Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 5
LECTURE V.
Vers. 11.
And all the Angels stood round about the throne, and about the Elders, and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God.
12.
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13.
And one of the Elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14.
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.—
WE told you that the scope of the Spirit in these words, is, to give a little glimpse of the glorious outgate the Church of Christ should have after the storms of Antichrist, and these corrupt Teachers that were coming to lay the Church low. This outgate, is, 1. generally represented to Iohn, from vers. 9. to vers. 13. and then more particularly explicated by an Elder to Iohn, from vers. 13. to the end.
The first hath two parts: The first whereof, is the representation of the redeemed Church standing before the throne with white robes, and palms in their hands, and a sweet song in their mouth, whereof we have spoken. In the 11. and 12. Verses, there is a further enlargement and explication of that glorious estate of the Church, and the Saints happinesse, by bringing in all the Angels, admiring Gods goodnesse to His Church, and taking a share of the Song of praises with them, it being such a glorious peice of work, as would serve not only all the Saints, but the Angels also: so then in these two Verses, is set down the Angels approbation of, and concurrence with, the redeemed Church.
The scope of it, is, to shew, 1. The harmonie that is among Saints and Angels in their praising God. 2. To shew how excellent and glorious a ground of praise, a flourishing and victorious estate of the Church, hath in it; and that by it God giveth evidences of His Glory to Angels, Principalities, and Powers, &c. Eph. 3.10. 3. To shew, that Angels delight in the Churches flourishing, and in the thriving of the Gospel. Luke 15.7. there is joy in heaven at the conversion of a sinner; so here, by holding forth the in-coming of many sinners and the spreading of the light of the Gospel, all the Angels are made chearfull at the news of it. 4. To shew the excellencie of the thing; the exceeding greatnesse of the Glory of God, and the excellencie of the work of praise, it will and doth take up Angels to go about it, it is a work becoming even them. The glorious condition abiding the Church, shall furnish all the Angels in Heaven matter of praise; and the hope of such a glorious outgate, might exceedingly comfort Iohn and others who were to live under those difficulties.
More particularly, This company of Angels is set out, 1. In their posture, they stand; and they are set out in the same posture, Chap. 5. The reason of their standing, is, to shew not only their reverencing of God, but their great dependence on God, as servants waiting for direction from Him, and their readinesse to obey what orders He giveth them. It signifieth also their priviledge to stand there, Deut. 10.8. 2. They are set out in the place where they stand; it is about the throne, Elders and beasts (as we shew, Chap. 6.) to signifie the end of their service; it is to watch over the Church that is between Gods throne and them, they are without as a guard and wall to the redeemed Church, they are ministring Spirits, all of them, for the Heirs of Salvation, Heb. 1.14. Therefore it is said, all the Angels; they surround the Throne and the Church, keeping them in, and keeping out from them any thing that may annoy them; and consequently, they are round about the innumerable multitude mentioned before, vers. 9. who were before the Throne: yea, it would appear, that these, being here omitted, (though that be their place, and Elders, and Beasts mentioned to stand there where formerly they stood) must be comprehended under the Elders or Beasts, seing the place and guard is all one, and the distinction that is put between them, is but as a difference of the whole Catholick Church, signified by the Elders, from such a particular company brought through Antichrists tribulation, vers. 14, and 15. and at such a time, and in such a case as a part of the whole; and, in these respects, distinguished from the whole, which strengtheneth the exposition we gave before of these Elders representing the Church of God; for, probably they had not been omitted, if they had been a party distinct from the Church, otherwayes than a part is from the whole: neither can any other reason be given, why these Elders do not joyn in praise with the Church or Angels, as, Chap. 4, and 5, &c. when the praise is so solemn, but because their joyning, or praise, was formerly expressed by the company mentioned, vers. 9, 10. For, it is not to be imagined they were now silent as such an occasion. 3. They are set one in their worshipping, or, falling on their faces; which is to be Spiritually understood, seing Angels have no bodies, and cannot be properly said to fall on their faces. It is to signifie their acknowledgement of the exceeding great distance between God and them, the most holy creatures, and the reverence due from them to Him, as, Isa. 6. they are said to cover their faces with wings, because of the adorable holinesse of God, to which even they wanted a proportionablnesse; so here, they are said to fall on their faces, to shew the exceeding great distance that is between the Majesty of God and the most excellent creatures. 2. To acknowledge the greatnesse of the work they had in hand, to wit, the praising of God for the inlargement of the Church. 4. They are described in respect of their Song, which is set down, vers. 12. wherein we have three things considerable; or, which we are to consider in these three respects, 1. In respect of the matter, expressed in seven words, blessing, honour, glory, &c. like the matter of the Song, Chap. 5. all to one purpose. 2. In respect of its object. 3. In respect of its manner.
