his mark, and of the trial being the point of the saints’ patience, a voice was heard from heaven; not the next progressive providential annouticement (for it was no part of Providence or dealings below), but the heavenly declaration of the decreed state of the saints, to whom this place was now publicly assigned in the economy of God: Death of the saints was now quite done with; and the blessedness of those of whom this was the portion was brought to light; not yet by their public manifestation on earth (at least this is not spoken of), but by the announcement from heaven to the ear of faith, that the time was come—a blessedness to which the Spirit, who had been their secret strength, in labour, and even to death, now, with the same understanding and sympathy in joy, adds its “Yea.” This introduction of the Spirit is very beautiful in this connection. When the earth was coming into blessing, they could not be left out in the testimony of Him who had suffered with them. On the introduction of grace to the earth (“the Lamb on Mount Zion”), it will be seen that all this chapter relates to the earth; but then, by the voice from heaven, the portion of the saints is thereon given. Their portion is given, too, as in the reward of glory, at least in announcement;—“Their works do
