03.01 First Subdivision. The Heavenly Scene.
First Subdivision. The Heavenly Scene.
BEFORE THE THRONE.
Chapters 4-5
Chapter 4. The Open Door and the Vision of the Throne.Revelation 4:1-3. The scene changes suddenly. We are no longer on earth but are transported into heaven. The true church is gone and the apostate Church, while still on earth to pass into the judgments of the great tribulation, is no longer owned by the Lord and therefore not mentioned. That is why the word “church” disappears entirely from this book after the third chapter. The open door and the voice which calls “come up hither” and John’s presence in glory in the spirit, clearly indicate” symbolically the fulfilment of that for which the faithful remnant waited, the blessed hope of the Church, has suddenly come to pass. The departure of the true Church from the earth will be as sudden as its beginning (Acts 2:1-2). Surely the gathering of all the Saints in glory must someday take place. He promised it (John 14:1-3). He prayed for it (John 17:24). The Holy Spirit in the Epistles bears constant witness to it. The shout, perhaps the same words which John heard “Come up hither.” will open the graves of all the Saints, and those who arc on earth at that time will be caught up; yes dear reader, we are authorized to say “we who remain shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
John’s first vision in heaven is the established throne, the sign and symbol of the universal government of God. While thrones on earth begin to totter and to fall and man’s day closes in the predicted upheavals, there is a throne which cannot be affected nor disturbed. Yea, He who sitteth there and looks down upon earth and sees man’s rebellion and madness laughs at them and holds them in derision (Psalms 2:4). The occupant of the throne was to look upon like a Jasper and a Sardine stone. They were the first and the last precious stones in the breastplate of the High priest, only the Sardine stone is there the first while here it is mentioned last. The names of Benjamin (“the son of the right hand”) and Reuben (behold a son!) were engraven upon these two stones (Exodus 18:17-20). The Sardine, probably identical with the ruby, is a blood-red stone. The Jasper is not the common Jasper of little value. See Revelation 21:11. Many think it is the diamond or perhaps the opal. Our Lord and the glory of His Person are thus symbolically represented in these stones, His glory in the brilliant stone, His redemption work in the blood-red sardine. The rainbow in emerald-green tells us that in the judgments about to come upon the earth mercy will be also remembered. It is the covenant sign. Though judgments come, yet mercy is in store for Israel and the earth.
2. The Twenty-four Elders.Revelation 4:4. Who is represented by these twenty-four elders? They cannot be angels. Angels are never seen seated upon thrones, (not seats as in the Authorized Version) nor are they crowned, nor can they sing redemption’s song as the Elders do. There is only one possible meaning. They represent the redeemed, the Saints in glory. They are Priests (clothed in white) and they are Kings (crowned); they are the royal priesthood in the presence of the throne. And why twenty-four? It points us back to the work David did for the temple. He appointed twenty-four courses of the priests (1 Chronicles 24). Twice twelve would suggest the Saints of the Old and New Testament.
3. The Description of the Throne.Revelation 4:5. There were lightnings and voices and thunderings. This is repeatedly stated. See Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:18. It is the symbol of God’s throne in its judicial aspect. And He who occupies that throne is our Lord. Heaven’s throne, so to speak, is getting ready for the judgments. And the Elders are in perfect peace, undisturbed by these otherwise terrifying manifestations, sitting before the throne. There is no judgment for them, they are safe at home.
4. The Four Living Creatures and the Great Praise and Worship.Revelation 4:6-11. The sea of glass is a reminder of the great laver in Solomon’s temple in which the priests had to wash. Now it is solidified, because no more water is needed for the cleansing of the Saints. The word “beast” should be changed to “living creatures” or “living ones.” They are not symbolical of the church, or a special class of saints, but they are the same supernatural beings seen in the Old Testament and always in connection with the throne and the presence of Jehovah. They are the cherubim of Ezekiel’s great vision, chapters 1 and 10: Their constant cry, Holy, holy, holy, reminds us of the seraphim also. (Isaiah 6). The worship here is the worship of Him who is the creator.
“The saints here fall down before the throne, bow themselves before His place in glory, and worship Him in His endless being, and lay down their given glory before His supreme and proper glory, ascribing all glory to Him, as alone worthy of it; but here, according to the nature of the celebration of it, the Creator for whom all things are. In all changes these remained true. It will be remarked here, that the living creatures only celebrate and declare; the Elders worship with understanding. All through the Revelation the Elders give their reason for worshipping. There is spiritual intelligence in them.” [Note: Synopsis.]
Chapter 5.
1. Who is worthy to Open the Book?Revelation 5:1-3. Much has been written about the meaning of the book written within and sealed with seven seals.
What the book contains is no secret whatever. Beginning with the sixth chapter the seals are opened and after they are all broken the contents of the book are made known. The book contains the judgments for this earth preceding His coming in power and glory and the beginning of His reign. It is therefore the book of the righteous judgments of God, preceding the glorious manifestation of the King of kings. The same figure of a book is found in Ezekiel 2:9-10. And who is worthy to open this book and make known, as well as execute, its contents?
2. The Answer.Revelation 5:4-5. John receives the answer to the question the strong angel had proclaimed. One of the Elders told him “Behold the lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and the seven seals thereof.” No further comment is needed; the Lord Jesus Christ is the Lion of Judah and the Root of David. “The King’s wrath is as a roaring lion” (Proverbs 19:12). He is now to be revealed in mighty power and strength to execute judgment. See Genesis 49:9. And He is also the Root of David. Both terms tell us that Judah and the house of David will be remembered in mercy when the judgment sweeps over the earth. The time is at hand when the Davidic covenant-promise will be fully accomplished by Him who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
3. The Vision of the Lamb.Revelation 5:6-7. And now He is seen who alone is worthy to open the book. He does not appear as a Lion in majesty, but He is seen by John as a Lamb standing, as having been slain. The lamb slain is the Lion. His victory was gained by dying and therefore He must have as the Lion the victory over all His enemies. Thrice the number seven is repeated revealing His perfection. Notice especially three descriptions. He is “in the midst.” He is the center of God’s government and of heaven itself, as He is for His people the center of all their thoughts and affections. He is seen “as a Lamb standing.” Now He is seated at the right hand of God, but when the time comes when His enemies are about to be made His footstool, He will arise to act. He will arise and have mercy upon Zion (Psalms 102:12). And He is seen as “the Lamb slain.” The Greek word here suggests “slain in sacrifice.” In His body after His resurrection the Disciples saw the nail-prints and the wound the spear had made (John 20:20; John 20:25; John 20:27). Here when He is about to take to Himself His rights, purchased by His death on the cross, about to usher in His reign, the wound-prints are also seen. And I when He comes in great power and glory the same tokens of His passion will be visible, for they shall look on Him whom they pierced. And what an indescribable scene when He took the book!
4. The Worship of the Living Creatures and the Elders.Revelation 5:8-10. A great worship scene follows at once. The four living Creatures join in with the Elders, but the latter alone have harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the Saints. The harps express their great joy and praise and the bowls full of incense denotes the priestly ministry of the redeemed. Such is part of our glorious future, an endless praise of deepest joy, and perfect ministry. The prayers of the Saints are not the prayers of the past, but the prayers which Jewish Saints will pray, so beautifully pre-written in the Psalms, when the time of Jacob’s trouble is on the earth. And then the new song! This is redemption’s song, the song of redeeming love; the old song was the praise of God as the Creator in His glory (Job 38:7). Redemption is now accomplished for the Saints in glory; they look forward to the glorious manifestation with Himself and the great new song bursts forth in all its wonderful meaning. We give the better rendering: “Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God by Thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation and madest them unto our God kings and priests, and they shall reign over the earth.” The great theme is He and His worthiness. He is worthy; He was slain; He hath purchased; He purchased the glory for His own. No other worship will be known in heaven. Happy are we if we sing redemption’s song down here in blessed anticipation of the soon coming consummation, when we shall see Him as He is “in the midst” and enter upon our never ending and glorious inheritance.
5. The Worthiness of the Lamb Acclaimed by all Beings,Revelation 5:11-14. The Praise of Him becomes universe-wide. The innumerable company of angels join the praise. How many angels? “The number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” [Note: This is according to the Greek.] And the Praise described here leads us on to the time when God will be all in all. It is the never ending praise of all creation. The Hallelujah chorus of redeemed Creation! The four living creatures said “Amen;” the Elders worshipped. Omit “Him that liveth forever and ever,” as these words do not belong here.