OUTLINE STUDIES IN THE REVELATION

Volume Two

 

Revelation Chapter 4

 

INTRODUCTION:

In the first three chapters of revelation, Jesus invites John to write to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. It is quite noticeable, that as we begin with Chapter 4, that the scene changes from earth to heaven. This is no doubt due to the fact of the rapture. In chapter four and five, the two chapters are really as one, we see the sovereign triune God sitting in the place of authority. Jesus who hitherto has been the intercessor of the Church, sitting on the right hand of power is seen to stand and take charge. The worship of Him who alone is worthy praise is central in chapter four.

 

1.         CHANGE OF SCENE: VS 1-5

A.                 Trumpet-

“Come up hither”- the rapture of the saints. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

The trumpets do no actually speak but are used much in Revelation to announce something.

 

B.                 Things which Follow: (immediately)

1.      The throne in heaven - This represents the absolute sovereignty and judgment of God.

2.      One on the throne – no face is seen – only the brilliance and brightness of God.   Cf - John 4:24.

The Triune God –

A.     God the Holy Spirit – vs 2&5

B.     God the father – vs 3

C.     God the Son – 5:5

3.      The two stones –

Jasper – this is the last stone identified in the breastplate of the High Priest –Exodus 28:20.

This stone is first in the foundation of the New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:19

It is first in the wall of the New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:18.

Some commentators identify this stone with the diamond.

Sardis stone –

This stone is 6th in the foundation of the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:20

The first stone-Jasper – sets forth the holiness of God.

The second stone speaks of the wrath or judgment of God.

Justice is the watchword of the new order, as grace is today.

4.      24 Elders - Vs 4-5

The 24 elders (Gr. presbuterous) sit upon 24 thrones (places of authority)

David divided the priests and Levites into 24 courses and placed 24 leaders over them (1 Chronicles 24:4.)

The Church instituted by Christ on the shores of Galilee is a priesthood of believers –Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:5.

Elders were appointed or ordained in the churches – Titus 1:5

These appear to represent the church and probably represent the church age from Bethsaida to the rapture.

5.      White raiment – this is the righteousness of the Jesus Christ-

      2 Corinthians  5:21.

6.      The crowns of gold indicate that those who rule with Christ are from the true New Testament Church.  1 Corinthians 6:3.

Crowns are given as rewards- James 1:12; 1 Peter5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8.

 

2.         THE FOUR BEASTS: VS 6-9

            This is said in the present tense and indicates vivid and dramatic action.

            Lightning’s and thunderings (Vs 5) usually precede a storm.

            Judgment is getting ready to come upon the earth as a great end-time storm.

            Voices indicate an intelligent act of God.

            The Seven Spirits of God – see Revelation 1:4

            THE FOUR BEAST- (Living Creatures- Gr.  Zoa)

A.                 Like a Lion – Christ as King as presented to us in Matthew.

B.                 Like a Calf  - (Ox) beast of burden and sacrifice – Christ as servant as in Mark

C.                 Like a Man – Humanity of Christ as in Luke.

D.                 Flying eagle – See Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11-12

He communicates the deity of Christ as seen in the Gospel of John.

Frederic Godet suggests the following-

Lion-wild beasts

Ox- domesticated animals.

Eagle- birds

Man – head of all creatures

There will be no more sea in the new earth, no reptiles (the serpent introduced sin) - Cf - Genesis 9:9-10

E.                  Chosen Description –

1.      6 wings –Cf seraphim- Isaiah 6:2

Holy- Holy – Holy is the refrain of the seraphim in Isaiah 6:3

2.      Full of eyes within – they had good and proper vision of the sovereign God. This speaks of their alertness and awareness.

3.      Do not rest – They are ready at all times to lead in the worship of God.

4.      Praise the Lord- “Holy, Holy, Holy”

These are certainly suggestive of cherubim – Ezekiel 1:5-10; 10:20

Seraphim – Isaiah 6:2-3

Godet states, “they are not symbols since they are not explained, but they are representative.”

5.      The beasts – (living creatures) lead the 24 elders in worship.

Praise is the eternal activity of God’s creatures.

The creature worships the Creator as the Triune God – Holy, Holy, Holy!

Why would one want to go to heaven who does not enjoy worshipping God in the here and now?

