orshipped."--Rev. 5:1-14.

The written book, must symbolize God's purposes, which were about to be
unfolded on the loosening of the seals. Its being written within and
without, indicates the fulness of its contents, the completeness of the
record:--God's purposes being fully and unalterably formed. In like manner
Ezekiel was shown "a roll of a book ... written within and without,"
symbolizing the "lamentations, mourning and woe" (Ezek. 2:9), which were
soon to overtake Israel.

A sealed book is one whose contents are hidden: "The vision of all is
become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver
to one that is learned, saying, Read this I pray thee: and he saith, I
cannot; for it is sealed," Isa. 29:11. God said to Daniel, "Shut up the
words, and seal the book, till the time of the end," Dan. 12:4.

To open the seals, no one was found worthy. There was no being in heaven
among the angels, no human being on the earth, and no disembodied spirit,
or demon, under the earth, who was able to unfold the future. The tears of
the revelator are, however, dried, and his drooping spirits cheered, by
the announcement of one of the elders, that "the LION of the tribe of
JUDAH, the ROOT of DAVID, hath prevailed to open the book," and to unfold
its mysteries. He stood in the midst of the assembled intelligences,--his
human nature and sacrificial office, being designated by his metaphorical
title of the "Lamb:"--John seeing Jesus coming to him said, "Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29. His
sovereignty is shown by the "seven horns," the symbols of power; and his
relation to the Godhead, by the seven eyes, the seven Spirits of
God;--expressive of the Holy Spirit. See p. 25.

The rejoicings on the announcement of Christ's ability to take the book,
and to open the seals, indicate the greatness of the blessing which God
gives the church, when he thus reveals a knowledge of the future. All
creatures should join in these hosannas, and praise the Lord for his great
condescension, in showing his servants the things which must shortly come
to pass. To neglect this revelation, is not joining in the ascription of
praise.

The golden vials, full of odors, symbolize the prayers of saints. Under
the Mosaic dispensation, the frankincense and odors offered at the
tabernacle were emblematic of prayer and praise to God. "Let my prayer be
set forth before thee as _incense_; and the liftin