Spurgeon's Notes on REVELATION
Chapter 1 Verses 1-20
Revelation 1:1-2. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
John was a most suitable person to see and to bear record of the Word of God, for in his gospel (John 19:35) he describes himself at the cross as both seeing and bearing record. So now that his once-crucified Lord is in his glory, it seemed meet that the same beloved disciple should both see him and bear record concerning him. No eyes were so fit to see the glory of Christ as those which had looked with so much love into the eyes of Jesus of Nazareth in the days of his humiliation. The head that had rested upon his Master’s bosom at the supper table was prepared thereby for all the glory that should afterwards be revealed. The nearer your communion with Christ is, the more will you be permitted to know of him. Our perceptions of Christ, if they are true, will be spiritual; and in proportion as our spiritual life is in a right condition, shall we be able to know more and more of him.
Revelation 1:3. Blessed is he who reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
I do not perceive that John says, "Blessed are they that understand this Book,’ for, surely, they would be very few. I do not doubt that there are portions of Scripture which are not meant to be understood as yet, —things concerning the future which are wrapped up in a phraseology which will be plain enough when that future arrives, but which for the present are not intended so much to gratify our curiosity as to stimulate our watchfulness. To keep us constantly on the look out, is the main object of every revelation concerning the future. So far, then, we have the proem or preface of this great Book of the Revelation.
Revelation 1:4-5. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
John’s blessing to the seven churches of Asia is like that of Paul when he is writing to a Christian church, "Grace be unto you, and peace." You have probably noticed that, when Paul is writing to a minister individually, his greeting is, "Grace, mercy, and peace;" for they who have the solemn charge of souls need "mercy" above all other men. May they find mercy of God in that day! But to the churches themselves, it is simply this double blessing, "Grace be unto you, and peace." These blessings, coming in their proper order, grace first, and peace afterwards, are very precious. That peace which is not founded upon grace, and does not follow grace, is a false peace. "Grace be unto you, and peace." But if you have grace, peace ought to follow; you have a right to it, it is a logical sequence to the possession of the grace of God. Well does Dr. Watts sing, —
"If sin be pardoned, I’m secure;
Death has no sting beside."If grace be given, glory will follow. Wherefore, beloved, "Grace be unto you, and peace." And this grace and peace must come from the Lord Jesus: "from him which is, and which was, and which is to come." This grace and peace must come from the eternal Father, the self-existent Jehovah, and from the ever-blessed Spirit. God alone is the Lord and Giver of grace and peace. And this double blessing must come from a realization of the Lord Jesus Christ in his glorious character as "the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth." Never forget, dear friends, that even today Christ is the Prince of the kings of the earth. The Queen reigns, and the Czar reigns; but it is still more true that "The Lord reigns." There is One who is higher than the highest of all earthly kings, even "the Prince of the kings of the earth."
Revelation 1:5-6. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Do not all of us, who truly know our Lord, say that? Do we not wish for him glory and honor beyond anything that we can conceive? May all dominion be his forever and ever, for it is his by right!
Revelation 1:7. Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him. and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.
They have crucified him; all kindreds of the earth have, alas! had a share in Christ’s death, and dying unforgiven, or being found alive at his coming without repentance, they "shall wail because of him."
Revelation 1:7. Even so, Amen.
Though the wicked shall wail at Christ’s appearing, the saints must give consent to the judgments of God as well as to his mercies: "Even so, Amen."
Revelation 1:8-12. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.
This was a very natural thing for John to do. We always feel a desire to see who it is that addresses us, and especially would this be the case if we heard such a sentence as this, spoken with a trumpet voice by One who could truly say it, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last." Who would not have turned to see such a Speaker? I am sure that John would, for he must have recognized that voice, though it was pitched in a higher key than usual, and was full of more sonorous force than when he last heard it. He must have known the voice of the Start Here Well-beloved as he spoke again to his highly-favored servant.
Revelation 1:12-13. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, —
It was the very same Son of man, but John could only say" like unto the Son of man," — like unto the One whom he had known long before, and whom he had loved with undying affection, — like him, but, oh! how unlike him, notwithstanding. The Christ in every position is still discernible as "like unto the Son of man." As John sees him, with his face shining like the sun in its strength, yet still he is "like unto the Son of man." In the manger, he was like to what he was afterwards upon the cross; on the cross, he was like to what he is now upon his throne; and when he comes again in all his glory, he will still be like unto what he was and always is, — " the Son of man." "In the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man," —
Revelation 1:13-18. Clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breasts with a golden belt. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he who lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death.
That dear familiar touch of Christ’s right hand had quickened John into sensibility again, and brought him back from his swoon when he was lying at Christ’s feet as dead. O Master, if we are dead in a worse sense than John was, if we have fallen into a spiritual swoon, if we have come into a fainting fit, lay your pierced hand upon us now, and we shall live! Come near us, O Lord, come nearer, nearer still, and touch your servants with your hand of love and power, and we shall be able to hear what you have to say, and our heart shall be strong to obey your command!
Revelation 1:19-20. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.
Then he proceeds to explain what he meant, just after the manner of the Son of man who, when he pronounced a parable in public, opened it up to his own disciples in secret, even as he does still. Oh, how blessedly is "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever"! His characteristics never change what he was, he is, and that he ever will be, blessed be his holy name."
Revelation 1:20. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.
The Lord bless to us all the reading of this precious passage from his Word! Amen.
Verses 15-20In the first fourteen verses we have given to us part of the glowing description of the glories of the ascended Christ, and here it is completed.
Revelation 1:15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Seas lashed to tempests, cataracts leaping from their stupendous heights —such was the voice of Christ.
Revelation 1:16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: And out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword:
For his word is a killing thing.
Revelation 1:16. And his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.
What magnificent figures put together! We are well prepared to find that John could not long endure this majestic representation of the Lord.
