CHAPTER V.

A SERENE and solemn contemplation of this theatre of heavenly visions, ought to convince every reflecting mind of its Divine origin. The spiritual sensibility excited by this view, far surpasses all, which the most pompous scenery of Greek or Roman poets could ever produce. Behold the appearance of God in powerful majesty, seated on his throne of government, in the midst of refulgent flashes of lightnings, thunderings, and voices: attended by the four Living Beings as ministers of state, under the symbols of royal boldness, indefatigable activity, prudence, and heavenly-mindedness, and furnished with wings, and thousands of eyes, to observe and execute the Divine mandates:-Their attitude; standing before the throne, penetrated with reverence:-the sea of electrum, forming a spacious circuit before Jehovah, in which the seven flames of fire, waving immediately over its surface, reflect their glorious light, and every other object in heaven, as in a mirror-around this sea twenty-four thrones, on which sit his royal subjects, perfected saints:-and the whole surrounded by many millions of angels-all these engaged in rapturous songs of praise-in acclamations of holy, holy, holy! what a glorious scene! what terrible majesty!

Although this vision is an emblematical representation of the Church of God on earth; yet, I have no hesitation to say, that these sublime symbols may also represent real objects in the intellectual world. For after God has accom

plished all his divine purposes on earth, this world will be a perfect resemblance of heaven. But what convinces my mind most, is a comparison of this vision with that recorded in Ezekiel, chapt i. and x: with that of Isaiah vi; and with that which Moses beheld on the Mount, Exod. xxv. 40. Hebrews viii. 5; according to which he constructed the tabernacle, and all the holy instruments and vessels appertaining to its service, which St. Paul informs us, were only the shadow and example of heavenly things. This St. Paul could say, from having been an eye-witness, after he was caught up to a view of heaven and paradise, where also he saw these archetypes of all the machinery in the Old Testament dispensation, though perhaps only in a partial view. But a more minute elucidation of these objects in that respect, would, I presume, be visionary, and of little benefit to many readers.

This chapter now, commences the Revelation of the mystery of God to his Church. These great personages rise, one after the other to the theatre of action, till at certain interesting nodes, all the powers of heaven and hell are engaged in the prosecution of their different views. But the Lamb of God, which here receives his commission in a book from the throne, exercises his authority in many direful conflicts against the powers of darkness, and appears at last as supreme Ruler of the world, adorned with many crowns, as conqueror of all his enemies. Verse 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

He that sat on the throne is here represented, as administering the government of the world and the Church to that period of time. Until then He held the book in his hand-then Jehovah gave the Revelation to Jesus Christ, chap. i. 1; but before that time its contents were not known to the angels in heaven, neither to the Son, but to the Father only. Mark xiii. 32. His right hand denotes his all-governing power.

This book

A book written within and on the backside. Is a symbol of the Divine plan of administration, formed by eternal wisdom concerning the government of the world and the Church, until then hidden in the treasures of the Almighty. Deut. xxxii. 34. It appeared to the apostle a long roll of Egyptian paper, or parchment, rolled up in form of a cylinder, to shew that it contains a large account of a long train of events to be accomplished. Whatever concerned the Church, and its members is the several ages of time, was written within this roll; and that which concerned the world and the Roman empire, was contained on the outside. For it regards both the Christian Church and the world.

Sealed with seven seals. To show, that to open this book, it required a person having the command of seven different powers, in reference to the Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; or as seven is the number of fullness and perfection, that it required one, possessed of all power in heaven and earth. The word sealed, here sig nifies that this book of God's decrees, as the rule and measure of his government, was yet unknown and unaccomplished.

Verse 2. A strong angel proclaiming, who is worthy to open? If the human mind could extend its faculties, (if I may be allowed the expression,) to the confines of the material and immaterial world, where the uttermost ends of human thoughts are directed by invisible powers, and all creation by the Divine influence of God-what a scene

of relations and activity would we behold between nature and its God, man and his Creator, the Church militant, and the Church triumphant, and her supreme head. To this sphere the apostle was exalted, and his mind beheld the first avenues, through which this train of human affairs on earth is influenced and directed by heaven. Here a heavenly herald, a strong angel sounds his voice through the three regions of creation, heaven, earth, and Hades, making proclamation: If any person had knowledge, dignity, and power sufficient to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof, that he was desired to come, and to do it! History has recorded the echo of his voice on earth, at the close of the first century. The Christians expected the second advent of the Lord, and the accomplishment of the mystery of God concerning the Church; and now they were cruelly persecuted by Jews and Gentiles, and all began to be seriously alarmed about her future prosperity and continuance. All future prospects seemed involved in profound darkness. Even St. John appears to have suffered by these heart-rending thoughts, on the isle of Patmos. Thus a unanimous and ardent desire arose in the Christian Church for more light and knowledge under this mysterious dispensation or in the words before us, for opening the seals of the book of prophecy, Also both Jews and Heathens were alarmed at the progress of Christianity, and asked their oracles for information. The holy martyrs went with this prayer in their hearts, into the world of spirits; and the consummated saints in heaven asked with this angel, and wishfully waited for the answer. Of this general inquiry and desire, this angel seems to have been the cause and director. What a mighty angel he must be! Perhaps Gabriel, whose very name signifies, the strong and mighty one of God?

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To open the book and to loose the seals thereof. The meaning here is not merely to loose the seals, and to open the book, in order that it might be read. This would have

been no great difficulty with such a roll, as John had seen. No, the import of this proclamation is also emblematical, and in figurative words. The sense is: 1. Who possesses ability and knowledge sufficient to understand the whole plan of administering the goverment of the world and of the Church, as contained in this book of God's decrees, in order to explain it to others, as it is done in the following chapters of the Revelation. 2. Who possesses dignity and power to administer this government, and to execute all these Divine decrees according to this plan of mea, sures, so as to fulfil and accomplish all the prophecies and purposes of heaven. This was the arduous undertaking for the performance of which all creation confessed their inability, None were able!

Verse 4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to

look thereon.

5. And one of the elders saith unto me, weep not : behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.

7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Verse 4. I wept much. So loud did the echo of the angel's voice resound in his soul-so much was he oppressed by the spirit of that time, and the sanguinary persecution under the emperor Domitian-so ardent was his desire for a discovery of the future prospects of the Church, that he wept; because he believed this book contained a revelation of her future destinies, and no man