Chap. 20. 11. up of his Glorious Kingdom (c) Chap 1 7 and Chap. 20. 21. 22. to God and the Father Which Kingdom is the chief Action or End of the Prophecy to which all the other Actions represented in it are conducive and the whole is embelished by many accidental Ornaments as by so many Episodes As by a description of the (a) Chap. 4. Throne of the Majesty of God Songs (b) Chap. 5. chap. 7. 10 c. 11 16. c. 12. 10 c. 14 1. Chap. 15. and 19.1 c. of Triumph Praise and Thanksgiving (c) Chap. 7. 9-17 pre-representations of Christ's Kingdom Christ himself and Angels speaking voices from Heaven together with Thundrings and Lightnings and frequent Interlocutory passages too many to be here particularly mentioned It consists of two Tomes (d) See chap. 4 1. c. 5 1. of Prophecy the former (e) Chap 2. and 3. of which and the more general one may be called the Church-Prophecy the latter (f) Chap. 5. and more particular the Book-Prophecy both reaching from the Resurrection to the same Period of Time and describing the same events but after a different manner the first by Symbols (g) Chap. 2. c. 3. of Churches the latter (h) See Chap. 6. 1. c. by Symbols often taken from the Civil Occurrences of the Roman Empire and from others relating to the Church as Seated in it which principally respect the Affairs of the Church and Kingdom of Christ and yet are taken from civil Occurrences that each event might be the better distinguished as by so many notable Characters of time It begins with a general (a) Chap. 1. 1-12 Preface or Prologue wherein the Epoch (b) Chap. 1. 10. of the Prophecy is setled and the (c) Chap. 1. 5 6 7. Period of it the Kingdom of Christ And it ends with a general Conclusion (d) Chap. 22. 7-21 or Epilogue relating to some of the great events but especially to the Vials Besides the general Preface there are also two Particular ones the one (e) Chap. 1. 11 -20 prefixed to the Church-prophecy in which Christ is represented in a Priestly and Kingly Habit as Supreme Lord of the Church the Epistles are declared to be Mystical and are ordered to be sent to the Churches and their Angels The other (f) Chap. 4. and 5. is placed before the Book-Prophecy in which the Throne of God is described the Divine (g) See page 70. Court of Judicature which is to pass Sentence upon all the Actions in the Prophecy is setled Christ is declared the Supreme Director of them and appears (a) See pag. 83. as ready to receive his Kingdom But because Christ according to the Mysterious Agreement betwixt him and the Father had promised by (b) Dan. 12 7. pag. 83. 87. 112. chap. 10. 6. Oath that the Beast should have his Times therefore is the Book given into his hands Sealed with (c) Chap. 5. and 6. seven Seals which are as so many stops or delays to it and the several openings of them as so many removals of obstacles to it concerning which see Chap. 6. After the opening of the Sixth (d) Chap. 6. 12. c. Seal upon the downfal of Paganism the Succession of a Christian Emperour and the advancement of Christ's Church in the Empire there is given a representation (e) Chap. 7. 9-17 of Christ's Kingdom which as being the cheif end of this Prophecy is always kept in view in it of which the Christian Empire and Church thus advanced were an Emblem But because the Mystery of Iniquity began then to increase therefore (a) Chap. 7. 1-9 Chap. 11. 1. and Chap. 12. are the Servant of God Sealed the Woman prepares for her Flight into the Wilderness the Worshippers begin to retire into the Temple and the Witnesses prepare to put on their Sack-cloath which Visions are cotemporary and parallel and not long after are Persecuted by the (b) Chapters 11. c. 12. c. 13. c. 17. Beast which carries the Woman A pure Church being Sealed i. e. (c) See on Chap. 7. 3 4. Chap. 8. 1 -6 covered and secured amidst the growing Corruptions and the Seventh (c) See on Chap. 7. 3 4. Chap. 8. 1 -6 Seal being opened at the final Victory over Paganism by Theodosius there appear at the opening of that Seal on the back-side (d) See on Chap. 5. 1. of the seventh Roll of the Book seven Angels with seven (e) See Chap 8. and 9. Trumpets Symbols of so many Judgments upon the Antichristianizing Church and Empire The Judgments of the four (f) Chap. 8. 6-13 first Trumpets were executed by the Northern Nations which ended in the fall of the Western Emperours and the Succession of the (g) Chap. 9 1. Chap. 13. and 17. 8-13 Papal Empire the Fifth (a) Chap. 9. 3-12 by the Saracens and the sixth (b) Chap. 9. 12-21 by the Turks who destroyed the Antichristian Eastern Empire and still continue as a Wo upon the Western Quickly after the passing of the Mahometan Wo which is the second Wo the Wo of the sixth Trumpet before which (c) Chap. 11. 14. 15. the Witnesses will rise the ten Kings will hate the VVhore the Antichristian Hierarchy will fall and there shall be great Conversions the feventh (d) Chap. 11. 12 c. 17 16. See the Notes on Chap. 18. 21. and last Trumpet sounds out of which there proceed seven (e) Chap. 11. 15. Voices which are the (f) Chap. 14. Voices of the seven Thunders unsealed which were sealed at the beginning of the Reformation described chap 10. and are as so many preparations to the Blessed Millenuium out of the seventh (g) Chap. 14.19 See Notes on chap. 14. 2. of which Voices there issue seven Vials containing the final Judgments upon Antichristianism and all the enemies of Christ's Kingdom raised to Judgment whereupon a Monumental (h) See pag. 329. and chapters 15. 16 18 and 19. Pillar as it were is erected with this Inscription It is done to shew that the Prophecy aims at a certain time of Christ's Victory over his enemies and of his appearing in Glory to his Friends and Servants whereupon also anotner such Inscription is given chap. 21. 6. After the pouring forth of the seventh (a) Chap. 16. 17. Vial the thousand (b) Chapters 20-21 22. years Kingdom of Christ begins which being Expired Satan (c) Chap. 20. 3. is loosed for a little space but the final Judgment comes on at the end of which the Kingdom is (d) Chap. 20 11. delivered up to God And here it is to be observed that because the same things are represented in the Chutch Prophecy and in the Book Prophecy that therefore there are many Synchronisms or Contemporary Visions in this Book And because the Kingdom of Christ and Antichrist are Opposite that therefore there are many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