Revelation 1:17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
He was not only brought to the posture of reverence, but he was so overawed that he became unconscious. It is the same person upon whose breast John had leaned his head, yet now he is represented as John had never seen him before. He was not so at the last supper; he was not so upon the cross; he was not so on the Mount of Transfiguration; he was not so even when he had risen from the dead, and, perhaps, he will not be so when we see him in his glory. This was a specially instructive representation of Christ, and it was too much even for the trained and educated spirit of John the Divine.
Revelation 1:17-18. And he laid his right hand upon me. saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that lives, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death.
This is the great consolation of the people of God when they are brought very low — that Jesus lives, that Jesus reigns, that Jesus still comforts us and draws near to us in all the majesty of his power.
Revelation 1:19-20. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 77; Revelation 1:15-20.
Chapter 2
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 3
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 4
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 5
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 6 Verses 12-17
Revelation 6:12-16. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of Heaven fell unto the earth, even as fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the Heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Think of the contrast between this awful cry and the sentence we read just now: "Then did they spit in his face." "Mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne." Think, too, of the contrast of which we were reminded in our opening hymn, —
"While sinners in despair shall call,
‘Rocks’ hide us; mountains, on us fall!’
The saints, ascending from the tomb,
Shall joyful sing, ‘The Lord is come!’"Revelation 6:17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Let us read further on in the same Book. (See Revelation 19:11-16)
This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 26:57-68. Revelation 6:12-17, Revelation 19:11-16, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:1.
Chapter 7 Verses 1-17
Revelation 7:1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
Observe that God has servants ever ready for his work. There were winds to be restrained. "And I saw four angels," — mighty spiritual beings —who had power over the air. These winds were to be restrained until all God’s people were safely sealed and you may depend upon it that no calamity shall happen to destroy the people of God, they must first be saved. There shall be no deluge until there is the ark; there shall be no Romans to destroy Jerusalem until there is a little city in the mountains to which the disciples may flee. God will protect his own. The dead calm, the perfect quietude which prevailed while the angels restrained the winds is set forth in these words. The wind did not appear to blow on land, or sea, or tree, not a ripple broke the surface of the waters, not a leaf stirred on the bough, everything is quiet until God’s people are secured.
Revelation 7:2-3. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their forehead.
See how other things are protected for the sake of God’s people. The earth and the sea and even the trees, have a cordon of safety round about them while God’s people are being secured. When the Lord Jesus put to sea on the Galilean lake, we read that there were with him many other little ships, and when the calm came for his ship they were in the calm, too. And so it is a good thing if you are not in the Church, yet to have some sort of connection with it; a great thing for the age to have the Church of God in it, for God will take care of a nation often for the sake of his people. As he would have spared Sodom had there been righteous men found in it, so does he spare nations for the sake of his saints.
Revelation 7:4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Now we are going to read their names. I hope you won’t say it is tiresome to read them. Remember he who wrote this Book in the Father of them, and children’s names are not wearisome to their own father. Remember, he who fills this Book bought them with his blood, and wore them upon his breastplate as the great High Priest of Israel; bearing all these names upon his heart, graven upon the palms of his hands. We need not be weary of hearing names which Christ has worn on his breast.
Revelation 7:5-8. Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Judah stands first and Benjamin stands last: they were joined together, but here they are as widely divided as they can be, yet they stand in an equal position; and the day shall come when first and last shall rejoin together in the equal blessing of the Most High. Where is Dan? Not mentioned here.
See, there is nothing without mystery. We shall never understand all the things of God. It seemed simple enough to bless the twelve tribes, and yet there is one wanting.
Revelation 7:9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
This is the great gathering of the Gentile multitude redeemed by blood, numbered by God, never to be numbered by men, being like the sand on the seashore, innumerable. Of all colors they shall be, and they will look to us on earth if we could see them, to be a motley group, and if we heard them speak it would seem a strange jargon. Many are the languages of earth, but one is the speech of Heaven. All hearts are alike in the kingdom of the Most High, whatever the color of the flesh. Do you know, that entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem seems to me to be the pattern we have here before us, only this is the fulfillment of it. Here are the crowds that gathered about him, the twelve disciples lead the way, and here are the multitudes with the palms in their hands scattering them in the pathway of their king.
Revelation 7:10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
In Jerusalem they cried Hosanna, which was "Save, Lord," but now they have risen a little higher, and they sing, "Salvation to our God." It is the same melody but it is pitched to a loftier key, and there are more to sing it; and they are not now conducting a prince to his throne but they are looking up to the king upon his throne, reigning there.
Revelation 7:11. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God,
Not some of the angels, nor many angels, nor even an innumerable company of angels, but all the angels; they shall all gather on that august occasion around the throne of God and the Lamb.
Revelation 7:12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.
What a deep, sonorous Amen that will be! What a mighty volume of sound! How full and rich, how hearty! Oh, that our ears may be there to hear it, and our tongues to swell it.
Revelation 7:13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes and whence came they?
"And I said unto him, Sir, you know." You see the question was put by an angel, as an answer one of the elders answered. Whom did he answer? Why, John; and what John’s heart was inquiring. He was saying to himself, "Who are these?" And one of the elders was responsive to his heart’s inquiry, and put the same inquiry into words on his behalf.
Revelation 7:14-15. And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he who sits on the throne shall dwell among them.
Shall "tabernacle over them," that is the exact word, as though he were a pavilion, a canopy over them.
Revelation 7:16-17. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
It looks almost as if they might have a tear in their eye when they first come there; certainly they shall never be sure of being without a tear until they have crossed the pearly threshold, but then he shall wipe away the very tear, there shall be no possibility of weeping there. May our eyes behold that sinless and sorrowless land, and its Eternal Lord!
Verses 9-17We will read two passages from the New Testament tonight. The first will show us where the glorified saints are, and the second will tell us what is to become of their bodies.
