The Book Of Revelation

Home \| Foundation Truths \| Original Sin & Eternal Punishment \| C L Parker \| Bill Turner \| Bibliography \| Contact
< > Chapter Six The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3 Events in Heaven just before the last seven years of this Age. Rev.4 & 5 Daniel's striking prophecy, in Dan.9v20-27., tells us in verse 27, that the last seven years of this age will start when Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews. The end of these last seven years “will bring in everlasting righteousness and will seal up the vision and prophecy,” that is, they will usher in the Millennial kingdom. Rev.10v7. Daniel's prophecy states that between Jesus “making reconciliation for iniquity” by being “cut off” at Calvary for our redemption, and the last seven years of this age, there has been a period of time unknown to all but God, during which God has been calling out the Church and preparing it to rule with Christ. In the fullness of time God will allow the last seven years of this age to start. We see in Rev. 4 and 5, the preliminaries in Heaven before the seals are opened, that is, before the events of the last seven years are started. The seven seals reveal Satan's evil plans for the world during the last seven years of this age. Paul calls Satan’s plans “the mystery of iniquity.” 2Thes.2v7. The seals reveal the major catastrophic stages of the career of Antichrist from the time when he makes the covenant, until the great day of the wrath of the Lamb brings his evil career to a close. John's glorious vision of God the Father. This vision of God's overriding providence has given comfort to Christians throughout Church history in their times of trial, but it is especially given to comfort the Christians who will be on earth during the last seven dark years of this age. This vision declares to us, that no matter how evil the world becomes, God is still on the throne, almighty in power and completely devoted to His creation. The Scriptures give us many instances where people have been sustained by a vision of God’s majesty and glory. Exod.24v10. 2Chron.18v18. Is.6. all. Ezek.1. all. 10. all. Jer.17v12. Dan.7v9-14. Acts.2v2. 7v55. Heb.12v22-24. Rev.20v11. 21v13. Job.42v5,6. 19v25-27. Ps.99v1. Heb.1v3. 4v16. 1Tim.6v12-16. 2Cor.12v1-4. John uses the brightness and splendour of precious stones to try to convey to us the indescribable glory and majestic brightness of God our Father. John says that God was to look upon like a jasper and a sardius stone. Jasper was one of the gems in the High Priest's breastplate, and one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. Ex.28v20. Rev.21v18. In Rev.21v11., John describes jasper as “most precious,” and as clear as a crystal, so it cannot be the gem known as the jasper in our day, which is looked upon as an opaque stone of red, brown, green or yellow colour. Some think that Jasper may be the diamond because of this transparency. John Wesley says that the jasper stone “is transparent and of a glittering white, with an intermixture of beautiful colours.” The sardius is a blood red colour, or almost a blood red colour, which was prized according to its depth of hue and translucency. This is the glory that Ezekiel described in Ezek.1v27., “and I saw as a colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of His loins even upward, and from the appearance of His loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire.” The Hebrew word “chasmal” which is translated as “amber” in Ezek.1v4,27. 8v2., is used for a metal which was a compound of gold and silver, and was remarkable for its shining brightness. These words give us a very striking picture of the dazzling splendour of our heavenly Father, He shines with an overwhelming lustre and glory like that of precious stones magnified a million-fold. There is, however, one great difference, the splendour of precious jewels is a result of reflected light, the blazing glory and indescribable beauty of the colours that stream from God, are from Himself, uncreated and eternal, and filled with love. The most beautiful vision that one can ever see is a vision of God. The phrases, “burning bliss,” “eternal light,” “uncreated light,” and “greatness unspeakable,” are all to mean to show His worth, too mean to set our Father forth. “Oh height immense, what words suffice, thy countless attributes to show?” The continual cry of holy, holy, holy, (“hagios”), from the living creatures, proclaims the amazing and lovely truth that the Trininty have set themselves wholly apart to procure the happiness of their creation, no matter what the cost is to themselves. This is why they can each be called “The Holy One.” Their dedicated love is perfect, every hour of every day is spent lovingly caring for their creation. John is given a lovely picture of the dedication of God to His creation. Not only light, but life and love stream endlessly from God’s throne to His creation. God’s ceaseless activity in caring for His creation is seen in the lightnings, thunders and voices that issue from His throne, and the millions of angels that speed to do His will and accomplish His manifold works. Col.1v17. Heb.1v3. Jn.5v17. Lk.1v19,26. Ps.121v1-8. Rev.4v5. 8v2. Dan.7v9,10. In Jn.5v17,18., Jesus answered His critics, “My Father worketh even until now, and I work.” “Worketh,” is the present middle indicative, “ergazetai,” 2038, "keeps on working until now," continuous work, without a break, from the dawn of creation until the present. God instituted the Sabbath for us, but His dedicated love for His creation drives Him on, and makes it impossible for Him to observe it. In Jn.5v17,18., Jesus claimed equal deity with God by saying God was His father, and so the right to work on the Sabbath, like His Father. The Satan inspired lie that God is inactive in Heaven, and is just idly pleasing Himself, could not be more wrong. God works ceaselessly every day, “He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” Ps.121v3,4. Untold millions of angels wait upon the Trinity to do their will, they never have a second's respite from the responsibility of lovingly caring for, and upholding, their creation. The majesty, glory, and power of God are indescribably great and wonderful, but the greatest attribute and glory of God is His love and devotion to His creation, that is, His holiness. Holiness does not just mean purity, though it obviously includes it, holiness means much more than purity, it means consecration and dedication to a purpose. The words sanctification and holiness are translations of the same Greek noun, “hagiasmos,” and it is twice used in connection with the Lord Jesus. Jesus twice stated that He sanctified Himself. Jn.10v36. 