their agreement with the Christian Church do fall down in great humility and submission before him that sat on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne in token of Subjection and Homage saying 11 Thou art worthy and thou only O Lord to receive the Acknowledgement of Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things by thy Power and for thy pleasure or Will the only Motive to it they are preserved in their Being and were at first created Nehem. 9.6 CHAP. V. The Text. 1 AND I saw in the Right 1 Hand of him that sate on the Throne i. e. of God the Father a 2 Book or Roll Ezek. 2.9 10. written within and on the back-side i. e. containing a long Series of Events 3 sealed with 4 Seven Seals to denote the Obscurity of the Prophecy and the Delay of its Accomplishment Dan. 12.4 Annotations on CHAP. V. 1 God held the Book in his Right Hand to shew his Power and his Readiness to deliver it 2 This Book seems to have consisted of seven several Rolls rolled up into one in the Form of a Cylinder (a) Poli Synops Hammond on Luke 4.17 and on the place Mede pag. 789 790 791. Mori Oper. Theol. pag. 21. ubi formam libri videas according to the Custom of the Antients having seven Labels sealed with seven Seals which being opened in order there appeared in each of them the Seulptures or Hieroglyphicks hereafter mentioned and the back side of the last Roll which is the outermost in rolling was written upon to shew that there was a long series of Events contained in this Book it being not the Custom of the Ancients to write on the back side of the Roll but when the inside could not contain all their Writing We may divide for Order and Memories sake the whole Prophecy of this Book into Two Tomes as Mr. Mede calls them the first of which contained in the foregoing Chapters may be called The (b) See on Chap. 4.1 Church Prophecy wherein Symbols of Churches then in being are used the Second which begins here may be called The Book-Prophecy because its Events are represented by Hieroglyphicks in a Book And both Prophecies are of the same Extent this latter reaching to the End of Time and determining and distinguishing Church Successions and Affairs as well as the former only with this difference that they are represented in the latter by future Occurrences and Circumstances of the Civil State and Empire that so the Times of their Accomplishment might be the better known and taken notice of by the illustrious Events represented in them For as it pleased God to describe and foretel by his Prophets the Fall of Babylon and other Events under several Symbols and Representations for the greater assurance of the Prediction as in Pharaoh's Dream Gen. 41.32 and that the thing might be the more deeply imprinted on Mens Minds by the Variety of the Figures by which they are described so hath the Divine Spirit upon the same account given divers Emblems of one and the same thing in this Prophecy 3 I shall here once for all endeavour to give the true import of Sealing which seems to have these several Acceptations in Scripture 1. It denotes a secret or an hidden Condition as we seal up things which we would keep secret 2. It denotes Security Thus the Stone at the mouth of Daniel's Den and our Saviour's Sepulchre were sealed with Seals 3. It signifies Hindrance and Restraint Thus God Job 37.7 is said to seal up the Hand of every man i. e. to hinder their Work by Storms and wet weather and to seal up the Stars Job 9.7 i. e. to restrain their Influences as Satan is said Rev. 20.3 to be shut up and to have a Seal set upon him to restrain him 4. Propriety is signified by sealing in Scripture from the Custom of sealing Goods and Servants when they were bought thereby to denote their propriety in them and to distinguish them from other Mens Servants Hammond on Eph. 4.30 5. Lastly From these and other Metaphors it often in Prophetical Scripture signifies the Obscurity of a Prophecy and the concealing of it in dark terms from the Generality of the People Isa 8.16 and the stopping or hindring the Events foretold by it so that sealing and writing and sealing and opening are opposed in prophetical Language to one another and signifie as much as concealing and revealing delaying the Accomplishment of a Prophecy and bringing it into effect See the Notes on Chap. 7.2 3 4. 4 With reference to the seven states of Christ's Church which were hindred from coming into event whilst the Book was sealed and were to be by degrees accomplished and discovered upon the gradual opening of each of them 2 And I saw a strong 5 Angel or a mighty one Psalm 103.20 proclaiming with a loud 5 voice after the manner of a Herald Dan. 3.4 who is worthy for Authority and Ability to open 6 the Book and to loose the Seals thereof i. e. to bring into event the things there delivered 5 5 To shew the Weight and Concern of the thing to be delivered as worthy to be heard of all Creatures 6 To open it by unsealing it or when it is unsealed 3 And no 7 man or no creature Isa 41.28 in Heaven i. e. neither Saint nor Angel nor in Earth nor under the Earth i. e. in the State of departed Souls from whence Christ was just come was able to open the Book i. e. to bring to pass the Events of it neither so much as to look thereon if it were opened that is of himself to understand foresee and govern the course of the Prophecy and conduct it into Event 7 Here by a Hebraism consisting in describing the whole by an enumeration of its parts is signified that no Creature whatsoever was able to open the Book or so much as to understand it of himself 4 And I wept * much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon as fearing that I should not be shewn those things that were promised me Chap. 4.1 * This weeping seems to be rather from a Despair that things would not be carried on to the great Kingdom of Redemption as the Two Apostles Luke 24.21 were sorrowful least Christ was not he which should have redeemed Israel and were astonished as Mary also was John 20.13 15. because the Lord could not be found for which she wept For Christ is represented at the sixth Verse as just risen from the dead and therefore in congruity to that appearance what is here said must relate to the time before he appeared as risen which is also a Circumstance that confirms the fixing of the Epocha of this Book at the Resurrection 5 And one or the 8 first and chief of the 9 Elders or Representatives of the Jewish Church Chap. 4.4 saith unto me Weep
not for thy own sake or the sake of the Church which thou fearest will be deprived of what is contained in this Book for behold the Lyon 10 of the Tribe of Judah i. e. Christ Gen. 49.9 Heb. 7.13 14. who is also the root of David Isa 11.1 10. Rom. 15.12 hath prevailed with the Father by his Blood and Merits to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof Vers 2 4. i. e. to declare what is in it and to accomplish it 8 For so One seems to signifie in this Prophecy as also it does Dan. 10.13 Gen. 1.4 Matth. 28.1 9 The Jewish Church having been entrusted with the Oracles and Prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Kingdom of Christ it is very proper that their Ministry should be here made use of to declare unto John the import of what had been delivered therein concerning the Merits and Power of Christ in revealing and erecting his Kingdom and therefore Christ is here described by Titles taken from what relates to the Jews as the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah because he came from that Tribe which is resembled to a Lyon in Scripture and the Root of David because he proceeded from his Stock as from a Root 10 No Creature whatsoever as Man signifies Verse 7. and Isa 41.28 was able to open this Book or look into it but only Christ by Vertue of his Merits whereby that extravagant Knowledge which is ascribed unto Angels and Saints in the Romish Church and their Mediatorship is plainly exploded as appears also from the 11th 12th 13th and 14th Verses 6 And I beheld with great concern and expectation and lo on a sudden in the midst of the Throne i. e. just before it and next unto it and of the Four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders i. e. betwixt God the Father and his Church stood 11 in a posture of Defence as Mediator and Advocate and in a readiness to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14. a Lamb i. e. Christ John 1.29.36 as it had been newly stain and just risen from the dead having seven Horns 12 i. e. perfect Regal Authority especially over the sevenfold State of the Church and seven Eyes signifying perfection of Knowledge and Providential Administrations Zech. 3.9 which are or represent the seven Spirits of God i. e. the perfect Operations of Gods Spirit Zech. 4.6 10. See on Rev. 1.4 sent forth into all the Earth to superintend dispose and conduct all things 2 Chron. 