Revelation 22:3-4 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:… I. THE SCENE OF THIS SERVICE SHALL BE AS THE PARADISE OF GOD — "there shall be no more curse." Here everything connected with our abode renders the most delightful service — for such is the service of God — irksomely laborious. All our religious efforts proceed on this very fact, that we work on an accursed soil; that our iniquity has imposed on us excessive labour; and that in the sweat of our brow we must eat our bread. The land that is on high, inhabited by the servants of God, is subject to no painful or disagreeable vicissitudes. II. NOR SHALL THE CURSE EXTEND TO THE PERSONS OF THE SAINTS, for there His servants shall serve Him: and do they not on earth, where the curse is found? No: they, it is true, attempt it; but such are their multiplied infirmities, that they confess, when they have done all, they are unprofitable, and deserve not to be viewed even as the hired servant. III. THE CURSE SHALL NO LONGER INFLUENCE THE SERVICE RENDER TO GOD. "His servants shall serve Him." Our obedience on earth scarcely deserves the name; our sinful dispositions render it more like slavery. We no sooner begin to live unto God, but conflict, toil, and fatigue, distinguish our services. Polluted are these services, in fine, as that which is corrupt cannot produce what is pure, servants so feeble and unholy must render of necessity an unprofitable obedience. IV. THE CURSE PRONOUNCED ON MAN, IS BANISHED FROM PARADISE. V. It may be observed, that as soon as the first malediction was heard, the historian adds, "SO HE DROVE OUT THE MAN." "And they shall see His face"; shall render their service in His immediate presence, cheered by the complacent smiles of His gracious approbation. 1. By way of improvement, let me urge on you the necessity of inquiring, whether you are the servants of God? "And how shall we know?" Your own conscience must settle the point. 2. Let the servant of God be cheered by remembering who is his master. Every relative character is well exemplified and sustained by Jehovah. 3. Let us contemplate the happy termination of the sacred volume. It begins with the entrance of crime and the curse; and closes with the abolition of sin and misery, and an assurance of perfect and perpetual sanctity and joy. (Wm. Clayton.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: |
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