The Sealed Book Opened, Commentary · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
The sense or explication.
HERE follows Satans assault of the Church of Christ, after force by fraud, or the wofull effects of stopping the course of the Gospel in the purity and power thereof by heresies, and their making way for Antichrist and Mahumetisme.
This Chapter has foure parts. 1. A great silence in heaven for attentive expectation of great things to be revealed. 2. Christs intercession for his little flock, and their preservation in time of this common danger to ensue. 3. The sounding of the first foure trumpets, and what did fall out thereon, and 4. A denunciation of a triple wo to the inhabitants of the earth, by reason of the three trumpets were yet to sound: all which is done upon tht Lambs opening of the seventh seale, therefore he sayes.
Verse 1. ANd when he had opened the seventh seale, there was silence in heaven about the space of halfe an houre.
And when he had opened the seventh seale, there was silence in heaven about the space of halfe an houre, Which silence was for excitation to a diligent and reverend attention to those things that were hereafter, either to be said or seen, and were matters of great concernment and consequence, even as before great Princes their Proclamations by their heralds, silence is first enjoyned.
Verse 2 And I saw the seven Angels which stood before God, and to them were given seven Trumpets.
After the silence awhile, followes the first thing which John saw, to wit 7. Angels who are said, 1. To stand before God signifying thereby, 1. Their serviceable waiting, as servants use who stand before their Master, to observe what is enjoyned to them to do, 2. As also their readiness to perform what they are commanded, and 3. Their stable estate in glory.
Next they have 7. Trumpets the use whereof we find to be twofold, for convocation, as Joel 2.15. or signification & denunciation of battel, as 2 Chron 13.12. These then by their Trumpets denounce Gods judgments against the World for their persecuting and not receiving the truth,Note, that the opening of the seals was for informatiō; the sounding of the Trumpets; for denunciation; and the powring out of the Vials, for execution. as also forewarne the Church of Christ, that she is to be assaulted another way then before, to wit, by Satans fraud and heresie, as she was before by open force and cruelty.
Likewise, it is said, that these Trumpets were given them, to show that they intruded not themselves in this service, or undertook it at their own hand, till they were called thereto, and received both their commission, and fit furniture for discharge ther…of from the Lord that sent them.
Ver. 3. And another Angel came and stood at the Altar, having a golden censer, and th…re was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne.
Here in the second part of this Chapter, is set down Christs intercession for his Church, and for their preservation in the common danger to ensue; as he prayed for Peter when Satan should sift him, that his faith failed not. This is done by a Vision of another Angel, wherein we have to consider, 1. Who he is, and how called, 2. What he has, or how furnished, 3. What he does, and what ensues thereon.
(1. Who he is) First then, by this Angel, Christ is understood, as not only Primasius expounds, and others, but also the Jesuit Blasius Viega, saying, Sequentiae nisi Christo, alteri apte accommodari non possunt, Who is here called another Angel, as divers from the former, 1. In dignity of person, Heb. 1.6. 2. Because of our nature assumed, Heb. 2.16. and 3. of excellency of office, as King, Prophet, and here as high-Priest of his Church, wherefore he is said to stand at the Altar, to wit, of burnt incense, called therefore the golden Altar, Exod. 30.7. because it was laid, over with gold, allusion here being made to that, and the truth thereof being accomplished by Christs intercession, as we have it, Heb. 7.25. and 9.24.
(2. What he has) Next is shown, what he has, or his furniture for this his office of intercession, therefore it is said, there was given him much incense (or as it is in the original) foreign, many, odours by which is meant the plentiful merits both of his active and passive obedience, having offered himself (as sayes the Apostle, Eph. 5.2.) an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling favour, and which he communicates also to his own, for making both their persons and prayers acceptable to his Father, and therefore it is subjoyned, that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints.
Ver. 4. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints, ascended up before God out of the Angels hand.
