Revelation 5:6-10 And I beheld, and, see, in the middle of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the middle of the elders… And I beheld, and, lo, etc. This passage presents to us Christ as the Expounder of the mystery of the Divine government. Various orders of intelligence surround him as he takes the "book;" they prostrate themselves at his footstool with "harps" and "vials" and "song." Notice - I. Christ, as the Expounder of the mystery of the Divine government, OCCUPIES A CENTRAL POSITION, AND ASSUMES THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ASPECTS. 1. Look at the position he occupies. He is in the "midst of the throne;" he is in the very centre of the intelligent creation. He attracts all, he enlightens all, he governs all, he blesses all with new Life and beauty. 2. Look at the aspect he assumes. In his Person are combined the marks of suffering humanity and the attributes of perfect Divinity. Stood a Lamb as it had been slain, the marks of Calvary on his Person, having "seven horns," perfect power, and "seven eyes," perfect knowledge. Blessed thought. Our nature is associated with Divinity on the throne of the universe. Its human scars preach, in mute but thrilling force, love and justice in the ear of all spirits; and its Godhead glories command the reverence and praise of all. II. That Christ, as the Expounder of the mystery of the Divine government, AWAKENS IN ALL CLASSES OF HOLY MIND INEFFABLE DELIGHT. "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," etc. These numbers probably designate indefinite multitudes of representative classes. Their attributes and aspects are further developed in other places of this book. The language here employed may denote the characteristics of their delight. 1. Here is humility. They "fell down before the Lamb." The profoundest reverence mingled with their joy. 2. Here is harmony. Here are harps, emblems of music. I do not know that we are authorized to assume from such symbolical language that there is vocal or instrumental music in heaven. It is not the sound but the spirit of music that is there. 3. Here is acceptableness. "Golden vials full of odours." Its breathing ecstasies ascend as fragrant incense to God. 4. Here is prayerfulness. "The prayers of saints." Death terminates the saint's need of prayer for certain objects, such as forgiveness, deliverance from error, and victory over foes, but not the spirit of prayer - the spirit of felt dependence upon God. This humble, harmonious, acceptable, and prayerful delight Christ awakens in the universe as the Expounder of God's great plan. III. That Christ, as the Expounder of the Divine government, is DEEMED WORTHY OF THE OFFICE BECAUSE OF HIS REDEMPTIVE ACHIEVEMENT. "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals." Why? "For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God." Observe: 1. He has redeemed. The redemption of God consists in a deliverance from the power of sin. 2. He has redeemed by sacrifice. What was the sacrifice? A few self-denying efforts? a world? No; his life. By the sacrifice of his life itself. 3. He has redeemed, by sacrifice, all classes. "Out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." 4. He has redeemed all classes by sacrifice to the highest honours. "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." They are priests in relation to their Maker, offering up the sacrifice of a devout and grateful soul; they are kings in relation to their race, wielding a governing influence over their thoughts and hearts. A true Christian is a moral sovereign. What a work is this redemptive work! Well may the universe deem Jesus worthy to "open the book," because of what he has done to save the world! - D.T. Parallel Verses KJV: And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. |
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