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Expanded Comments | Additional Comments |
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| 1 And I saw another sign in the heaven, great and wonderful: seven angels having seven plagues, the last; for in them the fury of God is completed. |
And I saw – This chapter is part of the message of the "seventh trump," during which the first resurrection and change of the living saints occurs. R194:4
Seven angels – The living saints, they being the representatives or active agents of the entire anointed company. R498This comment from Pastor Russell should have been included in the Expanded Bible Comments and is therefore added here. – site Editor
Seven last plagues – Not a particular disease, as the black plague or cholera; but trouble--death, famine, revolution, distress, overthrow. These distresses will be both physical and mental. R5697:6
The pain from these will consist largely of mental chagrin, the disappointment of sectarian hopes and plans, and the wounding of sectarian pride. R1573:4
They all belong under the latter half of the seventh trumpet, the "time of trouble," and are therefore future. HG83:2
Necessary, not only for Babylon's destruction, but also for the purification and separation of the hitherto unripe wheat remaining in her. C196[C195:2]
The closing act in the drama of this age. R497:1
The vials are followed by the symbolic pictures of the new age--new heaven and earth, binding of Satan, and reign of Christ. R497:1
The plagues upon Egypt were intended in some measure to foreshadow the plagues with which this Gospel age will end--the first three and "the seven last plagues." F175
The land of Goshen was spared from the last seven plagues on Egypt. R2911:3
As Pharaoh and his people received a retributive punishment for every evil they had inflicted upon the Israelites, so the great troubles which will come upon "the powers that be" at the present time will, in some degree, be a retributive requirement. R2911:4
Pharaoh would not listen until Egypt was smitten with the tenth plague. Then he urged them to go. When the last plague has been poured out, as a vial of divine wrath, "the powers that be" will realize that it is useless to fight against God. R2911:4
Implies that others preceded them, as in the type. R155:4*
In them – Not in one of them, but in the seven. HG83:2
Is filled up – Completed. R140:6
The wrath of God – It is Egypt, the chaff of the Jewish nation, the tares of the Gospel Church, Babylon, that each, in turn, receive the uttermost wrath, or wrath without mixture. R151:2*
The wrath of the Lamb and the gospel of grace cannot be mixed; hence, until the day of salvation under the gospel shall end, the day of wrath cannot begin. HG83:2
Therefore the seven last plagues cannot be poured out after "the day of wrath" is ended. R116:2*
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I – The John class, the church in the flesh during the time of our Lord's second advent.
Saw – The true church "saw" because they followed the Lord's instruction to look, to watch for the signs of His presence (Mark 13:35-37,) others do not see.
Sign in heaven – Something recognizable, an evidence of the Lord's work, the furtherance of His plan.
In heaven – In the nominal heavens, in Christendom.
Great and marvelous – Note that this is also the first phrase in the Song of Moses and the Lamb. It should be the first line of our song for the Plan of God is indeed something wonderful to behold.
Seven angels – The true church complete in number. This is from 1881 forward. These seven angels are represented in Eze. 9 as the six men plus the man clothed in linen with the writer's inkhorn.
The true church represented by those living this side the veil. R497
Last plagues – This is indeed "Great and Marvelous!" That these are the LAST, God's wrath, indignation and anger are completed in these. After they have finished their work none shall ever see their like again.
