The Mystery of the Two Witnesses Unveiled, Verse 15
VERS. 15. And the ſeventh Angell ſounded, and there were great voyces in heaven, ſaying, the kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Christ, and hee ſhall raigne for ever and ever.
HAving ſpoken of the Propheſie, Death, Reſurrection and aſcention of the Witneſſes, with the effects of their riſing, namely the great earthquake that ſhakes the world, which doth accompliſh the ſecond woe. This being the firſt reſurrection of the Saints from ſhame and ſack-cloath, from miſery and affliction, upon which the tenth part of the City falls, and the little horne, that thought to change times and lawes, is ſubdued, Dan. 7. But after comes a ſecond Reſurrection, of truth and light, of life & liberty to the Saints in all nations, when there ſhall be a univerſall ruine of Antichriſt. Then all Saints, throughout all Nations, ſhall come in to the enjoyment of internall and externall glory: when all former perſecution and ſhame ſhall be paſt away, and they ſhall live & raigne with Chriſt a thouſand yeares, and ſhall fully enjoy the immunities and liberties of the kingdome of Chriſt, which ſhall be fulfilled at the ſound of the ſeventh Trumpet. And the ſeventh Angel ſounded, and there were great voyces in heaven, ſaying, The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt, &c. That which wee ſhall enquire from hence, is to know what is meant:
Firſt, by the Trumpet ſounding.
Secondly, by the ſeventh Trumpet.
Thirdly, by the voyces in heaven.
Fourthly, the ſubject matter, that thoſe voyces doe proclaime, and that is, The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord, &c.
Firſt, a Trumpet is that with which men ſound to give an alarme, or a preparation unto the battell, 1 Cor. 14. 8. Alſo to publiſh or proclaime a thing, Joel 2. 1. The counterfeit Phariſees when they gave their almes, are ſayd to ſound a Trumpet, Mat. 6. 2. Alluding to the cuſtome of the Jewes, who when they would gather an aſſembly, or proclaim a matter, did uſe to ſound a Trumpet. So here by the Trumpet ſounding is meant the Saints proclaiming and ſounding forth the word of truth, declaring the teſtimony of Jeſus, and extolling his praiſes. This they doe either by preaching forth or declaring of the truth, or by making profeſſion thereof. Theſe Trumpets doe reſpectively follow the ſeales opening: as the vials follow the Trumpets ſounding. The firſt ſeale, firſt Trumpet, firſt viall goe together, and every one of theſe reſpectively in order follow each other. The beginning is with the opening of the ſeals, which is Chriſt opening and diſcloſing of heavenly and divine truth unto his Saints: and accordingly, as the ſeals be thus opened to them; they by declaring and profeſſing of the truth ſo diſcovered to them, are ſaid to ſound forth the Trumpets; each Trumpet in his ſeaſon, according as the ſeals are opened, and heavenly light and knowledge is diſcovered unto them.
Secondly, what is meant by the ſeventh Trumpet. In Chap. 8. we read of the ſounding of the foure firſt Trumpets▪ And in Chap. 9. of the fift and ſixt▪ Trumpets ſounding: and here we have the ſeventh and laſt Trumpet. So that there is a graduall and orderly ſounding of the Trumpets; anſwerable to the opening of the ſeals: when the laſt ſeale ſhall be opened, then the ſeventh Angel comes to ſound the laſt Trumpet; which is the higheſt and laſt declaration of the truth and excellency of God: Seven is the number of perfection, of reſt and bleſſedneſſe: the ſeventh Trumpet is the proclamation or declaration of the kingdome of Chriſt, cauſed by the Saints ſounding forth, the higheſt and the laſt glory of Chriſts raigne and dominion.
Thirdly, we have the effect of the ſeventh Trumpet, and there were great voyces in heaven. The moſt perfect and exact, the moſt diſtinct and ſweet note of muſick is the tongue of man; there is no ſound ſo perfect and compleat as theſe voyces in heaven; theſe are the voyces of A…llel…jahs and praiſes to God. And of theſe voyces here mentioned we may note three things.
Firſt, they are great voyces; they are mighty and powerfull voyces. God once ſpake to Elijah in a low ſtill voyce; ſo he hath done unto his people, while they propheſied in ſackcloth: but now upon the great and various diſcoveries of God, the Saints are made to ſound forth mighty declarations of his truth & glory. It is ſaid in Pſal. 29. 3, 4, &c. The voyce of the Lord thundereth upon many waters, it's powerfull, and full of Majeſty, breaking downe the Cedars of Lebanon, dividing the flames of fire, and making the wilderneſſe to ſhake, &c. So theſe voyces of the witneſſes riſen, are ſo great and powerfull, that they ſhake the wiſedome, glory, ſtrength, riches, power, and excellency of the world. The appearances of God in former time have been faint and low in his people, they have ſeene things at a great diſtance, and have as it were, whiſpered in a low private voyce of the things of the kingdome of Chriſt; but now they ſhall publiſh them on the houſe-top: and as John Baptiſt could ſay, Behold the Lamb of God: ſo ſhall theſe cry aloud, with boldneſſe and confidence, with aſſurance and liberty, and ſay, the kingdomes of this world, are become the kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Chriſt. There is no eare, but ſhall heare, and no heart but ſhall tremble at this voyce: Hell and Devills, all the glory of fleſh, and power of the world, ſhall be affrighted and conſumed before this great and mighty voyce.
