PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Sanctification

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Revelation 14:1–5 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Revelation 14:1–5, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. An assurance for the elect here on earth. (v. 1–5)

    Annotated Text

    1. And I saw a Lamb standing on Mount Zion (this Lamb signifies Christ, Revelation 5:6, who lets Himself be seen here on Mount Zion, by which the Christian Church is understood, which was prefigured in the Old Testament by Mount Zion, on which the city of David was built, Psalm 2:6; Zechariah 9:9; Hebrews 12:22. So that no one may think that no true Church remained anymore under such universal seduction of the Antichrist, the Lamb of God allows Himself to be seen here on Mount Zion to indicate that Christ preserved a Church for Himself even under the antichristian persecution and deception, and support it with His gracious presence. Luther: “Here He comforts Christians that such woe and abomination shall be overthrown through the Gospel.”), and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand (by this a great host of the true believers  of every age and estate is signified, whom God has preserved in His grace and truth under the Antichrist), who had the name of their Father written on their forehead. (This is set forth against the mark of the beast which the Antichrist give upon the forehead to those who confess themselves to his kingdom, Revelation 13:16, and thereby is signified that although the Antichrist rages and rampages, nevertheless the first foundation of God stands and has this seal: “The Lord knows His own,” 2 Timothy 2:19, so truly as if He had made a mark upon their foreheads, Revelation 7:3; these also bear the name of the heavenly Father upon their foreheads in such a manner that they are not ashamed of the Gospel, Romans 1:16, but rather confess it boldly.)

    2. And I heard * a voice from heaven, as of a great (rushing) water (by which is signified the great host of the elect who praise God), and as a voice of great thunder (by which is signified the wondrous power of the Spirit, with which the elect are clothed form on high, Luke 24:49, as also the undaunted courage and the piercing voice of those who praise God); and the voice which I heard was as harpists playing upon their harps (by which there is prefigured the loveliness of the divine praise in the mouth of the elect, and at the same time, with an eye toward the royal prophet David, who praised God upon his harp with lovely Psalms, 1 Samuel 16:23; Psalm 43:4; Psalm 71:22; likewise, that they serve and praise their God in quietness without a great racket).

    * Revelation 1:15 (5:8, 15:2)

    3. And they sang as * a new song before the throne (of the Lamb), and before the four creatures and the (twenty-four) elders (Because the antichristian rout worships the Beast and blasphemes God, Revelation 13:5, 6, 8; meanwhile, these sing to God the Lord a new song, by which is understood a lovely and glorious song concerning the great benefits that Christ bestows upon the elect in the New Testament and renews them through His Spirit); and no one could learn the song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were purchased from the earth (who were purchased by Christ through His blood, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23; 1 Peter 1:18–19, so that they should no longer hang on to earthly things through disordered love, but rather should dwell in heaven with their mind; who also with true faith appropriate to themselves this redemption which has happened through Christ. These alone have been able to learn and sing this song, for without true faith in Christ, no one can rightly call upon God or praise Him, Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 12:3. Also it is hereby signified that only those who are true disciples of the Gospel, who have been purchased from earthly things, are eager to learn this new song.).

    * Revelation 5:9 (4:5, 7:4; Psalm 96:1; Proverbs 2:6; Ephesians 1:17ff.)

    4. These are those who are not tarnished with women (who have not defiled themselves through spiritual adultery and harlotry, that is, through idolatry, heresy, and false worship, but rather have maintained the purity of doctrine undefiled); for they are virgins (thereby is signified the virginity of faith, of which the holy apostles speaks in this way to the Corinthians, “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I might bring you to Christ as a pure virgin,” 2 Corinthians 11:2; likewise, thereby is signified the purity of a godly walk to which true believers diligently apply themselves), and they follow the Lamb wherever He goes1 (as His beloved entrusted Bride, they walk in the footsteps of His holy life, Matthew 16:24, and they do not yield back when the Lam leads them through the thorns of tribulation to the roses of heavenly glory and majesty, Acts 14:22. Therefore, they will also be with Him in eternal joy, John 17:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.). They are * those purchased from men to be firstfruits of God and the Lamb (God has elected them from eternity in Christ to be His firstfruits, and in the fullness of time “He has begotten them according to His will through the Word of truth, so that they would be first fruits of His creatures,” James 1:18. They are consecrated to God the Lord, just as in the Old Testament the firstfruits were consecrated to Him, in whom Christ, the only High Priest of the New Testament takes pleasure, just as the offering of the firstfruits in the Old Testament was pleasing to God).

