# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1855 01 02_S73
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Der Lutheraner.

"God's Word and Luther's doctrine pure shall to eternity endure."

Revelation of John, Chap. 14, v. 6, 7.

Published by the German Ev. Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.

Edited by C. F. W. Walther.

Volume 11.  St. Louis, Mo., January 2, 1855.  No. 10.

Terms: Der Lutheraner appears once every two weeks at the yearly subscription price of One Dollar for out-of-town subscribers, who are to pay in advance and bear the postage. — In St. Louis each single number is sold for 5 cents. Only the letters containing communications for the paper are to be sent to the editor; all others, however, containing business matters, orders, cancellations, money, etc., are to be sent here under the address: Mr. F. W. Barthel, care of C. F. W. Walther, St. Louis, Mo.

(Contributed by Pastor Röbbelen.)

The Revelation of St. John.

The Fifth Chapter.

This chapter differs from the preceding ones in that it has for its subject the revelation of the dominion of Christ, whereas the fourth simply treated of this, that Christ is and remains Lord and is worshipped as such. They are, however, intimately connected with one another. Whoever compares the contents of the last chapter with the experience which he gathers in the fragment of time that makes up his short life will find it hard to believe that Christ really governs the world. Not until the sum of all the events of the world, all the plus (what is added in a sum of arithmetic) and minus (what must be subtracted), shall balance out, which perplexes him who is reckoning at it in the midst of the stream of the events of the time, may we hope to find that what has happened on earth is in most glorious harmony with this, that Christ reigns. The contradiction in which the faith that walks in the light of the 110th Psalm has so long stood with the triumphant cry of hostile powers (compare Eph. 6, 12) could therefore not be passed over. The solution of it is the necessary vindication of the proposition asserted in the fourth chapter of the Revelation.

Accordingly it is shown in this fifth chapter how Christ's royal sceptre, however hidden it remains even to unbelief, yea, however deeply the present evil world with black clouds of unrighteousness hides it even from the eye of believers, shall at last be revealed amid loud praise and thanksgiving. It falls therefore into three parts:

1) V. 1—4 treats of this, that Christ's government is to reason an insoluble riddle.

2) V. 5—7 contains the revelation of his dominion, which faith receives under the image of the Crucified, at the same time as a comfort, that despite the glorious power of the LORD his kingdom remains such a one as one can enter only through much tribulation.

3) V. 8—14 crowns such revelation with the unanimous praise of the believers, who as the royal priesthood take part in the dominion.

V. 1. The "book" represents everything that is to happen under Christ's government. It is said to be "written within and on the backside": written, to indicate that everything has been foreseen beforehand by the LORD, and, according as it is from him or against him, has been prescribed by him down to the smallest jot or confined within fixed bounds; within, in respect of that which is from him, which will be done in and with his Church for her upbuilding; without, because even that which remains in the world outside the kingdom of God is likewise directed so mightily by his will alone, as his gracious power is glorified in all who willingly follow him. The "sealed with seven seals" expresses the mystery which the LORD's government of every creature is, a great comfort, because now even the devil does not know sooner whereupon he is to direct all his crafty devices, until the LORD, who also as a diplomat has not his equal, is ready for battle with his host. Yet more comforting still is this, that he who sits on the throne holds the book in his right hand, that it rests with Him alone what not only his believers shall attain and carry out, but also what the devil shall do.

Herewith are at the same time given to the whole book of the Revelation of St. John its theme and its parts: "the book" is the theme and "the seven seals" are the parts. The number 7 is the number of completion, a whole week, and stands here for this reason, that All shall be described which will happen to the end, as it likewise points to certain divisions which, like the days of the week, will interrupt the course of events in like manner as a straw has its knots.

Note. That here Christ holds the book in his hand and v. 6 takes it in the form of a Lamb out of the same hand is confirmed Chap. 7, v. 10 and is explained from this, that we children of men, for whom such images of the Revelation take the place of letters, however wise we may often fancy ourselves, must yet confess with St. Paul, 1 Cor. 13, v. 9 ff.: "We know in part, and we prophesy in part," and v. 12: "Now we see through a glass darkly," and: "Now I know in part." It contradicts itself, however, as little as that the LORD Christ sits at the right hand of God and yet still continually represents us through his intercession as High Priest, that as true God he is wroth over sin and yet at the same time as the Lamb that bore the sin of the world bled on the cross under the scourge of this his own wrath.