Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 7
LECTURE VII.
Vers. 15.
—And his voice as the sound of many waters.
16.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength.
I Told you, that this Vision doth not represent the Body of our Lord Jesus, or His humane nature; but it is to point out His divine qualifications, wherewith He was furnished as God-Man in one Person, for the good of His Church. And these things spoken of, as parts of a body, bear out some resemblance and analogie of these qualifications, that are in Him, far beyond any thing that can be conceived.
The fourth property or qualification, is, his voice: which is said to be as the sound of many waters. It was said in the 10. vers. to be a great voice, like a trumpet; here it is said to be like the sound of many waters, both high and great, heard afar off, and very terrible and dreadfull. By His voice, in Scripture is understood mainly two things: both which may well relate to this resemblance. 1. His effectuall willing and commanding of things to be, as it's said, He spoke and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast, (Gen. 1.) Let there be light, and it was light: for, Christ as God, hath not a voice properly; but the voice, being that by which a man signifies his command and will, and being here attributed to Christ as God, It is to point out His effectual willing, and bringing that forth which He would have done: and so points at the effectualnesse of Christs government. There is nothing called for by Him, but it cometh to passe; nothing commanded, but is done, and that with a word. 2. It's taken for the manifestation of Gods terriblenesse and majesty, Psal. 18.13. The Lord also thundred in the heavens, and the highest gave His voice; hailstones and coals of fire. In which sense, it is applied to the thunder; because, by it He manifests His power, and shews Himself terrible. Hence there is so much spoken of His voice, Psal. 29.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The voice of the Lord, &c. To shew not only the powerful effects of the voice of God in the thunder, and the way it produceth its effects; but the terriblenesse and majesty of God who hath such a voice, that, as it is Hag. 2.6. Can shake heaven and earth: which is to point out His dreadfulnesse and terriblenesse, against the enemies of His Church. If He speaks the word, they evanish: one word of this King will make the stoutest Tyrants to quake, as is clear from Scripture, and the storie of former times.
A fifth qualification, is, vers. 16. He had in his right hand seven stars. The seven Stars are expounded in the last verse, to be the Ministers of the Churches. And the reasons of it we forbear, till we come to that: only here, our Lord Jesus is said to have a right hand, that is, power, and skill, and activity in exercising His power: for, the right hand, is the strongest hand, and that by which men skilfully, and dexterously go about the bringing to passe of that which they would be at: He hath not power and fury, but power and skill; and with power and skill He manages all His matters. Believers have not a handlesse Mediator, (to speak so) He hath hands, as well as feet. But more of this in the third thing, contained in this description.
Sixthly, He is described further, Out of his mouth went a two edged sword: whereby is meaned the Word of God, especially the Gospel: His voice, spoken of before, is more generall, relating to His universall power and soveraignty over all the World: This relates more particularly, to the written and Preached Word, called The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph. 6. and sharper then a two edged sword, dividing betwixt the joynts and the marrow, the soul and the spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Heb. 4. The Word is compared to a sword, and a two edged sword, for these reasons. 1. Because of the power of it: it hath a discerning, peircing, penetrating power with it, to come in on hearts; and to discover the thoughts and intents of the heart, when Christ blesseth it, and maketh it strik at the roots of corruption, it will humble the proudest heart, and quicken the deadest spirit, and pierce through the Soul and Conscience of the most obdured person, as Act. 2. Peters Preaching did prick his hearers. This is the saving and proper effect of the Word, when it Anatomizes folks, and layeth open their thoughts, their security, pride, formality, &c. and strikes at the root of the body of death, to kill it, and be its death. 2. Because of the effect it hath among carnall hearers and hypocrites: in which respect, we think it is especially looked on here, as afterwards in the Epistle to Pergamos, Chap. 2. vers. 12.16. I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. This sword, when rightly handled, proves a torture to the wicked men in the world, when it discovers their rottenesse: so it's said of the two faithfull Witnesses, Revel. 11.10. that they tormented them that dwelt on the earth; the Word of God was so sharp in their mouths, that it did hew (Hos. 6.5.) their minds and consciences, and galled them at the heart; so (Act. 7.) it is said, Stephens hearers were cut in their heart, and gnashed upon him with their teeth; they could not abide the plainnesse and evidence of the Word, accompanied with power. 3. Because it hath a further cutting vertue to wicked men, when it proves through Gods Justice, plaguing to their hearts and minds, and hath an instrumentall efficacy for their slaying, when God draws out the sentence, and gives the Word an edge, and makes it cut, and, in His Justice, to promove their destruction, Isa. 11.4. With the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked, 1 King. 19.17. Him that escapeth the sword of Iehu, shall Elisha slay; and Hos. 6.5. I hewed them by my Prophets, and slew them by the words of my mouth, through Gods pronouncing of sharp threatnings, and their corruption abusing the threatnings, it becomes their death. 2. This sword, is said to proceed out of his mouth: to point out where- from the force, efficacy, and power of the Word cometh, when it pierceth: It's not the Word, as it is written, or spoken by mens mouth; but as it proceedeth out of Christs mouth, which makes it profitable or convincing: and it is this which makes sinners guilt so great, and tormenteth hypocrites when He addeth weight with it, to thwart their corruption, and they repine against it.
