truth, that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John iii. 3.) And it is too evident that some modern philosophers are as little acquainted as Nicodemus with the humbling doctrines of the gospel.  The society of learned men, making perpetual advance in natural science, especially in astronomy,—­would seem to be the highest conception of happiness which too many modern philosophers can reach.  They know not some of the elementary teachings of the Holy Scriptures; such as,—­“Without holiness no man shall see the Lord;” and that this indispensable preparation for heavenly felicity consists in “the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

The hundreds of diverse and conflicting opinions of learned writers on the summum bonum, or chief good, proves to demonstration, that without supernatural revelation and regeneration, man cannot conceive in what happiness consists.  Thus far is the description of the heavenly state; and how little can we know, or even conceive of the glory and felicity of the upper sanctuary!  We must still say with the prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul,—­“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (Isa. lxiv. 4; 1 Cor. ii. 9.)

6.  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true:  and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7.  Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Vs. 6, 7.—­The angel assures the apostle and all who read, that “these sayings are faithful and true,” however sublime and incomprehensible; however, incredible to infidels; however contradicted and misinterpreted by antichristian apostates and enthusiasts.  They are all from “the Lord God of the holy prophets,”—­from Jesus Christ and God the Father, (ch. i. 1.)—­All prophets who wrote any part of the Bible, were “holy men of God.” (2 Pet. i. 21.)—­Of “these things” some were “shortly to be done;” and all in regular series would be accomplished in due time.—­“Behold I come quickly.”  Christ is the speaker here, and declares that each one is “blessed who keepeth the sayings ... of this book.”  This benediction was pronounced on such at the beginning of this Revelation, (ch. i. 3,) and it is repeated by its immediate divine Author, to encourage all to study it.  This blessing is not to be expected by any who merely read or hear, but by those only who keep the “sayings of this prophecy.”  Its Author foreknew its enemies and corrupters.

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 fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:  worship God.