In them is filled up the wrath of God – This is why they are the LAST! God's wrath comes because of the ill treatment of His saints throughout the Gospel Age. Note the language of the saints as they wait for God to bring His vengeance. – Rev. 6:10. |
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| 2 And I saw as a glass sea, mingled with fire, and those that had gained the victory over the beast, and over its image, and over the number of its name, standing upon the glass sea, having harps of God. |
As it were – The real "sea of glass like unto crystal" is before the throne (Rev. 4:6) and is not mingled with fire. R156:4*, 170:2*
The people protected in Goshen [the great multitude] were, "as it were," saved, but not actually saved from Egypt until after the plagues, when the Lord brought them out that they might serve him. R156:4*, 81:6*
It cannot be the Great Company because this group has gotten the victory over the Beast and his Image. R130:2
A sea – The unfettered, irreligious masses of the people. R529:5*, 497:2, 130:3
Of glass – Washed or separated state. R156:2*, 151:5*
From our standpoint it is transparent. We are enabled to see clearly the forces that control the masses, what they are about to do, and why they do it. R529:5*, 130:3
Mingled with fire – Judgments, or trouble. R497:3, 130:3
We can see that the fire is "already kindled," ready to break out, a wild, unquenchable whirlwind of flame, when the due time comes. The whole matter is clear as crystal. R529:5*
The whole symbol means, the people in trouble, under the judgments of God. R497:3, 168:4*
We believe that this fire (trouble) has been mingling or coming among the people since 1873. R130:3
And them – The very elect, the saintly few, the Little Flock. R5231:5, 140:6; HG82:1
Gotten the victory – None will "stand" except the elect. All others are to fall more or less, though some will subsequently be rescued from the catastrophe; "saved so as by fire." (1 Cor. 3:15) R3941:6; HG403:2; SM568:T
One third, or possibly one half, of an estimated 21,500 of the Lord's people still in Babylon may yet prove themselves "overcomers." [1902] R2942:6[R2942:14]
Free from Papacy and from organized sectarian Protestantism to the extent that these have no influence over their actions, professions or thoughts. R497:2, 130:3
Over the beast – Papacy. R497:2; Dvii
Over his image – The Image was formed by the organization of the "Evangelical Alliance" in 1846. Thus the overcomers of this "Image" could not occupy this position of favor prior to that date. R497:2
The "Image of the Beast" is yet to hold a very prominent place in the coming "time of trouble." HG94:4
Over his mark – Omit. R130:2
Over the number of his name – Over all who bear the characteristics of Papacy and Protestantism's number--that is, free to the extent that these have no influence over their actions, professions or thoughts. R497:2
Stand on – Before the seven last plagues are fulfilled. HG82:1
Above the troubled people are the overcomers--calm, serene, untroubled. R497:3
After the saints are delivered. HG94:2
Sea of glass – Their standing is by faith. To the eye of faith all is transparent as glass. R497:3
Company of changed saints--before the throne, not on the throne. R168:4*
Harps of God – The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. F233; R1524:6; NS634:5
The Bible. Its many strings or chords are the Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, etc. R497:5
The Word of God. R172:4
Many Christians have the harp, but few have it so strung and tuned that they can bring forth harmony enough to accompany the "song of Moses and the Lamb." R497:5
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Sea – Irreligious masses of mankind. R498
Of glass – To those saints standing on this sea of glass, the whole matter is clear, as if looking through glass window. It is like being in a glass-bottom boat. (Think aquarium except that instead of looking in from the side, we see, with clarity, looking down from the top.)
Please see R529 for a good brief explanation of the sea of glass.
Mingled with fire – The troubled irreligious masses have the spirit of anarchy and destruction interspersed in their midst.
Them that had gotten the victory – This victory must be obtained on this side of the veil. It is not a victory over everything, only those things mentioned here.
The beast – The Papacy.
Over his image – Organized Protestantism, beginning in 1846 with the Evangelical Alliance.
Over his mark – The mark or identification with those systems. See Rev. 13:15-18.
Some sources indicate "over his mark" as being spurious.
The number of his name – The number of the beast, 666, i.e., over the trinitarian doctrine. Rev. 13:18 – additional comments.
Stand on the sea of glass – Here is an interesting picture indeed. Here we see the Lord's people once again walking on water (Matt. 14:25, 28-31).
Their position (standing) indicates these are overcomers.
