The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 306

enemies.'" 5. His m(ssion wlll ultimately p,'0116 seTJ-rulnou,. "He that leadeth into [if any man is for] captivity shall go into captivitr [into captivity he goeth]" (ver, 10). Here is the principle of retribution attested by al human experience and philosophy, and felt to be juet. .. He that killeth [if any man shall kill] with the eword muet be killed" (ver.10). This applies to Sa.tan; he brings men into captivity, and into oaptivity ehall he one day go. Sin is suicide, wrong is self-destructive, In every act the devil performs, he is forming a link in that adamantine chain tbat shall bind him, not merely for a thoUll8Ild years, but for ever.-D. T. Ver. 8.-0hrlse sa,crificed in eternity. "The Lamb slain from the foundation of tu world." From this wonderful declaration we conclude- !. TJu.T THE THINGS THAT ABE TO HAPPEN IN THE UNIVERSE DI TBB KOST DIB- 'J.'ANT J'UTURE .A.BE TO Gon AB ll'AOTS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED, As a fact in this world's history the crucifixion of Christ was enacted about eighteen centuries ago, and yet here it is declared to have occurred before all time, before any creature existed, when he lived alone in the solitudes of eternity, Two things are here disclosed: 1. .7Vial God', intelligenr,a is infinite. He knows not only all that has been, and all that is, but all that ever will be. All the generations that a.re yet to appear on this earth, with their commerce. politics, literature, religions, are facts to him. All the worlds and system■ which are yet to be launched into immensity are to him realities. The slaying of Christ on Calvary was a fact to him ages before his purpose became realized t(! men. • Eternity, with all its years, Stands open to thy view: To thee, great God, there's nothing old a.ppean 1 To thee there'• nothing new."· 2. TAal <Joa', purpoBea are t,mfrustratable. Christ's death was according to God's eternal decree. l t was his "determinate counsel," and after millions of ages it was accomplished. What God has purposed must come to pass-the conversion of the world, the resurrection of the dead, tlie transactions of the judgment-day, etc., all 61'8 inevitable things. "Heaven and earth shall pass away." lL THAT SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE I8 AN ETERNAL PBINOIPLB Il!I THE OREATIOlf. Here it is in the mind of God before all worlds. Christ was slain before the " foundation of the world." Self-sacrificing love is a. new and a. rare thing to us, the men of this little planet, because we have fallen from the eternal order of things, but it is an old and common principle in God's creation. 1. It i• the root of the u.niver,e. What is the creation but love going forth in infinite gifts? Every life that breathes, every plant that blooms, every star that shines, is a gift of love. 2. It is typified ,n all material existences. Where is there a thing to be found throughout the vast domain of nature that is made for itself? All existences work, live, and die for the good of othera. '' The several kingdoms of nature depend on and, therefore, help each other. The mineral is the solid basis on which is spread out the vegetable-the body that ita Testure clothea. The v.egetable directly nourishes the animal. The tree does not grow for iteelf; it cradles the birds, and feeds animated races, and shades .the traveller until he blesses it. Of all the thousand and ninety species of plants that botany has classified, not one, from the vast oak to the weed that springs out of its mould, and the moss that clings to it• bark, but taxes its appointed place in a related family. The atmosphere would lose it■ salubrity but for the salt and bitter sea. The ground would catch no fertilising streams if the clouds did not kindly drop them from the sky. The flowers wait for the falling light before they unveil their beauty. All growing things are buttressed up by the va~ ribs of everlasting granite that sleep in sunless caverns. Heat, electricity, magnetism, attraction, send their subtle powers through nature, and play through all i¥ works, as unseen and silent as the Eternal Spirit th~ bear witness of. Everything helps, and everything is helped." 3. It agrees with t'Jw moral constitution of &Ae IOUl. The aoul is so formed : (1) That it can recognize nothing morally praiseworthy that does not spring from it. Disinterestedness must be the soul of any conduct it can heartily commend. · (2) Its conscience can approve of no act of ita own that is not inspired by it. Our consciences have not a single smile for the a.va.ricioua and self- aeeking. (3) lta happinesl oan only be realized as it i& controlled by it.. " Be LbM 846 THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. (ou. xiv. 1-20,