to God, and made partakers of redemption, thus fulfilling the language of St. Paul, that ‘the creation itself also shall be de- livered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God’” (Rom. viii. 21; Milligan). Diis- terdieck says: “The essential idea which is symbolized in the figures of the four living creatures may be expressed in such words as those of Ps. ciii. 22.” Full of eyes, they are ever on the alert to perceive the manifestations of divine glory. Cover- ing their faces and feet with their wings (Isa. vi. 2), they mani- fest their reverence and humility. Flying, they are prompt for ministry. ‘“ We thus have the throne of God surrounded by His Church and His animated world; the former represented by the twenty-four elders, the latter by the four living beings” (Alford).
Which is to come (06 épxdpevos). Lit., which cometh or 2s coming.
9. When (érav). Whensoever, implying, with the future tense, the eternal repetition of the act of praise.
Give (Sécovew). Lit., as Rev., shall give.
10. Cast (BadXovew). Read Barodow shall cast. The cast- ing of the crowns is an act of submission and homage. Cicero relates that when Tigranes the king of the Armenians was brought to Pompey’s camp as a captive, prostrating himself abjectly, Pompey “raised him up, and replaced on his head the diadem which he had thrown down” (Oration “ Pro Sestio,” xxvii.). Tacitus gives an account of the public homage paid by the Parthian Tiridates to the statue of Nero. “A tribunal placed in the centre, supported a chair of state on which the statue of Nero rested. Tiridates approached, and having im- molated the victims in due form, he lifted the diadem from his head and laid it at the feet of the statue, while every heart throbbed with intense emotion ” (“ Annals,” xv., 29).
11. O Lord (xépie). Read 6 xipsos cai 6 Ocds judv our Lord and our God. So Rev. See on Matt. xxi. 3.