Secondly, Theſe voyces are ſayd to be in heaven: The witneſſes are riſen and aſcended up into heaven, to live in heavenly diſcoveries and enjoyments, to walke in the light, and to act in the glory of God. Theſe voyces come from the excellent glory, like the voyce that came unto Chriſt at his tranſ…iguration. The Saints that lived in a poore earthly condition before, under the oppreſſing power of the earth, are now raiſed up into heaven, and there doe rejoyce over that vengeance, that the Lord executeth upon the earth: Therefore in reſpect of Babylons deſtruction the Saints are thus called upon: Rejoyce over her thou heaven, and ye holy Apoſtles and Prophets, for God hath avenged her, Revel. 18. 19. Nothing but ſongs of praiſe and glorious voyces of deliverance are heard of thoſe that live in heaven, who live in the ſpirit of God, and in the glorious diſcoveries, and divine manifeſtations of the Lord. There can be no voyce from heaven, but it muſt be full of excellency and glory, the voyce of joy and gladneſſe, the voyce of praiſe and triumph. Theſe voyces are heard round about the throne of God; and they ſound forth nothing but the power, throne, dominion, and glory of God. Here is heaven opened, the glory of God manifeſted, and Saints under thoſe heavenly diſpenſations ſinging Allelujahs, ſaying, The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of Chriſt. Now they can ſay, the Lord lives, the Lord raigns. When the Lord ſhall raigne before his Ancients gloriouſly, Eſa. 24. 23. The Saints of God, called the twenty-foure Elders verſ. 16. are meant by the Ancients, before whom the Lord will raigne, upon whom the glory of God ſhall ſhine. Now the Ancients, or Elders, being raiſed up by the Ancient of dayes, to ſit with him in heavenly places, will abundantly Trumpet forth the glory of God, and ſing from heaven his wonderfull praiſes.
Thirdly, Theſe were voyces in heaven, not one ſingle voyce, but voyces: a plurality of voyces; and thoſe not a few but many, here are a multitude of voyces: now at the riſing of the witneſſes, the Saints are multiplyed, they are not now as a poore few ſcattered people, but they increaſe to thouſands of thouſands, here are multitudes of hearts enlarged, and multitudes of voyces ſounding in heaven▪ They ſhall not be a poore deſpiſed remnant, who are accounted the off-ſcouring of all things: but now abundance of the Sea ſhall be converted: and a little one ſhall become a thouſand, and a ſmall one a ſtrong Nation, Eſa. 60. 5. 22. There ſhall be a miraculous increaſe and multiplication of Saints, that ſhall utter their voyces together, and yet they ſhall all ſing with one voyce, with one tune: all theſe voyces ſound one and the ſame thing, they all concentre in one, they all ſound forth the praiſe and glorie of Chriſt's raigne and kingdome.
Now before I proceed to ſpeake of the ſubject matter, that theſe voyces do proclaime, viz. the glory of Chriſt's raigne and kingdome, I ſhall give you ſome obſervations of what hath been already ſpoken from this verſe.
Firſt, From the ſucceſſion of Trumpets, or the Saints declaring the glory and truth of God, obſerve, That the 1 Obſerv:Lord hath alwayes had a people to declare his truth unto the world. There was alwayes ſome that did proclaime and profeſſe the truth of Chriſt, though in weakneſſe; yea, the firſt Trumpet hath it's time of ſounding, as well as the ſeventh. In every age according as the Lord made a diſcovery of his truth, there were ſome ready to give forth a teſtimony thereof before the world. When the Prophet Elijah thought in his owne judgement, there was none left in Iſrael, beſides himſelfe, there was ſeven thouſand left, that the Lord reſerved to himſelfe, that had not bowed the knee to Baal. So in the ſaddeſt and darkeſt times of Antichriſts raigne, there have been thoſe that have, according to their meaſure given forth their teſtimony of the truth. Every Trumpet ſounding did in ſome meaſure hold forth the glory of the Lord, and every ſuch declaration of truth hath cauſed a viall of wrath to fall upon the man of ſin.
