Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-12-09
THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN.
NOTES ON THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON BY Or. JOHN HALL

IatIons VII, I5-LessOn Text, ReveIa-
tions VIII S-IS.
The opening Of this chapter, whatever diff
ferenceS Of view may exist as to its interpre-
tation land on these teachers will not be ex-
pected TO enterl, suggests one great truth,
namely, that the world will stand and the hu-
man race 60 forward till all Gods people are
safe. The angels having the winds in their
bands arc to keep them from their work of
destruction till the servants of God arc sealed
in their foreheadS" and secured as tho Lords
Eek tx, 4, probably is the Old Testament
basis for this figure Of sealing. OF the New
Testament Israel the Hebrow tribes were the
t5pe, hence the list. Paul speaks of 'thc cleo
tfOn Of grace" Rom. xi, s.. OF course no
Literal view of this can stand. But it is not
Hebrews only who are saved. Here the wide
view which the apostle was to unfold is pre-
sented in the "great multitude" outside the
tribes. The believers Of other than the He
brew natioiSwere despised by none more than
by Hebrews. Here is lesson for all, Jews
and Gentiles.
". Q. After the sealing of the l44,OOO from
the tribes, the apostle had a vision of a great
multitude-not Hebrews, but of "all nations"
etc. The several words are employed to make
the idea vivid and impressive. The attitude
of this multitude is standing, in reverence and
alteration. The position is "before the throne
and before the Lamb" The garb is "white
robes" of purity (see V. 14), not triumph. See
Zech. Iii, S-5, for the Old Testament prcsemta-
ton of this idea, which is also in Isa. i, 1S
They have "palms in their hands" Hero the
idea is probably of rejoicing and triumph,
possibly of honor to the Saviour, as He was
honored in His approach to Jerusalem John
xii, 1918. See for the Old Testament prece-
dent Lev. xiii, 40.
V. TO- salvation to our God" the burden
of their cry, means that the honor of it be-
longs to Him, as in Ps. iii, s, and in lisa. xiii.
IL. Notice that the Father and the Son are
Joined together. God gave the Son. Jesus
did not die to win over the Father or to rescue
us from His hands. He satisfied justice, but
divine love provided Him as Saviour. In
this He and His Father are one
V. II. We are told that the angels desire
to "look into" the things of salvation q Pet.
j, 9-19. Gods grace is more wonderful to
them than creation or providence. This an
pears in the next feature in this wonderful
picture. "All the angels stood round about"
and in view of the redeemed throng of men
they, according to the eastern idea of hom-
age to king, "fell before the throne on their
faces" and renewed their worship and adora-
tion The substance of their praise is in
V. H. They were not redeemed, but they
cry "amen" to the song of redeemed mems
praise. They have seen their God in a new
light, as never before. They recognize the
glory of His grace and His justice Seven ele-
ments enter perhaps there is no design of
representing perfection) their ascription of
praise And they say "our God"-always
theirs or theirs in common with men now re-
stored. Think Of angels rejoicing over not
one sinner saved, but a great, innumerable
throng! Think Of this goodly fellowship for
ever! Here we sing praises feebly and poorly,
but whata joint song this will be before the
throne!
V. IS. 1t is the way when intending to
bring out thing prominently to put ques-
tion, as here by one of the elders, "What are
these" etc. There had been glimpse of the
party to which they belonged in Rev. vi, O.
II, where they are told that they are to wait
till the number is completed. It is so now.
The question is not put, as it is intimated in
the apostles reply
". ltJ, lOl DuU W prepare IOF
giving and receiving it. So the angel an
swers, "These nre they which came out of
great tribulation," who fought, ran with pa
tience, endured to the end, who were scofFed
at, despised, counted ignorant fanatics, often
sacrificed by violence and persecution, and
who are now before the throne But it was
not tho tribulation that saved them, not suf-
fering or heroism of theirs. No. "They
washed their rrobes, etc. This was the ground
of their escape-the way of their salvation
The Lamb was slain; the marks of it remain
on Him. They believed Him, or, in other
words, came to His cross; or, in other words,
washed their robes in His blood. No courage,
self denial, sacrifice of ours saves. Christ
saves, as the agent of salvation. Faith saves.
as the means of joining us to Him and giving
us tho benefit of His work See Pet. i,
1919
V. Is. therefore are they" because He
saved, and they trusted Him, and were faith
full even unto death, "before the throne of
God" They are dwelling with Him and He
with them. They are in the real Eden, and
God is in fellowship with Him, and they are
not hiding from Him, but serving Him day
and night" The place is temple, of which
that at Jerusalem was type, and they are
kings and priests unto God. This language
has its precedent in Eek. xxxvii, 1921 Let
the mind dwell on this Believers serve God
now, but only with many faults and SINS
But it is the beginning of their eternal life
work. This fact joins earth and heaven to-
gether--one service in both. This is a good
reason for serving God here 1t is prepara-
tion for the future. That will be perfect
happiness. Any true happiness we get here
will be from serving Him. Here we tire of
service. Not SO there, "day and night"
Here we are often far off from Him, and the
cry, "Nearer, my God, to Thee!" is fitting.
Not so there. He that sitteth on the throne
shall dwell among them. Teachers cannot
too much dwell on this and try to make
heaven happy, glorious and real in the
minds of the pupils.
V. 49, Saints in Johns time, and in all
time, suffered much. The world, in spite of
all that men say of it when in the sunshine,
is vale of tears. Sin brought in misery.
We may have "trade unions," better laws,
improved dwellings, larger profits, greater
privileges and the like, but suffering, misery,
pain, death, are here in spite of the best mere
human means But the redeemed shall have
an eternity in glorious contrast with all that.
Natural wants will never again press on
them. Heat shall never oppreSs them. Earth
quakes shall never terrify them Malaria
shall never waste them. They are to be in
the new heavens and the new earth wherein
dwelleth Righteousness, and with it perfect
happiness. This is put in the most lively pos
sible way in
v II The Iamh-the good Shepherd-