The successe of which offering up and intercession is here set down, to wit, that by it and the merit of his death, the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God with acceptation; like the sacrifice of Abel, having proceeded, 1. Not only out of the golden vials or censers of pure hearts, as we have it, Chap. 5.8. But 2. being also joyned and accompanied with the sweet smoke or odor of his incense, and 3. coming in like manner out of this Angels hand.
Ver. 5. And the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thundrings and lightnings, and an earthquake.
(3. What he does) Followes, beside his former intercession, what he further does, and what ensues thereon; concerning which it is said, that he took the censer and filled it with fire, & cast it on the earth: by which fire some understand the graces and gifts of Gods Spirit, compared to fire, Matth. 3.11. Because of the like operation which descends on his Saints on earth for the establishment and confirmation, upō the ascending of their prayers to God which through Christ do find acceptation, upon which are said to ensue voices, to wit, of consolation to some, and thundrings, &c. and that is, terrours for humiliation of others, as the twofold operation of the Spirit on the godlie.
But I rather take it, by fire to be meant wrath, as we may see, Ezek. 10.2 and Heb. 10.27. Which is not said to be sent down as the gifts of Gods Spirit are, but with violence (as it were) cast into the earth out of indignation, whence it receives the stile of firie indignation, Heb. 10.27. Which God powreth out upon his enemies, the procurer whereof to come down upon them, is the Saints prayers and complaints that go up against them: and as the prayers of the Saints ascend before God out of the Angels hand, to shew that their acceptation is from Christ; so likewise fire from the Altar, which descends on the earth is from the same Angels hand, to shew that this wrath on the wicked, and these ensuing judgments come likewise from him, to whom all power is given both in Heaven and Earth, Matth. 28.…8.
This censer also out of which this fire is said to be cast into the earth, is said to be filled with fire, to shew the many and great judgments that were to be inflicted; and as men has filled the cup of their sins, so God had filled the cup of his wrath whereof they were to drink, whence are said to ensue confusion, as of many voices uttered together, or grievous complainings, as also thundrings, lightning, and earth-quake, signifying such terrible judgements to fall out like a fearful storm that cannot be avoided, as such things are that come from Heaven or out of the bowels of the Earth, and as if Heaven and Earth conspired to take vengeance on such a generation.
Ver. 6. And the seven Angels which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to sound.
Followes now particularly the judgments (as fire did on Sodō) that were to fall out upon the wicked and ungratefull World for their resisting, and not receiving the love of the trueth, as the Apostle speaks, 2 Thess. 2.10, 11. Whereunto there is first a preparation, 2. The denunciation, and 3. The execution. The preparation is here set down: which time of preparation, as also the seven Angels their sounding one after another, as likewise the Lords beginning at lesser judgements (as we shall show hereafter) all these (I say) showes Gods long-suffering patience towards sinners, waiting for their repentance, as he did the first Worlds, &c. and that he is unwilling to powre out all his wrath at once, as the Psalmist showes, Psal. 78.38.
Ver. 7. The first Angel sounded, and there followed hail, and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burne up, and all green grasse was burnt up.
Here begins the denunciation of the first judgment, and execution thereof, by the following of hail and fire mingled with blood, allusion herein being made to the plague of Egypt, Exod. 9.24, 25. Herein only differing, that this plague is greater, having blood mingled, so that what the had did not beat down, the fire burned; and what was left by the fire, was corrupted by the blood: by which hail, & fire mingled with blood, are meant those heresies that should arise, and be broached by such as should draw the very blood of souls upon them: and as hail beats down, fire consumes, and blood corrupts, so doth heresie beat down, and destroy souls who are thereby infected, and corrupts sound doctrine, having ever joyned also therewith fiery contention unto blood at last: as hail likewise is cold and quenches, and fire is hot and kindleth, so heresie quenches the Spirit of grace, but kindleth wicked zeal and fiery contention.