17v19. He did not mean that He purified Himself, He was always pure, it means that He was twice set aside and dedicated to a definite work, the first work was that of being Redeemer, the second work was that of being High Priest. The righteous find it astonishing that wicked men and evil angels have set themselves against God's loving and beautiful eternal purposes. Though the wicked cannot successfully fight God's Almighty power, or defeat His eternal purposes; they have set themselves to frustrate God's will on earth, and this is allowed for a limited time to expose their hearts. It is very necessary to correct the Authorised Version mistranslation of Rev.4v11.; “for Thy pleasure” should be translated, “because of Thy will.” God did not make the Creation to make Himself happy, or to get anything out of it for Himself, He made it in order to give His creatures eternal life, and eternal joy and happiness, and it was at the most tremendous cost to Himself. Some have taken the evil doctrine of “The divine right of kings,” and applied it to God, they say that God has no duties and man has no rights, and that the power and position of God give Him the right to do anything that pleases Him. This theory is Satanic; God is love, and love has always got duties, God is completely unselfish and never does anything just to please Himself. Rom.15v3. The wonderful truth is, that so far from creating things for His pleasure, God, has at tremendous cost to Himself, procured the eternal happiness and joy of His redeemed creation. God will indeed get pleasure out of His creation, but that is the by-product of the creation and not God's motive for making the creation. The Trinity did not need to make a creation at all, they were perfectly happy as they were, it was a love that desired to give to the uttermost that drove them to their tremendous sacrifice. The cost of this immense project was weighed up before the foundation of the world, and the Lord Jesus had to be willing to die before the creation could be made. 2Tim.1v9. Titus.1v2. Rev.13v8. Such was the grace and love of the Lord Jesus, and, indeed, all the Trinity, that they did not allow the appalling cost to deter them. Once they had made the Creation, the Trinity were obliged to make all the sacrifices that they had realised were necessary before they started the creation. This they have done, no sacrifice has been too great for them, and they have earned the love, praise and admiration of all their children who love the way of truth. WHO ARE THE ELDERS? Rev.4v4,10. 5v5-8,14. 19v4. 7v11,13. 11v16. 14v3. Some have said that the elders are the raptured Church, or a company of Christians in Heaven. The Authorised Version of Rev.5v9,10., makes the elders Christians, however, several versions follow the Greek texts which put “men” for “us,” “them” for “us,” and “they” for “we,” see the study on this later in these notes. The alternative reading makes it clear that the elders are singing a song about another group of people and not a song about themselves. The matter cannot finally be settled by an appeal to the Greek text, both versions have good authority, one has to study the relevant Scriptures to decide which is correct. That the elders are singing a song about another group of people is clearly seen from the following facts: There are only 24 elders and the raptured Church does not consist of only 24 Christians. This number 24 is no more symbolical than the number of the living creatures, or the number of angels. Rev.5v11. God does not use a symbolic number, when he tells of the number of Christians who go through the great tribulation, He says that they are “a great multitude which no man could number.” Rev.7v9-14. The song is sung by the living creatures as well as the elders and they are certainly not raptured saints. In Rev.7v9-11. 11v16-18. 19v4,7. 14v3., a clear distinction is made between the elders and Christians. Notice how the elders are not able to sing the new song of the Christians of Rev.14v1-3.. The Church is praying and suffering on earth right until the coming of Christ after the great tribulation. See Rev.6v9-11. 8v3,4. 12v17. 13v7. 14v13. 17v6. The great tribulation ends when the seventh trumpet sounds and the dead are resurrected, this is years later than the first seal. 1Thes.4v16,17. 1Cor.15v51-53. Rev.11v15-18. In Mt.24v31., the elect which are gathered are not Jews, for Is.66v19,20., informs us that the Jews are brought back to Israel by the Gentiles as an offering to the Lord. Is.14v2. 45v19,20. Christians are being martyred on earth until the end of the great tribulation and do not sit on thrones until the Millennium begins, which is about seven years later than Rev.4. and 5.. The Christian dead, whether they be martyred or otherwise, are resting, not reigning, until the Millennium starts. Rev.6v9-11. 14v12,13. 20v4-6. 6v9-11. These elders are undoubtedly the angels that share in the government of Heaven. The word “seats” should be translated “thrones,” and Col.1v16. speaks of the thrones that are in the invisible world, the thrones of great angels that rule the heavenly world. These angelic elders have white robes and crowns of gold, and they have proved their right to them, for they remained true to God and righteousness, and resisted the rebellion that Satan started in Heaven. They overcame Satan's lies in Heaven even as we have to overcome them on earth. The Living Creatures. Rev.4v6,8,9. 