The mediatorial power of Christ.
"And one of the elders saith," etc. St. John is first shown Christ as Head of his Church, ruling here on earth. This his first vision. Then he is transported to heaven, and sees the throne set there, and its attendants and their worship. Then the coming forth of the Son of God, and the representation of his mediatorial sovereignty. But first there is the vision of the throne of God, for he is the Source and End of all authority. God was and shall be "all in all." But his power is seen in this vision as delegated to Christ as Mediator. For this vision—
I. SYMBOLIZES THE MEDIATORIAL POWER OF CHRIST. It does this by representing:
1. The Lamb in the act of taking the book out of the hand of him that sat on the throne. Note the book in God's hand; the challenge of the angel, unanswered; and St. John's distress thereat. But now the Lamb prevails, etc. The meaning of the book, or roll, is the plan or policy of a state, the will and purpose of a ruler. God speaks of his book; of blotting out names therefrom. Scribes were important personages because of their agency in preparing such decrees. The taking of the book, therefore, is as when a minister of state in our days receives his portfolio; it signifies his commission to know, comprehend, and execute the counsels and decrees therein contained. Thus, as receiving his commission, the vision represents our Lord.
2. The origin of his mediatorial power. It was derived from the Father. Christ ever afiirmed that he "received of the Father," that he came "not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him;" Christ was "the Man whom he had ordained;" "God hath spoken unto us by his Son;" "All things are committed unto me of my Father," etc. The mystery of the Trinity is perhaps insoluble by us, but as to the truth of the doctrine, it pervades, not this vision only, but the whole Bible.
3. The nature of it. The vision represents Christ as One that was capable of, and had suffered, death. He was, therefore, human as well as Divine. His human origin as well as his Divine glory are both shown, and because he was the God-Man he became Mediator between God and man.
4. The exercise of his mediatorial power. This by his taking the book and loosing the seals thereof, whereupon, as each seal is opened, that which he thus discloses is at once begun to be accomplished. The Apocalypse discloses the fate and fortunes of the Church, and of the world as related to it. Information and reserve characterize these disclosures. They tell of a great struggle, in which all creatures engage; that it is for moral ends, and centres round man. Hell and its plans and apparent triumphs are shown; also her overthrow, and at last the full redemption of the Church and the establishment of the kingdom of God. Now, all this Christ not only reveals, but executes. For this he has the seven horns of omnipotent might, and the seven eyes of omniscient wisdom. But it is in their execution that the Divine purposes are fully revealed. As yet we know but parts of them. The apostles only knew the Scriptures when, not before, they were fulfilled. And how vast is:
5. The extent of his power! It is over all physical and all moral natures; over the present and the future; over the grave and death; over angels and devils; over every soul in every land, age, and condition. All are subject unto him. God "left nothing that is not put under him" (1 Corinthians 15:1-58.). And:
6. Its final end and completions. It has such an end. The very idea of a "book" is that of something which comes to an end, which is for a definite and limited purpose. Christ must reign, not forever, but "till he bath put all things under his feet." Then cometh the end (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28). The book is a definite thing. The existing systems of grace and providence are not everlasting; they subserve ends beyond and higher than themselves; they are but preliminary and initiative; their completion is yet hidden, and will fill and brighten eternity. Further, the vision—
II. EXHIBITS THE BASIS ON WHICH HIS MEDIATORIAL POWER RESTS, He "prevailed," but by right, not by force; in virtue of his being:
1. The Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:9.) Hence his right was from his office, the position it was predicted he should fill. And his life and his conquest over Satan, sin, man, death, all verified the truth of Jacob's dying prophecy.
2. The Root of David. Hence, by descent also, as Heir of him to whom God's promises of universal rule had been given. But chiefly because he was:
3. The Lamb slain. Thus the pre-eminent right secured by his atonement is set forth. The Lamb is the Centre of heaven. Hence his cross claims his crown; the sufferings of Christ, the glory that should follow. The term "worthy" is used in reference to this right thus obtained. The cross affirms every principle of moral law. As all creation is for moral ends, so supremely is the cross of Christ. He is worthy because he was slain.
III. REVEALS THE RESULTS CONTEMPLATED BY HIS MEDIATORIAL POWER. They are four.
1. To set forth the glory of the Son of God. See the adoration of the Lamb, how intense, how universal, how unceasing. All things are for him, as they are by him. All men are to "honour the Son, even as they honour the Father." And by his mediation this glory is secured. He had glory before the world was. But he has far more now, and yet more shall be his. He is seen amid all the confusions and calamities of life to be our one Hope and Stay. "Christ is all and in all," and so is he glorified.
2. To secure the accomplishment of man's redemption. "Thou hast redeemed us:" so the heavenly choirs sing over and over again. And Christ has his redeemed. See how the Church is described: as the bride; heir; joint heir with Christ; kings; priests unto God; his body, etc. Yes, Christ hath redeemed us.
3. To demonstrate the unity of the Divine counsels and the progressive character of the Divine works. The mediatorial system is not external to, but part of the system of, the universe. It is essential to its moral order and bound up with all its history. Sin was an inroad upon, and an invasion, violation, and disruption of, the Divine rule. Inevitable if the gift of free will was to be granted as it was; and hence some means for the reparation of this great disaster had to be found, and for the demonstration of the consistency of the wise, the holy, and the all-loving God. All human sin, protracted so awfully and so wearily age after age, is yet but an episode in the course of the Divine administration; like as a war is but an episode in the history of a nation. And the mediation of Christ is the method of God for undoing the evil man's sin has wrought.
4. To issue in the glory of the Father and to show this as the end and aim of all things. "That God may be all in all:" such is its chief end; as for each one of us, so for all human history, and all the Divine dealings with us in Christ our Lord. Let us by self surrender to Christ fall in with that blessed purpose, and so one day rejoice in its perfect fulfilment. (Adapted from notes of sermon by late Rev. G. Steward, of Newcastle.)—S.C.