revelations in Revelation- part 3

It is good to be given a glimpse into Heaven. The Book of Revelation affords us this luxury and ensures that, thereafter, our lives cannot remain the same 22 CHRIST IN ETERNITY No artistic depiction could give justice to the sheer magnificence of Christ on his throne in heaven. p22-23(13-3)Rev2WrenMO.qxp_PhilipWren 23/05/2018 15:26 Page 1 

This is the third article in a series ‘Twelve Revelations of Jesus Christ’ from the book of Revelation. The first article viewed chapter one, which reveals the glorified Christ, and concluded with a reminder that this is the Jesus before whom one day each of us will have to stand and give an account of our lives (Romans 14:12). Before those eyes of fire nothing is hidden (Hebrews 4:12,13).

Like John on that day we will fall at His feet as dead. There will be no arguments which we can put forward to justify our actions. No explaining away of what we have thought and done. On that day we will understand as never before that it is by grace that we have been saved through faith, not by works but by the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9). The second article considered the special relationship Jesus has with His church. He does not forsake us, but takes a personal interest in every congregation, rebuking when we fail and encouraging us to stand firm.

In chapter four we have a revelation of Christ in His eternal glory.

Revelation begins with the greeting, ‘Grace and peace to you from the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne’. (Revelation 1:4).We are now transported into the presence of the one who sent that greeting. He is the Lord – the very centre of all creation. ‘An open door,’ is in contrast to the closed door to the Laodicean Church. Mankind in sin leaves Jesus standing outside waiting to be invited in. Jesus through His sacrifice has opened the door to heaven to all who will go in.

Who is on the throne?

John sees one sitting on a throne. The covenant delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai contains much which is intended to give us a picture of Heaven. To help understand what we see, we need to refer to that covenant. In Exodus 28:15–21, there are instructions for making the High Priest’s breastplate. There are four rows of three stones. One for each of the tribes of Israel. The first stone of the first row is a Sardius. The last stone on the fourth row is a Jasper. The first stone is for the first son Reubenwhose name means ‘behold a son’. The last stone on the fourth row is for Benjamin. His name means ‘son of my right hand’.

The one sitting on the throne is like Jasper and Sardius (Revelation 4:3). He is both ‘behold a Son’ and ‘Son of my right hand’. Jesus alone carries both these titles. Hebrews tell us that Jesus, “when he had purged our sins sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.” Sharing His Father’s throne Jesus occupies His rightful place at the centre of heaven.

Four Living creatures

Next, we go to the four living creatures, and to the elders. Both Isaiah and Ezekiel are given visions of heaven. Isaiah sees the Lord sitting on His throne (Isaiah 6:2–3). Above Him are seraphim. Like the creatures in Revelation each have six wings, and cry Holy, Holy, Holy. Ezekiel, in a vision, also sees four living creatures (Ezekiel 1:5–14). There is no doubt that these are the same creatures in each of the visions. The visions are so extraordinary that it is no wonder the three prophets took in different aspects of these beings.

We are left with the question, what do these creatures represent? Fortunately the Bible is its own commentary. Numbers 2:1– 3,10,18 and 25 sets out the organisation of the camp of Israel. The nation was grouped into four camps, each with three tribes, around the Tabernacle. Each of the four camps had its own banner. According to tradition, Judah’s banner was a lion, Reuben’s banner a man, Ephraim’s banner an ox and Dan’s banner an eagle. The same as the four faces on each of the creatures described in Revelation.

God designed the camp of Israel to convey an image of the order and pattern of heaven. The Tabernacle in the centre represents the throne of God. The Tabernacle in its detailed order also provides a lesson on how we are to approach God. The people of God in their camps under their banners surround the Tabernacle.

After the victory over Amalek, Moses set up an altar to give glory for the victory to God (Exodus 17:15). He gives the altar the name Jehovah Nissiwhich means, ‘The Lord is my banner.’

The banner represents covering and protection. Each banner represents one of the living creatures. Camping under the four banners, the children of Israel placed themselves under the covering of the four living creatures.

The living creatures, full of eyes, do not rest day or night. They are angelic beings which are sent to constantly watch over the people of God. They also gather up and return to God the praises of His people.

The 24 Elders

In the camp, the Levites were placed between the tribes and the Tabernacle. They were divided into three family group camps with Moses and Aaron and their families making up the fourth camp. (Numbers 3:23,29,35,38). The Levites surrounded the Tabernacle and assisted in the worship of God.

King David,when preparing for the construction of the Temple, divided the priests and Levites into divisions. The priests were divided into 24 divisions to serve (1 Chronicles 24:3–4). The Levites were divided into 24 divisions to lead worship (1 Chronicles 25:6–8). Each division in turn officiated at the service and worship in the Temple.

My personal understanding of the 24 elders seated around the throne is that they represent the heads of these divisions in heaven presiding over the worship of God.

Our eternal calling is to be a kingdom of priests to God (1 Peter 2:9); as repeated in Revelation 1:6, where Christ has made us kings and priests to His God. As in David’s earthly kingdom, the worship of God in heaven will be orderly. The 24 Elders each lead their division of priestly worshippers. I believe that all the redeemed will be allocated to their respective division. In turn we will have the opportunity, on behalf of all the saved, to present our worship before the throne of God.

The Elders have crowns because they are kings as well as priests. The Seven Spirits of God Within the Tabernacle there was a candlestick with seven branches (Exodus 25:31– 40, 37:17–24). The Menorah represents the seven spirits of God before His throne. That light was never to be allowed to go out. Seven symbolises completeness and perfection. Earlier Jesus refers to the seven lampstands as representing the seven churches. Here the seven lamps of fire before the throne are the seven spirits of God. The connection between the seven lampstands representing the churches and the seven lamps which are the seven spirits of God, is simple. It is through the church that the Holy Spirit works in this world. If the church, as at Ephesus, has ceased to be a channel through which the Holy Spirit can work, the Lord will remove the lamp stand (Revelation 2:5) and replace it with a church that is more fruitful.

The sea of glass like crystal and the emerald rainbow

At Mount Sinai the Lord invited Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihuwith the seventy elders of Israel to climb the mountain and worship Him from afar. On the mountain they see the God of Israel. At His feet there was a pavement of Sapphire (Exodus 24:10). Ezekiel likens his vision of the glory of the Lord to a rainbow. Emeralds and sapphires come in a range of colours blue through to green. Exodus and Ezekiel both give us visions of the pre-incarnate Christ. Revelation now reveals Him restored to His former glory.

A bronze laver was made as part of the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:17 – 21). Aaron and his sons had to wash in the laver before offering worship. Pure as crystal emphasises purity. Nothing unclean can ever enter the presence of God.

It’s all about worship

Jesus is the one ‘who was and is and is to come’.He is the Lord God Almighty who lives forever and ever. He promises eternal life to all who believe in Him. Those closest to Jesus are filled with the most adoration and praise. They see Him for who He is and view with wonder the display of love in all His acts. He is worthy of praise because everything was made by Him. Nothing in heaven or earth exists without Him.

This vision of heaven reveals Christ in His eternal majesty. It has been given to encourage us before we move on to read of trouble to come. We have seen our Saviour on the throne. We have the assurance that He has conquered death. In Him we will be victors and live for ever.