dissipated there2 all that is now obscure will be made light4 ,and in view of this fact1 we may well submit for a little time to the mysteries which hang over the divine dealings here4 ,the ,christian is destined to live for ever and ever4 ,he is capable of an eternal progression in knowledge4 ,he is soon to be ushered into the splendours of that eternal abode where there is no need of the light of the sun or the moon1 and where there is no night4 ,in a little timea few weeks or daysby removal to that higher state of being1 he will have made a degree of progress in true knowledge compared with which all that can be learned here is a nameless trifle4 ,in that future abode he will be permitted to know all that is to be known in those worlds that shine upon his path by day or by night2 all that is to be known in the character of their ,maker1 and the principles of his government2 all that is to be known of the glorious plan of redemption2 all that is to be known of the reasons why sin and woe were permitted to enter this beautiful world4 ,there1 too1 he will be permitted to enjoy all that there is to be enjoyed in a world without a cloud and without a tear2 all that is beatific in the friendship of ,god the ,father1 of the ,ascended ,redeemer1 of the ,sacred ,spirit2 all that is blessed in the goodly fellowship of the angels1 of the apostles1 of the prophets2 all that is rapturous in reunion with those that were loved on the earth4 ,well1 then1 may he bear with the darkness and endure the trials of this state a little longer4 7#f7 ,it will be a world of surpassing splendour4 ,this is manifest by the description of it in ch4 xx41 as a gorgeous city1 with ample dimensions1 with most brilliant colours1 set with gems1 and composed of pure gold4 ,the writer1 in the description of that abode1 has accumulated all that is gorgeous and magnificent1 and doubtless felt that even this was a very imperfect representation of that glorious world4 7#g7 ,that future world will be an abode of the highest conceivable happiness4 ,this is manifest1 not only from the fact stated that there will be no pain or sorrow here1 but from the positive description in ch4 xxii4 #a1 #b4 ,it was1 undoubtedly1 the design of the writer1 under the image of a ,paradise1 to describe the future abode of the redeemed as one of the highest happinesswhere there would be an ample and a constant supply of every want1 and where the highest ideas of enjoyment would be realized4 ,and1 7#h7 ,all this will be eternal4 ,the universe1 so vast and so wonderful1 seems to have been made to be fitted to the eternal contemplation of created minds1 and in this universe there is an adaptation for the employment of mind for ever and ever4 ,if it be asked now why ,john1 in the account which he has given of the heavenly state1 adopted this figurative and emblematic mode of representation1 and why it did not please ,god to reveal any more respecting the nature of the employments and enjoyments of the heavenly world1 it may be replied1 7a7 ,that this method is eminently in accordance #def with the general character of the book1 as a book of symbols and emblems4 7b7 ,he has stated enough to give us a general and a most attractive view of that blessed state4 7c7 ,it is not certain that we would have appreciated it1 or could have comprehended it1 if a more minute and literal description had been given4 ,that state may be so unlike this that it is doubtful whether we could have comprehended any literal description that could have been given4 ,how little of the future and the unseen can ever be known by a mere description2 how faint and imperfect a view can we ever obtain of anything by the mere use of words1 and especially of objects which have no resemblance to anything which we have seen6 ,who ever obtained any adequate idea of ,niagara by a mere description8 ,to what ,greek or ,roman mind1 however cultivated1 could there have been conveyed the idea of a printing-press1 of a locomotive engine1 of the magnetic telegraph1 by mere description8 ,who can convey to one born blind an idea of the prismatic colours2 or to the deaf an idea of sounds8 ,if we may imagine the world of insect tribes to be endowed with the power of language and thought1 how could the gay and gilded butterfly that to-day plays in the sunbeam impart to its companions of yesterdaylow and grovelling wormsany adequate idea of that new condition of being into which it had emerged8 ,and how do we know that we could comprehend any description of that world where the righteous dwell1 or of employments and enjoyments so unlike our own8 99 99 99 99 99 ,i cannot more appropriately close this brief notice of the revelations of the heavenly state than by introducing an ancient poem1 which seems to be founded on this portion of the ,apocalypse1 and which is the original of one of the most touching and beautiful hymns now used in ,protestant places of worshipthe well-known hymn which begins1 8,jerusalem6 my happy home60 ,this hymn is deservedly a great favourite1 and is an eminently beautiful composition4 ,it is1 however1 of ,roman ,catholic origin4 ,it is found in a small volume of miscellaneous poetry1 sold at ,mr4 ,bright's sale of manuscripts in #ahdd1 which has been placed in the ,british ,museum1 and now forms the additional ,,ms4 #ae1bbe4 ,it is referred1 by the lettering on the book1 to the age of ,elizabeth1 but it is supposed to belong to the subsequent reign4 ,the volume seems to have been formed by or for some ,roman ,catholic1 and contains many devotional songs or hymns1 interspersed with others of a more general character4 ,see ,littell's ,living ,age1 vol4 xxviii4 pp4 #cccccf4 ,the hymn is as follows3 ,a ,,song ,,made ,,by ,f4 ,b4 ,p4 ,to the tune of 8,diana40 ,jerusalem6 my happy home6 ,when shall ,i come to thee8 ,when shall my sorrows have an end ,thy joys when shall ,i see8 ,o happy harbour of the saints ,o sweet and pleasant soil6 ,in thee no sorrow may be found1 ,no grief1 no care1 no toil4 ,in thee no sickness may be seen1 ,no hurt1 no ache1 no sore2 ,there is no death1 no ugly deil1#fhj ,there's life for evermore4 ,no dampish mist is seen in thee1 ,no cold nor darksome night2 ,there every soul shines as the sun1 ,there ,god himself gives light4 ,there lust and lucre cannot dwell1 ,there envy bears no sway2 ,there is no hunger1 heat1 nor cold1 ,but pleasure every way4 ,jerusalem6 ,jerusalem6 ,god grant ,i once may see ,thy endless joys1 and of the same ,partaker aye to be4 ,thy walls are made of precious stones1 ,thy bulwarks diamonds square2 ,thy gates are of right orient pearl1 ,exceeding rich and rare4 ,thy turrets and thy pinnacles ,with carbuncles to shine2 ,thy very streets are paved with gold1 ,surpassing clear and fine4 ,thy houses are of ivory1 ,thy windows crystal clear2 ,thy tiles are made of beaten gold ,o ,god1 that ,i were there6 ,within thy gates no thing doth come ,that is not passing clean2 ,no spider's web1 no dirt1 no dust1 ,no filth may there be seen4 ,ah1 my sweet home1 ,jerusalem6 ,would ,god ,i were in thee2 ,would ,god my woes were at an end1 ,thy joys that ,i might see6 ,thy saints are crown'd with glory great1 ,they see ,god face to face2 ,they triumph still1 they still rejoice ,most happy is their case4 ,we that are here in banishment ,continually do moan2 ,we sigh and sob1 we weep and wail1 ,perpetually we groan4 #deg ,our sweet is mixed with bitter gall1 ,our pleasure is but pain2 ,our joys scarce last the looking on1 ,our sorrows still remain4 ,but there they live in such delight1 ,such pleasure1 and such play1 ,as that to them a thousand years ,doth seem as yesterday4 ,thy vineyards and thy orchards are ,most beautiful and fair2 ,full furnished with trees and fruits1 ,most wonderful and rare4 ,thy gardens and thy gallant walks ,continually are green2 ,there grow such sweet and pleasant flowers ,as nowhere else are seen4 ,there's nectar and ambrosia made1 ,there's musk and civet sweet2 ,there many a fair and dainty drug ,are trodden under feet4 ,there cinnamon1 there sugar grows1 ,there nard and balm abound2 ,what tongue can tell1 or heart conceive1 ,the joys that there are found8 ,quite through the streets1 with silver sound1 ,the flood of life doth flow2 ,upon whose banks1 on every side1 ,the wood of life doth grow4 ,there trees for evermore bear fruit1 ,and evermore do spring2 ,there evermore the angels sit1 ,and evermore do sing4 ,there ,david stands with harp in hand1 ,as master of the quire2 ,ten thousand times that man were blest ,that might this music#fha hear4 ,our ,lady sings ,magnificat1 ,with tune surpassing sweet2 ,and all the virgins bear their parts1 ,sitting above her feet4 ,te ,deum doth ,saint ,ambrose sing1 ,saint ,austin doth the like2 ,old ,simeon and ,zachary ,have not their song to seek4 ,there ,magdalene hath left