NOTES-Con.

JUDE.

EXPOSITION.

THE

REVELATION OF ST. JOHN,

THE DIVINE.

INTRODUCTION.

It is a remarkable circumstance (says Mr. Horne), that the authenticity of this Book was very generally, if not universally, acknowledged during the two first centu ries; and yet, in the third century, it began to be questioned. This seems to have bee occasioned by some absurd notions concerning the Millennium, that a few well-meaning, but fanciful expositors, grounded on this Book; which notions their opponents injudiciously and presumptuously endeavoured to discredit, by denying the authority of the Book itself. So little, however, has this portion of Holy Writ suffered from the ordeal of criticism, to which it has in consequence been subjected, that (as Sir Isaac Newton has long since remarked)" there is no other book of the New Testament so strongly attested, or commented upon so early, as the Apocalypse."

When we come to the Millennium, we hope to show that there is nothing in the book itself that can form a rational objection to its authority on the ground of that doctrine: the external evidence for the authenticity and divine authority of this book, however, rests, as does also that of the other books of the New Testament, in a great measure upon the testimony of the early Christian fathers. And here Dr. Woodhouse produces passages from Iguatius and Polycarp as early as A.D. 107 and 108. Jerome states, that Justin Martyr (about A.D. 120) commented on some parts of this mysterious book; and a commentary on the whole is mentioned among the works of Melite, Bishop of Sardis, A.D. 177.-Irenæus, who flourished about the same time, and was, in early life, acquainted with Polycarp, often quoted this book as the Revelation of Juba the Evangelist, and the disciple of the Lord."His testimony for this book (says Dr. Lardner) is so strong and full, that, considering the age of Irenæus, he seems to put it beyond all question, that it is the work of John the Apostle and Evangelist." Latter authorities need not be here mentioned.

II. The next question relates to the date of this Book. The most probable and gene rally received opinion is, that it was written during John's banishment to the Isle of Patmos, by Domitian, in the latter part of his reign; that is, in the year A. D. 96,* in the

It may be proper to remark in a Note, that no less a Commentator than Sir Isaac Newton dated this Book in the reign of Nero, partly on the authority of a Note appended to the Syriac Version, which is of De authority, and partly from the similarity of expression occurring between this Book and the Apostolical Epistles, which led him to suppose that the latter contained quotatious from the former; though we think the converse of this proposition equally possible, but both unfounded. This argument has, indeed, been lately taken up, and maintained with great ingenuity, by a learned writer of the present age, Dr. Tillock, whose arguments we have perused with much attention, bu without receiving conviction.

INTRODUCTION.

latter part of which he died, or immediately after, when the apostle was set at liberty. This has been clearly shown by Lardner, Lampe, Woodhouse, and others. The former says, that "all antiquity is abundantly agreed, that Domitian was the author of John's banishment." ." This also has the express sanction of Irenæus, Origen, and other early Fathers; and is supported by strong internal evidence for this Book describes the seven Asiatic churches as not only existing, but as having flourished, and, some of them, subsequently decayed, which could not have been the case at a much earlier date.

It has, indeed, been questioned whether John wrote his visions as they occurred, or shortly after his release. We see no difficulty in the former supposition, which is certainly the most natural; but, as he wrote by inspiration, it is a point of no importance.

111, Another question, and one we think least attended to, relates to the scenic representations here described. The exhibitions in the first and fourth chapters, strongly remind us of the scenes exhibited in the prophecies of Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel : but in chapters v. and vi, we have a volume, or roll of parchment, sealed with seven seals: each of which, as it opens, displays (as suggested by Mr. Harmer) a pictorial delineation of certain figures, emblematical of future events, which we shall be presently called upon to consider; and which exhibitions become more and more vivid, till they acquire all the interest of real life: sounds are added to pictorial representation, and the great Ezekiel of the New Testament, wrapt in prophetic raptures, hears thunders unutterable, and describes scenes inconceivable.

We have alluded to Ezekiel, and, indeed, there is a singular resemblance between his visions and those of the beloved disciple. Both saw the sapphire throne, and the rainbow round about it; with the glorious vision of the cherubic animals. Both prefigure the terrible judgments of God upon the earth, and particularly upon Gog and Magog; and both describe the New Jerusalem, with an angel measuring the temple.

