NOTES | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 7, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 23.

NOTES.

1. This chapter begins with the word "and," showing that it is a continuation of the description recorded in the previous chapter. John had seen the throne of God and of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem, which came down from heaven. Hence we understand that when the plan of redemption shall have been fully worked out, the throne of the universe will be in the New Jerusalem, on the new earth. On the earth, where the great controversy between Christ and Satan is being fought, the final victory will be forever commemorated by the seat of universal empire's occupying the field of victory. Thus the purified new earth, the scene of so much suffering and sacrifice for the everlasting establishment of truth, will become the most glorious spot in all the universe. The throne of God and of the Lamb will rest upon it forever. Here we have emphasized the glory of the promise, "The meek shall inherit the earth."

2. A renewed access to the tree of life, which was denied to the race on account of disobedience (Gen. 2:9, 17; 3:22-24), is evidence of a complete redemption. It is a promise to the overcomer (Rev. 2:7), whose faith leads him to obedience (chapter 22:14). "Healing [or service] of the nations."—God does everything by some means. Eternal life is the reward of faith; the tree of life is the means of perpetuation. There will be "nations," or "tribes," in the kingdom of God. See Matt. 19:28; Rev. 12:12, 24-26.

3. "No more anything accursed."—The renovation by fire will have consumed everything of the character of sin, as well as the effects of the curse. See 2 Peter 3:5-7, 10-13; Ps. 37:9-11, 20-22.

4. To see God is the promise to "the pure in heart" (Matt. 5:8), and His name in their foreheads is the seal of His approval, a promise to the overcomer (Rev. 3:12).

5. There is no need of any other light where God is, for He is light Himself (1 John 1:5). David says: "With Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light shall we see light." Ps. 36:9.

6. Verse 7 is virtually a repetition of the blessing promised in chapter 1:3. Thus great stress is laid upon the importance of this book to the church in all its then future stages and epochs.

7. The angel that talked with John was not a departed human prophet, but he had been a co-worker with the prophets of the former times, as Gabriel was a co-worker with Daniel. Angels are not a product of the evolution of dead men, as many people suppose; they are a distinct order of beings, than which man was made "a little lower" (Heb. 2:7), and were therefore created prior to man's existence. When the foundations of the earth were laid, they—the sons of God—"shouted for joy." See Job 38:4-7. But they are "ministering spirits," aiding in the work of the Gospel. Heb. 1:14.

8. "Seal not this book."—Why not?—Because it is a revelation, and it is for the instruction and encouragement of the church throughout its probationary history. Daniel was told to shut up his prophecy until the time of the end (chapter 12:4), when it would be understood. But John is as positively commanded to "seal not up the words of this book." It is therefore for us to read and understand, and to find blessing in so doing.

9. Verse 11 clearly indicates the close of human probation, a time that will surely "come quickly" (verse 7), for it is a time that precedes the Lord's coming. Are you ready for it?