Yet there is the merciful dealing of God, in the midst of justice remembring merciemercy, and his powerful restraint or limitation of Satan in his instruments, that they are permitted only to burn up the third part of trees, and of grasse; by trees understanding those of the most eminent sort of men, and by grasse (which all flesh is compared unto) the meaner sort, the weaker also being meant by the grasse and by the trees such as seemed stronger, the infecting of whom is called a burning up of such, or like a destruction by fire, which not being taken heed unto at first and quenched, speedily goes thorow and makes great destruction.
Ver. 8 And the second Angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire, was cast into the Sea, and the third part of the Sea became blood.
Followes here the denunciation of the second Judgement, and the execution thereof, by a great burning mountain which was cast into the Sea, whereby is meant a great swelling and notable prevailing heresie as wa… that of Arrius, which was maintained against the orthodox Christians (especially in the West) by great and fiery con ention, as also by the grandure of diverse Roman Emperours, See Jer. 51.25. with the fiery trial of most sharp and bloody persecution, & rose to that height like a mountain in the eastern part of the World by a general prevailing, that (as a Fathersayes) it sobbed under the pressure thereof, and wondred that it was turned Arrian. Thus by this great mountain for a long time was the truth impeded, (as we see such lets so called, Zach. 4.7) So that the third part of the Sea, or World (represented so thereby, cap. 4.6.) became blood, that is, corrupted by this heresie.
Ver. 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the Sea, and had life, died, and the third part of the Ships were destroyed.
And the third part of the creatures that were in the Sea, that is, common Christians, that had life, died, that is, p…rished in their souls, and the third part of ships were destroyed, that is particular Christian-Churches who had been orthodox before, thereafter they and their Pastors made defection to Arrianisme.
Verse 10. And the third Angel sounded, and there fell a great starre from heaven, burning as it were a lampe, and it fell upon the third part of the Rivers, and upon the fountaines of the Waters:
Here is set downe the denunciation of the third judgment and execution thereof, by the fall of a great S…arre from heaven, &c. Where, 1. By Starres we are taught, c. 1.20. That Pastors of Christs Church are to be understood. 2. By this Star not any one, (see c. 17.10.) Individual Pastor is meant, but under the name of this one, many of the like sort. 3. This Star is called a great one, that is, in learning and account. 4. This Star fals from heaven, that is, from a shining lampe by heavenly sound doctrine, to be a burning lamp, th…t is▪ to hereticall pravity, whose effect, as has been said,Flamma proprii sensus, & igue ambitionis accensi (sayes Carthusian.) v. 7. Is to burne up (like Sampsons foxes) the Lords field, as also this Star f…lls from heaven, that is, from a shining lampe by a holy life, to be a burning lamp, which is, by burning contention and bitter opposing of the truth, malo zelo accensi, and being in the gall of bitternesse against the professors of the truth.
Verse 11. And the name of the Starre is called Wormwood, and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
For which cause it receives a suitable name, and is called Wormwood, 1. Being both bitter it selfe, and corrupt, and (like Jeroboam who made Israel to sinne,) 2. Making others bitter and corrupt, and thereby to die, as likewise corrupting a great part of the sweet and wholesome doctrines of truth, and places of holy Scripture, compared to Rivers and fountaines, by wresting them through their false glosses to countenance and confirme their heresies. 3. Which bred much bitternesse also and griefe unto true professors then, and 4. Was to procure much bitternesse to themselves in the end, as we have it, Jer. 23.15. In the day of their account.
Verse 12. And the fourth Angel sounded, and the third part of the Sunne was smitten, and the third part of the Moone, and the third part of the Starres, so as the third part of them was darkened: and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Followes the fourth denunciation, and the plague that ensued thereon, to wit, the darkning of the third part of the Sun, Moon, and Starres, which are the heavenly lights appointed day and night to give light to the world, where it is to be noted. 1. In all these plagues a progresse from the lesser ever to the greater, (as in the plagues of Egypt) for, 1. Trees and grasse only in the third part of them are burnt. 2. The third part of the Sea became blood. 3. The fountaines and fresh waters are infected, and now, 4. This plague ascends higher to the darkning of the third part of Sun, Moone, and Starres: thus by degrees did the mystery of iniquity grow here from the beginning of the working thereof (which it had even in the Apostles dayes) to a great height.
