And I saw on mount Sion — The heavenly Sion. An hundred forty — four thousand — Either those out of all mankind who had been the most eminently holy, or the most holy out of the twelve tribes of Israel the same that were mentioned, Revelation 7:4, and perhaps also, Revelation 16:2. But they were the... [ Continue Reading ]
And I heard a sound out of heaven — Sounding clearer and clearer: first, at a distance, as the sound of many waters or thunders; and afterwards, being nearer, it was as of harpers harping on their harps. It sounded vocally and instrumentally at once.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they — The hundred forty — four thousand — Sing a new song — and none could learn that song — To sing and play it in the same manner. But the hundred forty — four thousand who were redeemed from the earth — From among men; from all sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
These are they who had not been defiled with women — It seems that the deepest defilement, and the most alluring temptation, is put for every other. They are virgins — Unspotted souls; such as have preserved universal purity. These are they who follow the Lamb — Who are nearest to him. This is not t... [ Continue Reading ]
And in their month there was found no guile — Part for the whole. Nothing untrue, unkind, unholy. They are without fault — Having preserved inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I saw another angel — A second is mentioned, Revelation 14:8; a third, Revelation 14:9. These three denote great messengers of God with their assistants; three men who bring messages from God to men. The first exhorts to the fear and worship of God; he second proclaims the fall of Babylon; the t... [ Continue Reading ]
Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come — The joyful message is properly this, that the hour of God's judgment is come. And hence is that admonition drawn, Fear God and give glory to him. They who do this will not worship the beast, neither any image or idol whatsoever.... [ Continue Reading ]
And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen — With the overthrow of Babylon, that of all the enemies of Christ, and, consequently, happier times, are connected. Babylon the great — So the city of Rome is called upon many accounts. Babylon was magnificent, strong, proud, powerful. So is Rom... [ Continue Reading ]
And a third angel followed — At no great distance of time. Saying, If any one worship the wild beast — This worship consists, partly in an inward submission, a persuasion that all who are subject to Christ must be subject to the beast or they cannot receive the influences of divine grace, or, as the... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall drink — With Babylon, Revelation 16:19. And shall be tormented — With the beast, Revelation 20:10. In all the scripture there is not another so terrible threatening as this. And God by this greater fear arms his servants against the fear of the beast. The wrath of God, which is poured unmix... [ Continue Reading ]
And the smoke — From the fire and brimstone wherein they are tormented. Ascendeth for ever and ever — God grant thou and I may never try the strict, literal eternity of this torment!... [ Continue Reading ]
Here is the patience of the saints — Seen, in suffering all things rather than receive this mark. Who keep the commandments of God — The character of all true saints; and particularly the great command to believe in Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I heard a voice — This is most seasonably heard when the beast is in his highest power and fury. Out of heaven — Probably from a departed saint. Write — He was at first commanded to write the whole book. Whenever this is repeated it denotes something peculiarly observable. Happy are the dead — F... [ Continue Reading ]
In the following verses, under the emblem of an harvest and a vintage, are signified two general visitations; first, many good men are taken from the earth by the harvest; then many sinners during the vintage. The latter is altogether a penal visitation; the former seems to be altogether gracious. H... [ Continue Reading ]
And another angel came out of the temple — "Which is in heaven," Revelation 14:17. Out of which came the judgments of God in the appointed seasons.... [ Continue Reading ]
Crying — By the command of God. Thrust in thy sickle, for the harvest is ripe — This implies an high degree of holiness in those good men, and an earnest desire to be with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
And another angel from the altar — Of burnt offering; from whence the martyrs had cried for vengeance. Who had power over fire — As "the angel of the waters," Revelation 16:5, had over water. Cried, saying, Lop off the clusters of the vine of the earth — All the wicked are considered as constituting... [ Continue Reading ]
And the winepress was trodden — By the Son of God, Revelation 19:15. Without the city — Jerusalem. They to whom St. John writes, when a man said, "The city," immediately understood this. And blood came out of the winepress, even to the horses' bridles — So deep at its first flowing from the winepres... [ Continue Reading ]