The harps of God – These have the Word of God and know how to use it to make sweet melody. (Isa. 52:8) See R497
Just exactly who are these overcomers who not only have their harps but also are using them to sing this song? They are the "little flock," the 144,000! This is evident by looking at the previous chapter vss. 1-3. |
| 3 And they sing the song of Moses bondman of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and wonderful are thy works, Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, O King of nations. |
And they – The overcomers. R3078:3
The immortalized Bride. HG16:5
Only those who have learned to play upon the harp of God, who have all its strings attuned to perfect harmony. R5441:6, 926:4
Here is a company gathered out who foretell what the nations are going to do. HG83:3
It is the feet, or last part, who sing the restitution song of Moses and the Lamb. (Isa. 52:7) R498:1, 288:1
Who see God's plan. R541:5*
Sing – Intelligently. R3177:5
Let us sing with the spirit and understanding this wondrous, glad new song. R5441:6
The overcomers not only have the harp and know how to sing this song of restitution, but they do sing it. R497:6
A song symbolizes a beautiful and harmonious expression. R497:3
The song of restitution. R130:3, 172:4
This is the song which none but the overcomers can sing at the present time, but by and by, when the glory of the Lord shall have filled the Temple, all peoples shall learn that song. R3283:4
The angelic sons of God "shouted for joy" (Job 38:7) in the dawn of earth's creative week. F51
With the rosy view of the future which the Bible so surely gives, darkness and clouds, sorrows and tears for the immediate present cannot daunt us. R5799:5
How shall the captive daughters of Zion sing the Lord's song in a strange land? (Psa. 137:1-6) R497:6
The song is sung before the pouring out of the vials. (See verse 6) R140:6
The scene is after the dead in Christ are raised and the living changed; and though all can sing the same song, they could remain invisible, and yet we might be visible. R170:3*
Song of Moses – The message of blessing typified by the writings of Moses and by all the ceremonies of the Law. R2569:6
Because Moses was the type of Christ and in all the sacrifices of the Law he typified or foreshadowed the sacrifice of Christ. NS634:5
Clearly taught in the Law of Moses, which was "a shadow of the good things to come." (Heb. 10:1) C237
Moses composed a hymn of praise in which the people joined, while Moses' sister Miriam and the singing women prepared a response to various parts of the hymn of praise. (Ex. 15:1-20) R3998:6
This song of deliverance will be sung by mankind in general during the Millennial age, but we sing it now, because we have gotten the victory over the world (Egypt). R140:6
The song of Moses (Deut. 32) was evidently not merely for Israel, but prophetical. R3078:2
If it was appropriate that the Israelites give glory to God for their deliverance from Egypt, it is much more appropriate that spiritual Israel recognize the still greater deliverance from the power of Satan and the thraldom of sin. R3998:6
This song can now be sung by us who can exercise faith in the Lord, but it is not its complete fulfillment: that will be attained when all the people of God shall have been found--at the end of the Millennial age. R3999:1
Song of the Lamb – In the clearer Revelations contained in the writings of the New Testament. C237
The good tidings announced in connection with our Lord's birth, and throughout his own ministry; and the testimony of all the apostles respecting the Lamb of God and the great work to be accomplished by him. R2569:6
The song of Moses and the Lamb--the preaching of these overcomers is in perfect accord with the Law and the Gospel. R497:3
Saying – Very few can sing this first note of the song, and fewer yet can sing it to its close. R497:3
Great and marvellous – Though we lament the evils which incur the retribution, yet we realize its necessity and justice, and have learned also the ends of mercy to be attained eventually by this very means. D526
Thy works – Plans. R926:4
Man's condemnation, redemption and restitution. R2713:1
Just – Truly, God's ways are equal--for the spiritual and for the human natures. OV130:1
We see the justice to the permission of the anarchy, and read therein the divine law of retribution. D526
We can sing of the righteousness and justice of God's dealings with the nations, since we have come to see how he permitted evil and death. R497:3
The righteousness and justice, and love of God's dealing, can only be seen by looking at the work of the next, as well as that of present and past ages. R497:4
The more advanced our conceptions of righteousness, truth, holiness, purity, the more we are enabled to appreciate the divine view of sin. R3729:4
As Aaron and his two remaining sons were forbidden to make lamentation for their brethren, so all faithful priests will recognize the justice of divine decisions, and will bow to them in humble submission. T40
God's throne is based or established upon justice. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne." (Psa. 89:14) T124
"As for God, his way is perfect"; it is just and merciful and benevolent and wise and practicable, and sure of a glorious termination. (Psa. 18:30, 31) R3337:5
It is noteworthy that the Levites who sang at the dedication of the Temple did not sing of divine wrath never ending, but of divine mercy forever. (Psa. 136) R3283:4
And true – The righteousness of God, appealing to our faith as reasonable, and furnishing us a firm foundation for faith and trust in all his future dealings--those revealed to faith and those unseen as yet. R926:4
Are thy ways – Including the slaughter of the Amorites, Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, etc. R130:5
Thou King – "King of nations"--what the pope would be if he could be. R1002:3
Of saints – Of nations. (Margin) D526; R2603:6, 1002:3, 130:2
Of nations. (Diaglott) R497:3
[The Greek word] ethnon means nations; not saints, as in the Authorized Version. R76:3*
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They – Those standing on the sea of glass, i.e., the saints.
