understanding of mankind in all civilized nations.  Joseph in Egypt typified, in part, the kingly office of Christ; and Solomon on the throne of Israel partially typified him in his dominion:  but as Balaam foretold that he should be “higher than Agag,” (Num. xxiv. 7,) so we may say he is higher than Joseph,—­“A greater than Solomon is here.”  “Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled:  only in the throne will I be greater than thou.”  When the Father says to the Son, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever,” (Ps. xlv. 6,) this is consistent with “excepting him that did put all things under him.” (1 Cor. xv. 27.) Although we are not warranted to say with some, “The Father is the fountain of the Godhead, we may warrantably and boldly say, the Father is the fountain of authority.  (John vi. 38.) The dominion of the Mediator is universal, reaching “from the roofless heaven to the bottomless hell.”  It is comfortable to the disciples to know this in anticipation of the rise and reign of Antichrist.  He is, by the appointment of the Father “head over all things,” (Eph. i. 22,)—­“able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him,” to “consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming, that Wicked, the Man of Sin.” (2 Thess. ii. 8.)

In view of the personal dignity and mediatorial dominion of Christ, the apostle gives expression to his admiration and wonder at the amazing love and condescension displayed by him on behalf of himself and all others, on whom that love was fixed from everlasting, and whose guilt and pollution were taken away by the atoning and cleansing blood of the Lamb.  To these saving benefits is to be added the honour to which the redeemed are advanced as “kings and priests,—­a royal priesthood.”  The living Head is “a priest upon his throne,” (Zech. vi. 13,) and all the members are assimilated to him. (1 Pet. ii. 5, 9.)

7.  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.

Verse 7.—­How animated the language, sublime the conception, and awe-inspiring the sentiment here!  Time is annihilated!  The end is seen from the beginning, and all eyes are directed to the sovereign Judge of the world, as he comes in majesty to fix the final destiny of all the children of Adam!  These have constituted only two classes sincere world began.  “Every eye shall see him,” but the eye will affect the heart very differently.  The hearts of some, with holy Job, will be filled with joy unspeakable, (Job xix. 26, 27;) but others, with mercenary Balaam, will be inspired with terror and dismay. (Num. xxiv. 17.) Of “them that pierced him,” who shall be able to abide his indignation?  Judas, Caiaphas, Herod and his men of war; Pontius Pilate, and all who have consented to the counsel and deed of them, “must appear before his judgment