Jeanne Guyon’s Apocalyptic Universe. Jeanne de la Mothe Guyon

rule in this way! Their reign would be full of peace, exempt from all trouble, chagrin, and worry.

      Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:11–12)

      The angels surrounded the throne of God and the living creatures and the elders. This shows two things. First, there are saints in the rank of angels and even higher than the angels. Except for the seven spirits, which are the seven lamps that are always in front of the throne of God, there is no hierarchy where there are not saints. These blessed spirits have an inexhaustible love for human beings. These innumerable holy spirits continually praise God before the throne according to the magnificence of the majesty of God. O God, your goodness is infinite! You are happy throughout eternity. However, as if you had not been fully satisfied with enjoying yourself, you wanted to create creatures who could participate in this happiness. You caused an increase in accidental glory, but not an increase in essential glory. You wanted not only to love yourself but to make yourself loving. This is the design of creation, to make creatures capable of loving you and enjoying you, and that you love and enjoy yourself. You wanted to extend outside what you do inside of yourself. In contemplation, you engender your Word. In loving, you produce your Holy Spirit. You have made everyone capable of contemplating and loving which is the ability that both angels and saints in heaven and human beings on earth have. You create your own Word in them. You love them and produce your Holy Spirit in them. Therefore, the end of creation is to make human beings who love and contemplate. However, some humans believe that loving and contemplating is an impossible thing for humans and so they condemn this. Actually, human beings love and contemplate naturally.

      They sang in a full voice to be heard in all the earth, that the Lamb without a stain, who was killed, who was immolated for love, was worthy to receive sovereign power, which was due to him through his eternal birth as God. He is also due sovereign power as conqueror and victor through his death. The wealth of Divinity, that is to say the glory of God, is on Jesus Christ because his humanity is united with the glory of God. He is due wisdom because he is wisdom incarnate and full power. He is due honor, glory, and blessing for all and in all things.

      Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev 5:13–14)

      This passage helps us see two things, the reunion and harmony of all creatures who will one day give God glory due to him with a common voice. It is said, every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea sings, that is to say, everybody without exception.

      All creatures praise God in their own way. There is not one from whom God does not derive singular glory. All God’s creatures recognize that honor, glory, and power are in him. All their praises are made in common accord with the angels and saints, all animated and inanimate creatures, on the earth and under the earth where the souls in purgatory are. The children of the furnace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego invite all creatures to praise God (Dan 3:52). In Psalm 148, David invites all creatures to praise God. They understand that all creatures can give God a glory and praise that only God knows.

      Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer. (Rev 6:1–2)