Ver. 1. And I saw a new heaven] New for form and state, but the same as before for matter and substance; as an old garment translated is called a new one; and as whoso is in Christ is a new creature. Passed away] i.e. Were purged from their vanity and defilements. And there was no more sea] i.e. Trouble and tumult. The sea is of itself restless, and often tossed with storms and tempests, Isaiah 57:20. As for the element of water, it shall remain, probably, as earth, air, and fire do. Andreas thinks there shall be no more sea.
Ver. 2. The holy city] The Church in glory, saith Diodate. The Church wayfaring and warfaring, saith Brightman, whose interpretation of this text, Nitur coniectura optabili magis quam opinabili, saith Pareus, is more to be wished than imagined. The glory of Christ’s bride is fitter to be believed than possible to be discoursed, saith Prosper. The Italians have this proverb among them, He that hath not seen Venice, believes not the bravery of it; and he that hath not lived somewhile there, understandeth it not. This is much more true of Uranople, the New Jerusalem. St John’s New Jerusalem, and Ezekiel’s city and temple, from Ezekiel 40 to the end, are contemporary (say some), and signify one and the same thing. (Haffen refferus.) As a bride adorned, &c.] Bishop Ridley, the night before he suffered, invited his hostess and the rest at table to his marriage; for, said he, tomorrow I must be married. Some other martyrs went as merrily to die as ever they did to dine.
Ver. 3. And I heard a great voice] To confirm the vision, lest it should be thought a delusion. Behold, the tabernacle] His special presence both of grace and glory is with his elect. See Ezekiel 37:7,28. He will dwell with them] He will indwell in them, 2 Corinthians 6:16. [See Trapp on “2Co 6:16”] The enjoyment of God is heaven itself, therefore God is called heaven; “I have sinned against heaven.”
Ver. 4. And God shall wipe away] As mothers do their children’s tears. “Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Baca shall be turned into Berachah, sighing into singing, misery into majesty; as Queen Elizabeth was exalted from a prisoner to a princess; and as our Henry IV was crowned the very same day that, the year before, he had been banished the realm. (Daniel.) No more death] For mortality shall be swallowed up of life. Neither sorrow] πενθος. Properly for loss of friends; for we shall inseparably and everlastingly enjoy them. We shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have communion with them; not only as godly men, but as such and such godly me n. And if with them, why not with others whom we have known and loved in the body? Nor crying] κραυγη. Qualis est in tragoediis, saith Aretius. Nor any more pain] πονος. Or, hard labour for a livelihood, to be gotten with the sweat either of brow or b rain. For the former things, &c.] The Latins call prosperous things Res secundas, because they are to be had hereafter; they are not the first things.
Ver. 5. Write; for these words are faithful] Though few men will believe them; for if they did, what would they not do or forego to get heaven? Cleombrotus reading Plato’s book of the immortality of the soul, was so ravished with the conceit thereof, that he cast himself headlong into the sea. But how many reading this better book of heaven’s happiness, are no whit wrought upon thereby, or in the least measure moved to affect those things above, that run parallel with the life of God and line of eternity!
Ver. 6. It is done] As the punishment of the wicked, Revelation 16:17 [See Trapp on “Re 16:17”] so the reward of the righteous is performed and accomplished. I will give unto him] Whereas some good soul might say, I would it were once done. Have patience (saith God), I will shortly give unto him that is athirst to drink of that torrent of pleasure, that runs at my right hand, without any either let or loathing. “ Clitorio quicunque sitim de fonte levarit, Vina fugit, gaudetque meris abstemius undis.” Ovid. Metam. Of the water of life, freely] But merit mongers will not have it freely; therefore they shall go without it. Caelum gratis non accipiam, I will not accept heaven for nothing, saith Vega.
Ver. 7. He that overcometh] Gr. “He that is overcoming,” or not yielding, though he hath not yet overcome; if he be but doing at it, and do not yield up the buckl ers, ο νικων, quasi μη εικων. Shall inherit all things] Tanquam haeres ex asse. All God’s servants are sons, and every son an heir.
Ver. 8. But the fearful] Cowardly recreants, white livered milk sops, that pull in their horns for every pile of grass that toucheth them, that are afraid of every new step, saying as Caesar at Rubicon, “Yet we may go back”; that follow Christ afar off, as Peter; that tremble after him, as the people did after Saul, 1 Samuel 13:7, and the next news is, “They were scattered from him,” 1 Samuel 13:11. These lead the ring dance of this rout of reprobates; and are so hated of Christ, that he will not employ them so far as to break a pitcher, or to bear a torch, Judges 7:3-7. And unbelieving] Therefore fearful, because unbelieving, for faith fears no fray bugs; but why do ye fear, ye little faiths? saith our Saviour. An object of fear; a bogy, spectre. ŒD