5v6,14. 6v1,3,5,7. 7v11 14v3. 15v7.19v4. The word “beasts,” “zoa,” should be translated, “creatures full of life,” and is in stark contrast to “the Beast,” “to therion,” a fierce wild animal, which describes Antichrist in Rev.11v7. 13v1. etc.. See Mt.7v15. The living creatures of Rev.4. have six wings like the Seraphim of Is.6, and as “Seraphim,” means “burning ones;” so “burning with heavenly energy,” is probably the same as, “creatures full of life.” The Cherubim of Ez.1 and 10., are called living creatures, but they have only four wings. Another difference between the living creatures of Revelation and Ezekiel, is that in Revelation each living creature has only one face, whereas in Ezekiel each living creature has all four faces. The Seraphim of Is.6. are above the throne, the cherubim of Ez.1 and 10 are below the throne and move it. Ez.1v12,19-21,26. The living creatures of Revelation have no rest, they praise God day and night, what a joyful experience, what glorious unrest. Compare this with the followers of Antichrist, who have no peace or rest of soul because of the torment of evil within them. Rev.14v11. John's vision of Christ, the Lamb of God taking the book with seven seals. Rev.5. The seven seals show the major stages in the career of Antichrist, from the covenant, to seven years later, when he and his evil system is destroyed on the great day of the Lamb's wrath. An angel asks who is worthy to rule the world after Antichrist has brought the world to almost complete ruin; the answer is only Christ and His faithful brethren. Rev.5v5,9,10. Rom.8v19. This age will close when Jesus has enough brethren to rule the Millennial kingdom with Him. Rev.14v1-5. 17v14. 2Pet.3v12. John's vision in Rev.4 and 5, was not a revelation of events in Heaven in the time of John, it was a vision of events in Heaven just prior to the last seven years of this age. When Jesus opens the seven seals, it starts the last 7 years of this age, and the mystery of iniquity. Dan.9v20-27. The “He came and took the book,” is the fulfilment of the “ask of me” of Ps.2v8., it is when God brings to pass the prophetic events that will close the age, and bring in Christ's kingdom. Ps.2v8. Dan.2v44,45. 7v13. Satan’s plans are restrained by God, and even when the mystery of iniquity is allowed to have its final fling, God reigns and His kingdom will surely come quickly. All of Heaven's inhabitants are perfectly satisfied at Christ's worthiness to open the seals and receive the kingdom, and they rejoice that divine love will rule the nations; after the evil rule of men. John was heartbroken and wept because no one could open the book and loose the seals, but one of the elders comforted John and said, “Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and loose the seals thereof.” As God, Jesus was the source of David's family and the means of its sustenance, anchorage and strength; as a man He was the offspring of David. Is.11v1,10. Rev.22v16. John looks for this Lion of Judah, but sees a Lamb as it had been slain. The most courageous act of the Lion of Judah was His death as the Lamb of God, this shows His courage and love more than all else. The title “Lamb” occurs 29 times in Revelation, but it is only applied to Jesus 4 times in the rest of the New Testament. Jn.1v29,36. Acts.8v32. 1Pet.1v19. Men often use mighty beasts and birds of prey as symbols of power, but God uses a Lamb to show the greatest act of courage, strength and love the world has known. Calvary is the ultimate act of power and love. The Lamb of God is worthy to reign because of the sacrificial love revealed in His death upon Calvary. The Lamb of God has not only redeemed sinners, but has made them kings and priests unto God as well, and the faithful saints will reign with Christ in the Millennium and eternity. Rev.20v4-6. 22v3-5. Christ has won the right to reign, the Father has no favourites, He has “no jobs for the boys,” those who rule will have to prove their worthiness to rule. Jesus has proved His worthiness to reign. Rev.3v21.5v5. Phil.2v6-11. Rom.2v11. Acts.10v34. Heb.5v5-10. Dan.7v13,14. The seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb are said to be, “the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth;” these are almost certainly the seven great angels that are spoken of in Rev.8v2., the great angels that perform the most important errands for the Father and Son. Zech.3v9.4v10. Dan.4v13,23. Ps.112v9. 148v14. There is a mighty chorus of praise when the Lamb takes the book, “Thou art worthy,” is the cry, and John tells us that every creature who can speak, worships the Father and Son and recognises and rejoices in their right to rule forever. It is very unlikely that the wicked are among those worshippers, for though they will be unable to deny the fact that He is Lord, and will have to bow to His authority as their judge, they will never bow the will and worship the creator, indeed, they blaspheme the Lord even on judgement day. Phil.2v11,20. Rev.16v1,9,11,21. 19v19. Ps.2v1-3. Mt.8v12. 13v42,50. 22v13. 24v51. 25v30. Lk.13v28. Christ does not stand in Heaven in the form of a lion or a lamb, and none of the symbolic figures of Rev.12, 13 and 17 are seen as such in Heaven. These are symbolic pictures that represent people and kingdoms that will play a leading part in the events of the last few years of this age. From Rev.4 onwards we get a series of these heavenly cartoons. The Lord Jesus used stories, pictures and parables to tell the truths of the kingdom of Heaven while He was upon earth. When Jesus gave great prophetic truth concerning the last few years of this age to the apostle John in the Revelation, He illustrated it with unforgettable pictures and heavenly cartoons, and they make it easier for us to grasp the dark and difficult subjects connected with last days prophecy. These divine cartoons, pictures and parables express in a nutshell, truths that would take a great many words to express and explain. They bring a great deal of truth into a small compass, and express it in such a vivid and interesting manner, that it is much easier to understand, and very difficult to forget. Jesus said that He spoke in pictures and parables in order to reveal truth to His disciples, and at the same time hide it from the worldling. Mt.13v10-17. God can also by these means hide truth from His children until the time is ripe for it to be revealed. Dan.12v4,9,10. 