The last qualification, is, His countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength: whereby is meaned the love that He sheweth to His People, and the Glory and Majesty that is in Himself, Psal. 4.6. Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, that is, the manifestation of thy love. And Psal. 80. the causing of His face to shine, is severall times spoken of. And this favour and stately Majesty in Christ, is compared to the Sun shining: not as in the morning, nor at even, nor under a cloud; but in his strength. 1. Because of the glorious majesty that is in it, as Chap. 5.15. of the Song, His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars: there is an excellency and beauty in it that dazels and obscures all the excellency and beauty of the World, even as the light of the Sun obscures the Stars. 2. Because of the lightsomnesse of it: for, Christ is to Believers, as the Sun is to the World, Ioh. 1.9. He is that true light, that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world. Light, both for direction and consolation: and that is a third reason of the similitude. His countenance is as the Sun shining in his strength, for the refreshingnesse of it. Psal. 4.6, 7. His countenance maketh the heart more glad than corn, and wine, and worldly comforts whatsoever. 4. His countenance is so compared, from the effectual influence it hath on Believers growth: even as the Sun hath influence on the growing of cornes, grasse, trees, herbs, and all things in the inferiour world: so Christs countenance hath influence on Believers growth in all things. Therefore, Mal. 4.2. It's said, The Sun of righteousnesse shall arise with healing under His wings to such as fear His Name, and they shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall. His presence and favour, hath a reall and effectual influence on all that are united to Him, as the sun in his strength, hath on herbs and plants. We point but at these things, which are infinite in themselves. O that necessitie of union with Christ! O the excellencie of that condition of being near to Him! He is our light: there is no living without Him; and how lightsom is it, to walk with Him, and to dwell in Him?
The third thing in the description, is, Christs actuall exercising of His Offices and qualifications for the good of His Churches and Ministers (which are the objects about which His care is especially exercised) holden out in these two. 1. He walks among the golden Candlesticks. And, 2. He keeps the Stars in His right hand, that is His Work and great imployment, as vers. 13, 16. and chap. 2. vers. 1.