Revelation 7:9-13. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, the wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,—
In reply, as it were, to John’s question put by the very look of his countenance. Sometimes, the Lord Jesus Christ gave an answer to men who had never spoken to him; and the angelic elder here followed his example, and also in another respect imitated his Lord, by replying to the inquisitive glance of John by asking him a question.
Revelation 7:13-17. What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out, of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, the made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day the night in his temple: and he who sits on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
This is to be the future state of all those who are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, and to whom the saving grace of God has come: so that, concerning all who have thus fallen asleep, we sorrow not as those without hope, for we know that all is well with them for ever. Now let us read a little of what the apostle Paul was inspired to write with regard to the resurrection of the body. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-28. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58)
This exposition consisted of readings from Revelation 7:9-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
Chapter 8
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 9
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 10
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 11
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 12 Verses 1-17
Revelation 12:1. And there appeared a great wonder in Heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
This is that woman of whom the promise runs, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head." John saw this in a vision in the heavenly places; he saw the Church of God, enthroned, made glorious, clothed with the sun, having the brightness of divine light about her, with all that is variable, changeable as "the moon under her feet, and upon her head the crown "that her Lord had given, her " — twelve patriarchs, twelve prophets, twelve apostles, a complete number of glorious lights kindled from Heaven.
Revelation 12:2. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
That child that is born of her, that seed of the woman, that shall bruise the serpent’s head is: first, Christ, and then all the first-born, of whom he is the great representative.
Revelation 12:3-4. And there appeared another wonder’ in Heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
The spirit of evil in the heavenlies fighting with the power of light and goodness and grace, a mysterious being with great power, high intelligence, seven heads, ten horns, and having mighty influence over multitudes of men, so that there were seven crowns upon his seven heads. "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the earth." The crocodile, which, I suppose, was the earthly figure from which John’s dream sprang, has great force in its tail; and Satan doubtless of old drew from Heaven a number of its stars — -other angels fell with him. And there are times in the heavens of the church when the ministers fall; they seem to go in companies. Those who should be lights for God, are into darkness, and become teachers of heresy "He did cast them down to the earth." They lost their brightness, they betrayed their earthly origin. "And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to he delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." Remember how he sought to slay Jesus; and the like is the case of all the man-children born unto God, who will be of service in the kingdom of God. The main attack of the dragon was against the child: the main attack of the power of evil is against Christ and everything Christly. If he could destroy the gospel, he would not care about the church one whit: the woman might go if the man-child could be destroyed.
Revelation 12:5. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up ,unto God, and to his throne.
That is the brief history of the birth of Christ, and of his going from us. He "was caught up unto GOD, and to his throne." God will take care of the great principle of truth. If it cannot have a refuge on earth, he will find it a refuge in Heaven.
Revelation 12:6. And the woman fled into the wilderness where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
The church of GOD was long in obscurity. You can hardly find it among the Albigenses and Waldenses. It was hidden away among the mounts. The Wycliffites, and the Lollards, and others, held fast the truth; but history scarcely records their names. The woman was in the wilderness, hidden away for many a day. "And there was war in Heaven." You are not to think of Heaven as a place, but among the heavenlies. John, in a vision, saw the great contending powers of evil. He was like the prophet when he saw a mountain full of horses of fire and chariots of fire.
Revelation 12:7-8. And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in Heaven.
You remember how our Lord, who is the true Michael, the only great archangel, said at the beginning of the preaching of the gospel, "I beheld Satan as lightning falling from Heaven." His power among the heavenlies is gone; he was cast out of the place called Heaven; so is he now, by the preaching of the gospel, and by the death of Christ, cast down from among the heavenly influences.
Revelation 12:9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
This was done in the olden time as a matter of fact. It is done continually, spiritually, as Christ is lifted up, and his gospel gets the victory.
Revelation 12:10. And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren its cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Always at it! this prince of evil pretending to goodness, and daring to bring accusations against the Holy One of God. But he is not permitted now to stand in the court; he is hurled from his high place. He used his place with a desperate pertinacity of malice, accusing the brethren day and night.
Revelation 12:11-12. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibitors of the earth and of the sea for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.
"Therefore rejoice you heavens, and you that dwell in them." Let great joy be in the hearts of all spiritual beings, whether angels or men, for Satan is cast down from. among them. But the battle is not over; the scene of it is only transferred from the heavenlies to the earthly. "Woe to the inhibitors of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you having great wrath because he knows that he has but a short time." We may expect him to rage more and more as the time of his destruction comes nearer and nearer. He is like a bad tenant; he will damage the house out of which he is to be ejected. But he is to be ejected, and let God be glorified for it.
Revelation 12:13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
He had changed his place, but he did not change his nature; and so he still perseveres in his attack upon God.
Revelation 12:14-15. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and halt a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Read history and see what fierce and brutal persecutions were used like floods against the gospel of Christ.
Revelation 12:16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and wallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
It is poor help that the earth can give, and yet God has over-ruled to make it useful. The kings and the powers of this world have for their own reasons sometimes protected the church. It was so in Luther’s day. The jealousy that was felt of the influence of the Court of Rome politically tended to the preservation of Luther and those round about him, so that the gospel was not destroyed. "The earth helped the woman," and we may expect that even those political disasters, which we often dread, will all end that way. How often has priestly arrogance been put to the blush even for political reasons! We have nothing to do with that, but still we can see how God can over-rule. It is always amiss when a woman begins to help the earth: she has nothing to do with that: let the Church leave the State alone. But sometimes it happens that in the political providence of God the earth helps the woman.
Revelation 12:17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have testimony of Jesus Christ.
