The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 411

Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea., Persia, Greece. Rome bath gone also since then. And as earthly crowns one by one are falling from kingly brows, he to whom the globe belongs shall bear the glory._ The glory of Egypt is gnne; but the men of Egypt shall riBe again, and crown him Lord of all. So with other rea.lms, empires, nations. All worldly glory must depart, to reappear no more, save as all honour gathers round his majestic brow. .The world's crown is waitir.g for Jesus I From every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue, men shall ex.cla.im- " Take the kingdom, it is thine, King of kings, and Lord of lords I " IV. BY WHAT BETBODI DOTH CHRIST BRING THIS ABOUT? Andrew Faller remarks, " Christ's war is of a twofold kind-spiritual ••• and providential." This is true. And though we need not regard the symbolism of this passage ea a complete indication of the methods of Christ, yet there are three methods specified here. 1. By the BWC>rd, which may signify (1) judgment, and also (2) the Word which goeth forth out of his mouth. In fact, both (1) and (2) may blend as one, as the Word of his month is livini,; and mi_1hty, and sharper than any two-bladed sword; this is the rod of his strength. The "sword of the Spirit is the Word of God." 2. By the armies of heaven. Some take these to be the glorified saints; others, the angels. But seeing this is a vision of a conflict which is to take place on earth, it would seem to be more in accordance with the analogy of Scripture and with the natnre of the case, to regard these armies as the friends of the Saviour, who, first redeemed by him, afterwards co-operate with him, going forth under his direction to pursue the holy war. 'l'hus they may include (I) believers on earth; (2) departed saints; (3) angels, who minister to the heirs of salvation. These, these make up the glorious armies or heaven. All who are working and warring for God are now enrolled therein," clothed in fine linen, white and clean." 3. By stern and terrible judgments. Surely nothing less than this can be intended by the expression (ver. 15), "He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God." Judgment is God's strange work. But when it comes, it will be terrible. " That great and terrible day of the Lord." V. WHAT ARE TRE ISSUES OF THIS HIGBTY CONFLICT? (Vere. 17-21,) These may be grouped around four of the figures employed in the text-the sword, the wine- press, the rod of iron, the lake of fire. All images of terror, because the theme in hand is the Divine triumph over sin; and righteousness must often-perhaps always-have an aspect of terror with reference to sin. Hence the apparent sevetjty of the symbolism. Infinitely pure love m11St be severe upon sin. Sinners may be renewed; sin must be expelled. Euemies may be reconciloo; enmity cannot, And it is sin itself, as the foe alike of God and man, that is ultimately to be put to shame; and so must all who strive against God, and in final impenitence reject his grace. By the sword of judgment they wili be smitten down. As grapes are crushed in the wine-press, so will the enemies of God and the right be crushed. With a rod of iron shall they be ruled and be utterly powerless to resist when he riseth up in his day of final conflict. "The God of peace will bruise Satan under our feet shortly; • "He must reign till he bath put all enemies under his feet." Babylon hath alrea.dy fallen. Next, the first beast is captured and thrown into the lake of fire; the second beast likewise, and they that worship his image. And thus one by one the foes are falling, t.ill all things shall be subdued unto him. The whole creation will acknowledge the equity of the Great Supreme, and whether in joy or terror will own that Jesus Christ is Lord. 'l'hen, then the enemr shall be still as a stone, Temptation shall have sped for ever. "Alleluia I Alleluia the Lord Goo Omnipotent reigneth." 'l'hus have we traced in outline the sketch which the Holy Ghost by the apostle's pen hath given us, of the great Destroyer of evil as he is now enthroned in glory, pre- paring to overturn, and overturn, and overturn, till he shall come, in the glory of his majesty aod might, and claim the kingdom as his own. " What shall we then say to these things? " Note : 1. How gTeat is fM mercy that heaven hath been " opened" for m to haw such visions/ We are not left to the adventurous flights of human specu- lation, nor to the curious varieties of human guessing, nor even to the devout aspiration• of philanthropic zeal. However decidedly any or all of these might tend in one direc- tion, they could not-even if they all coiucided-give us solitl ground on which to re1t -4li8 THB REVELATION OF ST. JOHN TBB DIVINE. (oa. XIL 1--.::21.