probation, which is the close of Christ's work as mediator. But we are taught by the subject of the sanctuary that this work closes with the examination of the cases of the living in the investigative Judgment. When this is accomplished, the irrevocable fiat can go forth. But when the cases of the living are reached in the work of Judgment, we apprehend that what remains to be done will be so speedily accomplished that all these cases may almost be said to be decided simultaneously. We have therefore no occasion to speculate as to the order of work among the living, that is, whose cases will be decided first, and whose last, nor whether it will be known that any are decided before all is finished. VERSE 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Christ here applies to himself the appellation of Alpha and Omega. As applied to him, the expression must be taken in a more limited sense than when applied to the Father, as in chap. 1:8. Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, of the great plan of salvation. Verse 14, as before noticed, is the language of Christ. The commandments of which he speaks are his Father's. Reference can be had only to the ten commandments as delivered on Mt. Sinai. He pronounces a blessing upon those who keep them. Thus in the closing chapter of the word of God, and near the very close of the last testimony which the faithful and true Witness there left for his people, he solemnly pronounces a blessing upon those who keep the commandments of God. Let those who believe in the abolition of the law, weigh well this fact. VERSE 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Dog is the Bible symbol of a shameless and impudent man. Who would wish to be left in the company of those whose lot is outside of the city of God! yet how many will stand condemned as idolaters, how many as those who make lies, and how many more as those who love them and love to circulate them after they are made! VERSE 16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Jesus testifies these things in the churches, showing that the whole book of Revelation is given to the seven churches; which is another incidental proof that the seven churches are representatives of the church through the entire gospel dispensation. Christ is the offspring of David, in that he appeared on earth in the line of David's descendants. He is the root of David, inasmuch as he is the great antitype of David, and the maker and upholder of all things. VERSE 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst And whosoever will, let him take the water of life come. freely. Thus are all invited to come. The Lord's love for mankind would not be satisfied in merely preparing the blessings of eternal life, opening the way to them, and announcing that all might come who would; but he sends out an earnest invitation to come. He sets it forth as a favor done to himself, if persons will come and partake of the infinite blessings provided by his infinite love. His invitation, how gracious! how full! how free! None of those who are finally lost will ever have occasion to find fault with the provisions that have been made for their salvation. They can never find fault with the light that has been granted to show them the way of life. They can never find fault with the invitations and entreaties that Mercy has given them to turn and live. From the very beginning there has been a power exerted, as strong as could be and still leave man his own free agent,-a power to draw him Heavenward and raise him from the abyss into which he had fallen. Come! has been the entreaty of the Spirit, from the lips of God himself, from the lips of his prophets, from the lips of his apostles, and from the lips of his Son, even while in his infinite compassion and humility he was paying the debt of our transgression. The last message of mercy that is now going forth, is another and final utterance of divine long-suffering and compassion. Come, is the invitation it gives. Come, for all things are ready. And the last sound that will fall from Mercy's lips on the ear of the sinner, ere the thunders of vengeance burst upon him, will be the heavenly invitation, Come. So great is the loving-kindness of a merciful God to rebellious man. Yet they will not come. Acting independently and deliberately, they refuse to come. So when they shall see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, and themselves thrust out, they will have no one to accuse, no one to blame but their own selves. They will be brought to feel this in all its bitterness; for the time will come in which it will be as described by Pollok, when he says, 'And evermore the thunders murmuring spoke 'Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not.' Dread words! that barred excuse, and threw the weight Of every man's perdition on himself Directly home- 'Ye knew your duty, but ye did it not.'" The bride also says, Come. But the bride is the city, and how does that say, Come? If we could be strengthened to behold the living glories of that city, and live, and should be permitted to gaze upon its dazzling beauty, and be assured that we had a perfect right to enter therein, and bathe in that ocean of bliss and blessedness, and revel in its glory forever and ever, would it not then say to us, Come, with a persuasion which no power could resist? Who of us in view of this could turn away and say, I have no desire for an inheritance there? But though we cannot now look upon that city, the unfailing word of God has promised it, and that is sufficient to inspire in us an implicit and living faith; and through the channel of that faith it says to us, Come. Come, if you would inherit mansions where sickness, sorrow, pain, and death, can never enter; if you would have a right to the tree of life, and pluck its immortal fruit, and eat and live; if you would drink of the water of the river of life, that flows from the throne of God, clear as crystal. Come, if you would obtain through those glittering gates of pearl an abundant entrance into the eternal city; if you would walk its streets of transparent gold; if you would behold its glowing foundation stones; if you would see the King in his beauty on his azure throne. Come, if you would sing the jubilee song of millions, and share their joy. Come, if you would join the anthems of the redeemed with their melodious harps, and know that your exile is forever over and this is your eternal home. Come, if you would receive a palm of victory, and know that you are forever free. Come, if you would exchange the furrows of your careworn brow for a jeweled crown. Come, if you would see the salvation of the ransomed myriads, the glorified throng which no man can number. Come, if you would drink from the pure fountain of celestial bliss, if you would shine as the stars forever in the firmament of glory, if you would share in the unutterable rapture that fills the triumphant hosts as they behold before them unending ages of glory ever brightening, and joys ever new. The bride does say, Come. Who of us can resist the invitation? The word of truth is pledged to us |