The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 133

by way of objutii>n : tr I/ IO much ia unsaid, cmd tMf'V<>re uncertain, alJ U uncertain, tmd the book i• useleas." Not so; there is very much that is fixed and elear; very much more, indeed, on the principle of interpretation for which we contend, than on any other'; and not only so, but the value of ,the book is, to us, immeasurably greater. Let us, then, now lay down some definite propositions, which may prepare our way !or the further unfolding of this book. I. THERE IB IN THE BOOK A CLEAR GENERAL PLAlll', Its key-note is, "Behold, I come quickly." Its disclosures end with the in-bringing of the new heavens and the new earth, Its historic starting-point is the exile of the beloved apostle, Its concep- tion is that all forces in nature, incidents in history, a:Q,d movements of providence, are preparing the way of ibe Lord. The standpoint &f the apostle is not earth, nor is it heaven. He is caught up in the Spirit. Looking down, he sees earth in trouble and storm; looking up, he sees heaven in glory and rest. And if we look behind the symbolic drapery of the book, we shall find in each paragraph or section some principle indicated which will give us a clue to the higher spiritual meaning of ihe whole. Historic incident is among things " seen and temporal ; " principles are among thinga "unseen and eternal," If we can seize hold of these, and thereby get some clearer new of the methods of God's working, we shall look wiih a far more intelligent g.~ on " the, wayt1 of God towards man." , lI. THIC UNJ'OLDINGB OJ' THE BOOK ,U TO THE CONFLICTS OP BAll'l'R ABB A GREAT ITAY ro OUR PAITH. Suppose we were without the Apocalypse: when we iook over all the desolations of earth, and think of the slow progress Christianity makes, should we not be often ready to despair? But when the conflict in all its fierceness and wild• Dl:lBB is &et forth here, we can refer to our chart, and say," We were told of it before- hand." We understand the Master's words, " Now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe." Without this book "the events of Christian hi11tory· would be to us shortsighted creatures a very ,serious and painful o~tacle to faith; but by the help of this book these very events confirm our faith." 1 Ill. '!'BB ISSUB 011' THE WHOLII Il!I THE GLORY OJ' THE NEW JEBUSALElf IS A 8TIKULUB TO Ot1R HOPE, However dark the passage, the end of it is light and glory. The King shall yet reveal himself as King of kings and Lord of lords. This is emphati- cally " the blessed hope." It revives our courage by the way. IV. <JBBTAINTY AS TO ISSUE, BUT UNCERTAINTY AS TO TIIU!:, I8 THI ONLY CONDI• TlOlr 01' OUR LIFE WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THIii DUB PERll'ORlt:A:NCIII 011' EVERYDAY DUTY. To know the moment when. the stop should be put on all things would paralyze human. exertion. Not to know that" all is working for good" would be the death-blow Mi our joy in. the Lord. The blended certainty and uncertainty are the very best (l()Dditions for us, the most calculated to lead us to .watch and pray .that we ma7 "'be ready," and may not be ashamed before Chrin at hia coming. Ver. 1-,-ch, v. 14.-7'/ie opening mion: Matlffl; le, throne; it, inhabitant,; lea song,. The fourth and fifth chapters of this book should be read together. They form a fitting introduction to the disc1oaw:es which follow. Before we have presented to u1 the.series of visions which unfold to us the struggles of earth through which the Church must pass on her way to the end of the age. we have a glimpse of the heavenly world, ita occupants, its songs, together with a sight of" him who is in the midst of the throne." Ere the last great inspired prophecy is to be unrolled,.the Apostle John haa a glimpse of the seat of power in heaven. Ere he 118811 those scenes of mingled awe and terror which his pen. will have to record, he is permitted to peer within the sacred courts above. He sees their glory, learns their tho~hts, and hears their songs, as, from height■ far, far above us, they survey the majesty of the great Three in .One, and send up their aonga of praise to their God, for what he is in the glory of his nature, and for the grandeur of his works in creation and redemption. Among the many noble tculptures of 'l'horwe.ldsen. at Copenhagen, there ia one of -the Apostle John. Hit ,countenance is suffused with heavenly serenity. He is looking up to heaven, His t.ablet is before him. His pen is in his hand, but it is not touching the tablet, nor will • Of. • Exposition of the Book of Revelation,' by ReT. W. Robinaon, of Cambridge, pp. I_l-13; lli•~ .13?Yd _Carpenter's, •~tary on the Revelation.' introduction to eh. vi.; Dr. Milligan I Baird Lecture, 2Dd edit, pp. UG-160. e:p. N. \-11.] THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. 151