XV. (1) AND I SAW ANOTHER SIGN IN (_the_) HEAVEN. — The sign is, as we noticed before (Revelation 12:1), a token, not a mere empty wonder. This sign is called “great and marvellous;” it introduces a new set of scenes; the same characters will reappear, but we must start with fresh attention. The se... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW AS IT WERE A SEA OF GLASS MINGLED WITH FIRE. — The wild beast rose out of the sea (Revelation 13:1); the evil-hearted woman sits upon many waters (Revelation 17:1); they draw strength from the wild, and ungoverned, and short-sighted impulses of human passion; in opposition to this near the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SING THE SONG OF MOSES THE SERVANT OF GOD, AND THE SONG OF THE LAMB. — They join their voices to the music of their harps. The song of Moses was a pæan of victory over Pharaoh and his hosts (Exodus 14:26; Exodus 15:1). Israel stood on the margin of the Red Sea and saw the tokens of the over... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT AND MARVELLOUS ARE THY WORKS.... — The _song_ is better thus translated: — “Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? Because Thou only art holy: Because all the nations s... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO SHALL NOT FEAR... — Rather, _Who will not fear,_ &c. (the word “Thee” should be omitted, _because Thou art holy._ The word rendered “holy” is not that which is usually employed when the holiness of God is spoken of; it is a word which, when applied to men, denotes one who reverences the sacred o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THAT... — Better, _And after these things I saw, and there was opened the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony_ (or, _witness_)_ in the heaven._ This temple is called the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony; the expression sounds cumbrous, but it is nevertheless suitable. St. St... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SEVEN ANGELS... — Better, _And there came out the seven angels who had the seven plagues from the temple, clothed in linen, pure, glistening, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles._ The temple is the inner shrine, or sanctuary; it was this which was measured (Revelation 11:1); it... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ONE OF THE FOUR... — Better, _And one from among the four living beings gave to the seven angels seven golden vials_ (or, _bowls_)_ full,_ &c. The vials are the shallow bowls which were used for incense. They are filled with the wrath of God, and that wrath is now to be poured out “upon the king... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE TEMPLE... — Translate, _And the temple_ (the same word — _naos_ — is used as in Revelation 11:1) _was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his might; and no one was able to enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished._ As in the wildernes... [ Continue Reading ]