The Pulpit Commentary — Revelation — Section 422

those which ignorant men confer on their fellow-titles which disgrace alike t,ha donors and the donees! (2) The aRpect he wears, and the followers he cowmand& (a)" His eyes were [are] as a flame of fire" (ver. 12). The eye is the best mirror of the &ml; one glance reveals more of the inner self than the strongest words in the most atllu13nt vocabulary. The eyes of this conquering Hero, riding forth victoriously on hlo1 wh,ite horse, are like a" flame of fire "-all-pure, all-searching, ablaze wit}!. an unquenchable fire. (Ii) "On his head were [are] many crowns (diadems]" (ver. 12). These crow1,s were the emblems of that empire of his, which is coextensive with the universe, and as lasting as eternity. They had names or titles written on them. "He had (bath] a name written, that [which] no man knew [no one knoweth], but ,lle himself" (ver. 12). They had a significance surpassing the interpretation of all minds but bis. He is "the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (c) "He was clothed [arra)ed] with a vesture r~rment] dipped rsprinkled] in blood" (ver. 13). 'l'his is true of a worldly conqueror; ne come~ up from Edom, the scene of the campaign, with .garments '' dipped in blood.'' Of the spiritual warrior, it only expresses the vital expenditure of the strurgle. The very life has been sacrificed to it. As to the followers he commands, who are they? Who are his battalions. in this grand campaign? Who does this majestic Chieftain lead forth to battle? "The •rmies. which were [are] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean" (ver. 14). Who knows the numbers of his armies? They may baffle all arithmetic to calculate; but their moral character is known. "They are clothed in fine linen, white and clean," exquisitely refined and spotlessly pure-sainted men and holy angels. (3) The course he pursn~, and the greatness of his supremacy. "Out of hi1 mouth goetb [pr9C86deth] a ,harp sword, that with it be should smite the nations" etc. (ver. 15). Ilia force is moral. « Out of bis mouth goeth forth a sharp sword." It is not by physical force, such as bayonets, cannons, swords, that be wins his victories; but moral words. His word,i are as a " sharp sword;" they cut down the errors, the wrongs, the miseries, of the race. Mind alone can conquer mind. His force is mighty. " With it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron" (ver. 15). Bow mighty is his word I It creates, sustains, and destroys universes every day. How independent is his course I "He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (ver. 15). In the corresponding expression in Isa. lxiii. 3 it is said," I have trodden the wine-press alone." The "wrath" or the anger of God I What is this" wrath"? Not passion, but principle; not indignation against existence, but antagonism to all the wrongs of existence. Against these wrongs Christ fought alone. "I have trodden the wine-press alone: and of the people theN was none with me." Mark also the great• ness of bis supremncy. "He hath on bis vesture [garment] and on his thigh a name written, King of kings. and Lord of lords" (ver. 16). 'l'here are degrees of authority in the empire of God, one ruling power over another, rising up to the highest heights of being; but Christ is over all, the 'King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords. He is "exalted far above all heavens." There ~e heavens rising above hravens, No astronomy can measure the height of the lowest, the highest transcends all imagina- tion; Christ is far above the highest. All authorities, worlas, systems, laws, events, are under his vast and absolute control. What a benediction to know that he is love. and that he "knoweth our frames, and rememberetb that we are dust" I He knows man, for manhood belongs to his wonderful personality. (4) The war he wages, Rnd the 'llictories he achieves. It is suggested that this war he wages d~eerves the attention of all. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and be cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls [birds] that fly in the midst of [in mid] heaven, Come and gather yourselves [be gathered] together unto the supper [great suppet] of the great God [of God]" (ver. 17). Mark the author of this address. How grand his position I " Standing in the sun." Mrs. Browning, perhaps struck with its sublimity, sings of "God's archangel standing in the sun," wrapped in luminous splendour and exposed to all eyes. How earnest bis effort I "He cried with a loud voice." How vast his audience I "Saying to all the fowls that fly in tbe midst or heaven " ( \·er. 17). The birds are personifications of men-men, perhaps, of genius, ambition, and celerity in movement. But the men, perhaps, especially of martial passion and purpose are meant here; hence the imperial bird. The cruel, ravenous eagle i~ the symbol of war, How strange and startling his summons! "f',0me and gather yo1,1rselves together Ullio "'468 THK BEVELATI()N 01!' ST. JOHN THB DIVll,,"E. [cm. xa. l--2L