The voice of many angels - These also are represented as joining in the chorus with redeemed mortals. Ten thousand times ten thousand - " Myriads of myriads and chiliads of chiliads;" that is, an infinite or innumerable multitude. This is in reference to Daniel 7:10 . read more
To receive power - That is, Jesus Christ is worthy to take, λαβειν , to have ascribed to him, power - omnipotence; riches - beneficence; wisdom - omniscience; strength - power in prevalent exercise; honor - the highest reputation for what he has done; glory - the praise due to such actions; and blessing - the thankful acknowledgments of the whole creation. Here are seven different species of praise; and this is exactly agreeable to the rabbinical forms, which the author of this book keeps... read more
Every creature - All parts of the creation, animate and inanimate, are represented here, by that figure of speech called prosopopaeia or personification, as giving praise to the Lord Jesus, because by him all things were created. We find the whole creation gives precisely the same praise, and in the same terms, to Jesus Christ, who is undoubtedly meant here by the Lamb just slain as they give to God who sits upon the throne. Now if Jesus Christ were not properly God this would be idolatry,... read more
Continuation of vision. In the preceding homily we noted that the apostle records five songs. We have already referred to two of them. We now have the three remaining ones before us. 1 . The third song is the new song—of redemption. Creation being effected, what is to be done with it? Of what events is earth to be the scene and the witness? and what are the developments which Providence has in store? See. In the right hand of him who sits upon the throne there is a book—a roll,... read more
The adoration of the Lamb. The theophany of Revelation 4:1-11 . is continued in this. We are permitted to see more of the high court of heaven, and to witness the purpose of its session, the centre of its adoration, and the transactions in which its members share. We have surveyed the throne and him that sat thereon, the rainbow above the throne, the crystal sea, the burning torches, the elders and the cherubim, and their worship of God. But now the vision is enlarged, and we behold the... read more
And when he had taken the book. "Had taken" ( ἔλαβε ) is here aorist, not perfect, as in Revelation 5:7 . The text should probably read, when he took the book; that is to say, the adoration offered coincides in point of time with the act of taking the book. The four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb. The four beasts as representing animated creation; the four and twenty elders as representative of the Church (see on Revelation 4:4 , Revelation 4:6 ... read more
The song of the redeemed host. The triumphant host, the redeemed possession, purchased unto God, give their glory. The whole Church in their representatives give ceaseless praise to him who in humility bare their sins in his own body on the tree. I. THE SONG OF THE CHURCH IS EVER UNTO , AND IN PRAISE OF , THE LAMB . Never can those harps be unstrung; never can the song of redemption cease to mingle with the song of the universe. Ever will he be "matter of... read more
And they sung a new song, saying . They sing; the worship is unceasing. The song is new because it is only now, subsequent to the accomplishment of Christ's work of redemption, that the song can be sung. It is not" Thou art worthy, for thou wilt redeem," but "thou didst redeem." Victorinus says, "It is the preaching of the Old Testament together with that of the New which enables the world to sing a new song." Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof. (For a... read more
The triple doxology. In these sublime chapters these doxologies stand out prominently. Note concerning them— I. WHAT IS COMMON TO THEM ALL . They are all ascribed to the Lamb. Exclusively in the first two; united with "him that sitteth on the throne," in the third; but in all the Lamb is prominent. From this we learn: 1 . We cannot render too much honour to Christ. He is seen "in the midst of the throne," and the Centre of all that heavenly circle, and the Object of... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 5:10
Kings and priests - See Exodus 19:6 ; (note); 1 Peter 2:5 ; (note), 1 Peter 2:9 ; (note), and the notes there. read more