There are some churches that emphasize evangelism to the exclusion of worship. This ought not to ever happen. “We come to worship, we go forth to serve.” Our church services ought to emphasize worship, not entertainment.

Praise is comely for the upright.

 

3.         CROWNS CAST BEFORE THE THRONE – Vs 10-11

A.     Worship – Subjection to the sovereignty of God. Worship ought to be directed to God and never something that is drummed up or to appease our own flesh.

B.     Worthy – is the Lord who created all things.

They worship Him for His attributes because He is who He is.

Genesis 1:1 is accurate and those of the New Testament Church believe it.

C.  Crowns – will be cast at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

CONCLUSION:

I want to go back to verse one and close this chapter with “Four Doors in Revelation.”

Vs 1- “a door was opened in heaven.”

1.         The door of Opportunity – 3:8

John 10:9 – “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

2.         The door of the Church – 3:20  (Identification with Christ- Lordship of Christ)

3.         The door of translation – the rapture – 4:1

4.         The open door of the second coming and return of Christ – 19:11

We today stand before these “open doors” and Scripture indicates the time is short.

May your heart be an open door to the Savior our Lord Jesus Christ?

Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

 

Outline of a sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, June 16th 2002.

These messages will soon be available in book form.

 

STUDIES IN THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

 

THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK

 

Revelation Chapter 5

 

INTRODUCTION:

In chapter four (4) the scene changed from earth to heaven, suggesting in verse one (1), the rapture. We saw the worship of the Triune God, with Jesus Christ seated on the right hand of power (authority.) The theme of chapter four is continued into chapter five with the church in heaven with Christ.

Preparation is being made for the justice of God to be displayed in judgment upon the world. This is preparatory to the Great Tribulation. The throne was the center of chapter four while the Lion and the Lamb are central to chapter five. These of course represent our Lord Jesus Christ who is both Lion (king) and Lamb (our Passover Savior.) He is in full charge of all events that will follow.

 

1.   SOURCE OF THE BOOK:  Vs 1-4

 

      A.    Possession:    “in the right hand”

              1.  The word “possession” suggests  control. The use of term “right hand” in Scripture suggests “authority”.

Moses carried his rod in his right hand as he led the nation of Israel. Christ is said to have ascended to the “right hand of power”.

              2.  The book was possessed by the One who sat upon the throne. He is the victorious One, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

              3.  The book was already written, which suggests God’s predetermined sovereign decree. God’s plan is from eternity past, not written as things progress.

Calvary was not an afterthought in the mind and plan of God. God’s plan and purpose is in sovereign grace from before the foundation of the world.

 

      B.   Problem of the Book:

            This book which John saw had one particular problem.  The word “and” which

starts this chapter, connects it with the thought of the previous chapter. The KJV uses the word “book” which is better translated  “scroll” since books as we know them today had not yet been invented.

            1.   It was a sealed book (scroll).

This is a very significant scroll and may well unlock the secret of the entire Revelation, and especially the next chapter.

            2.   It was sealed with seven seals.  Seven is the number of perfection, the number of God (deity). Angelic beings were not able to open it, and it appears to be entirely related to man.

     

      C.  Proclamation:  Vs 2

            “ And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open

            the book, and to loose the seals thereof? “

The cause for John’s weeping was the fact that no man could be found anywhere who was able and worthy to open the book.

              1.  The strong angel:  This angel could be Michael the archangel who is found to be a strong angel in his battles with Satanic power.

              2.  The loud voice: Loud so as to allow everyone to hear, and because of the authority which he possessed

              3.  The two-fold question:

              a)        who is worthy to open the book?

              b)       and to loose the seals thereof?

            The importance of this book is seen in the fact that John wept when no one was found worthy to open it.

The action in this deed is much the same as that of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 32:9-12) whom God instructed to buy a piece of land that would soon   be worthless. It’s title deed was signed sealed and preserved by his secretary Baruch in an earthen jar. This was to prove that his prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying of Israel into Babylon would take place, but that God would bring them back again from captivity. Jeremiah would not see this personally, but his heir would be able to claim the property and open the sealed title deed. The seven sealed scroll is the title deed to the earth. It was first given by God to Adam but lost through sin to Satan, who from then until now is in control of the world. John wept because he knew that as long as this title deed remained sealed, Satan would remain in control of the earth. Satan is called the god of this world.