10v1. The vials full of odours are said to be the prayers of the saints. Rev.5v8. We, like the apostle John cry with all our hearts, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” The whole creation groans and longs for the coming of the Prince of peace. Ps.141v2. Rom.8v18-25. Is.9v6,7. It says that the Lamb is “as though slain”, but is still very much alive. The victory and power of His death is irresistible, and still continues. From Rev.8v3-6., we see that the prayers of the saints can produce judgement , as well as mercy. N.B. The Authorised Version readings need to be corrected in 3 places in Rev.5v9,10. Rev.5v9. Most scholars follow the reading of the Codex Alexandrinus and the Ethiopic, and state that “emas,” “us,” in “hast redeemed us,” should be omitted, because the overwhelming evidence for “autous,” “them,” in the next verse, proves that “emas,” “us,” is an emendation of the text, even though the manuscript evidence for it is considerable, occurring either added or prefixed to “Theo” in Mabcde, Aleph, and T.R.. Wordsworth, omits “emas,” “us,” and says that it is not received by Lachmann or Tischendorf, and says that it is inconsistent with the reading “autous,” “them,” after “epoiesas,” “made,” in v10. Alford says of the reading: “Thou wert slain, and didst redeem:” “the object is not expressed, nor need it be: see similar constructions with “ek”, Mt.25v8. 1Jn.4v13. The “emas,” (us) which is in the manuscripts added or prefixed to the verb, has considerable authority, but on the whole seems more likely to have been inserted, considering the prevalent early interpretation of the elders as Apostles and Prophets, than omitted because they were imagined to be angels.” Bruce M. Metzger’s “Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament,” says that those who emended the text of Rev.5v9. by adding “emas,” (“us,”) wished to provide “egorasas,” (“redeemed,”) with a more exact object than, “out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.” He adds that they overlooked how unsuitable this was with “autous,” “them,” in v10. The literal translation of Rev.5v9. is, “Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals of it, for Thou wast slain, and didst redeem to God through Thy blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” The object of the words “didst redeem” are the people out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and so translations that read “didst ransom men for God,” accurately convey the meaning. In, “thou wast slain and didst redeem;” “redeem,” is, “egorasas,” the aorist active indicative of “agorazo;” which means literally “to purchase at the market place,” the “agora;” the aorist tense indicates that most blessed point in time, when Jesus publicly purchased our redemption and freedom by His death on the cross. The strengthened form “exagorazo,” “to buy out,” “ex” for “ek,” is used especially of the purchase of a slave with a view to giving them freedom. Both words are used by Peter and Paul to describe our redemption from sin by Jesus. 1Cor.6v20. 7v23. Gal.3v13. 4v5. 2Pet.2v1. See 1Pet.1v18,19.. Rev.5v10. The A.V. and T.R. reading, “us,” “emas,” in “didst make us,” should read “hast made them,” “epoiesas autous,” the aorist active indicative of “poieo,” “to do, to make.” The “autous,” “them” occurs in Mabcde, Aleph, A, Hodges and Farstad, and the Critical Texts. Wordsworth says “autous” has the backing of Aleph, A, and at least 40 cursives, and by the Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Arabic, and other versions, including the Amiatine manuscript of the Vulgate, and is received by Griesbach, Scholz, Lachmann, Tischendorf, and Bloomfield. Rev.5v10. The A.V. and T.R. reading “we shall reign,” “basileusomen,” the first person plural future indicative of “basileuo,” “to reign,” has very little textual support. The best reading is the future tense “basileusousin,” “they shall reign,” which is found in part Ma, Mbc, part Md, part Me, Aleph, P, the Critical Texts, Hodges and Farstad; The Old Latin c, div, gig, haf, z; the Vulgate ww; the Syrian Philoxenian; the Coptic Sahidic and Bohairic; the Armenian; Hippolytus; Cyprian; Fulgentius; Andrew's bav, c, and p commentaries; and the commentary of Arethas. The reading found in part Ma, part Md, part Me, and A, is “basileuousin,” “they reign,” the present active indicative, which is prophetically incorrect as saints were not then, or now, reigning over the earth, that must wait until the Millennium. Dan.7v21,22,27. Mt.13v43. Rev.20v6. In Rev.5v10., the Majority Text reading, “kings and priests,” “basileis kai hiereis,” occurs in the A.V., T.R., Mabcde, the Syrian Harklean, and Hodges and Farstad. The reading, “basileian kai hiereis,” “a kingdom and priests,” occurs in Codex A, a few Latin, the Syrian Philoxenian, the Coptic, and the Critical Texts. Codex Aleph reads, “basilian kai ierateian.” All Christians have the privilege of being kings and priests. For “kings,” see Ex.19v5,6. 1Pet.2v5,9. Is.61v6. Mt.21v43. Rom.12v1. Rev.5v10. 20v6. We are made “kings and priests” by being “washed” from our sins in His own blood.” Zech.13v1,6,7. Jn.13v8,10. Acts.20v28. 1Cor.6v11. Rev.7v14. < >
The Disastrous Effects Of The Doctrine Of Original Sin \| By His Stripes We Are Healed \| The Book Of revelation \| The Second Coming Of Christ \| The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit \| The Comforter Is Come

