The Revelation Revealed, Chapter 3 · Verse 12 – Verse 13
Verſe 12. Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he ſhall go no more out: And I will write upon him the Name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, which is new Jeruſalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: And I will write upon him my new Name.
In the Greek, foreign He that overcometh. The Nominative caſe is put abſolutely by a defect of a Prepoſition, to, of, or for; which is an Hebraiſme; the words are thus to be read: As for him that overcometh, I will make a pillar, &c. Agreeable to this are thoſe places, Rom. 8.3. For what was impoſſible to the Law, by an Hebraiſm ought to be read, as for, or touching the impoſſibility of the Law; and Pſalm 18.30. Jehovah, his way is perfect, which we read, The way of God, or, As for God, his way is perfect. The ſame reading is in Rev. cap. 2. 26.
The reward of him that overcometh is double, 1. I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of my God, and he ſhall go no more out. 2. Chriſt ſets upon him a threefold Name, The Name of his God, The Name of New Jeruſalem, and His own new Name.
This alluſion of a Pillar is taken up by the Spirit, from thoſe two Brazen Pillars in Solomon's Temple, which was a Type of the true Temple and church of Chriſt, and ſo nothing was made or placed therein in vain, though they ſeemed ſmall, but did typifie and ſignifie ſomwhat to us. Solomon called his two pillars which he erected, by two remarkable Names, 1 Kings 7.21. The right Pillar by the name of J…hin, and the left by the name of Boaz▪ The one ſignifying He will ſtabliſh; and the other, In it there is ſtrength. So in the Antitype, thoſe overcoming Saints, that Chriſt makes Pillars in the Temple of his God, have theſe two qualities or properties put upon them, eſtabliſhment and perpetuity, both in their ſpiritual ſtrength and graces, and alſo in their new church ſtate which cometh down from heaven: and leſt any ſhould think that thoſe new Pillars of the Temple of God might fail, as thoſe of Solomon's did, when they were broken, and the braſs thereof carried away by Nebuchadnezzar into Babel Jer. 52.17. there is another additional property put upon them then that of perpetuity and ſtrength, even of eternity, in thoſe words, And he ſhall go no more out. After the conquering Saints are taken into this holy Temple, there is no fear of being turned out of poſſeſſion of it; no Nebuchadnezzar ſhall ever come and break them in pieces, or carry them by force into captivity. The Nebuchadnezzars of the world have always hitherto under ſeveral forms of Beaſts and Governments, carryed away, and broken to pieces the weak and infirm pillars of the viſible church; fot indeed they were given into their hands by God to be overcomed and trodden under foot by them, Rev. 11. but having at laſt overcommed by ſuffering and patience, Chriſt will raiſe them up again, to become Pillars in his New Temple, that ſhall never go out any more, and will make them other gates perſons then ever formerly they were; for he will write upon them the name of his God: and what is that? Jehovah Shaddai, The Lord, the mighty God; and the name of the new Jeruſalem which cometh down from heaven, and his own new Name, Phil. 2.9. All intimating their glorious ſtate and dignity that Chriſt will put them in poſſeſſion of in that new church-ſtate which is promiſed them before the ultimate day of judgement, which ſhall never periſh, nor any more be taken from them. But on this more hereafter.
From the words, I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God, Note,
Obſerv. The over-coming Saints of Christ, ſhall be made moſt honourable in the New Jeruſalem, the new Temple of God, the new Church ſtate that Chriſt will reſtore on earth, before the end of all, propheſied of Rev. 21.1, &c.
