Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Rev 4.1 and following. Indeed, here begins the third part of the book, announced in Ap 1:17-20. In the foregoing, we have seen what the seven churches represent, to which the Lord was pleased to send the epistles contained in the second and third chapters of the book before us. Two points emerge from our study. It is certain that the Lord addressed assemblies that existed at that time, and which presented the features that are traced in the epistles. But, considering the very content of these letters, the use of the symbolic number seven which always designates a perfect cycle, and finally the order in which these assemblies are presented to us in turn, it seems obvious, and we have concluded, that they prefigure successive phases or states of things in the Church, considered on earth from the point of view of her responsibility.
Secondly, of these seven states, three have passed without leaving for us anything other than a teaching of moral significance, while the last four also have prophetic significance, and from the moment of their appearance, continue and exist together until the coming of the Lord Jesus. What vividly confirms what we have just recalled is the fact that, since this chapter, there is no longer any mention of anything resembling the condition of a church on earth. How can this silence be explained, if we must take the seven assemblies only in the literal sense? On the other hand, if, in addition to the historical application, they have a prophetic significance, it is easy to understand that the Lord addressed himself to assemblies then existing, in order to give through them a view of the various states that were to succeed each other in the Church until the end, as we have seen.
For the Spirit of God shows the prophet, not the state of the Church, but what will follow when the churches are no longer before the thought of the Lord, and what bears its name has been vomited from his mouth. Then it is a question of the world, God not ceasing to maintain a witness for himself, in the midst of gradually growing troubles. But from then on the witnesses bear a Jewish or Gentile character, and not that of the Church on earth. There will be believers, this is obvious; some belonging to the chosen people, others drawn from the midst of nations; but nothing like what we saw in the second and third chapters. But to fully appreciate the whole of the Word and the ways of God, it is necessary that the eyes be directed in everything towards Christ. But it is the Spirit of God alone who thus constantly places Christ before the eyes of the soul. He who knows and possesses him soon feels that there are very diverse relationships for believers of different ages, and he sees what results from it. This is how Christ has special ways for the Church, which are suitable only for her. These paths end with the third chapter; so these are new things, which now are presented to the believer.
Now it is well known that the great number of those who bear the name of Christ, affirm that the Church has always been since there are children of God on earth, and that she will exist as long as the work of the conversion of souls continues. But this assertion has no basis in the Scriptures, either in the Old or New Testament, or therefore in the book at hand. How can we be surprised, then, if those who study the Bible with such a notion in mind so opposed to revealed truth fail to understand its teachings? They raise an insurmountable barrier between themselves and the truth. And as there were Christian assemblies when it was written, it pleased the Spirit of God to precede the prophecy with a very remarkable overview of the condition of the Church, as long as it was recognized by the Lord on earth. We have seen with what admirable wisdom this has been presented to us, so as to suit the time when John was writing, and yet to always find application throughout the life of the Church. It is not that everything could be discerned at once; the light was growing, but it was always enough to give God’s children the knowledge of the Lord’s thought. It is here, moreover, as of every part of Scripture: no one can really benefit from it without the Spirit, and it can only be to the glory of Christ.
We can now grasp the immense importance of the change that we notice by moving on to Chapter 4. The prophet sees an open door in heaven, and is called to ascend to it. It is a vision, as we understand it without difficulty; it is not a question of sensitive facts, and it is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes John able to enter and contemplate: “On the spot, I was in spirit,” he says. In the sky where he is thus introduced, John sees a throne whose appearance tells us that it is a judicial seat. It has none of the characters of the throne of God that we now know: “the throne of grace”,which we approach with confidence, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to have help at the right time”. Here nothing similar. Lightning, voices, and thunders are perfectly clear symbols, which teach us what the throne seen by John is in heaven, and in what contrast it is with the one presented to us by Hebrews 4. Any attentive and taught reader of God can see it, and must conclude at the same time that two aspects of the throne so different, cannot characterize the same period, the same state of affairs. Here, therefore, far from having a throne from which divine mercy flows, we have the one who is clothed with the attributes proper to Sinai. It brings out the light that manifests the evil that is on the earth, the voices that denounce it, and the thunders that strike it. It is the seat of supreme authority; the source from which the judgment of the ungodly derives.