Chapter Six

The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3

Events in Heaven just before the last seven years of this Age. Rev.4 & 5

Daniel's striking prophecy, in Dan.9v20-27., tells us in verse 27, that the last seven years of this age will start when Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews. The end of these last seven years “will bring in everlasting righteousness and will seal up the vision and prophecy,” that is, they will usher in the Millennial kingdom. Rev.10v7. Daniel's prophecy states that between Jesus “making reconciliation for iniquity” by being “cut off” at Calvary for our redemption, and the last seven years of this age, there has been a period of time unknown to all but God, during which God has been calling out the Church and preparing it to rule with Christ. In the fullness of time God will allow the last seven years of this age to start. We see in Rev. 4 and 5, the preliminaries in Heaven before the seals are opened, that is, before the events of the last seven years are started. The seven seals reveal Satan's evil plans for the world during the last seven years of this age. Paul calls Satan’s plans “the mystery of iniquity.” 2Thes.2v7. The seals reveal the major catastrophic stages of the career of Antichrist from the time when he makes the covenant, until the great day of the wrath of the Lamb brings his evil career to a close.

John's glorious vision of God the Father.
This vision of God's overriding providence has given comfort to Christians throughout Church history in their times of trial, but it is especially given to comfort the Christians who will be on earth during the last seven dark years of this age. This vision declares to us, that no matter how evil the world becomes, God is still on the throne, almighty in power and completely devoted to His creation. The Scriptures give us many instances where people have been sustained by a vision of God’s majesty and glory. Exod.24v10. 2Chron.18v18. Is.6. all. Ezek.1. all. 10. all. Jer.17v12. Dan.7v9-14. Acts.2v2. 7v55. Heb.12v22-24. Rev.20v11. 21v13. Job.42v5,6. 19v25-27. Ps.99v1. Heb.1v3. 4v16. 1Tim.6v12-16. 2Cor.12v1-4. John uses the brightness and splendour of precious stones to try to convey to us the indescribable glory and majestic brightness of God our Father. John says that God was to look upon like a jasper and a sardius stone. Jasper was one of the gems in the High Priest's breastplate, and one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. Ex.28v20. Rev.21v18. In Rev.21v11., John describes jasper as “most precious,” and as clear as a crystal, so it cannot be the gem known as the jasper in our day, which is looked upon as an opaque stone of red, brown, green or yellow colour. Some think that Jasper may be the diamond because of this transparency. John Wesley says that the jasper stone “is transparent and of a glittering white, with an intermixture of beautiful colours.” The sardius is a blood red colour, or almost a blood red colour, which was prized according to its depth of hue and translucency.

This is the glory that Ezekiel described in Ezek.1v27., “and I saw as a colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of His loins even upward, and from the appearance of His loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire.” The Hebrew word “chasmal” which is translated as “amber” in Ezek.1v4,27. 8v2., is used for a metal which was a compound of gold and silver, and was remarkable for its shining brightness. These words give us a very striking picture of the dazzling splendour of our heavenly Father, He shines with an overwhelming lustre and glory like that of precious stones magnified a million-fold. There is, however, one great difference, the splendour of precious jewels is a result of reflected light, the blazing glory and indescribable beauty of the colours that stream from God, are from Himself, uncreated and eternal, and filled with love. The most beautiful vision that one can ever see is a vision of God. The phrases, “burning bliss,” “eternal light,” “uncreated light,” and “greatness unspeakable,” are all to mean to show His worth, too mean to set our Father forth. “Oh height immense, what words suffice, thy countless attributes to show?” The continual cry of holy, holy, holy, (“hagios”), from the living creatures, proclaims the amazing and lovely truth that the Trininty have set themselves wholly apart to procure the happiness of their creation, no matter what the cost is to themselves. This is why they can each be called “The Holy One.” Their dedicated love is perfect, every hour of every day is spent lovingly caring for their creation.

John is given a lovely picture of the dedication of God to His creation. Not only light, but life and love stream endlessly from God’s throne to His creation. God’s ceaseless activity in caring for His creation is seen in the lightnings, thunders and voices that issue from His throne, and the millions of angels that speed to do His will and accomplish His manifold works. Col.1v17. Heb.1v3. Jn.5v17. Lk.1v19,26. Ps.121v1-8. Rev.4v5. 8v2. Dan.7v9,10. In Jn.5v17,18., Jesus answered His critics, “My Father worketh even until now, and I work.” “Worketh,” is the present middle indicative, “ergazetai,” 2038, "keeps on working until now," continuous work, without a break, from the dawn of creation until the present. God instituted the Sabbath for us, but His dedicated love for His creation drives Him on, and makes it impossible for Him to observe it. In Jn.5v17,18., Jesus claimed equal deity with God by saying God was His father, and so the right to work on the Sabbath, like His Father. The Satan inspired lie that God is inactive in Heaven, and is just idly pleasing Himself, could not be more wrong. God works ceaselessly every day, “He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” Ps.121v3,4. Untold millions of angels wait upon the Trinity to do their will, they never have a second's respite from the responsibility of lovingly caring for, and upholding, their creation.