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman." If ever you meet with a church of God which the devil likes, it is good for nothing; but if it is a true church of God, if it holds the truth, and if it walks in holiness, it will always be true. "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed." He had destroyed many already with that flood of persecution, and he kept on a battle with the remnant of her seed, "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Into the deep mysteries of this passage I have not attempted to go, but have simply skimmed the surface God bless the reading to us.
Chapter 13
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 14 Verses 1-20
Revelation 14:1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
The great question for us is, — shall we be among the number? If we have the Father’s name engraved upon our hearts, we may conclude that we shall, one day, have it written in our foreheads, and that we shall be among that chosen company.
Revelation 14:2-3. And I heard a voice from Heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Notice how loud their singing was, — it was like many waters and great thunder. But notice, also, the sweetness of it, for it was melodious as the music of well-skilled harpers harping with their harps. Note, too, the freshness, the vivacity of it: "they sang as it were a new song." Shall we be there to sing that new song? If so, we must be "redeemed from the earth," not with a general, but with a particular redemption, which lifts us up from the rest of our fellow-creatures; and we must also have attended the saved rehearsals, for none can sing in Heaven but those who have learned the song; and none can learn it but those who are "redeemed from the earth."
Revelation 14:4-5. These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgin. These are they which follow the Lamb wherever he goes, these were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Now we have another vision.
Revelation 14:6-7. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made Heaven, and earth, and the sea and the fountains of waters.
This vision represents the spread of the gospel. It is generally referred to the Reformation period, when, on a sudden, the truth, which had so long lain hidden in old musty tomes, was proclaimed in every market-place. Beneath many a "gospel oak" the good news was told out, — the good news concerning Christ, — as if an angel were flying through the midst of Heaven. This preaching of the truth led to the commencement of the downfall of Rome, which is here called Babylon, and which is ultimately to fall to utter and everlasting ruin.
Revelation 14:8. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
That is spiritual fornication, as we understand it in the Old Testament, —man’s idolatry, — the setting up of visible objects of worship, instead of the invisible God. And what is there, in all the world, that is so idolatrous as the so-galled "religion" of Rome? She multiplies her idol gods to great excess, — her crosses and her crucifixes, her saints and her saintesses, her "sacraments" and her relics, her "old cast clouts" and her "old rotten rags." The Papacy is the most paganish of all the paganisms that have ever existed on the face of the earth; but it is to come to an end, for the mouth of the Lord has said so.
Revelation 14:9-10. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
How clear, therefore, we ought to keep of this idolatrous system! For even if we have not the mark of the beast in our foreheads by an open profession of loyalty to it, yet if we have the mark in our hands by being the partakers of Rome’s sins, we shall also be partakers of her plagues concerning Romanism in all its forms. The great message to be proclaimed today is, "Come out of her, my people; — come away from her, as far as the poles are asunder; — that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues."
Revelation 14:11-12. And the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Truly, Rome has tried "the patience of the saints." What country is there in Europe which has not been dyed crimson with the blood of the martyrs? The rack, the stake, the brook, the dungeon, the fires, all sorts of cruelties have been practiced upon those who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Let the valleys of Piedmont speak; do they not cry aloud to our God for vengeance? Let the St. Bartholomew massacre bear witness before the living God. Let the stakes of Smithfield say, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Revelation 14:13. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.
It matters not where they die, or under what ignominy they die, —whether branded with the name of heretic, or cast out as the offscouring of all things, yet blessed are they, and their works follow them to Heaven to bear witness to their faith, and they spiritually, continue to live on earth to propagate the gracious seed for which they laid down their lives.
Revelation 14:14-18. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for you to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he who sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in Heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
After the glad harvest comes the sad vintage. After the ingathering of the righteous, there will be the ingathering of the wicked.
Revelation 14:19-20. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Chapter 15
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 16
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 17
Spurgeon did not write any commentary for this chapter.
Chapter 18 Verses 20-24
May the Spirit of God take away the veil from our eyes while we read what was revealed to the beloved apostle John! Here we have the prophecy of the destruction of the great anti-Christian system of Babylon, which, being interpreted, is and can be none other than the apostate church of Rome.
18:20-24. Rejoice over her, you Heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with. violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatever craft he be, shall he found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that w before slain upon the earth. Now, after the false church is put away, the true Church of Christ shines out in all her glory and purity.
This exposition consisted of readings from Revelation 18:20-24; and Revelation 19:1-18.
Verses 21-24We have no difficulty in knowing to what city this great Babylon refers, for the Church of Rome, in the plenitude of its wisdom, has taken the title to itself in attempting to claim that Peter was the first bishop of Rome. They quote the text, "The church that is in Babylon salutes you" that church, they say, being the church in Rome. Therefore, Rome is Babylon. Beside, the whole of the eighteenth chapter gives such a description as can only apply to her, and she must, and shall, come to her end.
Revelation 18:21-24. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsmen of whatever craft he be, shall be found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you, And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Chapter 19 Verses 1-10
Revelation 19:1-4. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, praying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen: Alleluia.
For the overthrow of a monstrous system of error gives delight to all holy spirits, and chiefly to those who stand nearest the eternal throne.
Revelation 19:5-6. And a voice came out of the throne saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns.
The harlot church is put away: the true church is introduced. fully arrayed in perfect holiness, ready for the consummation of her own joy, and her master’s — her last delight.
Revelation 19:7-10. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he says unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he says unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him, And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
If John made a mistake, because the saints in Heaven are all so like their Master, it is well that the mistake was at once corrected, for angel-worship, or the worship of saints, is to be avoided by all saints. And God’s word about it is, "See you do it not." It is said that we should certainly pay reverence to holy men that are now with God, but see you do it not.
Indeed, here, among men, the same kind of idolatry is sought to be kept up, and the preacher is arrayed in garments to make him distinct from the people, as though he were something better or different from them, and not their fellow-servant. But, for all this, let us hear the voice which says, "See you do it not. I am your fellow-servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus." Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Verses 1-18Revelation 19:1-4. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgments for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt you earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Heaven and earth are equally glad, and they unite to adore the living God when the great apostasy, that has so long cursed the nations, is hurled into the sea.
