A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Ver. 10. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him.] The last and great judgment must needs be very dreadful, where, beside that wicked men shall give account with all the world flaming about their ears, the law they shall be judged by is a fiery law, Deu 33:2 the tribunal of fire, Eze 1:27 the judge a consuming fire; Heb 12:29 his attendants flaming seraphims; his pleading with sinners shall be in flames of fire; 2Th 1:8 the trial of their works shall be by fire; 1Co 3:13 the place of punishment a lake of fire, fed with tormenting temper, and kindled by the breath of the Lord. Isa 30:33 Well may the "sinners in Zion be afraid, and fearfulness surprise hypocrites"; well may they run away, if they can at least tell whither, with these words in their mouths, "Who among us shall dwell with this devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" Isa 33:14
Thousand thousands ministered unto him.] There is an innumerable company of angels, Heb 12:22 and when Christ cometh to judge the world, he shall bring them all with him, not one being left behind him in heaven, Mat 16:27 that he may have their assistance in the sentence and execution of judgment. 1Co 6:2-3
The judgment was set, a and the books were opened.] Terms taken from judgments among men, wherein indictments are read, proofs are produced, laws also are considered. The books that shall here be opened are God's records and conscience's register. Quae scripta sunt non atramento sed flagitiorum inquinamento, saith Ambrose, which are written, not with ink, but with sin's filth.
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words.] As Antichrist shall be judged for his blasphemies, so shall all ungodly men for their hard speeches, Jdg 1:15 yea, for their waste words. Mat 12:36
a Sedendo et quiescendo anima fit prudens. - Aristot. Physic., lib. vi.