Vers. 9-12.-Puniahment. The punishment threatened upon the worsblppers of "the beast and his image" is represented by imagery of the most truly awful character. What that "beast." is, what is " his image," and what his "worship," are points not to be left in uncertainty; while the terrible denunciations of wrath mnst stand as an effectual warning against any such homage. " The beast" here must represent the utmost spirit of evil-foul, filthy sin. It stands . in opposition to the Lamb, the embodiment of all purity, It is the antagonist, the opposer of all good, whether ideally considered, or as found embodied in Satan-the devil. It is the antithesis vt holiness; it is an active opposition also to all holiness; it is an active opposition to God. The "image" may be any form which this essential evil, this anti-righteous spirit, may assume. The " worship" of such a spirit implies submission to it; a.n affirmation ofits supremacy and worthiness and power; a giving honour to the beast- the honour due to God. What a signal of unfaithfulness, of corruption, of sin! As auch it is punishable with the utmost punishment. The figures in which this awful punishment is represented indicate the keenest severity of suffering. .Ail the worship of the beast indicates the utmost devotion to sinfulness, so the punishment threatened. denotes the utmost suffering. It includes--:- L THB DIRllBT EXPRESSION OF THE DIVINB DISPLEASUBB. The worshipper shall ., drink of the wine of the wrath of God." JL TBE INPLI0'1,'ION OF DIRECT PERSONAL BUl!'l!'ERING, "He shall be tormented wil.b ,fire and brimstone." · IIL AB ESPECIAL AGGRAVATION OF THE BUl!'l!'RRil'IG, It is endured in the presenoe of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. IV. IT IBA STATE OF CEASELESS DISTURBANCE, "They have no rest day nor night.lo V. IT Is UNENDING. "For 11ver.and ever." Let any read this, and say if the co~ aequenees of devotioD. to evil are not in the highest degree dreadful.-R. G.
Ver. 13.-The blessedness of the departed faithful. If' tbe thre!l-teningsor judgment upon the worshippers of the false are motivea to patience and :fidelity, how much more is the promise of a blessed reward! Between these two the tried and persecuted Christian disciple is hedged in. This blessedness is (1) assured by the heavenly proclamation: "a voice from heaven." It is (2) confirmed by the Spirit's testimony: on. uv. 1-20,) THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. 873