Page images
PDF
EPUB

that the Apocalypse of St. John, in the interpretation of which commentators have so much differed, falls in immediately with it, in the natural order of the chapters. For this purpose, we shall go over, in a cursory manner, the contents of each chapter, in the order in which they stand; and we shall find, as will be confirmed by the more minute investigation of it hereafter, that the Temporal History of the Western Branch of the Roman Empire is first given, as divided into three periods, and brought to a conclusion, when the Temporal Kingdom of Christ, which succeeds to it, is spoken of, before another subject is admitted. After this, there is a pause in the representation, intimating the commencement of a new series of Prophecy; and the Temporal History of the Eastern Branch of the Empire, divided also into three periods, is next begun, and brought to a conclusion.

Then follows, lastly, the history of the Church, with an intimation, that the order of prophecy is again about to commence; and this is brought down as divided into three periods, to the termination of its militant state, or to the final Destruction of its enemies. The progress and triumphant establishment of the Church of Christ upon earth, are next described, then the day of the last judgment, and finally the future

happy state of the blessed, with an account of which the book closes.

The arrangement of the Apocalypse, thus understood, is perfectly simple, and we shall have occasion to admire the manner in which it is written, that not only new subjects are introduced by intimations that the order of Prophecy is on the point of commencing afresh, but at the conclusion of each history, the same events appear to be purposely spoken of in similar language, to shew where the different periods in the History of the Church and of the Empire synchronize.

In commencing the examination proposed, I would observe, that the prophetic part of this Book begins with the sixth chapter, which contains, under the four first homogeneous Seals, the history of the first period of the Roman Empire, properly so called, viz., the Western Branch of the Roman Empire. This first period here described, is part of the Period of its Strength, while still under its Emperors.

The two next Seals occupy the second period, or that of its Weakness, while divided into ten kingdoms; this period ends with a Great Earthquake under the Sixth Seal, which immediately precedes (as we learn from the verses that follow) the third period, or that of the Destruction of the Empire, described in the next

chapter, called also here, the Day of the Wrath of the Lamb*; and in Isaiah, the Day of Vengeance of Christ, and the Year of his Redeemed.

Chap. vii. commences with an intimation that it succeeds to the period of time described in the foregoing chapters; it contains, verses 1-8, a Vision of Reference to the Supplementary History of chap. xv. and xvi. detailing the events of the seven Vials of Wrath; which it does not itself give (though belonging to this period), but only shews that one of the ten nations of the divided Western Roman Empire, as being under the peculiar protection of God, should be exempted from them.

The Seven Vials in this History of the Western Empire could not now be introduced, though we have arrived at the period, in the order of time to which they relate, or that in which the Western Roman Empire is destroyed; for the judgments of this period affect also the Eastern branch of the Empire, (being the same as are referred to by the Seven Thunders of Rev. x. 3), and also the Apostate Church; (being the same as are briefly described in Rev. xi. 19), but the histories of these last have not yet been given, which must first be separately related, before the judgments which are common to all can be declared.

* Rev. vi. 17.

It is because the account of the destruction of the Empire is not yet to be noticed that the opening of the Seventh Seal is not stated at the commencement of this chapter to usher in the Period; for, had it been said, as in former cases, "The Seal was opened," we should have expected of course, that what followed would be the peculiar subject of that Seal, in which we should have been deceived; for the prin cipal events of the Seventh and last Seal relate to the Destruction of the Empire, which could not, for the reasons stated, be yet spoken of.

The History is carried on in the remainder of this chapter to the end of all things, as appears from comparing verses 15, 16, 17, with the description of the future state of the blessed, contained in chap. xxi. 3, 4, for in both chapters the same expression is used, that God should dwell with men.-In the Sealed Book it is said, that his Throne should be with men, or that he should "dwell among them" as their King; and in the Opened Book, that his Tabernacle should be with men, or that he should "dwell with them" as head of the Church.With this chapter terminates the History of the Western Branch of the Empire.

Chap. viii. begins with an intimation, that the period of the Seventh and last Seal is passed; and then there succeeds a pause in

the representation, intimating that the Seven Seals having been opened, the Apostle St. John was about to begin a new series of Prophecy, and to detail, in the periods of the Seven Trumpets, the corresponding History of the Eastern Branch of the Empire. This chapter contains, verses 3-5, a general introduction to the subject of the Seven Trumpets, and a summary account of them, referring to a most important event, which will take place in the period of the Seventh, namely, to the second and last Great Earthquake of the Apocalypse, which is accompanied by voices, and thunderings, and lightnings. Verse 6-end, contains an account of the four first Trumpets, and gives the History of the Eastern Branch of the Empire in its first period, describing various events which took place during the reign of the Emperors.

Chap. ix. contains an account of the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets, or the first and second Woe-Trumpets, which relate to the Eastern Branch of the Empire during its Second Pe riod, while desolated by the Saracens and Turks.

Chap. x. relates to the Eastern Branch of the Empire during its third and last period: the seven Thunders, or Declarations of Wrath, which occupy this period, are heard by St.

« PreviousContinue »