Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-12-09
THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN.
NOTES ON THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON BY DR.. JOHN HALL


The opening Of this chapter, whatever diff
ferences Of view may exist as to its interpre-
tation tand on these teachers will not be ex-
pected 10 enter, suggests one great truth,
namely, that the world will stand and the hu-
man race go forward till all Gods people are
safe. The angels having the winds in their
hands are to keep them from their work Of
destruction till the servants of God are sealed
in their foreheads" and secured as the Lords.
Eek. IL, 4, probably is the Old Testament
basis for this figure Of sealing. OF the New
Testament Israel the Hebrew tribes were the
type, hence the list Paul speaks of "the cleo
ton of grace" Rom. H, 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 nation were despised by none more than
by Hebrews Here is q lesson for all, Jews
and Gentiles.
". Q. After the sealing of the IA, 900 from
the tribes, the apostle had vision of great
multitude-not Hebrews, but of sall nations"
etc. The several words are employed TO make
the idea vivid and impressive. The attitude
of this multitude is standing, in reverence and
and before the Lamb" The garb is white
robes" of purity (see v. IA, not triumph. See
Zech. iii, S-5, for the Old Testament presenta-
ton of this idea, which is also in Isa- i, 1S
They have Npalms in their hands" Here 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, 1913. See for the Old Testament prece-
dent Lev xiii, 20.
v. 10. Salvation to our God" the burden
of their cry, means that the honor Of it be-
longs to Him, as in Ps iii, 8, and in Isa 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 a Saviour. In
this He and His Father are one.
V. IL We are told that the angels desire
to Hlook into" the things of salvation q Pet
/, 9-12). Gods grace is more wonderful to
them than creation or providence. This ap-
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, "fel before the throne on their
faces" and renewed their worship and adora-
ton. The substance of their praise is in
Y. IL 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 Sour 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
throngl Think of this goodly fellowship for
everi Here we sing praises feebly and poorly,
but what joint song this viii be before the
throneI
". Is It Is the way when intending to
bring out thing prominently to put ques-
ton, as here by one of the elders, SWhat are
these" etc. There had been a glimpse Of the
party to which they belonged in Rev. vi, g.
II, where they are told that they are to wait
till the number is completed. 1t is so now
The question is not put, as it is intimated In
the apostles reply
", 10, for information, but to prepare for
giving and receiving it. So the angel an
swers, %These are 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 the tribulation that saved them, not suf-
fering or heroism of theirs No. sThey
washed their robes" !" 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 the benefit of His work. See 1 Pet. i,
1919.
v. 15 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 Hin day
and night" The place is a temple, of which
that at Jerusalem was type, and they are
kings and priests unto God This lGn~ifage
has its precedent in Eek. xxxvii, 26-,,1 let
tbe mind dwell on this. Believers ser' od
now, but only with many faults and ms.
But it is the beginning Of their cter.-a. life
work. This fact joins earth and he.v;I 20
0~thar-one service In DO h. = vi
reason for serving God here. 1t is prepara-
ton 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 Theel" is fitting.
Not so there. He that sittath 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 16. Saints in Johns time, and in all
time, suffered much. The world, in spite OF
all that men say of it whei in the sunshine,
is vale of tears Sin bl ought 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 OPT ress them Earth
ouakes 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 IL The Lamb-the good Shepherd
shall feed them and lead them to living foun-
tains of waters (see Psalm 1-xiii), pure, peren-
nial, gladdening. Zech. xiv, s, and Eek.
Xvii, IL, give Old Testament precedent for
this. And as for tears, God shall wipe them
away-all Of them. What brings tearsl Suf-
ferings, bereavements, sorrows, sins. There
will be none of these forever This also is an
old promise. (See Isa. XIV, s; Ii, IL; XIV,
19.)
The following points are worthy Of re-
newed notice:
Q) Gods servants have many blessings
here-some that others never taste-but it Is
not here they find their heaven. They have
many enemies here.
C9 Suffering for God is never forgotten by
Him. 1t may be when a schoolmate says in
scorn, "Oh, you are rellgiousl" or it may be
at the stake. He remembers it.
81 Chrisss work is not in vain. There will
be an innumerable multitude saved. "He
shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall
be satisfied" great as is the love of His COM
passionate heart