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Eureka

AN EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE
Sixth Edition, 1915
By Dr. John Thomas (first edition written 1861)

 

 

Chapter 15

Section 1

The Seven Angels of the Nave


 
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"And the Seven Angels having the Seven Plagues came out from the Nave, having been clothed in linen pure and bright, and girded around the breasts with golden girdles" - Verse 6.

The Seven Angels coming out from the Nave indicates that they are the Seven Elohistic constituents of the Nave "sent forth into all the earth". Before they issue forth thence as the Elohim, they are said to have been clothed and girded. The English Version omits to specify the tense or time of the verb: enthethumenoi, is the perfect participle passive; and so isperiezosmenoi, the former signifying, having been clothed in; and the latter, having been girded about. This implies, that there was a time in which they neither clothed, nor girded the Elohim. The unclothed and ungirded condition is characteristic of the dead; and also of those who come from the grave, and are condemned by "the Judge of the living and the dead", to walk naked, and be exposed to shame (ch. 16:15). These Seven Angels when clothed and girded, represent the two-and five-talent classes of the saints to whom will have been adjudged an entrance into the joy of their Lord (Matt. 25:21,23). Sentence of approval having been pronounced upon them, they are then "clothed upon with their house which is from heaven;" that "the mortal," or that which came forth from the grave, "might be swallowed up of life" (2 Cor. 5:2-4). Now, the Spirit gives this life that swallows up mortality, because of righteousness. It is an element of "the reward" bestowed in "the time of the dead" in recompense for that righteousness, which is fulfilled in them who walk after the Spirit, or in the Truth. The apostle assures such, that He who raised up the Christ will also quicken their mortal bodies" by His spirit (Rom. 8:4,10,11). Righteousness re-warded with incorruptibility and life is symbolized by "fine linen pure and bright", "white robes", and "walking with the Spirit in white, because worthy" (ch. 3:4,18; 4:4; 7:9,13,14; 19:8,14). This being the raiment with which the Seven Angels had been specially clothed, it is indicated, that they came to represent the approved saints, to whom authority and power were afterwards given, that they might go forth from the Nave, and "execute the judgment written" in all the earth.

The approved saints of the Nave are constituted aggebi, or angels," by being "SENT FORTH;" angelos signifying "one sent, a messenger," etc. The saints of the Nave have a mission to perform, which the powers that be cannot be made to accomplish; and they go forth into all the earth, clothed, girded, and accompanied by the Spirit, to execute it. Hence, whatever is done by them, or their presence, is said to be transacted "in the presence of the Holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb," or Spirit (ch. 14:10). Symbolically, they are seven in number. This represents the omnipotence of the Spirit, and the unknown, but complete number of the agents employed in the execution of "the judgment written" - a definite being put for an unrevealed, and therefore not defined, number; a "great multitude which no man can number" (ch. 7:9).

"Having been girded around the breasts with golden girdles". On becoming constituents of the Nave by being "quickened," the Saints, or Elohistic elements of the Seven Angels are not only "clothed in linen pure and bright" by which their mortality is swallowed up of life; but, before they go forth to enter upon "their labors," they are perizoned, or girded about, with golden zones, or girths. This girding transpires at the instant of their clothing. It is an element of their quickening. Like Daniel, after speech and consciousness had been restored to him, the imperation salutes their ears, "be strong, yea, be strong;" that is, be girded with great strength. Daniel tells us, that on hearing this, the effect immediately followed the word; upon which he said, "Let my Adon (lord) speak; for thou hast strengthened me" (Dan. 10:19).

It is evident, that something more is necessary for men, who go forth to plague, and conquer such a strong world of nations, as that by which the earth is now grasped, than an indestructible nature. They need to be girded with almighty power; and with righteousness and faithfulness: that being faithful and true, they may be enabled "in righteousness to judge and make war" (ch. 19:11).

To gird is to make strong; and in the case of these Seven Angels, to strengthen them with all things necessary for the consummation of their mission. Included in the angelic seven is JESUS, "the Angel of the Covenant," and the CHIEF of these angel-lords and kings (ch. 17:14). Hence, as they are made "like him" (1 Jhn. 3:2), what is testified of him is, all things being equal, applicable also to his brethren. Hence, the Spirit of Christ in David saith to the Father, "Thou hast girded me with strength for the war" (Psa. 18:39) for "the war of that great day of the almighty DEITY" (ch. 16:14) which is especially the war of the Seven Angels against "the kings of the earth, and of the whole habitable". They are the Deity-Manifestation; hence, the strength or power with which they are girded is almighty. Jesus and his brethren of the Nave, therefore, are the Apocalyptic YAR-ELOHISTIC element of the Seven Angels girded with almighty power.

But further, the almightiness with which they are girded in being quickened, is not the only quality of their girdles. Their mission is, in the execution of judgment, to teach the inhabitants of the world righteousness; that they may be induced to abandon the lies, and unprofitable vanities, by which the blind leaders of the Roman, Protestant, and other forms of "strong delusion," now hold them in superstitious bondage. Mere deathless almightiness cannot effect such moral results It might destroy without limit; but could neither enlighten, nor regenerate. Hence, it behooves the Seven Angel Elohistic constituents to be girded with more qualities than incorruptibility, life, and almighty power. The Spirit of Christ in Isaiah 11:5, informs us, what else the Chief they are like shall be girded with, saying, "righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins;" so that "with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and contend with equity for the oppressed of the earth". These admirable qualities of righteousness and faithfulness, superadded to their immortality and omnipotence, will make them incomparable men of war; and competent not only for the conquest, but the regeneration of mankind.

We may see now why the zones with which they are girded are styled golden. All the gold of the Apocalyptic temple and City of holiness, is symbolical of excellent and glorious qualities. "The Almighty," said Eliphaz to Job, "shall be thy gold". Whatever, therefore, possesses almighty characteristics is golden. The Seven Angels being symbolical Elohistic sub-divisions of the Son of Man similitude, they are like him, "girt about the breast with a golden girdle". They who become constituents of the Most Holy, are they who have bought gold of the Spirit, "gold tried in the fire," by which they have become rich; and are adorned with golden stephans, and golden girdles. Their intellectual, moral, and physical qualities, are manifestations of the Eternal Father's; Who thus equips them with infallible and invincible ability, to cause mankind to do His will upon earth, as it is done in heaven.

 
 

 

 


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