The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 313

even .any sinfulness of nature out of which aught that is corrupt can arise, . Not one inferior motive mars their actions; not one waste by-thought intrudes into their devotion. Nor is there the least wish or thought but such as is perfectly in harmony with the will of him who sits upon the throne. 2. The-re ar8 no infirmities of nature. Those frailties which, though not sinful, yet may be the inlets of sin into a disordered constitution, and may make it more difficult to resist evil, are done away. Here the physiological accidents of our birth are perpetually telling on us, causing each of u■ to be surrounded by an easily besetting sin, -and making it hard to withstand temptation. The eye, the ear, the hand, the foot, yea, any member of the body, may be an occasion or a vehicle of wrong, But in the redeemed oµ high, all this is for ever done away. Tme, this is only the negative side of their character. Only the negative I 1:Uessed would it be if we could present such a negation! In consequence of this, however-because there is nothing to repress the growth or manifestation of what i11 Divine-the image of God in them must needs be seen in its perfection. Not that each one will be equally developed. There will be many a :fiower whose opening has been retarded by chilly winds and adverse weather, and that has been waiting for eternity's sun to shine upon it ere it opened its petals at all. Besides, there must be different stages of growth, etc. " One ste.r differeth," etc. Remembering this, let us glance also at the positive aide of their character. Their judgment is sound. Their perceptions are clear. They see • light in God's light, Every perception of truth is attended with corresponding emotion, and every recognition of duty is followed by corresponding action. Every determination of the will is "holiness unto the Lord." Their work for God is as perfect as their wills are pure. Their social life is all that it should be. Intense sympathy with each other's joys marks them all. Benevolenoo moves the heart to kindly willing, and beneficence prompts the hand to kindly action; while the sense of a common obligation to a redeeming Lord causes them to unite in the "new song" with rapturous and transcendent joy. But, ah I what pen can sketch the life of beings so perfectly Divine? All that we can say is poor. We can conceive more th-an we can say. But the one touch of our text suggests that which surpasses alike word and thought-they are without fault I II, TBB PASSAGE SHOWS THE CONNECTION BETWED THEIR PRESEN'l' FAULTLESSNESS AND THEIB EARTHLY LIFB. This it does in two ways. It shows us: 1. Goa's work/or and on them. (1) They were purchased (ver. 3; cf. eh. v. 9, 10; Titus iii. 5; 1 Pet. i 18, 19; eh. vii. 14). (2) They were begotten (ver, 8); "purchased to b6 the :first- fruits," etc. (of. Jas, i.18), (3) They were sealed (ver.1, "his name ••• written," etc.). 'l'his is the triple order of the Divine work in every case (Eph. i. 13, 14). The sealing marks them (a) as God's own, (b) as the object of God's care, (c) as having forthwith on their forefront the badge of service. Their constant motto is, "Whose I am, and whom I serve." There is also indicated : 2. Their work for God, (1) Ackuqwledged devotion to God and his cause. The seal on their foreheads, while graven by God, is also a visible and constant pledge of loyalty and fidelity to him. 'Secret discipleship is not the law of Christian life. Men are to say, "I am the Lord's." (2) Avoidance of sin. They stand in contrast from those named in vers. 9-11; and are those specified in eh. xv. 2. They have gained the victory over (a.) Satan; (b) the first beast, or worldly pomp; (c) the second beast, or ecclesiastical show; (a) all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (ver. 4). (3) "Following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." These aa the men. There is no mistaking them; their marks are plain enough. They stand out from the crowd while on earth, and in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation shine as lights in the world. The Word of God abideth in them, and they overcome the wicked one. Surely it is natural to expect for such a continuity of life. Theirs is just the life which may well give promise of emerging out of the great tribulation to the calmer scenes above. It is by no "sudden strange transition," by no leap from complacent impurity to spotlessness, that they find them- selves there. Ahl no. Their being without fault is but the completion of a work which was going on here; it is a receiving the last finishing touch and fmpreu of the Spirit's ll68l That last impress stamped out the marks of the last sin. IIL SUCH SCENES AB TRKBB SHOULD HA.VB OVEB US AN ELEVATIM l'OWBL 1. The very fact t,f such a.n issue being set before us as the rightful goal of the individual life Is of itll8lf an ennobling of human existence. There is, it may freely be oonfessed, oo. UY.1-20.) THE REVELATION, OF ST•. JOHN THE DIVINB. 353