declared his power and determination to subdue his enemies, and either to subject them to himself as vessels of mercy, or to cut them asunder as monuments of his indignation".] 2. The effect of the vision [On almost all occasions the appearance even of an angel has produced much fear and terror in the minds of those to whom he came: no wonder therefore that such an effect should flow from the appearance of God himself. Manoah concluded that he must die, because he had seen God face to face". Ezekiel', Daniel, and Paul' fell down before him, unable to sustain the brightness of his glory. Once indeed man could converse with his Maker face to face: but, since the introduction of sin into the world, he has been intimidated by a sense of guilt, and incapacitated for so high an honour; insomuch that the most beloved of all Christ's Disciples was overwhelmed at the sight of him, and "fell at his feet as dead."] Not to insist any longer on the circumstances of the vision, we shall, II. Deduce from it some pertinent observations 1. They who suffer much for their Lord may expect peculiar manifestations of his power and love [John was now in banishment: yet, though suffering much by reason of hardships and privations, he was infinitely happier than Domitian on his throne. St. Paul also found, that," as his afflictions abounded, so also did his consolations." Thus it shall be with all who suffer for righteousness' sake. What then have they to fear? Need they regard the reproaches of men, when they are so highly honoured by their God? Need they be concerned about losses, when they are enriched with such invaluable communications? Need they fear stripes, or imprisonment, when their trials may lead to such manifestations as these?———] 2. We have reason to be thankful that our Lord reveals himself to us now through the medium of men, and of the written word [We see from the example before us how much we should. be disconcerted by visions; and how unfit they would be, as stated means, of edifying the Church. But when God speaks to us by the instrumentality of men, we can attend with ease, and weigh with care whatever is brought to our ears. It is true, indeed, that many take occasion from this circumstance Rev. ii. 16. k Dan. x. 8, 9. h Judg. xiii. 22. i Ezek. i. 28. to despise the word, when otherwise they would tremble at it: but, on the other hand, myriads are "drawn to God by the cords of a man," who otherwise would only have brought upon themselves, like Pharaoh, an aggravated condemnation. Let us then improve this privilege; and, however weak God's instruments may be, let us attend to them with reverence, that his agency may be rendered visible in our experience m -] 3. The brighter discoveries we have of Christ, the more shall we be humbled in the dust before him— [The appearances of God to man have at all times tended to the humbling of their souls. Abraham and Moses no sooner caught a sight of him, than they hid their faces, from a consciousness of their own extreme unworthiness: and Job, though one of the most perfect of men, confessed himself "vile," and " abhorred himself in dust and ashes"." Even the seraphim before the throne make use of their wings to veil their faces and their feet, and confess thereby that they are unworthy either to serve or to behold their God. And would not a view of the Lord in his glory make us also to cry out, "Woe is me, I am unclean P!" Yes: a discovery of created things may puff us up: but a sight of God himself cannot but abase us in the dust 4. There is a day coming when the most stouthearted sinner will tremble before him [If John, who had lain in the bosom of his Lord, and had seen him transfigured on the holy mount, and was in himself so eminently holy, so highly beloved; if he fell at the Redeemer's feet as dead, what will the ungodly do in the day of judgment? If, when God spake from Mount Sinai, the Israelites were so terrified as to desire that he would speak to them no more in such a way; and "Moses himself exceedingly quaked and feared;" how shall not the wicked tremble in that day, when Jesus shall appear in all his glory to judge the world? Let them laugh now if they will: but they will soon "call upon the rocks to fall upon them, and the hills to cover them from the wrath of the Lamb." O that to-day, while it is called to-day, they would hear his voice, and no more harden their hearts against him!] m 2 Cor. iv. 7. 。 Isai. vi. 2. n Job xlii. 5, 6. Isai. vi. 5. MMCCCCLXXX. CHRIST'S POWER OVER THE INVISIBLE WORLD. Rev. i. 17, 18. Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. MAN, while he continued in a state of innocence, communed freely with his Maker face to face but from the time that sin entered into the world, he has dreaded the presence of the Most High, and fled from it with fear and trembling. Whenever God has been pleased to appear to any of his people, the sight has uniformly filled them with terror; and, in some instances, almost deprived them even of life. This was the effect produced by a vision vouchsafed to John. Our blessed Lord, in a habit somewhat resembling that of the high-priest, revealed himself to his beloved Disciple: and so august was his appearance, that John, unable to endure the sight, fell at his feet as dead. But our Lord, in condescension to his weakness, dispelled his fears by making known to him the perfections of his nature, and the offices which in his mediatorial