Apocalypse; for they are pronounced blessed, who read or hear, read the words of this prophecy; and who keep the things which are written in it, that is, who take due notice of the things which are written in it, in order to compare them with what is already fulfilled by real events, to beware of what is foretold to come, and to draw proper instructions from both. These prophecies are the more interesting as the time is at hand for the accomplishment of some of them, and the rest will follow in their order. This was true at the period when St. John wrote, and will be equally true at whatever period of time the Apocalypse be consulted, as some part of its prophetic history will always be near the time of its accomplishment. It might likewise be said, that the whole would happen soon, with allusion to the shortness of all time when compared with the eternal existence of God, according to that of St. Peter: "One day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," 2. Pet. iii. 8. and that of the Psalmist: "A thousand years in thy sight, are but as yesterday, which is past and gone." Psalm lxxxix. 4.

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v. 4. "John to the seven Churches which are in Asia, Grace be unto you and peace from Him that is, and that was, and that is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before his throne."

St. John addresses the seven Churches of lesser Asia, which he governed, and which will be specified below, ver. 11. We shall see him there receive an order to send them this prophecy. He salutes these churches, wishing them grace, or benediction and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come; that is, from Almighty God, who exists from all eternity, continues to exist, will remain for all eternity, and will come at the last day to reward his faithful servants, and to punish the wicked. The Apostle offers the same

good wishes from the seven spirits which are before the throne of God, always ready to depart and execute his commands with respect to mankind. These are "ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation," Heb. i. 14.

v. 5. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth: who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

v. 6. "And hath made us a kingdom* and priests to God his Father: to him be glory and empire for ever and ever." Amen.

St. John continues his salutation to the seven churches, wishing them grace and peace from Jesus Christ, whom he entitles the faithful witness, as having given testimony to his eternal Father upon earth, and executed faithfully the commission he had received from him. He is also the firstbegotten of the dead, having raised himself from death to life by his own power, which no man ever did or can do, nor can any man rise again but by virtue of the resurrection of Christ, according to that of St. Paul: " By a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive," 1 Cor. xv. 21. 22. Jesus Christ is likewise styled the prince of the kings of the earth not only as God, but likewise as God Man, having acquired, by the merits of his Incarnation, a sovereign power on earth. On that account, "all power is given to me," says Christ, "in heaven and in earth," Matt. xxviii. 18. And again, "The Father hath given to the Son power to do judgment." Why so? "Because he is the Son of man," John v. 27. Here we see ascertained the universal dominion of Christ. Then follow the gracious effects of his bounty towards mankind; for, "he hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood:""

1

In the Greek text, "made us kings."

Apocalypse; for they are pronounced blessed, who read or hear, read the words of this prophecy and who keep the things which are written in it, that is, who take due notice of the things which are written in it, in order to compare them with what is already fulfilled by real events, to beware of what is foretold to come, and to draw proper instructions from both. These prophecies are the more interesting as the time is at hand for the accomplishment of some of them, and the rest will follow in their order. This was true at the period when St. John wrote, and will be equally true at whatever period of time the Apocalypse be consulted, as some part of its prophetic history will always be near the time of its accomplishment. It might likewise be said, that the whole would happen soon, with allusion to the shortness of all time when compared with the eternal existence of God, according to that of St. Peter: "One day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," 2. Pet. iii. 8. and that of the Psalmist: "A thousand years in thy sight, are but as yesterday, which is past and gone." Psalm lxxxix. 4.

1

v. 4. "John to the seven Churches which are in Asia, Grace be unto you and peace from Him that is, and that was, and that is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before his throne."

St. John addresses the seven Churches of lesser Asia, which he governed, and which will be specified below, ver. 11. We shall see him there receive an order to send them this prophecy. He salutes these churches, wishing them grace, or benediction and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come; that is, from Almighty God, who exists from all eternity, continues to exist, will remain for all eternity, and will come at the last day to reward his faithful servants, and to punish the wicked. The Apostle offers the same

good wishes from the seven spirits which are before the throne of God, always ready to depart and execute his commands with respect to mankind. These are " ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation," Heb. i. 14.

v. 5. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth: who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

v. 6. "And hath made us a kingdom* and priests to God his Father: to him be glory and empire for ever and ever." Amen.

St. John continues his salutation to the seven churches, wishing them grace and peace from Jesus Christ, whom he entitles the faithful witness, as having given testimony to his eternal Father upon earth, and executed faithfully the commission he had received from him. He is also the firstbegotten of the dead, having raised himself from death to life by his own power, which no man ever did or can do, nor can any man rise again but by virtue of the resurrection of Christ, according to that of St. Paul: "By a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive," 1 Cor. xv. 21. 22. Jesus Christ is likewise styled the prince of the kings of the earth not only as God, but likewise as God Man, having acquired, by the merits of his Incarnation, a sovereign power on earth. On that account," all power is given to me," says Christ, in heaven and in earth," Matt. xxviii. 18. And again, "The Father hath given to the Son power to do judgment." Why so? "Because he is the Son of man," John v. 27. Here we see ascertained the universal dominion of Christ. Then follow the gracious effects of his beunty towards mankind; for, "he hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood:"

6.6.

In the Greek text, "made us kings."

and he "hath made us kings and priests to God and his Father," that is, he hath made us his coheirs, and has admitted us to a participation of his own sovereign power over the world, and likewise of his priesthood, by virtue of which we become also "a holy priesthood," as St. Peter says, "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ," 1 Pet. ii. 5. This communication of power granted by Christ to his servants, by which they become kings and priests will chiefly take place in the other world; and it is not only founded. on the present text, but is clear from our Saviour's own words: "I dispose to you," says he, 66 as my Father has disposed to me, a kingdom: that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and may sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes. of Israel." Luke xxii. 29. 30. And again, "To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne," Apoc. iii. 21. To Christ therefore, our bountiful Saviour and gracious benefactor, be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.

3. v. 7." Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him. Even so. Amen."

The same Jesus Christ, who is prince of the kings of the earth, who has washed us from our sins in his blood, who has chosen us and made us kings and priests to God, is equally entitled to be our Judge, and will effectually come in his sovereign power at the last day to judge the world; at which time every eye shall see him; and his countenance will be terrible to those who pierced him and crucified him.. And even all the tribes of the earth, or the people of all nations upon the face of the earth, will mourn and bewail his death, being amazed and confounded at the unparalleled piety of those men who crucified him. In the

receding verses were described the functions