If such be the principal aim of the seer, we ought not to look for secular history in the book. The kingdoms and nations of the world are not described in it. The genius of Christ's kingdom differs from that of earthly ones. It advances inde pendently of, and frequently in opposition to them. The Apocalypse does not contain a syllabus of the world's history, or even of the Roman empire. Neither does it present a history of the church. It relates to a great event which the author thought should soon happen. His horizon was limited and dim. His glances at the immediate past are brief. He does not dwell upon the present, but alludes mainly to the near future, in which a mighty phe nomenon filled the sphere of his vision--the coming of the Lord Jesus. Catastrophes and judgments usher in the mysterious drama—the inauguration of the Redeemer's triumph.
These remarks are fully sustained by the pro logue and epilogue. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, for the time is at hand.' The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.' He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' V. In relation to its general structure, the work is disposed in a symmetrical but artificial plan, a knowledge of which is the safest guide towards right apprehension of the vision-drapery. Sean is the leading number throughout. There arc seven spirits before the Father's throne, seven epistles to seven churches, seven stars, seven candle sticks, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials, seven heads on the beast, seven thunders, seven eyes, seven horns, seven angels. Subdivisions of this principal number are three and four. The phases of the future are three : seals, trumpets, and vials. The first four scenes in each of these are closely connected, being separated from the following by a concluding figure. The seventh trumpet brings the description of three enemies— the dragon, the beast with seven heads and ten horns, and the other beast. The number seven is also subdivided into 34, or a time, times, and half a time (xii. 14). Thus some numbers play an important part in the arrangement, and deter mine the general method. The interpreter must carefully distinguish between such as are normal and those that are subordinate. Stuart has made too much of this principle of numerosily, as he terms it, without discriminating the numbers properly.
Instead of making Three the most conspicuous in the author's plan, he should have made it seven. Three and four are less prominent, being parts of seven. As to ten and twelve they do not belong to the general disposition. Ziillig is right in assigning the cardinal number ; and his accuser (Stuart) is wrong.
VI. We have now to speak of the contents.
The Apocalyptic picture consists of a series of visions very like those of Daniel. The descriptions, colours, symbols, figures, are taken from the O. T. prophets, especially Zechariah, the author of Daniel's book, and Ezekiel. The second Esdras, and perhaps the book of Enoch, supplied various ideas. John lived and breathed in the O. T. pro phecies of a Messianic future. His originality lies in the combination of scattered ideas, and in the artificial construction of the book where there is still a patent unity. He revises the existing Apocalyptic elements, expands the great Hebrew theocratic conception, adapting it to the progress of events ; and forms all his materials, borrowed or otherwise, into a majestic whole, vitalised with the fiery breath of his genius.
The future is represented as written in a book with seven seals which Christ alone could open ; 141d the seer is permitted to have a view of its con tents. As the seals are successively broken, cal amities befal the righteous, putting their fidelity to the test. After the sixth, the believing people are sealed themselves with the name of God, for se curity against subsequent danger. At the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels with trumpets appear, announcing one after another various punishments on the evil world. On the sounding of the sixth trumpet, the people of God, or the elect, are concealed in the sanctuary at Jerusalem, and Israel is purified. The seventh trumpet is followed by a description of the hellish powers that oppose Messiah, with the announcement of their destruction. This is succeeded by the final cata strophe, or the outpouring of the vials of divine wrath, and the decisive battle. Rome falls by the returning antichristian emperor, who in his turn falls before Messiah ; the devil is chained for a thousand years, at the end of which he is let lOose and besieges the holy city, but is cast into a lake of fire and brimstone. Then come the resurrection, the general judgment, and eternal blessedness in the new Jerusalem.