visible in the holy place. A beautiful emblem of the illumination given by the Holy Spirit. This interpretation I prefer to that which makes these seven spirits to be seven ministering angels, which seems to be inapposite, and wanting in analogy.

6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.-Before the throne there was a crystalline sea, i. e., a sea perfectly clear and transparent. Our common translation conveys the idea that the sea was made of glass, which is incorrect. This is another Jewish symbol, the allusion being to the brazen sea made by Solomon, ten cubits in diameter, and five cubits deep, placed in front of the entrance of the temple, and filled with water. The priests used the water to wash themselves, and the sacrifices, and the implements used. It is commonly considered as typical of the holy nature of the sacrifice which Christ offered, himself being innocent and holy. The location of this font before the entrance to the sanctuary, and before the throne, may teach, that it is through the washing of regeneration, and sanctification of the Spirit, that we are fitted to come into the divine presence to offer praises and supplications.

In the midst of the throne, or seat of authority, and around it, were four living creatures, improperly styled 'beasts,' full of eyes before and behind. Isaiah and Ezekiel describe similar living creatures. In this vision of John they are probably intended to represent the ministers of the gospel, and being in the midst of the throne implies that they participate with Christ in the work of governing, watching over, and guiding the church, as he said to his disciples, 'Ye shall sit on twelve thrones, judg. ing the twelve tribes of Israel.' This they would do in

their official capacity as teachers and rulers of the Christian church. Their position nearest the throne is probably an allusion to the privileges and duties of the priests of old, who only were permitted to enter the holy place, the sanctuary, and shows also that Christ's ministers are meant by the four living creatures. Their numerous eyes before and behind, looking every way, are emblematic of their ' discernment, watchfulness, and carefulness in regard to all things affecting the interests of the church.

7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.-The first living creature was like a lion. Evidently all this is symbolic; moral qualities in men being represented by the peculiar qualities of these animals. The lion expresses courage and strength; the second creature, like a young bullock, expresses patience, docility, and endurance of hardship; the third, with a face as a man, expresses intelligence, wisdom and benevolence; the fourth, like a flying eagle, expresses discernment, elevation of purpose, and speed in the performance of duty.

8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, &c.-Furthermore, each of these creatures had six wings, concerning which, Isaiah says, 6: 1-3, "with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew," expressing reverence, humility, and alacrity.

They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.— Their employment is adoration and praise,-their lives are devoted to serving and glorifying God. It is evident, therefore, that these creatures represent intelligent, religious beings. They have a true perception of God as holy, om

nipotent, and eternal. For these glorious attributes they adore him.

9, 10, 11. And when those beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks, to him that sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.-The eternal existence of Him who sat upon the throne is distinctly affirmed, and the four creatures devoutly ascribe to him glory, honor, and praise. Then the elders prostrate themselves in token of their deep reverence and unworthiness, and join in the worship. They also take the crowns from their heads, and cast them before the throne, signifying by that act, that their privileges and honors, as believers, are all given by God, and are to be held in subjection to his authority. They declare his worthiness to take and to have glory, honor, and power, as He who hath created all things, and according to whose "will they have been made.

The fact that the four living creatures lead in this worship, and that the elders follow and join in it, shows, that the ministers of Christ and the church are represented by them; and, if I mistake not, we are also taught, that the true ministry and true church will ever practice a pure worship. They will not corrupt it by introducing other objects than the Supreme Being for worship, but to him they will render the glory which is his due. The reference throughout the chapter evidently is to the Christian church in this world, and that here, not in heaven, are the things to be enacted, which are thus emblematically displayed. The main sentiment, as I regard it, may be thus

stated:-John had mentally a prospective view of the Christian church extending far into futurity, and was taught that God would ever be with it, and protect it, and would govern the world in subserviency to it. Thus his throne is spoken of as being in it. As the church under the ancient dispensation was designed to preserve and propagate the knowledge and the worship of the true God, in a world filled with ignorance and idolatry; as it was, like its own Shekinah, a source of light in the midst of surrounding darkness; so, according to this prophetic vision, the Christian church was designed to be the "light of the world," the depository of divine truth, the great instrumentality for sustaining and diffusing the worship of God in its appropriate simplicity and spirituality; and though there have been many and great corruptions and defections in doctrine and practice, the true church which is composed of renovated believers, will accomplish all for which it was designed, for "God is in the midst of her, and will help her right early."

A confirmation of this interpretation is given in the construction of the language employed. All four of the verbs in the ninth and tenth verses, are in the future, and not in the present tense, according to our translation. Thus "when the living creatures shall give glory, &c., the twentyfour elders will fall down, and will worship, and will cast their crowns before the throne." Now, if John intended to describe the worship then actually occurring in heaven, the present tense would have been the proper mode of expressing it. And as a narrative of what he had seen, though its signification referred to the future, he should have used the past tense, as he does in numerous other The future form of the above named verbs seems to me designed to express, not the worship which was, or is now paid to God in heaven; but to be prophetic of the

cases.

pure worship which the church of believers will uphold and practice on earth to the end of time.

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CHAPTER V.

The Book with Seven Seals.

THIS chapter is a further recital of the same vision. And I saw on the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals.—The disclosure of other things in the future is symbolically represented by a sealed book, to be opened by the Son of God. To the mind of the apostle, this book appeared held in the right hand of the glorious occupant of the throne. It probably consisted of seven pieces of parchment, connected together, and rolled upon each other; each piece having its seal upon the outer edge. How this was done, is not easy to determine: hence the many conjectures concerning it. The book contained predictions, as we may suppose, of events to transpire in successive periods of time designated by the seven seals; that is, there were to be a series of events, of such signal importance and peculiarity as to constitute so many epochs. Being in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, indicates that the events to be disclosed were wholly under His control and direction. Being sealed, indicates that those events had not then been made known. God reveals his purposes at such times, and in such proportions, as he pleases. The same emblem is found in Ezek. 2 : 9, 10.

2 and 3. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the