Vera. 1-6.-'l'M Divine governmfflt symbolized. In the forms of rarth the formlet1s heavenly t~ings are. represe~~d-the Divine government whi~h in our thoug~ts is s.o often restricted to the cond1t1ons of human government. It 1s needful to remind our• selves that when we have conceived the most lofty notions of the Divine rule, we are infinitely below the re.al and actual. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are n:iy ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." I. 'fim THBONB SYIIBOLIOJ.L OJ' TBB DIVINE GOVBBllJlBNT, A government by law and authority,· II; TBll OOOUPAN'l' OP TBl!I THRONE, whom no man bath seen nor can sec, repre-- sented as "like a jMper stone and a sa.rdius," symbolical of essential holiness and punitive justice. Symbols have but their limited teaching. Here the two aspects of the Divine Name represented which the circumstances of the Church needed-persecuted, suffering. The defence of the holy ones by the holy God; the punishment of the eMmies of truth, who are enemiea cf all who love the truth. "I will repay, ll&ith the Lord." III. THB DIVINE THIIO:t-."E ENCOMPASSED l!Y SYMBOLS OJI' COVENANTED KERCY, "The rainbow"-" the symbol of grace returning after wrath." IV. TJm D1vors TRBONE ENCIRCLED l!Y THE REPRESENTATIVES OJI' THB CHURCH, 1. Tlie high honour to the Church. 2. Divine recognition of, 8. Utmost glory of: they sit on thrones-fulfilment of many promises. 4. Their character-purity, indicated by "white robes." 5. Their kingly honour : "on their beads crowns of gold." 6. The universality and unity of the Church represented in the "four and twenty elder11 "-" the twelve tribes of Israel," "the twelve apostles of the Lamb." v. THE SYMl!OLS OF THREATENED .JUDGMENTB PROCEEDil!IG FROM TBl!I THRONE are "lightnings, and voices., and thunders," all effected by the manifold operations of the Holy Spirit of God-" seven lamps of fire." VJ. THE DEI"l.'II AND PURITY OP THE DIVINE ADMINISTRATION SYIIBOLIZED in II a glassy sea like unto crystal" "Thy judgments are a great deep." VIL To 'fllE RIGRTEOUBNESB, JUSTICE, WISDOM, BENIGNITY, OJ' THE DlVINB GOVBBN- :llll!N'l' ALL OBEATGBE•LIFB BEARS WITNESS. ThUB the four living creatures.-B. G.
Vers. 6-8.-The BO'flg of the living creatures. Here is represented the praise of the Divine Name by the universal creature.life. The highest, the cherubic forms, speak for all. It is a representative song. "All thy works praise thee, 0 God;" "Let every- thing that bath Lreath praise the Lord." J. THE BONG OJ' THE UNIVERSAL CBEATUBR-LIJl'l!l IS A Cl!Al!ELESS SONG, "They have no rest day and night." That which is represented is that which should and which shall be. It is the ideal, Wicked man puts himself outside of the otherwise universal chorus; but he shall also be brought to sing. " Thou wilt make the wrath of man to praise thee." Throughout the widespread universal life a never-ending sona of praise ascends; angel and archangel, cherubim and seraphim, continually do cry. Afl creatures in their vast variety, tlieir marvellous structure, their mutual aervioe, praise him who gave them birth, . · · ·· 158 THE REYELATION OF ST. JOlIN THE DIVINE. [au. IV, 1-lL
II._Tml CREATURE'& BONG CALT.J!lO FOB BY 'l'BE HOLINESS OJ' Goo. This.the first, the chiefest attribute of the Divine Name. "His Name is holy." In the creature's elevation the essential holiness of God shall become the central light into the depths of which, with eager if with veiled eye, shall Qie holy ones seek to.inquire. This the essential "beauty of the Lord." III. THE CREATURE'S SONG CALLED FOB BY THE ETERNITY OJ' Goo. The Ever- living One is praised by every living one. Each, receiving hia life from the Life, shall render back that life in ceaseless songs of praise. The unfathomable depth, the infinite beyQnd, the eternal past, true matter of praise to the creature: " which W&B, and is, and is to come." IV. THE CREATUBE'S SONG BEJIANOED BY THE OMNIPOTENCJJ, THE ALL-M1GHTUIEB81 OJ.I' Goo. The Lord God is the Almighty, To this high subject the limited, feeble creature rises as more and more he aea.rchea into the Yast works of the Almighty hand which none can let or hinder. - v. THIii SONG or THE OREATUllE, AB IS MOST MEET, D A BONG OJ' PBAillE, the true praise being, not the attempted estimate of the Divine Name by the creature-mind, but the simple assertion of the Divine excellen.~.: "Holy, holy,_ holy," etc.-ll G, Vel'II. 9-11.-The Ohurch', ,ong <!f pra,ie. The elders speak for all and appear for alL In them all are present. As is promised agiun and again, the Church surrounds the throne. It is the sign of the Church's recogJiition and highest honour. I. THE BUBJEOT OF THE SONG, That of" the living creatures" is " the Lord God," the Almighty, the Eve.-living. The subject of the Church's song is the creative power of God, in recognition of which "glory, honour, and power" are ascribed. It is the ground of hope for the final triumph of the Divine kingdom over the opposing kingdom of evil which is 10 BOOn to be brought into view. II. The son~ is offered by the Church's· representatives; it symbolizes TUB JCN'Tmll CHURCH REJOICING IN THE UNIVJtBIIAL l!()NG OJ.I' PIIA.JBE. " When the living creatures shall give glory." 'l'he Chm:ch'a song of praise for redemption will presently be heard; ·~t it is preceded, as is most meet, by pl'aise to God "for his excellent greatness and for. his mighty acts." Ill. The song is presented by the Church IN' LOWLY PROSTRATION. Never do the songs of praise from the earth rise higher than when presented in the lowJiest humility. Not only do the elders" fall down before him that sitteth on the throne," but in recog- nition of his absolute supreme authority, they" cast their crowns before the throne." In presence of the one Lord, all authority, all honour, all might, must be ignored. IV. The matter of the song recognizes TBB EXALTED WORTHINESS OF THE MosT HIGH, to whom pertains the highest "glory, honour, &llll power," illustrated in the creation of all things. V. The song terminates in AN ADORING ACKNOWLEDGHEN'l' OF THE ll'INA.L END OP OREA.TYON, "Because of thy will." "He spake, and they were created: he commanded, and they stood fast." The "will" expresses the pleasure of God, and for his pleasure they are, and were created. The end of their being is not to be found in themselves, but in the Divine wilL It is worthy. And as by the Divine will all things are, so all things will be made to serve that will, yea, even the rebellious elements in human life, for b.e will make the wrath of man t-0 praise him.-R. G.