Revelation 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps… I. THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE REDEEMER'S SUFFERINGS IS CONSTANTLY KEPT UP BY THE BLESSED INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN. II. WITH WHAT PECULIAR ADVANTAGES DO THE WORSHIPPERS ABOVE PURSUE THEIR RESEARCHES INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST. 1. The inhabitants of heaven enjoy an undisturbed leisure. 2. They possess perfect, inward rectitude and vigour. No irregularity of thought, no languishing of affection, can invade them. 3. They are wonderfully illuminated in the knowledge of those Divine truths, which are supposed in the gospel mystery, and on which it is built. 4. They have the fulness of evangelical illumination. 5. The presence of the Lamb, or of the Mediator in His human nature, in the midst of them. 6. The presence and experience of the glorious fruits of His death. III. THE HAPPY AND PRECIOUS EFFECTS WHICH CONSTANTLY ATTEND THOSE PERFECT VIEWS OF THE REDEEMER'S SUFFERINGS, IN THE MINDS OF SAINTS AND ANGELS. 1. Their views of these wonderful sufferings are the chief means of their beatific vision of God. 2. While the blessed thus look upon the Three-One God, they love Him with an increasing, and most joyful and pure love. They rest, delight, and rejoice in God with ineffable pleasure. 3. While they thus love God supremely, they are knit together in the most endeared mutual affection to each other; each member of that vast assembly passionately loves the whole, and is beloved by all. 4. These inward feelings are attended with most perfect acts of worship to God, and expressions of kindness to each other. (J. Love, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. |
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