– The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter: Prophetic Events	Revelation 4 – 22
– Prologue: Christ’s Rights to the Inheritance	Revelation 4 – 5
– The Beginning of Sorrows (Seal Judgments)	Revelation 6 – 7
– The Great Tribulation (Trumpet Judgments)	Revelation 8 – 11
– Added Details: The Judgment of Israel	Revelation 12 – 14
– Added Details: The Judgment of the Gentiles	Revelation 15 – 16
– Added Details: The Judgment of Babylon	Revelation 17 – 19:10
– The Appearing Through the Eternal State (8 Visions)	Revelation 19:11 – 21:8
– Appendix: The Church in the Administration of the Millennium	Revelation 21:9 – 22:5
– Closing Exhortations	Revelation 22:6-21

 

 

 

 

 

Christ’s Rights Through Creation (Rev. 4)

 

v.1 Introduction. A door is now opened “in heaven”. In a certain sense, we need to approach the truth of prophecy through this door; i.e. from heaven’s viewpoint. John is called up to heaven by “the first voice”, the same voice as was speaking in chapters 1 – 3 (see Rev.1:10), although now it is speaking from a new direction. The scene has changed. The voice still is like a trumpet, but it is no longer on earth in the midst of the candlesticks. It now speaks from heaven. Why? The church period has prophetically closed at the transition between ch.3 and ch.4. We read no more of the church until ch.21. The voice tells John to “Come up here”. This is not the rapture specifically, but we can see an allusion to it. The voice tells John that he will be told the prophetic events which will take place “after these things”. After what things? After the period described by the seven churches; i.e. the church period (Rev. 1:19).

 

vv.2-3 The Throne and the One Sitting. As he had in ch.1, John again becomes “in the Spirit” in the special capacity of inspiration. It was refreshed for the next vision. A throne stands in heaven. The throne is a symbol of authority. It is God’s throne. If Revelation tells us nothing else, it tells us that there is a throne in heaven, and that God rules in spite of all the evil that goes on down here. The One sitting on the throne is God in Godhead. He is in a seated position, which indicates stability. Though all on the earth is in turmoil, the throne of God in heaven is perfectly stable! The gems symbolize the glory of God. The “jasper” is a high-grade diamond, representing not His essential glory, but that which can be revealed and even conferred upon a creature (John 17:22-23), such as upon the church in the Millennium; e.g: her light (Rev. 21:11), her wall (Rev. 21:18), and her first foundation (Rev. 21:19). The “sardius” is a ruby, and it pictures God’s glory in justice and judgment. The “rainbow” speaks of blessing after judgment, because it typically appears after the storm. Here it precedes the storm, showing that, although God is about to judge, He has mercy in store from the outset (see the rainbow again in Rev. 10). This rainbow is not an arc, but an unbroken circle. The unbroken circle would remind us of eternity, and combined with the meaning of a rainbow shows us that God’s mercy is eternal (Psa. 136). The “emerald” is green and is the characteristic color of the earth as seen from heaven, and it speaks of the earth in lushness and prosperity. The result of God’s actions including His judgments will be the blessing of the earth, brought to fulfillment in the Millennium.

 

 

v.4 The Elders. Next we have a description of the heavenly company. These saints area called “elders” because of their maturity and wisdom (1 Cor. 13:9). They are the administrative representation of Old and New Testament saints; twelve for the Old Testament twelve for the New Testament makes twenty-four elders. They are arranged “around the throne”, occupying a place of intelligence and understanding, much like the counselors in the old times who would sit near the king’s throne. The elders themselves are “upon thrones”, showing that they are heavenly royalty! They are clothed in “white garments”, symbolic of priesthood (Ex. 28:42). The fact that there are twenty-four elders may be an allusion to the twenty-four courses of the priesthood that was established by David (1 Chron. 24). The earthly priesthood during the kingdom of David was divided into twenty-four courses, and over each was a chief priest, and over all was one high priest. These elders have a priestly character, and the High Priest is of course the Lord Himself. Together, their throne and their garments represent the elders’ twofold office as “kings and priests” before God (Rev. 1:5). They are “sitting”, which shows that the saints will be at perfect peace, even with lightning and thunders coming out of the throne! The elders are in possession of “crowns” which would indicate that the judgment seat of Christ has already taken place. Every saint in heaven has a crown, although the crowns are shortly cast before the throne.

