The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 213

'.rhis cheering scene having been witneesed, the apostle beholds the opening of the seals resumed-6n indication of the coming of severer woes than any which have been yet recorded. At this stage, however, of the exposition it seems best to lay down the following principle: Whatever Judgments come down upon the region below, they arB uen by the dpostllJ to lHI the consequences of activities in the region above. ' No stroke falls on earth that is not directed from heaven. The two worlds move in concert. The time-accomplishment's of one world correspond to the time-appointments of another. Hence, if there should be a pause in the activities of the higher realm, that would bring about a pause in the movements of the lower. Such a pause in heaven John observes. This would indicate some intervening period of comparative quietude on earth. But what space of time in the revolution of earth's ages those thirty minutes indicated, or what specific epoch of tranquillity upon earth was thereby set forth, it is not possible for us to say. We know only that, while the apostle notes ~ilence above, there is a calm below; and that this calm is but the prelude to a more intense 110tivity than ever. .And thus we have set before us, in unmistakable sym- bolism, this truth-That in the developments q/ God's plans in providence, there ar11 times q/ comparative quietude, during which # seems as if the progress of things was ,tayed awhile. Respecting this, we will ask three questions, which we will endeavour also to answer. . . I. WBAT IS INTENDED WHEN WE SPEAK OF PROGRESS BEING APPARENTLY STAYED? There are in the Word of God great promises and prophecies which open up a glorious vision for the future days. '!'here have been also great events which have excited in the Church of God the strongest hopes, and which ever and anon form a restful back- ground. In the retrospect of mighty wonders in days gone by, God's people take heatt and hope for the days to come (Isa. Ii. 9-11 ). To such periods there succeed long years in which either no appreciable advance is made towards the inbringing of the new heav-ens and the new earth ; or if in one direction some progress appears, in another the cause of righteousness seems checked afresh by new developments of error, folly, and sin. Years on years roll by, our towns and cities grow with accelerating rapidity, and a larger area of dense population becomes an area, l'.IO much the larger, of religious indif- .ference. The prophets of God are crying, "Flee from the wrnth to come." They long. for some manifestation of Divine power to startle man. But no. Man goes on sinning. · .And our God seems a God that" does nothing" (Carlyle). The thunder is rolled up• .The lightning is sheathed. There is a prolonged lull. 'fhere is " silence in heaven." The sceptic makes. use of the quiet11de to ask, "Where is the promise of his coming?,. . The careless one SBtt!es down at his ease, and cries, "The vision that he seeth is for many days to come." Hollow professors desert in crowds, and go over to the ranks of the enemy. Some faint-hearted ones, if they do not hoist the white :B.ag and capitulate, think perhaps their message is over-weighted, and cast some of it away. Others, more loyal, continue to give out the message in its fulness, yet are beginning to tremble. Others, again, make the silence a plea for mightie!' prayer. They cry," It is time for thee, Lord, to work; " ".Arise, 0 Lord, plead thine own cause." And still-:-Btill there 'is "silence in heaven." No voice is heard from the invisible realms to break in upon the steady course of this earth's affairs, or to arouse and convict a slumbering world 1 ·n WHAT DOES THIS SILENCE MEAN P This" silence" is liable to be misinterpreted. Perhaps this is the one fact which is a sorer strain on the faith of believers than any other. .As Faber plaintively moans- " He hides himself so wondrously As if there were no God ; He is least seen when all the-powers Of ill are most abroad." . What does lt mean? 1. Negatively. (1) It does not mean that this world of ours is · ettt. adrift in space, or that the human family are left fatherless and lone. Our Lord Jesus bas given WI too many assurances to the contrary for us to come to such a con- ,elusion. (2) Nor docs it mean that time is being lost in the development of the plans of God. (Jatastrophes are not the only means of progress. There is as real an advance when the tiny blade' is making its way noiselessly through the sod as when the reapers cry, "Jiarvest home 1" (3) Nor does it imply that God is indifferent to the sin  cm. vm. 1-13.J THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. 231