Revelation 19:5-6. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all you his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns.
And his great power is never better seen than in crushing the powers of darkness, and putting the hosts of evil to the rout.
Revelation 19:7-10. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he says unto me, Write, Blessed are they, which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he says unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
All worship, therefore, of saints and angels is a gross error, not to be tolerated for a moment. John was mistaken in falling down to worship the angel; but he was speedily rebuked, and his mistake was quickly corrected. There is no doctrine that needs more to be preached just now than this message of the angel, "Worship God." Neither crosses, nor crucifixes, nor holy wafers, nor anything that can he seen or handled, must be worshiped: "Worship God." We need still to hear God’s mighty voice proclaiming from mount Sinai the great law. "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make unto you any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
Revelation 19:11. And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make scar.
Behold your Savior, the Champion of the cause of truth! His war is not that of the carnal weapon and of garments rolled in blood. It is a spiritual warfare; but he wins a more glorious victory than ever sword or gun could gain.
Revelation 19:12-14. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
All his true ones, all his faithful ones, all his saints, whether ministers or not, the heavenly armies, "followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." Holiness is their armor, light is the panoply that they wear as they go forward to this holy war.
Revelation 19:15. And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword,
He puts down vice, and evil of every kind, not with the sword of steel, but with his word: "Out of his mouth goes a sharp sword,"-
Revelation 19:15-16. That with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
For this Son of God whom we worship, this Jesus of Nazareth, is Master of all. All power is in his hand, he is, "KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS."
Revelation 19:17-18. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of Heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
By this highly figurative language, we are to understand that, when Christ goes forth to war in battling for the truth, and his true followers come after him, their victory will be certain, and the slain of the Lord will be many. We look not for carnage and bloodshed to establish the kingdom of Christ in the earth; but this revelation gives us a picture of the utter overthrow and destruction of all forms of error through the power of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen, so let it be! Would God that the King of kings would mount his white horse at once, and that all his people would follow him! He will do so at the right time, and then the victory shall be unto God, and to the truth, and to love, and to peace and holiness, for evermore.
This exposition consisted of readings from Revelation 18:20-24; and Revelation 19:1-18.
Verses 11-16Revelation 19:11-13. And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
That same Logos of whom John wrote in the gospel now stands before him, and he beholds him in his glory. That a delight it must have been to the seer of Patmos to see his Lord and Master once again in different array from that in which he had beheld him when, in humiliation he tabernacled here among the sons of men! His name is still the same — the Logos —the Word of God.
Revelation 19:14-16. And the armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS.
And this is the man of Nazareth. This is the crucified, despised, and rejected once. Servus servorum once. — Servant of servants but now King of kings and Lord of lords. And what will the end be of the battle that he wager? Will any of his adversaries escape? Will they hold their own? No, they shall utterly be destroyed before him. All the powers of evil of false doctrine everything contrary to his mind — shall be destroyed. And this is set forth in symbolic imagery by the dreadful battle feast which usually succeeds a battle, when the vultures smell the carrion from afar and come to rend the spoil. It shall not be thus with the bodies of men, but thus with evil — thus with the powers of darkness.
Chapter 20 Verse 11
Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the Heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Driven, like chaff before the wind, from the face of him who sat upon the throne.
Revelation 20:12-15. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:1. And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 26:57-68. Revelation 6:12-17, Revelation 19:11-16, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:1.
Chapter 21 Verses 1-27
Revelation 21:1. And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Astronomers tell us that, within living memory, several starry worlds have burnt out, and vanished out of sight. The apostle Peter has told us that this world also will be destroyed by fire, but it will afterwards be renewed, and a new sky and a new earth will appear after the first firmament and the first earth shall have become extinct. God means that this planet should continue to exist after it has had a new creation, and renewed its youth. The regeneration of his people, their new birth, is a foretaste of what is yet to happen to this whole world of ours. We have the first-fruits of the Spirit, and we groan within ourselves while we wait for the fullness of that new creation. "The first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea," because the sea is the emblem of separation, and destruction, and unrest. The sea has her dead which shall be given up. The sea now cannot rest nor be quiet, but all shall be calm and tranquil in the new Heaven and the new earth.
Revelation 21:2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
John saw, in vision, the glorified Church of God coming to dwell on the new earth, descending for a while from Heaven to be the very glory of the newly-created world.
Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
When there shall be a new Heaven and a new earth, and the Church shall be in her new and glorified condition, then there will be no need for all those purifying forces which have been so active here below. There shall be no death, nor sorrow nor crying, nor pain, nor trial of any kind; all shall be happiness for all shall be holiness. And then, as God dwelt of old among his people in the wilderness, and as Jesus Christ, the Word, was made flesh, and tabernacled among us, and we beheld his glory, so in that new world shall God reveal himself to his people by a special indwelling and a peculiar nearness.
Revelation 21:5. And he who sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Once, the Lord might have said, "Behold, I make all things;" but now he says, "Behold, I make all things new." Glory be unto the great Creator! Did not the morning stars sing together for joy when he made the world? But equal if not greater glory must be ascribed to the great Regenerator, the New Creator, shall we not all sing together to his praise? Yes, that we shall if we are numbered among the "all things" that he makes new.
Revelation 21:6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Probably John did not expect to hear that sweet gospel message just then. The Lord Jesus Christ was speaking of lofty themes, of worlds newly made, and yet in the very middle of it all he puts this gracious promise. Let this be a pattern to all of you who are preachers or teachers, no matter what your subject may be, a gospel promise or invitation is always in place and in season. You may put it among the most golden sentences like a precious stone in a setting of pure gold, and it will never be out of order come when it may. Men hate God without the slightest reason for doing so, and God loves men without the slightest reason; there was every reason why men should love God, and not hate him; yet they have hated him without a cause, and there is every reason why God should hate man and not love him, yet he loves him so much that he gave his only-begotten Son to die, that whoever believes in him may live forever.