 

 

 

vv.5-6 The Throne. Coming out of the throne were “lightnings, and voices, and thunders”, which are pictures of the terrors of God and the coming judgments. These judgments must flow from the throne before the stream of the water of life can flow (Rev. 22:1). Before the throne, most importantly are the “seven Spirits of God”, representing God’s various operations in judgment. The seven Spirits here are pictured as burning torches, searching out evil. In Rev. 5:6 we have them again pictured by the Lamb’s seven eyes, representing perfect discernment. Also before the throne is a “glass sea”, in contrast with the laver (Ex. 30:18-21) and molten sea (1 Kings 7:23-37) for the purification of the priest. In heaven, washing is no longer needed, so the sea is fixed. It is “before the throne” speaking of how the objective of the throne is a fixed state of purity for the whole creation. In and around the throne are “four living creatures”. I will attempt to show that these creatures represent the offices of those who administer God’s judgment. In this chapter, they are angels, but in the next chapter they are men. There are “four” creatures, and the number four represents universality in creation (Gen. 2:10). The judgment administered will have a universal effect. They are “full of eyes” showing superior discernment. Every angle of perception is covered. They can see “before” (future events) and “behind” (past events).

 

 

v.7 The Likeness of the Four Living Creatures. The four living creatures have the likeness of the chief creatures of earth and air. Notice that creatures of the sea are not mentioned. The kinds of creatures saved in Noah’s Ark in the judgment of the old world are reflected in the characteristics of God’s ministers in His judgment of the present world. The first was like a “lion”, symbolizing power or strength. The second was like a “calf”, symbolizing patience or endurance. In Ezekiel it is an ox instead of a calf. A calf (younger) has more energy than an ox. The third was like a “face of a man”, symbolizing intelligence. The fourth was like a “flying eagle”, symbolizing speed or rapidity. Together, these are the features of God’s judgment. They combine the characteristics of both cherubim (executors of God’s judgment, Gen. 3:24, Ex. 25:18-22, Ezek. 1, 10:2) and seraphim (who bear witness to God’s holy nature, Isa. 6:3).²

 

 

v.8 Description of the Creatures. The creatures had “six wings” for supernatural speed, although six is one short of perfection (seven). Contrast with four wings and wheels of Ezekiel 1. They were full of “eyes” around and within, for both external and internal perception, not of events, but of God’s purposes and motives. They bear witness without intermission to three things. First, to the holiness of a triune God, “Holy, holy, holy”. Second, to the power and absolute authority of God, “Lord God Almighty”. Third, to the eternal being of God, “who was, and who is, and who is to come”.

 

 

v.9 The Trigger for Worship. This verse gives us what the living creatures do, and this becomes the trigger for the worship of the elders. It is helpful to compare the response of the elders to that of the living creatures. The creatures (angels) celebrate, declare, and give thanks while the elders (redeemed men) worship with intelligence. The glorious truths as to the nature of God declared by the living creatures are a trigger that lead to a burst of praise and worship from the redeemed company. This will always be the case! It is another example of how the character and majesty of God draws forth praise from the hearts of redeemed men. Another example is in Rev. 1:5.

 

 

v.10 The Worship of the Elders. In spite of their dignity and maturity, when the worship begins, the elders quickly leave their honored thrones to fall before the worthy One. Happily they part with their crowns of gold, and ascribe all glory to Him. We have in this verse and the following an example of worship:

1. “The twenty-four elders shall fall before him that sits upon the throne”. The prerequisite: to get low; i.e. have no thoughts of self, and only thoughts of Him.
2. “Do homage to him that lives to the ages of ages”. Worship itself: the overflow of the spirit in appreciation of the greatness of God the Father revealed in the divine Person of the Son.
3. “And shall cast their crowns before the throne”. The response: to attribute every received glory and blessing to the proper Source, then express praise vocally (v.11).

 

A shift in administration. There is a change of administration when the Lamb takes the book. Notice there are no “angels” are specifically called out in Rev. 4, but the four living creatures have angelic qualities and appear less intelligent in their worship than the elders. We can conclude that the living creatures are angelic in ch.4. But in Rev. 5, angels are mentioned as a distinct class from the four living creatures, and the living creatures join the elders in the song of redemption: all pointing to the creatures being redeemed men in Rev. 5. How can they be angels in ch.4, and men in ch.5? We conclude that there has been a change in the administration from ch.4 to ch.5 that results in a change from angels to men in the office represented by the living creatures. This shift is connected with an event: when the Lamb takes the book from the had of God. It is an event that signals the Lamb taking up the title to His inheritance. When He does this, the saints in association with Christ replace the angels as administrative executors – a change fully developed in the Millennium (1 Cor. 6:3). “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come” (Heb. 2:5). God has chosen to have a man set over this creation. Adam failed in his headship, but Christ will perfectly succeed. A transfer of administration is needed, because today the administration of the world is in the hands of angels, who do the Father’s bidding (Heb. 1:13). But before the Millennium begins, the whole host of elect angels will be subjected to the authority of the Son of man. This is comprehended in the prophecy; “when he brings in the firstborn into the habitable world, he says, And let all God’s angels worship him” (Heb. 1:7; Psa. 97:7). Of course the angels do worship Christ today, but when the Father brings the Firstborn in the world a second time, the angels will worship a Man on the earth! We will join the glorified Son of man as co-heirs and co-administrators of the Millennial earth; the “world to come”. In this way, we “the saints” will “judge angels”. Therefore, on account of this shift, we discern that the living creatures represent more of an office than specific persons. In ch.4 the living creatures are angels, in ch.5 they are the heavenly saints.

