Song of Moses and the Lamb.
"And they sing the song of Moses," etc. (Revelation 15:3). It is quite impossible to sever in thought the song by the sea, and the reference in the Book of the Revelation. We therefore take for our text the words chosen, and in our homily keep ever in view—the passage of the sea.
I. THE SINGERS. "They that have gotten the victory." But conquerors must first have been soldiers. Here they are Christians who have become part of the Church militant by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Over what victorious'? As a matter of fact Christians are brought off more than conquerors over "the world, the flesh, and the devil." But in Revelation 15:2, only "the world" is referred to; and of it only two constituents are mentioned: "the beast" and" the image" or likeness "of the beast." [On these and that "other beast" see Revelation 13:1-18.; and for such exposition as is calculated to place the symbols in a reasonable light, see Porter's" Christian Prophecy:" Maclehose, Glasgow; and "The Apocalypse" by Prof. Godwin: Hodder and Stoughton.] The enemies overcome were, and ever are:—
1. Force: as directed against the Kingdom of God. The "beast" of Revelation 13:1-18. is anti-theistic, or anti-Christian civil despotism, wherever found. Read Revelation 13:1-10, with this idea in the mind, and the description is seen to be vividly true. Illustrations of battle and victory may be found in Egypt tyrannising over Israel, in early persecutions of the Christian Church. As soon as ever Christianity became a spiritual power conspicuous enough to attract attention, force set itself against it. So ever since down to martyr history in Madagascar. Note: there are instances now in which force, in varied forms, will set itself against the conscience. [The "mark" and "number" of the image are the signs, open or secret, of being identified with anti-theistic despotism.]
2. Opinion. That which resembler godless government, viz. godless opinion, the tone of society, etc. This power of society against the Divine Kingdom, this pressure of opinion must have been terrible in Egypt. Felt to-day, not only at the "club," but in every workshop. One may add to this, not mentioned in Revelation 15:1-8; but in Revelation 13:1-18; "another beast," viz.:—
3. Fraud. Specially as associated with "Priestcraft," whether of false religions, or of corrupted forms of Christianity. [For illustration of the despotism of Egyptian priestcraft, see Ebers' "Uarda."] This power seems mild as a lamb, with the speech of a dragon; rises out of the earth (does not descend from heaven); wields civil power for its own purpose (as in the case of Rome); pretends to miracle; gives power to anti-Christian public opinion; inflicts social wrong. How strong their enemies are, viz; anti-Christian government, anti-Christian public opinion, anti-Christian religion, every Christian comes sooner or later to know.
II. THEIR POSITION. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass," etc. Here note:—
1. The sea. A sea of crystal flaked with fire. Such as we may sometimes see under light of setting sun. The symbol of the experience of life, i.e; of mingled mercy and judgment (Psalms 101:1).
2. The shore, i.e; the position of the victorious— ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν—not in the sense of standing on the wave, but of an army encamped "upon the sea," i.e; upon the shore.
3. The allusion. To Israel on the eastern shore of the Red Sea.
4. The reality in this symbol. The victorious redeemed Church, on the further side of the experience of life, singing the new and everlasting song.
III. THE SONG. It is "of Moses … and of the Lamb" A song like that of old, springing out of similar circumstances, celebrating a like deliverance. Here observe:—
1. The place of Moses in relation to Christ. Moses is "the servant," etc. Incidental evidence of Christ's superiority and Deity. Christ is not a servant, save as he voluntarily took that position (Philippians 2:7).
2. The central place of the Lamb throughout the Book of the Revelation. Argument for the transcendent import of the Atonement.
The song is—
1. One. Not two.
2. Thankful. Some of the songs of earth are penitential, prayerful, plaintive.
3. Of the Saved. From guilt, sin, darkness, sorrow. [Go into detail.] What a song it will be!
4. Of the Free. The three despotisms of force, opinion, fraud, were left by Israel behind. So with the redeemed Church of God.
5. Of the New-born. A new departure for Israel; the unending life before the Church triumphant.
6. Of the Seers, who now see past all subordinate and second causes—past Moses—past even the Mediator Jesus, to the First Origin of all, "great and marvellous … Lord God Almighty."
7. A song of review. This is the final verdict, "Just and true," etc.
IV. LESSONS.
1. To Christians. Do not wait for the final song. Sing in the passage of the sea. Poetry and. music the natural expression of praise. Some can pour forth their own song, e.g; Keble and Watts, Wesley and Lyre. Others must adopt praise furnished to their lips. But for all there is the poetry and the music—the sweet psalm—of a pure and holy life.
2. To those not Christians. To sing the song of the saved, we must be saved.
"No lips untuned can sing that song
Or join the music there."
R.