her moan1 ,and cheerfully doth sing ,with blessed saints1 whose harmony ,in every street doth ring4 ,jerusalem1 my happy home6 ,would ,god ,i were in thee2 ,would ,god my woes were at an end1 ,thy joys that ,i might see6 ,,analysis ,,of ,,chapter ,,xxii4 #fbj4 ,this portion of the book of ,revelation is properly the epilogue1 or conclusion4 ,the main purposes of the vision are accomplished2 the enemies of the church are quelled2 the church is triumphant2 the affairs of the world are wound up2 the redeemed are received to their blissful1 eternal abode2 the wicked are cut off2 the earth is purified1 and the affairs of the universe are fixed on their permanent foundation4 ,a few miscellaneous matters1 therefore1 close the book4 7#a7 ,a solemn affirmation on the part of him who had made these revelations1 that they are true1 and that they will be speedily accomplished1 and that he will be blessed or happy who shall keep the sayings of the book1 ver4 #f1 #g4 7#b7 ,the effect of all these things on ,john himself1 leading him1 as in a former case 7ch4 xix4 #aj71 to a disposition to worship him who had been the medium in making to him such extraordinary communications1 ver4 #h1 #i4 7#c7 ,a command not to seal up what had been revealed1 since the time was near4 ,these things would soon have their fulfilment1 and it was proper that the prophecies should be unsealed1 or open1 both that the events might be compared with the predictions1 and that a persecuted church might be able to see what would be the result of all these things1 and to find consolation in the assurance of the final triumph of the ,son of ,god1 ver4 #aj4 7#d7 ,the fixed and unchangeable state of the righteous and the wicked1 ver4 #aaac4 7#e7 ,the blessedness of those who keep the commandments of ,god1 and who enter into the ,new ,jerusalem1 ver4 #ad1 #ae4 7#f7 ,jesus1 the root and the offspring of ,david1 and the bright and morning star1 proclaims himself to be the ,author of all these revelations by the instrumentality of an angel1 ver4 #af4 7#g7 ,the universal invitation of the gospelthe language of ,jesus himselfgiving utterance to his strong desire for the salvation of men1 ver4 #ag4 7#h7 ,a solemn command not to change anything that had been revealed in this book1 either by adding to it or taking from it1 ver4 #ah1 #ai4 7#i7 ,the assurance that he who had made these revelations would come quickly1 and the joyous assent of ,john to this1 and prayer that his advent might soon occur1 ver4 #bj4 7#aj7 ,tho benediction1 ver4 #ba4 #f ,and he said unto me1 ,these sayings are faithful and true3 and the ,lord ,god of the holy prophets #fhbsent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done4 #f4 ,and he said unto me4 ,the angel-interpreter1 who had showed ,john the vision of the ,new ,jerusalem1 ch4 xxi4 #i1 #aj4 ,as these visions are now at an #deh end1 the angel comes to ,john directly1 and assures him that all these things are truethat there has been no deception of the senses in these visions1 but that they were really divine disclosures of what would soon and certainly occur4 ,these sayings are faithful and true4 ,these communicationsall that has been disclosed to you by symbols1 or in direct language4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xxi4 #e4 ,and the ,lord ,god of the holy prophets4 ,the same ,god who inspired the ancient prophets4 ,sent his angel4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a4 ,to show unto his servants4 ,to all his servantsthat is1 to all his people1 by the instrumentality of ,john4 ,the revelation was made to him1 and he was to record it for the good of the whole church4 ,the things which must shortly be done4 ,the beginning of which must soon occurthough the series of events extended into distant ages1 and even into eternity4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #ac4 #g ,behold1 #fhc;,i come quickly3 blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book4 #g4 ,behold1 ,i come quickly4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #c4 ,the words here used are undoubtedly the words of the ,redeemer1 although they are apparently repeated by the angel4 ,the meaning is1 that they were used by the angel as the words of the ,redeemer4 ,see ver4 #ab1 #bj4 ,blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book4 ,that receives them as a divine communication2 that makes use of them to comfort himself in the days of darkness1 persecution1 and trial2 and that is obedient to the precepts here enjoined4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #c4 #h ,and ,i ,john saw these things1 and heard them4 ,and when ,i had heard and seen1 ,i fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things4 #h4 ,and ,i ,john saw these things1 and heard them4 ,that is1 ,i sawthe parts that were disclosed by pictures1 visions1 and symbols2 ,i heard the parts that were communicated by direct revelation4 ,and when ,i had heard and seen1 ,i fell down to worship before the feet of the angel1 c4 ,as he had done on a former occasion4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xix4 #aj4 ,john appears to have been entirely overcome by the extraordinary nature of the revelations made to him1 and not improbably entertained some suspicion that it was the ,redeemer himself who had manifested himself to him in this remarkable manner4 #i ,then saith he unto me1 ,see thou do it not3 for ,i am thy fellow-servant1 and of thy brethren the prophets1 and of them which keep the sayings of this book3 worship ,god4 #i4 ,then saith he unto me1 ,see thou do it not4 ,see ,notes on ch4 xix4 #aj4 ,for ,i am thy fellow-servant4 ,notes on ch4 xix4 #aj4 ,and of thy brethren the prophets4 ,in ch4 xix4 #aj1 it is 8of thy brethren that have the testimony of ,jesus40 ,here the angel says that1 in the capacity in which he appeared to ,john1 he belonged to the general rank of the prophets1 and was no more entitled to worship than any of the prophets had been4 ,like them1 he had merely been employed to disclose important truths in regard to the future2 but as the prophets1 even the most eminent of them1 were not regarded as entitled to worship on account of the communications which they had made1 no more was he4 ,and of them which keep the sayings of this book4 8,i am a mere creature of ,god4 ,i1 like men1 am under law1 and am bound to observe the law of ,god40 ,the 8sayings of this book0 which he says he kept1 must be understood to mean those great principles of religion which it enjoined1 and which are of equal obligation on men and angels4 ,worship ,god4 ,worship ,god only4 ,notes on ch4 xix4 #aj4 #aj ,and he saith unto me1 #fhd,seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book3 for the time is at hand4 #aj4 ,and he saith unto me4 ,the angel4 ,seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book4 ,that is1 seal not the book itself1 for it may be regarded altogether as a prophetic book4 ,on the sealing of a book1 see ,notes on ch4 v4 #a4 ,isaiah 7viii4 #af2 xxx4 #h7 and ,daniel 7viii4 #bf2 xii4 #d1 #i7 were commanded to seal up their prophecies4 ,their prophecies related to far-distant times1 and the idea in their being commanded to seal them was1 that they should make the record #dei sure and unchangeable2 that they should finish it1 and lay it up for future ages2 so that1 in far-distant times1 the events might be compared with the prophecy1 and it might be seen that there was an exact correspondence between the prophecy and the fulfilment4 ,their prophecies would not be immediately demanded for the use of persecuted saints1 but would pertain to future ages4 ,on the other hand1 the events which ,john had predicted1 though in their ultimate development they were to extend to the end of the world1 and even into eternity1 were about to begin to be fulfilled1 and were to be of immediate use in consoling a persecuted church4 ,john1 therefore1 was directed not to seal up his predictions2 not to lay them away1 to be opened1 as it were1 in distant ages2 but to leave them open1 so that a persecuted church might pave access to them1 and might1 in times of persecution and trial1 have the assurance that the principles of their religion would finally triumph4 ,see ,notes on ch4 x4 #b4 ,for the time is at hand4 ,that is1 they are soon to commence4 ,it is not implied that they would be soon completed4 ,the idea is1 that as the scenes of persecution were soon to open upon the church1 it was important that the church should have access to these prophecies of the final triumph of religion1 to sustain it in its trials4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #a1 #c4 #aa ,he#fhethat is unjust1 let him be unjust still3 and he which is filthy1 let him be filthy still3 and #fhf;he that is righteous1 let him be righteous still3 and he that is holy1 let him be holy