DOPE. It is a spring of pure consolation. The Divine warrant of safety each belie_ver may ever carry with him. The cruelties of men may bring him suff'ering, but not the judgments of God. Ever may the disci_ples know that when the Lord proceeda to judgtlltmt he will first sea.I hi11 own.-R. G. Vera. 9-13.-'17ie Ohurch triumphant. The comfort of the former vision_ ls heightened by a subsequent one. The host of God is sea.led. Safety amidst judgment is pledged. But greater things are reserved. The holy seer is permitted to witnellB the Church in its final triumph. · . I. THE FIN.!.L TRIUMPH.I.NT BOST 18 tNNl:tHERABLE, The former vision was limited. definite. It prepared the way for a larger view. The "little flock" has grown into an innumerable company. This is the true answer to the question, hitherto unanswered, "Lord, are there few thst be saved ? " To a Church in its incipient condition a small and feeble folk: in the midst of ungodly thousands, the vision of a final host beyond count is of the utmost comfort. It has ever been so. IT, THE FINALLY TRIUMPHANT CBUROH 18 REPRESENTED IN ITS WIDE OOHPREHEN• 8101!1, It is "out of every nation," This is the true vision to be held before the ey1l& of the Church in her missionary labours. All tribes and all peoples and all tongues shall be finally found amongst the faithful and'elect children. III. THE TRIUHPHAN'l' CHURCH 111 EXALTED TO THE tJT)[OST HONOUR, They stand "before the throne and before the Lamb." Thus ia indicated their individual rooogni- , tion; thus is fulfilled the word of their Lord's promise. IV. THE CHURCH 18 REPRESENTED IN ITS FINAL SANCTITY-" arrayed in white robes "-AND INVESTED WITH THE SYMBOLS OF TRIUMPHANT EXALTATIOJ!I-" palms in their hands." V. THE VISION REVEALS THE REDEEMED BOST ASORffilNG ITS REDEMPTION TO GoD Al!ID THE LAMB. It is the becoming burden of the eternal song. All is " of him!' VL THE CHURCH OF EARTH IS FOUND IN ALLIANCE WITH THE ANGELIC HOST OF BEAVEN. ".All the angels were standing round about the throne." VII. THE UNITED CHOIRI! OF EARTH -AND HEAVEN ASCRmE TOGETHER ALL GLORY, B.OBOUB, HIGHT, .IIAJEBTY, AND DOMINION UNTO GoD ll'OR EVER Al!ID EVEII. Nothing more likely to comfort and uphold the Church struggling in the waves of bit.ter cruel persecution than this gracious vision. To the Church in all age11 this has been the lofty reach of joyful anticipation.-R. G. ··
Vera. 13-17..:...The eternal blessedness. The vision is yet heightened. .A further brightness overspreads the scene. The comfort of hope is yet expanded. Arrested by ~ne of the elders, the seer low lily refrains from declaring who constitute the triumphant hoat, and receives the consoling assurance that they are from the fields of earthly •ufi'ering, toil, and danger. They are now exalted fa.r above all worldly power. 'l'he final blessedness of the righteolll! is- . I. BLEl!SEDNESS FOR WlllOH THEY ARE PREPARED BY EARTHLY TRIBULATION, Even the rugged ways of earthly obedience lead to heaven's gates. But all toil and tribula- tion are o'er• . IL The final blessedness is BAl!ED ON AN ATTAINED SANCTITY, "They have washed theil.' robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." III. This blessedness INCLUDES : 1. Recognition. They are "before the throne of God." 2. Perpetual service. They serve God "day and night in his temple!'· 8. They enjoy the perfect protection of the Divine presence. "He that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tahernacle over them." IV. IT SEOUBEB THEM EXEHPTIOJ!I FROM THE BORROW!! OF THE EARTHLY LIFE. "They hunger no more, neither thirst any more," nor shall the sun or any heat strike upon them. V, THR PINAL BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS HAS ITS FRUITION IN A GBAOIOUS . .ALLIANCE WITH THE gTERNAL. 'l'he Lamb" shall be their Shepherd," and shall guide them to the perpetual fountains of life and felicity; and God shall himself exempt them from all further sorrow or suffering. He "shall wipe away every tear from their eyes." Thus every trace of the tribulation of earth shall be removed; and blessednea1r r,f the highest possible character shall be the final lot of them who now endure for au. Tit. 1-17.] THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. 22q