    * Revelation 5:9 (3:4; 1 Corinthians 6:20)

    1 Greek: “For (true) virgins (chaste and pure souls who love God, Matthew 5:8) are those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (who hold fast only to Christ’s Word).” [παρθένοι γάρ εἰσιν, οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἄν ὑπάγῃ] Thus, the saying here is not about abstention from marriage.

    5. And in their mouth is found nothing false (in which they also follow the Lamb in other ways, Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22); for they are irreproachable before the throne of God. (“They have washed their garments and made them bright in the blood of the Lamb,” Revelation 7:14, and they diligently apply themselves to a blameless walk, 1 Corinthians 1:8; Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 2:15; 2 Peter 3:14. What they believe from the heart they also confess with the mouth [Romans 10:10], and how they present themselves with words, they also prove with their works [James 2:18]. They are no hypocrites that they should ascribe to themselves the praise of their own perfect righteousness, rather, they confess their weakness and imperfection, and they comfort themselves in this, that one day they will be entirely perfect and without all sin before the throne of God in eternal life, Ephesians 5:27.)

    (Psalm 32:2; Zephaniah 3:13; Ephesians 5:27)

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTINE: Those who hereafter want to follow the Lamb of God into eternal life wherever He goes, that is, those who want to be with Christ eternally and remain with Him, they must diligently attend to the purity of faith and Christian life (as virgins). (v. 4)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 13:11–14 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for the First Sunday of Advent (Ad Te Levavi), Romans 13:11–14, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. An admonition in general to holiness and innocence of life. (v. 11–14)

    Annotated Text

    11. And because we know such, namely, the time, that is now the our to stand up (to awake) from * sleep (the sleep of sin and fleshly security, as we ought to all the more be diligent in love toward the neighbor and other Christian virtues); since † our salvation is now nearer (after we have fully come to know Christ from His Gospel and are now rescued from the terrible darkness of ignorance and of an impious life) than when we believed1 (when we first began to grasp faith from the Gospel);

    * Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6–7

    † 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 6:9

    1 Greek: “And this (let us do all the more diligently), as those who know well the present time (namely) that it is the hour when we already ought to have risen from sleep, since salvation (the blessèd use of the divine means of grace) is now nearer to us than when we (first) believed.” (The light of the Gospel breaks through more and more.)

    12. The * night is (as of now) passed by (the time of ignorance, when you did not yet know Christ, the true light, but rather were stuck in the darkness of unbelief, idolatry, and other terrible sins, has gone away), but the day (of salvation, which is the bright revelation of the Gospel, and the light of the saving knowledge of Christ) has come;1 so  let us2 cast off the works of darkness (the gross sins in which to which those are inclined who still are stuck in the darkness of ignorance, error, and idolatry, to which also the prince who rules in the darkness of this world drives men, Ephesians 6:12, which sins are committed in darkness and finally plunge into eternal darkness), and put on the armor of light (the Christian virtues which are the beautiful garment of the day that adorns a converted man, with which one can also strive against the devil and the evil lusts of the flesh).

    * 1 John 2:8

    † Ephesians 5:11 (1 Thessalonians 5:5; Colossians 3:8; John 3:21; Romans 6:13)

    1 Greek: “The night (of the former corruption among Jews and Gentiles, etc.) is far spent (so that it will now soon come to its end), but that day (the public knowledge of God also among the Gentiles) has drawn near.”

    2 Greek: “now”[δὲ] (from this cause, see Romans 12:1)

    13. Let us walk honorably (in discipline and respectability, as is befitting) as in the day, * not in gluttony1 and drunkenness (for those who are drunk, are drunk at night,” 1 Thessalonians 5:7), not in bed chambers (lustfulness) and unchastity (bold, shameless living), not in † strife and envy;

    * Luke 21:34; Ephesians 5:18

    † James 3:14 (Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:11)

    1 † For what is contained under the Greek word κώμοις, see Galatians 5:21.

    14. But be adorned in the Lord Jesus Christ (not only through true faith, Galatians 3:27, but also through a pious walk, in which He has lit the way before you. “Let the Spirit of Christ, who dwells in you, rule and lead you, and put on the new man,” Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10), and watch after the body, yet in such a way that it not become wanton1 (Maintain in the watching of the body such measure with eating and drinking that you do not thereby indulge the evil lusts of the sinful flesh to fulfill them, Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:11. Luther: “Do not torture the body beyond its strength with unbearable holiness, watching, fasting, freezing as the hypocrites do”).

