Vs. 8, 9.—­A second time, John attempts an act of idolatry!  While we may wonder at this, let us not fail to admire the wonderful wisdom of God in permitting his servant to fall, as he did in the case of our first father Adam, that he might take occasion more fully to display his glory in “bringing good out of evil.”  The Apocalypse is directed chiefly against that primary feature of the great Antichrist, idolatry.  This was part of “the mystery of inquity “which did already work” in the time of the apostles, (Col. ii. 18,) and was to be fully developed afterwards. (2 Thess. ii. 4.) This second rebuke of an apostle, by one of the most exalted of creatures, for ever answers all arguments of Papists or others, who plead for, or palliate the “worshipping of angels” or souls of men.  Idolaters worship angels and souls when absent, as though they were omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent; thus giving the glory to creatures of these divine perfections:  whereas this heavenly messenger, when present, keenly resents this indignity to his and the apostle’s adorable Creator and Lord.  Once more the angel directs John and all men to join him and all the heavenly host in observing “the first and great commandment,”—­“Worship God,” (ch. v. 11-14.) This angelic rebuke, leaves Papists for ever without excuse; and consequently all others who deny the supreme deity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and yet worship him.

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.

Vs. 10-12.—­Christ himself addresses John in person.  He had done so at the beginning of these glorious scenes of the future, (ch. i. 8.) Now he appears again in glory, though not described as before, that he may thus authenticate and close the vision.—­“Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”  Why is this?  The reason is assigned, because “the time is at hand” when they shall begin to be verified in actual history.  The case was different in Daniel’s time, who was inspired by the same omniscient Spirit to predict the same events.  “O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the vision, even to the time of the end.” (Dan. xii. 4.) If the vision of the empires of Persia and Greece was to be “for many days,” (ch. viii. 26,) then the rise, reign and overthrow of the Roman empire, were still more remote.  No wonder that Daniel, with becoming humility but intense interest inquired, “O, my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” Such was the subdued anxiety of other prophets. (1 Pet. i. 10.) And here we may once for all notice the three distinct periods mentioned