Section 3

Such is the expressive heiroglyphic by which the Spirit "signified" to "his servants" the nature of the situation which should succeed the period in which they would “slay one another," and "a great machaira" would appear to aggravate the strife. The Lamb also opens this third seal. It is an opening, not to give exit to blessedness upon Roman society; for that is not the nature of a seal; but, to loose those evils upon the world, which would be calamitous to pagan, Jew, and

Vol. 1, pp. 428, 439

The Pergamian with all its evils merging ink) the worse I'hyatiran degree of apostasy. Christians so-called, as intensely nominal and worldly as sectarians of the nineteenth century. The prophetess Jezebel, and “the Satan," their representatives in the third century — Apoc. 2:20,24.

A.CT 111. — SEAL-PERIOD THIRD
Apoc. 6:5 ,6

“Before the Throne a translucent sea, like to crystal” — Verse 6.

The time when they begin to go forth into all the earth is, of course, subsequently to their resurrection. The sons of Zion are to be raised up against the sons of Greece, or the Gentiles. Being resur­rected, they are in readiness to “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth” — ch. 14:4.

The whole scene is a manifestation of Spirit in preparation for the reduction of the great mountain before Zerubbabel to the level of a plain. This is to be effected, not by ordinary military prowess or force, “but by my Spirit saith Yahweh of Hosts” — Zech. 4:6.

Lightning is what philosophy terms electricity in luminous exci­tation. Scripturally, it is the “free Spirit of the Deity.” Thunder is the- sound produced by the electrical condensation of the constituents of the aerial. The free oxygen and hydrogen floating in the air are electrically combined, and thereby caused to occupy less space than before, and so giving out lightning, and forming a vacuum, into which the surrounding air rushes, causing a loud report, or thunder.

The throne established in the heaven in its inauguration is a throne of judgment; so that when the throne is set, “the judgment is set and the books are opened” — Dan. 7:10. This throne is “the Great White Throne” seen of John in ch. 20:11. It is all conquering; for from before the face of him who is to sit upon it, he says, “the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” In other words, the Fourth Beast dominion was destroyed; and the other three beasts had their dominion taken away.

“And out of the throne proceed lightnings and thunders and voices; and Seven Lamps of Fire burning before the throne, which are the Seven Spirits of the Deity.’’ — Ch. 4:5.

To the remnant who should “overcome the Great Red Dragon—that old Serpent, surnamed the Devil and the Satan—by the blood of the lamb, and by the world of their testimony, not loving their lives unto the death,” (ch.

The door here referred to is evidently the ears collectively of those addressed. This appears from what follows, as, “If any one hear my voice and open the door, I will enter in to him, and will sup wth him, and he with me.” “Let Christ dwell in your hearts by faith,” says Paul.