46.9 Isa 11.2 11 From Christ's being here represented as just risen from the dead with the Signs of his Sufferings fresh and bleeding it may be gathered that the Epocha of these Visions is to be taken from Christ's Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven as we have observed before on Chap. 1.10 And he is represented as standing to denote that he was not as yet in possession of his Kingdom which was due to him at his Resurrection as the Psalmist plainly affirms Psalm 2 7 8. but that he stood ready to receive it to which end he was brought unto the Father as appears plainly from Dan. 7.13 14. 12 Horns being the Weapons of Beasts they are put to signifie Strength and Power in Scripture as Psalm 75.5 10. and in Daniel and this Prophecy they denote Kings and their Regal Power as the Scripture interprets it self Dan. 8.20 21. Rev. 17.12 7 And he i. e. Christ being now entring upon his Kingly Office came to the Father being brought near before him to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14 and took the Book * out of the Right Hand of him that sate upon the Throne i. e. received his Kingdom from the Father and power to reveal and execute what was contained in that Book concerning it * This answers to Dan. 7.14 where upon his being brought to the Father a Kingdom is given him of which this Book is a Symbol as being the Book of the Kingdom of Christ only we are to take notice that the Book is sealed the Kingdom being not to appear but by steps and degrees according to the opening of the Seals until the seventh Trumpet of the seventh Seal during which time Christ was to sit in the patience and expectation of his Kingdom at the Right Hand of God until his Father made his Foes his Footstool according to Psalm 110.1 and 1 Cor. 15.25 27. 8 And when he had taken the Boâ—k the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders i. e. the Christian and the Jewish Church perceiving th t all Power was now given unto him of the Father fell down before the Lamb to worship him bearing every one of them Harps to praise him and golden Vials or Bowls to hold Incense in 2 Chron. 4.22 full of 13 Odours which are i. e. signifie the Prayers Psalm 141.2 of Saints i. e. of the living Creatures and Elders and all Saints and Members of the pure Church in his Kingdom Rev. 20.4 13 The Ascent of the Incense signifies the Ascent of Prayers to Heaven and the Odour of it their Acceptableness with God for which see Dr. Hammond on the place and on Luke 1.10 And here Christ appearing for his Saints as in his Kingdom makes them Priests to God by giving them Incense See Chap. 8.3 4.20 6. 9 And they sung a new Song of 14 singular Love and Gratitude upon the occasion of Christ's Redemption and Kingdom saying Thou art worthy and thou alone Verse 23. to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God i. e. to be his Servants and Worshippers by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation to be a Catholick Church and Kingdom 14 In this sense this Word is taken Psalm 33.3 Isa 42.9 10. But it is rather called a New Song here because it will have been for a long time out of use during the Apostacy which will have perverted the Doctrine of Redemption and Kingdom of Christ therein celebrated of which Kingdom there is here given an Appearance and Representation signified by Musick and Harps which are the Attendants of it in this Prophecy Songs and Musick being not made use of in it but upon some such Pre-appearance until the Apostasie is at an end as if during the Absence of the Bridegroom Mourning were more suitable for the Church 10 And hast made us unto the Service and Glory of our God Kings and Priests i. e. a Priestly Kingdom Chap. 1.6 and we shall reign 15 in the Earth in thy Kingdom Rev. 20.4 15 From hence it is plain that Christ's Kingdom is to be upon Earth Rev. 20.4 11 And I beheld or was still in Vision and I heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and round about the Beasts and the Elders i. e. the whole Church consisting of Angels and Men Christians and Jews Heb. 12.22 23 24. and the number of them i. e. of the Angels was ten tbousand times ten thousand and thousands of
things throughout the whole Prophecy 2. The setling and appointing of Christ the Lamb newly risen from the Dead to be the Supreme Governour and Director of all the Events which were to come to pass by giving him power to open the Book and loose the Seals of it 3. We have here a Pre-representation as there is upon all suitable occasions of the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ the chief End of all the Visions given us in Two Doxologies sung by Angels and the Representatives of the Christian and Jewish Church who are as it were a Chorus to this Divine Drama as the Virgins Companions Watchmen and Shepherds are in the Book of Canticles which is a Sacred Dramatick Poem relating to Christ's Kingdom See Dr. Patrick 's Preface on the Song of Solomon and Dr. Beverley's Exposition of it 1 From whence Prophecies are called Visions and Prophets Seers in Scripture Hammond 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here and in other places of Scripture as John 1 15.15 18. 1 John 4.19 and this is the same with the first Voice of a Trumpet cap. 1.10 2 And immediately I was in the Spirit Chap. 1.10 and behold a Throne was set in Heaven i. e. God appeared as King and Judg Isa 6.1 Ezek. 1.26 Dan. 7.9 and one i. e. God the Father Chap. 5.7 sat on the Throne i. e. appeared in Majesty and as in Judgment 3 And he that sat was to look upon or was in appearance 3 and resemblance like a Jasper i. e. Glorious Rev. 20.11 and a Sardine 4 stone i. e. Glorious but Terrible Exod. 24.10 Ezek. 1.27 and there was a Rain-bow i. e. his covenant of mercy and peace and his mindfulness of it Gen. 9 11-16 Isa 54 8-10 Ezek. 1.28 round about the Throne so that it might always be in his remembrance in sight like unto an Emerald 5 denoting the never failing mercies of his Covenant and the most pleasant and precious promises of it and of his Kingdom 3 For he saw not God but only his Glory aâ—d such Appearances as denote his Attributes and Perfections Ezekiel 1.28 4 It is a Blood-coloured or Red Stone like Fire and therefore fit to denote the Justice and fiery Indignation of God Heb. 10.27 5 A Smaragd or Emerauld is a most precious Stone of a very pleasant and never fading Greenness the chief Colour in the Rainbow 4 And 6 round about the Throne were four and twenty Seats or Thrones and upon the Seats I saw the four and twenty 7 Elders i. e. the representatives of the Jewish Church 1 Chron. 24. Isa 24.23 sitting on Thrones as participating in Judgment and Government Dan. 7.9 22 26 27. Rev. 20.4 cloathed in white 8 raiment i. e. Priest's Vestments and they had on their Heads 8 Crowns of Gold i. e. Regal Ornaments Chap. 1 6.5 10.20 6. 