still4 #aa4 ,he that is unjust1 let him be unjust still4 ,this must refer to the scenes beyond the judgment1 and must be intended to affirm an important truth in regard to the condition of men in the future state4 ,it cannot refer to the condition of men on this side the grave1 for there is no fixed and unchangeable condition in this world4 ,at the close of this book1 and at the close of the whole volume of revealed truth1 it was proper to declare1 in the most solemn manner1 that when these events were consummated1 everything would be fixed and unchanging2 that all who were then found to be righteous would remain so for ever2 and that none who were impenitent1 impure1 and wicked1 would ever change their character or condition4 ,that this is the meaning here seems to me to be plain2 and this sentiment accords with all that is said in the ,bible of the final condition of the righteous and the wicked4 ,see ,mat4 xxv4 #df2 ,ro4 ii4 #fi2 #a ,th4 i4 #gaj2 ,da4 xii4 #b2 ,ec4 xi4 #c4 ,every assurance is held out in the ,bible that the righteous will be secure in holiness and happiness1 and that there will be no dangerno possibilitythat they will fall into sin1 and sink to woe2 and by the same kind of arguments by which it is proved that their condition will be unchanging1 is it demonstrated that the condition of the wicked will be unchanging also4 ,the argument for the eternal punishment of the wicked is as strong as that for the eternal happiness of the righteous2 and if the one is open to doubt1 there is no security for the permanence of the other4 ,the word unjust here is a general term for an unrighteous or wicked man4 ,the meaning is1 that he to whom that character properly belongs1 or of whom it is properly descriptive1 will remain so for ever4 ,the design of this seems to be1 to let the ungodly and the wicked know that there is no change beyond the grave1 and by this solemn consideration to warn them now to flee from the wrath to come4 ,and assuredly no more solemn consideration can ever be presented to the human mind than this4 ,and he which is filthy1 let him be filthy still4 ,the word filthy here is1 of course1 used with reference to moral defilement or pollution4 ,it refers to the sensual1 the corrupt1 the profane2 and the meaning is1 that their condition will be fixed1 and that they will remain in this state of pollution for ever4 ,there is nothing more awful than the idea that a polluted soul will be always polluted2 that a heart corrupt will be always corrupt2 that the defiled will be put for ever beyond the possibility of being cleansed from sin4 ,and he that is righteous1 let him be righteous still4 ,the just1 the upright manin contradistinction from the unjust mentioned in the first part of the verse4 ,and he that is holy1 let him be holy still4 ,he that is pure1 in contradistinction from the filthy mentioned in the former part of the verse4 ,the righteous and the holy will be confirmed in their character and condition1 as well as the wicked4 ,the affirmation #dfj that their condition will be fixed is as strong as that that of the wicked will beand no stronger2 the entire representation is1 that all beyond the judgment will be unchanging for ever4 ,could any more solemn thought be brought before the mind of man8 #ab ,and behold1 #fhg;,i come quickly2 and my reward is with me1 #fhhto give every man according as his work shall be4 #ab4 ,and behold1 ,i come quickly4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a1 #c4 ,these are undoubtedly the words of the ,redeemer2 and the meaning is1 that the period when the unchanging sentence would be passed on each individualon the unjust1 the filthy1 the righteous1 and the holywould not be remote4 ,the design of this seems to be to impress on the mind the solemnity of the truth that the condition hereafter will soon be fixed1 and to lead men to prepare for it4 ,in reference to each individual1 the period is near when it is to be determined whether he will be holy or sinful to all eternity4 ,what thought could there be more adapted to impress on the mind the importance of giving immediate attention to the concerns of the soul8 ,and my reward is with me4 ,i bring it with me to give to every man3 either life or death2 heaven or hell2 the crown or the curse4 ,he will be prepared immediately to execute the sentence4 ,compare ,mat4 xxv4 #cadf4 ,to give every man according as his work shall be4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 xvi4 #bg2 ,ro4 ii4 #f2 #b ,co4 v4 #aj4 #ac ,i#fhi am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the end1 the first and the last4 #ac4 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 c4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #h1 #aa4 ,the idea here is1 that he will thus show that he is the first and the lastthe beginning and the end4 ,he originated the whole plan of salvation1 and he will determine its close2 he formed the world1 and he will wind up its affairs4 ,in the beginning1 the continuance1 and the end1 he will be recognized as the same being presiding over and controlling all4 #ad ,blessed#fij are they that do his commandments1 that they may have right to the tree of life1 and may enter in through the gates into the city4 #ad4 ,blessed are they that do his commandments4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #c2 xxii4 #g4 ,that they may have right4 ,that they may be entitled to approach the tree of life2 that this privilege may be granted to them4 ,it is not a right in the sense that they have merited it1 but in the sense that the privilege is conferred on them as one of the rewards of ,god1 and that1 in virtue of the divine arrangements1 they will be entitled to this honour4 ,so the word here usedmeans in ,jn4 i4 #ab1 rendered power4 ,the reason why this right or privilege is conferred is not implied in the use of the word4 ,in this case it is by grace1 and all the right which they have to the tree of life is founded on the fact that ,god has been pleased graciously to confer it on them4 ,to the tree of life4 ,see ,notes on ver4 #b4 ,they would not be forbidden to approach the tree as ,adam was1 but would be permitted always to partake of it1 and would live for ever4 ,and may enter in through the gates into the city4 ,the ,new ,jerusalem1 ch4 xxi4 #b4 ,they would have free access there2 they would be permitted to abide there for ever4 #ae ,for #fiawithout are #fib;dogs1 and sorcerers1 and whoremongers1 and murderers1 and idolaters1 and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie4 #ae4 ,for without are dogs4 ,the wicked1 the depraved1 the vile3 for of such characters the dogs1 an unclean animal among the ,jews1 was regarded as a symbol1 ,de4 xxiii4 #ah4 ,on the meaning of the expression1 see ,notes on ,phi4 iii4 #b4 ,the word 8without0 means that they would not be admitted into the heavenly city1 the ,new ,jerusalem1 ch4 xxi4 #h1 #bg4 ,and sorcerers1 c4 ,all these characters are specified in ch4 xxi4 #h1 as excluded from heaven4 ,see ,notes on that verse4 ,the only change is1 that those who 8love and make a lie0 are added to the list2 that is1 who delight in lies1 or that which is false4 #af ,i ,jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches4 ,i am #ficthe root and the offspring of ,david1 and the bright and morning star4 #af4 ,i ,jesus4 ,here the ,saviour appears expressly as the speakerratifying and confirming all that had been communicated by the instrumentality of the angel4 ,have sent mine angel4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #a4 ,to testify unto you4 ,that is1 to be a witness for me in communicating #dfa these things to you4 ,in the churches4 ,directly and immediately to the seven churches in ,asia ,minor 7ch4 ii4 iii472 remotely and ultimately to all churches to the end of time4 ,comp4 ,notes on ch4 i4 #aa4 ,i am the root4 ,not the root in the sense that ,david sprang from him1 as a tree does from a root1 but in the sense that he was the 8root-shoot0 of ,david1 or that he himself sprang from him1 as a sprout starts up from a decayed and fallen treeas of the oak1 the willow1 the chestnut1 c4 ,see this explained in the ,notes on ,is4 xi4 #a4 ,the meaning then is1 not that he was the ancestor of ,david1 or that ,david sprang from him1 but that he was the offspring of ,david1 according to the promise in the ,scripture1 that the ,messiah should be descended from him4 ,no argument1 then1 can be derived from this passage in proof of the pre-existence1 or the divinity of ,christ4 ,and the offspring4 ,the descendant2 the progeny of ,david2 8the seed of ,david according to the flesh40 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 i4 #c4 ,it is not unusual to employ two words in close connection to express the same idea with some slight shade of difference4 ,and the bright and morning