Revelation 17:7-14 And the angel said to me, Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her… A Lamb, and yet "Lord of lords, and King of kings." The ideas seem incongruous. How, then, is "the Lamb" this? 1. By rightful authority. Though Son of Man, He is also Son of God (cf. Psalm 2.) 2. By virtue of His sacrifice (chap. Revelation 4.; cf. Philippians 3.), "Therefore hath God highly exalted Him, and," etc. 3. By the might of meekness. See how at His nativity the shepherds were told they should see the "Saviour, Christ the Lord." Meekness is might, sacrifice is sovereignty, losing life is gaining it; the cross creates the crown. 4. By the consent of conscience. 5. By the grace he imparted to His people. "Their patient continuance in well-doing put to silence" all their foes. 6. In His people. "They that are with Him." The Revised Version rightly renders St. John's words, "They also shall overcome that are with Him, called, chosen, faithful." St. John does not teach that the Lamb was indebted to them for this victory as a general is indebted to his army. They are — (1) Called. (2) Chosen. But thus we may know if we be chosen: (3) If we be of those who are faithful. Called we are; chosen we may be. II. faithful, then we are of the chosen too; and this, and this only, is the proof. (C. Conway, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. |
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