They are made pillars, and pillars in the church are honourable; James and John are called pillars, great eminent Apoſtles, and thoſe were placed in the porch of Solomon's Temple, for the great ornament and glory thereof: They ſit on Thrones, judging the Nations round about: They are made Kings and Prieſts unto their God: And what more honourable then thoſe high callings to the eye of men, of Kings, Prieſts, and Judges? Yea, the name of God, of Chriſt, and the new Jeruſalem is written upon them, and therefore ſure moſt honourable. Little do the high ones of this preſent generation, with their counterfeit and mock-honour, think that the now poor deſpicable Saints of Chriſt, whom they ſo much ſcorn and trample under-foot, are thoſe for whoſe ſakes the world is preſerved from flaming fires, and that one day ſhall become the only Kings, Rulers, and Princes thereof, maugre all the malice of Satan, and all their antichriſtian enemies in the world to the contrary. If the great and honourable perſons of the world did but verily believe that the Saints of Chriſt ſhould one day become ſo honourable in the preſence of the whole world, they would more eſteem them then they do, as Heirs, born unto ſo great a Kingdom. It is the common, and not unwiſe practiſe of politique courtiers, when their old Soveraign or Prince is upon declining, they adore and worſhip the next Heir, or reputed Succeſſor, as the riſing Sun, as the neareſt ſtep to their preferments. And will ye not be ſo wiſe ye ſons of men, to make good your intereſt with the riſing Heirs, and children of this great enſuing Monarch? Three of the great Monarchs of the world are dead, and we have ſeen their graves, the fourth is ſick with age, if not even at deaths door, having one foot in his grave already, for his weakneſs and infirmity being but as an Image of the firſt Beaſt, or of himſelf, when he was in his youth, under his Caeſarian Heads and Empire: And the fifth is drawing nigh, having already poured out many Vials of ruine upon the fourth, to make way for the appearance of himſelf, this heavenly one. And think ye, is it not good and honeſt policy to come under the skirts of the c…rtiers of this great and heavenly Prince, to become one in faith, manners, diſcipline, and intereſt with them, that when he appeareth, ye may joyntly reigne with him and them in his new and heavenly Kingdom? It will be the firſt ſtep unto honour and your riſing; to become one in intereſt with the now deſpicable and vilified Saints of Chriſt; for though at preſent they differ nothing from ſervants, yet know they will be one day heirs of all.
Obſerv. 2. That Chriſt's new reſtored Church-ſtate, new Temple, new Ieruſalem that comes down from heaven, ſhall never periſh, but be eſtabliſhed for ever.
Though ſome would have theſe words, to be made pillars in the Temple of God, and to go out no more, to ſignifie the ſtability of the faith of the elect, whereunto I cannot wholly aſſent; for though I grant, that the faithful (as Philadelphia) are made pillars for their ſtability in the faith and ſtrength of grace in the Temple of God, and their faith is ſo confirmed to them, that they never need to fear of utter failing or periſhing; yet there is more promiſed in this verſe, then a meer confirmation of the elect from non-falling away; for the next coherent words do connote ſo much: when Chriſt promiſes to write the name of the new Jeruſalem, and the new name of Chriſt upon them, to be made pillars in the faith, and to be eſtabliſhed therein, was always a continued promiſe, and always performed to the church in all ages: but the name of the new Jeruſalem that comes down from heaven, and the new name of Chriſt, which are annexed hereunto, were never yet made good unto the church, but hath reference unto a more glorious future church-ſtate on earth, ſpoken of Rev. 21▪1. I ſaw a new heaven, and a new earth; which in verſ. 10. is called the great City, the holy Ieruſalem, deſcending out of heaven from God, which on the ſubſequent words of this verſe, ſhall more evidently be explained. But to return, This new church-ſtate, new Temple, is to continue to perpetuity, yea for everlaſting; they that enter thereinto, are made firm as pillars, not to be removed; they that enter into the gates of the preſent viſible Temple, may again be removed, ejected, and loſe their ſtation, for being not rooted in the faith, yea, and the Temple it ſelf, as thoſe ſeven Aſian Temples, removed, overthrown, and extirpated for their iniquities. But they that enter into this holy new Temple that comes down from heaven, they are made pillars therein, and ſhall never go forth more, until Chriſt lays down his Kingdom unto the Father, and God ſhall be all in