Secondly, obſerve, That the Lord hath 2 Obſerv:manifeſted his truth by degrees; or in a graduall way hath cauſed his Saints to declare it. The ſeventh Trumpet, doth imply ſix other Trumpets that went before: and ſo every one is brought forth in it's time and order, untill that of the ſeventh cometh to ſound. The Lord opened one ſeale after another, letting light breake forth, Minutatim; by little, and little, and as it were by piecemeals, drop by drop, untill at laſt he comes to open the ſeventh ſeale, by making a perfect and compleat diſcovery of his truth. The Saints in ſackcloth, in the midſt of Antichriſts raign, were under much dimneſſe and darkneſſe: but the Lord in every age reſpectively, hath made ſeverall advances of truth, and hath by degrees brought up his people from the ſtate of bondage and darkneſſe, by making a more full manifeſtation of his truth unto them. So the Saints hold forth the truth of God by degrees, and proceed gradually, from the ſounding of the firſt Trumpet, untill they come to the ſeventh. It is with the Saints in this caſe, as it's ſaid of the waters of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 47. That theſe waters did increaſe, and ariſe firſt to the ancles, then to the knees, afterwards as high as a mans loyns; at laſt the waters aroſe to that height, that they became a mighty river, wherein a man might ſwim, and without which he could not paſſe over them. So that the Saints under the firſt, ſecond, & third Trumpets, did all hold forth a profeſſion of the truth, and according to their meaſures did give a teſtimony thereunto, though but in ſome ſmall, weake, and faint diſcoveries of it, and more in the letter, then in the ſpirit. Theſe were glorious lights alſo, in reſpect of the darkneſſe of thoſe ages and generations they lived in: but yet in reſpect of that light diſcovered, and that declaration of the truth made out by the Saints under the ſixt and ſeventh Trumpet, they were under much darkneſſe and weakneſſe, not being come up to that degree of light, that the Lord hath of late diſcovered, and will make knowne unto his people.
Thirdly, obſerve, There ſhall be a moſt 3 Obſerv:compleat and glorious diſcovery and declaration of truth, made out by the Saints under the ſeventh Trumpet. The ſeven Trumpets are all comprehended in one: the laſt Trumpet includes all the former. Seven, as you heard, is the number of perfection and reſt: So all the Trumpets are involved, and wrapt up in this laſt. The ſeventh ſeale is the higheſt revelation of truth, & the ſeventh Trumpet is the higheſt and moſt perfect declaration, by which the Saints do proclaime, and make it forth. Suitable unto this is that Propheſie, Eſa. 30. 26. Moreover the light of the Moone ſhall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun ſhall be ſevenfold, as the light of ſeven dayes. So that here is ſeven dayes brought into one day, and one day ſhall have the light of ſeven. So that the laſt and higheſt diſcovery of truth, ſhall comprehend all the former. The ſeventh and laſt Trumpet ſignifies the higheſt declaration of the glory of God, the truth and kingdome of Jeſus, that ever the Saints publiſh or ſing forth: it is the breaking forth of the higheſt praiſes, and greateſt glory of God. In this great and laſt diſpenſation, the Saints obtaine a fuller meaſure of the ſpirit then ever, they are now ſevenfold more enabled to proclaime the glory, power and kingdome of Chriſt, then ever they could doe in former time.
Fourthly, from the great voyces heard in heaven, obſerve, That the Saints 4 Obſerv:fully riſen, and aſcended up into heavenly injoyments, at the finall deſtruction of Antichriſt, ſhall with one harmonious and ſweet conſent, ſound forth the praiſes and glory of Chriſt'… kingdome. Indeed the Saints could alwayes ſing, while they propheſied in ſackcloth, but it was like David, when he ſung of his deep waters, ſo it was of their afflictions and ſufferings; as Paul and Silas ſung in priſon, they had weake and faint joy, in the middeſt of their ſufferings. But now the Saints in heaven, they cry out, they ſing aloud, and ſhout for joy. Theſe voyces be full of power and authority, the world, and it's ſtrength and foundation trembles to heare them, the riches, the ſtrengths, the powers, the governments of men, are ſhaken by them. So great and powerfull are theſe voyces, that as it was ſaid of Iſrael of old, The voyce of a King is among them; they ſing forth the grace, the excellency, the authority, and glory of Chriſt's kingdome, ſaying, The kingdomes of this world are become our Lords, &c. The Saints are ſayd in Revel. 15. 3. To ſing the ſong of Moſes, and the ſong of the Lamb. As Moſes ſung forth the praiſes of God, for delivering his people Iſrael, and deſtroying their enemies the Aegyptians, Exod. 15. ſo his people ſhall ſing forth the praiſes of his power and greatneſs, for delivering them from Antichriſt's yoke and tyranny. And the ſong of the Lamb, who worketh great and marvellous things, to the deſtruction of Antichriſt, whoſe cruelty and oppreſſion he had long ſuffered. They ſhall extoll him, as being King of Saints, and ſhall acknowledge him juſt, in his judgements puniſhing Antichriſt, and in his wayes true, in performing all his promiſes made unto his people.
Having given you the obſervations from the former part of the verſe, namely, from the ſeventh Trumpet, and the voyces heard in heaven: I now proceed to ſpeake of the ſubject matter of theſe voyces.
