pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, trans22 parent as glass. And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine on it; for the glory of God hath enlightened it, 24 and the Lamb is the lamp thereof. And the nations shall walk by the light thereof; and the kings of the earth 25 bring their glory into it. And the gates of it shall not 26 be shut by day: and there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations 27 into it. But there shall in no wise enter into it any thing common, or that worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they who are written in the Lamb's book of life. CHAP. XXII. 1. And he shewed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the 2 throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, is the tree of life, bearing twelve sorts of fruits, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of V. 22. The Lord God and the Lamb are the temple of it-He fills the new heaven and the new earth. He surrounds the city, and sanctifies it, and all that are therein. He is all in all. V. 23. The glory of God-Infinitely brighter than the shining of the sun. V. 24. And the nations-The whole verse is taken from Isa. lx. 3, shall walk by the light thereof-Which throws itself outward from the city far and near; and the kings of the earth-Those of them who have a part there, bring their glory into it-Not their old glory, which is now abolished; but such as becomes the new earth, and receives an immense addition by their entrance into the city. V. 26. And they shall bring the glory of the nations into it—It seems a select part of each nation; that is, all which can contribute to make this city honourable and glorious, shall be found it it; as if all that was rich and precious throughout the world, was brought into one city. V. 27. Common-That is, unholy; but those who are written in the Lamb's book of life-True, holy, persevering believers. This blessedness is enjoyed by those only, and as such they are registered among them who are to inherit eternal life. CHAP. XXII. Ver. 1. And he shewed me a river of the water of life-The ever fresh and fruitful effluence of the Holy Spirit. See Ezek. xlvii. 1-12, where also the trees are mentioned which bear fruit every month, that is, perpetually. Proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb-" All that the Father hath," saith the Son of God, " is mine." Even the throne of his glory. V. 2. In the midst of the street-Here is the paradise of God, mentioned chap. ii. 7-is the tree of life-Not one tree only, but many; every monthThat is, in inexpressible abundance. The variety likewise, as well as the abundance of the fruits of the Spirit, may be intimated thereby. And the leaves are for the healing of the nations-For the continuing their health, not the restoring of it; for no sickness is there. 3 the nations. And there shall be no more curse; but the 4 throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall worship him, and shall see his face, and his 5 name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall be no night there, neither is there need of a lamp, or of the light of the sun; for the Lord God will enlighten them, and they shall reign for ever. 6 And he said to me, These sayings are faithful and true; the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets hath sent his angel, to shew his servants the things which must 7 be done shortly. Behold, I come quickly; happy is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 And it was I John, who heard and saw these things; and V. 3. And there shall be no more curse-But pure life and blessing. Every effect of the displeasure of God for sin, being now totally removed. But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it-That is, the glorious presence and reign of God: and his servants-The highest honour in the universe, shall worship him-The noblest employment. V. 4. And shall see his face-Which was not granted to Moses. They shall have the nearest access to, and thence the highest resemblance of him. This is the strongest expression, in the language of Scripture, to denote the most perfect happiness of the heavenly state, 1 John iii. 2. And his name shall be on their foreheads-Each of them shall be openly acknowledged as God's own property, and his glorious nature most visibly shine forth in them; and they shall reign-But who are the subjects of these kings? The other inhabitants of the new earth. For there must needs be an everlasting difference between those who, when on earth, excelled in virtue, and those comparatively slothful and unprofitable servants, who were just saved as by fire. The kingdom of God is taken by force. But the prize is worth all the labour. Whatever is high, lovely, or excellent, in all the monarchies of the earth, is altogether not a grain of dust, compared to the glory of the children of God God is not ashamed to be called their God, for whom he hath prepared this city. But who shall come up into this holy place? They who keep his commandments, ver. 14. V. 5. And they shall reign for ever and ever-What encouragement is this to the patience and faithfulness of the saints? That whatever their sufferings are, they will work out for them an eternal weight of glory? Thus ends the doctrine of this Revelation, in the everlasting happiness of all the faithful. The mysterious ways of Providence are cleared up, and all things issue in an eternal Sabbath, an everlasting state of perfect peace and happiness, reserved for all who endure to the end. V. 6. And he said to me-Here begins the conclusion of the book, exactly agreeing with the introduction, (particularly ver 6, 7, 10, with chap. i. 3,) and giving light to the whole book, as this book does to the whole Scripture. These sayings are faithful and true-All the things which you have heard and seen, shall be faithfully accomplished in their order, and are infallibly true. The Lord, the God of the holy prophets-Who inspired and authorized them of old, hath now sent me his angel, to shew his servants-By thee, the things which must be done shortly-Which will begin to be performed immediately. V. 7. Behold, I come quickly-Saith our Lord himself, to accomplish these things. Happy is he that keepeth-Without adding or diminishing, ver. 18, 19, the words of this book. V. 8. I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel The very same words occur ch. xix. 10. The reproof of the angel likewise, See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, is expressed in the very same terms as before. May when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship at the 9 feet of the angel who shewed me these things. But he saith to me, See thou do it not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them who keep 10 the sayings of this book; worship God. And he saith to me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: 11 the time is nigh. He that is unrighteous, let him be unrighteous still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and 12 he that is holy, let him he holy still. Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to render to every 13 one as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Happy are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in by 15 the gates into the city. Without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolators, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent my angel to testify to you, to the it not be the very same incident, which is here related again? Is not this far more probable, than that the apostle should commit a fault again, of which he had been so solemnly warned before? V. 9. See thou do it not-The expression in the original is short and elliptical, as is usual in shewing vehement aversion. V. 10. And he saith to me-After a little pause, Seal not the sayings of this book-Conceal them not, like the things that are sealed up. The time is nigh, wherein they shall begin to take place. V. 11. He that is unrighteous-As if he had said, The final judgment is at hand; after which the condition of all mankind will admit of no change for Unrighteous-Unjustified; filthy-Unsanctified, uuholy. ever. V. 12. I, Jesus Christ, come quickly-To judge the world; and my reward is with me-The rewards which I assign both to the righteous and the wicked are given at my coming; to give to every man according as his work-His whole inward and outward behaviour, shall be. V. 13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last-Who exist from everlasting to everlasting. How clear, incontestable a proof does our Lord here give of his divine glory! V. 14. Happy are they that do his commandments-His who saith, I come. He speaks of himself, that they may have right-Through his gracious covenant, to the tree of tife-To all the blessings signified by it. When Adam broke his commandment, he was driven from the tree of life. They who keep his commandments, shall eat thereof. V. 15. Without are dogs-The sentence in the original is abrupt, as expressing abhorrence. The gates are ever open; but not for dogs: fierce and rapacious men. V. 16. I Jesus have sent my angel to testify these things-Primarily to you, the seven angels of the churches; then to those churches, and afterwards to all other churches in succeeding ages. I, as God, am the root, and source of David's family and kingdom; as man, am descended from his loins. I am the star out of Jacob, Numb. xxiv. 17, like the bright morning star, who put an end to the night of ignorance, sin, and sorrow, and usher in an eternal day of light, purity, and joy. VOL. II. FF churches, these things. I am the root and the offspring 17 of David, the bright, the morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that thirsteth, come: let him that willeth, take the water of life freely. 18 1 testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man add to them, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book. 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part of the tree of life, and the holy city, which are written in this book. 20 21 He that testifieth these things, saith, Yea, I come quickly. Amen: Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. V. 17. The Spirit and the Bride-The Spirit of adoption in the bride, in the heart of every true believer, says, with earnest desire and expectation, Come, and accomplish all the words of this prophecy; and let him thirsteth, come-Here hey also who are farther off are invited: and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life-He may partake of my spiritual and unspeakable blessings; as freely as he makes use of the most common refreshments; as freely as he drinks of the running stream. V. 18, 19. I testify to every one, &c. From the fulness of his heart the apostle utters this testimony, this weighty admonition, not only to the churches of Asia, but to all who should ever hear this book. He that adds, all the plagues shall be added to him; he that takes from it, all the blessings shall be taken from him. And doubtless this guilt is incurred by all those, who lay hindrances in the way of the faithful, which prevent them from hearing their Lord's words, I come, and answering, Come, Lord Jesus. This may likewise be considered as an awful sanction given to the whole New Testament; in like manner as Moses guarded the law, Deut. iv. 2, and xii. 32, and as God himself did, Mal. iv. 4, in closing the canon of the Old Testament. V. 20. He that testifieth these things-Even all that is contained in this book, saith, for the encouragement of the church in all her afflictions, Yea-Answering the call of the Spirit and the bride, I come quickly: to destroy all her enemies, and establish her in a state of perfect and everlasting happiness. The apostle expresses his earnest desire and hope of this, by answering, Amen: Come, Lord Jesus. V. 21. The grace-The free love, of the Lord Jesus, and all its fruits, be with all, who thus long for his appearing! It may be proper to subjoin here a short view of the whole contents of this Book. In the year of the world, 3940. Jesus Christ is born, three years before the common computation. In that which is vulgarly called, the thirtieth year of our Lord, Jesus Christ dies: rises: ascends. A. D. 96. The Revelation is given: the coming of our Lord is declared to the seven churches in Asia, and their angels, Rev. i. ii. iii. 97, 98. The seven seals are opened, and under the fifth the Chronos is declared, Seven trumpets are given to the seven angels, C. iv.-vi. C. vii. viii. * Century, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, the trumpet of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th angel, C. viii. 510-589 The first wo, 589-634 The Interval after the first wo, 634-840 The second wo, 800 The beginning of the non-chronos: many kings 840-947 The interval after the second wo, Ch. ix. Ch. ix. x. 847-1521 The 1260 days of the woman, after she had brought forth the man-child, 947-1936 The third wo, 1058-1836 The time, times, and half a time, and within beast, his forty-two months, his number 666, War with the saints, the end of the chronos, An everlasting Gospel promulgated. 1209 1614 1810 1832 1836 C. xii. 6. ver. 12. that period, the to Ch. xiii. 5. Ver. 7. Ch. xiv. 6. The end of the forty-two months of the beast; after which, and Babylon Ch. xv. xvi. Ch. xvii. xviii. The beast ascends from the bottomless pit, Afterward The loosing of Satan' for a small ́time; the beginning of the 1000 years reign of the saints; the end of the small time, The end of the world; all things new, Ch. xx. Ch. xx. xxii. The several ages from the time of St. John's being in Patmos, down to the present time, may, according to the chief incidents mentioned in the Revelation, be distinguished thus: Age II. The destruction of the Jews by Adrian, III. The inroads of the barbarous nations, IV. The Arian bitterness, V. The end of the western empire, VI. The Jews tormented in Persia, VII. The Saracen cavalry, VIII. Many kings, Ch. viii. ver. 7. ver. 8. XIII. War with the saints, XIV. The middle of the third wo, XV. The beast in the midst of his strength, XVI. The Reformation; the woman better fed, XVII. An everlasting gospel promulgated, XVIII. The worship of the beast and of his image, ver. 10. ver. 12. Ch. ix. 1. ver. 13. Ch. x. 11. Ch. xii. 5. ver. 12. Ch. xiii. 1. ver. 5. ver. 7. Ch. xiv. 6. ver. 9. O God, whatsoever stands or falls, stands or falls by thy judgment. Defend thy own truth. Have mercy on me and my readers! To thee be glory for ever! |