7.He who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
What a wonderful word is that! "He shall be my son," — not my servant, but "my son." God give us the faith to rise to this more than royal dignity! "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God."
8.But the fearful, —
No, that is not the right word, it is the cowardly, for there are many who are full of fear who are nevertheless most sincere and right in God’s sight:
"But the cowardly," —
Revelation 21:8. And unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, —
And the apostle John tells us that "whoever hates his brother is a murderer, —
Revelation 21:8. And whoremongers,
Unchaste and unclean men and women, —
Revelation 21:8. And sorcerers, —
Persons who profess to have communications with the dead necromancers, spiritualists, and all people of that sort, —
Revelation 21:8. And idolaters, —
That is, all who love anyone or anything better than God, —
Revelation 21:8. And all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
That is the death that never dies, the death which is far more to be dreaded than the death of the body.
Revelation 21:9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
John had already caught a glimpse of "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven;" and now this angelic messenger bids him come nearer, and look more closely into this mysterious and glorious city "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Revelation 21:10-13. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
God’s Church glorified lies open to all quarters of the infinitude of space, it is no prison-house of souls that dare not go beyond its borders, but a many-gated city, so that the blessed spirits there can fly wherever they will.
Revelation 21:14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Not Peter only, but the whole of the twelve apostles shall have their names in the foundations of that holy city.
Revelation 21:15-16. And he who talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
It seems at first to be astounding that the height of a city should be equal to the length and the breadth of it; but if you have traveled in Italy, you must have seen many a city, perched upon a hill, which seemed to be even higher than it was broad or long, if you included the wall of the city, and the houses one above another right up to the loftiest minaret or tower. Yes, like a priceless square casket made all of costly jewels is this wondrous city, equally glorious whichever way you look at it: "The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."
Revelation 21:17-18. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Such gold as never was, nor is, nor ever shall be on this earth until that time when God shall have purified it. Our gold is dull, opaque; light is blocked out by it. How many might see if it were not for the gold which blinds them, and hides the truth from them!
Revelation 21:19-20. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald, the fifth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite, the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
You know that the stones of which this holy city is built are living stones. You and I, if we are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, shall be there, living stones prepared by living grace to have a name and a place in this living city. But what changes will have to be wrought in us before we are fit to be put among these precious jewels! We are like poor blocks of common-looking stone, but we do not know what we shall be like when we have been cut and polished on the great Lapidary’s wheel. You may take a precious stone to a jeweler, and ask him what its value is, but he will say, "I cannot tell what it is worth until it has been cut and polished." That is how the Lord will prove the value of his living stones. If he will but work upon us by his grace, we cannot tell what he will make of us before he places us in the position he has appointed for us in the glorious city that rests upon these twelve precious foundations.
Revelation 21:21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
John had already said that "the city was pure gold like unto clear glass;" and now he says that "the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." We do not always get such a combination as this here below, gold, precious and pure, yet unstained with blood, and undimmed with the oppression of the poor, — diaphanous gold, "as it were transparent glass."
Revelation 21:22-23. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Yes, and the glorified Church herself, because of this light, sheds such a bright light on all within her that all the saints rejoice in her light.
Revelation 21:24-25. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Shut gates signify war; open gates mean peace. There shall be no more fear of war, no Gog and Magog to gather together to battle, no Armageddon to be dreaded by the glorified Church of Christ, which shall be in perfect peace forever.
Revelation 21:26-27. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Verses 9-27Revelation 21:9-22. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone,, clear as crystal; and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
The less there is of true religion, the more there usually is of outward ritualism. When true religion shall fill every heart, and God shall be the supreme joy of his people, they will need no temple.
Revelation 21:23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Outward means are abolished when their mission is accomplished.
Revelation 21:24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
The Church shall be the metropolis of the world; it shall be honored and esteemed among the nations of mankind. When men are godly, then will they reverence the abode of God, namely, the living Church, built up of living stones, upon the one foundation, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
There will be no need to shut out enemies at night, for the day shall last right on. The Church’s most intimate fellowship with God, her constant commerce with the skies, will have begun then.
Revelation 21:26-27. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Into this holy city, the graceless, the Christless, the faithless shall never come. Here, we have a mixture of light and darkness; but, in those better days, it shall be all light, and the darkness shall have fled far away forever.
Verses 10-27Here we shall see a picture of what the Church of God is to be in the latter days; but inasmuch as this vision came out of Heaven, it gives us an idea of what is in Heaven already. Crowded as it is with almost impossible beauties, this description is given to us to let us think, and by faith conceive, of the glories of the future state.
Revelation 21:10-11. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
But what the glory of God may be, what mortal mind can imagine. All the imagery which the Apostle uses must fall far short of that simple expression, "Having the glory of God." That glory is to be upon the Church, and upon every individual member of it. The glory of every believer shall be nothing less than the glory of God.
Revelation 21:12-13. And had a wall great and high. and had twelve gates, and at the gate twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
From every quarter of the world God’s chosen shall come and find a gate straight before them, an entrance into Heaven. Die at the Equator, or die at the Pole, there is an immediate entrance into the rest of God from any place where we may die. Blessed be the name of God for this.
Revelation 21:14-16. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
This is an idea scarcely to be grasped, to see a city which is as high as it is broad. Such cities cannot exist on earth. They are meant for that glorious future state. They will exist under the new heavens and in the new earth, for which we look at the coming of our Lord.
Revelation 21:17-18. And be measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was of pure gold. like unto clear glass.
