Notes on the Apocalypse – Chapter 8

by Pastor David Steele Sr. in 1870

Hitherto our observations have been brief, because interpreters are very generally agreed in their views of the first series, the seals, in this interesting book of prophecy. The first six seals, covering the time of heathen Rome’s opposition to Christianity, and before the Devil succeeded in enlisting the nominal church of Christ in his interest, do not therefore furnish occasion for much controversy among expositors. Besides, the seventh seal covers much more time than all the others. The first six refer to pagan Rome, and constitute the first period, properly styled the PERIOD OF THE SEALS. The seventh seal, introducing the trumpets, is the second period, called the PERIOD OF THE TRUMPETS. In attempting to unfold their mystical import, greater amplification will be indispensable.

1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

V. 1.—”Heaven” is the ordinary symbol of organized society, whether civil or ecclesiastical or both. “Silence in heaven for half an hour,” indicates public tranquillity, together with anxious and mute expectation of coming and alarming events. “Half an hour,” a definite for an indefinite duration, as usual, imports that the repose hitherto enjoyed, shall shortly terminate. The respite which the saints enjoyed during the period succeeding the revolution indicated by the opening of the sixth seal, soon came to an end.

2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

Vs. 2-4.—”Seven angels” appear to John as ministers “standing before God,” ready to execute his commands. To them were given “seven trumpets.” Here, as all along hitherto, there is allusion to the former dispensation. Under the Old Testament, trumpets were constructed by divine direction and to be used for diverse purposes. Of the manifold uses of this instrument, that which is here chiefly intended is, to “sound an alarm.” (Joel ii. 1; 1 Cor. xiv. 8). Whilst all is suspense, and before the silence is broken by the sounding of the first trumpet, the worship of God is exemplified after the usual manner. An angel, by his official place and work easily distinguished from those having the trumpets, holds in his hand a “golden censer” that with “much incense” he might render acceptable “the prayers of all saints.” As the angel who had the “seal of the living God,” is distinguished from those that “held the winds,” (ch. vii. 1;) so is he here, from those that had the trumpets. Here he appears as the Great High Priest over the house of God; and as “the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense;” (Luke i. 10;) so the service of God is thus emblematically represented as conducted according to divine appointment. This Angel therefore is Christ himself. “No man cometh unto the Father but by him.” He is the only Advocate with the Father; and through him “we have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph. ii. 18.)

May we not inquire, without presumption, a little into the nature or purport of the “prayers of all saints” at this time of ominous silence? And what could so likely be the burden of their petitions as that of the cry of the souls under the altar, namely, the destruction of the Roman empire? Surely this has been the prayer of God’s persecuted servants in all ages:—”Pour out thy fury upon the heathen,” etc. (Jer. x. 25; Ps. lxxix. 6). However inconsistent with Christian charity superficial Christians may deem the law of retaliation; we shall find it often urged on our attention as exemplified in this book. It is absolutely essential to the divine government.

5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with  

Apocalypse, Apocalyptic Symbols, Bible Prophecy, Notes on the Apocalypse 1870, Pastor David Steele Sr

Notes on the Apocalypse – Chapter 6

by Pastor David Steele Sr. in 1870

1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Vs. 1, 2.—The apostle “saw when the Lamb” proceeded to disclose the contents of the book by breaking the seals in regular succession. It is not requisite to suppose that each of the seals covers an exactly equal part of the roll. These parts may be quite different in quantity or length. It is obvious, however, that upon the breaking of any one seal, that part of the roll which the seal was intended to cover, would be disclosed to a spectator’s view,—the whole of such part and no more. We shall find as we advance that the several parts of this book are in fact very different in extent. When the seventh and last seal is opened, the whole contents of the book must of course be disclosed: and it will appear that the last of the seals contained a much greater part of the roll than any of the others. To a superficial reader this may be apparent from the circumstance that within the compass of this short chapter, six of the seals exhibit their contents.

By the most learned and sober divines the first six seals are considered as disclosing the events which transpired from the time of the apostle John till the overthrow of pagan idolatry in the Roman empire and the accession of Constantine.

Let us consider the contents of these seals in order: Upon the opening “of one of the seals,” the first of course, “one of the four animals” with a voice like “thunder, said, Come and see.” This was the animal like a “lion,” emblematical of those bold and dauntless servants of Christ who took their life in their hand and “went every where preaching the word,” (Acts viii. 4.) Many expositors, of secular notions and affinities, imagine that some one of the Roman emperors is to be understood as represented by him who rides on the white horse,—Vespasian, Titus, or Trajan. To name such figments is enough to confute them in the mind of such as have spiritual discernment. “White” is not the divinely chosen symbol of bloody warriors or persecutors. It is most frequently the emblem of purity, legal or moral. (Matt. xvii. 2; Rev. iii. 4, 5.) “White horse” may represent the gospel, the Covenant of Grace or the church. In this “chariot,” (Song iii. 9,) or upon this horse, as it were, Christ, “the captain of salvation” in apostolic times, “went forth conquering, and to conquer.” Much opposition from Jews and Gentiles was raised against his gospel, especially upon his exaltation to his mediatorial throne: but the opening of this seal discloses the Father’s purpose to bear out his Son in extending his rightful conquests. (Isa. xlii. 4.) “The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those that published it.” (Ps. lxviii. 11.) The “bow and the crown” as symbols, combine the military and regal character of Christ, indicating his victories and succeeding exaltation. He shall wound the heads over the large earth; therefore shall he lift up the head. (Ps. cx. 6.) He is the “Prince of peace,” and the primary object of his mission by the Father is, to establish “truth and meekness and righteousness” in the earth. Yet he is a “Lamb,” but a Lamb that makes war; and “in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” (ch. xix. 11.) In this last cited text we have an irrefragable proof of the correctness of our interpretation of the symbols under the first seal. The rider’s name is, “The Word of God,” (v. 13.)

3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4. And there went out another horse that was red;  

Apocalypse, Apocalyptic Symbols, Bible Prophecy, Notes on the Apocalypse 1870, Pastor David Steele Sr