6 They encompass the Throne as faithful Ministers and Servants to receive God's Commands and to shew their Nearness and Access unto him who was in the midst of them to protect assist and give his Commands unto them Matth. 18.20 7 The Church of Israel as it shall be advanced by Christ in his Kingdom being plainly called God's Antients or Elders by Isaiah Chap. 24.23 it seems evident to me that the four and Twenty Elders are here put for the Representatives of it in allusion to the Four and Twenty Heads of the Courses of the Priests instituted by David 1 Chron. 24. Elder in its General Notion signifying a Head or Governour amongst the Jews as appears from Gen. 50.7 And this Word Elder being by this time become familiar in the Church to signifie the Pastors or Governours of it why may not a Title used in the Christian Church be put to denote the Governours of the Jewish as on the contrary the Jewish Types are all along in this Prophecy put to denote the Christian Antitypes 8 8 The Jewish Church seems here to be represented 1. by their white Vestments which was the Habit of the Jewish Priests Exod. 28.39 40.39 27. and 2. by their Crowns whereby is denoted that they were a Royal Priesthood as they are called Exod. 19.6 and that they together with the Christian Church should reign with Christ 5 And out of the Throne of God the Father proceeded 9 lightnings and thunderings and voices denoting the Majesty of God and the Terror of his Laws and Judgments and of the appearance of his Kingdom and there were seven Lamps of Fire burning before the Throne which are the Symbols or Hieroglyphicks of the seven Spirits of God i. e. of the perfect warming and enlightning influences and operations of the Holy Ghost towards the Church Exod. 37.23 Ezek. 4.2 See the Notes on Rev. 1.4 12 20. 9 These Words are taken from the Dreadful Appearance of God upon Mount Sinai at the Delivery of the Law Exod. 19. and 20.18 20. and signifie God's Judgments in behalf of and upon his Church and especially the extraordinary breakings forth and signal comings of Christ's Kingdom whereby he shakes not the Earth only but the Heaven as they are set forth in Scripture by Metaphors primarily taken according to the Opinion of the Learned Theorist of the Earth from the last general Conflagration See and diligently com Haggai 2 6-9 Malach. 3.1 Psalm 18.13 Jerem. 25.30 Ezek. 1.13 Heb. 10 27-31 Heb. 12 18-29 6 And before the Throne there was a 10 Sea i. e. a large Vessel or receptacle 1 Kings 7.23 of Glass like unto Christal i. e. pure and transparent as that of the Tabernacle was Exod. 38.8 denoting Baptism and the purity it requires and the Blood of Christ by which we are washed and cleansed from our sins Rev. 7.14 and in the midst 11 of the Throne or just before it Ezek. 1.5 and round 11 about the Throne Numb 2.2 were four Beasts or living 12 Creatures representing the pure Apostolical Church of Christ in all parts of the World full of Eyes before and behind i. e. very circumspect and vigilant and skilled in the past and future state of Christ's Kingdom 10 The Laver or Brazen Vessel in the Temple for the Priests to wash in is called a Sea in Scripture as all Receptacles of Waters are of which see Exod. 30 18.38 8. by which is aptly represented the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Baptismal Lavers of the Antients which were very large 11 11 One of the Beasts might be probably placed before the Throne or in the midst of it and the other Three in just distances round about it probably one behind and two on each side of it in correspondence to the Description of Solomon's Throne 1 Kings 10.19 or according to the pitching of the Tents of the Israelites which are described Numb 2.2 as being over against and round about the Tabernacle that is encompassing it in a Square Figure as the Learned generally agree each of the Four Divisions being placed at the Four Points of it looking towards the Four
Fire issuing out of their mouths that is by Force of Arms and by their Tails or crafty pretences for they are noted to have at first entred Europe (a) Lord Nepeir on the Revel humanely although they proceeded after to oppression And lastly for their high and Vain-glorious Words and Titles and the fair pretences they made use of against Idolatry which was then too visible and predominant in the Church 20 And the rest of 31 the men i. e. the remaining part of the Empire viz. the Western which were not killed i.e. utterly destroyed by these foregoing Plagues inflicted by the Saracens and Turks yet repented not notwithstanding these Judgments which were designed by God for that End of the Work of their Hands i. e. their Idolatry 2 Kings 22.17 Jerem. 25.6 7. that they should not worship 32 Devils i. e. Daemons Lev. 17.7 and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and of Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk i. e. Images Psalm 115 4.135 15. 31 The Third of men i. e. the Eastern Empire being killed the rest of men must signifie the remaining part that is the Western Empire which was usurped by the Papal Antichrist whilst the Mahometan Antichrist Tyrannized in the Eastern 32 By Daemons are meant Spirits of a middle Nature betwixt God and Men that is Angels and Souls departed See Mr. Mede on the place and his Apostasy of the Latter Times 21 Neither repented they of their Murthers i. e. Persecutions nor of their 33 Sorceries i. e. Wicked Arts and False Devices to deceive Souls Nahum 3.4 Isa 47.9 12. nor of their Fornication or Unclean and Idolatrous Doctrines and Practices nor of their Thefts i. e. cheating of Men by sanctified pretences 33 Such as Exorcisms Relicks Anointings and her lying Signs and Wonders together with all her bewitching and intoxicating Doctrines and Practices CHAP. X. 1 AND I saw 1 another mighty or powerful Psalm 103.20 Angel i. e. 2 Christ come 3 down from Heaven i. e. appear upon some extraordinary matter cloathed with a 4 cloud of Power and Glory Chap. 1.7 and a 5 Rainbow was upon his He d to shew his mindfulness of his Covenant notwithstanding the Deluge of Antichristianism and Mahometism and his face was as it were the Sun i e. the manifestations of himself were glorious Chap. 1.16 and his Feet i. e. his actions and comings to Judgment as Pillars of Fire i. e. terrible Chap. 1.15 Dan. 10.6 Annotations on CHAP. X. 1 And therefore a distinct one from the Seven Angels with Trumpets 2 Christ the Angel of the Covenant here appears for to him might or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Attributed Chap. 5.10 and this very Angel altho in a distinct appearance Chap. 11.3 declares that He will give Power unto His two Witnesses which Words can agree to none but Christ as well as the following description taken from Dan. Chap. 10 and 12. which are to be understood of Him 3 A Phrase frequent in Scripture Signifying God's more than Ordinary notice of the Actions of Men and that he was about to say or do some Extraordinary Thing Gen. 11 5.18 20 21. Exod. 3.7 8. Psal 144.5 Isa 64.1 Maimonid Ductor Dubit 1.10 4 A White Bright Cloud answerable to the White Linnen Dan. 10 5.12 6. 5 From hence it is Evident that this Angel was Christ the Angel of the Covenant Malac. 3.1 Who appears thus Cloathed to the Comfort of His Servants and to shew them that he was mindfull of His Promise and that His Kingdom of which the Rainbow a sign of mercy is the Symbol should Come notwithstanding he had Permitted a Deluge of Antichristianism to overflow the Church and Mahometism to prevail after so Extraordinary a Manner See Notes on Chap. 4 3. 