Now, this is evident from that full prediction which 3-ou have of the accomplishment hereof, Rev. xvii. 12, the kingdoms of the west " receive power one hour with the beast." Verse 13, in their consti- tution and government at first received, " they give their power to the beast," and figlit against the Lamb. Verse 1-1, the Lamb with
' To KBLTi^^o),, 2 Thess. ii. 6. - Rev. xviii. 2; Isa. Ix. 12; Ps. ii. G.
s Heb. xi. 5; Jude 4; Gal. i. 6; Ileb. vi. IS.vii. 12. * " Mutationem," Trem. " Translationem." Erasui. Ar. jNIont. VOL. VIII. 17
258 THE SHAKING AND TRANSLATING
Lis faitliful and cliosen ones overcomes tliein. There tlieir liea- ven and earth is shaken. Verse 16, their power is transhited, new- moulded, and becomes a power against tlie beast, in the hand of Jesus Christ.
This, then, is the shaking and removal in my text, which is said to be, " as of things that are made;" that is, by men, through the con- currence of divine Providence for a season (which making you have, Rev. xvii. 12-17); — not like the kingdom of Christ, wliich, being of a purely divine constitution, shall by no human power receive an end.
The other parts of the text follow briefly.
II. The next thing is the apostle's proof of this assertion. And he tells you, " This word. Once more," the beginning of this sentence he urged from the prophet, " signifies no less."
The words in the prophet are, ^^'H ^^^'9 ^H^ '^'^^, " Yet once it is a little." ^'''1 ^V^, " It is a little," is left out by the apostle, as not con- ducing to the business in hand. "En ava^, as he rendereth i^^Ji "t'ly, are a sufficient demonstration of the assertion. In themselves they liold out a commutation of things, and, as they stand in conjunction in tliat place of the prophet, declare that that shaking and commu- tation must be for the bringing in of the kingdom of the Lord Christ. In brief, being interpreted by the same Spirit whereby they Avere in- dited, we know the exposition is true.
III. The last head remaineth under tv/o particulars : — 1. What are " the things that cannot be shaken?" 2. What is their remaining?
1. For the first, " the things that cannot be shaken," verse 27, are called "a kingdom that cannot be moved," verse 28, — a kingdom subject to none of those shakings and alterations which other domi- nions have been tossed to and fro \Aathal. ^Daniel calls it, a not giving of the kingdom to another people, Dan. ii. 44; — not that oecumenical kingdom which he hath with his Father, as king of nations; but that oeconomical kingdom which he hath by dispensation from his Father, as king of saints. Now this may be considered two ways.
(1.) As purely internal and spiritual; which is the rule of his Spirit in the hearts of all his saints. "This " cometh not with observation," it is within us, Luke xvii. 20, 21, — consisting in " righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," Rom. xiv. 1 7.
(2.) As external, and appearing in gospel adnunistrations. ^So is Christ described as a king in the midst of their kingdom, Rev. i. 14-17, as also chap. iv. and chap. xi. 15. And both these may be again considered two ways.
' Ps. ii. G, ex. 2; Acts ii. 36; Hov. i. 18; 1 Cor. xv. 24-27.
' fiuk.' vi. 20; Mark xii. 34, &c.
3 I's. xlv. C, c.xlv. 13; Isa, ix. 7; Obad. 21.
OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. 259
[1.] In respect of their essence and being; and so tliey have been, are, and shall be continued in all ages. He hath built his church upon a roclc, " and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," Matt, xvi. 18. ^
[2.] In reference to their extent in respect of subjects, with their visible glorious appearance, which is under innumerable promises' to be very great in the latter days : " And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it," Isa. ii. 2}
These, then, are the things which cannot be shaken ; which we may reduce to three heads.
1st. The growth of righteousness, peace, and joy in the saints, being filled with light and love from the special presence of Christ; with a wonderful increase of the number of them, multitudes of the elect . being to be born in those days, — the residue of the Jews and fvdness of the Gentiles meeting in one fold, and there " dwelleth righteous- ness," 2 Pet. iii. 13.' -.r^.. |
2cUi/. The administration of gospel ordinances, in power and purity, according to the appointment and unto the acceptation of the Lord Jesus. The temple of God and the altar being measured anew, the outward court, defiled with Gentile v/orship, is left out, Rev. xi. 1, 2.
3dly. The glorious and visible manifestation of those administra- tions in the eyes of all the world, in peace and quietfiess, — none making afraid or hurting in the whole mountain of the^ Lord, Isa. Ixv. 25. J