Wordsworth, however, accounts ror the mlLI!• hundred furlongs ; a, Jar a, ehuen hundred culine form of the adjective by eupposing Btadia. The Greek stadium is rather less that the writer wiehes to give a stronger than an English furlong, being about llix for&le to the word, and to emphasize the hundred and six English feet; it wu the terrible natme of the wrath of God. We length of the race-course at Olympia, and have the same image in eh. xix. 15, ood it the eighth part of the Roman mile. The seems derived from Isa. lxiii. and Lam. i Hi. "blood," of which the juice of the grape is DesU'Uction by an enemy is alluded to as ~ type, depicts the punishment inflicted. the gathering of grapes in Isa. xvii. 6 and Horse8 seem to be mentioned by proleipsis, Jar. xlix. 9. The text itself explains the in anticipation of eh. xix. H. The descrip- signification of the figure. There seems also tion, of course, implies the terrific nature of BOme reference in the language to those who the punishment-pmbably nothing more. " drink of the wine of the wrath of her In the same way the dislanee mentioned is [Babylon's) fornication" (ver. 8). no doubt intended to denote the extensive Ver. 20.-And the wine-press was trodden nature of the punishment, though why that without the eity, "The city'' is Jerusalem particular number is chosen is not absolutely (of. ver. 1), that is, the Church of God; the clear, Possibly it is derived from the square idea thus being either (I) that the wicked of 4: multiplied by the square of 10; four are punished in a place apart from the just being significant of the created world (see (cf. eh. xxii. 15); or (2) that no unclean on eh. iv. 6), and ten being the sign of thing (e.g. the blood) can enter the city of oompletenell8 (see on oh. xiii. 1); the num- , the saints (of. oh. xxi. 27). And blood came ber thus portraying completeness as rel{Srds out of the wine-press, even unto the horse the created world, and the iuability of any bridles, by tu spaoe of a thouaa~d and six one w eacape God'sjuugmeni.
HOMILETICS. Vers.1-5.-Light-gTearM in the darkness. "Without/ault1" The apostle in this book never keeps us too long in the shade without a break. Just as, after the terrible convulsions depicted in the sixth cliapter, we had the glorious vision of the blest in heaven in that which followed, so it is here. We have watched the working of three of the foes of Gud and of his Church. Now we are bidden to turn our eye upward, and behold again the hundred and forty-four thousand whose blessedness had been already portrayed, ".d.nd I saw "-the formula which introduces a separate vision. "Behold!" -indicating abruptness and surprise. The raging of the dragon and of the two wild beasts is exchanged for the sight of purity and calm. "A Lamb." The Lamb. The Lamb of God. "Standing on Mount Zirm." Mount Zion was where the temple stood. 'l'he old Jewish figure sets forth new Christian realities. "Ye are come unto Mount Zion," etc. (Heb. xii.). "The hundred and forty-four thousand." We have seen them before; we recognize them again. '!'hey are not only seen, but heard (vera. 2, 3). "They sing," etc.-are singing. Their melody and harmony ring in the apostle's ear• .. .d.s it were a new song." Not actually new. It is the old, old song of redemption which is their theme. But their circumstances are so changed that it is sung with new joy, and through endless ages it will be ever new. Only those can learn this song who are redeemed from the earth. It befits only the Church of God ; and not only is their position clearly defined, but their character is definitely given (ver. 4). 'l'here are "more to follow." For these whom the apostle saw are but the "firstfruits." In the fifth verse, however, there is one expression concerning them-a very short one, it is true-so significant, that it attracts us more than all the rest; it ill one on which we love to linger. It is this: "They are without fault." I. LET U8 l!TUDY THIS CHARACTERISTIC 01!' THE SAINTS IN HEAVBN. We say, "in heaven," for there need be no fear as to whether we are right in doing !10. 'l'hey are "redeemed from the earth" (ver. 3): this points to what they were. They are with the Lamb on Mount Zion: this tells us where they are. '!'hey are the "redeemed:" this tells us how they came to be where and what they are. The assertion that they are "without fault " is much more striking than if it had been made by man. It is a phrase inbreathed by the Spirit of God, telling us that in the sight and light of heaven itself they are" faultless," Shall we try and see what a character without flaw would be? The expression must mean: 1, Thal there is nothing wrong in them. Not a ainglti sin dv ilie3 col11l.lli.t, Every wurJ., deed, aud thought is pure. Nor is there 852 THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. [CH. XIV, 1-20.