Sing – The same song that they are described as singing in Rev. 14:2,3.
The song of Moses – Basically this has reference to the law. Paul said (Rom. 8:4) that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled by the saints.
At a deeper level this has reference to the actual "Song of Moses" as recorded in Deut. 32:1-43.
And the Song of the Lamb –
It is of vital importance that we learn that we are to sing the Song of Moses (see above) AND the Song of the Lamb. If we have no acknowledgment of the Law or of some of the deeper portions of the Song of Moses (Deut. 32) then we are not of those who fit this picture as singing this song. If we do not additionally sing the Song of the Lamb (Christ) then we still are not part of this picture. We must sing both parts!
Saying – Each line of the song is important for the saints at the end of the age to understand. Also, each line appears to be a quotation of one or more old testament prophecies.
Great and Marvelous are thy works – "Psa. 139:14".
This is also a reminder that these appreciate that the pouring out the seven last plagues, is indeed, as stated in the first verse, "great and marvelous."
Lord God Almighty – Amos 4:13 and many others.
Just and true are thy ways – "Deut. 32:4".
Thou King of Saints – Please see next verse as this quote continues there. |
| 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and do homage before thee; for thy righteousnesses have been made manifest. |
Who shall not fear – Venerate thee. R2603:6
When, in the coming age, his wonderful goodness is manifested. R497:4
Truly ours is a great God, worthy of worship, obedience and love. Only the foolish can say in their hearts, "There is no God." (Psa. 53:1) PD96/110
We would be inclined to believe that every one should praise his love everlastingly, were it not that the Scripture clearly discloses a second death and tells of some who will be accounted worthy of it. R497:4
And glorify – In his wonderful program for dealing with sinners, angelic and human, God chose the very best way, the one most profitable to angels and to men, the one which most redounds to his own ultimate glory and honor. R5430:5
Art holy – Thou art entirely holy. R2603:6
Since thou alone art bountiful. R497:4; 76:3*; F52
All nations – Not representatives of all nations living before the Millennium, but every nation for whom Christ died is to have a share in the blessing accruing through the great Redeemer's sacrifice. NS352:6
Even Sodom, a nation long since destroyed, shall come and worship. (Ezek. 16:48-63) R497:5, 331:5, 130:6
No wonder there should be jubilation in heaven and in earth when all of Jehovah's intelligent creatures behold, not only God's love, but also his justice, wisdom and power. F51
The word all in the English language and its equivalent pas in the Greek may be used either to refer to all mankind, or all of a certain specified class. R838:2
And worship – When the Kingdom is the Lord's and he is the governor among the nations. R492:6
For – When. NS634:4; OV130:1, 170:1
"When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." (Isa. 26:9) SM701:1
Thy judgments – Greek, dikaioma, meaning righteousness. It is so rendered in most cases in the New Testament. The Hebrew mish-paht has precisely the same meaning and is used in Psa. 112:5--"He will guide his affairs with discretion." (Margin, judgment.) HG16:6
The Greek word rendered judgments is not krisis nor krima, which are rightly rendered judgment; but dikaiomata, properly rendered righteous acts. R76:3*
Thy dealings. NS523:3
Righteous dealings. R3283:4, 5799:5, 2603:6, 497:5, 130:2, 76:3*; F52
The righteous dealings of God will bring a sure penalty to every one in proportion to the degree of knowledge and willfulness, but it will bring a just, and not an unjust penalty, and it will be remedial. OV170:1
We have found a "hell," sheol [Hebrew] and hades [Greek], to which all our race were condemned on account of Adam's sin. We find another "hell," Gehenna [Greek], as the final penalty upon all who, after being redeemed, yet choose death. R2603:6
The only exception to the final salvation of all is in the case of those who sin willfully after they have come to the knowledge of the truth. R99:2*
Are made manifest – In due time all will be able to see that God's dealings with humanity have been righteous dealings. NS579:5
The whole world shall come to recognize his justice and his righteous dealings in every particular. NS523:2
As yet the ways of the Lord are in darkness, except to the few enlightened by the Scriptures, but by and by his righteous dealings will be manifested to all. NS452:5, 588:1, 635:1; OV230:4
We can make it manifest to all who are not so blinded by traditions of men that the Word of God is made to them of none effect. R131:1
His righteous acts are made manifest, for the great mass of the Gospel Church were taught that the majority of nations were "turned into hell." R76:6*
Together with the judgments, the everlasting gospel will be preached. R60:5*
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Who shall not fear thee – Jer. 10:6-7
O Lord, and glorify thy name – Mal. 1:11 (Psa. 86:9)
For thou only art holy – Psa. 145:17
All nations shall come and worship before thee – Psa. 86:9
For thy judgments are made manifest – This last line of the song has a special emphasis. It is the only line that is not a quotation from the old testament.
