Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 4
LECTURE IIII.
Vers. 12.
Here is the patience of the Saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Iesus.
13.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.
14.
And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one (at, like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15.
And another Angel came out of the Temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud. Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16.
And he that sat on the cloud, thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17.
And another Angel came out of the Temple, which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18.
And another Angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire, and cryed with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.
19.
And the Angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-presse of the wrath of God.
20.
And the wine-presse was troden without the city, and bloud came out of the wine-presse, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
HAving shewed the foretold threatened and begun ruine of Babylon in the former part of the Chapter, before the Spirit describe the perfecting of that judgement, He casteth-in two words needfull for the strengthening of Gods people: the first, is, vers. 12. and respecteth the former words, wherein Babylons ruine was foretold; yet, for the time, Antichrist rageth and the Saints suffer. This verse comforteth and encourageth them against that tentation, two wayes, 1. By granting that indeed this would be an occasion to exercise and try the Faith of Gods people and make it known (which an hard time doth best) whether they will keep the commands of God, in their practice making conscience of these; and the faith of Iesus Christ, that is, it will discover true Faith from counterfeit, and who are true Professours of that Faith that is true; yet withall Gods people shall have no losse by it, it will be but temporary, and here is their trial, that is Gods end to exercise. Grace and duty are best tried and known in all ill time, a suffering time evidenceth honesty more than prosperity; and suffering is Gods peoples ordinary lot, whether Antichrist be falling or rising.
The second word cast in for comforting Gods people, is from the blessednesse of the dead (it may be especially of these that suffered under Antichrist) that die well in that difficult time. The first consolation, is from the outgate God shall give, when these trials shall be over and Antichrist ruined. The second, from what might comfort them in hardest sufferings for the time: it is casten in here before the sad things coming be set down, for two reasons, 1. To be a warning of the high degree that these troubles would come unto, so that these that were living should count the dead happy (that died well) who were freed from these dayes. See Solomon, Eccles. 4.2. praising the dead more than the living.
The second thing in the scope, is, to encourage and comfort the Godly that took the right way of living, so as to die in the Lord; these troubles should not mar their blessednesse, but though the earth should triumph over them when they were dead, as Chap. 11. yet even then they were and should be blessed, and therefore needed not fear or faint under these trials which were coming.
There are four particulars in these words, 1. A preface, implying a weightinesse in that which was to be delivered. 2. A plain maxime, Blessed, &c. 3. A qualification not restricting that blessednesse to such a time, but shewing that it is specially agreeable and applicable to it, from henceforth. 4. The reasons of this application, that they may rest.
The preface cometh in by way of diversion, as if it were a singular thing, thereby to make what is said the more remarkable. 1. It is not Iobns inventing, he heard a voice. 2. It is no earthly voice, but a sentence from heaven, such as should be respected. 3. What is said, is to be recorded as usefull to Gods people, Write, saith he to Iobn, which, except it be some speciall Doctrine, is not usually repeated.
