LECTURE XV. THE VISION OF THE 144,000 ON MOUNT SION-TYPICAL OF THE REDEEMED ON EARTH.-SOURCE OF THEIR JOY.-THE FATHER'S NAME IN THEIR FOREHEADS.-FREEDOM FROM IDOLATRY-THEIR FAULTLESSNESS. THE NEW SONG.-VISION OF THE FLYING ANGEL.SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL.-FALL OF BABYLON.-PUNISHMENT OF IMAGE-WORSHIPPERS.-BLESSEDNESS OF THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD.-VISION OF THE SICKLE-BEARERS.-REAPING OF THE EARTH.-TREADING OF THE WINE-PRESS.-REVELATION XIV. In the two previous Lectures, our attention has been directed to the 13th chapter of the Apocalypse, and there still remain a few subjects connected with it not yet brought forward. The chief of these are, the seven heads and ten horns of the Beast from the sea. But as the Beast is again prominently brought before us in the 17th chapter, I purpose reserving my further remarks upon it until the vision there recorded comes under review, and shall now proceed to the 14th chapter. "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (ver. 1—5.) What a striking contrast does this vision exhibit to that which precedes it. There the saints are represented as oppressed by the power of the Beast-as prohibited from buying and selling-as overcome—as led into captivity-as killed with the sword. Here they stand upon mount Sion, singing a new song before the throne of God, and following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Notwithstanding this contrast, both visions doubtless refer to the same period of time. We can have no difficulty in understanding how those, who were considered as the offscouring of all things, who, to use the language of St. Paul, "were counted as sheep for the slaughter," and had become "a spectacle to men and to angels,”yet could glory in tribulation, and rejoice with joy unspeakable. In the prospect of sufferings and of death, they beheld the Judge of all holding out to them the crown of righteousness,—in the midst of the fire one was with them like unto the "Son of God;" so that even at the martyr's stake was heard the shout of triumph over death and the grave, and loud thanksgivings unto God who gave them the victory "through our Lord Jesus Christ." Some, indeed, have supposed, that this vision points out the blessedness of those who have already passed from earth to heaven -who have left the church militant and joined the church triumphant, because they are said to be "redeemed from among men," and to be "without fault before the throne of God."* But * "Had the 'new song' been simply said to be sung before the throne, the idea would have been admissible of its being the song of the blessed spirits themselves:-those that within the innermost temple of vision, the Holy of Holies, representing the place of the Divine manifestation, were depicted throughout the Apocalyptic vision, as present before Him that sat upon the throne, and from time to time offering Him, with their golden harps and voices, the tribute of adoration and praise. But, as it is, the harpers were evidently separate from that blessed company; and thus similar expressions in Scripture are used regarding believers still in the body. It is testified of Enoch, that he "walked with God," and of Noah, that "he was a just man, and perfect in his generations;" he also is said to have been "righteous before God." Such also was Abraham, to whom the Lord said, "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." These were among the "faultless ones" of the Old Testament Church. And Christians in the New Testament are exhorted to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation;" because they have been "redeemed from among men," "not with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." By which blood, a new and living way is consecrated for us "into the holiest," that is, "before the throne of God," whereunto we may approach with boldness to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Too often we neglect this princely privilege,—too often we forget "what manner of persons we ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness." Living in the world as if the world were our home, we are apt to get encumbered with its cares, and entangled in its politics; and fail to realize the glorious promises of the world to come. But the citizenship of believers is in heaven; and, even while here mortals, not immortals. And as the scene of the harping, being before the heavenly company in the Holy of Holies, must be supposed to have been the mystic temple-court of which I have so often spoken as the perpetual foreground of the Apocalyptic visions, and by consequence the harpers mentioned to have answered to the Levite harpers of the Jewish ritual.”—Elliott, Hor. Apoc. vol. iii. p. 1019. To this may be added, that a representation of the heavenly blessedness of the redeemed in this part of the Apocalypse would seem to be out of place. The struggles of the Church are not yet over, nor has the power of her enemies come to an end, as is manifest in the succeeding visions. At the close of the Revelation, the glory of the Church triumphant is depicted-here, John sees the happiness of the Church militant. It is thus, as has been observed on other occasions, the chronological arrangement of the visions is maintained throughout, harmonizing with history and experience. below, they are "the sons of God," though their dignity be veiled in flesh, and often still further obscured by poverty, suffering, and shame. Such were the 144,000 seen by St. John, standing with the Lamb on mount Sion. This is evidently the same company-the same mystical number depicted in the 7th chapter as sealed by the angel. The era prefigured by that vision marked the commencement of the Apostasy, when the simplicity of the Gospel began to be corrupted throughout the whole of Christendom. But, at the same time, there always existed a certain number—the subjects of divine grace, "redeemed from among men,”—who were illuminated, quickened, and stamped with the Father's appropriating mark as his own. In the midst of the severest of God's providential judgments on the earth, their preservation was ensured. Other intimations concerning them are given in the Apocalypse:-that they should be oppressed, and at one time apparently conquered by their enemies; yet that, in reality, they should remain indestructible and again, suddenly reviving from deep depression, and ultimately triumphing over every foe. : Some commentators refer the accomplishment of this vision to the period of the Reformation; but yarious reasons lead to the conclusion, that it is anterior to that era, and synchronizes with the previous vision of the two-horned Beast, or the Papacy, from its rise to the meridian of its power.* * It is, indeed, a part of the * Elliott refers the vision to the era of the Reformation; but some of his remarks are more applicable to a period long anterior to that event. "The presented contrast," (of the vision), he says, "of Christ and his people and polity to the Beast and his people and polity, must appear to all, I think, very evident and striking. And it will only appear the more so to any one conversant with Romish views and Romish language, during the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, from the circumstance of the Pope's usurpation to himself and his adherents of all the characteristics here ascribed to Christ and his saints. For the Pope's city, according to them, was the Holy City; his supremacy and see, its mystical Mount Zion; professing Christendom subject to him, the twelve tribes of Israel; they that became crusaders at Apocalyptic scroll written without, and intended to fill up or to amplify that which was written within; and appears to stand parallel with the vision of the two witnesses (in the 11th chapter), who were appointed to prophesy 1260 days, "clothed in sackcloth." The 144,000 are, indeed, the same witnessing servants of Jesus, under another designation. Their description also as "first-fruits," implies that they existed during the early times of Christianity. But their appearance in the one chapter, offers a striking contrast to that in the other. In the one they are suffering, in the other they are rejoicing. In the one vision they are seen as walking in the midst of men, in the other as standing before the throne of God. There we see them as the fire which man in vain attempts to quench; here we perceive the secret source of the unfailing oil which fed the flame. In short, we have exhibited before us, on the one side their temporal, and on the other their spiritual condition. The Lamb was with them on mount Sion. When our Lord was about to ascend into heaven, he said unto his disciples, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." And here, in St. John's vision, the Church is assured, that the Lord had not forgotten his gracious promise. The same thing was, indeed, exhibited to St. John, by the vision of Jesus in divine majesty walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: shewing that the Church is never separated from her Head,—that He watches over her with unceasing care; and though He may sometimes seem to hide his face, it is but for a little season, that the faith and patience of the saints may be exercised and perfected. "Christ, thy all-atoning death, Is our life while here below; his mandate, against infidels or heretics, the takers up of the cross to follow Christ; and the faithful monks and nuns of his jurisdiction, the Apocalyptic 144,000 privileged hereafter to follow the Lamb, as the virgin bride of Christ."-Hore Apoc. iii. p. 1015-16. |