Laws Publishing
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REVELATION: AN OVERVIEW (Part III) |
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(Chapters Four and Five) |
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Jim
Laws |
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By the time the reader gets to Revelation
chapter four, he discovers the scene of the great throne of God. John saw a
door opening into heaven; he was invited to come up where he would be shown
the things that would shortly come to pass (4:1). To say that He would
"show the things which must come to pass hereafter" refers to the
fact that John was about to observe God's plans starting from the present
time to eternity. In the vision, God is sitting on the throne in heaven, and
He holds a book in His hand. Twenty-four elders are sitting on thrones around
the throne of God. Four living creatures are near the throne praising the one
on the throne with the elders joining in the worship. The book in God's hand
is sealed shut by means of seven seals. The Lamb, who appears to have been
slain, is standing among the elders, the four living creatures, and near the
throne of God. He is the only one worthy to open God's book. Then the text
tells us that a new song of praise is sung in honor of the Lamb. The scene
continues into chapter five. The book John saw was closed with seven seals
(5:1). The Lamb is standing in the midst of the throne and of the four living
creatures, and in the midst of the elders (5:6); there are many angels around
the throne, the living creatures, and the elders ( |
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The throne symbolizes God's great power and authority. Even though Children of God were suffering due to the wickedness of those persecuting the church, God is still in control. The book or scroll written on both sides, indicating the completeness of the message, cannot be opened by just anyone, and rightly so, as only a divine being could open a book dealing with events to come. It is only the lion of Judah who is worthy to open the seals (5:5). The Lamb takes the book from the right hand of God (notice the cooperation between them), and this evokes praise for the Lamb, indicating the fact of the deity of the Lamb. Christ is well qualified to assume this role due to His death (5:9). With His blood the Lamb has purchased a people for His own possession. The people who belong to Christ come from "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation," indicating the international nature of the kingdom (church, v. 9). John heard a voice, a chorus consisting of the voice of many angels round about the throne. It was a chorus that consisted of thousands upon thousands. The idea here is that the fact that He was slain, or was made the perfect sacrifice for sin, was ground or reason for what is here ascribed to Him. This perfect praise ascends as seven divine characteristics are attributed to the Lamb that was slain. All parts of the creation, animate and inanimate, are represented here by that figure of speech called personification, as giving praise to the Lord Jesus, because he created all things. We find the whole creation gives precisely the same praise, and in the same terms, to Jesus Christ, the Lamb just slain, as they give to GOD who sits upon the throne. If Jesus Christ were not properly GOD, this would be idolatry. The four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth forever and ever. It is no wonder that righteousness overcomes, and the saints of God are victorious. The Lamb before the throne, because of His victory over death, is worthy to open the seven seals.
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