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It will be seen that 5: 14, 7: 12, and 19: 4 suggest an expansion of the first
passage (1: 6), and a careful study of these verses will throw further light upon the One
who is the Prince of the kings of the earth, the throne upon which He sits, and the
circumstances under which He reigns.
We with the inspired book add our hearty Amen. To His glory we too say, Amen, to
His coming again, Amen, and looking forward to the wonderful and manifold promises
of God we say with the Apostle, "In Him is the Yea and in Him the Amen, unto the
glory of God" (II Cor. 1: 20).
#11.
Rev. 1: 7.
pp. 129 - 133
We have reached the first Amen of this book, and find that the section bounded by the
word deals with the revelation of the Lord Jesus and the manner of its delivery to John
(by an angel), the ones to whom John is to send the written record of the visions, and the
great theme, the fulfilment of God's promises to Abraham and David in the future
regeneration and blessing of Israel as a kingdom of priests. Verse 7 which follows is in
turn bounded by another Amen. This is the briefest section of the book, yet how
important it is may be gathered not only from its contents, but by its unique position. The
words of verse 7 are introduced by "Behold," a word that occurs some thirty times
through the book. The last occurrence (22: 12) deals with the same great topic--the
coming of the Lord. "Behold, He cometh with the clouds."
So often are clouds spoken of in connection with the coming of the Lord that we can
readily believe that when the Apostle says, "Behold, look, He cometh with THE clouds,"
he would have us understand that he means that here is the fulfilment of the many
passages which declares them to be the accompaniment of the returning Lord. The great
passage referred to here is Dan. 7: 13, 14. It occurs after the "little horn" had spoken
"great things," and the body of the beast was "given to the burning flame"
(cf. Dan. 7: 8-11, 21-25, with Rev. 13: and 19:).
"I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds
of heaven . . . . . His (dominion) shall not pass away and His kingdom shall not be
destroyed" (Rev. 7: 13, 14).
The parallel between this chapter and the book of Revelation is very marked and must
be kept much in mind. Matt. 24: 30 speaks of the clouds in the same connection, "and
they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great
glory." Matt. 26: 64 deals with the same theme. "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of
man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." This
thought is evidently of great importance, for it finds a place also in Mark and Luke.
Acts 1: 9 speaks of the ascension of the Lord from the mount of Olives, "and a cloud
received him out of their sight." Verse 11 declares, "He shall so come in like manner as