Revelation 21:5-8 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.… I. THE PERSONS. They are, in short, all kinds of sinners, unless they timely repent and instantly forsake their sins. 1. Of these we have a long catalogue in the text, beginning with the "fearful," who place their fear on a wrong object, and dare not venture to run any hazard for the sake of religion and a good conscience. These lead the van in this long list of sinners, as being the largest in number, and of all others the most egregious and insolent offenders. For no manner of good can be done by persons of so mean a character, who are left destitute of manly courage and rational conduct, and have quite perverted the order of things by estimating the loss of wealth and grandeur to be the only formidable accidents, and the loss of innocence and integrity readily to be dispensed with in hopes of gaining them. Religion, but above all our strict and pure religion, requires that we undergo cheerfully the greatest temporal losses in the service of our Lord and Master, to whom we have vowed dutiful allegiance and persevering obedience. Now, this criminous fear we are speaking of makes us desert and prove traitors upon the least intimation of approaching ill. The most valiant and courageous men are those who, fearing God above all, dare run any hazards in order to serve Him. 2. The "unbelieving" come next to be considered. By these undoubtedly are meant — (1) Such as did not yield a full assent to the truths revealed in the gospel. (2) Such as neglected to live according to that belief. 3. The "abominable." By the abominable we are to understand those polluted wretches who have given up their bodies to the commission of the foulest and most unnatural lusts. 4. "Murderers." He is one that has no regard to the image of God stamped upon our nature, no concern for the welfare of his neighbour and brother. 5. "Whoremongers." Their guilt, I suppose, is legible enough in that most awful threatening (Hebrews 13:4). Temperance, soberness, and chastity are the most sweetly-becoming ornaments of the Christian life; intemperance, sensuality, and incontinence, the lasting blemishes and utmost scandal of it (Jude, ver. 13). 6. The "sorcerers." They are such as deal by magic and unlawful arts with the devil. 7. "Idolaters." 8. "All liars" it seems must come in for their share among the rest. All that upon any pretence or occasion willingly and deliberately offend against the truth, or, in other words, such as speak not the truth from their hearts. II. THEIR PUNISHMENT. "Fire and brimstone." 1. It contains our being deprived of the beatific vision, and of all that is good. 2. Our being tortured with the miseries of hell, and all that is evil. (R. Warren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. |
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