The plain Doctrine or maxime that should be written in the hearts of all Christians, is, Blessed are they that die in the Lord. By which words, three things are holden forth, 1. An end common to all, which is death. 2. A difference in dying, and that is to die in the Lord, which is peculiar to some, and opposit to dying in our sins, Iob. 3.24. as Christ saith, that is, in effect under the curse and unreconciled to God through Christ: So dying in Him, is, to be found in Him by Faith, Philip. 3.9. 3. A great odds and difference of the consequents of these diverse deaths; the one are blessed, that is, fully happy, freed from all miserie and enjoying fully, unchangeably and eternally what may make them compleatly happy, even God Himself, Matth. 5.8. Or, the words contain a great end men naturally aim at, to wit, Blessednesse; and, 2. the compendious clear way of attaining it by dying in Christ: implying, 1. a being in Him, 2 Corinth. 5.17. which is to be a Believer by Faith united to Him; 2. to live in Him, this is presupposed also (for, death followeth life) Gal. 2.24. that is, an exercising of Faith not only for attaining spirituall life, but for the fruits and acts of it also, living like one in Christ, and by vertue of that life bringing forth fruits, Iob. 15.4. 3. To die then in Him, is the adding to these faith, exercising itself on Christ in reference to death when it cometh, chearfully, willingly, boldly and confidently in the Faith of Gods promise committing it self to Him, 2 Tim. 1.12. as Stephen, Acts 7. and carrying with it the sense of its own naughtinesse, even to death, notwithstanding whereof, it resteth it self over upon His gracious promise; and, like David, 2 Sam. 23.5. dieth there contentedly; These are blessed. This in generall of dying in Him. If it be applyed to such in particular, who, suffering for Him, keep faith in Him to the end, it will suit with the scope, as if he said, these that suffer for Christ rightly by persecution under Antichrist (and thus to die for Him, is to die in Him) shall be blessed, as if he had suffered under Heathens, although the world think there is a great difference.
The third, is, the qualification added with its confirmation, yea, saith the Spirit, from henceforth, &c. which doth not imply, that these who die in Christ, are from the time of their death blessed, as freed from that fancied Purgatory, and all labours, which certainly is Truth: otherwise neither could they from the instant of their death be called Blessed, nor yet said to be at rest from their labours. For, 1. the blessednesse here is brought in as something peculiarly encouraging the Godly against these coming trials. 2. The word from henceforth (foreign, from now) looketh to the instant the prophesie relateth unto, as when Christ saith, Matth. 26. from henceforth I will not drink of the fruit of the vine: it is, as if He had said, from this time forth; so here, otherwise it would be from thenceforth, if it related to death simply: beside, the connexion here will not agree, that they may rest; it is not for they shall rest: for, foreign is causally to be understood. If it be asked then, what peculiar happinesse or encouragement is holden out to the Godly under Antichrists troubles now? Answ. 1. It strengtheneth them against the many calumnies of persecuters, reckoning them not Martyrs, but ill doers: for now they suffer from Christians, not from Heathens as Martyrs did formerly. The Spirit saith not only before this, but from henceforth shall they be fully blessed that die in Christ, even under Popes as well as Heathen Emperours. 2. They are now blessed, because freed from many great troubles, crosses and tentations that were coming on the world for rejecting the Gospel now preached, in which outward troubles the Godly living are involved, Isa. 57.1, 2. 3. Their blessednesse is the more now, because hell groweth hoter, as vers. 9, 10. and it is more mercy to be freed of it. 4. They have this use and advantage of their pains, as to have peace and clearnesse at their death, no fear of Purgatory; and clearnesse of salvation (now after the Popish uncertainty is banished) giveth them quiet, which is a great advantage in this time; yea, whatever the world think of them who in zeal for Christ do suffer under Antichrist, God will esteem and reward (of Grace) their suffering, Matth. 5.16. and take speciall notice of what testimonie is given for Him.
The words, yea, saith the Spirit, are to confirm this Truth to be divine, because the world would not believe it.
The fourth thing confirmeth these reasons, to wit, why from henceforth they are blessed, 1. They are freed from their labours, which is supposed in their life they suffered. 2. Their works do follow them; for these labours they have joy: These sufferings work to them a far more exceeding and eternall weight of Glory; and there is a proportionablenesse in their glory to their suffering, 2 Corinth. 4.17. suitable to it, though not deserved by it, Rom. 8.17. Therefore are these works said to follow in respect of the fruits of them, but not to go before as causes to procure an entry. In a word, God remembereth, their good works, and in heaven they have the fruits of them, Isa. 3.10.