The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, and he ſhall raigne for ever and ever.
Theſe words containe a glorious proclamation or declaration of the kingdome and raigne of Chriſt, wherein we may take notice of theſe ſix particulars, to be enquired into.
Firſt, What is meant by the kingdomes of this world.
Secondly, How theſe kingdomes have been detained from Chriſt.
Thirdly, How Chriſt will recover theſe kingdomes to himſelfe.
Fourthly, By what right Chriſt ſhall poſſeſſe them.
Fiftly, The manner or nature of Chriſts raigne.
Sixtly, The time and duration of his raigne.
Concerning the firſt thing, namely, what is meant by the kingdomes of this world? we may eaſily perceive what they are, by oppoſing them to the kingdome of Chriſt: for theſe kingdomes of the world are diametrically oppoſit, and contradiſtinct to the kingdome of Chriſt. The kingdome of Chriſt is of a heavenly and ſpirituall nature, Rom. 14. 17. It's King, Laws, government, and ſubjects are all ſpirituall: it's ſet up and advanced by no humane force or power, but by that which is meerly divine, Dan. 2. 45. Now the kingdomes of this world, are called the kingdomes of men, conſiſting of externall glory, riches, ſtrength, government, policy, that men by humane power have ſet up, and doth act by. In a word, all the wiſdome and policy, all rule and government, all power and ſtrength, all Conſtitutions and Lawes, all the riches and glory of men, of theſe are made up and formed the kingdoms of this world, called the kingdomes of men, Dan. 4. 25. conſiſting of worldly greatneſſe, externall glory, humane policy, outward ſtrength, advanced into the forme of rule & government, acted and brought forth by man, this is the ſtate, glory, and kingdome of the world.
Secondly, How theſe kingdomes have been detained from Chriſt; and that's thus: whereas Chriſt hath given forth his power by earthly men, as by Kings and Princes of the earth: according to that place in Pro. 8. 15, 16. By me Kings reigne, and Princes decree juſtice: by me Princes rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the earth. Theſe have been the ſubſtitutes and deputies of Chriſt, having received all their wiſdome, their ſtrength, their authority, and dominion from him, the Lord hath by theſe adminiſtred unto the world, even by carnall, fleſhly, wicked men, by the Kings of the earth: the Lord hath not adminiſtred by his people, but by thoſe that have raigned as Kings and Princes of the world. Now this being ſo, theſe Kings of the earth, have committed fornication with the whore, Rev. 17. 2. having mixed and joyned their power with hers, and have with one conſent and minde given up their power and ſtrength unto the beaſt; as is declared verſ. 13. to ſerve his ends and deſignes. And though it be true, that all this while Chriſt hath intermedled with all the affaires of the Nations, their policies and governments, that all occurrances therein hath tended, at leaſt by degrees, to advance his own kingdome, and to bring about his owne ends: yet theſe kingdomes and policies, and governments have ſerved Antichriſt, and it hath been their worke and buſineſſe to oppoſe the kingdome of Chriſt, and ſuppreſſe and perſecute his people and truth: ſo that theſe kingdomes of the world have not ſerved Chriſt, though Chriſt hath ſerved himſelfe by them; but they have been devoted unto Antichriſt, and ſerved him.
Thirdly, How doth Chriſt recover theſe againe into his owne hand. And that is by breaking and ſcattering the powers of the world; he will ſhake all Nations, Hag. 2. 6. when the Lord ſhall caſt aſide theſe oppreſſing tyrants of the earth, he will come forth in the miniſtry of his owne people, and by them, adminiſter righteouſneſſe and peace unto the world. The Lord will daſh in pieces all▪ the powers of the earth, that have oppreſſed his people, and will ſo come forth in his owne people to adminiſter to the world, that the earth ſhall be at reſt and quiet, when violence ſhall be no more heard in the Land, but our officers ſhall be righteouſneſſe, and our exactors peace. And how ſhall this be? See what the Lord ſaith by the Prophet, Eſa. 24. 21, 22, 23. And it ſhall come to paſſe in that day, that the Lord ſhall puniſh the hoſt of the high ones, that are on high; and the Kings of the earth upon the earth: and they ſhall be gathered, as priſoners are gathered in the pit, and ſhall be ſhut up in the priſon and after many dayes they ſhal be viſited, or found wanting, as the margent reads it. Then the Moone ſhall be confounded, and the Sunne aſhamed, when the Lord of hoſt ſhall raigne in Mount Zion, and in Jeruſalem, and before his ancients gloriouſly: or as the Margine renders it, There ſhall be glory before his ancients. The meaning of theſe words take thus: The great and mighty Kings of the earth, who have oppoſed the kingdome of Chriſt, and have undertaken all power eccleſiaſticall and civill, to rule in Church and State, to determine all ſpirituall cauſes by temporall power and civill ſanction: God will ſo advance his Saints, by his ſpirituall appearance in them, that they ſhall oppoſe and puniſh theſe Kings of the earth, not onelyonly by the ſword of the ſpirit, but alſo with a temporal ſword, the Kings of the earth upon the earth, they ſhall be able to overcome thoſe that did enſlave and rule over them. He that kills by the ſword ſhall be killed by the ſword: here is the patience of the Saints: Revel. 13. 10. This is the fruit of all their patience, in all their former ſufferings. And after many dayes they ſhall be found wanting: men ſhall after a time be willing to beare the loſſe of Kings, and great ones, without trouble or vexing: when the Moone ſhall be confounded, and the Sun aſhamed: viz. all civill & eccleſiaſticall powers, governments, orders, and rulers ſhall be broken. Then the Lord ſhall raigne in Mount Zion, to wit, in his Saints and people, as before his ancients, in whom he ſhall gloriouſly appeare, to adminiſter righteouſneſſe & peace unto the world. By theſe ancients are meant no more, then the twenty foure Elders, mentioned Revel. 