All these joys are without sediment of sin. Gold on earth is a dull thing. You cannot look into it. But the joys of Heaven, if compared to gold, must be diaphanous. "Pure gold like unto clear glass" — all the earth taken out of it, from all its earthly grossness quit. The joy of Heaven is divine.
Revelation 21:19-20. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
See how lovingly our Apostle counts the foundations. He might have run them all into one, and said, "The foundations were of these twelve stones," but it must be the first foundation, the second, the third, the fourth. He dwells on every one. The joys of Heaven will bear dwelling upon; they will bear reflection. Here our joys, when they are over, leave but a handful of thorns — but a handful of ashes like thorns that crackle and blaze under the pot, and leave little behind them. But the joys eternal and spiritual will bear for us to go into detail, and each one shall be most precious.
Revelation 21:21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls.
Whoever heard of such pearls? In what ocean but in the depth of God could such pearls be found? The twelve gates were twelve pearls.
Revelation 21:21. Every several gate was one of pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Streets are used for fellowship. There men meet each other, and the fellowship of Heaven will be golden, bright, clear, perfect. Here, when we meet with one another, we soon display and discover our mutual faults, but there they shall delight each other with their common beauty, all the beauties being borrowed from the Lamb, who is the glory of the place.
Revelation 21:22. And I saw no temple therein.
For it was all one temple.
Revelation 21:22-23. For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Let us be going that way soon, brothers. Ah! my brothers, may we all meet there. What must it be to be there!
Revelation 21:24-27. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations unto it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
This exposition consisted of readings from Romans 8:26-30; Revelation 21:10-27; Revelation 22:1-5.
Verses 22-27Revelation 21:22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
It has a temple, that better state, that land of the Well-beloved, but not a material temple that John could see, yet he knew that it had a temple " for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." Where they are is the holy place where all the tribes of the spiritual Israel shall be gathered at the last to go no more out forever. " The Lord God Almighty "and the Lamb " have a glory far greater than Solomon’s temple ever had and far greater even than that later temple which excelled even his in glory.
Revelation 21:23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
We have need of both the sun and the moon while we are in this world if it were not for the great central luminary, the solar system would cease to be, and this earth and the moon and all their sister planets would die out in darkness. But when the sun has been turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, it shall still be said of this holy city, the new Jerusalem, that the glory of God does lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. See how blessedly God and the Lamb are linked together, for Father and Son are truly one. It is pleasant also to reflect that he who is "the light of the world" is also the light of the world that is yet to be revealed: " the Lamb is the light thereof."
Revelation 21:24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
This is the Church of the latter days; the beginning of the heavenly state, a true type of what the eternal glory of the saints will be. The Church will no longer, like her Lord, be despised and rejected of men; but the highest and greatest among men shall count it an honor and glory to be permitted to share its blessings and triumphs.
Revelation 21:25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Well did Dr. Doddridge sing,
"No rude alarms of raging foes
No cares to break the long repose
No midnight shade, no clouded sun
But saved, high, eternal noon."The saints will then be able to bear that eternal noontide for the sun shall not smite them by day; and they will have no need of the night which is now so necessary for resting our wearied bodies and minds, so "there shall be no night there." There will also be no night of sorrow, no night of sin, no night of death in that blessed land of light.
Revelation 21:26-27. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. That holy city would itself be defiled if anything that defiles could enter into it. Only they who are written in the Lamb’s book of life shall be found in the glorious city of which he is the light.
"Those holy gates forever bar pollution, sin, and shame. None can obtain admittance there But followers of the Lamb."
This exposition consisted of readings from Revelation 21:22-27; and Revelation 22
Chapter 22 Verses 1-5
Revelation 22:1-2. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Abounding joy, varied joy, ever changing, yet ever perfect; a tree which bears twelve manner of fruits, and yet fruits every month. Oh! when shall we get away to those golden orchards; when shall we sit under those vines, and press the clusters with our lips?
Revelation 22:3. And there shall be no more curse:
Of labor, of sin, of sorrow, of death.
Revelation 22:3. But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it:
So that we shall all be in the throne-room, all beholding the King in his beauty, and ourselves made his courtiers.
Revelation 22:3. And his servants shall serve him:
That is Heaven to me, for here we sometimes are unable to serve him as we would. We are distracted, worried, carried away from holy service by multitudes of cares, but there his servants shall serve him.
Revelation 22:4. And they shall see his face:
What a happy blending — service and communion — the hands busy, but the eves ravished with the wondrous sight of the face of God! You shall see his face. If any of us could see the face of God on earth, no doubt we should die. The vision would be too bright for us. When one heard this.
one of the greatest saints, he said, "Then let me see it and die," and I do not wonder that he said so, for the sight of God, even should we die here, must still be perpetual, and it would make us live again. "They shall see his face."
Revelation 22:4. And his name shall be in their foreheads,
Their faces made like God’s face, then — his name, his character, reflected on their brows — is not this worth having?
Revelation 22:5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light; and they shall reign forever and They themselves shall be kings. They shall reign forever and ever.
This exposition consisted of readings from Romans 8:26-30; Revelation 21:10-27; Revelation 22 :l-5.
Verses 1-7Revelation 22:1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Infinite sovereignty bestows grace; the river of grace flows from the throne of God. It is the King who saves his people; yet the atonement is ever connected with the sovereignty: "He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Revelation 22:2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
God will enrich his Church by giving her a great variety of good things: "twelve manner of fruits." There shall also be a constancy and perpetuity about the supply of them, for this tree "yielded her fruit every month." And if there be ought of ill remaining anywhere in the world in those halcyon days, God shall supply a cure for it: "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations."
Revelation 22:3. And there shall be no more curse:
The curse shall be taken from the soft on which it fell obliquely when God said to Adam, "Cursed is the ground for your sake." There shall be no curse upon man’s body; there shall be nothing but blessing. Blessing shall swallow up the cursing, and God shall be manifest everywhere.