2 And he had in his Hand a little 6 Book opened shewing that the Effects and Eâ—ents contained in it were now ready to be Revealed and fulfilled and he set his right Foot 7 upon the Sea and his left Foot upon the Earth as Lord of both and to take Possession of them Psal 2 8.72 8. Dan. 12.7 6 It was called a Book before Chap. 5. but is now called a Little Book to shew that many of its Visions were already fulfilled whereupon it 's bulk was contracted into a lesser space And it was before Sealed but now is Opened to shew that what was contained in it was at the present to have some Notable Appearance and Effect 7 To Place ones Foot upon a Thing signifies Dominion (a) Deut. 11.24 Psalm 60.8 or to have in Subjection as it were under ones Feet whereupon God bids Abraham Gen. 13.17 to walk through the Land and thereby take Possession of it Now Christs Kingdom being according to Prophecy to be Vniversal he here fixes his Feet upon the Whole Terraqueous Globe shewing by Actions as well as by Speech in the third Verse according to the Custom of the Eastern People who in matters of Moment joyn both that his Kingdom was not only from Sea to Sea as the Type of it David's was Psal 72.8 but that all the World the Sea and all that is in it upon which account he stands upon or over the Waters Dan. 12.6 7. were his Possession as well as the uttermost Parts of the Earth Psal 5.8 So that by this Action is signified that Christ was Lord of all of Sea and Land and of all the Creatures in them which he here again as it were takes Possession of His Kingdom haveing been interrupted chiefly by Antichristianism and by the spreading of Mahometism which yet was a judgment upon the other But methinks it is worth considering every Action and Word being Weighty in Prophecy why Christ is more peculiarly represented as upon the Waters of the River Tigris Dan. 12.6 7 Whilst only two Angels stood on each side of its banks and that he here sets his right Foot the stronger and the more honorable of the two upon the Sea but his left upon the Land which Grotius himself thinks to have some signification who supposes the right Foot to signifie the Greater Part of the People who are often Represented by Waters Seas Rivers in this Book We are therefore to understand that by the Sea in Scripture is meant the Western Parts of the World because the Mediterranean Sea was the Western (a) Numb 34.6 Border of the Land of Canaan Whereupon our Versions Translate what is to the Sea or Sea-ward in the Original to the West and Westward Gen. 12 8.28 14. Exod. 10.19 Ezek. 48.1 2. and in many other Places And the Scripture not only calls all the Places to which the Jews were to pass by Sea Islands as I have already noted and particularly our European Parts at least those in the Archipelago the Islands of the Gentiles Gen. 10.5 but also divides the whole World into East and West or according to the Phrase of their Language into Land and Sea meaning by Land all the
sometimes Types of them And from these Words we may observe 1. That the Witnesses represented in and by John had already prophesied and were still to prophesie And 2. That the Spirit hath here given by the mentioning of his prophesying again an apt Transition to what was to be delivered concerning the Witnesses in the following Chapter who are to Prophesie in Sackcloth And 3. That the Reformation represented in this Chapter was an Apperance or prophetical Representation of the Kingdom of Christ altho very imperfect because it is said that John was to prophesie again whereby is intimated that he had prophesied just before and that the Kingdom was under a delay and so consequently in Prophecy and not fullfilled 16 By this Phrase the Subjects of the Babylonian Kingdom are described in (a) Chap. 2 37.4 1. Daniel which was an Emblem of the Antichristian CHAP. XI The Text. 1 AND there was given unto me by the Angel a reed like unto a measuring rod i. e. a perch or Pole made of a reed Ezek. 40.3 and the Angel i. e. Christ chapt 10.1 5. 1 stood near or before me and presented himself unto me saying rise 2 i. e. use all possible exactness and diligence for it is a thing worthy of it Ezek. 40.4 and 3 measure i. e. enclose and secure for the peculiar lot and inheritance of God the Temple 4 of God i. e. the pure Church of God and the Altar 5 i. e. the pure Worship of God and them that Worship therein 6 in secret and under the Divine Security and Protection Annotations on CHAP. XI 1 He is not represented as standing upon the Sea as before Chap. 10. and therefore perhaps he might stand as he does in the place of Ezekiel here alluded to Chap. 40.3 in the Gate of the Temple or rather at the Altar of Incense as an Angel is represented standing in a Vision which Synchronizes witâ— this Chap. 8.3 And it is the Opinion of a Worthy Person that the Angel in both Visions is Christ who is here said to have stood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had stood viz. in that former Vision Contemporary with this with the Incense of his Name and Intercession and had then commanded whilst he was at the Altar that the Temple should be measured and the Worshippers secured which answer to the Hundred Forty and Four Thousand who were sealed about the same time Chap 7. 2 So the Word signifies Gen. 31.17 Josh 1.2 Luke 1.39 and in several other places of Scripture with which Sense of the Word the vehement Charge given by this Angel to Ezekiel on the like Account is very agreeable Ezek. 40.4 3 Israel is called in Scripture Deut. 32.9 Psalm 16.5 6.74 2. Jerem. 10.16 the Reed the Line and Cord of God's Inheritance from the Manner of Dividing Lands amongst them And to measure signifies to make an Allottment of a particular possession and to enclose and secure it while others lie neglected and in common Thus the Temple is measured Ezek. 40. and the Land of Israel Ezek. 47.18 and Jerusalem Zach. 2. and to leave out i.e. of the Enclosement and to measure not are of the same import in the following Verse 4 The (a) See Middoth ex edit L' Emper. Pag. 190. Maimonid de Aedific Templi per Viel Temple properly so called as distinguished from its Outward Courts and Apartments consisted of the Sanctuary or Holy Place called also more peculiarly The Temple and of the Holy of Holies by which the pure and holy Church of God is signified of which the Temple was a Type 5 By the Altar is here to be understood the Altar of Incense called sometimes simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Dr. Hammond confesses on Rev. 6.9 because that only stood within the Temple or Holy Place the other Altar for Burnt Offerings being placed before the Porch in the Inner Court of the Lord's House And hereby Prayer of which Incense is an Emblemâ— and the pure Worship of God is denoted the Altar of Incenâ—â— as Dr. Hammond has noted on Matth. 23.35 from Philo being to be seen by no other but only by the Priests that are Clean. 