A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse Part 2

38. A SYNECDOCHE is the use of a word expressive of a part, to signify the whole; or that expressive of the whole, to denote only a part-as the genus for the species, or the species for the genus, &c. _Example._-"_Man_ dieth and wasteth away; yea _man_ giveth up the ghost, and where is he?" Job 14:10.

39. A HYPERBOLE is an exaggeration in which more is expressed than is intended to be understood. _Example._-"I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." John 21:25-meaning that a great number might be written.

40. IRONY is the utterance of pointed remarks, contrary to the actual thoughts of the speaker or writer-not to deceive, but to add force to the remark. _Examples._-"No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Job 12:2.

"And it came to pa.s.s at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he _is_ a G.o.d: either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked." 1 Kings 18:27.

41. THE INTERROGATION-while its legitimate use is to ask a question-is also used to affirm or deny with great emphasis. Affirmative interrogations usually have _no_ or _not_ in connection with the verb.

_Example._-"Is _not_ G.o.d in the height of the heavens?" Job 22:12.

_Examples of a negative._-"Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once?" Isa. 66:8. "Can the rush grow up without mire?" Job 8:11.

42. EXCLAMATIONS are digressions from the order of a discourse or writing, to give expression to the emotions of the speaker, or writer.

_Example._-"O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest!" Psa. 55:6.

43. FABLES are fictions-additions to the word of G.o.d. All false theories and doctrines supposed to be based on the Bible, all interpretations of Scripture which do violence to the laws of language and falsify their meaning, and all opinions which are the result of mere traditions and doctrines of men, are to be cla.s.sed as fables. Mark 7:8-13; 1 Pet. 1:18; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; t.i.t. 1:14.

44. SYNCHRONOUS SCRIPTURES are the several pa.s.sages which have reference to any one and the same event.

Each portion of Scripture respecting any subject, must be considered in connection with all the Scriptures that refer to the same subject.-_Compare_, for example, Dan. 2:34, 35, 44; 7:18, 27; Matt. 6:10; 13:37-43; 35:34; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:15-18.

EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE.

The t.i.tle of the Book.

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which G.o.d gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pa.s.s; and sending, he signified _them_ through his angel to his servant John: who testified the word of G.o.d, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and whatever he saw."-Rev. 1:1, 2.-_Prof. Whiting's Translation._

"The very t.i.tle of John's predictions, Apocalypse, implies the _unveiling_ or '_revelation_' of the mystic and hidden sense of the prophetic oracles, previously uttered by his inspired predecessors."-PROF. BUSH.

"The ?p??a?????, from which we have our word Apocalypse, signifies, literally, a _revelation_, or _discovery_, of what was _concealed_, or _hidden_."-DR. CLARKE.

The work of the apostles was "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which, from the beginning of the world, hath been hid in G.o.d, who created all things by Jesus Christ," (Eph. 3:9); "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints," Col. 1:26. The entire record of the New Testament, is a revelation that G.o.d "hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son;" in distinction from the records of the Old Testament, which He, "at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," Heb. 1:1. But the closing book of the new series is called, in distinction from the others, "THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST."

It contains the "many things" he had to say to his disciples, in addition to those recorded by the evangelists; but which they could not then bear, John 16:12. It is the revelation "which G.o.d gave unto him;" for "there is a G.o.d in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known ... what shall be in the latter days," Dan. 2:28. G.o.d communicated by his servants the prophets what should "come to pa.s.s hereafter," by visions which were "certain," and by "the interpretation thereof" which was "sure," Dan.

2:46. But Daniel was commanded to "shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end," when many should "run to and fro," and knowledge should "be increased." And it was added, "Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end: Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:4, 9, 10.

It will thus be seen, that provision had been made for the future _unveiling_ of what was left obscure in the predictions of the Old Testament writers; and for the _unsealing_ of what was then closed up and sealed. This revelation must come from G.o.d; for the Saviour has testified, that "of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matt. 24:36. "The secret things belong unto the Lord our G.o.d: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever." Deut. 29:29.

