The employments of this innumerable company of angels, besides “ministering for them who shall be heirs of salvation,” (Heb. i. 14;) consist much in admiring contemplations of the glory of the “Lamb slain, and in ascriptions of praise to him who is “worthy to receive power,” etc.  In this they cordially harmonize with the redeemed, whose delightful exercise is “to show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light:”  (1 Pet. ii. 9:) and all the honor, thus ascribed to the Mediator by both classes of worshippers, is intended to terminate ultimately on the person of God the Father.  (Phil. ii. 9-11.) The Father “hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men,” yes, and all angels, “should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.” (John v. 22, 23.)

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever,

14.  And the four beasts said, Amen.  And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Vs. 13,14.—­In addition to angels and men, we have here enumerated “every creature” in the whole vast universe, co-operating in the worship of the two divine Persons as associated in concerting and executing the plan of redemption.  Thus the “host of heaven” and all inferior creatures according to their several capacities unite in ascribing “blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”  And we may say with Nehemiah,—­They are both “exalted above all blessing and praise.” (Neh. ix. 5.) Fallen angels and reprobate men are excluded, from the nature of the case, and by the unalterable laws of the moral government of the Most High, from any participation in this service. (Ps. cx. 1; 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25; Luke xix. 27.)—­Can any one who denies the supreme deity of the Lord Jesus, or who refuses to worship him, ever join the society of these worshippers?  Or, supposing the possibility of their admission, could they be otherwise than miserable?  O the “blasphemy of them who say they are Jews!”—­This is one of the sublime doxologies framed by the Holy Spirit, for the use of all creatures on special occasions, but not to be abused by “vain repetitions” as by Papists and Prelates.  The like specimens of the “high praises of the Lord” we have in Ps. lxix. 34.—­As the three ranks of worshippers here presented in vision to John, beautifully harmonize in holy exercises, each in its appropriate sphere; so the “animals and elders,”—­the rulers and ruled of the church, take precedence of all others in acts of solemn worship, and also close the solemn service, saying,—­“Amen.”