The majesty, glory, and power of God are indescribably great and wonderful, but the greatest attribute and glory of God is His love and devotion to His creation, that is, His holiness. Holiness does not just mean purity, though it obviously includes it, holiness means much more than purity, it means consecration and dedication to a purpose. The words sanctification and holiness are translations of the same Greek noun, “hagiasmos,” and it is twice used in connection with the Lord Jesus. Jesus twice stated that He sanctified Himself. Jn.10v36. 17v19. He did not mean that He purified Himself, He was always pure, it means that He was twice set aside and dedicated to a definite work, the first work was that of being Redeemer, the second work was that of being High Priest.

The righteous find it astonishing that wicked men and evil angels have set themselves against God's loving and beautiful eternal purposes. Though the wicked cannot successfully fight God's Almighty power, or defeat His eternal purposes; they have set themselves to frustrate God's will on earth, and this is allowed for a limited time to expose their hearts.

It is very necessary to correct the Authorised Version mistranslation of Rev.4v11.; “for Thy pleasure” should be translated, “because of Thy will.” God did not make the Creation to make Himself happy, or to get anything out of it for Himself, He made it in order to give His creatures eternal life, and eternal joy and happiness, and it was at the most tremendous cost to Himself. Some have taken the evil doctrine of “The divine right of kings,” and applied it to God, they say that God has no duties and man has no rights, and that the power and position of God give Him the right to do anything that pleases Him. This theory is Satanic; God is love, and love has always got duties, God is completely unselfish and never does anything just to please Himself. Rom.15v3. The wonderful truth is, that so far from creating things for His pleasure, God, has at tremendous cost to Himself, procured the eternal happiness and joy of His redeemed creation. God will indeed get pleasure out of His creation, but that is the by-product of the creation and not God's motive for making the creation.

The Trinity did not need to make a creation at all, they were perfectly happy as they were, it was a love that desired to give to the uttermost that drove them to their tremendous sacrifice. The cost of this immense project was weighed up before the foundation of the world, and the Lord Jesus had to be willing to die before the creation could be made. 2Tim.1v9. Titus.1v2. Rev.13v8. Such was the grace and love of the Lord Jesus, and, indeed, all the Trinity, that they did not allow the appalling cost to deter them. Once they had made the Creation, the Trinity were obliged to make all the sacrifices that they had realised were necessary before they started the creation. This they have done, no sacrifice has been too great for them, and they have earned the love, praise and admiration of all their children who love the way of truth.

WHO ARE THE ELDERS? Rev.4v4,10. 5v5-8,14. 19v4. 7v11,13. 11v16. 14v3.
Some have said that the elders are the raptured Church, or a company of Christians in Heaven. The Authorised Version of Rev.5v9,10., makes the elders Christians, however, several versions follow the Greek texts which put “men” for “us,” “them” for “us,” and “they” for “we,” see the study on this later in these notes. The alternative reading makes it clear that the elders are singing a song about another group of people and not a song about themselves. The matter cannot finally be settled by an appeal to the Greek text, both versions have good authority, one has to study the relevant Scriptures to decide which is correct. That the elders are singing a song about another group of people is clearly seen from the following facts:

There are only 24 elders and the raptured Church does not consist of only 24 Christians.
This number 24 is no more symbolical than the number of the living creatures, or the number of angels. Rev.5v11. God does not use a symbolic number, when he tells of the number of Christians who go through the great tribulation, He says that they are “a great multitude which no man could number.” Rev.7v9-14.

The song is sung by the living creatures as well as the elders and they are certainly not raptured saints.

In Rev.7v9-11. 11v16-18. 19v4,7. 14v3., a clear distinction is made between the elders and Christians.
Notice how the elders are not able to sing the new song of the Christians of Rev.14v1-3..

The Church is praying and suffering on earth right until the coming of Christ after the great tribulation.
See Rev.6v9-11. 8v3,4. 12v17. 13v7. 14v13. 17v6. The great tribulation ends when the seventh trumpet sounds and the dead are resurrected, this is years later than the first seal. 1Thes.4v16,17. 1Cor.15v51-53. Rev.11v15-18. In Mt.24v31., the elect which are gathered are not Jews, for Is.66v19,20., informs us that the Jews are brought back to Israel by the Gentiles as an offering to the Lord. Is.14v2. 45v19,20. Christians are being martyred on earth until the end of the great tribulation and do not sit on thrones until the Millennium begins, which is about seven years later than Rev.4. and 5.. The Christian dead, whether they be martyred or otherwise, are resting, not reigning, until the Millennium starts. Rev.6v9-11. 14v12,13. 20v4-6. 6v9-11.

These elders are undoubtedly the angels that share in the government of Heaven.
The word “seats” should be translated “thrones,” and Col.1v16. speaks of the thrones that are in the invisible world, the thrones of great angels that rule the heavenly world. These angelic elders have white robes and crowns of gold, and they have proved their right to them, for they remained true to God and righteousness, and resisted the rebellion that Satan started in Heaven. They overcame Satan's lies in Heaven even as we have to overcome them on earth.