 

            D. Problem:  Vs 3-4

“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

                 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.” 

                 1.     No one was found who was able to open the book.

                        No son of Adam has any claim to this book, the title deed of the earth.

                 2.     No one could look thereon.

How can sinful man look upon this deed, knowing their own sinfulness and the fact of human depravity brought about through Adam’s sin.

                 3.     No one was worthy to open and read, nor look on it.

                        No sinful human being is worthy. There is no conqueror over sin and death among Adam’s race.

Read Roman’s 3:23; 5:12-29

 

2.   SLAIN LION-LAMB: Vs 5-7

            A.         Prevailed:   Vs 5

.                       1.   Hope is found in the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

                              The lion is the king of beasts, and Judah here likely represents all of Israel.

                        2.   The Root of David refers to the human ancestry of Jesus as the descendant of King David.

                              Isaiah 11:1,10

                              “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

                              Revelation 22:16

“ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star”.

                        3.   Jesus Christ is the One who has prevailed to:

                              a)   Open the book.

                              b)   To loose the seven seals of the Book

Only Jesus Christ has prevailed to bring lawful judgment and justice to the world, which will begin with the opening of the seven seals of this Book of Judgment.

 

            B.         Power:  Vs 6-7

                        1.   The Lion is the Lamb or the One who as a Lamb was slain and brought redemption through His death and shed blood for the elect of God.

                              The One upon the throne is revealed to John as the Lamb.

                              Jesus is referred to as a lamb:

                              John 1:29

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”. 

                              1 Peter 1:19 

                              “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

                              Acts 8:32

“The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:”   

                        2.   The Lamb is described -

                              a)   Seven horns - Seven is the number of God.

                                    This indicates that the Lamb was not weak. A horn in Scripture indicates power -

                                    Zechariah  1:18-19

                                    “18 ¶ Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.

19  And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem”.

                                    See also “the little horn of  Daniel 7”. 

                              b)   Seven eyes - the sevenfold Spirit of God, or seven characteristics of the Spirit of God. This speaks of judgment.

                        3.   “Sent forth into all the earth” - The judgment of the world is about to begin.

                        4.         The Lamb took the book from the One on the throne.

                                    The Lamb prevailed to receive authority (power) from God the Father.

                                    The One rejected has not only become the Cornerstone of the Church but the Judge of mankind.

When Christ returns to Judge the world, all will see that the One rejected as Savior has become Lord of all.

Any who read these verses should understand the folly and utter hopelessness in the rejection of the One and only Savior of the world.

                                    Better to know Him now as Savior than later as Judge.

 

3.         SING A NEW SONG:  Vs 8-14

Now is the time to sing, to worship, and to rejoice. John looks on as Jesus Christ is revealed as the Lamb-Lion- King. John is looking from the vantage point of the rapture. He sees Jesus as we will see Him following the rapture of believers.

            What a spectacle as he watches the great heavenly choir in worship of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

            A.        Work of the Lamb is Praised:   Vs 8-11

                        1.         The four beasts and the 24 elders see that Jesus the Lamb has taken the                                                                        book and so fall down before Him in worship.

                        2.         Notice what they had with them as they began to worship Jesus Christ.

                                    a)         “harps” - The use of the word “harps is again used in 14:2

This indicates the music of heaven. How different this is from some of the loud ear-piercing music heard on our radios today.

                                    b)         “golden vials full of odors which are the prayers of the saints”.

This shows us that no prayer of a child of God is set aside. The word “odor” is best translated “incense”.

Some think that these prayers may be those, which are as yet unanswered, but will be at the second coming of Christ.

                        3.         “And they sung a new song” - Vs 9 A song hitherto unable to be sung

until the Lamb had prevailed. This is a new song of a new hope for newborn people, which were redeemed by the blood of Christ.

                                    The sinner too when converted to Christ has a new song to sing.

                        4.         This new song was directed to the Lamb who alone was found worthy to open the book.

5.         What makes the Lamb worthy here is “for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God”. This implies also His resurrection since He is being addressed. Jesus Christ died for our sins, as our kinsman redeemer.

                        6.         “and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” -

                                    The King James Version is not clear here as seeming to imply that the

                                    elders and beasts were redeemed, which is not the case.