God's judgments (at the time of this prophecy's fulfillment) are in progress. Isa. 26:9. God's judgments are manifested in the pouring out of the seven last plagues. It is the living saints who see and proclaim this message. Not only do they proclaim the message indicating the trouble but also (and especially) the purpose of the trouble. See Isa. 35:4-5.
"We are now living in the time when the "mystery" is ending and the righteous dealings of God, from the Scriptural standpoint, may be clearly seen." HGL486:4[HGL486:4] |
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| 5 And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of witness in the heaven was opened; |
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After that – This does not mean the next step chronologically, i.e., that this should follow the singing of the song of Moses and the Lamb. Rather the thought is that after having finished viewing the scene of the saints singing this song while on the sea of glass, John then sees another vision.
I – The John class, the living saints during the time of our Lord's second presence.
Looked, and behold – Most translations simply say "I looked and saw." The church class remembers the Lord's instruction to "watch" and in watching they see Mark 13:32-37. This is important. The Little Flock sees this because they follow the Lord's instruction to "watch." Others will not perceive what is described here.
The temple – The nominal church, which at this time still contained the true church. – Matt. 13:30.
Of the tabernacle of the testimony – This is like saying "The temporary dwelling (tabernacle) of the Little Flock (the testimony or the ark of the covenant)." T121:1
In heaven – The power of spiritual control.
Was opened – To allow the saints to have a way of escape from the clutches of Babylon. This refers to 1878 and the call to "come out of her my people." That was also the year when Pastor Russell called the church leaders in Pittsburgh and Allegheny together and presented to them the Truth. They rejected it. Nevertheless, the message of Truth was given to the nominal temple.
Compare this verse with Rev. 11:19. |
| 6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in pure bright linen, and girded about the breasts with golden girdles. |
Seven angels – Since it is the saints who are "to execute the judgments written" (Psa. 149:9) we interpret these seven angels to mean the living saints; active agents of the entire anointed company. R498:1[R498]
Came out – Symbolizing the coming of the overcomers out of the nominal church. R498:1
The temple – The Temple is the Church: "know ye not that ye are the temple of God." ( 1 Cor. 3:16) HG83:3
The nominal church. R498:1[R498], 511:1[R511]
White linen – These have kept their wedding garments. They are robed in the righteousness of Christ--"justified by his blood." R498:1
The righteous acts by the saints. R76:5*
Golden – Representing divinity. R498:1[R498]
Girdles – They are the servants of God, the girdles representing a servant. R498:1
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The seven angels – The church in the flesh at the end of the Age. See R497
Came out of the temple – This would seem to be the nominal temple. If it were applied to the true temple it would seem to be in violation of the promise given to the overcomers in Rev. 3:12. R498
Having the seven last plagues – When these saints leave the nominal system, they have the plagues. The seven last plagues are the truths that make up the Harvest Message. This is a great joy and source of strength to the Lord's true people, but to those who do not receive it, but fight against present truth, this message is a great plague indeed.
Clothed in pure and white linen – Justified believers and members of the Royal Priesthood. It was the Priests who wore linen.
Having their breasts girded – This shows an elevated (i.e., glorified) condition. In order to properly understand this remark we need to remember that God is counting the beginning as the fulfillment. In this case, the entire church (pictured by the 7 angels) would be pictured in 1881 when the number was first completed. Compare with Rev. 1:13.