The Living Creatures. Rev.4v6,8,9. 5v6,14. 6v1,3,5,7. 7v11 14v3. 15v7.19v4.
The word “beasts,” “zoa,” should be translated, “creatures full of life,” and is in stark contrast to “the Beast,” “to therion,” a fierce wild animal, which describes Antichrist in Rev.11v7. 13v1. etc.. See Mt.7v15. The living creatures of Rev.4. have six wings like the Seraphim of Is.6, and as “Seraphim,” means “burning ones;” so “burning with heavenly energy,” is probably the same as, “creatures full of life.” The Cherubim of Ez.1 and 10., are called living creatures, but they have only four wings. Another difference between the living creatures of Revelation and Ezekiel, is that in Revelation each living creature has only one face, whereas in Ezekiel each living creature has all four faces. The Seraphim of Is.6. are above the throne, the cherubim of Ez.1 and 10 are below the throne and move it. Ez.1v12,19-21,26. The living creatures of Revelation have no rest, they praise God day and night, what a joyful experience, what glorious unrest. Compare this with the followers of Antichrist, who have no peace or rest of soul because of the torment of evil within them. Rev.14v11.

John's vision of Christ, the Lamb of God taking the book with seven seals. Rev.5.
The seven seals show the major stages in the career of Antichrist, from the covenant, to seven years later, when he and his evil system is destroyed on the great day of the Lamb's wrath. An angel asks who is worthy to rule the world after Antichrist has brought the world to almost complete ruin; the answer is only Christ and His faithful brethren. Rev.5v5,9,10. Rom.8v19. This age will close when Jesus has enough brethren to rule the Millennial kingdom with Him. Rev.14v1-5. 17v14. 2Pet.3v12. John's vision in Rev.4 and 5, was not a revelation of events in Heaven in the time of John, it was a vision of events in Heaven just prior to the last seven years of this age. When Jesus opens the seven seals, it starts the last 7 years of this age, and the mystery of iniquity. Dan.9v20-27. The “He came and took the book,” is the fulfilment of the “ask of me” of Ps.2v8., it is when God brings to pass the prophetic events that will close the age, and bring in Christ's kingdom. Ps.2v8. Dan.2v44,45. 7v13.

Satan’s plans are restrained by God, and even when the mystery of iniquity is allowed to have its final fling, God reigns and His kingdom will surely come quickly. All of Heaven's inhabitants are perfectly satisfied at Christ's worthiness to open the seals and receive the kingdom, and they rejoice that divine love will rule the nations; after the evil rule of men. John was heartbroken and wept because no one could open the book and loose the seals, but one of the elders comforted John and said, “Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and loose the seals thereof.” As God, Jesus was the source of David's family and the means of its sustenance, anchorage and strength; as a man He was the offspring of David. Is.11v1,10. Rev.22v16. John looks for this Lion of Judah, but sees a Lamb as it had been slain. The most courageous act of the Lion of Judah was His death as the Lamb of God, this shows His courage and love more than all else. The title “Lamb” occurs 29 times in Revelation, but it is only applied to Jesus 4 times in the rest of the New Testament. Jn.1v29,36. Acts.8v32. 1Pet.1v19. Men often use mighty beasts and birds of prey as symbols of power, but God uses a Lamb to show the greatest act of courage, strength and love the world has known. Calvary is the ultimate act of power and love. The Lamb of God is worthy to reign because of the sacrificial love revealed in His death upon Calvary.

The Lamb of God has not only redeemed sinners, but has made them kings and priests unto God as well, and the faithful saints will reign with Christ in the Millennium and eternity. Rev.20v4-6. 22v3-5. Christ has won the right to reign, the Father has no favourites, He has “no jobs for the boys,” those who rule will have to prove their worthiness to rule. Jesus has proved His worthiness to reign. Rev.3v21.5v5. Phil.2v6-11. Rom.2v11. Acts.10v34. Heb.5v5-10. Dan.7v13,14.

The seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb are said to be, “the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth;” these are almost certainly the seven great angels that are spoken of in Rev.8v2., the great angels that perform the most important errands for the Father and Son. Zech.3v9.4v10. Dan.4v13,23. Ps.112v9. 148v14. There is a mighty chorus of praise when the Lamb takes the book, “Thou art worthy,” is the cry, and John tells us that every creature who can speak, worships the Father and Son and recognises and rejoices in their right to rule forever. It is very unlikely that the wicked are among those worshippers, for though they will be unable to deny the fact that He is Lord, and will have to bow to His authority as their judge, they will never bow the will and worship the creator, indeed, they blaspheme the Lord even on judgement day. Phil.2v11,20. Rev.16v1,9,11,21. 19v19. Ps.2v1-3. Mt.8v12. 13v42,50. 22v13. 24v51. 25v30. Lk.13v28.

Christ does not stand in Heaven in the form of a lion or a lamb, and none of the symbolic figures of Rev.12, 13 and 17 are seen as such in Heaven. These are symbolic pictures that represent people and kingdoms that will play a leading part in the events of the last few years of this age. From Rev.4 onwards we get a series of these heavenly cartoons. The Lord Jesus used stories, pictures and parables to tell the truths of the kingdom of Heaven while He was upon earth. When Jesus gave great prophetic truth concerning the last few years of this age to the apostle John in the Revelation, He illustrated it with unforgettable pictures and heavenly cartoons, and they make it easier for us to grasp the dark and difficult subjects connected with last days prophecy. These divine cartoons, pictures and parables express in a nutshell, truths that would take a great many words to express and explain. They bring a great deal of truth into a small compass, and express it in such a vivid and interesting manner, that it is much easier to understand, and very difficult to forget. Jesus said that He spoke in pictures and parables in order to reveal truth to His disciples, and at the same time hide it from the worldling. Mt.13v10-17. God can also by these means hide truth from His children until the time is ripe for it to be revealed. Dan.12v4,9,10. 10v1.

