Revelation 21:5-8 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.… I. THE FOUNTAIN FOR THE SONS OF MEN. II. THE CONQUEROR AND HIS REWARD. As believers we are saved, as conquerors we get the recompense. 1. The inheritance of all things. We are heirs of God; joint-heirs with Christ. 2. The Divine portion. "I will be his God" — a repetition of Abraham's blessing (Genesis 17:7). Does not this include everything? (1 Corinthians 3:21, 23). 3. The Divine adoption. The conqueror becomes a son, and all that is contained in sonship is his, all the paternal love, all the Divine patrimony, all the endless glory. III. THE COWARD'S DOOM (ver. 8). Though the "fearful" or coward is specially singled out here, yet there are others associated with him in his awful doom. They are all of earth, sons of Adam, men — not devils. 1. The fearful. This means the cowards who refused to come out from the world and join Christ, though their consciences urged them; who shrunk from confessing Christ; who, through fear of men, of the world, of their good name, of earthly honour and gain, either kept their religion to themselves or threw it away. 2. The unbelieving. These are the rejecters of Christ. Oh the hatefulness of unbelief! What must it be to refuse God's testimony to His Son! to refuse that Son Himself! 3. The abominable. Those who were partakers of the abominations and filthiness mentioned before (Revelation 17:4) — revellings, banquetings, riots, blasphemies. 4. Murderers. Whose hands are red with blood; whose heart is full of angry passions, envy, malice, revenge, grudging; whose lips give vent to irritating and angry words. 5. Whoremongers. All who give way to their lusts, who live in uncleanness; those whose eyes are full of adultery, and who cannot cease from this sin. 6. Sorcerers. They who have taken part in Babylon's sorceries and witchcrafts; all allies of the evil one, and workers of the lying wonders of the last days. 7. Idolaters. Not only the heathen worshippers of graven images, but all who have chosen another god; who love the creature more than the Creator; who worship mammon, pleasure, art, splendour, or gold, for "covetousness is idolatry." 8. All liars. All who speak falsely in any way; who practise dishonesty; who care not for truth. (H. Bonar, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. |
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