To shew, 1. That words are wanting, and cannot be gotten, even by Angels in heaven, to expresse the Glory due to God; they are swallowed up with it, it goeth beyond their conception and expression; for, it over-reacheth all created expressions and apprehensions so far that it is no marvell it do so here. 2. To shew, that whatever is glorious, or a ground of thanksgiving, or the object of praise, or the subject of commendation, it is in Him, and in Him alone, and to be attributed to Him with all humility by the most glorious creatures; it is in Him, and not in them, A consideration, 1. exceedingly upstirring, to praise and admire Him. 2. To cry down in comparison all other things, as weak and empty. 3. Comfortable to Gods people, who have all these things in Him alone. There is no ground of praise imaginable, not any thing which might have laid, or may lay, any obligation on a creature to God, as having obtained a good turn, but that is in God, and may be expected from Him. 4. To shew our duty both in dependence on Him, and thanksgiving to Him. 2. This Song is to be considered in respect of the object of it: in which respect, it differeth from the Song of the redeemed to God and the Lamb, yet they meet in one; for, it secludeth not the Lamb, but taketh Him in with the Father and Spirit. This being divine Worship, proper and peculiar to God, Christ in it is looked on as God; and God here is essentially to be considered. Whence we may gather, how to interpret their Song, Chap. 5. the one, no question, being of equal extent with the other. 3. This song is to be considered in respect of its manner, 1. That it is in generals, as most comprehensive; for, (Psal. 106.2.) Who can shew forth all his praise? His thoughts to in-ward passe reckoning, Psal. 40.5. 2. That it beginneth and endeth with Amen, as consisting more in their affection and wish, than in their expression, beginning with a conviction that it overpowereth them, yet undertaking it, as Psal. 106. and going on, and no more satisfied at the close than when they began, but ending just so as alway beginning, and beginning so as never to end; An evidence of a good frame of these that praise; they are as ready to begin when they have done, as when they began, rather thinking their praise a consenting to praise, than actuall praising.
Observe here, 1. what a God this is whom we worship, whom all the Angels do thus worship and adore, and stand in such reverence of, that they cover their faces, Isa. 6. They want words and are swallowed up through the deep apprehension of the Majesty, Glory, Greatnesse, and Goodnesse of God: what a God must this be that they reverence, stand in aw of, and are so affected with the Glory that shineth in Him? They do His will perfectly, and yet they fall upon their faces before Him. What a dreadfull God is this? and what poor thoughts have we of Him? Little knowledge of Him maketh us have so short and low conceptions of Him; had we a glimpse of His Glory, sitting on His Throne of Majesty, it would dazell us; and if Angels thus exalt Him, what should we do? Obs. 2. These that are nearest Him, and partake most of Him, will presse most for exalting Him, and will be most taken up with the Glory that is in Him; it is not good to be satisfied with our own conceptions of God; Angels are not so.
2. From the matter and occasion of the Song, Observe, That the flourishing estate of the Church, is one of the greatest evidences of Gods Glory in the world, and one of the greatest grounds of praise. By the flourishing of the Church, I mean the multiplying of Professors, purity of Ordinances, backed with power and some suitablnesse in the practice of Professors. This is it that wakeneth and beginneth the Angels Song, and the Song of the Redeemed, and carrieth it on; the glory of Wisdom, Power, free Grace and Love, shineth here; Eph. 3.10. That he might show unto the principalities and powers by the Church the manifold wisdom of God. He maketh them wonder to behold so much wisdom, in suiting Grace to sinners case and need; so much condescendency, in pardoning freely; so much power, in overcoming mens stubbor…nesse, &c. and shall they wonder at this, and praise for it? and shall not we wonder and praise, and be affected with it for our own good, who are partaking of that they praised-for before hand, for that we have these pure Ordinances after the removall of Antichristian darknesse? It is a proof of this truth, and a part of the accomplishment of this prophesie, and should stir us up to make this use of it.
