the Lamb on the throne, they add here, to shew their state of expectancy, “We shall reign.” That was needless to say, though true, to the saints on earth: it was pretty plain to sufferers that they were not reigning: we might have thought that these were; they are therefore shewn to us in this state of expectancy.[1]
The four beasts are ever mentioned first, as connected with Divine power, and entirely distinct from the angels. I see not exactly, how one searching Ezekiel, and their places here, can doubt their general force. They are more intimately connected with redemption, because all that displays creation and providence being connected with, and come under, the power of evil subjectively, they are especially interested in it. The angels merely celebrate the person of Him that was slain, and his excellent dignity; and, after them, all the actual creation, of which as creatures they are head, they, having owned the Lamb as worthy, celebrate Him that sitteth on the throne and the Lamb together; and the four beasts, who sum all its moral import, say Amen. And the elders, the intelligent redeemed, fall down and worship him that liveth for ever and
- ↑ This sets the saints in heaven but awaiting their inheritance of the earth, the place, in principle, of Christ now.