Vers. 14. We come now to the last part of the Chapter, which setteth forth Gods executing His judgements against Antichrist and his kingdom in deeds, when words do not the businesse. It is set out in two similitudes, one of an harvest, whereby the world is compared to a field, the wicked to corn, and the execution of judgement to reaping, like as in the other similitude of a vintage; Both of them set out, 1. the multitude of wicked men that are like fields of corn and clusters of grapes, good men like Berries here and there. 2. A growth of sin and an height of ripenesse that it cometh unto, as corns at harvest. 3. A readinesse of judgement, and easinesse of executing it, as with a sickle: both which similitudes are borrowed from Ioel 3.13. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe, come, get you down, for the presse is full, that is, for the wickednesse is great: and (Ier. 51.33.) the like is spoken of Babylon.
For understanding of this obscure place (as soberly we ought to search in what is apparently to come, for the most part, if not for all) we would consider and observe these four things concerning it.
1. That both these similitudes hold forth wrath and sad judgements to come. 1. Concerning the last it is certain: for, what is gathered, is cast in the wine-presse of Gods wrath, and the similitudes are every way alike, harvest and vintage; sharp sickles are the instruments, and they are both ripe. Beside, these places, Ioel 3.13. and Ier. 51.33. hold out an harvest of wrath when wickednesse is ripe: which similitudes may well be made use of here, when there is clearly an allusion to Babylon: So they seem to be of one nature, though different in degree. Again, the scope here cleareth it, for, it is the fulfilling of these former threatenings of the preceeding Angels, and the summary expression of what followeth in the vials, which are degrees of the same judgement, which ascendeth from the lesse to the greater, as the exposition will clear.
2. Consider, that though both hold out judgements, yet apparently different judgements, not in kind, or object; But, 1. in degree, the vintage is a greater judgement, as the close of all. 2. In time; as it is greater, so it is after, as the vintage is after the harvest in the season of it. 3. It is like also different in the instruments or inferiour agents: therefore it is said, another Angel. 4. The harvest is ripe, but the vintage is fully ripe; sin is at a greater height. 5. The first instrument, is a sickle, vers. 15. but the second, a sharp sickle, vers. 18. when the commission is given to thrust in.
3. Consider, that Antichrist and his kingdom is the object of both, 1. It is the scope here: for it is Babylon and her worshippers who were threatened by the former Angels. 2. When it is further explained and enquired into, it will be found to be the same under the vials, Chap. 16. and Chap. 19. which is clear to be on the beasts Kingdom.
4. To enquire more particularly, unto what particular judgements and times they relate. In short, we conceive them to hint at the judgements under the seventh trumpet, and enlarged under the vials, Chap. 16. yet more particularly to hold out the last judgements on the beast and his kingdom, but not the last on the world: for, 1. this judgement of the vintage seemeth to be the battell of Armageddon, largely prosecuted, Chap. 19. vers. 10. as appeareth by vers. 15. of that Chapter: he hath that for his name to tread the Winepresse of the wrath of God; and His Armies followed Him for the executing of this same judgement on the whore or beast. Now, this being a finall judgement on the beast, it can probably be no other so likely as this, where Christ doth the thing, from which He hath that name, vers. 16. Chap. 19. yet this belongeth to the sixth vial, probably there being a large description of many things after this, and a new battell of Gog and Magog, Chap. 20. vers. 8. and then the end cometh, vers. 9, 10. &c. 2. Then it will follow, that by the harvest is meaned the judgement on the beasts seat under the fifth vial, that being the other remarkable stroak on Antichrist (to wit, the first harvest) on his seat or state; or, more generally, it may take in Gods first judgements on him which yet do not destroy him: and so the vintage will be more universall on him and his followers.
The scope and sum then will turn to this, 1. That when Antichrist groweth worse by the Word, the Lord will severely by judgements execute wrath on him and his, and that certainly and fickerly. 2. To shew by what method the Lord will proceed, first, by lesser judgements, then by greater, He will make a full end in due time when all is ripe, He will take them as they ripen. 3. By what means, some executing, some praying, and Christ Himself over-ruling all.
