Chapters 4 to 7
CHAPTER FOUR
John is in vision in heaven, he sees a throne and One sat on
the throne. A voice like trumpet says "Come, and I will show you
things that must be hereafter (verse 1-2).
He that sat on the throne looked like the crystalline
brightness of jasper and the fiery sardius (Amplified Bible), and
a rainbow of emerald round about the throne. There were 24
"elders" sitting on 24 seats, they were clothed in white and on
their heads was a golden crown (verses 3-4).
We are not given any information about the elders, we
speculate they were created beings of the Father just as angels
are. We do know for certain, from the Scriptures, they are not
human beings that were glorified in immortality. There proceeded
from the throne lightnings, thunder and voices: seven lamps of
fire were burning, which were to represent the Seven Spirits of
God, which were the seven angels of the seven churches we have
just finished reading about. Before the throne was a sea of glass
looking like that of crystal. Four "beasts" were around and in
the midst of the throne, they had eyes before them and behind
them. The first beast was like a "lion" - the second like a
"calf" - the third like a "man" - the fourth like a "flying
eagle." Each beast had six wings that were full of eye all over
them. They did not rest or sleep, all day and night (not that
there is night in heaven - just a way of saying - continually)
but said, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and
is, and is to come." When those beasts give thanks and honor to
Him that sat on the throne, then the 24 elders would fall down
before Him that sat on the throne, and would cast their crowns
down before the throne (verses 5-10).
The last verses indicated the four creatures did not keep
saying "Holy, holy, holy etc. 24/7. But when they did praise,
then the elders would bow down, and would say, "Thou art worthy,
O Lord to receive glory, honor, and power, for thou hast created
all things; and for Thy PLEASURE they are and were created."
Interesting are those last few words. God takes pleasure in
creating things. He has the emotion of "pleasure" - enjoyment in
various things He creates. He is an artist, likes to create even
for just the fun of it, and the warm pleasure He get from His
creations. We sometimes forget that God, who made us, with
emotions, has those same emotions also. It should not surprise
us, as God said in the beginning, "Let us make man in our image."
And so He did, even with the emotions He has, He gave to use
also. When you read through the Bible take note at all the
different emotions God has.
CHAPTER FIVE
God the Father, who is the One sitting on that heavenly
throne, had in His right hand a scroll shut tight with SEVEN
seals. An angel goes forth proclaiming, "Who is worthy to open
the book and loose the seven seals?"
There was no one (as the Greek should read) in heaven, or on
earth, or anywhere else for that matter, who was found worthy,
either to open or even look upon the book. John said he wept,
because no one was found worthy to open the seals and into the
book. Then an elder came forth to John and said, "Weep not;
behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah; the root of David; has
prevailed; He is worthy to open the book and loose the seven
seals." This is of course talking about Jesus the Christ. He is
worthy to loose the seven seals and read the book.
John looks and behold he sees a Lamb (meaning the Son of
man, Jesus) in the midst of the four beasts and the 24 elders.
The Lamb looked like it had been slain, and it had seven horns
and seven eyes, which represented the seven Spirits sent forth
into the earth. Seven is God's number for COMPLETION or
PERFECTION. Jesus came and took the book out of the hand of Him
sitting on the throne. As Jesus takes the book, the 4 beasts and
24 elders bow or prostrate themselves before Him, each of them
has a harp type musical instrument, and golden vials which are
full of incense, which represent the prayers of the saints. They
sang a new song, saying:
"Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals, for you
were slain, and did redeem THEM (is the correct reading) - humans
- to God by Thy blood, from every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation; And has made THEM unto our God, kings and
priests; and THEY shall reign on earth (verses 1-10).
Yes, the saints, those redeemed by the precious blood of the
Lamb will be under Christ, kings and priests during the 1,000
years of the Kingdom of God on earth, and so then shall reign on
EARTH, not up in heaven. So is the truth of all your Bible, as I
have elsewhere fully explained in various studies.
John hears the voices of many angels, beasts, and the
elders, around the throne, the number being ten thousand times
ten thousand ... and thousands of thousands ... now that was a
mighty lot indeed, and they said, "Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honor, and glory, and blessing."
John then in symbolic form, not in any literal way, hears
every creature in earth's heaven, on the earth, in the sea, all
saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him
that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever."
It is that all creation is acknowledging the Most High and
His Son Jesus the Christ.
Then we are told the four beasts said, "AMEN! And the four
and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that lives for
ever and ever."
What a scene, now if Hollywood would try to duplicate that
on the big screen, with their modern space age effects, what an
effect that would be. It would take your breath away!