    (Colossians 2:23; 1 Corinthians 9:27)

    1 Greek: However, “the care (nurture) of the flesh (of the body)” is not directed toward the end that you promote its (wild) desires (arouse them or provide fodder or feed for them).

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: Concerning gluttony, drunkenness, unchastity, strife, envy, etc., which are works of darkness by which one plunges himself into the eternal darkness of hell (v. 12–13). DOCTRINE: Children of the light walk thus in the light the more it shines upon them; but whoever does not do so, makes it known that he still lives and lies in darkness (v. 12–14).

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Deuteronomy 10:12-21 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament reading for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Deuteronomy 10:12–21, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. How Moses, on the mountain, got the opportunity to admonish the people, and what the character of that reminder was. (v. 10–22)

    Annotated Text

    12. “Now Israel, what * does the Lord, your God require of you (in gratitude for all such great benefactions), than that you fear the Lord, your God (and guard yourself, that you do not provoke Him with sins), that you walk in all His ways (in His commandments), and love Him (above all creatures), ** and serve the Lord, your God (as a testimony of true love) with all your heart and will all your soul (without hypocrisy, in such a way that you do not think, speak, strive after, do, or begin anything that is not pleasing to this true God);

    * Micah 6:8

    ** Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.

    13. that you keep the commandments of the Lord and His laws, which I give to you today so that it go well with you (that you may be showed with all kinds of goods and rich blessings)!

    14. Behold, * heaven and the heaven of heaven (the highest heaven) and earth and everything that is in it belong to the Lord, your God (as the almighty and the all-rich Creator, Ruler, Preserver, and Lord of all things).

    * 1 Kings 8:27

    15. Nevertheless * He had delight only in your fathers (when there nevertheless were very few of them, and in addition when they were despised before the world), that He loved them (was mercifully  disposed toward them), and He elected their seed (their descendants) after them, (namely,) you over all people (because this grace was granted to no other people on earth, for He received you as His peculiar people [cf. 1 Peter 2:9]), ** as it stands today (as it is evident and before our eyes that such has also been granted by Him alone).

    * Deuteronomy 7:6, 9:29

    ** Deuteronomy 4:38 (Exodus 19:5)

    16. Therefore, * circumcise now (in a spiritual manner) the foreskin of your heart (lay aside the old man, and put to death the sinful lusts and wicked cravings of the flesh [cf. Ephesians 4:22]), and do not * be further stiff-necked (against God and His commandment).

    * Deuteronomy 30:6

    ** Nehemiah 9:16 (Jeremiah 4:4; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11

    17. For the Lord, your God, is * a God of all gods (over the angels, over the magistrates, and whatever otherwise is called gods), and Lord over all lords (in all the world, who have received all their lordship and authority as a fief from this Lord); a great God (in power), mighty (indeed, almighty) and terrible (of whom all creatures must be afraid), who ** does not consider the person (and those of great reputation in the world), and does not take any bribe (to pervert justice or refuse to punish evil on account of it);

    * Psalm 89:7

    ** Acts 10:34ff. (2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 34:19; Wisdom 6:8; Sirach 35:16; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17)

    18.  and who executes justice (He helps and stands by) for orphans (for the fatherless and motherless children) and widows (who are otherwise despised and forsaken by everyone), and loves * the stranger (protects, defends, and provides for them), that He gives them food and clothing.

    * Psalm 146:9; Exodus 22:21

    19. Therefore, you shall also * love the stranger (help protect and provide for them; also receive them faithfully according to this example of your God); for you were also strangers in the land of Egypt (since it pleased you well when people deal with you in a friendly manner, in the same manner you ought now rightly also do to other strangers).

    * Exodus 22:21ff.

    20. You shall fear the * Lord, your God (you shall dread to sin before Him); you shall serve Him (demonstrate all kinds of submission and honor according to His Word), you shall hang on to Him (with heartfelt trust and pure love), and ** shall swear in His name (affirm and confirm the truth upon the demand of the magistrate).

    * Deuteronomy 6:13ff.

    ** Psalm 63:12 (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8)

    21. He is your boast (the One whom you shall praise and boast of continually; in whom you only have to boast, that He is your gracious Father) and your God (your highest good), who has done for you (in your congregation) such great and terrible things (in Egypt and in the wilderness), which your eyes have seen.“

    (Exodus 15:2)

    Useful Applications

    III. CORRECTION: That we ought to circumcise ourselves spiritually, that is, suppress the sinful lusts within us, and lead a new life (v. 16–20).