6 That is in the place where the Altar stood just before the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Temple strictly so called which is most properly the space betwixt the Table and the Candlestick although 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may very well here be referred to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Temple Now the Temple being covered whereas the Courts were open and secured with Gates Veils and High-Walls from the sight and approach of the people hereby is very appositely signified the secret and retired Members of Christ's Church secured by God during the time of the Apostasy who are the same with the sealed ones before mentioned Chap. 7. Whereupon the Temple when God's pure Worship is restored is represented as open whereby it also appears that to measure and to open are opposite and that it signifies Retiredness and Concealment For the Description of the Temple and the further meaning of these and the following passages see besides Josephus and the Books before quoted Dr. Lightfoot of the Temple Dr. Hammond on Matth. 23.35 Luke 23.45 Eph. 2.4 Rev. 6.9 and Dr. Pocock on Joel where he has given us a Scheme of the Temple from a MSS. of Maimonides thought by him to be as ancient as the Authors own times 2 But the 7 Court which is without the Temple i. e. the Visible Church 8 leave or cast out as prophane with Disgrace and Ignominy and measure it not i. e. secure it not for it is given or hath 9 been given and delivered by the Justice of God for swerving from the true measure of his Laws Ezek. 43 10-12 unto or into the hands and power Dan. 7.25 of the 10 Gentiles or Paganiziâ—â— Christians and the Holy 11 City i. e. the whole Visible Churcâ—â— shall they tread under Foot i. e. possess it Isa 1.12 and use it prophanely and contemptuously Dan. 10 11.13 Isa 28 3. Luke 21.4 1 Maccab. 1. Forty 12 and Two Months of Days which are Years 7 All the open space without the Temple is called as Grotius notes and as I find the Word to be used in the Jewish (a) Middoth cap. 1. Sect. 4. L' Emper. in locum Mishna The Court consisting of Three open Areas or Courts whereof the two outermost are called 2 Chron. 4.9 the Great Court and the Outward Court by Ezekiel where the Men and Women met in separate Partitions and the Third Court is called the Court of the Priests and the Inner-Court reaching from the Court of the Men to the Vestibulum or Porch of the Temple in which the Altar of Burnt Offerings stood All which Space or Area is here meant by the Court which is without the Temple for so it was and the Court of the Gentiles or the Fourth and Outermost Court added by Herod cannot be here understood because it was always
safely and at rest when they shall be invaded by Gog that is the Heathen Nations out of whose Captivity they are to be brought And in such a Posture may the Saints upon Earth be well presumed to be after the Thousand Years when the Laodicean State as hath been before observed on Chap. 3 14-21 begins in which through a long continuance of Glory and Prosperity the Saints upon Earth began to be less Zealous and did not so ardently desire to be caught up to Christ and be for ever with him as they had before done 10 And the Devil that deceived them or the Deceiver of them and that from the beginning John 4.44 1 John 3.8 was without any Tryal as being taken in the very Fact and having been a notorious Murtherer and Lyar from the beginning and the Father of all Sin and Enmity to Christ's Kingdom cast immediately into the 33 Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the 34 Beast and the False Prophet are who were before cast into it Chap. 19.20 and shall be tormented day aad night for ever and ever i. e. he was adjudged upon undeniable Evidence of Fact to a State of utter inability of acting against God and Christ and to extreme Torments to all Eternity without intermission 33 He and his cheif Agents are condemned to the same punishment having no remains of any Power left no more than there is of a thing which is consumed by Fire for the Devil shall not be only held in Chains as formerly but all his Power and Authority shall be utterly abolished Grotius in locum in Cap. 19,20 34 From hence it appears that Gog and Magog is not Antichrist as some have thought because Antichrist was in the Lake before their Discomfiture and Condemnation 11 And I saw a 35 great white 36 Throne i. e. a Representation of the last and great Act of Judicature in which all Enmity was destroyed and the living remaining Saints were caught up to the Lord to sit with him on his Throne and all which belonged to Christ's Kingdom were fully sanctified and glorified and prepared for Union with God to all Eternity 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes 4. Rev. 3.21 and him that sat on it i. e. Christ Matth. 25.31 Acts 17.21 from whose 37 Face or Presence upon the Declaration of his Will the 38 New Earth and the 38 New Heaven sled 39 away or disappeared at his Rebuke and Command and there was found no 40 place for them i. e. they were utterly abolished and annihilated Psalm 37.10 Dan. 2.35 Rev. 12.8 35 It was a great Throne because all who had overcome were to sit with Christ in it and the whole World was to be finally Judged at it and it was White to shew the Glory Sanctity and Purity of Christ's Justice and of the State in which the Saints were now to be invested who at this great and last Session are caught up together into the Air to be with Christ for ever after they had Judged the World with him 36 From the Appearance of this Throne and the following Judgment it may be concluded that this was the Laodicean State of the Church according to the importance of the Word which signifies the Judging of the People See on Chap. 3. 37 Face signifies a stedfast Will and Purpose shewn by Gestures or other Signs and Circumstances as the word is taken Luke 9 51-53 38 38 These must be the New Heaven and New Earth whose Description is given in the following Chapter because they fly away after the Expiration of the Thousand Years which is the space of Time allotted to the Duration of the Reign and Kingdom of Christ and of the Holy City prepared as a Bride the New Jerusalem which are to be not in the Old but the New Heaven and Earth as will plainly appear to any one who compares this Chapter with the following wherein as is all along observed are such Descriptions given of the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ as can agree to no other but a New Heaven and New Earth in which dwelleth Righteousness 39 This New Earth flies away but the Old One is to be dissolved by Fire of which flying away is not a proper Expression 40 The Psalmist expresseth the Death of a Man by his place knowing him no more Psalm 103.16 But when it is said That no place is found for a thing thereby seems to be denoted its utter annihilation and withal the impossibility of any other thing succeeding in its place because there is no place remaining into which it should succeed Whence it follows that this is the last Heaven and Earth and that no New Ones are to succeed it and that nothing else shall remain after it but the Eternal Kingdom of God All in All in the highest Heavens and the Lake of the Damned 12 And I saw the 41 Dead in Trespasses and Sins who had lain in an unactive State of Infamy during the Thousand Years and were afterwards discomfited by the Fire of God which came down from Heaven Verse 5 9. small 42 and great i. e. all sorts and the whole Race of them Chap. 19.18 stand before God to be judged by him and the 43 Books of God's Omniscience Mens Consciences and the Law were opened i. e. Mens Actions and God's Knowledge of them were made manifest and 44 another Book was opened which is the Book 44 of Life viz. the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the World Chap. 3 5.13 8.17 8 21 27. and the Wicked Dead raised to Condemnation and discomfited by God's severe Judgment and Indignation and now brought all together to receive their final Sentence were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their own wicked Works which were not also found written in the Book of Life Verse 15. 