There are two points I desire to notice in this chapter-the perfect peace of soul which belongs to the redeemed, and the consequent spirit and character of their worship. We evidently see that the character of this book is that of judgment, for with the exception of the Church in bliss, the whole action of the book is judgment. God is sitting on a throne and that throne is not in the character of grace, but in the Sinai character. Not that the throne will be on earth, but the terrible judgments, the thunderings, the lightnings, which are coming on the earth, all issue from this throne. In this introductory chapter, and the throne with the thunderings, &e., issuing from it, we have God in the character of " Lord God Almighty," and not in the character of Father. Jehovah, " Lord God Almighty" is the Old-Testament' name of God in connection with the power which will be put forth in coming judgment. Now what shows out the perfect peace into which we as believers are brought is the seeing the twenty-four elders sitting on thrones round about the throne, whence these judgments are issuing in perfect peace. They are not at all alarmed; there is no movement from their seats, no disturbance, no trembling because they are associated with the very throne from which these judgments flow. Then mark another thing: they are sitting. They are not even here seen standing, but sitting in perfect peace, in undisturbed grace, like David, " who went in and sat before the Lord." They worship, it is true, and fall down, a much higher thing than sitting. But how thoroughly this scene shows into what a place of perfect peace we are brought, that even when the judgments break forth we are unmoved, having nothing to alarm us. The elders are sitting in perfect peace, and that is our place, realized now by faith; so that however we may be tried down here in the world, when we come before God we can sit down in perfect peace and rest there. But now mark another thing: it is not only the thunderings and lightnings, the pouring forth of the terrible judgments during which they are in perfect peace; but when the character of God is opened out in the threefold ascription of " Holy, Holy, Holy," does this disturb them? Not in the least; so it is with us, when the full character of God's holiness is seen, in His justice making good His Holiness. If, in the presence of His holiness I thought there was a spot upon me, I could not be at peace before Him. What a comfort to have our home and place of rest where the thrice Holy God is I When they hear, " Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," their affections move them, and they fall down immediately in worship, while all the terrible judgments do not move them at all. This is the result of being in perfect peace in the presence of this Holy, Holy, Holy God. Their affections are brought out in praise. They rejoice to lay their crowns at His feet, attributing all to Him and worship Him. " Thou art worthy." It is intelligent worship too, for they know why He is worthy. He is worthy; but they know it for themselves, for He has redeemed them unto God by His blood. There were no terrors awakened in their soul when the thunderings and lightnings were going on, no nor yet when the character of a thrice holy God was opened out. But when He is spoken of and glory given to Him, their affections flow out and they worship. If there is any fear, there can be no worship. " Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness." But grace has set us in this place of worship in the power of the Holy Ghost. Having been made kings and priests unto God and His Father, we can worship Him. We are not in this glory yet, but may we grow in the sense of what He is, and worship Him who is worthy to be glorified.