4. 4. who ſit in white clothing, having Crownes upon their heads: as raigning in royall ſtate, glory, and tr…umph. So that the Lord will no longer come forth in, and by the men of the earth, to raigne by Kings and Potentates, but he will come forth in his glorious appearance in his Saints, and thorow them will adminiſter righteouſneſſe to the world. Sutable hereunto is that Scripture, Dan. 7. 22. where it is ſayd, that the little horne ſhould make war with the Saints, and prevaile againſt them, untill the Ancient of dayes ſhould come, and then, judgement was given to the Saints of the moſt high, and the time came that the Saints poſſeſſed the kingdome. Chriſt himſelfe ſhall inherit all Nations, and he will put his people in poſſeſſion of all power, riches, rule, and dominion. When the Lord ſhall take away power and dominion from the men of the earth: Then the kingdome and dominion, and the greatneſſe of the kingdome under the whole heaven ſhall be given to the people of the Saints of the moſt high, whoſe kingdome is an ever laſting kingdome, and all dominions ſhall ſerve and obey him, verſ. 27. All that's good and excellent, that's rich and beautifull, that's noble and honourable, ſhall be given to the Saints. The forces of the Gentiles, and their Kings ſhall be brought to them, Eſa. 60. 11. And they ſhall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and boaſt themſelves in their glorie, Eſa. 61. 6. All Dominions and States ſhall ſerve them▪ ſtrangers ſhall ſtand and feed their flock and the ſonnes of the alient ſhall be their plow-men and vinedreſſers, dreſſers, verſ. 5. So then when the Lord ſhall take the power, riches, dominion, and authority, from the great ones of the earth, and inveſt his Saints with the ſame, when all power & rule ſhall be brought under the feet of Chriſt, who will come forth in the appearances of his people; then Chriſt doth take to himſelfe his great power and raign. Thus the Lord doth recover the kingdomes and nations into his own hand; ſtripping the men of the earth with their ſtrength, riches, glorie, rule, and conferring of the ſame upon his people; and ſo will adminiſter no longer by Kings and Nobles, but by Saints and faithfull ones: He will raigne among his Ancients gloriouſly.
Fourthly, By what right or title Chriſt will lay claime to the kingdomes of the world; and that is, by his owne native and proper right: Theſe kingdomes ſhall become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt. The originall right and propriety of all the kingdomes of the world are the Lords: they are his right, and he will maintaine his owne priviledge and prerogative: he will take to himſelfe and poſſeſſe all: they of right belong unto him, and he from the beginning did poſſeſſe all: It is true the Lord did intruſt Kings and great ones of the earth to be his Subſtitutes and Stewards; he committed the care of theſe to them as his Servants or Deputies: but when the Lord will caſt theſe Stewards out of their places, & diſpoſſeſſe the Kings and Nobles of the earth, then preſently, the kingdomes of the world returne to him, whoſe they were from the beginning. But theſe kingdomes of the world are ſo the Lords, as they are Chriſt's alſo: Chriſt the anointed one of the Lord he ſhall raigne; he is ſon over his owne houſe, Heb. 3. 5. He hath right and propriety with the Father, by vertue of Sonſhip and anointing: The actuall adminiſtration is put into his hand: he being indued with all power in heaven and earth, Matth. 28. 18. Chriſt hath not onelyonly propriety in the holy Citie, but the ends of the earth are his poſſeſſion. Now all the Saints are the anointed of the Lord, gathered up into that one anointed, and therefore ſhall raigne with Chriſt: as it's ſayd, He hath made us Kings and Prieſts to our God, and we ſhall raigne on the earth, Revel. 5. 10. The Lord ſhall raigne, and his Chirſt muſt raigne: and all the Saints, the anointed ones of the Lord; theſe being all comprehended in the one anointed Chriſt, theſe ſhall raigne with the Lord. As the Lord comes forth in Chriſt, & Chriſt in his Saints: ſo the Saints ſhall aſcend into Chriſt, and Chriſt into the Father, and ſo all in one, they raign in the glory of God, whereupon the ſpeech of Chriſt ſhall be eminently fullfilled in Joh. 14. 20. At that day ye ſhall know that I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you. The power of God falls upon Chriſt, and Chriſt becomes a quickning ſpirit in all his Saints, that he might by his power put forth in them, rule over the Nations. So that we ſee the right of all Nations belongs to the Lord originally, and to Chriſt his anointed; and to all Saints, as being the anointed ones of the Lord, they all making up the fulneſs of the anointed one of God. Theſe have right to all the glory, power, riches, excellencies of the earth, it's theirs, they ſhall poſſeſſe the power and ſtrength, the riches and glory of the earth; theſe ſhall raigne, and the earth ſhall be filled with the glory of God. Then there are none have right unto the kingdomes of the world, but the Lord and his anointed: all other are but pictures and images of government and rule; their power and authority was lent them from the Lord, and now he will take it againe to himſelfe, whoſe owne it is; now he will caſt forth the men of the earth, and ſhake them from the ſeat of greatneſſe and dominion: and now the kingdomes of the world ſhall be given to the holy ones of God, to the anointed of the Lord, and they onelyonly ſhall raigne.