Revelation 22:3. But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
This is what we try to do now, but we shall more fully accomplish the blessed task in those brighter days which every revolution of the wheel of time is hastening on.
Revelation 22:4. And they shall see his face;
Oh, that is glorious service,—to serve the Lord and to see his face at the same time. Communion and service are ever best when they are blended. There can be no fellowship better than first which serves, and no service sweeter than that of those who continue to see the face of their Master while they are serving him,
Revelation 22:4. And his name shall be in their foreheads.
There will be no mistaking: them; they shall bear in their foreheads the glorious name of God, just as the high priest of old had the words, "Holiness unto the Lord" upon his brow.
Revelation 22:5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun;—
Even the sun is only worthy to be ranked with a candle in comparison with the light of God himself John puts the two things in one sentence: "they need no candle, neither light of the sun;"—
Revelation 22:5-7. For the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign forever and ever and he said unto me, These sayings are faithful the true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold I come quickly-blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus; come quickly! Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from Jeremiah 5:1-6; Jeremiah 5:10-31; and Revelation 22:1-7.
Verses 1-21
Revelation 22:1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Rivers partake of the character of the source from which they come that which proceeds "out of the throne of God and of the Lamb "may well be "a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal." What but good and perfect gifts can come down from the throne of God? What but pure streams of mercy can flow from the throne of the Lamb?
Revelation 22:2. In the midst of the street of it,-
For Heaven is a place of sacred fellowship and hallowed communion: "in the midst of the street of it,"-
Revelation 22:2. And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits,
Every variety of joy and blessedness,
Revelation 22:2. And yielded her fruit every month:
For the felicities of Heaven are ever fresh and ever new, we shall never be satiated or wearied with that heavenly fruit.
Revelation 22:2. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Everything in Heaven is the very best of the best. The leaves of the trees in earthly gardens are blown about by the blast, and we take but little note of them; but the leaves of the tree of life are "for the healing of the nations." O happy place, where even the leaves on the tree have such virtue in them!
Revelation 22:3. And there shall be no more curse:
No more thorns or thistles, no more pangs of child-bearing, no more sickness, or sorrow, or death.
Revelation 22:3. But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him:
They shall have nothing else to do, and it shall be their supreme delight to serve him perfectly and unceasingly.
Revelation 22:4. And your shall see his face;
Not through a glass darkly, but face to face shall they behold their God. Surely that will be the very Heaven of Heaven.
Revelation 22:4. And his name shall be in their foreheads.
Aaron was to wear upon his forehead a plate of pure gold, with HOLINESS TO THE Lord engraved upon it, that the children of Israel might be accepted before the Lord, but the saints in glory are to have the name of their God "in their foreheads." In the very forefront of their glorified personalities there shall be the marks to betoken that they are the children of God.
Revelation 22:5. And there shall be no night there;
The saints in glory will have no need of sleep, so "there shall be no night there," but one perpetual day of holy, unwearying service. There shall be no night of ignorance, of sorrow, of sin, of death; there shall be no powers of darkness there, and no darkness in which they might work their evil deeds.
Revelation 22:5. And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light:
Directly and distinctly, without using any means, by his own immediate presence, "the Lord God gives them light:"-
Revelation 22:5. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Earthly kings die, or their empires on earth are taken from them; but as for us whom God has chosen by his grace, our kingdom is like that of our Lord and Savior, it is an everlasting kingdom.
"They shall reign forever and ever." I wonder that some wise man does not try to prove that this means that the saints shall reign only for a short time they have whittled "everlasting punishment" down to next to nothing, why do they not try to reduce the duration of Heaven, bliss in the same way. The same words are used concerning the one as concerning the other, so we shall always hold to the eternity both of the one and the other, the bliss and the woe are equally "forever and ever."
Revelation 22:6-7. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he who keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
You have the witness of God, you have the witness of the angel of God, you have the witness of Christ you have the witness of John, and all of them agree that "these sayings are faithful and true," and that they relate to facts that shall in due course be established.
Revelation 22:8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
And, according to the Church of Rome, he was quite right; but, according to the Word of God, he was quite wrong.
Revelation 22:9. Then says he unto me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
Worship none but God; take care not to break the first two of the ten commandments either by worshiping another God or by worshiping the true God under any form of similitude whatever.
Revelation 22:10. And he says unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
"There is no need to roll it up, and set a seal to it; as it is so soon to be fulfilled, leave it open."
Revelation 22:11. He who is unjust, let him be just still: and he which is filthy! let him be filthy still: and he who is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he who is holy, let him be holy still.
The Lord’s messenger speaks as if "the time" were so nearly come that there was no opportunity left for any charge to be made, and this is what will happen, sooner or later, to all men. When they die, their characters will be fixed forever. The wax will cool, and the impress that it bears will be retained eternally.
Revelation 22:12-13. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
These must be the words of the Lord Jesus Christ himself; no mere messenger, however high his rank, would have dared to say, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Revelation 22:14; Revelation 22:16. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.
We thank God that they are shut out of Heaven, for, albeit that we wish all men could be there, yet we would wish none to be there whose characters are of such a kind as this, unless they were washed and cleansed. Heaven would be no Heaven if such men could be admitted there. They shall not be; they must, by infallible justice, be excluded from the realms of bliss.
Revelation 22:16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
So glory is dawning, for Christ the bright and morning star, has risen,
Revelation 22:17. And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that hears one, come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Here we have the last invitations in the Word of God; may all who have not yet accepted them do so now, lest they should never again be uttered in their hearing.
Revelation 22:18-21. For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plaques that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
So the blessed Book closes appropriately with grace, for ‘tis grace that-
"All the work shall crown Through everlasting days;
It lays in Heaven the topmost stone,
And well deserves the praise."This exposition consisted of readings from Genesis 2:1-17; and Revelation 22.