For until Jesus comes, there can never be a complete state of the Church in heaven; rather, it exists on earth. But as long as we speak of an absolute complete state, it is clear that this cannot take place until the Lord has come, and has taken out of the world all the heavenly saints to place them on top, in his presence. Then there is a perfectly complete state; it is the one that is represented by the twenty-four elders. So here we have the confirmation of a fact on which we have already insisted, and that is that everything presupposes that we have finished with the condition of the church, and that a new state of affairs has begun. This is the natural meaning of the vision of the glory and happiness of those who have been on earth, but whom we now see glorified in heaven. They are the leaders of the celestial priesthood and form a complete body in the broadest sense of the word. They are therefore outside this condition where one needs the washing of water by the Word; so we see before them a sea, not filled with water, but a sea of glass, like crystal, and this is what characterizes their state in the most obvious way.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The Throne of God and Heavenly Worship:
- Open skies
Mt 3.16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came out of the water. And behold, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and come upon him. Acts 7.56 And he said, Behold, I see the open heavens, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God. Acts 10:11 He saw the open sky, and an object like a great tablecloth tied by the four corners, which descended and lowered to the earth, Rev 19.11 Then I saw the open sky, and behold, appeared a white horse. The one who mounted it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and fights with justice.
- Spiritual crowns
-The incorruptible crown 1 Cor 9.25 All those who fight impose on themselves every kind of abstinence, and they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we do it for an incorruptible crown.
-The crown of righteousness 2 Tim 4.8 Henceforth the crown of righteousness is reserved for me; the Lord, the just judge, will give it to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his coming.
-The crown of life Jas 1.12 Blessed is the man who patiently endures temptation; for, after being tested, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
-The Crown of Glory 1 Pet 5.4 And when the sovereign shepherd appears, you will obtain the incorruptible crown of glory.
-Are to be kept Rev 3.11 And when the sovereign shepherd appears, you will obtain the incorruptible crown of glory.
- The Power of God is infinite
Jb 42.2 I recognize that you can do everything, and that nothing stands in the way of your thoughts. Ps 115.3 Our God is in heaven, He does whatever He wants. Mt 19.26 Jesus looked at them, and said to them: To men this is impossible, but to God everything is possible. Lk 1.37 For nothing is impossible for God.
- Glorifying God, Examples
Isaiah 6.3 They cried out to each other, and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! all the earth is full of his glory! Mt 15.31 so that the crowd was in awe that the dumb were speaking, that the crippled were healed, that the lame walked, that the blind saw; and it glorified the God of Israel. Acts 4.21 They made new threats to them, and released them, not knowing how to punish them, because of the people, because all glorified God for what had happened. Rev 4.11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for you have created all things, and it is by your will that they exist and were created. Rev 7.10 And they cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation is to our God who sits on the throne, and to the lamb. Rev 15.4 Who would not fear, Lord, and glorify your name? For only you are holy. And all nations will come, and bow down before you, because your judgments have been manifested. Rev 19.1 After that, I heard in heaven as a loud voice of a large crowd that said: Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power are our God’s;
From all of the above, we note that we see the four living beings and the ancients in a close relationship, not only are they in that relationship further, they are closely associated together. This is what emerges from the fact that, when the Lamb takes the book, “the four living beings and the twenty-four old men fall on their faces before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden cups full of perfumes, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sing a new hymn.” And the important fact that should be noted here is that, in the sequel, the Lamb is for the first time introduced to the stage in a distinct and defined way. This is not the case now, where we have seen the judicial glory of God unfold in its various characters, in relation to the earth and the various dispensations, except the millennial character and his revelation as Father which is special to us today. That is why all the details of the vision are to be understood in a symbolic sense. It is certain that we will not see in heaven any material throne; for it is simply the emblem of the royal government. However, the interpretation of these symbols is not left to our imagination: it is given to us by the Bible itself in other passages. To contemplate these “things that must happen soon” (after the Church has been raptured), the apostle is invited to ascend into heaven. It is always from a heavenly point of view that the Christian must consider the events of the earth to see them in their right perspective, with Christ at the center. According to the promise made in Philadelphia, the Redeemed of the Lord will be kept in the hour of temptation. By the time this one begins for the world (Rev 6.1-17), we already see them gathered together in glory. They are represented by the 24 old men who prostrate themselves by throwing their crowns in front of the throne. They celebrate the Creator God, they will worship the Redeeming God. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the sealed book of 7 seals given to the Lamb in the midst of the throne. »
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.