Golden girdles – Gold = Things Divine. Girdle = servitude. These are divine servants, i.e., the saints. |
| 7 And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls, full of the fury of God, who lives to the ages of ages. |
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One of the four beasts – Justice. The plagues are the expression of God's wrath which comes as a just reward on those who have consistently worked against Him and His people.
The seven angels – The church in the flesh at the end of the Age.
Seven golden vials – The complete truth as presented in the Volumes and Towers.
Full of the wrath of God – By means of these plagues, God will balance the scales of justice against the symbolic earth.
Who lives for ever and ever – Unlike Christendom which is destroyed by means of these plagues. |
| 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power: and no one could enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. |
Was filled – When the last of the "living stones" shall have been made ready in the first resurrection, the Temple shall be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and man throughout the Millennium. R5822:2, 1750:1
The living stones must all be ready before the Temple is completed, and it must be completed before "the glory of the Lord" fills it. (2 Chron. 5:1-13) R172:2
The Temple is filled with glory just before the pouring out of the seven plagues, and that is when the Church is called the Bride--when glorified. (Rev. 21:9-11) R169:5*
With smoke – When all the overcomers have come out, the Temple (nominal church) will be so full of smoke (confusion and darkness) that no man would care to go into it. R498:1
All who remain in it become so blinded by it, that they cannot see the glory of God either as displayed in his Word or its fulfillment in passing events. R498:2
At the voice of the cherubim the door posts of the Temple move, and the house is filled with smoke. (Isa. 6:4; Ezek. 10:4) R530:5*
From the glory – That is, the glorious harmony and beauty of truth as presented by the overcoming class, shows the deformity and confusion of man-made creeds. R498:1
No man was able – "And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place." (Lev. 16:17) R159:5*
The temple – Symbolizes the nominal church. R498:1, 511:1
Till the seven plagues – Certainly implies that when the Day of Wrath is passed, the door will be again opened, so that men can enter. This teaches probation after resurrection. HG83:5
The Little Flock are evidently changed before the plagues are poured out as they have some work to do in connection with their execution. R275:6
The world will know the commotion of the apokalupsis of the King in the pouring out of the plagues--when the judgments of the Lord shall be abroad in the earth. R2957:1
The nominal church will be in this confusion until the seven plagues are poured out. During that time the Babylon, or confusion element, will be destroyed, and the cleansed Temple of truth be again opened to receive justified believers. R498:2
During the first three plagues, Satan will manifest great power. But when the Church is glorified, just before the seven plagues, Satan can no longer stand. By the time they are all poured out he will be completely bound. R171:4*
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The temple – The nominal church.
Filled with smoke – Confusion.
From the glory of God – From the Truth. The Truth reveals the glorious character of our God. This truth causes the "Babylonians" to try (in vain) to counter it. In so doing they often come up with the most pitiful arguments. As their confusion becomes magnified, the symbolic temple becomes filled with smoke.
No man was able to enter the temple – The nominal temple (which in times past contained the true temple, the true saints of God) is where men came to be with God. The temple is supposed to be the meeting place between God and men. At this time God has withdrawn His spirit from the (nominal) temple and therefore "no man" is "able to enter the temple."
Till the seven plagues .. were fulfilled – Note that man is not to be forever barred from entering the temple. It is only during the time when the seven plagues are active.
What this verse is saying is that from the time when the plagues begin to be poured out until they are complete, men cannot come to God by means of the nominal temple. His spirit has been withdrawn from there and will remain withdrawn until after the plagues have done their work. Then the temple (at that time having been cleansed of all error and defilements) will once again be the meeting place between God and man. Then man will again be able to enter the temple.
The seven plagues of the seven angels – This is a most marvelous declaration when rightly understood. The seven plagues are not really intended to do evil but good. They are the message of Present Truth. What makes them a blessing or a curse is the manner in which they are received. To the saints they are a most wonderful blessing indeed. To those who are defending rejected and cast-off Babylon they are plagues indeed. One of the most interesting parts of this phrase is the fact that these plagues are here described not as being the plagues of God but of the seven angels. The symbolism here seems to say that the Truth (represented by the plagues) now belongs to the seven angels (the Lord's people). In other words, these have made the Truth their own so that it now truly belongs to them. It is their (our) possession! – A gift to us from the Lord. |