“What We Can Know”
Monday - December 28, 2020
There
is much about the interpretation of this chapter concerning which godly men
disagree and which can cause division of viewpoints – but rather than take a
side in the various debates, I wish to point out the main import of these
words. Namely, that when the gospel is proclaimed (as it has been very largely
in Revelation up until now, and especially in chapters 4 and 5) and yet is
rejected, the effect of that rejection upon people is terrible. There is a
silence in heaven for about half an hour – a pregnant silence, a silence of
momentary peace, the lull that comes before the storm. And then the angels,
acting as God’s emissaries and portrayers of his providence, sound
trumpets that unleash very terrible effects upon the earth. The message of
these words is, therefore, over and over again, to turn to God, to take
seriously his Word, to listen to his gospel, and proclaim that gospel to the
ends of the earth and the end of time.
Matthew
Henry summarizes with beautiful clarity the five main lessons to be learnt
about believing the gospel:
(1.) Where the gospel comes to a
people, and is but coldly received, and has not its proper effects upon their
hearts and lives, it is usually followed with dreadful judgments. (2.) God
gives warning to men of his judgments before he sends them; he sounds an alarm
by the written word, by ministers, by men’s own consciences, and by the signs
of the times; so that, if a people be surprised, it is their own fault. (3.)
The anger of God against a people makes dreadful work among them; it embitters
all their comforts and makes even life itself bitter and burdensome. (4.) God
does not in this world stir up all his wrath but sets bounds to the most
terrible judgments. (5.) Corruptions of doctrine and worship in the church are
themselves great judgments, and the usual causes and tokens of other judgments
coming on a people.
-Selected
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