Chapter 5:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Revelation 5
Concise Complete
A book sealed with seven seals, which could be opened
by none but Christ, who took the book to open it. (1-7) Upon which all honour is
ascribed to him, as worthy to open it. (8-14)
Verses 1-7 The
apostle saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, a roll of parchments in
the form usual in those times, and sealed with seven seals. This represented the
secret purposes of God about to be revealed. The designs and methods of Divine
Providence, toward the church and the world, are stated, fixed, and made a
matter of record. The counsels of God are altogether hidden from the eye and
understanding of the creature. The several parts are not unsealed and opened at
once, but after each other, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct
is finished in the world. The creatures cannot open it, nor read it; the Lord
only can do so. Those who see most of God, are most desirous to see more; and
those who have seen his glory, desire to know his will. But even good men may be
too eager and hasty to look into the mysteries of the Divine conduct. Such
desires, if not soon answered, turn to grief and sorrow. If John wept much
because he could not look into the book of God's decrees, what reason have many
to shed floods of tears for their ignorance of the gospel of Christ! of that on
which everlasting salvation depends! We need not weep that we cannot foresee
future events respecting ourselves in this world; the eager expectation of
future prospects, or the foresight of future calamities, would alike unfit us
for present duties and conflicts, or render our prosperous days distressing. Yet
we may desire to learn, from the promises and prophecies of Scripture, what will
be the final event to believers and to the church; and the Incarnate Son has
prevailed, that we should learn all that we need to know. Christ stands as
Mediator between God and both ministers and people. He is called a Lion, but he
appears as a Lamb slain. He appears with the marks of his sufferings, to show
that he pleads for us in heaven, in virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a
Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes; perfect power to execute all the will
of God, and perfect wisdom to understand it, and to do it in the most effectual
manner. The Father put the book of his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ,
and Christ readily and gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to make
known the will of his Father; and the Holy Spirit is given by him to reveal the
truth and will of God.
Verses 8-14 It
is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and
mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but
as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of
odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise
should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of
sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not only purchased liberty for them, but the
highest honour and preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule
over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he
makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and liberty to offer up
spiritual sacrifices. What words can more fully declare that Christ is, and
ought to be worshipped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all
eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall for
ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for himself by his blood.
How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises!
All creatures should proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty.
Chapter 5:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