2. It is to be noted, that in all these there is but a prevailing onelyonly over the third part, but not such an universall, as is hereafter seene to fall out under that great Antichrist, c. 13.
The words then import a fearfull and great darknesse both of errour and ignorance that was to fall upon the visible Church, represented by that whereof we are most sensible, and a higher advancement of the mystery of iniquity till it come to its height, as the he…venly lights are above the fountaines, they againe in purenesse above the Sea, and the Sea above the grosse earth.
This darkning then is nothing else but the ignorance and errour that should come on the visible Church and obscure in a great part the knowledge of Jesus Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse, as he is called by Mal. c. 4.1. and consequently the glorious lustre of the Church, compared to the Moone who borrowes her light from the Sun, and whose only true glory is, the true knowledge of him crucified, as also which did darken a great part of them who as Starres in Christs right hand, should both in life and learning, as lights, have shined to, and before others, so that, that which should have been the cleere day of the light of the Gospel, was in a great part, as night, and that which should have been as a cleere night by the light of the learned holy Pastors, and a holy well-taught people, was in a great part, but as Egyptian darknesse, wanting the shining both of Moone and Starres.
Verse 13. And I beheld, and heard an Angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three Angels which are yet to sound.
Here is the last thing in this Chapter which John saw, to wit, an Angel flying through the midst of heaven, and denouncing a threefold wo to the inhabitants of the earth, which was yet to come, which Angel by common consent represents some faithfull Pastors, (so called, Rev. 2. and 3.) whom God was to use for the forewarning of his Church of the ensuing plagues, whose flying through the midst of heaven, as it were far from the perception of the earthly sort, signifies the speedy coming of these denounced woes upon the secure worldlings, who by an ordinary phrase of Scripture are called the inhabitants of the earth, because of their lot, which onelyonly they have therein, and their wedded affection which they have thereto, not as pilgrims upon the same, but as inhabitants of the same, against whom the Angels denunciation of three woes in relation to the three trumpets that are to sound, thereafter is said to be with a loud voice, as of a faithfull forewarner, that he might be heard of all.
Lessons or Application on the eighth Chapter.
Ver. 1. WHereas the Church is here forewarned of a second and more dangerous assault by fraud after force, let her never expect rest here from Satans, and his instruments their malice and machinations, till that time that is spoken of, Rev 14.13.
2. By that silence that was for a space for the better attention to these things that were to be revealed, we see with what preparation and atten…ion we sho…ld come to heare heavenly mysteries and be in structed therein.
Ver. 2. These seven Angels stand waiting before the Throne, and till they be called to the service that is subjoyned, they go not, teaching men who are so ca led, to wait in like manner for the Lords vocation of them, and not to run before they be sent.
2. These who are thus called, have trumpets given them; even so whom the Lord calls and sends out to any work, he furnishes them with gifts meet for the work, which neither man'nor Angel can have while the same be given them from above.
3. By trumpets the Lord forewarnes the world of the judgements to come upon them, before they come, that they might repent: wherein the great mercy of God is seen to the very wicked, forewarning them to flie from his wrath to come; see Exod 9.19. a notable example thereof.
4. As by the trumpets of these Angels he forew…rned the world: even so does he yet by the Ministery of these who are called Angels and by the trumpets of the Law and Gospel, Isai. 58.1.
Ver. 3. By the description of this other Angel who is Christ, we see that he is the High-Priest of his Church, who once for ever offered that al-sufficient propitiatory sacrifice of himselfe on the crosse here on earth, and doth perpetually mediate for his Saints in heaven.
2. We see our Saviours great care that he has of the safety of his owne before any eminent common destruction come on the world, by his standing at the Altar before the Throne, and interceding for them.
3. Seeing he has much incense or many odors given him, which are his plentifull and sweet smelling merits, and the superabundance thereof; away then with joyning thereto for salvation, any other merits or satisfactions of any whosoever.