all. Not as ſome vainly object againſt the expectant tryumphing Saints, That they ſhall reign for the term of a thouſand years, and then their kingdom ſhall ceaſe: But the truth is, that when Gog and Magog ſhall be deſtroyed, and all Chriſt's open enemies caſt into the bottomleſs Lake of fire, about the end of the Saints tryumphant thouſand years, Rev. 20.10. then that Kingdom which Chriſt during all that former happy millenary ruled and reigned in as Mediator and God-man, which properly is called his Throne and his Kingdom, ſhall be devolved and ſwallowed up by a more glorious Kingdom, and the Saints tranſlated in the higheſt heavenly glory, which for the moſt excellent and God-like properties thereof, is called in 1 Cor. 15.24. The Kingdom of God, even the Father: and wherein all Ordinances ſhall ceaſe; for Iohn in Rev. 21.22. ſaith, And I ſaw no Temple therein, for the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb are the Temple of it: and in chap. 22. v. 5. deſcribing further this glorious ſtate, he ſaith, And there ſhall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the Sun (that is, thoſe ordinances, or the like thereunto we now enjoy) for the Lord God giveth them light, and they ſhall reigne for…ver and ever. They do therefore vainly cavil that ſay, That Chriſt ſhall utterly and altogether ceaſe to reigne in his Headſhip over his church tryumphant, from that of 1 Cor. 15.24. where it is ſaid, When he ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, when he ſhall have put down all Rule, and all Authority and power: And in v. 28. And when all things ſhall be ſubdued unto him, then ſhall the Son alſo himſelf be ſubject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Now the Apoſtles meaning was not, that Chriſt ſhould ceaſe to be Head of his church, and ſo ever, or at any time, to ceaſe to rule over them, as the members of his body myſtical, whereof he himſelf is Head: but when all his enemies are put under his feet, and all Rules, Powers, and Authorities in the world, are by him utterly vanquiſhed and put down, and when the laſt enemy (death) ſhall be deſtroyed, and death and hell caſt into the Lake of fire, Rev. 20.14. after the general and laſt judgment of the dead; then I ſay, Chriſt ſhall deliver up to God, even the Father, his former Mediatory and Judiciary Kingdom, whereby he ruled and reigned, not only over his holy faithful ones, by his Laws and ordinances, but alſo over all the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth by his rod of Iron during the thouſand years: and this is that which is called Chriſt's own ſpecial Throne, Rev. 3.21. and Chriſt's own Kingdom, which he hath purchaſed and merited by his death; which Kingdom, after the deſtruction of the new raiſed enemies of the church miraculouſly by fire from heaven, in the Gogigan war, at that time when they encompaſſed the Saints of the moſt High, and the beloved City, about the finiſhing of their millenary Imperial reigne on earth, I ſay, that that Kingdom ſhall then expire, and be delivered up by Chriſt unto God, even the Father. But in the Fathers kingdom, both Chriſt and them ſhall reigne for ever and ever, Rev. 22.5. And obſerve, that Chriſt's kingdom, and the Father's, are diverſa, but not contraria; or rather, that Chriſt's kingdom is but the morning prelude, prodromus, or firſt part of that everlaſting one of God, even the Father: Chriſt's millenary kingdom was for Ruling, Judging, and Reigning over the obſtinate enemies of his, until all (by his rod of Iron) are brought ſubject to him, and deſtroyed, that oppoſed him; and ſo ſhall have an end when that work is done, and delivered up unto God, even the Father; whereupon begins that heavenly one of the Father's, wherein the Son himſelf ſhall be alſo ſubject unto him, that put all things under him, 1 Cor. 15.28. ſo that thereby there will be no loſs to the Saints in the expiration of this of Chriſt's Mediatory and Judicial kingdom, when they are tranſlated into a more glorious and heavenly Kingdom, and City, whoſe Builder is God, and wherein there ſhall be no more curſe, but the Throne of God, and of the Lamb ſhall be in it, and his ſervants ſhall ſerve him, Rev. 22.3. The great work in this New Jeruſalem, is praiſe and Hallelujahs to the moſt high and beatifical Viſion, as it is in the fourth verſe; and they ſhall ſee his face, and his Name ſhall be in their foreheads, all tears, ſorrow, and the curſe ſhall be quite wiped off in this new heaven-like ſtate of the Father's Kingdom, which were not from all perſons in the former of the Son's happy millenary Kingdom; for though Satan was bound therein, that none was found to hurt in all that holy mountain, or that happy Kingdom, yet ſtill ſubject under it there remains the Nations of the four quarters of the world, during the whole term of that holy Imperial reigne; or elſe, whom had the Saints to reigne over and govern during that time? And otherwiſe, How poſſibly could they convene as the ſands of the Sea-ſhore, to make war againſt the holy city under Gog and Magog, cap. 20. 