Extracts from Schmucker.
By R. F. C.
Rev. xiv, 6-12. Here are three angels successively flying in the midst of heaven; each of which represents a whole set of gospel ministers, with a patriarch of the Church, a man of peculiar talents, and of an extraordinary portion of grace, at their head. These three angels are appointed to promulgate three distinct messages to the Church; and each patriarch makes his passage a peculiar fundamental principle of doctrine, which the Lord has enthroned in his mind, as being of the highest importance to the Church at that time. They also embrace and publish other principles of religion; but view them chiefly in reference to their general aim. By these characteristics they may be known to the Church and all their associates and followers, as they successively belong to each voice. Verse 6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven. This then is not a celestial spirit; the gospel ministry among men cannot be committed to their care. He is the symbol of a whole number of gospel ministers, influenced by a patriarch of eminent distinction, who, perhaps, enjoys the assistance of a superior intelligence in the execution of his peculiar charge. He is termed, "another angel flying in the midst of heaven," by which words we are referred to a preceding one, in the order of this prophecy, who also flew in the midst of heaven; which can be no other than the angel of chap. viii, 13, proclaiming the three woes. The first proclaimed times of most severe afflictions, and these three publish salutary messages to the faithful followers of Jesus. This reference to the angel of chap. viii, 13, is also intended to advertise the reader, that this prophecy concerning the three angels, commences a new series of events, not in immediate connection with the preceding history of the Lamb and his company on mount Sion, as some authors, through inattention, have attempted to explain. Having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth. The original is, an everlasting gospel, without the definite article, which some expositors have not observed, and therefore have explained this expression as referring to the word of God, or the gospel of Christ in general. By this word is meant the message of this angel, exclusively, which is called a gospel, glad tidings. And there followed another angel saying. He followed the other angel in the midst of heaven and of course arose in the same central country of christendom. Of the first angel it is remarked with emphasis, that he proclaimed his everlasting gospel with a loud voice, so as to resound through the symbolical heaven; but this second angel is only represented as saying his message. See verse 9, and chap. xviii, 2. His communication was not so extensive, nor of such a nature, as required to be delivered with that divinely inspired enthusiasm and fervency as did the messages of the other angels. [In a former extract it will be seen that our author notes the time, in the progress of the great apostasy, when the term patriarch began to be assumed by some of the bishops or elders of the church. Here he applies the same terms to the leaders in the angel messages. But we would adhere to the teaching of Christ, and call no man father upon earth.
R. F. C.]