Thou art worthy, O Lord, &c.— Some read and point the verse thus: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive the glory, and the honour, and the power: For thou hast created all things; and for thy pleasure they are, and were created. The last might be rendered, For thou hast created all things, and through thy will they were,—[that is, "were brought into existence,"] and were formed; 1:e. had their several shapes and qualities assigned to them. And thus God is declared to be the author of the existence of matter, as well as of the form, or outward appearance, of all things in the world. See Isaiah 66:2.
Inferences.—And should not we likewise fall down with the glorified spirits, and pay some homage to the Sovereign Majesty of heaven, though we may not equal theirs? For ever adored be the divine grace, that a door is opened in heaven, in consequence of which, even before we enter, we are allowed to look in; and thus to confirm our faith and to animate our devotion, which, alas! after all, is too ready to decline and languish. That it may be greatly invigorated, let us look up to the throne, and to him that sitteth thereupon; and rejoice to see that peaceful emblem with which the seat of his glory is surrounded, the rainbow of vivid and pleasant green; signifying, that the majestic Being who fills it, is the covenant-God of all his believing and obedient people.
Let us contemplate the blessed angels, the ministers of God, who do his pleasure, represented here under hieroglyphical characters, as possessed of amazing strength and courage, resolution and patience; of the sublimest reason, and the most deep and penetrating sagacity, active and pure as flames of fire; and with these lofty ideas in our minds, let us ardently pray that the will of God may be so done on earth, as it is done in heaven. Let us also remember the elders here mentioned, the representatives of the church, seated on glorious thrones, clothed in that white raiment which is the righteousness of the saints, and adorned with crowns of glory. And let us especially consider, how the angels and the saints are employed; they rest not day nor night from breathing out the most ardent devotions; they feel nothing of that weariness and languor with which we are too frequently invaded in this state of mortality; but they cry continually, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come; they give glory, and honour, and thanksgiving to him that sitteth on the throne. And infinitely worthy is he to receive it: he who is the Almighty Creator, he who is the ever-present, and ever-gracious Supporter of all! Thou art worthy, O Lord, thou alone art worthy; and though thou withholdest from us the face of thy throne, while we dwell in these tabernacles of clay, yet as we are thy creatures, thy rational creatures, we partake of thy protection and bounty; and, feeble as our faculties are, and dark as the world is in which we dwell, we are able to discover thee as our almighty Creator, our constant Preserver, our never-failing Benefactor. And, as such, may we daily worship and adore thee with our feeble voices in this state of mortality; that when we are duly prepared, we may begin a nobler song, and join in the sublimer anthems and hallelujahs above. Amen.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, St. John being prepared for further discoveries by what he had already seen, a door is opened to him in heaven; and the voice of Jesus, which he had heard before, solemn as the trumpet which was heard of old from Sinai's top, calls him to come up thither, that he might be informed of the great events of Providence relative to the church. Instantly the sacred rapture seized his spirit, and the glorious vision presents itself to his view.
1. He saw a throne of majesty and judgment, compassed with a rainbow beautiful as the emerald, an emblem of that propitiousness and kindness, and of that covenant-relation to his believing people, which the blessed God is pleased to acknowledge in the midst of his transcendent glory.
2. Upon the throne sat the eternal Jehovah, the Antient of days, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of all; shining like the jasper and sardine stone, with brightness infinitely surpassing those precious stones which glittered on the high-priest's breast-plate, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and every divine perfection.
3. Around the throne were four-and-twenty elders seated, clothed with white raiment, and on their heads they had crowns of gold; the representatives of the whole body of the faithful saints, now consummately perfected in holiness, admitted to their eternal rest, brought into God's immediate presence, enjoying that beatific vision, and crowned with glory, honour, and immortality.
4. Out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices, signifying the mighty and powerful energy of the gospel-word, which spread like lightning through the world, or of those tremendous judgments which he executes on the earth.
5. There were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God, the emblem of the variety and perfection of the gifts and graces which the Holy Ghost bestows.
6. Before the throne was a sea of glass, like unto crystal, in allusion, as is supposed, to the molten sea, where the priests washed (Exodus 30:18-21.); the figure of Christ's blood, which cleanseth from all sin.
7. In the midst of the throne, and round about it, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind; the first like a lion, the second like an ox, the third with the face of a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle; and these seem to represent the angelic hosts. See the Annotations. However, others consider them as representing all the ministers of the gospel; but the reader must be left to judge for himself.
2nd, The four living creatures, like the seraphim, (Isaiah 6:2.) had six wings, and they were full of eyes within, deep read in the knowledge of God and of themselves, and quick to penetrate, discern, and judge: and with ceaseless adorations they worship the eternal, unchangeable, holy, and triune Jehovah.
When these angelic hosts or ministers led the song of heaven, the elders who represented the church triumphant, joined in their adorations, casting their crowns before the throne, and, humbly prostrate, ascribed eternal glory, honour, and power to the ever-living Jehovah, the Creator and Ruler of all, by whose sovereign pleasure every creature exists, and is designed to shew forth his praise. Note; (1.) All things are of God, and for God: his own glory is the end of all his works, and should be the design of ours. (2.) God's saints on earth are called upon to join the services of heaven, and to unite in the same sacred ascriptions of praise to him that liveth for ever and ever. (3.) The highest are the humblest beings: they who approach nearer to the throne, are most deeply sensible, that to grace alone they owe their unutterable bliss, and therefore cast down their golden crowns before their Lord, and say, Thou, and thou alone, art worthy to receive the glory.