8. by the inſtigation of Satan let looſe among them? And if thoſe Nations ſhall ſtill remain (as evident they ſhall) during the Saints dominion and Empire, doubtleſs though Satan and they ſhall be reſtrained from oppoſing the peace and quiet of the Saints in their Reign and Kingdom, yet they ſhall not be ſo reſtrained, as to be void of corruptions, ſins, and impieties among themſelves, which therefore are not void of the curſe, as reſpecting themſelves, nor conſequently of tears and ſorrow, and death, the moſt due wages of ſin. Neither ſhall I ever think it reaſonable to conceive, that Gog and Magog, and their numberleſs followers in that war againſt the camp of the Saints, and the beloved City, were all innocent ſinleſs creatures all the time of the Saints Imperial reign over them, for doubtleſs they had ſins enough, and wicked diſpoſitions ſufficient within, or elſe they would not be ſo ready unto the entertainment of Satan's deluſions, and promoting his deſigns againſt their Lords and Rulers, the holy Saints of Chriſt, towards the latter end of their Reigne, and in caſting off their bonds, if poſſibly they could. In ſhort, I conceive, Satan and they, during the Saints Imperial Reigne, to be bound up from open oppoſing, hurting, or violating the peace, comfort, or intereſt of the Saints; but not ſo, as Satan ſhould not tempt the Nations ſubject unto the Saints, that they thereby ſhould be free from ſin, which will be alone the priviledge and prerogative only of the reigning Saints; and therefore I am of opinion, that the Saints thouſand years Empire, is but the beginning and firſt fruits of their happy new church-ſtate and heavenly city, that comes down from God; and is tranſitory, and ſhall paſs away, after all things are made ſubject unto Chriſt: But another more glorious ſhall immediately ſucceed in the room thereof, which is from God even the Father, and is everlaſting; and this city had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to ſhine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, Rev. 21.23. and to conclude this, I am of the minde notwithſtanding; That Chriſt's Kingdom and the Father's, do only differ in the adminiſtration, and in the equality of glory, but not in glory it ſelf: both are ſinleſs, both ſorrowleſs, both deathleſs, both glorious: but herein they differ, That that of the Sons is a Kingdom of Juſtice and judgement, which ſhall have an end; and therefore leſs glorious then that of the Father's, though in it ſelf moſt glorious; but that of God the Father's, is a Kingdom of praiſes and Hallelujahs to the moſt High, endleſs and everlaſting.
Grant O God, that thy poor ſervant may be kept faithful unto thee, and become a true Philadelphian, overcoming his temptations in this life, that he may be made at laſt a pillar in thy New Temple, a partaker in the great hopes of the Saints in the Kingdom of the Son, and of God, even the Father, Amen.
And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, which is new Ieruſalem, which cometh down from heaven from my God, and I will write upon him my new Name.
There is a threefold name to be written on the conquering Saints of Philadelphia; of God, of the new Jeruſalem, and the new Name of the Son. This name ſhall be ſet upon the overcoming Saints, to denote whoſe they are; as the followers of the Beaſt and Antichriſt have the mark of Antichriſt and the Beaſt upon them, Rev. 13. that they may be known and manifeſt, ſo God's peculiar choſen ones have alſo his mark upon them, to declare forth unto others whoſe they are. And this name herein promiſed, is not the ordinary name of God that the Saints bear this preſent time, of holy, godly, or the like; for this is to be written on in the future, that all may ſee it without heſitating or doubting that they are God's, in that time when that new Jeruſalem comes down from heaven. The Saints had always, and at all times the name of God and Chriſt upon them, being called godly chriſtians, &c. But here is a new name of Chriſt and God to be written on them, which formerly they were unacquainted with: and what is that name of God but El-Shaddai, God of power and ſtrength, that ſhall be ſet upon them? And when will it be, but in that day when the new Jeruſalem comes down from God out of heaven? Rev. 21.2. Then the weakeſt Saint ſhall be as David, and the houſe of David as Elohim, Zach. 12.