There is something, however, peculiar in St. John's plan, or method: First, seven seals are unloosed, and produce six grand pictorial views. Under the seventh seal we have a solemn pause, and seven angels with trumpets are introduced: the sounding of the first six trumpets produce six grand prophetic scenes; and the seventh trumpet ushers in the Millennium.

The following brief Analysis, from no less a pen than that of the late learned and judicious Bishop Hurd, will, we apprehend, be more acceptable than any thing we can here offer of our own :

"The reader may form a distinct idea of the method in which the whole book of the Apocalypse is disposed, by observing, that it is resolvable into three great parts. The first part is that of the Epistles to the seven churches, contained in the three first chapters, and is not at all considered by Mr. Mede. †

"The second part (with which Mr. Mede begins his commentary), is that of the Sealed Book, from chap. iv. to chap. x. ; and contains the fates of the empire, or its civil revolutions, yet with a reference still to the fate and fortune of the Christian church.

* Lardner's Supp. to his Credib. vol. i. ch. ix. ? 5.

+ The Rev. and learned Jos. Mede, of the 17th century, and certainly one of the first expositors of this mysterious book, who (in his Clavis Apocalyptica) is considered as having given the true key to its mysterious symbols.

INTRODUCTION.

"The third part is that of the Open Book, with what follows, to the end; and exhibits in a more minute and extended view, the fates of the Christian church, espe cially during its apostacy, and after its recovery from it. This third division may farther be considered as consisting of two parts. The first contains, in chap. xi,, a summary view of what should befal the Christian Church, contemporary with the events deduced in the second part concerning the empire; and is given in this place in order to connect the second and third parts, and to show their correspondence and contemporarity. The second part of the last division, from chap. xii, to the end, gives a detailed account of what should befal the Christian church, in distinct and, several of them, synchronical visions.”—(Hurd's Sermons on Prophecy, Note, pp. 280—282.)

IV. It would be in vain to attempt to harmonize, or even to enumerate, the various expositors of this mysterious Book; yet so much curiosity has been excited within the last few years, by the exercise of uncommon genius and learning, that we feel disposed to give a faint outline of the hypotheses of a few of the most popular, which we shall de with impartiality; and, according to the best of our recollection, nearly in the order of their publication.

The French Revolution, and the events which followed, renewed, in a singular way, the study of this sacred Book. Most remarkable, certainly, were the interpreta tions or conjectures (as the reader may please to call them) of the judgments foretold in chap. xi., relative to the fall of the French Government, and certain events which followed, as they were explained by the Rev. P. Jurieu, Robt. Fleming, and others, in the latter end of the 17th century, and which we shall slightly notice when we come to that chapter.

One of the first writers who particularly noticed this event as the fulfilment of that prophecy, was the Rev. James Bicheno, M.A., a Baptist Minister of Newbury, and a most zealous friend to civil and religious liberty. This benevolent Gentleman (for the writer knew such to be his character) was so delighted with the fall of Popery and slavery in France, that he flattered himself that this was, at least, an introduction to the Millennium. Some of his peculiarities were—that the great dragon, mentioned in Rev. xx. 1-3, signified the German Empire; and the two witnesses, in chap. xi., the advocates for civil and religious liberty. He wrote in 1794, &c. and predicted the final destruction of Popery and despotism in 1819!

2. Illustrations of Prophesy-In which are elucidated many predictions in Isaiah, Daniel, the Revelations, &c. supposed to refer to the Revolution in France, the overthrow of ecclesiastical tyranny, civil despotism, &c., with a large collection of extracts, &c., 2 vols. 8vo. 1796. This work, though anonymous, was well known to be the production of a son of the late Dr. Towers, of political memory; and though professedly religious, was so deeply imbued with politics, that, soon after its publication, it was thought prudent to suppress the sale, to prevent prosecution, which rendered it for several years very scarce. It contains, however, curious and interesting extracts from more than thirty writers of the two last centuries, and is thought to excel in a judicious exposition of the prophetic symbols, which abound in this book.

3. On the other hand, the Rev. G. S. Faber, B.D., a very learned and respectable Clergyman, differs from most preceding interpreters in explaining Antichrist, and the Man of Sin-neither of the Pope nor Popery, but of " the Infidel King," or atheistical government of France; a system which he has certainly defended with great ability and ingenuity. He is also a strong and able advocate for the complete restoration of

the Jews.

Since these Gentlemen, who were the first, we believe, to propound and support these systems, we have had a long succession of writers of varied talent; among whom