The Revelation Revealed, Chapter 2 · Verse 26-27 – Verse 29
Verſ. 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the Nations.
Verſ. 27. (And he ſhall rule them with a rod of iron; as the veſſels of a Potter ſhall they be broken to ſhivers) even as I have received of my Father.
Here is a vincenti dabitur, a crown and a reward ſet forth to him that overcometh and eſcapeth thoſe aſſaults and doctrines of Satan, taught by that falſe Propheteſs and Nicolaitiſh Jezebel, and withal keeps cloſe unto godly ways and practiſes, which are called my works; Chriſt's works becauſe of his efficiency therein, and approbation thereunto; and that that wil give an intereſt unto this crown; it is not following of Chriſt's works a little ſeaſon (as the ſeed that fell on the way ſide, and ſprung up, but ſhortly dyed for want of radical moiſture) but a conſtant perſevering, keeping unto Chriſt's works and doctrines unto the end, that will do the work.
Obſerv. 1. Note hence, That it is not enough for us in our way unto the Kingdom, to eſcape the pollutions of wicked perſons and falſe Teachers; but we must cloſe with Chriſt's true Doctrine, and do good works alſo.
Our Religion and Righteouſneſs muſt not be a negative Religion or Righteouſneſs, but it muſt be a poſitive one alſo: It is not enough for us to renounce Popery, and all falſe ways and doctrines, but we muſt alſo ſet up that Religion, Doctrine, and way of worſhip which is pure, holy, and according to the will of God in all things, as the Lord ſhall be pleaſed in grace to reveal unto us. It would be but ſmall commendation to thoſe of Thyatira to overcome and eſcape the doctrines of Jezebel, if on the other hand they ſhould fall into the doctrines of Balaam or worſe: What praiſe-worthy will it be for us to overcome the aſſaults of Rome and their depths of Satan, and yet ſet up as pernitious doctrines of our own? What gain will it be to caſt off Popery, and embrace Familiſme, Anti-ſcripturiſme, Arminianiſme, Sarcinianiſme, and what not, in the room thereof? In all our repentances we are willed not only to turn from the evil way, but to turn into the good; elſe it will be but a halt and maimed work, and a lame repentance, and not worthy of the title of any of Chriſt's works: And this muſt be done and obſerved unto the end. Our chriſtian life is a race, and he that leaves off in the mid way hath no hopes to attain the prize. Hence Note,
Obſerv. 2. The Crown is given to the perſevering Chriſtian. See more on ver. 7. of this cap.
To him will I give power over the Nations, and he ſhall rule them with a rod of iron &c.] Theſe words have relation to that of Pſal. 2.8, 9. only the difficulty lies in this, them words of the Pſalme are a Propheſy and a Promiſe relating unto Chriſt, Aske of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance, and the utmoſt part of the earth for thy Poſſeſsion, ver. 9. Thou ſhalt break them with a rod of Iron, thou ſhalt daſh them in pieces like a Potters veſſel; and this is ſpoken and Propheſied of Chriſt, and again, in Rev. 19.15. Chriſt is there ſaid to ſmite the Nations with the ſharp Sword of his mouth, and to rule them with a rod of Iron.
Object. But that power and that work is there attributed to Chriſt alone, How is it therefore here attributed to the conquering Saints?