2. The ſecond name that is put upon them, is that of the new Jeruſalem coming down from heaven: They ſhall not only viſibly appear to have God's name and nature upon them, but they ſhall alſo viſibly appear to be citizens of that new Jeruſalem that comes down from God; and if it comes down from God, and from heaven, then ſurely it is meant of an eſtate here on earth, and not in the ſupernal heavens, as many dream of concerning this place, and that of Rev. 21.2. That Jeruſalem which is above, and is celeſtial, that abides, and is fixed, and ſhall not deſcend nor come down, but this Jeruſalem is to come down, and to be with men, Rev. 21.3. and God will dwell with them; it were b…t a ſuperfluous promiſe, for God to tell the bleſſed in heaven, he would dwell with them there, that was beyond all doubt, and therefore it muſt be here meant, That the Tabernacle of God is with men, when Chriſt comes before the laſt day, to the great reſtauration of his church on earth: And this new city and church-ſtate is called by Chriſt, The City of my God, becauſe God is the builder of it; and it is ſaid to come down from heaven, and from God, becauſe the riſe and dignity thereof ſhall be ſo great and wonderful, that all ſhall acknowledge the power of God in the erecting thereof, and that his hand did wholly rear it, for God will have all the glory of it.
3. Chriſt will write his own new Name upon them; and what is that but that name mentioned in Rev. 19.16. King of kings, and Lord of lords, and this correſponds with that name, in Phil. 2.9. which God had given Chriſt, which is above every name, at which name every knee ſhould bow, of things in heaven, things in earth, and things under the earth, and in Heb. 2.8. Thou haſt put all things in ſubjection under his feet: But now we ſee not yet all things put under him: Surely Chriſt as yet had never this new name put upon him, though he is exalted above the heavens into glory: But we ſee not yet all things put in ſubjection under his feet, nor yet every knee on earth to bow unto him, or to worſhip him; five parts in ſix of the world being Pagans or Mahometans, that do not ſo much as take notice of him, therefore ſure not bow unto him; and among profeſſed chriſtians, how few do ſincerely bow unto him, all the godly know. Neither as yet hath that new name of K…ng of Kings, and Lord of lords been put upon him as Mediator and God-man; I grant, that by vertue of his death and mediation, all Kings in the world reigne, and decree juſtice; and as God, he is the ſupreme Lord; and King of kings: But this is not all, he muſt as Man, be King of kings, and Lord of lords, and he muſt rule and reigne in another mode and poſture then ever hitherto he hath done: We have known him hitherto only as a Lamb, and as a man of ſorrows, ruling by his ſpiritual Laws and Ordinances in and over his Saints only, but we ſhall know him yet again with another new name written on him, that no man knew but himſelf, with his head crowned with many crowns, and out of his mouth goeth a ſharp ſword, that with it he ſhould ſmite the nations, and he ſhall rule them with a rod of iron, Rev. 19.12.15. The Nimrods of the world have hitherto reigned and trodden under-foot the holy city of God, and Chriſt hath been hitherto King of the Jews in Title only; when Chriſt came firſt in the fleſh, he was only King of the Jews in jure, in right, and in God's purpoſe and decrees, but never in poſſeſſion, and in eſse. Chriſt in his firſt coming was as an heir, under years, in the form of a ſervant, though Lord of all, which will be compleatly manifeſted at the accompliſhment of his full age, at his ſecond coming, he was promiſed and propheſied to be King of the Jews, and ſo acknowledged, not only by the three Wiſe men that offered to him in his ſwadling clouts, Gold, Myrrhe, and Frankincenſe, but by himſelf alſo, and by that inſcription on his croſs, though ironically ſet thereon by Pilate and the Jews, yet by divine ordination it was written, Jeſus of Nazareth King of the Iews. And this Kingly power of his ſhall one day be manifeſted, when he will ariſe, and take the iron Scepter of power and force in his hand, to deſtroy all his enemies, and oppoſers of his kingdom: He then will make it appear…, that he was he that was born King of the Jews; and then will become King of Kings, and Lord of lords. And this new name of his, he will write upon his faithful followers: As he ſhall reigne and triumph over all the powers of the world, ſo they ſhall be compartners and ſharers with him in the honour and glory of this Kingdom, they ſhall be taken into the fellowſhip of this glory, and ſhall ſit with him on his Throne, as Kings, judging the nations of the world, Rev. 3.21. From the words Note,
Obſerv. That God will make his Church moſt glorious and triumphant here on earth, before the end of all.
