As if St. John had said, After my first vision was over, being desirous farther to understand and know the mind of God,. looked upwards to heaven, from whence divine revelations come, and it was represented to me as if. door were opened into the third heavens; and. apprehended, that. heard that form... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS IN THE SPIRIT; that is, in an ecstasy in. trance, in. rapture of delight and joy, ravished in spirit. This vision was represented to his mind more lively than any corporeal objects could be to his outward senses, which were now all bound up. Observe here, 1. The vision itself, A THRONE SET IN... [ Continue Reading ]
St. John having described Almighty God as sitting upon his throne in the former verse, here he declares whom he saw about the throne as assessors with him, namely, FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS; by which some understand the patriarchs and apostles, as representatives of the Jewish and Christian church; oth... [ Continue Reading ]
By the throne God is represented as. judge: by the THUNDERINGS, and LIGHTNINGS, and VOICES, IS REPRESENTED THE TERRIBLENESS OF God in judging sinners. As the law was delivered upon mount Sinai in lightning and thunder, so will there be the same, nay, far greater dread and terror, when God comes to j... [ Continue Reading ]
By this SEA OF GLASS there seems to be an allusion to that large vessel of water in the temple called the brazen sea, in which Aaron and his sons did wash themselves before they administered in holy things: signifying that purity which is required in all the worshippers, but especially in all the mi... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How St. John saw both beasts and elders, representing ministers and people, unitedly joining together; and with one consent sounding forth the high praises of their God; intimating, how the whole body of sincere Christians ought heartily to join with their faithful ministers in that... [ Continue Reading ]