The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 142

L TJIK BXTJU.ORD[NARY CHARACTER of man's higher sphere or being. .All thinir here seem· to be of a unique nature and order. An air of the wonderful spreads ova: all. 1. The general appearances are «x;traordinary. Observe the •ooial appearanrA,;, are extra.ordinary. Boyalties abound. "A throne was set in heaven," with one Occupant supreme, as brilliant in aspect as a precious stone. ~• He that sat was to look upon like a jasper [stone] and a sardine stone [sardius]: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emenld [to look upon]." Then there were other royalt.ies and dignities seated round the central throne. "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats [throneH]: and upon the seats [thrones] I saw follf and twenty elders sitting, clothed [arrayed] in white raiment [garments]; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.» Now, the social appearances of this world are nothing like this. Everywhere there is degradation, not dignity; head.a encircled with poverty, sorrow, and care, not "crowns of gold." Indeed, the great bulk of our social world do not even see the throne of the 8upre'IM One in the heavens. They see the motion of the mere material machinery, or a scheme of what they call laws and forces, but not the One central and universal Ruler of all. Man's higher sphere of being. aowilly, is w:idely different to this. In the higher one free moral agents are the ruling power, not blind forces. .And then over all there is One, and but One over all, on the central throne. Again, the physical phenomena are extraordinary. " And out of the throne proceeded [proceed] lightnings and thunderinga fthunders] and voices:. ana there were seven lamps of fire bwning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." True, we have lightnings and thunden here occasionally, but articulate voiees in the heavens we hear not, nor do we see torches of fire blazing before the throne. The firmament that spreads over the higher sphere or being will no doubt, in many respects, be very different to the heavens that encircle us. So, also, with the waters. "Before the throne there was [ as it were] a sea of glass [a glassy sea] like unto cryst&l-." We have a sea here rolling in majesty reund three ~ s of the globe, but it is not like glass or crystal, ever calm; sparkling, and clear; 1t is never at rest, often lashed into fury, and black with rage. How calm aud clear will be our higher sphere, "a sea of glass," mirroring the peacefulness and the glory of the Infinite I The living creature• also are extraordinary. " Round about the throne were four beasts fli ving creatures] full of eyes before and behind. .And the first beast [creature] was lilte a lion, and the second beast rcreature] like a calf, and the third beast [creature] had a face as [as of] a man, and die fourth beast [creature] was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts [living creatures] had each of them [having each one of them] six wings about him; and they were full [are full] of eyes within [and round about]." Although we have on this earth 911ch beasts and birds and faces of man as here represented, a striking difference is indicated. They had " six wings" and wete " full of eyes." Whilst some have the courage of the lion, the patience of the ox, the towering tendency of the eagle, and the sympathy of the man, they are all endowed with tra.nscendent organs of vision and powers of speed-they teem with eyes and wings. It is here suggested, then - I do not say that it is intended to be taught, for I am not gifted with the power to interpret such passsg-that man's life in the higl,er sphere of being differs widely from the present. " Eye bath not seen," etc. 2. i1lll ,upreme service is (!!J)traordinary. What is the supreme service in that higher sphere? Worship. . " And they rest not [have no rest] day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God [the] Almighty, which was. and (which] is, and rwhich] is to come. And when those beasts [the living creatures] give [shall give] gfory and honour and thanks to him that sat rsittethl on the throne, [to him] who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty eloers fall [shall fall] down before him that sat [sittethl on the throne, and_ worship [shall wor- ship] him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast [shall cast] their crowns before the throne," etc. The worship there is the one ruling, intense, unremitting service. It is anything but that here; business, pleasure, .eggrandizement,-these a.re the great and constant services of life. Real wol'lihip is indeed rare. Il. THI!: BEAL ENTBANCB into man's higher sphere of being. "Immediately [ atraight- way] I was in the Spirit," It is nggest.ed that this higher life, this supermllndane world, is entered by the Spirit. • Flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." There are two ways by which man can enter the invisible. .1. By the effort, o/ the imw,ination. 'l'he whole scene before 118 is evidently the product of t h e ~ a. tv.1-lL] THE BEVBLATIOlf., OP ff. JOBN: TD DIVIN& Ml