The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 198

utterance of prayer and the declaration of Divine truth. Now, God desires such response: 1. In worship. "Let all the people say, Amen." It is the people's word; was so not alone in the Jewish Church, but in the Christian as well. Hence St. Paul pleads for the use of plain language in worship, so that the unlearned may be able to say "Amen" at the giving of thanks. .And in the early Church the acts of the pre- sidina minister were not deemed complete without tho assent of the people in their louJly expressed "Amen." Especially was this so in thanksgiving at· the Lord'ij Supper. The whole congregation so said" Amen" that it was as a shout or cheer, and was heard far off, and like a peal of thunder reverberating through the spacious church. But it is the inward assent and response that is craved; the outward goes for very little if this be lacking. And bow can it be present when we allow ourselves-as so many do-in listlessness and inattention and indifference? But if it be present, how precious, how uplifting, how full of help, that worship becomes to those who unite in it I Let us hold down our minds, and as Abraham drove away the birds -which sought to devour his sacrifice, so let us drive away those flitting, wandering thoughts which are ever on the wing, and which destroy our sacrifice of prayer or praise. But in order to this inward assent and response, there must be like faith. If I do not believe in God as the heavenly Father, as my Father, how can I say "Amen" to prayer addressed to him? If I regard the Lord Jesus as no more than a noble-hearted and saintly Jew, how can I prostrate myself in worship at his feet? But the chief hindrances to this inward response are not those of the intellect, but of the heart. It is not because we come to the house of God with our minds cobwebbed and confused with doubt, but rather because we come with hearts absorbed with worldly things, that the " Amen " God desires is not forthcoming, though our lips may loudly say, '' Amen." What a falsehood the word becomes when our hearts are not in it I 2. In regard to the declara- tion of truth. It is given when the word comes with power. As when Chrysostom preached, the multitudes who thronged the vast church could not restrain themselves irom shouts and cries and tears, so greatly were they moved. And the preaching of even false doctrine, as in the mosque at Mecca-so it bas been related-yet when the people heartily believe, they are greatly moved by it, and break forth into loud cries of '' Amen, amen 1" under the spell of the preacher's voice, and by the ·power over them of the doctrines he and they alike believe. But God desires this response in regard to his truth; and again and again it bas been given. At Pebtecost; at Philippi, where the Lord opened the heart of Lydia, and then of the jailor; at Corinth, where Paul tell1 how unbelieving men came into the assembly, and, under the prophetic word, were convinced, and fell down and confessed the presence of God in their mid:!t. But oh for much more of such response! As worship is no good without it, so neither is preaching, and nothing can compensate for it or be put in its place. , II. SrnoERI'l'Y 1s ESSENTIAL IN ALL oUR APPBOA0HEB TO Goo. The word "Amen" comes from one which signifies "that which is reliable, that which can be trusted," as the ·massive foundation-stone, the strong pillar, or other such sure ~upport. O11r Lord declares of himself," I am the Truth;" and St. John tells of him as" the Amen," which means the same. And St. Paul tells how all God's promises are "Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus." And before bis most weighty words our Lord was wont to utter his "Amen, amen," which in our versions is rendered "Verily, verily." At the end of the books of the Bible it is generally found, and everywhere it is the attestation of the truth of what has been or is to be said. And at the end of our prayers, it is as if we protested, "Lord God, I mean this." Formerly men headed their wills with the words, "In the name of God, Amen." But the meaning is ever the same-a declaration of truth and sincerity in regard to that which it precedes or follows. And hence our being commanded to say "Amen" shows God's demand for sincerity. They who worship him must worship him in truth. It is like signing our nam~ thing we are very careful about in our secular affairs, knowing the responsibility it involves, Would that we were similarly thoughtful when we utter, as we often do, this solemn word "Amen 1' I Ill CHRIST IS-THE ALONE GUARANTEE AND PLEDGE OF SUCOESB. For" Amen .. is one of Christ's own names. 'l'he word was ever on his lips, and he is "the Amen.• And his love and power lie underneath and behind it wherever it is sincerely uttered. It is a virtual calling upon him for his help-a call be will not disdain, If he be 222 1.l'HE REVl\:tATiON OF ST. J.>HN THE DIVINE. [ea. vtt.1-,l'f.