The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-07
THE SEA OF GLASS.
Selected for The Times-Dispatch.)
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(Selected for The Times-Dspatch.)
"And before the throne there was O
sea of glass, like unto crystal; and in
tho midst of the throne. and round about
the throne were four beasts, full of eyes
before and behind. And tho four beasts
had each Of them six wings about him:
and they were full of eyes within, and
they rest not. day and night, saying.
Holy, holy. holy Lord God = Almighty.
which was, and is. and Is to como. -, -
Rev., iv:5-S
What is this that St. John writes?
Something he could neither comprehend
nor describe. except as 1t were In fig
ures, to help us to imagine, that great
and wonderful vision.
He was in the spirit" he tells US.
but with his soul enlightened by the Holy
Spirit. And this Is what he saw.
A throne In heaven, and Ono sitting
on 1t, bright and pure as the richest pro-.
cious stone. And around the thronearni
bow like unto an emerald, the sign OF
hope and faithfulness.
Near the throne are elders crowned;
men like ourselves. but who have fought
| tho good fight and conquered; pure, as
! their white garments tell us; and victo-
rlous, as their golden crowns denote.
From the throne como thunderings and
| lghtnings and voices, signs of Gods
| power as lawgiver and an almighty
ruler.
| Before tho throne was a sea of glass
the sea of time and space. the brittle and
dangerous sea OF earthly life. ,5
1t seems to DO n great thing to Justine
and space and the world-yet 1t looked 30
small to st. John, as 1t lies there In
heaven before that throne. that he passes
| 1t by in few brief words. For what are
all suns and stars. and all ages and gene
ratons, and millions and millions of
years compared with eternity?
There is one great comfort for us In
this vision of st. John. Brittle and un-
certain and dangerous as life may be,
and is. yet it lies spread out before the
throne of God, at the feet of Christ. For
in God we live and move and have our
being.
Let us then be content, hope on, and
trust on: for God Is with us; and we
with God.
st. John saw still another wonder.
Four beasts Cor living creatures) We're
there, with SIX WINGS and eyes before
and behind. Whatsoever those living
creatures may mean, 1t Is more important
to know what ,thoy do. They give con-
tinual thanks, honor and glory to Him
who sits upon that throne.
| They thus confess that all power all
wisdom, all prudence, all success In
men or angels. In earth or heaven. comes
from Cod as Ills gift, of which Ho Will
require a strict account on that last
| great day.
| And who is lie who sits upon that
throne? Who but the Babe of I3ethe-
hem, the friend of publIcans and sinners
the Lord Jesus Christ
ST. John could not mistake that blessed
| face! He had walked with Him for three
years or more. had leaned on His breast
| AT supper. and seen Him die IN agony
on the cross! And now he sees Him glori-
| fled. radiant on the throne. adored ny
men and angels with q name above all
other names in heaven or earth!
! OH blest disciple, to behold that sight
,IIow 1t fingered In his heart ana mem
Dry through all those long years OF en-
lie from his master. How 1t has cheefed
and strengthened many of the saints OF
earth! How real and near 1t brings us
to heaven and Its glories to know that
He Is there. supreme, and yet our loving
Lord!
For the Son was, sent TO reveal the
Father and show us what He is not
only in heaven, but on earth, The Son
IS merelful; therefore the Father is mer-
lciful. The Son is just; therefore the