The vials full of odours are said to be the prayers of the saints. Rev.5v8. We, like the apostle John cry with all our hearts, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” The whole creation groans and longs for the coming of the Prince of peace. Ps.141v2. Rom.8v18-25. Is.9v6,7. It says that the Lamb is “as though slain”, but is still very much alive. The victory and power of His death is irresistible, and still continues. From Rev.8v3-6., we see that the prayers of the saints can produce judgement , as well as mercy.

N.B. The Authorised Version readings need to be corrected in 3 places in Rev.5v9,10.
Rev.5v9. Most scholars follow the reading of the Codex Alexandrinus and the Ethiopic, and state that “emas,” “us,” in “hast redeemed us,” should be omitted, because the overwhelming evidence for “autous,” “them,” in the next verse, proves that “emas,” “us,” is an emendation of the text, even though the manuscript evidence for it is considerable, occurring either added or prefixed to “Theo” in Mabcde, Aleph, and T.R..

Wordsworth, omits “emas,” “us,” and says that it is not received by Lachmann or Tischendorf, and says that it is inconsistent with the reading “autous,” “them,” after “epoiesas,” “made,” in v10.

Alford says of the reading: “Thou wert slain, and didst redeem:” “the object is not expressed, nor need it be: see similar constructions with “ek”, Mt.25v8. 1Jn.4v13. The “emas,” (us) which is in the manuscripts added or prefixed to the verb, has considerable authority, but on the whole seems more likely to have been inserted, considering the prevalent early interpretation of the elders as Apostles and Prophets, than omitted because they were imagined to be angels.”

Bruce M. Metzger’s “Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament,” says that those who emended the text of Rev.5v9. by adding “emas,” (“us,”) wished to provide “egorasas,” (“redeemed,”) with a more exact object than, “out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.” He adds that they overlooked how unsuitable this was with “autous,” “them,” in v10. The literal translation of Rev.5v9. is, “Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals of it, for Thou wast slain, and didst redeem to God through Thy blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” The object of the words “didst redeem” are the people out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and so translations that read “didst ransom men for God,” accurately convey the meaning.

In, “thou wast slain and didst redeem;” “redeem,” is, “egorasas,” the aorist active indicative of “agorazo;” which means literally “to purchase at the market place,” the “agora;” the aorist tense indicates that most blessed point in time, when Jesus publicly purchased our redemption and freedom by His death on the cross. The strengthened form “exagorazo,” “to buy out,” “ex” for “ek,” is used especially of the purchase of a slave with a view to giving them freedom. Both words are used by Peter and Paul to describe our redemption from sin by Jesus. 1Cor.6v20. 7v23. Gal.3v13. 4v5. 2Pet.2v1. See 1Pet.1v18,19..

Rev.5v10. The A.V. and T.R. reading, “us,” “emas,” in “didst make us,” should read “hast made them,” “epoiesas autous,” the aorist active indicative of “poieo,” “to do, to make.” The “autous,” “them” occurs in Mabcde, Aleph, A, Hodges and Farstad, and the Critical Texts. Wordsworth says “autous” has the backing of Aleph, A, and at least 40 cursives, and by the Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Arabic, and other versions, including the Amiatine manuscript of the Vulgate, and is received by Griesbach, Scholz, Lachmann, Tischendorf, and Bloomfield.

Rev.5v10. The A.V. and T.R. reading “we shall reign,” “basileusomen,” the first person plural future indicative of “basileuo,” “to reign,” has very little textual support. The best reading is the future tense “basileusousin,” “they shall reign,” which is found in part Ma, Mbc, part Md, part Me, Aleph, P, the Critical Texts, Hodges and Farstad; The Old Latin c, div, gig, haf, z; the Vulgate ww; the Syrian Philoxenian; the Coptic Sahidic and Bohairic; the Armenian; Hippolytus; Cyprian; Fulgentius; Andrew's bav, c, and p commentaries; and the commentary of Arethas. The reading found in part Ma, part Md, part Me, and A, is “basileuousin,” “they reign,” the present active indicative, which is prophetically incorrect as saints were not then, or now, reigning over the earth, that must wait until the Millennium. Dan.7v21,22,27. Mt.13v43. Rev.20v6.

In Rev.5v10., the Majority Text reading, “kings and priests,” “basileis kai hiereis,” occurs in the A.V., T.R., Mabcde, the Syrian Harklean, and Hodges and Farstad. The reading, “basileian kai hiereis,” “a kingdom and priests,” occurs in Codex A, a few Latin, the Syrian Philoxenian, the Coptic, and the Critical Texts. Codex Aleph reads, “basilian kai ierateian.” All Christians have the privilege of being kings and priests. For “kings,” see Ex.19v5,6. 1Pet.2v5,9. Is.61v6. Mt.21v43. Rom.12v1. Rev.5v10. 20v6. We are made “kings and priests” by being “washed” from our sins in His own blood.” Zech.13v1,6,7. Jn.13v8,10. Acts.20v28. 1Cor.6v11. Rev.7v14.

< >