[Footnote 16:  Some historians give A.D. 395 as the date of the permanent division of the empire.  The government of the Eastern and Western divisions was separate from the accession of Valens and Valentinian, in 364, until during the reign of Theodosius the Great, when the West, through the jealous rivalries of different competitors for the throne, had fallen into great disorder.  Theodosius twice interposed to right matters and finally took the government into his own hands for the space of four months, in 395, when he died, after arranging for the division of the empire between his two sons Arcadius and Honorius.]

    8.  And I John saw these things, and heard them.  And when I had
    heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the
    angel which showed me these things.

    9.  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not:  for I am thy
    fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them
    which keep the sayings of this book:  worship God.

The mind of the apostle was so enraptured with the visions he beheld that he could not but adore and worship; but the angel that had been the chosen instrument to reveal these prophecies refused his act of homage and instructed him to “worship God.”  Created intelligences are not worthy of such respect; to God alone all honor and praise belongs.  Jesus Christ our Redeemer is God—­God over all, blessed forever.  As such he is worthy of the homage supreme of all our hearts, the praises of all our lips.

    10.  And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy
    of this book:  for the time is at hand.

11.  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still:  and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still:  and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still:  and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

    12.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to
    give every man according as his work shall be.

    13.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first
    and the last.

    14.  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may
    have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the
    gates into the city.

    15.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and
    murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

The popular opinion is that this book of the Revelation is sealed; but John received the direct command, “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”  The majority of the teachers of Babylon to-day are fulfilling Isaiah 29:9-11, and that is the reason why it has become to them a sealed book.  God makes known the blessed truths of the prophecies of this book to his own beloved children, who walk before him in sincerity and truth.  A blessing is pronounced upon us if we keep them.  His coming is near at hand, and his reward is with him to render unto every