The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 25

to him, it would be the Holy Ghost that commi~sioned him thus to write; if they were prompted by his own apostolic fervour, it wonld be the Holy Ghost who stirred in him thus to feel; either way, therefore, the outbreathing is the result of a Divine inbreathing. This gr.ieting to believ81'8 resolves itself into two parts. 1. Htfl'8 are great. blessing, ,peci,fi«l. They are two. (1) Grace. It is one of the most interesting historical features of early Christianity, and one of the most striking evidences that with it a new life dawned in the world, that from the very beginning of the Christian era there are both new epitaphs over the pious dead, and new benedictions for those who are living. This is an illustration. The word "grace," though a translation of a word that was common enough in the Greek language (x4pu), yet puts on a vastly grander meaning as soon. as ever it is applied in distinctively Christian thought. The writings of the Apostle Paul had given it a sublimity before unknown. The word is used a hundred times in his Epistles, but only aix times by John. Yet, in his 1188 of it, it conveys a world of meaning (John i. 14, 16, 17; 2 John 3; eh. i. 4; xxii. 21). (2) Peace. Another word which, as light from Christ and his cross shines upon it, has a beauty not its own (John xiv. 27; xvi. 33; xx. 19, 21, 26; of. also Eph. ii. 14; Col. L 20; PbiL iv. 'l). 'l'here is a peace (a) possessed,(b}made,(c)imparted and sustained -peace with God; peace in God; peace of con.science ; peace in hope. 2. The Di?MWJ origin of these blessings is 1U!lf'fJ named. They come from the Trinity in Unity. The. doctrine of the Trinity is never taught in Scripture as an ontological abstraction, but a glorious reality for faith to accept and lire to reoeive.1 (1) From the Father. '' From him which is, and which was, and who is coming." The great I AH-t.eriuilly self- existent, and yet who ls, as it were, ever moving forward, unrolling on the page of history his unfinished and unfinisha.ble Name. (2) From the Holy Ghost: represelited here-in his sevenfold majesty,as the Source of the manifold energywhich streams from the eternal throne. (3) From the Lord Jesus, as (a) a Testifier of the truth from heaven, (b) the Beginner of the new realm of life, (c) the King of kings. Here are truth, lile, power. The sovereignty of the world is Christ's. In him only are the temporal and spiritual authority rightly and effectively joined. How rich and full is this salutadonl If such blessings come from such a Source, then they are (1) sure, (2) oonsrant, (3) eternal, (4) personal, (5) beyond the reach of alien forces. Thus we are brought within sight of another theme for meditation, though it is not possible for us here to enlarge t.hereon ; Tiz. the real endowment and large wealth of the Church of God. IL A BONG OF PBAIBB. The apostle, ere he launches forth on the dieclosurea which have been made to him, seems to give relief to his overburdened soul in the rapturous words of the fifth verse. He would have all believers join with him. in one united chorus of gladsome thanksgiving. In expounding this song, let us firBt examine the basis of it, and then its contents. L The baaia of the lWll,fJ. Again and again do prophet and psalmist invite us to "sing unto the Lord." Apostles oft bid us "rejoice in the Lord.'' But people will not, cannot sing joyously, unl0BB there be something to make them glad, and thus to inspire the song. The basis of this song is twofold: (1) There has been a gnat work ejfecud. A double work. (a) Evil removed. "Loosed us from our sins•• (so Revised Version). The burden of sin and guilt once rested heavily, The guilt is cancelled by a forgiving word, the sin cleansed by purifying grace. And this has been done at no less a cost than the sacrifice of himeelf-"by his blood." .Blood. Not the material fluid. Even the Levitical Law should raise our thoughts above that. "The blood thereof, which is the life thereof" (Lev. :x.vii. 11, 14). The blood of Chriat is so precious because of the life inJaying down which it was shed. He came and stood in our place, and, by bearing our burdens and atoning for our guilt, acquired a perfect right to loose the penitent for ever from his load. 0) Privilege bestoW1ld. " He made us to 116 a kingdom." The pardoned and renewed souls form a new creation of redeeming grace-the kingdom of heaven upon earth. "Priests." Every believer is a priest unto God. He stanos, as it were, between a world that knows not God, and him whom to know is life; that so he may point the way, yea, lead the wanderer home; that he may plead with him for God, a.nd plead with God for him ;-th11B. fulfilling the truly priestly function of helping man Godward. 12) There 11 11 low «>mtantly 11ouch&<ffed, "Unto him that loveth us (Tri l')'llll'WTJ) (~viled Version). 1 See a great aennon oo this theme in Huntington'•• Ohriltitul Believing a!Ml Llting.' IS THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. [cu. t. 1-20.