41 Hence it appears that this is the Judgment of the Nations the Gog-Magog who were discomfited Verse 9. because they are called the Dead in Ezekiel and the Slain and Dead in this Prophecy 42 Hence it also appears that these are the Kings and their Armies mentioned Chap. 19.18 19. who are the slain and the all men small and great viz. the whole Race of wicked Men. 43 A Metaphor (a) Dan. 7.10 Esth. 6.1 Isa 65.6 Malach. 3.16 taken from the Rolls and Records of Courts of Judicature and from the Registers kept by the Eastern Kings of the Actions of their Reigns whereby God's exact Justice and the perfect Knowledge which he hath of all Mens Actions is set forth and the evident Conviction which will attend the procedures of that Great Day Matth. 12.36 1 Cor. 4.5 44 44 This is is the Book of Election and Predestination belonging to the Living in the New Jerusalem State which is represented as One single Book because it depends upon One single Decree of God and One single Cause of that Decree viz. the free Grace and Good Pleasure of God in Christ Acts 13.48 Rom. 8.28 c.
Eph. 1. VVhereas the Books of Reprobation are many because that depends upon the many Evil Actions of Men which Justice particularly weighs and considers and upon the Multitude and Diversity of Sinners which are to be convicted and condemned according to the Sins each of them had particularly committed So that there is to be a◠it were a particular Book of Conscience for each of them And it is Another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Book or a Book of another sort or kind to shew that the Elect shall be justified and saved by Free Grace and not for their VVorks nor even according to their own VVorks but those which Christ had wrought in them 13 And or for the Sea 45 gave up or had before given up to Death 46 and Hell the Dead which were in it viz. at the beginning of the Day of Judgment when the Dead Wicked were raised to Condemnation and Death and Hell i. e. the common Receptacle of the Wicked where they were under Confinement and Punishment during the Thousand Years delivered up now at this last Act of Judicature the Dead which were in them i. e. all the Wicked which had been under their Confinement and they i. e. the Dead Wicked were judged every man according to their Works 47 which were not found written in the Book of Life and which they had lately done against the Camp and City of God as well as for all their other wicked Deeds which they had done whilst they were in the Flesh in this present World 45 Grotius and Piscator render the VVord had given up which must refer to the rising of the Dead Wicked at the beginning of the Thousand Years when because there was to be No Sea in the New Earth the Sea gave up its Dead 46 For the Dead Wicked were condemned at first to the Four Corners of the Earth which were as a kind of Hades or Common Receptacle of the Dead answerable to the Hamonah or City of Dead Carcases in Ezekiel Chap. 38 and 39. See on Verse 8. and Mr. Mede pag. 57 1. and Bishop Vshers Answer to the Jesuites Challenge concerning Limbus Patrum 47 Their Works in the former Verse are represented as written in Books because being committed long before they were thereby to be put in remembrance of them and therefore the Books are opened unto them But here being no mention of Books opened it may well be concluded that these Works were those which they had newly committed against the beloved City Verse 9. which being fresh in their Memories there needed not any writing of them in Books in order to their conviction 14 And Death 48 and Hell or the Grave the last Enemies to be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.26 55. were cast into the Lake of fire i. e. Mortality and all Places of Punishment except that designed for the Eternal Torment of the Wicked were annihilated there being now no further use of them and they having delivered up the Dead which were in them This casting into the Lake is the 49 second Death i. e. Death Eternal Matth. 10.28 See on Verse 6. 48 These are the Enemies of Christ which according to Doctrinal Scripture in full concurrence with Prophetical are to be destroyed by him at last just before the delivery of his Kingdom up to the Father 1 Cor. 15.25 26 54 55 56. 49 As that Expression Verse 5. this is the first Resurrection seems to denote that it was to be at the beginning of Christs Kingdom so does this parallel Expression intimate that this Second Death was to be at the End and last Appearance of it These Two being as it were solemn Inscriptions on Two Pillars shewing the Two Bounds of Christ's Kingdom beginning in a First Resurrection of Saints and a First Death of the Wicked and ending in a Second Resurrection to Glory of the former and a Second Death of the latter as Absolute Final and Immutable as the Life of the former 15 And 50 whosoever was not found written in the Lamb 's Book of Life i. e. whosoever was not a Living Member of Christ's Kingdom during the Thousand Years of Life and Blessedness was cast into the Lake of Fire i. e. was punished with Eternal Torments 50 The Reprobate are not only judged according to the Rules of Justice by their own works but the Book of absolute soveraign and free Grace is looked into when they are condemned to shew the Agreement there is betwixt God's Decrees and the proceedings of his Rectoral Justice in condemning Sinners according to their own demerits there being none left out of the Book of Life and Grace who shall not be shewn to have justly deserved to be condemned for their own sins And hitherto hath been a Description of the Wicked their City in the four Corners of the Earth their Actions and Final Condemnation There follows now in the next Chapters a Description of the City of the Saints and of their Final Reward in the Eternal Kingdom of God All in All. CHAP. XXI The Text. 1 1 AND I saw a New 2 Heaven and a New Earth i. e. the Seat of the Kingdom of Christ wherein the Saints Reign with him a Thousand Years Chap. 20.4 6. 2 Pet. 3. Isa 65 17.66 22. Matth. 19.28 Acts 3.19 for the first Heaven and 2 the first Earth i e. the Heavens and the Earth which are now 2 Pet. 3.7 were 3 passed away with a great Noise burnt up and dissolved by Fire 2 Pet. 3.10 11 12. and there was no more 4 Sea Annotations on CHAP. XXI 1 Here according to the custom of the Sacred Writers a particular Account is given of the Generations as the Scripture speaks Gen. 2.4 of the New Heaven and New Earth which he had before Chap. 20 11. seen fly away at the Consummation and End of all things when Christ shall deliver up his Kingdom to the Father 1 Cor. 15.24 28. it being usual as appears from Gen. 2. for the holy Penmen to give a particular Description afterwards of what they had before either briefly hinted or only described in general who are wont also to pursue the matter they have in hand quite throughout before they resume its more particular consideration as appears from the former Chapter where the duration of the Kingdom of Christ is continued from its beginning in the Resurrection of the Saints to its End in the Destruction of Death his last Enemy and to the flying away of the very New Heavens and Earth when Christ's Mediatory Kingdom being at an end the Eternal Kingdom of God All in All is to succeed 2 The preceding Vision plainly relating to the Resurrection and the last Day of Judgment the New Heavens and Earth here described must accordingly be understood concerning those mentioned by the Apostle Peter 1 Ep. 3.13 which are to succeed the general Conflagration of the present Heavens and Earth to be dissolved at the very first Appearance of Christ at his second Coming who is to be manifested or