                                    The ASV renders this verse more accurately:

                                    Revelation 5:9-10

“9  And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

                                    10  and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth”.

                                    (The NIV has a similar rendering)

                                    That there is no salvation for angels is seen from:

                                    Hebrews 1:13-14

                                    13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand,

                                    until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

                                    14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

                                    CF  2 Peter 2:4          

7.         “Redeemed”     Jesus Christ here is said to have redeemed men. Does this refer to all men, (mankind), as the Universalists would tell us? I think not, for then millions will be in hell for which Christ died, and not all men will             be in heaven. Jesus died only for the elect.

Jesus purchased the elect, those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. Jesus Christ was slain in order to “redeem,” to buy up or purchase God’s elect. We believe that Jesus died for the elect and that this redemption is particular and eternal.

                                    See Ephesians 1:4;7, 11 and 1 Peter 1:2.

                                    Christ showed himself to be legally one who was able to redeem. He is our kinsman redeemer.

                                    Note:   For an explanation of this term see Jeremiah 32:9-12 and Ruth Chapter 2

The use of blood goes right back to Genesis, where God brought animal skins to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. Liberals accuse us of having a bloody religion. I for one plead guilty as charged.

                                    Hebrews 9:22

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

                                    Therefore we sing, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

                                    (The Bible student should read carefully Hebrews chapters 9-10)

                        8.         “Out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” -

God will have a people made up of those of every nationality (but not of every notion). The ecumenical idea afloat in these days has no basis in Scripture. There is no universal salvation. The key here is the words “out of” and the meaning is that God’s salvation is for people of all races, but not all of every race will be saved. Multitudes will reject God’s offer of salvation in Christ, die and go to a Christ-less eternity.

If this Scripture can be taken literally and I for one do not see why it can not. Then those who still do not have the Word of God translated to their language and tribes still unreached, will be reached.

                        9.         “Vs 10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth”.

Christ’s kingdom  will come to earth and the redeemed will reign with Him as kings (rulers) and priests (ministers). This is literally “a kingdom of priests” as in the ASV.

Every Christian is now a priest, doing the work of priests, conveying the gospel to men in this age. The kingdom of God in this age is within the hearts of His elect people (born again, Bible believing Christians).

The priesthood as practiced within the Roman Catholic Church is not Scriptural and is based upon the Old Testament Levitical priesthood. This should never be confused with the term pastor or elder.

The kingdom of God will appear on earth in the millennial reign of Christ as He sits upon David’s throne in Jerusalem, and Christ’s Church will reign with Him, each individual according to the reward of Jesus Christ at the Bema of Christ in heaven immediately following the rapture.

                                    Our priesthood now is a warm-up practice for the Millennium.

10.       Vs 11 -“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

In my more than 40 years of ministry, I have been in some large churches and Christian gatherings and heard some large choirs. What a sound must ring out in heaven as this massive choir sings this “New Song” of praise to the Lamb of God. Can you imagine such a sound of these thousands singing the praise of our Savior?

                                    Daniel 7:10

 “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened”.

If these angelic beings can praise the Savior so, how much more should we who have been redeemed?

                                    “Praise the Savior ye who know Him!

                                    Who can tell how much we owe Him?

                                    Gladly let us render to Him

                                    All we are and have”.

                                   

            B.         Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain:  Vs 12-14

“12  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

13  And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14  And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever”.

1.         The praise of Jesus Christ, the Lamb was with a “loud voice”. This reminds us of the time when Christ walked with His disciples near the Mount of Olives:

                                    Luke 19:37-40

“37  And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

38  Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

                                    39  And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

                                    40  And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out”.

Someone once asked a preacher why Baptists are so vocal with their “Amen’s” and “praise the Lord”? The one asking said “God is not deaf”. The preacher replied, “no, and He’s not nervous either”.

Someone once threatened to put the evangelist, Billy Sunday in a barrel if he didn’t stop praising the Lord so much. His answer was, “do it and I’ll praise the Lord through the bung-hole!”

                        2.         The Lamb (Jesus Christ) is proclaimed by all of heaven to be worthy to receive seven things:

                                    “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and

                                    wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing”. Vs 12.