star4 ,see ,notes on ch4 ii4 #bh4 ,it is not uncommon to compare a prince1 a leader1 a teacher1 with that bright and beautiful star which at some seasons of the year precedes the rising of the sun1 and leads on the day4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,is4 xiv4 #ab4 ,the reference here is to that star as the harbinger of day2 and the meaning of the ,saviour is1 that he sustains a relation to a dark world similar to this beautiful star4 ,at one time he is indeed compared with the sun itself in giving light to the world2 here he is compared with that morning star rather with reference to its beauty than its light4 ,may it not also have been one object in this comparison to lead us1 when we look on that star1 to think of the ,saviour8 ,it is perhaps the most beautiful object in nature2 it succeeds the darkness of the night2 it brings on the dayand as it mingles with the first rays of the morning1 it seems to be so joyous1 cheerful1 exulting1 bright1 that nothing can be better adapted to remind us of ,him who came to lead on eternal day4 ,its placethe first thing that arrests the eye in the morningmight serve to remind us that the ,saviour should be the first object that should draw the eye and the heart on the return of each day4 ,in each trialeach scene of sorrowlet us think of the bright star of the morning as it rises on the darkness of the nightemblem of the ,saviour rising on our sorrow and our gloom4 #ag ,and the ,spirit and #fidthe bride say1 #fie;,come4 ,and let him that heareth say1 ,come4 ,and #fiflet him that is athirst come3 and whosoever will1 let him take the water of life freely4 #ag4 ,and the ,spirit and the bride say1 ,come4 ,that is1 come to the ,saviour2 come and partake of the blessings of the gospel2 come and be saved4 ,the construction demands this interpretation1 as the latter part of the verse shows4 ,the design of this whole verse is1 evidently1 to show the freeness of the offers of the gospel2 to condense in a summary manner all the invitations of mercy to mankind2 and to leave on the mind at the close of the book a deep impression of the ample provision which has been made for the salvation of a fallen race4 ,nothing1 it is clear1 could be more appropriate at the close of this book1 and at the close of the whole volume of revealed truth1 than to announce1 in the most clear and attracting form1 that salvation is free to all1 and that whosoever will may be saved4 ,the ,spirit4 ,the ,holy ,spirit4 ,he entreats all to come4 ,this he does 7a7 in all the recorded invitations in the ,biblefor it is by the inspiration of that ,spirit that these invitations are recorded2 7b7 by all his influences on the understandings1 the consciences1 and the hearts of men2 7c7 by all the proclamations of mercy made by the preaching of the gospel1 and by the appeal which friend makes to friend1 and neighbour to neighbour1 and stranger to strangerfor all these are methods in which the ,spirit invites men to come to the ,saviour4 ,and the bride4 ,the church4 ,see ,notes1 ch4 xxi4 #b1 #i4 ,that is1 the church invites all to come and be saved4 ,this it does 7a7 by its ministers1 whose main business it is to extend this invitation to mankind2 7b7 by its ordinancesconstantly setting forth the freeness of the gospel2 7c7 by the lives of its consistent membersshowing the excellency and the desirableness of true religion2 7d7 by all its efforts to do good in the world2 7e7 by the example of #dfb those who are brought into the churchshowing that all1 whatever may have been their former character1 may be saved2 and 7f7 by the direct appeals of its individual members4 ,thus a ,christian parent invites his children2 a brother invites a sister1 and a sister invites a brother2 a neighbour invites his neighbour1 and a stranger a stranger2 the master invites his servant1 and the servant his master4 ,the church on earth and the church in heaven unite in the invitation1 saying1 ,come4 ,the living father1 pastor1 friend1 invitesand the voice of the departed father1 pastor1 friend1 now in heaven1 is heard re-echoing the invitation4 ,the once-loved mother that has gone to the skies still invites her children to come2 and the sweet-smiling babe that has been taken up to the ,saviour stretches out its arms from heaven1 and says to its mother,come4 ,say1 ,come4 ,that is1 come to the ,saviour2 come into the church2 come to heaven4 ,and let him that heareth say1 ,come4 ,whoever hears the gospel1 let him go and invite others to come4 ,nothing could more strikingly set forth the freeness of the invitation of the gospel than this4 ,the authority to make the invitation is not limited to the ministers of religion2 it is not even confined to those who accept it themselves4 ,all persons1 even though they should not accept of it1 are authorized to tell others that they may be saved4 ,one impenitent sinner may go and tell another impenitent sinner that if he will he may find mercy and enter heaven4 ,how could the offer of salvation be made more freely to mankind8 ,and let him that is athirst come4 ,whoever desires salvation1 as the weary pilgrim desires a cooling fountain to allay his thirst1 let him come as freely to the gospel as that thirsty man would stoop down at the fountain and drink4 ,see ,notes on ,is4 lv4 #a4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,mat4 v4 #f2 ,jn4 vii4 #cg2 ,re4 xxi4 #f4 ,and whosoever will1 let him take the water of life freely4 ,ch4 xxi4 #f4 ,every one that is disposed to come1 that has any sincere wish to be saved1 is assured that he may live4 ,no matter how unworthy he is2 no matter what his past life has been2 no matter how old or how young1 how rich or how poor2 no matter whether sick or well1 a freeman or a slave2 no matter whether educated or ignorant2 no matter whether clothed in purple or in ragsriding in state or laid at the gate of a rich man full of sores1 the invitation is freely made to all to come and be saved4 ,with what more appropriate truth could a revelation from heaven be closed8 #ah ,for ,i testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book1 #fig;,if any man shall add unto these things1 ,god shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book3 #ah4 ,for ,i testify4 ,the writer does not specify who is meant by the word 8,i0 in this place4 ,the most natural construction is to refer it to the writer himself1 and not to the angel1 or the ,saviour4 ,the meaning is1 8,i bear this solemn witness1 or make this solemn affirmation1 in conclusion40 ,the object is to guard his book against being corrupted by any interpolation or change4 ,it would seem not improbable1 from this1 that as early as the time of ,john1 books were liable to be corrupted by additions or omissions1 or that at least there was felt to be great danger that mistakes might be made by the carelessness of transcribers4 ,against this danger1 ,john would guard this book in the most solemn manner4 ,perhaps he felt1 too1 that as this book would be necessarily regarded as obscure from the fact that symbols were so much used1 there was great danger that changes would be made by well-meaning persons with a view to make it appear more plain4 ,unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book4 ,the word 8heareth0 seems here to be used in a very general sense4 ,perhaps in most cases persons would be made acquainted with the contents of the book by hearing it read in the churches2 but still the spirit of the declaration must include all methods of becoming acquainted with it4 ,if any man shall add unto these things4 ,with a view to furnish a more full and complete revelation2 or with a profession that new truth had been communicated by inspiration4 ,the reference here is to the book of ,revelation onlyfor at that time the books that now constitute what we call the ,bible were not collected into a single volume4 ,this #dfc passage1 therefore1 should not be adduced as referring to the whole of the sacred ,scriptures4 ,still1 the principle is one that is thus applicable2 for it is obvious that no one has a right to change any part of a revelation which ,god makes to man2 to presume to add to it1 or to take from it1 or in any way to modify it4 ,comp4 ,notes1 #b ,ti4 iii4 #af4 ,god shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book4 ,these 8plagues0 refer to the numerous methods described in this book as those in which ,god would bring severe judgment upon the persecutors of the church and the corrupters of religion4 ,the meaning is1 that such a person would be regarded as an enemy of his religion1 and would share the fearful doom of all such enemies4 #ai ,and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy1 #fih;,god shall take away his part #fiiout of the book of life1 and out of the holy city1 and from the things which are written in this