13 I Christ come 14 quickly in Judgment to my Kingdom for the 15 Vials are now ready to be poured forth Blessed therefore and this admonition is at this time of all others the most seasonable when the severest Judgments of God are ready to be executed is he that keepeth the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book See Chap. 1 3.3 11. 13 Here Christ himself speaks this being a Sacred Drama in which according to the Nature of such Representations several Persons are introduced and there are many interlocutory passages as is observable in the Song of Solomon which is a Dramatick Poem in the Form of a Pastoral Eclogue 14 This Epilogue or Conclusion seems to refer to some of the most important and remarkable passages of the whole Vision which it behoved all to take the chiefest notice of according to the Method observed in the first Chapter which is as it were a Prologue or Introduction to it And accordingly the sudden Coming of Christ to take Vengeance of his Enemies in the pouring forth of the Vials being one of the most remarkable Events foretold in this Vision is here again mentioned as it had been before Chap. 1.7 15 For it seems probable from Chap. 21.9 that this part of the Vision was seen and heard by John just before he had the Representation of the pouring forth of the Vials when the Admonition to keep and observe the Words of this Prophecy was most highly seasonable For by a close consideration of Chap. 17 1.19 7-11 21 9. it seems as if the first or principal Angel of the Vials which shewed John the Judgment of the Whore and the New Jerusalem gave him also this Conclusion at the same time aptly fitted to the time just before the pouring forth of the Vials when it was necessary that the Saints should not only have a comfortable View of the blessed State but also be assured of the sudden coming of it that they might be sustained under the dismal Tribulation then approaching whereupon they are again assured of his quick coming Verse 12. 8 And I John the Apocalyptick Apostle and Servant of Christ See on Chap. 21.2 saw these foregoing things relating to the New Jerusalem and heard the Voice of Jesus and of his Angel Verse 6 7. and 16 both saw and heard all the Sayings and Vision of this Book and therefore am worthy of belief as having been an Eye and Ear-witness of them And when I had heard and sâ—â—â— the glorious State of the New Jerusalem I fell 17 down to worship before the Feet of the Angel which shewed me these things and who had also brought me the glad tidings of a Judgment on God's Enemy the Whore Chap. 17.1 and of the Marriage-Supper Chap. 19 9. 1â— Although these Words have an immediate reference to â—hâ—â— had been seen just before yet they may also refer to all the 〈◊〉 going Visions of this Book 17 It is something difficult to determine whether this passage be the same with the former related Chap. 19 7-21 and only twice repeated to shew the Importance of the Matter and the great danger of falling into the sin of Idolatry although the Relation be something different from the former according to the manner of the Evangelists the latter of whom deliver some things more fully and compleatly than the former and the Two Representations although of the same thing are very different the one being upon the View of the New Jerusalem State in its full Glory and compleat Description the other Chap. 19. only upon the sight of the preparation of the Bride and her coming down out of Heaven 9 Then saith he unto me immediately in great haste and with great Zeal and Vehemency See Chap. 19 10 See thou do it not for I am thy Fellow-Servant and therefore am not to be worsh pped and the Fellow-Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep 18 the sayings of this Book i. e. I although an Angel of so great Rank and Ministry am yet but a Fellow-Creature with thee and the Holy Saints and Witnesses and their Fellow-Servant also in the New Jerusalem State in which you and they shall be equal unto Angels and therefore I am nâ—t to be worshipped Worship being due to Superiors not Equals Creatures and Servants See on Chap. 19.10 Worship therefore God and him alone Matth. 4.10 18 Here the Angel seems to intimate as if the sayings of this Book were a Caution against the Apostatical State and the Worship of Angels and also the Rule and Model of Divine Worship from the first Apostolical State of the Church typified by Ephesus to the highest State of it in the New Jerusalem according to which as he could not receive such Worship so ought not John also to have given it unto him And this passage also affords a clear proof of the Divinity of Christ in Humane Nature because Divine Worship is paid unto him all along in this Book 10 And he i. c. Christ Ver. 12 13 16 20. saith unto me Seal 19 not the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book for the time of the completion of all the Sealings mentioned in this Book is now at hand 19 These words must refer to the times of the seventh Trumpet when all the Thunders were unsealed Chap. 14. just before the pouring forth of the Vials until when it could not properly be used it being expresly commanded that every one of the Thunders should be sealed 11 He that 20 is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy i e. guilty of any other sin all of which defile a Man Mat. 15.18 Jam. 1 21.3 6 let him be filthy still and he that is righteous or justified let him be righteous still and he that is holy or sanctified let him be holy still i. e. the time and place of Repentance is no more to be found but he that is unjust and filthy will not repent and he that is just and holy shall continue so still 20 These words seem to have a respect to the Times just before the pouring forth of the Vials when those Men who had been proof against the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel were judicially delivered over to punishment because of the willful Obstinacy and Hardness af their Hearts whereupon they blasphemed and repented not See Chap. 16.9 12 And behold I come 21 quickly to Judgment in my Kingdom and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be good or bad Matth. 16.27 Rev. 10.18.20 12-15 21 This must be supposed to be spoken before the pouring forth of the Vials in which the Wicked receive their Reward in Punishments 13 I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last i. e. I am the Eternal God who as I gave Being to all things so do I put an end to them too and I am more especially shewing this my Divine Power in bringing all things to perfection