                                    Of this verse, Dr. John Gill has this to say-

“As the book has seven seals to be unloosed, and Christ had seven       horns of power and ability to loose them, and fulfill the things contained in it, and seven eyes to look into it, and discover and reveal what is in it, so here are "seven" words made use of, to express the praise that was due unto him; a like number is used by the angels in Rev. 7:12; and when he is said to be worthy to receive these, it is not to be understood of his receiving the things themselves, but of the praise of them; and that these are to be observed in him, and to be ascribed to him........” 

                                    Dr. Tim LaHaye suggests that the description of the angels is the only authentic portrait of Christ.

                                    The Seven Phase Portrait of the Lamb is as follows:

1.         Power:  This word means authority to which Christ after his resurrection was exalted - (Philippians 2:5-11).

                                                Matthew 28:18

“And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”.

                                                With this authority, Christ authorized and commissioned the Church, Matthew 28:19-20.

I think that within the context of  Revelation 5, that the authority referred to is that of judgment upon the nations.

                                                Matthew 25:32  

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats...”

                                                Revelation 20:11

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them”.

Revelation 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne”.

2.         Riches: "riches" may well be ascribed to him, who has all the perfection's of deity in him; whose are the heavens and the earth, and the fullness thereof; and who, as Mediator, is heir of all things, and has both the riches of grace and glory in his hands”-

                                                -John Gill-Bible Expositor.

3.         Wisdom:   (John Gill)-"wisdom" also is his; he is wisdom itself, he is the only wise God; and he is the author of all wisdom, natural and spiritual; and, as Mediator, he has the spirit of wisdom and knowledge resting on him, and the treasures of both hid in him:”.

4.         Strength:   (John Gill)- “and "strength" may be well attributed to him, which he has shown in making and supporting all things; in saving and redeeming his people with a mighty hand and out stretched arm; and in subduing and vanquishing all his and their enemies; and in giving strength to them to discharge their duty, resist temptations, oppose corruption's, and do their generation work”.

5.         Honor:   (John Gill)    “is due to him, as the Son of God, he being honored equally as the Father; and who, as man and Mediator, is crowned with glory and honor”.

6.         Glory:  (John Gill)   "is what ought to be ascribed unto him, even the glory of true and proper deity, and also the glory of salvation; and who, as Mediator, had a glory promised him, and which was due unto him upon his having finished his work, and which he now enjoys”.

7.         Blessing:  (John Gill) “wherefore "blessing" is to be given to him, who is God over all, blessed for evermore, in himself and the perfection's of his nature; in whom all spiritual blessings are, and in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed; and to whom praise   and thanks are to be rendered, for the blessings of pardoning, justifying, and redeeming grace, and for all other”.

Because of who He is, and what He has accomplished as the Lamb slain and risen again, Jesus Christ is well qualified to judge the nations righteously, as we shall see in the following chapters as well.

                        3.         Universal Praise of the Lamb, slain and risen again:  Vs 13

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever”. 

In this scene, John seems to be taken beyond the Tribulation period and the appearing of Christ to earth, to the end of the millennium, to the time of the Great White Throne Judgment, when every living creature will acknowledge Christ as LORD and worship him.

                                    Philippians 2:9-11

                                    9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

                                    11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. 

NOTE:  Every last sinner will one day acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ. For millions who have rejected Him, it will have been too late for personal salvation.  How much better to bow to Him now, receive Him as your own personal Savior and Lord, and receive God’s gift of eternal life.

                                    CF   John 1:11-12; 1 John 5:11-13,20,

                                    Mathew 25:41 

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”. 

                                    Hebrews 3:7-11

                                    7 ¶ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

                                    8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

                                    9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

10  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

                                    11  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 

What a tragedy when on that Day of Judgment, millions will have to admit their error, and worship the Lamb before being justly sentenced to eternal doom.

                        4.         Honor and worship rightly due, is given the Lamb by the four beasts and the 24 elders.  Vs 14 

(CF  - 19:4)

                                    “him that liveth for ever and ever”-  CF  - 4:9-10.

                                    Worship is here given to God the Eternal Son.

 “And the four beasts said, Amen”.  “They, then, though they may be in sympathy with, are different from the animated creation. Four orders join in these honors to the Lamb:

 (1) The Living Creatures, the Cherubim;

                                     (2) the Twenty-four Elders;

(3) the Angels;

 (4) all Animate Creation”. - (From Peoples New Testament Notes.)