 

 

v.1 The Book. John sees a book in the “right hand” of God. The right hand connects the book with the power and authority of God. We find the contents of the book in ch.6-11: the judgments of the earth. But the book stands for something more than mere judgement. The book contains the counsels of God – for the ultimate blessing of the earth – that will be brought about through judgment (see Isa. 26:9-10).³ It has also been called “the title deed to the inheritance”. Many men have tried to bring about the blessing of the earth, and many of them have tried to do it through judgment and bloodshed. But none who have attempted were successful, because they were not worthy to do it, and they did not have the power to accomplish their aim. God holds the title deed to the earth, and only One is worthy to take it from His hand. The book is “written”, showing God’s will is unalterably settled. The book is full, written “within and on the backside”; i.e. full of judgment. If it were only written on one side, more could be added, but nothing beyond can be added to this book. It is sealed with “seven seals”, the number of Divine perfection. The counsels God are perfectly hidden in the Divine Mind until the Lamb reveals it. Each seal closes a certain portion of the book, and the contents are successively revealed in order.

 

 

vv.2-3 None Worthy to Open the Book. Some angels are stronger than others: now John hears a “strong angel” ask a momentous question. This voice penetrates to the utmost bounds of the universe, searching three great sectors; heaven, earth, and under the earth. When it comes to opening the book, the primary question is of worthiness (v.2). But the response (v.3) adds another thought: ability. No one is found morally worthy or able to deal with the vast system of evil that plagues the world and bring in blessing. Many have tried (Napoleon, Hitler, etc.). The One mentioned in v.5 meets both of these requirements. As a “lion” He is able, and as the “Lamb” He is worthy. Worthiness has two parts: moral perfection and the right of redemption. Christ is worthy because of His spotless Person, and also because He purchased the inheritance with His own blood. In the search for an opener, “no one” is found worthy or able; no created being. The three sectors are mentioned. (1) Those “in the heaven” are the angels, the attendants of God’s throne. (2) Those “upon the earth” are men and animals. (3) Those “under the earth” are creatures that live under the surface of the earth.⁴⁵ Well-intentioned men have been trying for 6000 years to eliminate the effects of sin and bring in blessing. All attempts have failed; none were able to open the book. Notice that opening the book and breaking the seals are separate events. Naturally, the order seems backwards. One must break the seals first in order to open the book. But there is a moral order to this: first the contents are unfolded, then the execution follows. 

 

 

vv.4-5 John’s Weeping, an Elder’s Response. Contrast John’s response with that of the intelligent elder who speaks to him. In the book of Revelation, John is more in the character of an Old Testament prophet than an apostle to the church. Thinking only of man’s inability and unworthiness, we would weep like John. How sad to hold a hopeless view of this earth; to think that the creation will never be brought into blessing. Is that really how it is all going to end? John adds that none were even able to “regard it”; i.e. even to contemplate it. The book represents something so weighty and momentous that neither man nor angel could examine it. John is informed by one of the elders that One has been found who can open the book! Who is this Person? As the lion He is able, as the Lamb He is worthy! He is the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”,  picturing irresistible power, majesty, and sovereignty to secure the blessing of Israel and the earth (see Gen. 49:8-10, Prov. 30:30). He is also the “root of David”, representing the royalty of the kingdom. More than being David’s son (offspring or branch, Rev. 22:16, Isa. 11) Christ is David’s Lord (Matt. 22:41-46) the root or source of all Davidic titles and promises. He has “overcome” every spiritual power by His death on the cross, and now He prevails to open the book.

