Revelation 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps… 1. Who He was that was slain. 2. This memorable decease was no casual event. The true spring, both of His death and of that eternal purpose by which it was foreordained, was no other than the free, unmerited, and sovereign love of a three-one God to sinners. 3. According to all the principles that are capable of influencing human nature, the highest evidence of love that can be given is "for a man to lay down his life for his friend" (John 15:13; Romans 5:7). But they for whom Christ died were neither righteous nor good. 4. Our matter of praise and wonder is still increased when we consider how Christ died. (1) As to what He suffered, it was not simply death such as ordinary persons undergo. He may be said to have begun to die as soon as He was born. And He died ten thousand deaths in one. (2) If we take a view of the manner in which He suffered all this, it was not leas wonderful. Though His sufferings were thus severe, He was far from repining or murmuring under them. 5. We have additional matter, both for praise and wonder, when we consider what great designs He had in view, and actually accomplished by being slain. (1) He appeased the justice of God and made way for our restoration to His favour. (2) He "blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross."(3) He broke down "the middle wall of partition" that was betwixt Jew and Gentiles, and so made way for the introduction of the posterity of Japheth, to "dwell in the tents of Shem."(4) He overcame all our spiritual enemies who held us in bondage and stood in the way of our enjoying the benefit of that redemption which He purchased for us. 6. We have matter of the highest praise, as well as of the deepest wonder, when we consider that though Christ was once slain, He is now alive, and is "set down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."Lessons: 1. The people of God have a ready answer to all the charges that the law of God brings against them, and to all the accusations of conscience; for Christ was slain. 2. There is no want of spiritual .provision in God's house for any sinner that is willing to make use of it. 3. Here is a strong incitement to the duty of mortification. 4. We see here a plain and patent way, yea, a new and living way, opened and consecrated for us, into the presence of God, through the veil of the flesh of a slain Redeemer. 5. There is good reason why all who profess to be Christians should submit with cheerfulness to the government of Christ as King of Zion. 6. The disciples of Christ need never be at a loss for a subject of sweet meditation by themselves, nor for a subject of sweet counsel, as they go to the house of God in companies. 7. Here is a broad and sure foundation for the faith of every hearer of the gospel, of whatever character or condition he be. The Lamb of God was slain, and, through His death, eternal life is freely offered. (John Young, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. |
    |