We come to the words. The 1. judgement is set down, vers. 14, 15, and 16. containing, 1. the person executing this judgement. 2. the incitment he hath to it, vers. 15.3. the execution, vers. 16.
The person is described in the 14. vers. beside a preface of Iobns, I looked, and behold, which should make this to be observed. The person executing the judgement is set out in four properties. If it be asked, who it is? For Answer, We conceive Christ to be principally meaned here, yet so as inferiour agents, who are made use of by Him who is the principall, are not to be secluded. That He is principally understood, will appear, 1. By comparing this treading with that name Christ getteth, Chap. 19.15. He treadeth who is the Lord of Lords. 2. The properties agree well and only to Him principally, 1. He rideth on a cloud when He cometh to judgement, Isa. 19.1. none hath such a Throne as He, and He is said to come in the clouds with Power and great Glory, Matth. 25. It is called a cloud and a white cloud, 1. To shew Soveraignty and Glory in the Judge. 2. Speedinesse and swiftnesse in coming to execute. 3. By whitenesse is meaned not only gloriousnesse but innocency and streightnesse of proceeding. Second property, He is like the Son of man: by which Title Christ is described, Chap. 1. vers. 13. and it can well agree to none other. Third property, He hath a golden crown on His head; signifying, 1. Authority, He is a crowned King and that with a crown of gold, signifying statelinesse, Psal. 21. and prosperous successe in His undertakings and conquests. Fourth property, He hath in his hand a sharp sickle, that is, an instrument wherewith they used to reap, as we mow hay with a syth. By this is set out Christs readinesse, furniture and power to execute judgement on wicked men: as readily and easily as a man cutteth down grasse or corn with a sharp sickle, he will mow them down.
Yet though we look upon Christ as a principall agent, we do not exclude inferiour instruments. Hence the second Angel which cometh out to the vintage, is so described as the inferiour agents are, yet in that Christ is chief, as is said. Beside, (Chap. 17.) it is said, God shall put it in the hearts of Kings to execute judgement on the whore and hate her: and, it is like, Christ now appearing with a crown as a King, may signifie his usemaking of such, and so appearing as King of Kings (Chap. 19.) in this work.
2. The incitation that Christ getteth to delay no longer, vers. 15. hath these two things, 1. the party urging. 2. the motives used to perswade Him. The party is an Angel, and that out of the Temple: by an Angel, we understand, as formerly, some Minister or Ministers, as mouths of Congregations, interposing with Christ seriously to execute His wrath. This their prayer suiteth with the Saints practice pointed at Chap. 16. See also, Ier. 33. It agreeth well also with the practice of Saints under Antichrist, and with the Lords way of stirring up people to pray before he deliver fully, Dan. 9.23. for, this voice being to Christ from an Angel that cometh out of the Church (represented by the Temple, because in it Ministers of old used there to serve) it must necessarily be vented in praying and not in commanding. And the Angel must be no proper Angel, but a figurative, as before. By his coming out of the Temple, also may be holden forth, 1. their joynt concurrence in that suit who were in the Church. 2. A liberty that was now in professing such petitions, whereas before they were shut up in the Temple, Chap. 11.1.