4. Whereas these many odors were given them that he should offer them with the prayers of all Saints, we see that Christs merits are for our sake and benefit, Joh. 1.16. that like as Aarons sweet ointment poured on his head drencht downe the lowest skirts of his garments, Psal. 133.2. so by his merits we who have none of our owne, may be enriched, Rev. 3.18.
5. He offers up his many odors or much incense with the prayers of the Saints, which v. 4. are said to ascend out of his hand; which is a lesson of right direction, to whom we should put up our prayers as our Mediator to present them to God that they may be granted, to wit, to this great Angel, Christ Jesus onelyonly, and neither to Saint nor Angel.
6 Where it is said, with the prayers of all Saints: as this is a great encouragement to pray, that our prayers are so performed, and accompanied; so it is a great comfort, that all Saints have their interest in Christs intercession: were they never so poore and contemptible before the world; yet Christ despises not to be their Advocate; and though their prayers were never so weak and defective (if sincere) yet here a plentifull supply of Christs many odors.
Ver. 4. As our sinnes s…nd up any evill smelling smoake, and a cry, like Sodoms, Gen. 18.21. to procure destruction; so here a comfort to all penitent believers, that our Saviour who stands as our High-Priest at the golden Altar, sends up a sweet smelling smoake of his much incense, and the cry of his owne blood (which speaks better things then that of Abel) to silence the cry of our sinnes, and to procure to us and our prayers by his mediation a gracious acceptation.
2. We see here, the ever recent vertue of Christs blood and meritorious suffering, the sweet smoake whereof ever ascends before God with the prayers of the Saints, as long as there are Saints on earth, and as they poure out prayers.
Ver. 5. As the Saints prayers that ascend, through Christs mediation bring downe graces on themselves; so their prayers and complaints bring downe wrath upon their enemies, wherefore the armour of the primitive Church were preces & lachrymae, and it is a fearfull thing for any, to make the Saints poure out such against them.
2. When men has filled the Cup of their sinnes, so the Lord fils the Cen…er and Cup of his fiery wrath and indignation, to cast, or poure out the same upon them. Let us beware then to do the first, as we would avoid or eschew the last.
3. This fire cast into the earth comes from that same hand, out of which the smoake of the incense with the prayers of the Saints did ascend, which teaches, that it is the same hand out of which the godly get grace and good things, that the wicked in like manner receive punishment and judgments, to which therefore they should look up, (and all others who are afflicted) humbling themselves under the same, if they would escape, or be delivered.
4. By the expression of voices, thundrings, lightning, and earth-quake all together, as of a dreadful storme from above and below; We see how terrible Gods wrath is when once it is kindled, and bursts forth, which the wicked shall finde at last, and in what strait they are, howsoever here they puff at the threatnings thereof and mock.
Ver. 6. Before the Angels their sounding, we see, 1. A time of preparation, as there has also been, between their denunciation, and the succeeding execution, which shews how long-suffering a God the Lord is, slow to anger, but ready to forgive.
2. The Angels preparing themselves to sound, before they …ded, teaches that none should rashly and unpreparedly attempt any thing, but specially, that Pastors who are called Angels, that before they come to sound the trumpet of Gods Word to their people, they should duly prepare themselves, both by paines and prayer.
Ver. 7. We see that heresie where it enters in a Church or Kingdome, is a dreadfull plague, and like a consuming storme, inflicted in Gods anger for the contempt, or not receiving …he love of the truth, and therefore what a blessing and mercy it is for a Church or Kingdome to be free thereof.
2. We see that the effect of heresie is called a burning up, as a consumption doth the radicall humour and strength of the body, and therefore carefully ought to be adverted unto, prevented, cured, and curbed in the beginning. Seeing it does that to a Ch…rch or soule, as haile and fire doth to herbes.
3. Mention also is made of blood, and mingling therewith, to shew that it is no wonder therefore, where a corrupt religion is, to see it likewise cruell.