I Anſwer, By virtue of that union between Chriſt and his members, they ſhall do it alſo: If Chriſt the head ſhall rule the Nations, ſo his members ſhall rule together with him and under him, he as the head, they as his ſubordinate lims and aſſiſtants: Chriſt and they make up but one body miſtycal, and therefore they both muſt raign together, unleſs you conceive a ſeparation between them, which is impoſſible, Dan. 7.13, 14. The Kingdom is ſaid to be given to Chriſt, which in verſ. 22. and 27. is ſaid to be given unto the Saints; they are ſo reciprocal and ſo united, that what is done by the one, is ſaid to be done by the other; they are ſo far from being tearmed contraria, that they are hardly diverſa, though I ſhall grant the Saints ſubordinate unto Chriſt, yet what is predicated of the one, is often predicated of the other in Scriptures; and therefore it is no hard ſaying to aſſert that believers under Chriſt their head, and as his members, and by his donation and aſſiſtance, ſhall do his own peculiar work as ſubordinate inſtruments unto himſelf, for, Qui facit per alium facit per ſe; and ſo may the Saints have power over the Nations, and rule them with a rod of Iron, till they be broken as a Potter's veſſel; and this interpretation ſtands with beſt reaſon; for though our late Bibles have included all the 27. v. in a Parentheſis ſaving the laſt clauſe thereof, as if it were on purpoſe to cut it off from having any applicatory reference to the conquering Saints in the 25. and 26. v. and to be reſerved ſolely applicable unto Chriſt; but ſurely ſuch Interpreters could not have a righteous intention in ſuch a ſervice; for in the beſt Greek copies as Stephanus and others, there is not a tittle or ſtroak of a Parentheſis, but the continued ſpeech, in the 25, and 26. verſes it is to the overcoming chriſtian, and ſo continued as a farther addition in the 27. verſe, until the latter clauſe thereof come in, even as I have received of my Father, which makes it plain: For what had Chriſt received of his Father? Power over the Nations, to rule over them with a rod of Iron, and to breake them in pieces as a Potter's veſſel, Pſal. 2.9. Rev. 19.15. as if he had ſaid, even as I have received this power and dominion of my Father over the Nations, ſo will I give it to him that ſhall overcome and get the victory over all falſe ways and practiſes, and he ſhall be co-partner with me in this my Throne and Kingdom, cap. 3. 21. The intention of the Spirit being cleared in theſe words to be the conquering Saints to whom power is given over the Nations to rule them with a rod of Iron and to break them in pieces as a Potter's veſſel. Next I ſhall enquire what the power is that is given them.
Firſt, It is ſuch a power whereby they ſhall judge the Nations, ſo our new Annotations have it.
Secondly, It is ſuch a power that they thereby ſhall get victory, and ſubdue all theirs and the truth's Enemies; ſo Biſhop Hall on the place.
Thirdly, It is ſuch a power whereby they ſhall break all the obſtinate Enemies of Chriſt to peices as a Potter's veſſel. The firſt is confirmed from 1 Cor. 6.2. Mat. 19.28. Jude, 14.15: The ſecond and third are confirmed from this verſ. and Pſal. 2. compared to Rev. 19.18, 19. &c. where Chriſt and his Armies powers out the full Vials of divine wrath upon all their obſtinate enemies to the utmoſt. Again, This power over the Nations, and ruling by a rod of Iron, and breaking them in pieces as a Potter's veſſel, muſt needs be underſtood of a corporal breaking, ruling and overpowering, and not a ſpiritual: So that ſpiritual is a ſtrange worke to a rod or Scepter of Iron; Chriſts golden Scepter of his word is the only inſtrument to make the Nations bow to his ſpiritual Kingdom; but for the refuſers thereof, he hath another Scepter, in another day to be exerciſed on them, a rod of Iron and force, whereby he will deſtroy the mighty ones of the earth, that are his enemies, and will daſh them in pieces like a Potters veſſel, to the making the Kings and Judges of the earth wiſe, and to kiſs the Son leſt he be angry, Pſal. 2.10, 11. Hence Note,
Obſerv. That Chriſt's faithful Saints have a day to come, to judg, rule, and reigne over the Nations, as well as now to ſuffer under them.