book4 #ai4 ,and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy4 ,if he shall reject the book altogether2 if he shall1 in transcribing it1 designedly strike any part of it out4 ,it is conceivable that1 from the remarkable nature of the communications made in this book1 and the fact that they seemed to be unintelligible1 ,john supposed there might be those who would be inclined to omit some portions as improbable1 or that he apprehended that when the portions which describe ,antichrist were fulfilled in distant ages1 those to whom those portions applied would be disposed to strike them from the sacred volume1 or to corrupt them4 ,he thought proper to guard against this by this solemn declaration of the consequence which would follow such an act4 ,the whole book was to be receivedwith all its fearful truthsas a revelation from ,god2 and however obscure it might seem1 in due time it would be made plain2 however faithfully it might depict a fearful apostasy1 it was important1 both to show the truth of divine inspiration and to save the church1 that these disclosures should be in their native purity in the possession of the people of ,god4 ,god shall take away his part out of the book of life4 ,perhaps there is here an intimation that this would be most likely to be done by those who professed to be ,christians1 and who supposed that their names were in the book of life4 ,in fact1 most of the corruptions of the sacred ,scriptures have been attempted by those who have professed some form of ,christianity4 ,infidels have but little interest in attempting such changes1 and but little influence to make them received by the church4 ,it is most convenient for them1 as it is most agreeable to their feelings1 to reject the ,bible altogether4 ,when it said here that 8,god would take away his part out of the book of life10 the meaning is not that his name had been written in that book1 but that he would take away the part which he might have had1 or which he professed to have in that book4 ,such corruption of the divine oracles would show that they had no true religion1 and would be excluded from heaven4 ,on the phrase 8book of life10 see ,notes on ch4 iii4 #e4 ,and out of the holy city4 ,described in ch4 xxi4 ,he would not be permitted to enter that city2 he would have no part among the redeemed4 ,and from the things which are written in this book4 ,the promises that are made2 the glories that are described4 #bj ,he which testifieth these things saith1 #gjj,surely ,i come quickly2 ,amen4 ,even#gja so1 come1 ,lord ,jesus4 #bj4 ,he which testifieth these things4 ,the ,lord ,jesus2 for he it was that had1 through the instrumentality of the angel1 borne this solemn witness to the truth of these things1 and this book was to be regarded as his revelation to mankind4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a2 xxii4 #af4 ,he here speaks of himself1 and vouches for the truth and reality of these things by saying that he 8testifies0 of them1 or bears witness to them4 ,comp4 ,jn4 xviii4 #cg4 ,the fact that ,jesus himself vouches for the truth of what is here revealed1 shows the propriety of what ,john had said in the previous verses about adding to it1 or taking from it4 ,saith1 ,surely ,i come quickly4 ,that is1 the development of these events will soon beginthough their consummation may extend into far distant ages1 or into eternity4 ,see ,notes on ch4 i4 #a1 #c2 xxii4 #g1 #aj4 ,amen4 ,a word of solemn affirmation or assent4 ,see ,notes on ,mat4 vi4 #ac4 ,here it is to be regarded as the expression of ,john1 signifying his solemn and cheerful assent to what the ,saviour had said1 that he #dfd would come quickly4 ,it is the utterance of a strong desire that it might be so4 ,he longed for his appearing4 ,even so4 ,these1 too1 are the words of ,john1 and are a response to what the ,saviour had just said4 ,in the original1 it is a response in the same language which the ,saviour had used1 and the beauty of the passage is marred by the translation 8,even so40 ,the original is1 8,he which testifieth to these things saith1 ,yea,i come quickly4 ,amen4 ,yeacome1 ,lord ,jesus40 ,it is the utterance of desire in the precise language which the ,saviour had usedheart responding to heart4 ,come1 ,lord ,jesus4 ,that is1 as here intended1 8,come in the manner and for the objects referred to in this book40 ,the language1 however1 is expressive of the feeling of piety in a more extended sense1 and may be used to denote a desire that the ,lord ,jesus would come in any and every manner2 that he would come to impart to us the tokens of his presence2 that he would come to bless his truth and to revive his work in the churches2 that he would come to convert sinners1 and to build up his people in holiness2 that he would come to sustain us in affliction1 and to defend us in temptation2 that he would come to put a period to idolatry1 superstition1 and error1 and to extend the knowledge of his truth in the world2 that he would come to set up his kingdom on the earth1 and to rule in the hearts of men2 that he would come to receive us to his presence1 and to gather his redeemed people into his everlasting kingdom4 ,it was appropriate to the aged ,john1 suffering exile in a lonely island1 to pray that the ,lord ,jesus would speedily come to take him to himself2 and there could have been no more suitable close of this marvellous book than the utterance of such a desire4 ,and it is appropriate for us as we finish its contemplation1 disclosing so much of the glories of the heavenly world1 and the blessedness of the redeemed in their final state1 when we think of the earth1 with its sorrows1 trials1 and cares1 to respond to the prayer1 and to say1 8,come1 ,lord ,jesus1 come quickly40 ,for that glorious coming of the ,son of ,god1 when he shall gather his redeemed people to himself1 may all who read these ,notes be finally prepared4 ,amen4 #ba ,the#gjb grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ be with you all4 ,amen4 #ba4 ,the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ be with you all4 ,amen4 ,the usual benediction of the sacred writers4 ,see ,notes on ,ro4 xvi4 #bj4 ,,glasgow3 ,w4 ,g4 ,,blackie ,,and ,,co41 ,,printers1 ,,villafield4 ,footnotes4 #a - 8,the ,apocalypse of ,st4 ,john1 or ,prophecy of the ,rise1 ,progress1 and ,fall of the ,church of ,rome2 the ,inquisition2 the ,revolution in ,france2 a ,universal ,war1 and the final triumph of ,christianity3 being a new interpretation1 by the ,rev4 ,george ,croly1 ,a4,m41 ,h4,r4,s4,l40 #b - ,p4 #aib4 #c - ,moses ,stuart4 #d - ,see ,supplementary ,notes on ,heb4 vii4 #e - ,author's ,preface1 p4 vi4 #f - ,stuart on ,apocalypse1 p4 #agj1 ,edinburgh1 #ahdg4 #g - ,this view of the great philologist has deservedly met with indignant censure1 both in this country and in ,america4 8,we confess10 says ,dr4 ,beecher of ,boston1 8that this whole effort to force ,nero into chap4 xvii4 as the wounded beast1 savours too much of that ,german infidelity that regards ,john as little better than a soothsayer himself1 and does not hesitate to affirm that he believes the rumours concerning ,nero4 ,professor ,stuart of course abandons this ground1 and yet he avers that ,john spoke as if he believed it4 ,this theory is perfectly consistent in the hands of one who denies the inspiration of ,john1 but it cannot be so grafted on the tree of true ,christian interpretation as to appear like one of its true and genuine branches0 7,bib4 ,repos41 #ahdg1 p4 #bif74 ,so also ,elliott with still greater severity1 vol4 iv4 p4 #edh4 #h - 8,the first of these two counter schemes is the ,preterists'1 which would have the prophecy stop altogether short of the ,popedom1 explaining it of the catastrophes1 one or both1 of the ,jewish nation and ,pagan ,rome2 the second1 the ,futurists'1 which would have it all shoot over the head of the ,popedom into times yet future0 7,elliott1 iv4 #ebi74 ,the first of these schemes originated with the ,jesuit ,alcassar in ,a4,d4 #afad2 the other with the ,jesuit ,ribera in ,a4,d4 #aehe2 and it is not a little remarkable1 that both originated in the necessities of the ,papal cause1 oppressed by ,protestant interpreters4 #i - ,hierophant1 p4 #bdb4 #aj - ,compare ,stuart on ,apocalypse1 ,excursus v41 with ,davidson's ,introduction1 vol4 iii4 pp4 #eac1 #ead4 ,dr4 ,d4 justly complains in his preface of being charged by ,mr4 ,elliott with the sin of copying ,stuart4 ,besides the difference mentioned above1 there is between the two a difference in regard to the entire scheme of interpretation1 ,dr4 ,d4 condemning the ,preterist scheme1 of which ,professor ,stuart is perhaps the ablest supporter4 ,the theory which the latter has put forth on the witnesses meets with unequivocal condemnation in the pages of the former4 ,dr4 ,d4 himself1 in the meantime1 