The former vision which John saw, contained in the foregoing Chapter
s, represented the state of the church at the time when the vision was
given, or the things that then were, (Revelation 1:19,) and gave
suitable directions to the churches, with their pastors, to encourage
their faith and patience,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Immediately I was in the Spirit_ Even in a higher degree than before.
“This phrase,” says Doddridge, “signifies to be under a strong
and supernatural impulse, caused by the miraculous operation of the
Spirit of God acting on the imagination, in such a manner as to open
extraordinary scenes, which h... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that sat was to look upon like a jasper_ Shone with a visible
lustre, like that of sparkling precious stones, such as those which
were of old on the high-priest's breast-plate, and those placed as the
foundations of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:19. If there be any
thing emblematical in the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_And round about the throne_ In a circle; _four and twenty seats_
Greek, θρονοι, _thrones; and upon the thrones four and twenty
elders_ Signifying, perhaps, the most wise, holy, and useful of all
the former ages, whether of the patriarchal, Jewish, or Christian
Church, Isaiah 24:23; Hebrews 12:1. In... [ Continue Reading ]
_And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal_
Wide and deep, pure and clear, transparent and still. Both the _seven
lamps of fire_ and this sea are _before the throne_, and both may mean
the _seven Spirits of God_, the Holy Ghost; whose powers and
operations are frequently repre... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the four living creatures_ With an allusion to the seraphim
represented in Isaiah's vision; _had each of them six wings about him_
Which they used in part to express their reverence and humility, and
in part to show readiness and expedition in performing the orders and
commands of God. See on I... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when those living creatures give glory, &c., the elders fall
down_ That is, as often as the living creatures begin their song of
adoration and praise, the elders immediately fall down. The expression
implies that they did so at the same instant, and that they both did
this frequently. The livin... [ Continue Reading ]