William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Revelation 5:1 - 5:1

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Revelation 5:1 - 5:1


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

In this chapter we have a continuation of the vision recorded in the former chapter; there St. John saw a throne set in heaven and a person sitting upon that throne in majesty and great glory, representing to him God the Father. Here he beholds the same glorious person sitting upon the throne with a book in his right hand, written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Observe here, 1. What St. John saw, namely, a book, by which, Mr. Mede and others understand a roll, containing God's decrees and counsels, his purposes and resolutions, concerning the future state of the church, as they were to be fulfilled according to prophecy, and brought to pass in several ages as the providence of God should order and see fit.

Observe, 2. The person in whose hand this book of the secret counsels of God was; namely, in God's own hand, and his right hand, thereby denoting his authority to impart and communicate the knowledge of this sealed book to whom he pleased, and also his power to execute his purposes and counsels when he pleased, and as he pleased. And as none but God himself can declare who God is, so none but God himself can declare what God does, and what in after ages he will do.

Observe, 3. The copious fulness of this book; it was written, within, and on the back side, inside and outside filled up so that there was no room left either for addition or alteration.

Observe, 4. It was a sealed book, yea, sealed with seven seals, denoting the matters that are therein contained to be most divine and excellent, secret and mysterious, certain and unalterable, and the knowledge of them impossible without the help and favour of special revelation.