                                     THE DOXOLOGIES:

“The action of chapter five is wonderfully dramatic. The Being upon the throne with the sealed book in his right hand; the proclamation of the strong angel calling for some one who was worthy to open the book; the declaration that no created being of the universe could open it; the apostle weeping, in his anxiety to know concerning the future, and from disappointment that no one could open the book; the assurance of the elder that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had prevailed to open it; the appearance of the slain Lamb who prevails as the Lion, and his taking the book out of the right hand of God, are all calculated to fix the attention with breathless interest, and to strike the imagination with startling power.

And the picture grows still grander as the heavenly tenants sing their doxologies in praise of the victory of the Lamb. First, the four living creatures and the elders sing a new song; then a countless number of angels, about the throne, the living creatures and the elders join in the chorus. These praises ring through the heavens, and the reverberations reach from heaven to earth, and every creature "in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea" join in the ascription of praise to the Lamb (Rev. 5:13). To these praises the cherubim respond, Amen! and the elders fall down and worship Him that liveth forever and ever (Rev. 5:14)”.

                                    B.W. Johnson’s Notes on Revelation- (Online Bible CD)

 

 Let us then lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving unto our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ. He alone is worthy of our praise and adoration. This scene makes all trials and tribulation in this life worth it all, for behold our Redeemer liveth and will gather his own unto Himself with whom we shall be forever and ever.

 

 

STUDIES IN REVELATION

 

   THE OPENING OF THE SEVEN SEALS

 

Revelation Chapter 6

The book, which only the Lamb could open, was sealed with “seven seals” (5:1).  Here in this chapter we see the opening of these seven seals. (Six are opened in this chapter and the seventh is opened in the eighth).

God’s true people are ever bid to come and see. This is the invitation of the Beast. This was the invitation of Jesus Himself to those who wanted to know where he was living (John 1:38-39.) The Samaritan woman said-

John 4:29

 “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Jesus Himself said-

Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Again Jesus said-

John 6:37

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

But here, one of the four Beasts’ is addressing John, and taking him into the end time: to the time of the Great Tribulation. So with Chapter six we see the beginning of the Great Tribulation period, also known as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble.”

John’s call to “come and see” suggests that gospel age saints will indeed be looking on from heaven following a Pre-Millennial and Pre-Tribulational rapture.

This chapter is simultaneous to the 70th Week of Daniel. Daniel Chapter 9 and Matthew 24-25 cover this period. Most of Revelation 6-18 covers this period of time.

 

1. OPENING OF THE FIRST SEAL: 6:1-2

    “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.”

Jesus Christ is here in charge and nothing happens until He gives the order. There is a difference of opinion as to the symbolism of this rider on a white horse. Some commentators think this is a reference to Jesus Christ. William Newell holds this view, as does Dr. C.N. Glover. Others such as Chafer, Ironside, Walvoord, Pentecost and E.C. Gillentine, suggest that this rider here is the Anti-Christ.

I believe as does Vernon McGee, Gillentine and others that this rider is the “little horn” of Daniel chapter 7, the man of sin, the Beast of Revelation 13 the ruler of the restored Roman    Empire and the final world dictator.

    This rider has a bow but no mention is made of arrows. It will be a subtle, bloodless conquest.

    The Great Tribulation comes in rather peaceably as a lamb but goes out like a lion.

Professor A.J. Toynbee, Director of Studies in the Royal Institute of International Affairs, says, “By forcing on mankind more and more lethal weapons and at the same time making the whole world more and more interdependent economically, technology has brought mankind to such a degree of distress that we are ripe for deifying any new Caesar who might succeed in giving the world unity and peace.”

    1 Thessalonians 5:3

    “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as    travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

 

At the end of the year 1999 we heard and read much about entering the new millennium. The fact is that we are moving closer to the Great Tribulation, which occurs before the Millennium, or thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee says, “This rider could not be Christ, in view of the fact that Christ is the Lamb in the midst of the throne who, as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, is directing the earthly events from heaven and is giving the orders to the four horsemen to ride. Christ is clearly identified in Revelation 19, while here the identity is obscure. That, itself, is suggestive that it is not Christ, but an imitation of Him.”

