every nation], and kindreds [of all tribes], and people, and tongues." A.11 the men of this Parth liave their own little theatres of life and action. 'l'hey are divided by space, by time, by physical relationship, by culture-, by national distinctions, and thus become barbarians one to another. Now, from all these scenes and departments of life the human population in heaven is made up. The human population in heaven is not known as Britons, or Frenchmen, or Germans, etc., nor as those of noble or Ignoble blood, nor as those speaking this language or that, but as one grand confederation and brotherhood, in which all distinctions are lost. Learn here: 1. That -0ur highest aim aliould be to become true men. We should struggle out of social castes, · religious denominationalisms, and national distinctions, and become true men, for these men alone popuhte heaven. 2. That our highest love should 1x, for men. Not love for lord• or ladies, or nobles, or even for sages and poets, nor even for country, but for men; reverence man everywhere, in whatever land we find him, in whatever condition; respect him because he is a man. A true man is the grandest creature under the heavens. Let us all become such, and respect such, and such only. IIL ITB GLORIOUSNESS TRANSCENDS ALL DESORIPTION, "Stood [standing] before the throne, and before the Lamb, clotht-d with [arrayed in] white robes, and palms in their bands." Mark: 1. Their positioo. "Stood [standing] before the throne." 'l'his is an emblematic description of the highest dignity. Moral goodna.~s, and that alone,is Divine dignity. The Divine throne is not material, it is spiritual; it is perfect moral ttr,cell,ence. 2. Their attir~. "Clothed with [arrayed in] white robes." Life e'Verywhere has its robes, its forms; robes which it m&kes for itself, which grow out of itself as foliage out of the vital sap. Souls have their robes, and holy souls have robes white with purity. A.ll their manifestations are pure. 3. Their blessed red. "Palms in their hauds." The palms, Archbishop Trench considers, represents here not emblems of victory, but are emblems of rest.1 IV. ITS ENGAGEMENTS ARE RAPTUROUS IN DEVOTION. "And cried [they cry] with a loud [great) voice, saying, Salvation to [unto] our God which eitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb," etc. No doubt the engagements of this vast human population 1n heaven are very vatied, according to their personal· idiosyncrasies, capacities, and proclivities. But in every department there is worship, the Supreme is adored-adored not formally or perfunctorily, but earnestly; they cry with a loud voice," Salvation I" Restoration from their former earthly condition is the master theme. A.h ! what is included in this salvation ? It is restoration from ignorance to true knowledge, from impurity to holiness, from bondage to soul-liberty, from selfishness to benevolence, from materialism to genuine spirituality, from the reign of wrong to the reign of right. This is the supreme theme of the saved in all worlds imd for ever, and ascribed to Goel and none other in heaven or earth.-D. T. Vera. 13-17.-Tlui human j,opvlati<m in heaven (No. 2). "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" etc. Here is an illustration of three facts in connection with the human population in heaven. ' . I. THEIR EARTHLY LIFE WAS MARKED BY GREAT TRIAL. "A.nd one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? [these which are arrayed in the white robes, who are they?] and whence came they? And ,I eaid [say] unto him, Sir [my lord], thou knowe11t. And he said _to me, These a.re they which came [come) out of [the] great tribulation." A.n elder in those realm&--Struck, it may be, with certain peculiarities in their appearance and worship-puts to John the interrogatory what they were, and whence they came, and the reply be receives iB that they had come out of "great tribulation." Tribulation is the common lot of humanity, and ever the discipline of the good, 1. This should teach us contentment under our trial!!. "No temptation hath happened," etc. 2, 'l'his should inspire us with magnanimity under. our trials. The tribulations are useful Like the gales of the mariner, they bear ns away from scenes on which our heart is set, 'l'he darkest thunder-cloud terri,fies but for an hour; it soon passe3 away, and leaves the air clearer and the heavens brighter than before. H. THEI~ CELESTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PRE-EMINENTLY GLORIOUS. "Have washed 1 Bee volume ohermoll.11 by Archbishop 'l'rench, publillhed by Macmillan; p. 365. • Cl.II. m:r. 1-13.] THE .REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. 229
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Look a.t: 1. 'Their appearance. In white robes, emblems of purity and conquest. 2. Their position. " 'l'hey are before the th_rone." A throne is the emblem of rega.l authority, and before this throne we are always appearing in this life, but we are not conscious of it. 3. Tl,eir employment. "Serve him day and night;" indicating the entire consecm- tion of their time and powers. They serve him in every department of action. Serve him lo'IJingly, wholly, and constantly. 4:. Their companionship. "He that sitteth on the throne shall dweII among [spread his tabernacle over] them." They enjoy intimate commuaion with the Sovereign of all. 5. Their bles,cedness. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; ••• and God shall wipe away all tears." 'l'hey are freed from evil, and brought into the fuII enjoyment of all blessedness. J!I. THE DlFFEREN'CE BETWEEN THE EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY CONDITION IS A!I'TBillU- TABLE TO CHRIST. "They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the' Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne." Three things are implied ; 1. That they were originally pollnte•l. 2. That the self-sacrificing love of Christ has a purifying influence. 3. 'l'bat their cleaming .by this influence had taken place when ·on earth. CONCLUSION. Ma.rk well the " therefore n of the text. Why are men so different in heaven to what they are on earth--in character, circumstances, spirit, different? Not ~ecause of the priestly services of a.ny sect, nor because of their own intellectual attain- ments, but beca.ul!e they have had their "robe11 washed in the blood of the Lamb;" is is because of Christ they are in heaven.-D. T.