Homilist 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.… Who is He that brings into existence on our planet a new order of spiritual things, that creates a new moral heavens and earth? I. HE IS IMMUTABLE TRUTHFUL. What He has spoken not only has been done, but is being done, and must be done. II. HE IS EVERLASTING. III. HE IS INFINITELY BENEFICENT. He pours forth in all directions the refreshing and crystal streams. And all this freely, without any coercion, limitation, partiality, or pause; freely as He gives the beams of day and the waves of vital air. IV. HE IS SURPASSINGLY CONDESCENDING. Two things are here stated which suggest this amazing condescension: 1. This recognition of every individual who does his duty. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." That He should notice a man in the mighty aggregate may well impress us with His condescension, but that He should notice individual man, how much more! Here we have the universe won by self-conquest. Notice:(1) Self-conquest as the grand work of man. The soul should be ruled by sympathy with God, sympathy with His character, His operation, His plans. In these two things self-conquest consists, and such conquests require battling — resolute, brave, persistent, invincible battling. (2) Self-conquest as winning the universe. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." He gets the whole of it, he penetrates its meaning, appropriates its truth, admires its beauties, drinks in its poetry, revels in its spirit, exults in its God, and says, "The Lord is my portion." He gets the whole of it to enjoy for ever. 2. The amazing condescension is seen in the affiliation of every individual man that does his duty. "And he shall be My son." He only is a son who has the true filial instinct, involving trust, love, obedience, acquiescence. The great mission of Christ into our world was to generate in humanity this true filial disposition, enabling them to address the Infinite as "our Father." V. HE IS ESSENTIALLY SIN-RESISTING. Sin is cowardice, sin is faithless, sin is abhorrent, sin is murderous, sin is lascivious, sin is deceptive and idolatrous. All these productions of sin are abhorrent to the Divine nature. "It is the abominable thing" which He hates, and He consigns sin to irretrievable destruction, for it is destined to have its part in "the lake which burneth with fire." (Homilist.) 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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