THE FIRST SIX SEALS ARE OPENED
We read at the beginning of this book that it is the
REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST, so it is fitting that the
interpretation of the seals of the book, be revealed to us BY
Jesus Christ. And they are. The interpretation of them is found
in the book of Matthew, chapter 24.
You will notice in verse 5 of Matthew 24 what Jesus gave as
the SIGNS leading up to His visible and bodily return to this
earth. The first sign was people coming in His name, saying that
Jesus was indeed the Christ, but would DECEIVE the MANY, not the
few. Then there would be WARS and talk of war. Then comes FAMINE.
Then comes PESTILENCE.
Going back to Revelation 6. We have:
THE WHITE HORSE, but the rider has a bow. Jesus has a sword when
He is depicted in prophecy. This white horse rider goes forth to
conquer. This first seal is the RELIGIOUS DECEPTION on the earth,
under the name of Christ, and white righteousness. It will
deceive the MANY!
THE RED HORSE, is the second seal of the book, and it is WARFARE
on the earth.
THE BLACK HORSE, is the third seal, and him on this horse has
balances, to weigh the wheat and the barley, and careful with the
oil and wine. Obviously this is FAMINE!
THE PALE HORSE and its rider, represents DEATH, WITH A MIXTURE OF
the above two seals. The fourth part of the earth is given to
this rider and seal. There will be death via the sword, hunger,
beasts of the earth, and death. This is the PESTILENCE of Matthew
24. And what a pestilence it will be. This seal alone is
horrific, nothing like it in the history of mankind, up to the
opening of this seal of the book.
THE FIFTH SEAL
Back in Matthew 24, Jesus goes on to talk about, His
followers being delivered up to be afflicted and even killed,
verse 9.
Back in Revelation 6:9-11, we find in symbolic form the
saints under the altar (sure are not there in any physical or
real living way, would be pretty crowded under the heavenly
altar. And knowing the truth about death, we know the saints do
not go on living when they die - so this is figuratively
speaking) crying out to God that they should be avenged. They
died for the faith once delivered, for obeying the Word of God.
Figuratively then, all the children of God from the time of Adam,
and especially those who had to die for the true faith, are
asking God when they can expect to be avenged. They are in the
vision, dressed in white robes, yes, white robes to represent the
righteousness of God (chapter 19:7-8), and one important Bible
definition of righteousness is found in Psalm 119:172 - all of
God's commandments are righteousness.
They are told they have to yet wait for a season, because
some of their fellowservants or saints, must yet be killed for
the faith, before Jesus comes again to earth (verse 11).
We shall again see in other chapters of Revelation, that
this fact is so very true. There will yet come beyond all of
today (if you are still reading this Website, then the Beast
power has not yet conquered the Western world, for when it does,
this Website will be no more, I guarantee you that - so I hope
you will appreciate it while you can) another great killing of
the true saints of God.
THE SIXTH SEAL IS OPENED, and what do we have, but unthinkable
and devastating signs in the universe. There will be a massive
earthquake, the sun will become as black as sackcloth of hair,
the moon as blood. The stars or chunks of meteors will fall from
heaven to earth, just as the leaves or fruit of the fig tree drop
to the ground in a violent storm. The heavens will be kind of
rolled up and mountains will be levelled and islands moved from
their place in the waters and seas. People of all ranks, from
kings to the farmers will try to hide themselves in the caves of
the earth. They will for a time realize there is a God in heaven
and they want to hide from Him and His son. That will be somewhat
short lived, for we will read later that even as the MIGHTY day
of God's WRATH is unfolding, many will still continue to curse
Him and stay in their sins.
In Matthew 24; after the GREAT TRIBULATION - the killing of
the people of God (which by the way will not only be the saints
but it is the time also when Judah - the Jews, and All the
tribes/people of Israel will be taken captive and at least two
thirds will die by the time the DAY OF THE LORD arrives), there
will be the HEAVENLY SIGNS, read Matthew 24:15-28; then note
verse 29! There it is, Jesus interprets Himself - the heavenly
signs come AFTER the killing of some of the saints of God.
It is CLEAR, it is a one, two, three - the KILLING of
saints, THEN the HEAVENLY SIGNS, THEN Revelation 6:17 - THE GREAT
DAY OF THE LORD, THE DAY OF GOD'S WRATH COMES ON THE EARTH.
I have given you MANY studies on this Website to prove to
you what Revelation 6 and Matthew 24 is all about. I ask the
reader to study them all as they are the detail studies, so I
will not even come close to repeating those events and Scriptures
here.
