The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 361

will finally sep11rats the righteous and the wicked. " 1 Here, however, we meet (shall we say unexpectedly?) with a .gracious word of monition, in ver. 15. As a writer 1 atrikingly says, "Suddenly the Spirit takes the reader aside, and whispers, 'Behold, I come quickly,'" etc. Thus we gather that this final struggle is to precede the oomlng of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so we are taught (1) that the issue of that struggle is .clearly seen; and (2) that, let it come when it may, our life-work is perfectly olear. In anticipation of his coming we are to watch; we are not to take off our garments u if preparing for repose. but we are to stand" with our loins girded about, and our lights burning." We are to be rea.dy at a moment's notice for any duty that may be required. Hence we ha.ve a theme as plain and practical as any other part of the Word of God aupplies. l. WHATEVER MAY HAVB BEEN THE TROUBLES AND CONll'LIC'l'S OP THB ClruRCH OJ' GoD IN THE PAST, SEVERER ONES ABE YET IN THB DISTANOB. Even if this were not irldicated here, it would be clear from other parts of Scripture. The P3table of the wheat and the tares would, indl,ed, involve all this. For if both are growing, that means that the good will get better, and the bad worse; thus antagonisms will become sharper, and conflicts fiercer and more daring. II. ALREADY TO CHRISTIAN, FAITH AND. HOPE THJB FINAL CONFLior OF EVIL D REPRESENTED as "that great day of God Almighty." It will be a day in which the old word concerning human agency shall again bo accomplished, "Howbeit he meaneth not so" (I;;a. L 7). Man means one thing; God intends and fulfils another, The outcome of the whole will be as the pr<>phet. declares, " 'l'hen shall ye return. aod discern· between the righteoua and the wicked, bet.ween him that 11erveth God. and him that serveth him not." III. Tall OBISIS HERE I:NDIOATED WILL PBEOEDB THE COMING OP THB So:S.Ol!' Go». (Ver. 15.) We cannot doubt who the speaker is tha~ says," Behold, I come as a thief.'' "He is coming" is, indeed, the thesis of the entire Apocalypse. He will oome: 1. To oonswne e.'il. 2. To complete his reign of righteousness, by consummating the kingdom of grace and ushering in the kingdom of glory. 8. To make his people glad in him. " When Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also be manifested with him in glory." IV. CERTAIN EVENTS KAY HERALD BIB APPROAOH, BU'l' YET BIB AOTUAL COXING WILL BE "AS A THIEF." 'l'his is the repeated teaching of the Word of Q:od. It will beat the last m"ment.sudden. "As it W&!I in the days of Noah, so also shall the eoaung of the Son of man llC." There are obvious reasons for this. Did we know precisely the moment, such knowledge would instantly paralyze society. Our Lord mtends that the· break-up of things should be instantaneous. A sudden stop will be put t.o the world's machinery. . V. 1N VIEW OF '!'BIB ISSUE-cEBTAIN ·JN FACT, '!'BOUGH Ul'IOER'l'AIN AS TO TIMII- WE ARE TO XEEP ·ON 'l'HE WATOH. We are to be r~y for the last. moment by being ready at every moment. It is not in perpetually rushing t.o the door and peeping out to see if tbe master is near, that a servant's readiness for him consists; but in eo . attending to every duty that, let him come when he may, he finds the house in perfect, order, awaiting his return. VI. CoNSBQUENTLY, BEING ON THB WATOH MEANS STANDING BEADY TO DO .A.NT DUTY WHATEVER, THE XOM&NT IT IS BEQUIRED. When a soldier eulisted in tlie Roman army, he had, before the tribune, to take a triple oath, viz.: (1) 'l'hat ha would do whatever he was called on to do. (2) 'fhat he would be rea.dy at; any moment, (3) That be would never leave the army without the commander's consent. Thie triple oath was called sacramentum. Hence our word "sacrament" 1-the believer'• military oath of obedience to the great Commander. "Think not of rest: though dream• be sweet, Start up, and ply your heavenward feet. Is not God'1 oath upon your hee.d, Ne'er to eink h!Mlk on slothful bed, 1 • Speaker's Commentary,'.,,. loo.; ao also Dr. Oarpenter, • L Williams, quoted in' Speaker's Commentary.' .. • A different 1LOOOunt of this word is given by 1JOme; but the one given above lllOlt eom, meads it.aelf to ua. · ID AO:I THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. (OB. xvr. 1-21.