capacity he sustained. In discoursing on his words we shall consider, I. Our Lord's record concerning himself— A more glorious description of Jesus is not to be found in all the sacred writings: he declares himself to be, 1. The eternal God [The terms, "the first and the last," are intended to express eternitya: and, in this view, it is an incommunicable attribute of Jehovah. It is often used to describe God in places where he contrasts himself with the gods of the heathen: and it always characterizes him as infinitely superior to all creatures. But Jesus here arrogates it to himself. Eternity had been ascribed to him both by Prophets and Apostles": but he here claims it himself as his own prerogative; for, notwithstanding he was in the form of a servant, he thought it b Isai. xliv. 6. a ver. 8, 11. and Rev. xxii. 13. e Prov. viii. 22-30. Mic. v. 2. John i. 1. Heb. xiii. 8. not robbery to be equal with God. Hence then it is evident. that Jesus is one with the Father, "in glory equal, in majesty co-eternal," God over all, blessed for evermore. •.] 2. The living Saviour [He, whose brightness now exceeded that of the meridian sun, once hung upon the cross. But, says he, "though I was dead, yet I am the living One, possessed of life in myself", and the source of life to others; and immutably living, to carry on the work which I began on earth." "Behold" this with wonder, yet with a full assurance of its truth; for I, the "Amen," "the true and faithful Witness, declare it unto thee." Now as the former assertion shews us what he was in his divine nature, this informs us what he is in his mediatorial office. "He died for our offences, and rose again for our justification;" and is, not only our advocate with the Father, but the head of vital influence to all that believek.] The universal Sovereign [By "hell" we are to understand, not the habitation of the damned only, but the whole invisible world: and "death" is the door of introduction to it. Now to "have the keys" of these, is to have the power over them, together with the entire appointment of men's states in reference to them'. And this power does Jesus exercise. Whomsoever he will, and in whatever time or manner he sees fit, he consigns to death, and fixes instantly in heaven or hell: "He openeth and no man shutteth; he shutteth, and no man openethm." Hence it appears that every event in this world also must be under his controul; and consequently, that he is the universal Sovereign.] From the encouraging address which accompanied this record, we are led to consider, II. Its tendency to comfort and support the soul— When a similar vision was vouchsafed to Daniel, its effects, which were also similar, were counteracted in the same manner". Now this record of our Lord was well calculated to dissipate the fears of John and may well also be a comfort to us, 1. Under apprehensions of temporal calamities[Impending dangers and distresses will often excite terror, and overwhelm the soul with anxious dread. But what ground of fear can he have, who has the eternal God for his refuge? What injury can arise to him, whose soul is in the Redeemer's hands, and for whose benefit all things are ordered both in heaven and earth? "Not a hair of his head can perish" but by special commission from his best Friend. "Thousands may fall beside him, and ten thousand at his right hand;" but "no weapon that is formed against him can prosper." If his eyes were opened to behold his real situation, he might see himself encompassed with horses of fire, and chariots of fire: and, standing as in an impregnable fortress, he might defy the assaults of men or devils. If his God and Saviour be for him, none can be against him".] 2. Under fears of eternal condemnation [No man can reflect upon his own character without feeling that he deserves the wrath of God: and every one that is sensible of his own demerits, must tremble lest the judgments he has deserved should be inflicted on him. Yet a just view of the Saviour may dispel his fears, and cause him to "rejoice with joy unspeakable." Does his guilt appear too great to be forgiven? He that offered an atonement for it, is the eternal God. Do doubts arise respecting his acceptance with the Father? Behold, that very Jesus who made atonement for him, ever liveth to plead it as his advocate, and to present it before the mercy-seat'. Do death and hell appal him with their terrors? they are altogether subject to the controul of Jesus, whose power and faithfulness are pledged for the salvation of all his ransomed peoples. To the weakest then we say in the name of this adorable Saviour, "Fear not:" though thou art "a worm, thou shalt thresh the mountains*;" and though thou art the smallest grain that has been gathered from the field, thou shalt be treasured safely in the granary of thy heavenly Father".] APPLICATION [We cannot conclude the subject without applying it to those who are ignorant of Christ. Surely we must not say to you "Fear not;" but rather, "Fear and tremble," for he whom ye have despised is the eternal God; and ever liveth to put down his enemies, and to make them his footstool. He has only, as it were, to turn the key of the invisible world, and your souls will be locked up in the prison from whence there is no redemption. O consider this, ye that live unmindful of this adorable Saviour; and prostrate yourselves at his feet, while his offers of mercy are yet extended to you.] |