Section 2

Apoc. 8

This seal covers the whole period from A.D. 325 to A.D. 1905, an interval of 1580 years. It therefore contains the judgments specially allotted to the seven trumpets, seven vials, and seven thunders.

GENERAL SUBJECT

The words of the scroll rehearsed to Daniel, were “closed up and sealed;” and the scroll rehearsed before John was “sealed up with seven seals.” To seal up a scroll was to “close” it; but with how many seals it was closed up, Daniel was not informed. This secret concealed from the “greatly beloved” Daniel, was revealed to the "beloved disciple,” the exile of Patmos.

The scroll, then, is representative of the things rehearsed before John — the things which were to be transacted by the performers

“And 1 saw at the right of Him seated upon the throne a Scroll that had been written within and on the outside, sealed up with Seven Seals.” — Chap. 5:1

The twenty-four elders in the temple are a verification in symbol of these promises. The Lamb is there in the midst of them, and all tears are dried from their eyes. They are before the throne, and in the temple ready for service continually. The white garments with which they had been invested indicate the priestly office of the elders. They are “clothed with salvation” (Psa. 132:16), having been raised from among the dead, and invested with holy spirit nature consubstantially with the High Priest sitting upon the throne.

The symbolization presented in this verse is representative of the fulfilment of the promise contained in ch.

“And circling about the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw the twenty and four elders sitting, having been invested with white garments; and they had upon their heads golden coronal wreaths” — Ch. 4:4.

I shall conclude this exposition of the epistle to the Angel-Presbytery at Philadelphia, by reproducing what the Church of England Bishop Newton has said upon the subject. It will afford the reader a specimen of high orthodox apocalyptic interpretation, of which the humblest among the saints would be thoroughly ashamed.

To write the Name of the City of the Deity upon one already in­scribed with the Name of the Deity, is indicative of all such constituting a Body Politic—a Divine Municipality.