THE DAY OF THE WRATH OF GOD
Revelation 6:17 is the start of the prophetic DAY OF THE
LORD. As prophecy does often use a day to represent a year, as
just about all who try to understand prophecy will agree, then it
COULD be possible that the DAY OF THE LORD, the DAY OF HIS WRATH,
will be about ONE YEAR in length. Notice I said "could be" and
"ABOUT" one year in length. Do not make the mistake of COUNTING
on that, and have mud on your face if that year comes and goes
and Jesus has not yet returned. If you are alive when all these
things happen, then I can tell you that once into the Day of the
Lord, Jesus will not be FAR from coming back, but do not set your
mind on a "calendar" date.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Read it for what it is and simply BELIEVE it! We are into
an INTERLUDE from opening the SEVENTH SEAL. That seal is not
opened until chapter 8, see it for yourself, notice 8:1. There
that's easy right? Yes indeed it is.
Four angels hold back the four winds of the earth - an
interlude time. Then another angel from the east having THE SEAL
of God shouts to the four angels, which will hurt the earth once
they are allowed to blow their winds. They are told to, Hurt not
the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have SEALED
the servants of our God in their foreheads. This is being sealed
with the Holy Spirit of God that will for these people not only
the means salvation in them, but protection from the physical
harm to come on the earth during the Day of God's wrath. Saints
are sealed with the Holy Spirit in having salvation, see
Ephesians 1:3.
The sealing of these specific people is given to us. All we
need do is read it for what it says. 12,000 from each tribe of
Israel will be SEALED! Pure and simple is chapter 7:1-8. I do not
know why the tribe of Dan is not included. I guess we'll have to
ask Jesus about that when He comes back.
THE GREAT MULTITUDE
Revelation verse 9-17 are NOT a part of the "story flow" -
they are INSET verses. We have just seen that 12,000 from each
tribe of Israel are sealed for salvation. As the thought was on
sealing, the Lord Jesus wants you to know that "sealing" for
salvation is NOT JUST an "Israelite" prize or gift. So we are in
our story put FORWARD in time, to when the RESURRECTION of ALL
saints has happened, and all from all nations of the earth are
standing and LIVING in the very presence of God the Father and
Jesus the Christ. They have attended the WEDDING of the Lamb as
His bride, they are dressed in white robes (see chapter 19:7-9).
They are shouting, or singing, "Salvation to our God, which sits
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb (Jesus)." The angels, the four
beasts of heaven, the elders, all fall down, bow down, and
worship God. They say, "Amen! Blessing, and glory, and wisdom,
and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our
God for ever and ever. Amen!"
An elder speaks up and asks what are these people that are
dressed in white robes, and from where do they come. Now, he
probably asks this FOR OUR SAKE, so we today can know from where
they come. The elder in heaven I would think, would really know,
but for our sake today, the question is asked.
The answer is given. They are those who came out of great
tribulation and have endured to the end, through the blood of
Christ they washed their robes and made them white. Salvation is
ONLY through the blood of Christ.
This is probably a general statement, the part of the whole
used for the entire whole. It is what the Bible does at times.
The focus is given to those who did literally go through great
tribulation, like as the apostle Paul and others did down through
the past ages. But the rest of the saints, who maybe had no
physical tribulation in their lives, are NOT EXCLUDED. It is a
part of the whole, standing for the entire whole. We know from
MANY other Scriptures that ALL God's children will live before
Him, the first resurrection WILL RAISE ALL the past saints up to
that very point when Jesus comes at the last trumpet sound and
the first resurrection takes place. Again, all of that truth is
covered in various studies on this Website.
Certainly down through the ages THOUSANDS of the children of
God have gone through great tribulation to keep faithful to the
Most High.
Here is the part standing for the whole. We are transported
into the time when God's children from ALL nations will be living
in glory, serving the Most High for all eternity, and this
section of Revelation actually goes into the time of the new
heaven and the new earth of chapter 21,22. For notice it, verse
15. He that sits on the throne - the Father, the Most Holy One,
SHALL DWELL AMONG THEM! Ah, this is chapter 21:3. It is the time
when the Father shall come down, with the heavenly Jerusalem, to
DWELL with His children.
Then indeed, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any
more, neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. For the
Lamb (Jesus) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes" (verse 16-17).
Yes, finally all is completed eventually, and the very words
of Revelation chapters 21 and 22 are a reality. Indeed VERY GOOD
NEWS beyond all the horrific events to come on the earth and its
people that are recorded in the chapters of Jesus' Revelation.
But now we must get back to the story flow, and into the
very DAY OF THE LORD mentioned in dozens of verses throughout the
prophetic books of the Bible.
THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED ................
............................
To be continued
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