V. THE SEALED ROLL. — The vision of the previous chapter remains. The scenery does not shift, but the attention of the seer is now directed to one feature — the book, or roll, which was on the hand of the Throned One. This roll none in heaven, earth, or under the earth could open; but the Lamb take... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW IN THE RIGHT HAND... — Better, _And I saw on_ (not “in;” the roll lay on the open palm of the hand) _the right hand of Him that sitteth upon the throne a book written within and behind, fast sealed with seven seals._ The book is, of course, in the form of a roll; it lies on the open hand o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW A STRONG (better, _mighty)_ ANGEL PROCLAIMING WITH (or, _in)_ A LOUD VOICE, WHO IS WORTHY... — We must not let the word “worthy” pass as though it were simply equivalent to “strong enough.” It seems to imply moral fitness (comp. Romans 1:4), which is the true strength in the heavenly world... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NO MAN.... — Or, better, _no one_ (for it is of more than mankind that the Apostle speaks) _was able, in the heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, nor even_ (still less?) _to look thereon._ The looking on the book is usually understood of the look cast on the book of one who would read... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WEPT MUCH, BECAUSE NO MAN (BETTER, NO ONE) WAS FOUND WORTHY TO OPEN... THE BOOK (OMIT, “AND TO READ”). — The Apostle is not ashamed to call attention to his tears. I, indeed, for my part (the “I” is emphatic) wept much. It was not a failure of faith; it was the outburst of an earnest heart, to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ONE OF THE ELDERS... — Better, _And one from among the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion, which is of the tribe of Judah, the Boot of David, conquered (so as) to open the roll, and the seven seals thereof._ The position of the word _“_conquered” is emphatic, and should receive gre... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I BEHELD, AND LO..._ — Better, And I saw (omit “and lo”) in the midst of the throne and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb (or, a little Lamb), standing as if having been slain._ The position of the Lamb is described from the seer’s point of view: the Lamb is not o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE CAME... — Better, _And He came, and He has taken_ (omit the words “the book,” and supply) _it (i.e.,_ the roll) _out of the right hand of Him that sitteth upon the throne._ There is a change of tense (“came,” “has taken”), which seems to be due to the rapt attention of the seer, whose narrati... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD TAKEN... — Better, _And when He took the roll, the four living beings and the twenty four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp, and golden vials_ (or, _censers_) _full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints_ (or, _the holy ones)._ It is not the Church alone which... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SUNG A NEW SONG, SAYING... — Better, _And they sing a new song, saying._ The use of the present (“sing”) is another example of that intensity of interest of which the change of tense in the last verse afforded an instance. As he records his vision, he sees it anew; he describes the action a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I BEHELD... — More literally, _And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels around the throne, and the living beings, and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands._ The chorus of the redeemed is followed by a chorus of angels; for “that which is the... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING WITH A LOUD VOICE... — The second chorus: the chorus of angels — “Worthy is the Lamb, That hath been slain, To receive the power. And riches, and wisdom, and might, And honour, and glory, and blessing.” The doxology is seven-fold. We have noticed (Revelation 1:6) the increasing strength... [ Continue Reading ]
AND EVERY CREATURE... — The third chorus: the chorus of the universe. The song of the redeemed, echoed by the hosts of angels, is now merged in the utterance of all. “Every creature which is in the heaven, and upon the earth, and beneath the earth, and upon the sea, and all the things that are in th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FOUR BEASTS... — Better, _And the four living beings said, Amen_ (or, _the Amen). And the elders_ (omit “four and twenty”) _fell down and worshipped._ The remaining words of this verse are wanting in some of the best MSS., and they spoil thegraphic force of the description. The “Amen” rises... [ Continue Reading ]