387 “This description of the glorified Lord, sublime as a purely mental conception, becomes intolerable if we give it outward form and expression.” (Trench, _Ep’s to Seven Ch’s_, p. 64). In fact, “No scene in the great Christian Apocalypse can be successfully reproduced upon canvas; the imagery ... is symbolic and not pictorial,” (Swete, _Apoc. of St. John_, Intr., p. cxxxiv.) “Symbolism does not appeal to the pictorial sense at all, but rather to some analytic faculty, or conventional association of ideas.” (Moulton, _Bib. Idyls_, Intr. p. xx). The incongruity of many of their symbols from the aesthetic point of view does not seem to have occurred to the Hebrew mind, for with them the religious idea was predominant. Many of the events recorded in the Revelation are manifestly impossible except in a vision. 388 “Here we have the ideas of ch. 1. 5 repeated (i. e. of the love and redemption of Christ) with the further thought that love like that displayed in Christ’s death for man’s redemption is worthy not only of all praise, but of having all the future committed to its care. It is really a pictorial way of saying that redeeming love is the last reality in the universe which all praise must exalt and to which everything else must be subordinate.” Denney, _Death of Christ_, p. 246. 389 Moulton’s _Mod. Read. Bib._, Psa. vol. i, Intr., p. xxxiif. 390 The call is most naturally understood as a call for the vision to appear. Simcox so interprets: “Each of the living creatures by turns summons one of the horsemen.” (_Cambr. Gr. Test._, Rev., p. 85); Scott, also, holds the same view (_New Cent. Bib._, Rev., p. 176); and Moffatt, prefers it (_New Trans. New Test._, footnote). Plummer, however, says the call is addressed to John,—perhaps a more common view; on the other hand Alford, Milligan, and Swete, say the call is to Christ to come. The view that the call is addressed to the rider is more likely correct, though the interpretation of the seals is not materially affected by the view we may take of this part of the symbolism. In any case, “Each living being invites attention to the revelation of the future of that creation of which they are all representatives.” _Pulp. Com._, Rev., p. 185. 391 “_Conquering, and that he may conquer._ This is the key to the whole vision. Only of Christ and his kingdom can it be said that it is to conquer ... only of Christ’s kingdom shall there be no end.” Plummer, _Pulp. Com._, Rev., p. 184. 392 _New Cent. Bib._, Rev., p. 179; also see Mommsen’s _Provinces of Rom. Emp._, vol. ii, p. 1 (note), Swete regards the first seal as “a picture of triumphant militarism.” _Apoc. St. John_, p. 84.