Homilist Revelation 5:6-7 And I beheld, and, see, in the middle of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the middle of the elders… I. CHRIST, AS THE EXPOUNDER OF THE MYSTERY OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT, OCCUPIES A CENTRAL POSITION, AND ASSUMES THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ASPECTS. 1. 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 — lie enlightens all — lie governs all — He blesses all with new life and beauty. 2. The aspect He assumes. In His person are combined the marks of suffering humanity and the attributes of perfect Divinity. II. CHRIST, AS THE EXPOUNDER OF THE MYSTERY OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT, AWAKENS, IN ALL CLASSES OF HOLY MIND, INEFFABLE 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. 3. Here is acceptableness: "golden vials full of odours." Its breathing ecstacies 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. III. CHRIST, AS THE EXPOUNDER OF THE MYSTERY OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT, IS DEEMED WORTHY OF THE OFFICE, BECAUSE OF HIS REDEMPTIVE ACHIEVEMENT. 1. He has redeemed. The redemption of man consists in a deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. 2. He has redeemed by sacrifice. What was the sacrifice? A few self-denying efforts? — a world? No; His life. "By Thy blood"; by the sacrifice of Thy life — Thyself. 3. He has redeemed, by sacrifice, all classes. "Out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." The atonement is designed to redeem the world, and some of all its multitudinous sections have been thus redeemed, and millions more are to follow yet. 4. He has redeemed all classes, by sacrifice, to the highest honours. 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. (Homilist.) 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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