Firſt, the Manner of Chriſt's raigne is that to be ſpoken off in the next place: that Chriſt ſhall raigne in, and by his Saints: for they having overcome ſhall ſit downe upon Chriſt's throne, as Chriſt hath overcome, and is ſet downe upon his Fathers throne, Revel. 3. 21. The Saints ſhall judge the world, and Angels, 1 Cor. 6. 2. That is, they ſhall not onelyonly judge poore, low, earthly things, but things of an Angelicall and moſt excellent nature. It's the Lord through his Saints that ſhall judge the Nations with righteouſneſſe, and governe the people with truth, Pſal. 67. 4. 7. This glorious diſpenſation of Chriſt ſhall be adminiſtred by his Saints: the Saints, or the Lord in them ſhall judge the world: that is they ſhall fuſt of all deſtroy and throw downe all confuſion and diſorder; and afterwards ſave and governe the world, they ſhall give ſettlement in the Nations, by a right ordering of all things, civill and ſpirituall. Now as for the perſonall and fleſhly reigne of Chriſt, that is aſſerted by many Godly men, (whom I love and honour) I ſhall not at all undertake, either to affirme or deny that opinion: but I ſhall ſay with them, the kingdome of Chriſt is at hand, I dare not ſay, it is a far off, though I cannot deſcribe the manner of it: but of the ſpirituall raigne of Chriſt (which none deny) I ſhall ſpeake off, from theſe foure reaſons.
Firſt, The ſpirituall reigne ſeemes (to me) to be the moſt glorious appearance and manifeſtation of Chriſt unto his people: and hence the Apoſtle did not deſire to know Chriſt any more after the fleſh, 2 Cor. 5. 6. And therefore I believe, that Chriſt by the ſpirituall manifeſting of himſelfe, in and through his Saints, will firſt break downe the powers of the world, and then adminiſter righteouſneſſe unto the earth.
Secondly, the ſpirituall raigne of Chriſt, doth moſt of all beſuite the glory & ſpirituality of his kingdome. Chriſt tells Pilate, that his kingdome was not of this world, that is, it was not fleſhly or carnall, but of a ſpirituall nature and quality. Chriſt coming in the ſpirit to his Diſciples, did more enlighten, comfort, and ſpirituallize them, then his fleſhly preſence did, In Eſa. 11. 2, 3. It's ſayd of Chriſt, that he ſhould not judge after the ſight of his eyes, or the hearing of his eares, &c. That is, he ſhall not judge according to outward appearances, but according to righteous judgement. The glory of the Saints in the latter dayes ſhall be ſpirituall, their knowledge ſpirituall, their comfor…s and joys ſhall be ſpirituall, yea Chriſt ſhall raigne by his divine preſence in his people, of whom ſhall be made up his ſpirituall kingdome.
Thirdly, It is by the ſpirituall appearance of the Lords brightneſſe and glory, that he will deſtroy Antichriſt, 2 Theſ. 2. 8. What is the word of Chriſts mouth, and the brightneſſe of his coming? but the word of the witneſſes teſtimony, and the bright ſhinings forth of ſpirit, life, knowledge, and righteouſneſſe in his people, whereby the iniquity of the man of Sin is detected and laid open, whereby Antichriſt is deſtroyed, as by fire, waſting and conſuming him to nothing. Now by the ſame appearance, as in his people, will the Lord adminiſter righteouſneſſe, and goodneſſe to the world, as that whereby he doth deſtroy Antichriſt.