This Angels speach containeth, 1. his suit, Thrust in thy sickle, delay no longer. 2. The motives or reasons (for we ought to seek nothing especially of this kind, but what is well grounded) are two in generall, The time for thee to reap is come; holding forth, 1. that there was time set to the judgement. 2. When it is come, then it is time to pray, as Dan. 9.3. with 2. This word, the time for thee, seemeth to point out one especially interested in this office, which must be Christ. The 2. motive is more particular, confirming the former, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. By harvest is understood in the Prophets, especially speaking of Babylon, as was said, a full return of judgement, Ier. 51.33. By ripenesse is understood a fulnesse and height of sin, Ioel 3. so together holding forth ripe sin and ready judgement; sin hath its sowing and growth and ripening, and so wrath answerable is treasured up till the harvest time, as God said of the Amorites, Gen. 15. their cup was not full; and sin may be long in ripening, for hundreds of years. There is a set time for mercy, Psal. 102. and a set time for judgement also. The meaning in short is, Antichrists sin is become great, aggreged with many circumstances, as now ripened; and when our Lord appeared as on His way to execute judgement, His Church and People stepped in to beg that it might be so, which accordingly (vers. 16.) is granted; and fields of wicked men are destroyed, possibly that which Antichrist lived on; and the harvest he had in the earth by Gods judgements was destroyed. However, what the Angel had to execute, is instantly done upon that petition, and accordingly it followeth, (vers. 16.) in two things, according to commission he putteth in his sickle. Then the earth was reaped, easily was the judgement executed which he intended: there is no more, but it was reaped; when he beginneth, he maketh an end.
Vers. 17. The second similitude followeth of the vintage, which is both a sorer degree of judgement and posteriour to the former; sin being now riper, even fully ripe, These grapes of Sodom are cut down, gathered and cast into the wine-presse of Gods wrath, it being usuall to the Prophets to use this similitude, Isa. 63.2, 3, 4.
It hath also three parts. 1. The executioner is described, vers. 17. 2. His incitment to proceed, vers. 18. 3. The execution. This executioner is an Angel, yet diversly described from the former, and called another: yet comparing it with Chap. 19.15. Christ must be understood as principall, but seing He doth these works mediately (as in that same Chapter by Armies on horse-back) sometimes He is represented, because they act by Him; sometimes the types more formally represent them who are agents, because he maketh use of them: however when He is represented, they are not secluded, & contra; He is not when the types resemble them most; and the putting these two agents together, it sheweth that though Christ … instruments, yet that Himself first appeareth, because the work was great and the … weak; extraordinarily He beginneth, but when the Church multiplieth, He … Him instruments out of her.
The instrument, or agent, is called an Angel (as these who powr out the vials are) yet we conceive them not to be understood as properly so; (seing battels and horses are not obscurely mentioned here, and (Chap. 19.) to be made use of in the execution of these plagues) but the manner of the expression of things in this Book, is in the tearms of heaven. It pointeth at some fit ready instrument Jesus Christ shall have to make use of when He shall have to do, one or moe to cut down and cast these grapes in the wine-presse; but (Chap. 19.) He treadeth it Himself. Two things are spoken concerning this Angel, 1. He came out of the Temple which is in heaven, that is, some member or members of His Church, here called heaven: for it was the wine of the earth, that is, of the wicked, and not of the Church, which was to be gathered. 2. He is armed even with a sharp sickle, (such as Christ had) to shew it was that same power whereby this instrument acted, the armour and strength was of the supream Agent. Hence, Chap. 19. (which we take to be the same judgement with this, and ending Gods controversie on the beast) He as King rideth foremost, and the Armies of heaven follow Him to this battell: yet none have armes but He, and we cannot conceive them acting but He is on their head. Hence we may think it the lesse absurdity that the petition again for furtherance of the work is renewed to this Angel, although it be not absurd to conceive this Angel to be a Minister of the Gospel (as Levits served at the altar) giving direction to such as Christ should choose to execute His judgements, as one of the beasts giveth the Angels the vials, Chap. 15.7. and so his power over the fire will be to be understood, as Chap. 11. of the Witnesses their having power over fire and diverse other plagues.