seems to have no scheme of interpretation4 ,after remarking on the ,preterist1 ,continuous1 and ,futurist scheme1 he says very candidly1 8we feel disinclined to support any of the rival hypotheses till they be better supported0 7vol4 iii4 p4 #fbg74 #aa - ,introduction to the ,new ,testament1 by ,samuel ,davidson1 ,d4,d41 vol4 iii4 p4 #eac4 #ab - ,elliott1 iv4 #dai4 #ac - ,harduin1 ix4 #ahjh2 in ,elliott1 ii4 p4 #hc4 #ad - ,p4 #dbd1 et seq4 #ae - ,hierophant1 p4 #bde4 #af - ,reply to ,cunninghame4 #ag - ,gen4 xl41 xli4 #ah - ,davidson's ,introduction1 vol4 iii4 p4 #ebj4 #ai - ,p4 #cdc4 #bj - ,commentary on ,apocalypse1 p4 #gij1 ,edinburgh1 #ahdh2 where also are cited the following passages expressly from the prophetic books3 ,ezek4 xxix4 #aa1 #ab2 ,jonah iii4 #d2 ,isa4 vii4 #h2 xvi4 #d2 ,jer4 xxvii41 xxix4 #ba - ,stuart's ,apocalypse1 p4 #gia4 #bb - ,dan4 x4 #b1 #c4 #bc - ,hierophant1 p4 #beb4 #bd - ,elliott1 however1 refuses to except the 8seven times0 specified in ,nebuchadnezzar's vision from the category of chronological prophecies to which the ,year-day principle is to be applied4 ,he regards the monarch as the mystical representative of the ,assyrian empire1 and ,babylon1 governed by him4 8,for my own part10 says he1 8considering the extraordinary nature of the judgmentthe fact of its being so fully recorded by ,danielthe circumstance of ,nebuchadnezzar being addressed on occasion of another prophecy as the representative of his nation 7#8thou art that head of gold'71 and that of the symbolic tree1 when cut down1 being bound with a band of brass and iron1 the metals significant of the ,greek and ,roman empires1 which for ages held sway over the prostrate region of ,babylon2 all these considerations1 united with that of the prediction that ,assyria specifically is to recover in the latter day from its apostasy 7,isa4 xix4 #bd1 #be71 induce me to believe that ,nebuchadnezzar's insanity and degradation typified that of his empire in its apostasy from ,god2 and the seven times #cfj days that passed over him in that state1 the seven times #cfj1 or #bebj years that would have to be completed1 ere ,assyria's recovery to a sound mind1 at the termination of the times of the ,gentiles40 ,at the same time ,mr4 ,elliott does not deny the application of the prediction to ,nebuchadnezzar as an individual1 and remarks1 that it is not an uncommon circumstance 8for an individual person to be made the subject of a prefigurative vision1 and yet himself to prefigure in that very action or character something future40 ,if1 then1 we admit the truth of this representation1 and set aside ,dan4 x4 #b1 #c as not a prediction at all1 both the passages insisted on by ,professor ,stuart are in this way removed from the list of exceptions4 #be - ,elements of ,prophecy1 p4 #cge1 and ,hor ,apocalyp41 vol4 iii4 p4 #bej4 #bf - ,chap4 xiii4 #be2 xiv4 #cd4 #bg - ,introduction1 p4 #eah4 #bh - ,ezek4 iv4 #df4 #bi - ,stuart's ,hints on the ,interpretation of ,prophecy1 pp4 #gf1 #gh2 ,apocalypse1 ,excursus v4 #cj - ,davidson's ,introduction1 vol4 iii4 p4 #eai4 #ca - ,hierophant1 pp4 #bdg1 #bdh4 #cb - ,chap4 xx4 #b1 #c4 #cc - ,davidson's ,introduction1 vol4 iii4 p4 #ebb4 #cd - ,j4 ,a4 ,alexander1 in loco4 #ce - ,see the ,critici ,sacri1 ,scott1 ,barnes1 ,alexander1 c4 #cf - ,dan4 ix4 #bdbg4 #cg - ,tyso1 ,govett1 and ,todd4 #ch - ,hints on the ,interpretation of ,prophecy1 p4 #gi4 #ci - ,hierophant1 p4 #bej4 #dj - ,davidson's ,introduction1 vol4 iii4 p4 #eae4 #da - ,mede's ,works1 book iii4 chap4 ix4 p4 #eii4 #db - ,gen4 xxix4 #bg1 #bh2 ,lev4 xii4 #e2 ,exod4 xxxiv4 #bb2 ,deut4 xvi4 #i1 twice1 and #aj2 ,jer4 v4 #bd2 ,deut4 xvi4 #af2 #b ,chron4 viii4 #ac2 ,num4 xxviii4 #bf4 #dc - ,gesenius' ,lexicon4 #dd - ,see margin4 #de - ,chap4 ix4 #eaj4 #df - ,chap4 ix4 #ae4 #dg - ,hor ,apocalyp41 vol4 i4 p4 #dhi4 #dh - ,chap4 xi4 #b4 #di - ,chap4 xi4 #c1 #aa4 #ej - ,chap4 xii4 #f1 #ad4 #ea - ,elements of ,prophecy1 p4 #chb4 #eb - ,chap4 xiii4 #e4 #ec - ,compare chap4 xiii4 with xix4 #ai1 #bj4 #ed - vii4 #be2 xii4 #g4 #ee - ,stuart's ,commentary4 #ef - ,stuart1 in the ,bibliotheca ,sacra1 pp4 #cec1 #ced4 #eg - ,lu4 #aa3bh4 #eh - ,ja4 #e3h1 #i2 #a ,pe4 #d3g4 #ei - ver4 #aa4 #fj - ver4 #h4 #fa - ch4 #c3a2 #d3e2 ,zec4 #d3aj4 #fb - ,jn4 #h3ad4 #fc - ,col4 #a3ah4 #fd - ,jn4 #ac3a4 #fe - ,he4 #i3ad4 #ff - ,ex4 #ai3f2 #a ,pe4 #b3ei4 #fg - ,he4 #ac3ba4 #fh - ,da4 #g3ac2 ,mat4 #bf3fd4 #fi - ,zec4 #ab3aj4 #gj - ,mat4 #bd3cj4 #ga - ch4 #bb3bj4 #gb - ,is4 #da3d4 #gc - ,is4 #i3f4 #gd - #b ,co4 #ab3b4 #ge - ,jn4 #bj3bf2 ,ac4 #bj3g2 #a ,co4 #af3b4 #gf - ch4 #b3a4 #gg - ch4 #b3h4 #gh - ch4 #b3ab4 #gi - ch4 #b3ah4 #hj - ch4 #c3a4 #ha - ch4 #c3g4 #hb - ch4 #c3ad4 #hc - ,ex4 #be3cg2 ,zec4 #d3b4 #hd - ,eze4 #a3bfbh2 ,da4 #g3i1 #ac2 #aj3e1 #f4 #he - ch4 #b3ah2 #ai3ab4 #hf - ,eze4 #a3g4 #hg - ,eze4 #dc3b4 #hh - ,is4 #di3b2 ,he4 #d3ab4 #hi - ch4 #aj3a2 ,ac4 #bf3ac4 #ij - ,ro4 #f3i4 #ia - ch4 #bj3a1 #b2 ,ps4 #fh3bj4 #ib - ver4 #af4 #ic - ,mat4 #e3ae1 #af4 #id - ch4 #a3af1 #bj4 #ie - ver4 #i1 #ac1 #ai2 ch4 #c3a1 #h1 #ae2 ,ps4 #a3f4 #if - #a ,jn4 #d3a4 #ig - #b ,co4 #aa3ac4 #ih - ,ga4 #f3i4 #ii - ,je4 #b3b1 #c4 #ajj - ,mat4 #ba3da1 #dc4 #aja - ver4 #ae4 #ajb - ver4 #aa1 #ag1 #bi2 ,mat4 #aa3ae4 #ajc - ch4 #bb3b1 #ad2 ,ge4 #b3i4 #ajd - ch4 #a3h1 #ag4 #aje - #a ,ti4 #f3ah4 #ajf - ,ro4 #b3bh1 #bi4 #ajg - ch4 #c3i4 #ajh - ,mat4 #aj3bb4 #aji - ,ja4 #a3ab4 #aaj - ch4 #bj3ad4 #aaa - ch4 #a3af4 #aab - ver4 #i4 #aac - #b ,ti4 #b3ab4 #aad - ,nu4 #ca3af4 #aae - ,ac4 #ae3bi4 #aaf - #a ,co4 #f3ac1 #ah4 #aag - ,is4 #aa3d4 #aah - ver4 #g2 ch4 #c3f1 #ac1 #bb4 #aai - ,ps4 #be3ad4 #abj - ch4 #c3ab2 #ai3ab1 #ac2 ,is4 #ef3d1 #e2 #fe3ae4 #aba - #a ,co4 #b3ad4 #abb - ch4 #a3ad1 #ae4 #abc - ver4 #b4 #abd - #a ,ki4 #af3ca4 #abe - ,ex4 #cd3ae2 #a ,co4 #aj3bj1 #bh4 #abf - ,ro4 #b3d2 #b ,pe4 #c3i4 #abg - ch4 #i3bj4 #abh - ,eze4 #af3cg2 #bc3bi4 #abi - ch4 #f3h4 #acj - ,zep4 #a3aa4 #aca - #a ,ch4 #bh3i2 #b ,ch4 #f3cj2 ,ps4 #g3i2 ,je4 #ag3aj4 #acb - ,ps4 #fb3ab4 #acc - #b ,th4 #b3iab4 #acd - ch4 #c3aa4 #ace - ver4 #g1 #aa1 #ag2 ch4 #c3e1 #ab1 #ba2 #ba3g4 #acf - ,jn4 #f3bi2 ,ja4 #b3bj4 #acg - ,ps4 #di3ad2 #adi3ei4 #ach - ,ps4 #b3i4 #aci - ch4 #bb3af4 #adj - ch4 #e3f4 #ada - ch4 #b3b1 c4 #adb - #a ,ti4 #e3f4 #adc - ch4 #b3e4 #add - ,da4 #e3bg4 #ade - ,he4 #b3a4 #adf - ver4 #ai4 #adg - ch4 #af3ae4 #adh - ch4 #g3i2 #ai3h4 #adi - ch4 #ag3h4 #aej - ,lu4 #ab3h4 #aea - ,ac4 #c3ad4 #aeb - #a ,jn4 #e3bj4 #aec - ,is4 #bb3bb4 #aed - ,job #ab3ad4 #aee - #a ,co4 #af3i4 #aef - ch4 #b3i4 #aeg - ,is4 #fj3ad4 #aeh - #b ,pe4 #b3i4 #aei - ,zep4 #a3ad4 #afj - ver4 #c4 #afa - ch4 #ba3b1 #aj4 #afb - or1 in ,laodicea4 #afc - ,is4 #fe3af4 #afd - #a ,ki4 #ah3ba4 #afe - ,ho4 #ab3h4 #aff - ,is4 #ee3a4 #afg - ch4 #af3ae4 #afh - ,he4 #ab3e1 #f4 #afi - ,ca4 #e3b2 ,lu4 #ab3cf4 #agj - ,jn4 #ad3bc4 #aga - ch4 #ab3aa2 #a ,jn4 #e3d1 #e4 #agb - ,lu4 #bb3cj4 #agc - ,jn4 #af3cc4 #agd - ch4 #b3g4 #age - ch4 #a3aj4 #agf - ch4 #aa3ab4 #agg - ch4 #ag3c2 #ba3aj2 ,eze4 #c3abad4 #agh - ,is4 #f3a2 ,je4 #ag3ab2 ,eze4 #a3bf1 #bh4 #agi - ,da4 #g3i2 ,he4 #h3a4 #ahj - ch4 #aa3af4 #aha - ch4 #c3d1 #e4 #ahb - ver4 #aj4 #ahc - ch4 #h3e2 #af3ah4 #ahd - ,ge4 #ae3ag2 ,ex4 #cg3bc2 ,zec4 #d3b4 #ahe - ch4 #a3d4 #ahf - ch4 #ae3b4 #ahg - ,eze4 #a3e1 c42 #aj3ad4 #ahh - ,is4 #f3b1 c4 #ahi - have no rest4 #aij - ch4 #e3ad4 #aia - ver4 #d4 #aib - ch4 #e3ab4 #aic - ,col4 #a3af4 #aid - ,eze4 #b3i1 #aj4 #aie - ,is4 #bi3aa4 #aif - ,ge4 #di3i1 #aj2 ,nu4 #bd3i2 ,he4 #g3ad4 #aig - ch4 #bb3af2 ,is4 #aa3a1 #aj4 #aih - ,is4 #ec3g2 ,jn4 #a3bi1 #cf4 #aii - ,zec4 #d3aj4 #bjj - ch4 #d3d1 #h1 #aj4 #bja - ch4 #ae3b4 #bjb - or1 incense4 #bjc - ,ps4 #ada3b4 #bjd - ch4 #ad3c4 #bje - ,ac4 #bj3bh2 ,ep4 #a3g2 ,he4 #i3ab2 #a ,pe4 #a3ah1 #ai4 #bjf - ch4 #g3i4 #bjg - ch4 #a3f4 #bjh - ch4 #bb3e4 #bji - ,da4 #g3aj2 ,he4 #ab3bb4 #baj - ch4 #d3aa4 #baa - ,phi4 #b3aj4 #bab - #a ,ch4 #bi3aa2 #a ,ti4 #f3af2 #a ,pe4 #d3aa4 #bac - ch4 #ai3d4 #bad - ch4 #e3e4 #bae - ,zec4 #f3c1 c4 #baf - ,ps4 #de3ce4 #bag - ,the word chnix signifieth a measure containing one wine quart1 and the twelfth part of a quart4 #bah - ch4 #i3d4 #bai - or1 to him4 #bbj - ,eze4 #ad3ba4 #bba - ch4 #h3c4 #bbb - ch4 #bj3d4 #bbc - ch4 #a3i2 #ab3ag4 #bbd - ,zec4 #a3ab4 #bbe - ch4 #aa3ah2 ,de4 #cb3dadc4 #bbf - ch4 #g3i1 #ad4 #bbg - ch4 #ad3ac4 #bbh - ,he4 #aa3dj4 #bbi - ch4 #af3ah4 #bcj - ,joel #b3aj1 #ca2 #c3ae4 #bca - ch4 #h3aj4 #bcb - or1 green4 #bcc - ,ps4 #ajb3bf2 ,is4 #cd3d4 #bcd - ch4 #af3bj2 ,je4 #d3bc1 #bd2 ,hab4 #c3f1 #aj4 #bce - ,is4 #b3ai4 #bcf - ch4 #i3f2 ,ho4 #aj3h2 ,lu4 #bc3cj4 #bcg - ch4 #af3ad2 ,is4 #ac3f1 c42 ,zep4 #a3ad1 c4 #bch - ,ps4 #gf3g4 #bci - ,da4 #g3b4 #bdj - #b ,ti4 #b3ai4 #bda - ch4 #f3f4 #bdb - ,eze4 #i3d4 #bdc - ch4 #bb3d4 #bdd - ch4 #ad3a4 #bde - ch4 #e3i2 ,ro4 #aa3be4 #bdf - ch4 #f3aa4 #bdg - ,le4 #bc3dj4 #bdh - ,zec4 #d3g4 #bdi - ch4 #ai3a2 ,is4 #dc3aa4 #bej - ch4 #e3ac1 #ad2 ,jude #be4 #bea - ch4 #f3i2 ,jn4 #af3cc4 #beb - #a ,co4 #f3aa2 ,he4 #i3ad4 #bec - ch4 #a3e2 #a ,jn4 #a3g4 #bed - ch4 #ba3c1 #d4 #bee - ,is4 #di3aj4 #bef - ,ps4 #aba3f2 ,is4 #d3f4 #beg - ,ps4 #bc3a1 #b1 #e2 #cf3h2 ,is4 #dj3aa4 #beh - ,is4 #be3h4 #bei - ch4 #e3a4 #bfj - ,lu4 #a3ai4 #bfa - #b ,ch4 #bi3bebh4 #bfb - or1 add it to4 #bfc - ch4 #e3h4 #bfd - ch4 #f3i4 #bfe - ,ex4 #cj3a4 #bff - or1 upon4 #bfg - ch4 #af3ah4 #bfh - #b ,sa4 #bb3h4 #bfi - ,eze4 #ch3bb4 #bgj - ,is4 #b3ac4 #bga - ,ingentem meminit parvo qui germine quercum quvumque videt consenuisse nemus4 ,a neighbouring wood born with himself he sees ,and loves his old contemporary trees4,,cowley4 #bgb - ,je4 #ea3be4 #bgc - ,am4 #g3d4 #bgd - ch4 #af3c1 c42 ,ex4 #g3aiba4 #bge - ch4 #i3a2 ,is4 #ad3ab4 #bgf - ,de4 #bi3ah2 ,am4 #e3g2 ,he4 #ab3ae4 #bgg - ,ex4 #ae3bc2 ,jer4 #i3ae2 #bc3ae4 #bgh - ,is4 #ac3aj2 ,je4 #d3bc2 ,eze4 #cb3g1 #h2 ,joel #b3aj2 ,am4 #h3i4 #bgi - 8,if we were called on to fix a period most calamitous1 it would be that from the death of ,theodosius to the establishment of the ,lombards0 7,charles ,v pp4 #aa1 #ab74 #bhj - ch4 #ad3f4 #bha - ch4 #h3aj2 ,lu4 #aj3ah4 #bhb - ch4 #ag3h2 #bj3a4 #bhc - ,joel #b3b4 #bhd - ,ex4 #aj3d1 c4 #bhe - ver4 #aj4 #bhf - ch4 #f3f4 #bhg - ch4 #g3c2 ,ex4 #ab3bc2 ,job #b3f2 ,eze4 #i3d4 #bhh - ,job #c3ba2 ,je4 #h3c4 #bhi - ,joel #b3d4 #bij - ,na4 #c3ag4 #bia - ,da4 #g3d1 #h4 #bib - ,ps4 #eg3d2 ,joel #a3f4 #bic - ,na4 #b3d4 #bid - ver4 #e4 #bie - ,ep4 #b3b4 #bif - ,that is1 a destroyer4 #big - ,fmineas incisas facies prferentes1 virorum et bene barbatorum fugientia terga confodiunt4 #bih - ch4 #h3ac4 #bii - ch4 #af3ab2 ,ge4 #b3ad2 ,je4 #ea3fc4 #cjj - or1 at4 #cja - ch4 #h3gi4 #cjb - ,eze4 #ch3d2 ,da4 #aa3dj4 #cjc - ,ps4 #fh3ag4 #cjd - ch4 #g3d4 #cje - #a ,ch4 #ab3h2 ,is4 #e3bh1 #bi4 #cjf - ,is4 #i3ae2 ,ep4 #d3ad4 #cjg - ,je4 #e3c2 #h3f4 #cjh - ,le4 #ag3g2 #a ,co4 #aj3bj4 #cji - ,ps4 #ace3ae2 ,is4 #dj3ai1 #bj4 #caj - ch4 #bb3ae4 #caa - 8,as the ,julian year equalled #cfe days #f hours1 the ,apocalyptic period would1 on the year-day principle1 be in amount as follows3 ,a year #cfe-a_/d days #cfe years #a_/d of a year4 ,a month #cj days #cj years4 ,a day #a year4 ----- #cif years4 #a_/d of a prophetic day or year 7left out above7 #ia-a_/d days4 ,an hour #a_/bd of a prophetic day or year #ae-a_/f days4 ,total years #cif #ajf days40 ,elliott1 i4 p4 #dif4 #cab - ,mandat ,chalifa tu cur omne id terrarum quod ,deus ejus cur et imperio commisit2 tibique civium piorum1 fidelium1 ,deum colentium1 tutclam sublocatorio nomine demandat4 #cac - ,in the ,hereford ,discussion1 between the ,rev4 ,j4 ,venn and ,rev4 ,james ,waterworth1 it was admitted by the latter1 an able and learned ,romish priest1 that ,bonaventura's ,psalter to the ,virgin ,mary1 turning the addresses to ,god into addresses to the ,virgin1 was blasphemy 7,elliott1 ii4 #be74 #cad - ,romanus ,pontifex viros claros1 et qui sanctimoni floruerunt1 et eorum exigentibus clarissimis meritis aliorum sanctorum numero aggregari mereriturinter sanctos prdictos debet collocare1 et ut sanctos ab omnibus ,christi fidelibus coli1 venerari1 et ,,adorari mandare4 #cae - 8,if you wish to see the horrors of these ages0 7the ,middle ,ages71 says ,chateaubriand1 ,dict4 ,hist4 tom4 iii4 #dbj1 8read the ,councils40 #caf - ,his character is told in the well-known epigram ,octo nocens pueros genuit1 totidemque puellas3 ,hunc merito potuit dicere ,roma patrem4 #cag - ,eze4 #a3bh4 #cah - ch4 #a3ae1 #af2 ,mat4 #ag3b4 #cai - ,for the proof of this1 see ,elliott1 ii4 #ib4 #cbj - ch4 #h3e2 #ad3b4 #cba - ,da4 #h3bf2 #ab3d1 #i4 #cbb - ,ex4 #f3h2 ,de4 #cb3dj4 #cbc - ch4 #ad3g2 ,ne4 #i3f4 #cbd - ,da4 #ab3f1 #g4 #cbe - ch4 #aa3ae4 #cbf - ,ro4 #aa3be2 ,ep4 #c3ei4 #cbg - ver4 #d4 #cbh - ,eze4 #c3ac1 #ad4 #cbi - ch4 #ba3ae2 ,zec4 #b3a4 #ccj - ,eze4 xl4xlviii4 #cca - ,eze4 #dj3agbj4 #ccb - cast out4 #ccc - ,lu4 #ba3bd4 #ccd - ,da4 #g3be4 #cce - or1 give unto my two witnesses that they may prophesy4 #ccf - ,mat4 #ah3af4 #ccg - ch4 #bj3d4 #cch - ,is4 #bb3ab4 #cci - ,je4 #aa3af2 ,zec4 #d3c1 #aa1 #ad4 #cdj - ch4 #a3bj4 #cda - ,ps4 #ah3h4 #cdb - ,nu4 #af3ce2 ,ho4 #f3e4 #cdc - #a ,ki4 #ag3a4 #cdd - ,ex4 #g3ai4 #cde - ch4 #ag3h4 #cdf - ,da4 #g3ba2 ,zec4 #ad3b1 c4 #cdg - ,he4 #ac3ab4 #cdh - ,is4 #a3aj4 #cdi - ,ex4 #bj3b4 #cej - ,ps4 #gi3c4 #cea - ,eze4 #cg3ead4 #ceb - #a ,th4 #d3ag4 #cec - ,mal4 #c3ah4 #ced - ch4 #af3ai4 #cee - names of men4 #cef - ch4 #ad3g2 ,is4 #bf3ae1 #af4 #ceg - ch4 #h3ac4 #ceh - 8,an old ,welsh ,chronicle preserved at ,cambridge says1 #8,after that by means of ,austin the ,saxons became ,christians1 in such sort as ,austin had taught them1 the ,britons would not either eat or drink with or salute them2 because they corrupted with superstition1 images1 and idolatry1 the true religion of ,christ4'0 ,cited in ,hearn',man of ,sin1 p4 #ba4;,elliott4 #cei - ch4 #aj3g4 #cfj - ch4 #ab3aj4 #cfa - ,da4 #b3dd2 #g3ad1 #ah3bg4 #cfb - ch4 #d3d4 #cfc - ch4 #af3e4 #cfd - ch4 #ai3f #cfe - ver4 #i4 #cff - ,he4 #i3bg4 #cfg - ch4 #bb3ab4 #cfh - ch4 #ai3e4 #cfi - or1 corrupt4 #cgj - ch4 #ae3e1 #h4 #cga - ch4 #h3e4 #cgb - ch4 #af3ah1 #ba4 #cgc - or1 sign4 #cgd - ,is4 #ed3f4 #cge - ,ps4 #hd3aa2 ,mal4 #d3b4 #cgf - or1 sign4 #cgg - ver4 #i4 #cgh - ,is4 #i3ae4 #cgi - ,is4 #g3ad4 #chj - ,ps4 #b3i4 #cha - ch4 #aa3c4 #chb - ,ge4 #c3a1 #d4 #chc - ,jn4 #h3dd4 #chd - ,zec4 #c3a4 #che - ch4 #aa3ae4 #chf - ,ro4 #h3cc1 #cg4 #chg - ,lu4 #ad3bf4 #chh - ,ps4 #if3aa2 ,is4 #di3ac4 #chi - ch4 #h3ac4 #cij - ch4 #aj3f4 #cia - ,is4 #dj3ca4 #cib - ,an affecting instance of this kindperhaps one of many cases that existedis mentioned by ,d',aubign 7book i4 p4 #gi1 ,eng4 trans471 which came to light on the pulling down1 in the year #aggf1 of an old building that had formed a part of the ,carthusian convent at ,basle4 ,a poor ,carthusian brother1 by the name of ,martin1 had written the following confession1 which he had placed in a wooden box1 and inclosed in a hole which he had made in the wall of his cell1 where it was found38,o most merciful ,god1 ,i know that ,i can only be saved1 and satisfy thy righteousness1 by the merit1 the innocent suffering1 and death of thy well-beloved ,son4 ,holy ,jesus6 my salvation is in thy hands4 ,thou canst not withdraw the hands of thy love from me2 for they have created and redeemed me4 ,thou hast inscribed my name with a pen of iron in rich mercy1 and so as nothing can efface it1 on thy side1 thy hands1 and thy feet10 c4 #cic - ,is4 #ei3ai4 #cid - ,ge4 #c3ae4 #cie - ,da4 #g3b1 c4 #cif - ch4 #ab3c2 #ag3c1 #i1 #ab4 #cig - or1 names4 #cih - ,da4 #g3dg4 #cii - ch4 #ab3i4 #djj - ch4 #af3aj4 #dja - slain4 #djb - ch4 #ag3h4 #djc - ch4 #ag3ad4 #djd - ,da4 #g3h1 #aa1 #be2 #aa3cf4 #dje - make war4 #djf - ch4 #aa3b1 #c2 #ab3f4 #djg - ,col4 #b3i2 ,he4 #i3aa1 #bd4 #djh - ,he4 #ab3bb1 #bc4 #dji - ch4 #aa3g2 #ab3ag2 ,da4 #g3ba4 #daj - ,lu4 #d3f4 #daa - ch4 #ba3bg2 ,da4 #ab3a4 #dab - ch4 #ag3h4 #dac - ,is4 #cc3a4 #dad - ,ge4 #i3f4 #dae - ,he4 #f3ab4 #daf - ch4 #aa3g4 #dag - ver4 #c4 #dah - ,mat4 #bd3bd2 #b ,th4 #b3i1 #aj4 #dai - ver4 #c1 #ab4 #dbj - breath4 #dba - ch4 #af3b #dbb - give them4 #dbc - ,among the ,romans1 slaves were stigmatized with the master's name or mark on their foreheads4 ,so ,valerius ,maximus speaks of the custom for slaves1 8literarum notis inuri20 and ,plautus calls the slave 8literatus40 ,ambrose 7,de ,obit4 ,valentin47 says1 ,charactere ,domini inscribuntur servuli4 ,petronius mentions the forehead as the place of the mark2 ,servitia ecce in frontibus cernitis4 ,in many cases1 soldiers bore the emperor's name or mark imprinted on the hand4 ,actius says1 ,stigmata vocant qu in facie1 vel in ali parte corporis1 inscribuntur2 qualia sunt militum in manibus4 ,so ,ambrose says1 ,nomine imperatoris signantur milites4 ,comp4 ,notes on ,gal4 vi4 #ag4 #dbd - ch4 #ae3b4 #dbe - ch4 #e3ab4 #dbf - ch4 #g3d4 #dbg - ch4 #c3ab4 #dbh - ch4 #ai3f4 #dbi - ch4 #e3h1 #i4 #dcj - ch4 #ae3c4 #dca - ver4 #a4 #dcb - ,ca4 #a3c2 #f3h2 #b ,co4 #aa3b4 #dcc - ,jn4 #aj3bg4 #dcd - bought1 #a ,co4 #f3bj4 #dce - ,ja4 #a3ah4 #dcf - ,ps4 #cb3b4 #dcg - ,ep4 #e3bg2 ,jude #bd4 #dch - #b ,sa4 #bc3e2 ,is4 #dj3h4 #dci - ,ep4 #c3i4 #ddj - ch4 #ae3d4 #dda - ch4 #ah3b1 #c2 ,is4 #ba3i2 ,je4 #ea3g1 #h4 #ddb - ch4 #ac3adaf4 #ddc - ,ps4 #ge3h4 #ddd - ch4 #ai3bj4 #dde - ,is4 #cd3aj4 #ddf - ,is4 #eg3bj1 #ba4 #ddg - #a ,th4 #d3ad1 #af4 #ddh - or1 from henceforth saith the ,spirit1 ,yea4 #ddi - ,eze4 #a3bf2 ,da4 #g3ac4 #dej - ,joel #c3ac4 #dea - ,je4 #ea3cc2 ,mat4 #ac3ci4 #deb - or1 dried4 #dec - ver4 #ae4 #ded - ch4 #ai3ae4 #dee - ,is4 #fc3c4 #def - ,he4 #ac3aa1 #ab4 #deg - ,is4 #cd3g4 #deh - ch4 #ai3ad4 #dei - ch4 #ad3aj4 #dfj - ch4 #d3f4 #dfa - ,is4 #d3d1 #e4 #dfb - ch4 #ac3aeag4 #dfc - ch4 #ad3b4 #dfd - ,ex4 #ae3aai2 ,de4 #cb3adc4 #dfe - ch4 #ad3c4 #dff - ,ho4 #ad3i4 #dfg - or1 nations1 or ages1 ch4 #ag3ad4 #dfh - ,je4 #aj3g4 #dfi - #a ,sa4 #b3b4 #dgj - ,is4 #de3bc4 #dga - ch4 #aa3ai4 #dgb - ,is4 #f3d4 #dgc - ,ps4 #bi3i4 #dgd - ch4 #ae3a1 #g4 #dge - ch4 #h3g4 #dgf - ,ex4 #i3haa4 #dgg - ch4 #ac3aeag4 #dgh - ch4 #h3h4 #dgi - ,ex4 #g3agbj4 #dhj - ch4 #h3aj4 #dha - ver4 #g4 #dhb - ,de4 #cb3db1 #dc2 ,is4 #di3bf4 #dhc - ch4 #ae3c2 #ai3b4 #dhd - ch4 #h3ab4 #dhe - ch4 #i3ag4 #dhf - or1 burned4 #dhg - ver4 #aa1 #ba4 #dhh - ch4 #i3bj2 ,da4 #e3bb1 #bc4 #dhi - ch4 #ac3bd4 #dij - ch4 #i3b4 #dia - ver4 #b4 #dib - ,in this connection1 ,i may insert here the remarkable calculation of ,robert ,fleming1 in his work1 entitled1 ,apocalyptical ,key1 or ,the ,pouring ,out of the ,vials1 first published in #agja4 ,it is in the following words3 8,the fifth vial 7ver4 #aj1 #aa71 which is to be poured out on the seat of the beast1 or the dominions which more immediately belong to1 and depend on1 the ,roman see2 that1 ,i say1 this judgment will probably begin about the year #agid1 and expire about ,a4,d4 #ahdh2 or that the duration of it upon this supposition will be the space of fifty-four years4 ,for ,i do suppose that1 seeing the pope received the title of ,supreme ,bishop no sooner than ,a4,d4 #fjf1 he cannot be supposed to have any vial poured upon his seat immediately 7so as to ruin his authority so signally as this judgment must be supposed to do7 until the year #ahdh1 which is the date of the twelve hundred and sixty years in prophetical account1 when they are reckoned from ,a4,d4 #fjf4 ,but yet we are not to imagine that this will totally destroy the ,papacy 7though it will exceedingly weaken it71 for we find that still in being and alive when the next vial is poured out0 pp4 #abd1 #abe1 ,cobbin's edition4 ,it is a circumstance remarkably in accordance with this calculation1 that in the year #ahdh the pope was actually driven away to ,gaeta1 and that at the present time 7#ahea7 he is restored1 though evidently with diminished power4 #dic - ch4 #i3ad4 #did - ,is4 #db3ae2 ,je4 #ej3ch2 #ea3cf4 #die - ch4 #ab3c1 #i4 #dif - ch4 #ac3b4 #dig - ch4 #ai3bj4 #dih - #a ,ti4 #d3a4 #dii - #b ,th4 #b3i4 #ejj - #a ,jn4 #e3ai4 #eja - ch4 #ai3ai4 #ejb - #b ,pe4 #c3aj4 #ejc - ch4 #c3d1 #ah4 #ejd - ch4 #ba3f4 #eje - ch4 #aa3ac4 #ejf - ,da4 #ab3a4 #ejg - ch4 #ad3h4 #ejh - ,is4 #ea3ag1 #bc2 ,je4 #be3ae1 #af4 #eji - ch4 #f3ad4 #eaj - ch4 #aa3ai4 #eaa - ch4 #ai3b2 ,na4 #c3d4 #eab - ,je4 #ea3ac4 #eac - ch4 #ah3c4 #ead - ch4 #ab3c4 #eae - ch4 #ac3a4 #eaf - gilded4 #eag - ,je4 #ea3g4 #eah - #b ,th4 #b3g4 #eai - or1 fornications4 #ebj - ch4 #af3f4 #eba - ver4 #a4 #ebb - ver4 #c4 #ebc - ch4 #aa3g4 #ebd - ver4 #aa4 #ebe - ch4 #ac3c1 #h4 #ebf - ch4 #ac3a4 #ebg - ,da4 #g3bj2 ,zec4 #a3ahba4 #ebh - ch4 #ai3ai4 #ebi - ,je4 #ej3dd4 #ecj - ch4 #ai3af2 ,de4 #aj3ag2 #a ,ti4 #f3ae4 #eca - ,mi4 #e3h1 #i4 #ecb - ,ro4 #h3cj1 #cg4 #ecc - ,jn4 #ae3af4 #ecd - ch4 #b3aj4 #ece - ver4 #a2 ,is4 #h3g4 #ecf - ch4 #ac3g4 #ecg - ,je4 #ej3da1 #db4 #ech - ,eze4 #af3cgdd4 #eci - ch4 #ah3h1 #ah4 #edj - ,ac4 #d3bg1 #bh4 #eda - ch4 #aj3g4 #edb - ch4 #af3ai4 #edc - ,eze4 #dc3b4 #edd - ch4 #ad3h2 ,is4 #ac3ai2 #ba3i2 ,je4 #ea3h4 #ede - ch4 #ag3b2 ,is4 #cd3aa1 #ad2 ,je4 #ej3ci2 #ea3cg4 #edf - ,is4 #dg3ae4 #edg - ver4 #aa1 #ae4 #edh - or1 power4 #edi - ,is4 #dh3bj2 #eb3aa2 ,je4 #ej3h2 #ea3f1 #de2 #b ,co4 #f3ag4 #eej - ,je4 #ea3i4 #eea - ch4 #af3ai4 #eeb - ,ps4 #acg3h2 ,je4 #ej3ae1 #bi4 #eec - ,is4 #dg3gaa2 ,zep4 #b3ae4 #eed - ch4 #ag3af4 #eee - ,ps4 #fb3aa2 ,je4 #ej3cd4 #eef - ,eze4 #bf3af1 #ag4 #eeg - ver4 #ag1 #ai4 #eeh - ,eze4 #bg3bgcf4 #eei - ch4 #ag3d4 #efj - or1 sweet4 #efa - or1 bodies4 #efb - ,eze4 #bg3ac4 #efc - ,lu4 #af3ai1 c4 #efd - ,is4 #bc3ad4 #efe - ,je4 #ea3cg4 #eff - ,jos4 #g3f2 ,job #b3ab2 ,eze4 #bg3cj4 #efg - ,je4 #ea3dh4 #efh - ch4 #ai3b2 ,de4 #cb3dc2 ,lu4 #ah3g1 #h4 #efi - ,je4 #ea3fd4 #egj - ,je4 #be3aj4 #ega - ,je4 #g3cd2 #af3i2 #cc3aa4 #egb - ,is4 #bc3h4 #egc - #b ,ki4 #i3bb2 ,na4 #c3d4 #egd - ,je4 #ea3di4 #ege - ch4 #aa3ae4 #egf - ver4 #c1 #d1 #f4 #egg - ch4 #g3aj1 #ab4 #egh - ch4 #af3g4 #egi - ch4 #ah3bj4 #ehj - ch4 #ah3i1 #ah2 ,is4 #cd3aj4 #eha - ,ps4 #ace3a4 #ehb - ,ps4 #ig3a1 #ab4 #ehc - ,mat4 #be3aj4 #ehd - ,is4 #eb3a4 #ehe - ch4 #c3d2 ,is4 #fa3aj4 #ehf - or1 bright4 #ehg - ,ps4 #acb3i4 #ehh - ,lu4 #ad3ae4 #ehi - ch4 #c3bj4 #eij - ch4 #bb3f4 #eia - ch4 #bb3h1 #i4 #eib - ,ac4 #aj3dc2 #a ,pe4 #a3aj1 #aa4 #eic - ch4 #f3b4 #eid - ch4 #c3ad4 #eie - ,ps4 #de3c1 #d2 ,is4 #aa3d4 #eif - ch4 #a3ad2 #b3ah4 #eig - ch4 #f3b2 ,ca4 #c3aa2 ,is4 #fb3c2 ,zec4 #i3af2 ,he4 #b3i4 #eih - ch4 #c3ab4 #eii - ,jn4 #a3a4 #fjj - ,mat4 #bh3c4 #fja - ch4 #a3af4 #fjb - ,ps4 #b3i4 #fjc - ,is4 #fc3c4 #fjd - ch4 #ag3ad4 #fje - ,eze4 #ci3agbj4 #fjf - ch4 #af3ad1 #af4 #fjg - ch4 #af3ac1 #ad4 #fjh - ch4 #bj3aj2 ,da4 #g3aa4 #fji - ver4 #ae2 ch4 #a3af4 #faj - ver4 #ag1 #ah4 #faa - ch4 #a3ah2 #i3a4 #fab - ch4 #ab3i4 #fac - #b ,pe4 #b3d2 ,jude #f4 #fad - ,da4 #f3ag4 #fae - ,da4 #g3i1 #bb1 #bg2 ,lu4 #bb3cj4 #faf - #a ,co4 #f3b1 #c4 #fag - ch4 #f3i4 #fah - ch4 #e3aj4 #fai - ch4 #b3aa2 #ba3h4 #fbj - ch4 #a3f2 ,is4 #fa3f4 #fba - ,i have slightly abridged this passage1 but have retained the sense4 #fbb - ,eze4 #ch3b2 #ci3a4 #fbc - ch4 #af3ad4 #fbd - ,is4 #h3h2 ,eze4 #ch3i1 #af4 #fbe - ch4 #ai3bj4 #fbf - #b ,pe4 #c3aj1 #ab4 #fbg - ,da4 #g3aj4 #fbh - ch4 #ba3bg2 ,da4 #ab3a4 #fbi - ,je4 #cb3ai2 ,mat4 #af3bg4 #fcj - the grave4 #fca - ,ho4 #ac3ad2 #a ,co4 #ae3bf1 #ed4 #fcb - ,mat4 #be3da4 #fcc - ,is4 #fe3agai2 #ff3bb2 #b ,pe4 #c3ac4 #fcd - ,is4 #eb3a2 ,he4 #aa3aj2 #ab3bb4 #fce - ,is4 #ed3e4 #fcf - ,ps4 #de3iad4 #fcg - #b ,co4 #f3af4 #fch - ,zec4 #h3h4 #fci - ch4 #g3ag2 ,is4 #be3h4 #fdj - #a ,co4 #ae3bf1 #ed4 #fda - ,is4 #ce3aj4 #fdb - ch4 #af3ag4 #fdc - ch4 #a3h2 #bb3a4 #fdd - ch4 #bb3ag2 ,is4 #ee3a2 ,jn4 #d3aj1 #ad2 #g3cg4 #fde - or1 these4 #fdf - ,lu4 #ab3di4 #fdg - #a ,jn4 #e3d1 #aj4 #fdh - #a ,co4 #f3i1 #aj4 #fdi - #a ,jn4 #c3ae4 #fej - ,he4 #ac3d4 #fea - ,mal4 #c3e4 #feb - #a ,co4 #aj3bj1 #ba4 #fec - ch4 #bb3ae2 ,pr4 #ai3e1 #i4 #fed - ch4 #ae3a1 #f1 #g4 #fee - ch4 #ai3g4 #fef - ,eze4 xl4xlviii4 #feg - ,is4 #fj3a1 #b4 #feh - ,eze4 #dh3cacd4 #fei - ,ep4 #b3bj4 #ffj - ch4 #aa3a2 ,eze4 #dj3c2 ,zec4 #b3a4 #ffa - ,is4 #ed3aa4 #ffb - ch4 #bb3e2 ,is4 #fj3ai1 #bj4 #ffc - ,jn4 #a3d4 #ffd - ,is4 #fj3caa2 #ff3ajab4 #ffe - ,ps4 #gb3aa4 #fff - ,zec4 #ad3g4 #ffg - ,is4 #ce3h2 #eb3a2 #fj3ba2 ,joel #c3ag2 ,mat4 #ac3da2 #a ,co4 #f3i1 #aj2 ,ga4 #e3aiba2 ,ep4 #e3e2 ,he4 #ab3ad4 #ffh - ch4 #ac3h4 #ffi - ,eze4 #dg3a1 #ab4 #fgj - ch4 #ba3ba4 #fga - ch4 #b3g4 #fgb - ,zec4 #ad3aa4 #fgc - ,eze4 #dh3ce4 #fgd - ch4 #g3ae4 #fge - ,mat4 #e3h2 ,jn4 #ab3bf2 #ag4 #bd2 #a ,co4 #ac3ab2 #a ,jn4 #c3b4 #fgf - ch4 #c3ab4 #fgg - ch4 #ba3bc1 #be4 #fgh - ,ps4 #cf3i4 #fgi - ,ro4 #e3ag4 #fhj - ,devil1 in ,,ms41 but it must have been pronounced ,scotic1 8deil40 #fha - ,musing1 in ,,ms4 #fhb - ch4 #a3a4 #fhc - ver4 #aj1 #ab1 #bj4 #fhd - ,da4 #h3bf4 #fhe - ,pr4 #a3bdcc2 ,ec4 #aa3c2 ,mat4 #be3aj2 #b ,ti4 #c3ac4 #fhf - ,pr4 #d3ah2 ,mat4 #e3f4 #fhg - ,zep4 #a3ad4 #fhh - ch4 #bj3ab4 #fhi - ,is4 #dd3f4 #fij - ,lu4 #ab3cg1 #ch4 #fia - ch4 #ba3h1 #bg4 #fib - ,phi4 #c3b4 #fic - ch4 #e3e4 #fid - ch4 #ba3b1 #i4 #fie - ,is4 #b3e4 #fif - ch4 #ba3f4 #fig - ,pr4 #cj3f4 #fih - ch4 #c3e4 #fii - or1 from the tree4 #gjj - ver4 #g1 #ab4 #gja - ,he4 #i3bh2 ,is4 #be3i4 #gjb - #b ,th4 #c3ah4 ,,transcriber',s ,,notes ,the following corrections have been made in the text3 ,page iv3 ,sentence starting3 ,map of ,n4 ,italy4444 - ,publisher included this entry in the list but did no include the map in the book4 ,page xlviii3 ,sentence starting3 ,it is known that ,john4444 - #8like' replaced with #8life' 7the later years of his life7 ,page #dj3 ,sentence starting3 ,it is remarkable that4444 - #8incriptions' replaced with #8inscriptions' 7passages in heathen inscriptions7 ,page #aij2 verse #h4 #a3 ,sentence starting3 ,,and when he had opened4444 - #8and' replaced with #8an' 7space of half an hour47 ,page #bag3 ,sentence starting3 ,the only thing which they have4444 - #8sub-substance' replaced with #8substance' 7a hard bony substance7 ,page #bhj3 ,sentence starting3 ,that is1 there would be4444 - #8sufferred' replaced with #8suffered' 7shown to the dead if they were not suffered to be7 ,page #cbc3 ,sentence starting3 ,it was the policy of rulers4444 - #8vicegerents' replaced with #8viceregents' 7they were the viceregents of heaven7 ,page #cff3 ,sentence starting3 ,all that is represented here4444 - duplicated word removed #8to' 7preliminary to that final7 ,page #chd3 ,sentence starting3 ,our translators have adopted4444 - #8apparrently' replaced with #8apparently' 7apparently for the sole purpose7 ,page #dag3 ,sentence starting3 ,the main purpose was to4444 - #8chuch' replaced with #8church' 7history of the church7 ,page #dej3 ,sentence starting3 ,it is commonly apple-green4444 - #8inferor' replaced with #8inferior' 7little inferior to flint7