He will put his own name upon her, ſhe ſhall be God-like in power, ſtrength, and glory, ſhe ſhall have the name of the new Ieruſalem that cometh down from God written on her, that for her ſtrength and glory is deſcribed in Rev. 21. To have her walls and gates ſtrong and high, and of precious ſtones, built on the foundation of the twelve Apostles, and the new name of Chriſt ſet upon ber: As Chriſt ſhall be then King of kings, ſo ſhe ſhall be the Queen-city of the world: Rome, or Babylon, ſhall be no longer the Empreſs of the Univerſe, ſhe ſhall lye in duſt and aſhes, and become the habitation of Owls and Satyrs; whiles this new Ieruſalem, or new church-ſtate, ſhall become the great city of the living God, wherein his glory and light ſhall more eminently appear, then in any other Society ever hitherto in the world. All other Monarchies were but partial in reſpect of this: Nebuchadnezzar's and the Perſians reached but part of Aſia. Alexander's but a little further then theirs. The Roman Caeſars, though farther in the Weſt then the former, yet not ſo extenſive in the Eaſt as theirs. The Spaniſh, Mahometan. Turkiſh, Perſian, Tartarian, and the reſt of the Monarchies that are now a foot in the world, the ſeveral branches, heads, or horns of the latter, former, Roman Beaſt, are but ſmall in reſpect of this univerſal Monarchy the church ſhall enjoy before the end of the world here on earth: This mountain ſhall be ſet on the top of all other mountains: Chriſt and his Saints ſhall be the univerſal Monarchy in the world: He and they ſhall rule the Nations, not one of them, but all of them, with a rod of iron; which never as yet was fulfilled, but rather the contrary, and therefore to be expected in its due time and ſeaſon.
Queſt. But the great queſtion and doubt is, whether this Triumphant ſtate of the church ſhall be here on earth, or in the ſupernal heavens, as ſome would have it.
Anſw. I anſwer, The new Ieruſalem, or new church-ſtate, is to come down from God out of heaven, as aforeſaid, and therefore ſure not in heaven.
Secondly, It is a new heaven, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteouſneſs, according to 2 Pet. 3.13. now righteouſneſs or juſtice is properly in earth among living Saints, and is given unto them as an additional promiſe of future happineſs: in heaven above there was no fear to miſs it, or needed any promiſe for the confirmation of it.
Thirdly, In this new State Chriſt ſhall rule the Nations with a rod of iron; now ſurely 'tis well known there are no Nations in heaven to be ruled with a rod of iron, and therefore it muſt be on earth.
Fourthly, This new city was meaſured by the Angel, Rev. 21.17. and it was found according to the meaſure of man, that is of the Angel, one hundred forty and four cubits: and how this finite meaſure can ſuit with the infiniteneſs and immeaſurableneſs of the ſupernal heavens, let the wiſe conſider: therefore ſurely it muſt be meant of an eſtate on earth.
Fifthly, In verſe 24. it is ſaid, That the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it; now this cannot be ſaid of the ſupernal heavens, for they can bring no addition unto that.