Vers. 18. The incitation is renewed: God will be called on in every step. In which ye have, 1. The suiter described. 2. The suit and its reasons are set down; both which differ from what is spoken of by the former intercessour, vers. 15. the suiter is called an Angel, but hath two peculiar properties, 1. He cometh forth from the altar, which importeth some more retired, secret, holy place than the Temple: we can expound it no otherwise than we did, Chap. 6.9, 10. in the fifth seal, to hold out heaven, ordinarily set out by the most holy. 2. He had power over the fire: not as one peculiarly separated to govern that element, nor one commissionated to execute judgement himself by fire, properly or figuratively to be understood; for then he needed not deal with him who is properly commissionated for that end: and that Angel (Chap. 16.) is called the Angel of the waters; not as having a peculiar charge ordinarily of them or over them, but as peculiarly commissionated in reference to them with his vial (yet it is not properly to be understood of waters, as will appear) it holdeth out then (to speak so) some contest and fight they had with fire, and that the fire did not prevail over them, but they overcame it by the bloud of the Lamb, Chap. 12.11. and by their faith and patience (Heb. 11.) being invincibly armed against all torments. In a word, we take it to be the reviving of the Martyrs cry, which was against heathen persecuters, Chap. 6. Now, their number is compleat, and there is not that ground of suspending the judgement which was given in that place. This cometh to rememberance before God, who findeth in her the bloud of all Prophets and Apostles, because they have served themselves heires to all; and this guilt hath a loud cry before the Lord to procure the hastening and closing of Antichrists judgement. So the first Angel setteth out the cry of all the Church Militant; the second more especially of sufferers Triumphant. See Chap. 6. This Angels suit in two things differeth from and goeth behind the former, 1. The suit is, thrust in thy sharp sickle, it was simply sickle before: This is added to shew a severity in this judgement, and a holy pressing in this Angel beyond the former. 2. The grapes are said to be fully ripe, so there needeth no longer waiting. The harvest was ripe before, now the grapes are fully ripe, for they have had more time. 2. They had more means, and former lesser judgements were despised. 3. They have had more light by what hath past. 4. More wickednesse hath fallen in their hand notwithstanding and out over the belly of that light, especially perfection: and now the number of the Witnesses or Martyrs seemeth to be nigh compleat, and therefore the sin is riper now than it was, Chap. 6. or yet under the former similitude. Thus, as it were, heaven and earth concur to pull down Antichrist.
The execution followeth, vers. 19. and 20. in which the… … are considerable, 1. There is no longer delay, but judgement is immediately … sin and a sinning people, hasten wrath. See Psal. 119.126. It is time for thee, … to work: for they make void thy Law. And no sooner is the execution begun but in its due order and time it is finished. And the vine is gathered: Judgement never misseth its end. 2. The vine is not only cut down and gathered, but it is cast in the winepresse of Gods wrath, that is, brought or put in the place where God executeth His judgements on them, which as it is temporall, is (Chap. 19) called Armageddon; and as it is eternall, its the lake, Chap. 19.20. which certainly is the last result. 3. This wine-presse is trod, vers. 20. (following the similitude) and it sheweth that Christs wrath who is the treader, shall pursue them terribly. 4. It is troden without the city: It is like so was their presses in their wineyards, for to be near them: It signifieth here, 1. a fit place, set apart for executing wrath on them. 2. a shutting them out as polluted, from His Church here and heaven hereafter: so the lake is opposed (Chap. 20.) to entering into the holy Ierusalem; a separating of them from His people in that judgement, that the City should have no hurt by it.
5. The terriblnesse of the effect and judgement is described, in three things, 1. That bloud came out: that sheweth that a proper judgement on men is to be understood here. 2. It was to the horse-bridles, so very deep: which would be compared with Chap. 19. 15, &c. where Christ there erodeth this presse, and His followers are mounted on horseback for pursuing this victory: the bloud is so deep on the fields, and the slaughter so great, that it choaketh up to the horse-bridles of these who pursue. 3. This deepnesse of the bloud its running, was not a furlong or two, but 1600. furlongs, counting eight furlongs to a mile. It is two hundred miles, a long way, a definit space for an indefinit, but great, and setting out great slaughter of enemies, so that all the fowles are invited to a feast, Chap. 19. In a word, it is a dreadfull judgement on the beast and his followers, most certainly to come.