As G.o.d had provided for a more full "revelation" respecting the events of the future, it was necessary that it should be communicated through "the appointed Heir of all things," by whom he was to speak in the last days, Heb. 1:2. The BAPTIST said of Christ, that "what he hath seen and heard, this he testifieth," John 3:22. And the Saviour said of him by whom he was sent, "I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him," _Ib._ 8:2, 6. And again, he saith, "I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment; what I should say, and what I should speak," _Ib._ 12:49. "The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof," Rev. 5:5.

The design of G.o.d in giving this additional revelation, was that he might "show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pa.s.s;" for "surely the Lord G.o.d doeth nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets," Amos 3:7. And he saith, "I have told you before it come to pa.s.s, that when it is come to pa.s.s ye might believe," John 14:29.

When the old world was to be destroyed by water, "Noah, being warned of G.o.d of things not seen as yet, prepared an ark to the saving of his house," Heb. 11:7. And when the Lord had purposed the destruction of Sodom, he said, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" and angels were sent to Lot, that he might say to his children, "Up get ye out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city," Gen. 18:17, and 19:14. So of the times and seasons of the second advent: while "the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night," he has said to his chosen ones, "Ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief," 1 Thess. 5:1-4. He has condescended to give his people "a more sure word of prophecy: whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts," 2 Pet. 1:19. Therefore it was said to John, "I will show thee things which must be hereafter," Rev. 4:1; which things were shortly to begin to come to pa.s.s,-they being a series of successive events, commencing near the time in which John wrote, and extending to the end of the world and the establishment of the everlasting kingdom.

These were shown to John by symbolic representations, in a series of visions, the import of which was signified to him by an angelic interpreter. Said the Saviour, "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify unto you these things in the churches," 22:16. And _these things_ were not to be sealed up, like the words of Daniel; for John was commanded to "_seal not_ the sayings of the prophecy of _this_ book: for the time is at hand," 22:10. He recorded the words which G.o.d thus gave him,-"the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." He has given us, in graphic language, such descriptions of the visions shown, that we can easily imagine the symbols which he saw; and we have the inspired explanations of those which were "signified" to him. Therefore we may read, and receive the blessings promised to those who keep this testimony of Jesus.

The Benediction.

"Happy is he, who readeth, and those, who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things, written in it: for the season is near." Rev. 1:3.

Those who teach that the Apocalypse is a "sealed book," most clearly contradict the testimony of Christ respecting it. To discourage the study of it, is to treat with neglect, and to despise what G.o.d has spoken in these last days by his Son, Heb. 1:2; of whom it is said: "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him who spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven," Heb. 12:25. Those who thus neglect it, cannot regard the blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep its sayings.

The Apocalypse is not to be undervalued as unprofitable; for "all scripture is given by inspiration of G.o.d, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of G.o.d may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope," Rom. 15:4. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me," John 5:39.

"Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me," Isa. 45:11. "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book," Rev. 22:7.

John's Salutation to the Churches.

"John to the seven congregations in Asia: grace be to you and peace, from Him who is, and who was, and who is to be; and from the seven Spirits, that are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, the faithful Witness, and the First-born of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests to G.o.d even his father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye will see him, and those, who pierced him: and all the tribes of the earth will wail because of him. Yea, so be it! I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord G.o.d, who is, and who was, and who is to be, the Almighty."-Rev. 1:4-8.

The seven churches to which John sends salutation, were those of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, 1:11. The Asia, in which they were situated, was a province in Asia Minor, distinct from Pontus, Gallatia, and Bithynia; which also were in Asia Minor, 1 Pet.