6. To this new ſtate there is promiſed; That God will wipe off all ſorrow and tears, and that there ſhall be no night there. Now this were ſuperfluous to be promiſed and added to the ſupernal heaven, the habitation of Gods glory, and therefore it muſt be fulfilled to a new church ſtate here on earth.
Seventhly and laſtly, How unreaſonable would it be to deſcribe the inviſible heavens above, with rivers, with ſtreets, and with trees therein, ſutable only to an eſtate here on earth, as this is in Rev. 22.1, 2. And this is that Jeruſalem which is above, that Paul ſpeaks of, Gal. 4.26. which is the mother of us all; it is called heavenly, and from above, becauſe of its divine original, and of its right of inheritance; and it is ſaid to deſcend, or come down from God, becauſe God's ſingular power and mercy ſhall gloriouſly appear in building this new city: And this new heaven or heavenly church ſtate, ſhall be on earth, according to Rev. 21.1. and underſtand that ſubordi…ata non ſunt contraria. There may be a heaven on earth, and yet a heaven above; there may be a church triumphant on earth, and yet in heaven alſo: And therefore to cloſe with that of Rev. 5.11. which is very downright and poſitive for the earth to be the place of the Saints triumphant reigne: And we ſhall reigne on earth.
Queſt. But another queſtion may be made, whether this Imperial reigne of the Saints, ſhall be after the general reſurrection and judgment, or before.
Anſw. I anſwer, after the particular reſurrection of the Saints, and before the ultimate end of the judgment of the Nations and wicked of the world, the Saints ſhall firſt ariſe and come with Chriſt, and meet him in the clouds, and be joyned to the Saints that are then alive, which at the ſounding of Chriſt's trump, and in a moment, ſhall be changed, and made immortal, as their brethren, the raiſed ones are, and they ſhall reigne a thouſand years, and over whom? but over the unbelieving Nations of the world. And this is Chriſt's great day of judgment, and the day of his reigne, wherein himſelf with his Saints and members do reign over, and judge the wicked of the world, wherein a thouſand years is but as one day with God; and this he does before the ultimate act of all, for towards the evening of this great day, God ſuffers Satan to gather together all the wicked of the world, as the ſand of the Sea ſhore, under the conduct of Gog and Magog, to endeavour the ruine of theſe immortal Saints, if it were poſſible, Rev. 20.8, 9. but they are all taken in that enterprize, with their leader Satan, and caſt into the lake of everlaſting fire, and preſently thereon follows the general reſurrection and judgement of all, and all that were not found written in the book of life, were caſt into that lake of fire, which is the ſecond death. And I would willingly demand of all that are contrary minded, to what end ſhould this new Jeruſalem come down from heaven after the general judgement, or after the ultimate end of all, when all the elect Saints of God ſhall be tranſlated into heaven, into the Kingdom of God, even the Father? They that ſhould conceive that the new Jeruſalem, or church ſtate ſhould deſcend unto the earth after all the Saints are carryed by Chriſt unto his long before prepared manſion, even into that heavenly place where himſelf ſhall be, and ſo we alſo ſhall be for ever with the Lord, 1 Theſ: 4.17. John 17.24. I ſhould judge them to want ſome Hellebore, or rather, true light from above, to enlighten their dark underſtandings in this particular: and therefore ſure the time of the Saints triumphant reigne, is to be here on earth, before the ultimate end, and general judgement of all the world.
From the words, Which ſhall come down from heaven from my God, Obſerve,
Obſerv. 2. That that glorious new Church-ſtate that the Saints ſhall enjoy, or otherwiſe, That the …aints Imperial reigne, ſhall be moſt eminently conſpicuo…, and openly known and acknowledged by all the Nations of the world.
Now the great queſtion is, Who are the true church, or the only Saints in the world?
