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In Exod. 34: 10 the Lord makes a covenant that before all the people He would do
marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation. This is primarily a
covenant with reference to Israel as a stiff-necked people, but seems to cover the
judgments of the Apocalypse. It is noticeable how closely the miraculous judgments of
the Revelation resemble the plagues sent by God upon Pharaoh and Egypt. These we
shall have an opportunity of observing later.
In Rev. 15: 3 we read, "And they sing the Song of Moses . . . . . and the Song of the
Lamb, saying . . . . ." This indicates that the overcomers do not repeat Deut. 32:, but
give a summary of its principles in the words that follow. In their summary they
emphasize at the commencement the greatness and the marvelous character of the works
of God, and that His ways are just and true. They then ask the question, "Who should not
fear, and glorify Thy name, O Lord?" and give a threefold reason.
(1). Because of the Lord's holiness.
(2). Because all nations shall come and worship.
(3). Because of the manifestation of His righteous judgments.
In verse 3 of the A.V. reads, "Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints", and
gives in the margin "Or nations, or ages". The R.V., G., 50:, Tr., A. and WH. read
"nations". The Numeric N.T. used the Greek text of Westcott and Hort, but has found it
necessary to differ from them here. The two titles "King of Nations" and "King of the
Ages" occur together in a most significant passage in Jeremiah. In the tenth chapter of
Jeremiah the prophet warns Israel against idolatry. After proving the utter futility of
idolatry, the prophet says in verses 6 and 7:--
"Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and Thy name is
great in might. WHO WOULD NOT FEAR THEE, O KING OF NATIONS?"
Again the prophet interjects a word on the worthlessness of idolatry, and then in
verse 10 says:--
"But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and KING OF THE AGES. At
His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His
indignation."
Then follows a verse which is written in Chaldee, the language of Babylon:--
"The gods have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish . . . . . and
from under these heavens."
Surely here is a reference to the state of things that necessitated the aiōnian gospel of
Rev. 14:
The words "Who would not fear Thee, O King of Nations?" are echoed in
Rev. 20: 3, 4. The portion of Jeremiah addressed to Israel contains the title "King of
Nations". The title that immediately precedes the Chaldee verse is "King of the Ages".
Whichever reading we accept in Rev. 15: appears from Jer. 10: that both titles are