Revelation 5:1-5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.… And I saw, etc. Concerning the government of God, observe - I. THAT IT IS CONDUCTED ACCORDING TO A VAST PRECONCERTED PLAN. There was a book, seven pieces of parchment rolled together, and each one sealed, in the hand of him that "sat on the throne." The Almighty never acts from impulse or caprice, but ever from plan or law. And this plan is truly vast, wonderfully comprehensive. It is "written within" and on the "back side." This book contains the germs of all books - the archetypes of all existences, the outlines of all histories. "In thy book all my members were written, when as yet there were none of them." All that shall happen through the vast futures of individuals, families, nations, worlds, are mapped out on the pages of this wonderful book. The universe in all its parts and complicated movements is but the practical and palpable working out of its contents. The world is God's great will in action. Predestination is no special doctrine of the Bible; it is written on every part of nature. It includes as truly the motions of an atom as the revolutions of a world - the growth of a plant as the conversion of a soul. True philosophy, as well as Christianity, resolves everything but sin into the predestination of Infinite Love. II. THIS VAST PRECONCERTED PLAN IS SEALED IN MYSTERY, Two thoughts are here suggested concerning its mystery. 1. That it transcends all finite intelligence. Some high spirit in the Divine empire is here represented as exclaiming, "Who is worthy to open the book, and too lose the seals thereof?" The question falls on the ear of universal mind, and produces no response; the challenge rings through the creation, and no one accepts it. "No man in heaven; nor in earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon." I refer this mystery, not to the Creator's intention, but to the creature's incapacity. His glory is not in concealing only, but in manifesting. Concealment arises not from any effort on his part, but from the necessary limitations of finite intellect. The deep purposes of the Infinite can never be unsealed and deciphered by the finite. "His judgments are a great deep." 2. That it is frequently the source of great mental distress. "I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon." The most earnest thinkers in all ages have shed many tears in wrestling with some of the (lark problems of God's government. This mystery is, however, an inestimable means of spiritual discipline. It soberizes, humbles, stimulates. III. THAT THE MYSTERY OF THE PLAN IS TO BE EXPOUNDED BY CHRIST. "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Both the meaning and the figures employed, and the statements in succeeding verses, make it evident that the reference is here to Christ. He, indeed, is the Revealer of God's plans - the Logos. He discloses the eternal purposes in various ways. 1. In his creative acts. "All things were created by him." Creation is a bursting of one of the seals of that book, and a publication of some of its contents. Stars, suns, and systems are but the palpable forms or diagrams of infinite ideas. 2. In his redemptive operations. By his personal history on this earth eighteen centuries ago, and by his spiritual agency from Adam to that period, and from that period in a higher form to this hour, he burst other seals, and brought to light some deep things of the eternal mind. 3. In his judicial conduct. "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." In the last day what new disclosures will be made! - D.T. Parallel Verses KJV: And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. |
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