This queſtion then will be cleared, and put out of doubt, and not till then wholly, but in part, according to the ſeveral meaſures of outward tokens and characters▪ which may be counterfeit and hypocritical; but then there ſhall be no deceit, no hypocriſie ſhall lye hid; the name of God will be writ upon them, and of the new Jeruſalem, and of the Son of God, and it will be ſo eminently obvious to all beholders, and ſo plainly demonſtrated in the operations and effects thereof, as if the very name had been written in their foreheads: and ſurely it muſt needs be ſo, for this new city comes down from God, he being the builder of it, and John ſaw (by a prophetical Viſion) this new City coming down from God out of heaven, Rev. 20.2. And if it were already come down from God, as ſome of thoſe days do vainly dream of, it would ſurely be known and acknowledged both by the godly and ungodly alſo: by the godly, as being the eſpecial workmanſhip of his own hand only, in which their ſouls would delight: Neither can they be ignorant thereof, being to be ſharers and compartners in that Kingdom, though differing from one another in judgements and opinions: the weak chriſtian ſhall be a partner therein as well as the ſtrong, and therefore all of this ſort muſt needs know it, if it were come down from heaven on earth already.
2. In the next place, the wicked and ungodly of the world muſt needs then take notice of it alſo; for, there is written thereon the name of God, of new Jeruſalem, and the new name of the ſame, all ſignifying power, ſtrength, and glory, which they muſt needs be ſenſible of, and feel the effects thereof unto their pain, if the time were at hand that they ſhould rule and break them as a Potters veſſel, as in cap. 2. v. 27. with a rod of iron. That Kingdom that comes down from heaven from God, ſhall ſurely be ſeen and acknowledged of all, and eſpecially coming with tha… power and glory, as the day of the Saints triumphant reign does being uſhered in with the moſt glorious appearing of the morning … Chriſt in the clouds, with myriads of his Angels, and ra…d Sa…s, that none can poſſibly be ignorant of it: Therefore that I may deal plainly with thoſe that would have the Saints to reigne before their Leader, Head, and King appears, 'tis much to be doubted, that their ſpirits are not right with their maſter's ſpirit, who was meek, peaceable, ready to ſuffer under the powers of the world, not drawing the ſword to free or revenge himſelf, or his followers, but checked Peter for it, when he attempted it on Malchas and the reſt that laid hands upon him. Chriſt well knew that his Kingdom was not of this world, of this age of ſin and corruption, and therefore his way was not to enter upon it by ſwords and blood, but by ſuffering and patience, and ſo entered into his glory: and they that go another way, may build a city, but not ſuch a one as comes down from God out of heaven, whoſe builder is God: they may erect a city, whoſe builder is man, and on whoſe gates and walls are written their own names, not of God, or of Chriſt's, nor of the new Jeruſalem: they may build a Babel, not a Bethel, a Kingdom wherein the Beaſt may reign in, not Chriſt and his Saints; a Kingdom of weakneſs and imperfection, whereby they themſelves, and all that truſt thereunto, may be juſtly involved into utter ruine and miſery, for truſting to the weak arm of fleſh, and leaving off their hopes in the living God, and of that everlaſting new city, promiſed to the conquering, ſuffering, patient Saints, and not to the heady, rebellious, or precipitant ones of the earth: and whereon the name of God, of the new Jeruſalem, and the new name of Chriſt is written and inſcribed, ſo plain and ſo evident, that he that runneth may read it, and ſay at the time when it deſcends, that this is the Spouſe, the Lamb's wife, the great city, the holy Ieruſalem, that came down from God, which ſhall be ſo univerſal and conſpicuous for light and glory, that all Nations of the earth that are ſaved, ſhall walk in the light thereof, and bring their glory to it; and this city had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to ſhine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, Rev. 21.23.
Verſ. 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the churches.
If it be demanded why theſe words are ſo often inculcated at the end of each particular Epiſtle to the ſeveral churches?
I anſwer, What was written to them, was not only peculiarly relating unto themſelves, but unto all others to take notice of alſo unto the ends of the world, coming under the ſame conditions with themſelves; according to that of Paul, Rom. 15.4. It was not only written for them, but for our inſtruction alſo: And therefore let the wiſe chriſtian conſider what the Spirit ſaith unto the churches.