27 December

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Revelation 4-8

Revelation 4

This chapter introduces us to the Revelation of Christ in His government of all world affairs in which a most remarkable vision of the heavenly order is presented to us. Everything is seen as surrounding the throne. Four and twenty elders are seated round about that throne. In an inner circle are four living creatures, symbolically described as, the first like a lion, the second like an ox, the third as a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. The whole interest centers in Him who sits on the throne. No suggestion of shape is given. The appearance is likened to that of two precious stones, jasper and sardius.

The seer gazing on the heavenly order saw and heard perfect worship. The first note was uttered by the living ones; in the high and holy exercise they have no rest day or night, they offer glory and honor to Him who occupies the throne. This ascription is followed by prostration before the throne as elders cast their crowns before Him who sits thereon.

So ends the vision of the essential heavenly order. The symbolism is majestic and sublime, and while there may be many differing interpretations, the fundamental truths are self-evident. At the center of everything is an occupied throne. Gathered around it are those who appreciate the character of the One enthroned, and submit themselves to His government. The light of that vision shone for the seer on all the darkness and the gloom which presently was to be revealed to him.

Revelation 5

In this chapter we have John's vision of the heavenly arrangement for earthly administration. The program lies in the hand of the One who sits on the throne. It is written, but sealed, and none can know it. This fact produced a great sorrow in John, so that he wept much, seeing that none was able to take the book and unloose the seals in order that the heavenly program might be carried out on the earthly level.

But now appeared the Lamb, whose advent was heralded by the most wonderful music it is possible to imagine. In the great movement the living ones and the elders and countless thousands of angels joined with the whole creation of God. As in the vision of the heavenly order in the previous chapter the fact of the Throne was the supreme revelation, here is revealed the equally glorious fact that the administration of the will of God in earthly affairs is committed to Christ.

If indeed the earlier vision of the heavenly order prevents panic, this vision inspires the heart with thrills of joy, and, perforce, causes it to express itself in ceaseless song. To see the scroll on which is written the story of the divine purpose and program in the pierced hand is to prepare to sing the song of assurance amid all the strange and otherwise perplexing events which are to follow. Holiness is thus established on the central throne, and acts through Him who is forever the Exponent of the Infinite Love. This leaves no room for doubt that whatever happens will be in accord with strictest justice and tenderest compassion. Happy is the man who in the midst of all the problems and perplexities of the present age remains forever conscious of the established heavenly order and of the method of earthly administration.

Revelation 6

We now pass to that section of the Book in which, under the heavenly order by earthly administration, events proceed toward the great consummation. The Lamb, holding the book, breaks the seals.

The apostle heard the voice of one crying, "Come," and he beheld one who symbolized kingliness and goes "forth conquering, and to conquer." This is the Antichrist, Satan's most complete counterfeit of the Christ Himself.

The breaking of the second seal reveals the issue of the reign of Antichrist, war and carnage. The earth is plunged into all the terrors of the despotism of false authority.

The opening of the third seal brings a revelation of the want that follows war and carnage. A commercial despotism springs up which makes scarce the necessities of the millions and leaves untouched the oil and the wine which are the luxuries of the wealthy.

The breaking of the fourth seal shows the fourth phase of misrule. Death in all its most terrible forms, by sword, famine, pestilence, and by wild beasts, sweeps away the fourth part of the earth.

On the opening of the fifth seal John heard the cry of the saints slaughtered for their loyalty to the Word of God. The end is not yet.

The opening of the sixth seal is immediately followed by premonitions of the coming One. Over all the government of the false are signs of the established order of the true. The earth itself is shaken, the sun is blackened, the moon becomes as blood, the very stars of heaven fall. The effect on earth is one of absolute and abject terror.

Revelation 7

Under the sixth seal we have seen and heard the portents of coming divine intervention. At the sounding of the seventh seal these will be resumed. Chapter seven describes a pause, and first deals with events on earth. Restraining angels are seen holding in check the hurricane of divine judgment.

After the account of the sealing of an elect number, the seer turns to contemplate a vision in heaven. It is that of a multitude so great that no man could number it. The multitude was diverse and yet unified. The diversity was of earth. National peculiarities, tribal characteristics, popular distinctions, and lingual differences are all still apparent. This earthly variety is incorporate in heaven's harmony. All stand before the throne, equally ready for service.

This great multitude is composed of those who had come out of the great tribulation. They are now seen in heaven. Very beautiful and tender is the description of their condition. Service has superseded suffering, and all sorrow has been banished. The salvation they celebrate has lifted them to a place of immeasurable blessedness.

Revelation 8

The seventh and last seal on the scroll is broken. On earth uproar and strife follow as at Babel, but in heaven silence for half an hour. Then follows the sounding of trumpets initiating activities leading to the ultimate manifestation of the King.

At the sounding of the first trumpet a great storm breaks over the earth. At the sounding of the second, terrific disturbance occurs in the sea. At the sound of the third comes a terrible poisoning of the waters, bringing death. At the sounding of the trumpet of the fourth angel the third part of the light of the sun, moon, and stars is eclipsed. Through all these movements God is seen speaking to men of His throne and His power, which they have ignored. They all describe the operations of punitive judgment. Between the sounding of the fourth and fifth trumpets an eagle is seen proclaiming the coming of a threefold woe, but the fact of the proclamation is evidence of the long-suffering of God. That surely is the explanation of the eagle's proclamation in the midst of the sounding of trumpets.