Fourthly, and laſtly, all the glory that is ſpoken of Chriſt, and his kingdome, that ſhall be in the latter age, doth amount but to thus much; that the Lord will eminently manifeſt his gracious and ſpeciall preſence with his people. As in that 37 Ezek. latter end; The Lord ſpeaking of the glory he will bring upon his people, ſaith, I will Tabernacle with them, and I will ſet my Sanctuary in the midſt of them for evermore, &c. The Lords preſence and glory ſhall moſt of all appeare in the midſt of his people; he ſhall ſo manifeſt himſelfe, as to be admired in his Saints. So what doth all the glory of the coming down of the new Jeruſalem, mentioned in Revel. 21. imply, but onelyonly thus much, Behold (ſaith God) I will Tabernacle with men, and I will dwell with them. Intimating thereby, that as the Lord made the Tabernacle a ſigne & pledge of his preſence with his people: ſo now in his laſt, and moſt glorious diſcovery of himſelfe, it ſhould be by the manifeſtation of his divine preſence in his Saints, by erecting the Tabernacle of his owne ſpirit, life, and glory in the middeſt of them. And ſo much for the manner of Chriſts reigne. It followeth.
Sixtly, and laſtly, we are to conſider the time and duration of Chriſt's reigne, and that is expreſſed for ever and ever. The raigne of Chriſt is an everlaſting raigne, he receives a kingdome, that cannot be ſhaken: there ſhall be no end of it: his Throne endureth for ever, and it ſhall never expire: let the enemies thereof uſe what craft or policie they will, they ſhall never deſtroy it. The God of heaven (ſaith the Prophet) ſhall ſet up a kingdome, which ſhall never be deſtroyed: neither ſhall it be left to other people, but it ſhall ſtand for ever, Dan. 2. 44. If that of the Apoſtle be objected, where he ſaith, that Chriſt ſhall deliver up the kingdome to God, even the Father, 1 Cor. 15. 24. I anſwer, that this doth nothing at all impeach the everlaſtingneſſe of Chriſt's kingdome: for the meaning of it is this, that when Chriſt ſhall have finiſhed his worke, deſtroyed all his enemies, and have compleated his worke upon his Saints, then he ſhall ceaſe to raigne any longer as Mediator, he ſhall ceaſe to adminiſter according to his preſent diſpenſation and office, then God ſhall be all in all: God ſhall be all to his Saints, by the immediate and glorious communication of his light and glory; and Saints ſhall enjoy the all of God, his wiſdome, his goodneſſe, his love, and the like. So that however the Mediatorſhip of Chriſt ſhall ceaſe, when he hath finiſhed his worke and office, and the diſpenſatory part of his kingdome ſhall ceaſe, yet in reſpect of the nature and being, it ſhall be for ever and ever: The raigne of God ſhall be to eternity, and Ch…ſt ſhall raigne in the Father, and Saints in Chriſt, ſo that God, and Chriſt, and his Saints, ſhall raigne for ever and ever. The Apoſtle doth ſtile Chriſt, to be a King eternall, and immortall, 1 Tim. 1. 17. Chriſts kingdome is immortall, becauſe it is not ſubject to ſucceſſion; it's not liable to be devolved and rould downe to after-comers; which Daniel expreſſeth thus; His kingdome ſhall not be left unto other people; that is, it ſhall not be tranſlated from man to man, and at laſt quite diſſolved. And the Apoſtle doth not onelyonly call Chriſt an immortall King, but alſo an eternall King, his kingdome ſhall hold on conſtantly throughout all Centuries and ages of the world; there is no period of time, that ſhall cauſe it to expire & give up the ghoſt, but it ſhall attaine to it's full beautie and perfection, it ſhall never decline or decay, but ſhall laſt beyond all ages and times, it ſhall endure for ever and ever.
But now concerning the glorious raigne of Chriſt, upon the downfall of Antichriſt, the time expreſſed to be a thouſand yeares, Revel. 20. And it's propheſied of Chriſt in Eſa. 60. 15. that he ſhould be the joy of many generations; both this expreſſion of many generations, and of a thouſand yeares, are an indefinit number, to expreſſe the very large and ſpacious time, wherein Chriſt ſhall rule in, and by his Saints, when he ſhall appeare before his Ancients gloriouſly; and all the Elders before his Throne ſhall worſhip him. If it be objected, from Revel. 20. 4. That thoſe that had been beheaded for the teſtimony of Jeſus, and the word of God, &c. Theſe lived and raigned with Chriſt a thouſand yeares, this being the firſt reſurrection, and the reſt of the dead lived not againe. I anſwer, that it cannot be meant that the perſons of thoſe that were beheaded for Jeſus, and refuſed to worſhip the beaſt or his image, ſhould bodily raigne with Chriſt: but that God will raiſe up a people of the ſame ſpirit with thoſe, that ſuffered for the teſtimony of Jeſus. Thus Elias was ſayd to come againe, in John the Baptiſt. And thus the Lord tells Daniel, that he ſhould ſtand in the lot at the end of the dayes, when his propheſie ſhould be fulfilled. All Saints gathered up into one ſpirit, they make but one. And thus we have the Prophet ſpeaking; And the Lord my God ſhall come, and all the Saints with thee, Zech. 14. 5. When the glory of God ſhall appeare more glorious in the Saints, in the time of his ſpirituall raigne, the glory of all the former Saints ſhall be gathered up in them, and appeare moſt gloriouſly. The reſurrecteon here ſpoken off, is meant of a reſurrection from ſhame and reproach, the witneſſes riſing from their ſadneſſe and ſackcloth, and aſcending into the glory of Chriſt's kingdome. And when the ſeventh Trumpet ſhall ſound, and the glory of the Lord be fully diſcovered and layd open, then all that heare the glorious ſound of the everlaſting Goſpel, ſhall live; but the reſt of the dead (that heare not the voyce of the ſeventh Trumpet, or that great proclamation of the truth and glory of Chriſt) they ſhall not live untill the thouſand yeares be paſt.