Though this be the day of their ſufferance and patience, yet there is a kingdom joyned to it, cap. 1. 9. Though John was a brother and companion to the ſeven churches in tribulation and patience, yet he was too in the hopes of the kingdom to be revealed: This Kingdom was never yet fulfilled to the Saints of God, but ſtill rather the contrary hitherto: the Nations of the world break the Saints and churches of Chriſt by their iron Scepters of force and power: Both Mahometanes and Popiſh Antichriſtian Rulers and Princes, not ſparing Chriſt's little flock, but breaking them in pieces as a Potters Veſſels, and therefore it is moſt equitable that they ſhall have a day too, as a reward of their faithfulneſs and ſufferance, wherein they ſhall lead captivity captive, and give their enemies the ſame meaſure that they formerly meted forth unto the Saints, for they are worthy. 2. This kingdom as yet hitherto was not given to the Saints, nor yet will be; for this power over the Nations, and this rod of iron is put into their hands, as the reſult of their perſeverance in the truth at the ſecond coming of Chriſt, as in the laſt precedent verſe is declared: Hold fast till I come; and in that day when Chriſt comes to him that overcometh, he will give power over the Nations, &c. Now this was promiſed long after Chriſt's firſt coming in the fleſh, and alſo after his ſpecial coming in the ſpirit; and therefore yet there will be a day when he will come again to fulfil this promiſe, before the ultimate end of all; and for any to expect this rule over the Nations by the rod of iron, before Chriſt comes and appears in the clouds to the performance of this great work: they may reigne, but without Chriſt; they may get power over the Nations, but not in Chriſt's way, or his giving. Hence another Note ariſes.
Obſerv. 2. That it is Chriſt alone that gives power into the hands of his Saints over the Nations.
They are not to catch at it themſelves: This time is Chriſt's ſpiritual and his interceſſory kingdom; and if we fight with, or uſe any other weapons therein then are ſpiritual, we may loſe the benefit of his ſecond kingdom, which is reſerved as a reward of our obedience under the firſt kingdom: He that walks ſpiritually and ſoberly under the firſt of grace and ſpirit, doubtleſs the ſecond alſo will be his portion; otherwiſe he is in danger to loſe both his comforts here, and his portion hereafter in the other kingdom alſo.
Verſe 28. And I will give him the morning Star.
This is an additional degree of happineſs to the overcoming Saints in that day, when they ſhall judge and rule the Nations with a rod of iron: In ver. 17. it is called Hidden Manna, and a white ſtone, wherein a new Name is written; and formerly, a Crown of life, and the Tree of life in the Paradiſe of God, &c. all being variety of expreſſions, to ſet forth the great and excellent glories of the other world. Chriſt did formerly promiſe the participation of himſelf in that his glorious kingdom to the conquering Saints, under the Types of Hidden Manna, Tree of Life, and in this verſe, as the morning Star. Chriſt is the bright morning Star: Firſt, Becauſe he then brings comfort with him to his afflicted churches. Secondly, He brings light with him to his ancient people the Jews, that now ſit in darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of death, Rom. 11.25. 2 Pet. 1.19. This morning Star is the ſame with that Sun that riſes in Malachy 4.2. with healing in his wings, and muſt of neceſſity ſignifie Chriſt's perſonal appearance again, as the greateſt part of the crown and reward of his faithful ones, and for the healing, enlightning, and converſion of his ancient church and people the Jews. Hence Note,
Obſerv. That Chriſt will appear again to the comfort of his afflicted Gentile churches, and to the enlightning and converſion of his ancient people the Jews, before the ultimate end of all, and general judgement.
Becauſe, then is a day of total deſtruction, not an appearance for the converſion of them that are in unbelief. That is the time when the Saints receive their utmoſt glory; not ſtriving, ruling, and over-powring the Nations. Chriſt then delivers up all power unto the Father, 1 Cor. 15.24. therefore that is no day to give power into their hands over the Nations: In the day of ultimate judgment, Gog, and Magog, and all the churches enemies, are caught and caſt into the Lake of fire and brimſtone for evermore, cap. 19. 20. Therefore it is no day of ruling over them, for that day then will be paſt and over. To conclude, the Saints temporal reigne begins with the appearance of this Morning Star, and ends with the final deſtruction of all the wicked; but their heavenly glory ſhall never end. And for the concluſion of this chapter.
Verſ. 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches.
Let the wiſe intelligent chriſtian conſider and ponder what the Spirit ſaith to each of theſe churches, and from the often repetition of the Spirits memento, in theſe words take this concluſion.
That Chriſt's Doctrines and Propheſies cannot be too often inculcated upon the hearts and memories of his people.