1. His walking among the golden Candlesticks, points out, 1. His special presence in His Church: though He be omnipresent through all the world; yet He hath a special manifestation of His presence in His Church: and there is a special relation between Him and them, as it's spoken of Israel, Psal. 147.19. compared with Deut. 4.7. What nation so great that hath God so near them in all things, &c? He is near to His Church in a singular manner, in the special effects of His presence. 2. It points out His special care of His Church; He chooseth His Church as the pleasantest place in all the world to walk in; and He taketh pleasure there, as in His Garden and Gallerie: His common providence is extended to all the world; but He taketh special notice, and hath a special care of His Church above all the world. Isa. 27.3. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. See Isa. 43.3, 4. 3. It points out His special taking notice of, and observing the carriage of His Church and of all within the same: He knoweth all the world, and the thoughts, words, and actions of every one, all projects, counsels, and events before they come; but in a special manner He taketh notice of all His Church, how the Work of Grace thriveth in His people; what fruit His Ordinances have among them, who are making progresse, who are backsliding, what is the particular posture of every soul, to sned off luxuriant branches, to purge out what is corrupt, to help forward what is right, to prevent any prejudice may come unto them; to fore-see and provide for any thing, as it may be for their good. Which shews, 1. What a great benefit it is to be a Member of this Church: if it be a mercy to be under His special and singular care, it must be no small priviledge and benefit to be a Member of His Church. 2. It letteth us see what manner of persons we ought to be, who have Christs presence so near us, nearer than all the world beside: when ever we are in the Ordinances, we would take up Christ, as walking amongst the midst of us; and in all our conversation, apprehend Him at our ear: it both calls for holinesse from us, and laieth watchfulnesse on us, knowing how narrowly He taketh notice of us. 3. It points out, how inexcusable, the faults and failings of these who live in the Church, are. Christ walks among them; and yet they stand not awe of Him: the signs of His presence are alwayes with them; and yet they take no notice of them: the nearer the signs of His presence, and His special care be, the greater is our sin, if it have not influence on us. 4. It points at Christs tendernesse and care, for the comfort of them that dare not trust themselves, but commit themselves to Him and trust to His care and tendernesse: He seeth well to all His Churches, and every particular persons condition; and is never from them: His being in heaven, hath not made Him to lay by His care of His people. This were a great consolation, if we would singly make use of it. Matth. 28. Lo, I am with you to the end of the world; and He keeps His promise.
The other word, His holding the Stars in His right hand, holds out His care of His Ministers: the meaning is, that as He walks in the midst of the Churches, and takes special care of them; so He takes a special care of the Ministers of these seven Churches, and so of the Ministers of all the Churches. And under this is holden out, 1. The difficulty of the Ministers station: they are not able to stand their alone, except they be upholden by Christ: partly, because of the malice and opposition of men, and Devils that by wicked men seek to ruine and overturn the Church and Work of God in their hands; the venting of their malice begins at them: and partly, because of the greatnesse of the burden and charge, that lies on them: and partly also from their own infirmities, &c. 2. It points out the Lords special care of them, according to their station, strait, and charge: as their charge is great, and their difficulties great and many; so He exercises His power for their direction, defence and protection: He hath care of all the world; but more especially of His Churches: but for His Churches sake, He hath, most of all, a special care of His Ministers, who are called the Messengers of the Churches and the Glory of Christ, 1 Cor. 8. they being the men that He makes use of for the handling of His Sword, and subduing of souls to Him. They often meet with little estimation from men, and walk among many snares and dangers: therefore He holds out His care, and the application of His power, especially, to incourage and strengthen them to duty in the midst of these snares and difficulties. 3. By His holding them in His right hand, he points at that dependency that Ministers ought to have on Jesus Christ: they should go about their duty, as in His hand; lippening to His strength and power, rather than to ought in themselves, for the performing of the task committed to them.
1. This is for special consolation in evil times, that Christ hath such a care of His Ministers and Churches: let the Devil pluck again and again to have a Ministery down, somtimes by force, somtimes by slight, it will not be, they are stars, and in Christs hand: sooner will Stars be plucked from heaven, than they from Him.
2. Christs care of His Church, kyths in caring for His Ministers: The right care of the one, is carried along with the right care of the other: and it's not a right care of Churches, where there is not a respect to Ministers: Christ knoweth the good and the ill of the one, stands and falls with the good and ill of the other: there is such a connexion between them, and such a sibnesse, they are so interested the one in the other, that according as the one is, so is the other: ordinarly, if the Minister be carnal and secure; so is the flock: and if the Minister be in a lively temper; there will also be some life among the flock. And if we speak in reference to those who have enmity at the Church, hatred against the Church is vented, and begineth at hatred against the Ministerie. It's impossible to be careful of Christs Church and despise and hate His Ministers, or overturn a Ministerie.
3. It shews, that there is a respect due to them that Christ puts in this place: and where Christ hath put respect, it becometh us to put respect also: there should be a sympathie with them, and a reverencing of them, if it were for no more but for this cause, that he keeps them in His right hand: respect to Him, should make respect to them: It's a strange Religion, to professe respect to Churches and Saints, and show so little to Ministers: Christ did never so.