Rev 5 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-7 The apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a roll of parchments in the form usual in those times, and sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret purposes of God about to be revealed. The designs and methods of Divine Providence, toward the church and the world, are stated, fixed, and made a matter of record. The counsels of God are altogether hidden from the eye and understanding of the creature. The several parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but after each other, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct is finished in the world. The creatures cannot open it, nor read it; the Lord only can do so. Those who see most of God, are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his glory, desire to know his will. But even good men may be too eager and hasty to look into the mysteries of the Divine conduct. Such desires, if not soon answered, turn to grief and sorrow. If John wept much because he could not look into the book of God's decrees, what reason have many to shed floods of tears for their ignorance of the gospel of Christ! of that on which everlasting salvation depends! We need not weep that we cannot foresee future events respecting ourselves in this world; the eager expectation of future prospects, or the foresight of future calamities, would alike unfit us for present duties and conflicts, or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet we may desire to learn, from the promises and prophecies of Scripture, what will be the final event to believers and to the church; and the Incarnate Son has prevailed, that we should learn all that we need to know. Christ stands as Mediator between God and both ministers and people. He is called a Lion, but he appears as a Lamb slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings, to show that he pleads for us in heaven, in virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes; perfect power to execute all the will of God, and perfect wisdom to understand it, and to do it in the most effectual manner. The Father put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to make known the will of his Father; and the Holy Spirit is given by him to reveal the truth and will of God.

‏ Revelation of John 5

* A book sealed with seven seals, which could be opened by none

but Christ, who took the book to open it. (1-7) Upon which all

honour is ascribed to him, as worthy to open it. (8-14)

1-7 The apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the

throne, a roll of parchments in the form usual in those times,

and sealed with seven seals. This represented the secret

purposes of God about to be revealed. The designs and methods of

Divine Providence, toward the church and the world, are stated,

fixed, and made a matter of record. The counsels of God are

altogether hidden from the eye and understanding of the

creature. The several parts are not unsealed and opened at once,

but after each other, till the whole mystery of God's counsel

and conduct is finished in the world. The creatures cannot open

it, nor read it; the Lord only can do so. Those who see most of

God, are most desirous to see more; and those who have seen his

glory, desire to know his will. But even good men may be too

eager and hasty to look into the mysteries of the Divine

conduct. Such desires, if not soon answered, turn to grief and

sorrow. If John wept much because he could not look into the

book of God's decrees, what reason have many to shed floods of

tears for their ignorance of the gospel of Christ! of that on

which everlasting salvation depends! We need not weep that we

cannot foresee future events respecting ourselves in this world;

the eager expectation of future prospects, or the foresight of

future calamities, would alike unfit us for present duties and

conflicts, or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet we may

desire to learn, from the promises and prophecies of Scripture,

what will be the final event to believers and to the church; and

the Incarnate Son has prevailed, that we should learn all that

we need to know. Christ stands as Mediator between God and both

ministers and people. He is called a Lion, but he appears as a

Lamb slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings, to show

that he pleads for us in heaven, in virtue of his satisfaction.

He appears as a Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes; perfect

power to execute all the will of God, and perfect wisdom to

understand it, and to do it in the most effectual manner. The

Father put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of

Christ, and Christ readily and gladly took it into his hand; for

he delights to make known the will of his Father; and the Holy

Spirit is given by him to reveal the truth and will of God. 8-14 It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God

deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He

governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour.

The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of

odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints:

prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed

his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not

only purchased liberty for them, but the highest honour and

preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule over

their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one;

and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and

liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices. What words can more

fully declare that Christ is, and ought to be worshipped,

equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all eternity!

Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall

for ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for

himself by his blood. How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son,

and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises! All creatures should

proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty.