The Revelation Revealed, Chapter 1 · Verse 3
Verſe 3. Bleſſed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Propheſie, and keep thoſe things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.
You have again the promiſe of bleſſedneſs made to thoſe that keep the ſayings of this Propheſie in the laſt chapter, verſe 7… From which promiſe here in the entrance of the Book, and in the end thereof reiterated and made good to ſuch as keep the ſayings of this Propheſie, you may obſerve,
Obſerv. 1. That this propheſie is not altogether inacceſſible, but to be underſtood of ſuch as diligently enquire thereinto, by the help of God's Spirit. If the diſcovery of this Propheſie were not feaſible, how vain would it be to promiſe bleſſedneſs to the diligent obſervers thereof? I conceive it would be very derogatory to the Divine Truth of God, to make ſuch a ſuppoſition. Beſides the ſayings of this Propheſie are to be read, heard, and kept, and therefore moſt abſurd to conclude that it is ſo hidden, as not to be underſtood in the ſcope, and ſubſtantial part thereof.
From the promiſe of bleſſedneſs, Note.
Obſerv. 2. That this book of Propheſies contains moſt excellent and uſeful things to be underſtood, kept, and obſerved. How ſingular uſeful it is to foreſee the coming either of the day of joy and tryumph, or the day of evil and affliction? That our Spirits may be born up, and our hearts comforted under all conditions, in the certain hopes and expectancy of the one, and that we may not murmure in the other, but acquieſce under the hand of God in patience, until the day of the wrath of the Lord be paſt and over. This book of Propheſies is full of ſuch diſcoveries, to wit, The afflicted ſtate of the Church, its ſecurity in that condition, together with the riſe of Antichriſt, its reigne, pollutions, and a diſcovery thereof; and at laſt, its utter ruine and abolition; and the conſequent thereof; the Reſtauration of the Church to glory. Judicious chriſtians ſhould account this knowledge excellent, it will much help to keep their ſpirits in a frame and temper ſutable to their conditions: This will teach them to know, that this is a time of patience and tribulation, not of tryumphing and reigning. While the Bridegroom is abſent, the Spouſe is under ſorrow and mourning, not of mirth and rejoycing▪ The Scarlet Whore, or harlot church ſits yet as a queen, and therefore the true Spouſe ſits mourning, yet ſtill expecting the day-ſtar to ariſe for her comfort and conſolation. See more concerning the uſefulneſs of this Propheſie in the Preface to this work.
Obſerv. 3. The contents and intendment of this Propheſie, is not obvious to every eye. Reading and hearing will not ſerve turn, there muſt be a keeping; that is, he that will read to advantage the things in this Propheſie, muſt read obſervantly, hear attentively, and at laſt treaſure up in his heart what he hath read and heard, and ſo having carefully obſerved the contents of each Propheſie, with a right application thereof, he becomes moſt bleſſed and happy.
From the difficulty of the underſtanding of this Propheſie, obſerve 4. That the profoundeſt ſpeculations, and the choiceſt truths, are hardeſt come by. It is a true ſaying, Quod difficilimum, pulcherrimum: Truths (as Treaſures) that lye deepeſt, are ſweeteſt. It is not unknown what knots there are in the choice doctrines of the Trinity, the Divinity of Chriſt, Juſtification, &c. and yet moſt neceſſary to be known.
This informeth us ſeveral leſſons.
1. To ſet a reverence upon the truths of God, for they are choice ones, not eaſily come by.
2. It ſets a check upon our ſwelling conceits, as if we knew all myſteries, and the deep things of God; but we are creatures not omniſcient: and it teacheth us, that many difficulties in the word of God, are the truths of God, though we know them not.
3. It quickens us to duty, and whets our endeavours to the attainment thereof. Strive to enter into the ſtrait gate. Choice Truths, as heaven, muſt be taken by violence, and the violent takes them by force.
4. God hath hid ſome excellent Truths under the rocks, and laid them deep, that the greateſt abilities and graces he gives, may be exerciſed therein; in the Word, there is meat for babes, and alſo meat for ſtrong men: both have enough, that neither may complain for want.
5. Laſtly, It drives us to God, and to pray with David, Open thou our eyes, that we may ſee the wonders of thy Law.
For the time is at hand.] The ſame expreſſion is in the laſt chapter, v. 10. which intimateth, that all ought to take heed to the contents of this Propheſie, becauſe the time was then at hand, and drawing nigh, wherein all the predictions thereof muſt be accompliſhed, and wherein an entrance ſhould be made forthwith unto the accompliſhment of ſome, and ſo unto all the reſt in their order, until all ſhould be fulfilled. And in the firſt verſe it is ſaid, The things revealed in theſe Propheſies by Chriſt unto his ſervant John, muſt ſhortly come to paſs.
Hence obſerve, That thoſe propheſies began to be in force, and run out preſently upon John's time, and ſo continues in all the ages ſince, until the conſummation of all, This will be made good in the enſuing diſcourſe, treating on the particulars.