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ceeded lightnings and thunderings ceeded glories, and honours, and and voices and seven lamps of praises and seven lamps of fire fire burned before the throne, burned before the throne, which which are the seven Spirits of God." are the seven Spirits of God." 6 And before the throne there 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crys- was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, tal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were and round about the throne, were four beasts, full of eyes before and four beasts full of eyes before and behind. behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had the appearance of a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and art

about to come."

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had the appearance ofa man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and art about to come."

"And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof; and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."-Ex. xxv. 37. "And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses."-Ex. xl. 25.

• “And he made a molten sea."-1 Kings vii. 23.

The place of the sanctuary spoken of by Jeremiah being the temple, it is easy to understand that the four beasts, or leaders of the ceremonial worship of the people, were in the midst of the throne and round about the throne.-See note ver. 9.

The service of the house of the Lord took place every morning and evening, as appears by 1 Chron. xxiii. 30:-" And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even."

The inspired writer here closes the description of the ark of the covenant, as well as that of the four beasts or kings of Israel who presided at the ceremonial worship, and in the remaining verses comments on the effect of their conduct, which he witnessed as exemplified in the first four seals and first four trumpets, and for which purpose he says (in the future tense) WHENSOEVER THEY " shall give glory" to God, THE PEOPLE shall prostrate themselves. The four beasts are symbolical of the characters of the kings who presided at the altar during the period of the old covenant, but particularly of the four kings with whom God had covenanted,—thus, the lion is remarkable for its strength of vision [denoting prophecy], activity, boldness, generosity, gratitude, and strength, as was David. The Greek word Mooxos, here used for calf, also signifies a tender branch [Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet YOUNG AND TENDER," 1 Ch. xxix. 1]. It is distinguished for sweetness of breath [the savour of the

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9 And when those beasts shall 9 And whensoever those beasts give glory and honour and thanks shall give glory and honour and to him that sitteth on the throne, thanks to him that sitteth on the who liveth in ages of ages, throne, who liveth in ages of ages, 10 The four and twenty elders 10 The four and twenty elders shall prostrate themselves before shall prostrate themselves before him that sitteth on the throne, and him that sitteth on the throne, and worship him that liveth in ages of worship him that liveth in ages of ages, and cast their crowns before ages, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

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11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

CHAP. V.

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The root of David prevails, 5, 6—The ark removed to Jerusalem, 8—13. ND I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book, written within and without, sealed with seven seals,

ND I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a covenant, written within and without, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong messenger

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

wisdom of holiness], docility, and meekness, as was Solomon. The beast like a man is emblematical of frailty, and represents Rehoboam. The flying eagle is notorious for rapacity, and is continually hovering in search of prey, figuring Jeroboam. It appears as if this were an admonitory clause, by which John would desire to mark the influence that kings shall have on their subjects, whensoever they take the lead in the worship of, and obedience to, the heavenly king. The effect of this is remarkably instanced in the eighth and five subsequent verses of the following chapter. When David "fell down before the Lamb," saints and SINNERS gave praise to God, having been attracted by the presence and example of their earthly ruler.

"And it was so, that WHEN SOLOMON HAD MADE AN END OF PRAYING ALL THIS PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. And the king, AND ALL ISRAEL with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD."-1 Kings viii. 54 and 62. This was in conformity with the ceremony observed by David, 1 Chron. xxix. 18, 20:-"O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee. And David said to all the congregation, Now BLESS THE LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD and the king."

TRANSLATION.

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

READING.

3 And no man in heaven, nor in the flesh, neither under the power of the flesh, was able to open the covenant, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the covenant, neither to look thereon.

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 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open of David, hath prevailed to open the book,' and to loose the seven the covenant, and to loose the seals thereof. 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, a Lamb placed 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."

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

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

8 And, when he had taken the 8 And, when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and covenant, the four beasts and four twenty elders fell down before the and twenty elders fell down before Lamb, having every one of them the Lamb, having every one of harps, and golden vials full of them harps, and golden vials full of

""And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee; for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue.

The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee."-1 Sam. xiii. 13, 14.

"Also the LORD telleth thee, that he will make thee a house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee thy throne shall be established for ever."-2 Sam. vii.11-16.

"Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with

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odours, which are the prayers of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the covenant, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy life out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall bear rule over the flesh."

11 And I beheld, and I heard 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders, and thousands of and the elders, and thousands of thousands," thousands,"

12 Saying with a loud voice, 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and in heaven, and in the flesh, and under the earth, and such as are in under the power of the flesh, and the sea, and all that are in them, such as are in sin, and all that heard I saying, Praise, and honour, are in them, heard I saying, Praise, and glory, and power, be unto and honour, and glory, and power, him that sitteth upon the throne, be unto him that sitteth upon the

shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps."-1 Chron. xv. 28.

Then on that day David delivered FIRST this psalm [new song] to thank the LORD, into the hand of Asaph and his brethren."-1 Chron.xvi. 7. f" Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when they went FROM NATION TO NATION, and from one KINGDOM TO ANOTHER PEOPLE; He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, ToUCH NOT MINE ANOINTED, and do my prophets no harm."-1 Chron. xvi. 18–22.

"O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen ones. -1 Chron. xvi. 13.

“And David gathered ALL ISRAEL together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place which he had prepared for it."1 Chron. xv. 3.

In order to account for those in sin having been present on the occasion, it may be necessary to remark that "ALL Israel brought up the ark." -Vide Note v. 8.

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and unto the Lamb in ages of throne, and unto the Lamb in ages. ages of ages.

14 And the four beasts said, 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth in ages of ages. him that liveth in ages of ages. [And I saw the seven messengers which stood before God, and to them were given the seven trumpets, and another messenger came and stood at the altar, collecting acceptable offerings, and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended with the prayers of the saints, out of the hand of the messenger, before God; and the messenger took the incense and impregnated it with the fire of the altar, and cast it amidst the flesh, and there were praises, and honours, and glories, and power. And the seven messengers, who had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to sound.-Rev. viii. 2-6.]

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CHAP. VI.

Rewards and Punishments.

ND I saw when the Lamb
opened one of the seals, and

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ND I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts thunder, the beast which was like saying, Come and see. a lion, saying, Come and see.

2 And I saw, and behold a white horse:" and he that sat on the same had a bow; and a crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

:

2 And I saw, and behold a pure faith: and he [David] that rested on the same had a bow; and a crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer. [FIRST TRUMPET. And the first messenger sounded, and there was chastening and purification mixed with life; and they were cast upon the flesh, and the third part of the great men were purified, and all people were purified. Rev.viii.7.]

3 And, when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

3 And, when he had opened the second seal, I heard the beast which was like a calf say, Come and see.

By the following verses the horse appears to be the symbol of faith : "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword, The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha! and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting."-Job xxxix. 19—25. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. Psalm xliv. 6.