1:1, and Acts 2:9. Of the province of Asia, Ephesus was the capital, and was the princ.i.p.al place of John's residence. The seven cities which contained those churches, were situated in a kind of amphitheatre, surrounded by mountains. Smyrna was 46 miles north of Ephesus, and Pergamos 64 miles; Thyatira was 48 miles to the east, and Sardis 33 miles; Philadelphia 27 miles to the south, and Laodicea 42 miles. These churches had all been under the general supervision of John's ministry; and for this reason, doubtless, they are especially designated, instead of those with which he had not been so intimately connected.

John writes to the seven churches, in obedience to the command,-"What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia," 1:11. He seems to have written what he saw, at the time of its exhibition, and not at the close of the entire presentation; for when he was about to write the discordant utterances of "the seven thunders," he was told to "write them not," 10:4.

John observes the oriental custom of placing his name at the commencement, instead of the close of his communication. Few persons now deny that this was John the Evangelist. Irenaeus, who was born only about 30 years after the death of John, speaks of the writer of the Apocalypse, as "the disciple of Christ,-that same John that leaned on his breast at the last supper."

Most beautiful reference is here made to the attributes of DEITY: "Him who is, and who was, and who is to be," can be no other than the great Preexistent, who said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM," Ex. 13:14.

The seven Spirits, would seem to be irrelevantly placed between the Father and the Son,-the place always occupied by the Holy Spirit, when spoken of in connection with them,-if they were merely seven angels. Grace would also seem to be irreverently invoked from such,-its presence being implied where it is invoked,-unless they are expressive of the Holy Spirit, in which grace is inherent, and from whom it may be communicated; as it may not be from angels. Seven is a full and perfect number, and it may be here used because in another place "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne" are symbolic of "the seven Spirits of G.o.d," (4:5); which, if angels, would be expressly named, as in other inspired explanations,-as they are in that of the stars, 1:20. A burning _flame_ is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus, when G.o.d would make a covenant with Abraham, and the victims between which the covenanting parties were to pa.s.s, were divided, the presence of G.o.d was symbolized by "a burning lamp that pa.s.sed between those pieces," Gen. 15:17. And the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, was manifested by "cloven tongues, like as of fire," which "sat upon each of them," Acts 2:3. In Zechariah 3:9, we read of the symbol of a stone laid before Joshua, that on it were engraved "seven eyes," which "are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro, through the whole earth," (Zech. 4:10);-an expressive figure of G.o.d's Omniscience. The same is symbolized in Rev. 5:6, by the "seven eyes" of the LAMB.

Jesus Christ is the faithful Witness. He "was faithful to him that appointed him," (Heb. 3:2); and he was given as a Witness to the people, a Leader and Commander to the people, Isa. 55:4. He is the "first-begotten of the dead," having "risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept," 1 Cor. 15:20: he is "declared to be the Son of G.o.d, with power according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead," Rom. 1:4. He is "the Prince of the kings of the earth," the "King of kings and Lord of lords," 19:16; "all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him," Psa. 72:11. He hath shown how he "loved us,"

by giving himself for us, (Gal. 2:20); and hath cleansed his people from all sin, not "by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us," Heb. 9:12. He has redeemed us to G.o.d "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation," Rev. 5:9. He is the one who is to come in the clouds of heaven, in resplendent majesty, to reward his saints, and to destroy those who destroy the earth, 11:18. The announcement that he "cometh with clouds" is as if John had said that what he was commanded to write, was a revelation of the events which were to precede and usher in that coming.

Christ's Annunciation.

"I John, your brother, and partner in the affliction, and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the island called Patmos, for the word of G.o.d, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, like that of a trumpet, saying, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven congregations, to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."-Rev. 1:9-11.

This gives a clue to the date of the Apocalypse. It was written when John was in the Isle of Patmos: "It is the general testimony of ancient authors, that St. John was banished into Patmos in the time of Domitian, in the latter part of his reign, and restored by his successor, Nerva. But the book could not be published till after John's release, and return to Ephesus, in Asia. Domitian died in 96, and his persecution did not commence till near the close of his reign."-DR. CLARKE.