Ver. 8. This great mountaine burning with fire, teaches us. 1. That heresie is like a Cancer or Gangrene, which rises to a great height, as a mountaine when it is not timely prevented, or quickly supprest, and especially when it has great men and Princes, who are in Scripture called mountaines, (Jer. 51.25.) to countenance and patronize the same. 2. That (as the Apostle tells us, Col. 2.18.) hereticks are puft up by their fleshly minde, not contented with the simplicity of the truth, but ambitiously weening of themselves, and desiring to be singular, and to have many followers.
2. Where it is called a mountaine burning with fire, we observe that heresie once prevailing, becomes fiery in contention and every other way against all the opposers thereof, seeking their destruction.
Ver. 9. Where it is said that thereby the third part of the creatures in the Sea died, and the third part of the Ships were destroyed: We see, that heresie prevailing is a most deadly plague, and tends to the destruction both of persons and Churches.
Ver. 10. By the fall of this Starre from heaven, we see that apostasie from the truth in Pastors is a Luciferian sin, and they thereby are like unto him.
2. Where saving grace is not, all other gifts and endowments how great soever, will never availe to preserve from apostasie, and make one to persevere.
3. As there are no personall gifts: so there is no place, or succession that is personall only thereto, that can priviledge from apostasie: for here we see a Star for light, and in heaven for place, yet to fall from heaven.
4. We see it is not small Starres, but a great Star that falleth from heaven, whereby we see whom Satan most assaulteth, to wit, these that are in primest places, and of most excellent gifts, and who thereby may be the cause of the fall of many, which ought to teach such to take heed to themselves lest they fall, and in faith and profession none to depend upon any person or persons whatsoever.
5. From shining as a heavenly Star, by apost…sie we see this Star turnes to be only as a burning earthly Lamp; whereby we are taught what a change sin and apostasie makes from the better to the worse, as in this Star from heaven to earth, from standing to falling, and from shining to burning only, by fiery ambition and bitter contention like wormwood, hating most of any the professors of that truth which formerly they held.
Ver. 21. We see that the practise of hereticks and such as fall from the truth is, to deprave the Word of truth, and turne or wrest the same to comply to their errours, but not themselves to comply and conforme their judgment to the Word of truth, as they ought therefore it is said as the name of that Star is wormwood, or bitter; so it made the sweet fountaines whereon it fell, and the fresh Rivers to be bitter also.
Next, Whe…eas it is said, that the third part of the waters being m…de bitter; many men died of them; this teaches us the danger that errour and wrested places of Scriptures for maintenance of heresies brings on mens souls, to wit, spirituall death …nd destruction of their soules who believe the same.
Ver. 12. By the third part of the Sun that was da…kned, &c. we see that the prevailing of ignorance and errour in the Chu…ch is a fearfull eclipse of that saving and comfortable light which should illuminate our eyes, and direct our way aright to that heavenly Kingdome which we long and look for.
2. It is called also here a smiting of the Sun, whereby we are taught that Christ Jesus the Sun of righteou…nesse doth thereby suffer, is smitten and persecuted (as it we…e) and his Church in like manner.
3. In this and in all the former the third part only is mentioned: which shews not only that the Lord measures his punishments, but in sparing two parts, that he delighteth more in mercy then in justice, not being desirous of the death of sinners, but rather that by others examples they may learne, convert and live.
Ver. 13. In this forewarning of the world before the three other woes come, still we see, as has been said, the Lords mercifull dealing even with the wicked which shall make them the more inexcusable.
2. In this Angel who is the forewarner, we see what are the properties of faithfull Pastors whom he represents, to wit, fidelity in forewarning, as we see, Ezek. 33. Next, diligence in doing Gods work, represented by this Angels flying, and 3. Courage typed by his speaking with a loud voice.
3. These woes are denounced against the inhabitants of the earth, the wicked being so called, because of it being their lot, and their affection thereto: wherefore if we would be free of their wo, let us be free of their alike-conditions and disposition, and not have our heart to dwell and be set on earthly things.