     (Reveling Through Revelation Vol. 1 Page 75.)

    E.C. Gillentine says-

“This white horse rider will, no doubt, become the Beast of Revelation 13 who will bring in a period of good times for awhile when he first comes on the scene. See Daniel 8:25.

    (Revelation-Past-Present-Future, Page 45)

 

2. THE OPENING OF THE SECOND SEAL: Vs 3-4

    “And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

    And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”

    The fact that this is the second beast and not the first suggests a change of scene, and it

    certainly appears that way.  Here we have a rider on a RED HORSE. The peace that the rider on the white horse brought to the world was temporary, and counterfeit. No man can bring peace to the world.

    Isaiah 57:21  “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”

    After the white horse, comes the fiery red horse of war.

Some read into this color red, that of communism. That is not too likely in my opinion since nothing like communism has appeared in any of the other world empires.

The greatest global conflict takes place in the Great Tribulation, culminating the final phase of the Battle of Armageddon when our Lord Jesus Christ comes back to the earth to establish His kingdom.

    Revelation 16:16  “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

The fallacy of world peace brought about by man is seen in the United Nations, which not long after its establishment, we had World War Two, and there are still many wars on-going in many parts of the world today.

The change from a bow (without arrows) to a sword indicates the change of weaponry and we in our day have gone from the horses of world war one, to the nuclear warfare of our own times. Except for the lull at the beginning of the Tribulation we shall have an increasing amount of war as time goes on. That is, until Jesus Christ returns and His kingdom is then established upon earth.

    Now, as each day passes, the world is becoming riper for Anti-Christ.

 

3. THE OPENING OF THE THIRD SEAL: Vs 5-6

    “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”

   

The Black Horse-The color black indicates mourning and famine. Black also represents darkness. (See Jeremiah 4:28; Malachi 3:14.) This indicates then the conditions that appear on the earth at this time as the third seal is opened. The balance indicates a scarcity of food and perhaps other substance, which represent daily living.

    The voice that was heard indicates a scarcity in commodities that represent daily living.

    “A measure of wheat for a penny” - Gillentine says that the penny would be about $1.50   in American/Canadian money. A measure would be about a quart. The penny then would be equivalent to the denarius, which is about a day’s wages. See Matthew 20:2.) It will be very   difficult for one to live in that day. This shows a rise in prices that would no doubt cause the starvation of millions of people.

The oil and wine are thought to refer to the luxuries of the rich. However, they too are staples, which play a very large part in our modern economic society.

Inflation has historically gripped the world following a war, and such seems to be the case here. It seems that all social security and such pensions as man has been conditioned to, and blessed by will come to an end. An economic crash will render currency worthless. This famine will hurt the common people most of all. “When the red horse of war rides, the black horse of famine will be right at its heals - (J. Vernon McGee-Ibid.)

 

4. THE OPENING OF THE FOURTH SEAL: Vs 7-8

    “And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill   with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

    Some would translate the word “pale” as “greenish-yellow.”

Death here is more than physical death, since there is also spiritual death. Death takes the body, but Hades is the place where lost souls of unsaved, unredeemed men go. (Luke 16:23.)

    There are three phases of death:

    A.    Physical death - this refers to the body which death is the result of Adam’s sin.

    B.    Spiritual death - Separation from and rebellion against God. We inherit this spiritually dead nature from Adam. (Romans 5:12, 19-21.)

    C.    Eternal death - Eternal separation from God. Unless man is redeemed, this inevitably follows this life. This is the second death of Revelation 20:14.

    During the Great Tribulation death will reign unbridled.

    Dr. Frank Holtman, one time head of the University of Tennessee bacteriological department, has made this statement-

“While the greater part of a cities population could be destroyed by an atomic bomb, the bacteria method might easily wipe out the entire population within a week. The virus causing psittacosis or parrot fever, one of the most deadly of human diseases, is appraised by the scientists as being the most preferable for this purpose. While the cost of producing

Psittacosis bombs is comparatively cheap, its lethal potency is extremely high. According to Thomas R. Henry, science editor, less than one cubic centimeter of this virus is required to infect 20 million human beings when released in the air as infinitesimal spray.”

 

5. THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH SE