(1) And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Let the Reader attend to the various particulars under these different periods of events, classed under the term of seals; everyone of which becomes interesting. It appears very plain, that the vision of seals, of trumpets, and of vials, hath each its distinct object in prophecy. The two preceding Chapter s having introduced to the Church the divine authority of the whole in God and the Lamb; and Christ having come forward to open the book, and loose the seals thereof, now enters upon the glorious service. And here begins with the prophecy of the seals.
For the better apprehension of the subject it may be proper previously to consider, what we may suppose is meant, according to scripture language, of the term seal. Two or three striking significations seem to be folded up in the name. First. It certainly implies somewhat that is secret; and such, no doubt, are all the ways and works of God, in relation to his creatures. All the mysteries of our holy faith necessarily are secret, and, in some points, must ever: lastingly be so. And the opposition made to the Son of God, in the struggles of the kingdom of darkness, yea, the state of Christ's Church, in the Adam-nature of the fall, and the natural hatred, even of his own people, until recovered by grace, these are secrets indeed, which the Lord Only can explain, and therefore none but Christ could be found worthy to open and unfold them to his people.
Secondly. There is somewhat wonderfully striking in those seals, considered with an eye to the Lord's people, as distinguished from the World. To gather into one point of view all that is said of seals, and sealing, as relating to the Church of God, would make a large volume. The sacred purposes and decrees of God the Father, are frequently expressed by this term. His treasures are said to be sealed, Deuteronomy 32:34. His stars are sealed, Job 9:7. And Job observed, that his transgressions were sealed up in a bag; meaning, well-known, Job 14:17. In relation to Christ, circumcision is said to be a seal of the righteousness of faith, Romans 4:11, and regeneration is the seal of the Holy Ghost, 2 Corinthians 5:5. And the Lord's knowledge of his people is said to be as a seal, because the foundation of God standeth sure, 2 Timothy 2:19
Thirdly. By seals, and opening them, implies so many pledges, that the things spoken of shall be assuredly accomplished. And we, in the present hour, have this additional testimony, that in the fulfillment of one, all the rest are pledged to be confirmed. Time only can bring to pass, according to the decree, what is said. Nevertheless, in the accomplishment of all that is past, we may safely calculate for all that is to come. The same Lord speaks now, that spoke to the Prophet of old: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased, Daniel 12:4
So much in a general way concerning the seals. Let us now attend to the effect, which attended the opening of them. John saith, that when the Lamb opened one of them, namely, the first, he heard as it were the noise of thunder; one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. Now here is an invitation, and that most persuasively introduced, to attend to the wonderful events contained in the opening of the seals. And what is the Church called upon for to see? Evidently, Christ himself, going forth, by the various Methods of his grace, to gather his Church out of the heathen world. Hence, he is represented as on a white horse, to intimate the spotless purity of himself and his Gospel; and the bow showed the weapons of his warfare, sure and certain in his victory, conquering and to conquer. There is nothing doubtful in this war. As for those that would not that I should reign over them; bring them hither, and slay them before me, Luke 19:27
But, what I would particularly desire the Reader to attend to in this account is, the time, in which this prophecy opened, and the state of the world at its opening. Let the Reader recollect what hath before been remarked in the general observations, at the opening of this book of the Revelation, that the Roman Empire was at this time Mistress of the World; and that that Empire was heathen. The Jews were now dispersed. Christ, therefore, goeth forth, in the purity of his Gospel, to gather together in one, the children of God which are scattered abroad, John 11:52. A white horse, was a beautiful representation both of the purity of his Person, and of his doctrine. And the crown, as striking an insignalia of his sure victory. So spake the royal Prophet; Psalms 45:4-6. And the Holy Ghost again confirmed it, in reference to Christ: Hebrews 1:8. And the succeeding ages of the Church had the felicity to see the accomplishment of this part of the prophecy. For the Empire which, at Christ's ascension, was heathen, in a period of about three hundred years, became Christian; that is, professed Christianity; and this in the person of Constantine the Emperor, who first openly avowed it. So that by this time, the Gospel had run down all the idols of Rome.
I would pause, just to remark the slender means the Lord was pleased to adopt, for this purpose. In the few poor fishermen of Galilee, and their companions, the first preachers of the Gospel, we find the only instruments made use of, against all the philosophy of this known world; as if the Church should always have in view the Lord himself, on his white horse, and crown. For when is beheld such a disproportion between the instruments and the work accomplished, it is impossible but to recognize the divine hand. Here, most eminently, God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty, 1 Corinthians 1:27. And, let not the Reader forget, while contemplating the subject as it then was accomplished, how sure a pledge it gave, that in like manner, all opposition should give way throughout the world in every age of the Church before the Gospel, in the sure accomplishment of all the remaining prophecies. Christ still appears to the eye of faith, on the white horse, with his crown, conquering and to conquer, until the seventh trumpet be sounded, and that glorious event follow, when the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shalt reign forever and ever. Revelation 11:15.