we prefer noticing some particulars which distinguish this individual passage ; and for that purpose shall set before you under one head the worship of heaven, and then the instruction to be derived from it. Let us notice then,
I. The worship of heaven —
We behold it here,
1. As commenced by the glorified saints —
[There was of them " a multitude which no man could number, out of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues." Previous to this period the Gospel had spread throughout all the Roman empire, and more especially if v/e consider the time spoken of as being after the accession of Constantine to the Imperial throne, and to the Christian faith. The sealing of the hvnidred and forty-four thousand is sup- posed to refer to the peaceful state of the Church at that period. Doubtless, during the three first centuries of the Christian era, incalculable numbers of souls had embraced the faith, and been exalted to glory : and those added to all that had been found faithful to their God under the Mosaic- dispensation, and to all the Lord's " hidden ones," whether infant or adult, in every nation under heaven from the begin- ning of the world, must have gradually swelled the number to a multitude covmtless as the sands upon the sea shore.
These all " stood before the throne clothed with white robes and palms in their hands." Perhaps their robes, as well as the palms, were emblems of triumph : or they might denote their perfect purity, being cleansed from all their guilt in the fountain of Christ's blood, and washed also fi-oni all defilement by tlie sanctifying efficacy of his Spirit. We are told this indeed in the verses immediately following our text : " Who are these that are arrayed in white rol)es ? These are they who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb\" Tlie palms in their hands proclaim them victors in the spiritual warfare. Whilst on earth, they sustained many and arduous conflicts : but they overcame their enemies, and " were more than conquerors through him who loved them."
But do they trace in any respect their salvation either to their own strength or goodness ? No, not in any degree : they all without exception ascribe their " salvation to God," as the Great Original, from whose wisdom, and goodness, and power it has proceeded ; and " to the Lamb," who purchased it for them through his own most precious blood.
This * ver. 13, 14.