Obs. 3. If things be well searched in God, there is nothing that can be a ground of praise, but it is in Him, and may be expected from Him, blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, &c. Blessing, is all matter that may give occasion to blesse Him for making us blessed; Glory, taketh in all glory, every thing that maketh God glorious, or us to account Him glorious, and Glory it self; and matter of thanksgiving, wisdom, honour, and the rest, are in Him; nothing is meet for the end, or meet as a mids to bring about that end, but it is in God, blessing being the end, there is wisdom, power, and might to bring about that end; they have then good ground of praise, that have God to be their God.
From the 13 vers. to the end, followeth a more particular enquiry concerning that number, which is followed with a more full description of them; and it hath three steps, or parts, 1. The Elders question to Iohn, vers. 13. or, rather, two questions, What are these which are arayed in white robes? and whence came they? 2. Iohn's reply, vers. 14. I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. 3. The Elders particular description to Iohn of that blessed and happy company, 1. From whence they came. 2. What they are now. And 3. How they came at that happy condition. We need not stand here to dive who this Elder is: it suiteth with the scope and form of this prophesie, thus to expresse it by way of Dialogue, it being a question not of doubt or information to him who propounded it, but for incitation to him it was propounded unto, to enquire more in it, as a thing worthy to be known, and usefull for opening the rest of the prophesie. This is the scope of the Queree, to make Iohn ask; yet considering that Iohn here personats one that is a Believer; and that by Elders are understood (probably) members of the true Church, It is not impertinent to look on it as signifying the help and usefulnesse of one member of the body to another, it may be, of more abilities in many things than themselves, as we shew before, Chap. 5. It holdeth out, (in a word) four generals, 1. That when the people of God are dull, He wanteth not means to waken and rou…e them up. 2. That God will mak… use of weak means and instruments sometimes to stir up these that are more strong. 3. who personating all to whom this prophesie should come, He would have him more particular in the enquiry after the knowledge of these things contained in it, which should stir u… up to search, and not sleight what he revealeth. Yea, 4. it implyeth, that God will have many precious things revealed, we, in the mean time, neither understanding them, nor enquiring after them, till he stir us up.
Iohns reply, is, vers. 14. modest and short, Sir, thou knowest: wherein, beside. Iohns reverend way of speaking, there is implied, 1. Iohns ignorance, he denieth that he knew, only he saw them, he knew no further concerning this company. 2. A desire to be taught of him who knew what they were. It is a reverend humble insinuation of His expectation that he should tell and answer His own questions, which accordingly followeth, as if he said, Sir, thou canst answer thy question thy self, and I expect thou wilt do it; it is no shame to be ignorant of some things, especially in this prophesie, and to vent our ignorance, so as we may have our knowledge helped. Iohn hath advantage by this, He hath a more full explication of what he knew not, holden out to Him. It were good we walked in the sense of our ignorance, and made more use of the means of knowledge.
For the Elders answer, it hath three things it it, 1. What the former condition of the redeemed Church was, great tribulation, probably relating not to the common afflictions and tribulations that all that will live Godly must suffer, but these trials signified by the trumpets under Antichrist. 2. What their present estate was, exceeding prosperous, vers. 15. to the end. 3. How they past from the one to the other, it was by washing their garments and making them white in the Lambs bloud.
Obs. 1. That the first view or representation of things, is not enough for us; we can see, and hear, and understand little, till it be pressed on us. 2. God loveth that we be taught, and provideth means for instructing and upstirring of His own so far as He thinketh needfull. 3. If it came not of Him, the best would lye in ignorance, and, it may be, not endeavour to know, partly, thinking it desperate and presumption to enquire into it, partly, negligent and not thinking it needfull, but curious, as many do, to enquire into these things, and so abstain from the search of this prophesie. The best have need of upstirring; and by these questions, not only Iohn is stirred up for the time; but in him, all that might after read these prophesies, to enquire in them. 4. Iohns answer is humble and reverend, teaching us rather to acknowledge our ignorance that we may learn, than to hide it and continue ignorant. 2. That many may be and are ignorant in the matters of this prophesie. 3. That no occasion of learning would be omitted, nor no instrument or mean excepted against, but all made use of for learning. 5. Gods end in posing with hard questions, is, to help to know what we understand not. This question propounded to Iohn, is neither to shame him, nor draw him in a snare, but to bring him to clearnesse in that he was dark in.