Againe, if it be objected from Ezek. 37. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. That the Lord hath promiſed, to call the Jewes, and gather them into their owne Land, and make them one Nation, and David their King ſhall raigne over them. I anſwer, this propheſie is of a ſpiritual and myſticall interpretation; for the land of Meſſiah are the Saints; of whom the land of Canaan was a type: for if we take it litterally, that the Jewes ſhould rebuild Jeruſalem, and dwell peculiarly in the land of Canaan, then alſo it muſt be meant, that David, and not Chriſt, ſhould be King over them. But we know that the promiſe doth onelyonly borrow expreſſions, from the ſtate of the Jewiſh Church, but it ſhall be fulfilled in ſpirit: for he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, Rom. 2. 28. The Jewes ſhall be called when the fulneſſe of the Gentiles ſhall come, Rom. 11. 25. which is not meant, as if God would firſt finiſh his work among the Gentiles, and then call the Jewes as a peculiar people: but that the Jewes ſhould be brought in, with the fulneſſe of the Gentiles, when Antichriſt ſhall be ruined, and that which letteth be taken out of the way, and the everlaſting Goſpel goe forth with freedome, in the fulneſſe and abundance of the Gentiles, ſhall the Jewes finde acceptance alſo.
Now from all that hath been ſaid, of the kingdome and raigne of Chriſt, obſerve, That Chriſt will come and raigne Obſer:gloriouſly in his people, ſubduing all his enemies, advancing his Saints unto the glory and dignity of his owne kingdome. Chriſt will take to himſelfe all power, rule, ſtrength, riches, glory, peace, joy, and whatſoever is good, and will beſtow it upon his owne. Satan and wicked men have reigned long; but now they ſhall ceaſe to reigne any longer. The whole earth ſhall be filled with the righteouſneſſe, goodneſſe, and glory of God, and the anointed ones of the Lord ſhall reigne; and the Saints ſhall reigne with him for ever; as it's ſayd, Revel. 5. He hath made us Kings and Prieſts to our God; and we ſhall reigne on the earth. The ſtrength, glory, riches of the Gentiles ſhall be given unto us; we ſhall no longer be ſubject to Satan and wicked men; but we ſhall be brought into the glorious libertie of the ſons of God, and ſhall live in the new heaven and new earth, wherein dwells righteouſneſſe; our habitation ſhall be the new Jeruſalem, the holy Citie. Now all the ſervices of formall profeſſors, and carnall Chriſtians ſhall be diſowned of God, Eſa 43. 20, 21. And humane miniſtrie ſhall be abhorred, verſ. 27, 28. And Jeruſalem ſhall be a burthenſome ſtone; breaking in pieces Kings and Kingdomes, States and powers, that ſhall take upon them to judge of ſpirituall things, that ſhall intermeddle with Church-work, or ſhall any wayes goe about to interpoſe between God, and the ſpirits of men. Becauſe none can, none ſhall reigne over the Saints, but the Lord himſelfe; Man hath had his time of power, and dominion, but now he is to give account of his Stewardſhip, and reigne no longer. The riches, the glorie, the ſtrength, the dominion of the world are Chriſts; he hath let out theſe to man to be imployed; but the men of the world have abuſed them, theſe have been uſed in oppoſition to Chriſt; therefore Chriſt will recover theſe to himſelfe againe, he will come and redeeme theſe from Antichriſt, from Babylon, from the power of darkneſſe, and all theſe kingdomes of this world ſhall immediatly become the kingdomes of our Lord and his Chriſt: The Lord ſhall take all, owne all, poſſeſſe all, and his Saints ſhall poſſeſſe all i… him: he muſt raigne, and they ſhall reigne with him. The whole earth is the Lords, and he will put his people into poſſeſſion of all that's good, excellent, and glorious. All the kingdomes of the world ſhall become our Lords and his anointed ones.
I ſhall now proceed to ſhew the effects that follow, in which I ſhall give you a briefe Paraphraſticall ſence of the following verſes, and ſo conclude. Becauſe the Lord raignes, and we ſhall reigne with him, what is the iſſue.