 

vv.6-7 A Lamb as it had been Slain. John is told of the Lion of the tribe of Judah (v.5), but sees a Lamb instead of a Lion; i.e. seeming weakness instead of majesty. The word “Lamb” occurs 28 times in Revelation, and it is always in the diminutive form; i.e. “a little lamb” or “lamkin”. It brings before us not so much the pascal lamb aspect, but Christ as the victim of man’s hatred and rejection, now in a warrior character (Rev. 6:16; 17:14). The Lamb has several characteristics. First, “as slain”, it is a picture of holy suffering and rejection (Isa. 53:7). Christ was rejected and put to a violent death. He is glorified in heaven now, and Who but He who suffered so is worthy to take the book? Second, He has “seven horns”, representing complete power, or omnipotence. Third, He has “seven eyes”, representing complete discernment, or omniscience. The eyes are again the seven Spirits of God, which are sent into “all the earth”, showing His presence everywhere, or omnipresence. The Lamb takes the book from God upon the throne. It pictures Christ taking the reins of power into His own hands. The result is praise in heaven!

 

vv.8-10 Circle #1: Redeemed Men, and Their New Song. This stupendous moment, “when it [the Lamb] took the book”, which anticipates Christ having His rightful place over the inheritance, triggers the praise of the redeemed saints. This is the third “trigger” so far of the redeemed company’s worship (see Rev. 1:5; 4:9). The “harps” represent the heavenly saints’ praises, which are primarily for the Lamb’s goodness to His saints on earth (see v.9). The “bowls full of incenses” represent the prayers of the earthly saints below in their time of need being offered by the heavenly saints now functioning as priests. Prayer on earth is incense in heaven! They sing a “new song”. In their song, the heavenly Saints connect the worthiness of the Lamb with His suffering: (1) because He was slain, and suffered a violent death at man’s hand, therefore He must be vindicated, and (2) because He has accomplished redemption, and suffered the work of atonement to pay the price of redemption. The heavenly saints sing to Him, while the angels chant about Him (v.12). Redeemed men sing of glory brought to God through redemption: a redemption by blood (connect with Rev. 15:3). They sing of those redeemed from “every kindred”. There is no such thing as the redemption of a “race” (see Psalm 90:3). The saints sing, “thou hast redeemed them“. Unselfishly, the elders sing of the redemption of the earthly saints. Their thoughts are aligned with the thoughts of the Lamb. Only the redeemed can sing this song, but later it is taught to the Jewish remnant as well (Rev. 14:1-5). The earthly saints are eventually to “reign over the earth”. This expression always refers to the reign of the heavenly saints with Christ in the Millennium. How does that follow with v.9? Those spoken of are earthly saints shortly to be martyred in the first three and a half years (Rev. 6:7-11) and in the last three and a half years (Rev. 11; 14:3). They will partake in the first resurrection and join the heavenly saints with Christ reigning over the earth.

 

 

vv.11-12 Circle #2: Redeemed Men and Angels. Now we get a second circle of praisers that opens up to include not only redeemed men, but also angels. “Singing” (circle #1) and “saying” (circle #2 and #3) will be going on in unison for all eternity. There is one theme, but different pitches or levels of intelligence. We are not told that the praise will ever cease. However we do read of a silence in heaven for half an hour before the first trumpet is sounded (ch.8). Notice that in ch.5 angels are mentioned as distinct from the living creatures (see note on transfer of administration). On earth our praise has but two notes (“glory and dominion”, Rev. 1:6), but many more in heaven, to bring the total to seven notes! The notes of praise are for “the Lamb that was slain”, and the subject is His worthiness to receive His kingdom glories. A beautiful contrast is seen in what Christ will have in His kingdom with what He had in this world at His first coming. Notably absent in this praise, in which the angels join, are notes about redemption. They cannot speak about what they cannot understand.

 

He will have	He had in this world
Power	Weakness	2 Cor. 13:4
Riches	Became Poor	2 Cor. 8:9
Wisdom	Foolishness	1 Cor. 1:24
Strength	Humility	Phil. 2:8
Honor	Dishonor	Psa. 69:19
Glory	Shame	Heb. 12:2
Blessing	Made a Curse	Gal. 3:13

 

 

vv.13-14 Circle #3: Every Creature. In the third circle of praisers, every creature is included. Now instead of seven notes, this circle’s praise has four notes. Four is the number of universality in creation (Gen. 2:10). How does the creation praise? See Isaiah 11:6-9; 55:12; Rom. 8:19-21. The whole creation longs for this day, when Christ will have his rightful place. The creation is not intelligent, but it is nonetheless longing for that time and meanwhile groans under the effects of sin. In response to all three circles, the heavenly saints do two things. As the living creatures, in the aspect of administration, the saints say “Amen”. But as the elders, in the aspect of priesthood, the saints fall down and worship the Lamb!