Image: "I'm Still Here", 2021, Sky scene along Hwy 20, prior to Ashton, ID
Revelation 5:8–10 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 6:12–14 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
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The Revelation given to John is built around groupings of 7. The scroll which the Lamb alone was found worthy to open was sealed with seven seals, each of which, when opened gives insight into the progress of history from the time the Lamb ascended to the throne room of God until God's final judgment brings all time, as we know it, to a close. Thus, I ascribe to what is called the "recapitulation" hermeneutical interpretation of the Revelation. Each of the following cycles (trumpets, etc.) will essentially cover the same span. Thus, starting with chapter 6 we will be given further descriptions of the nature of time as it progresses until, finally, the great consummation which closes the book.
So, what do we see in the remaining verses of chapter 5 and all of chapter six?
Briefly, we see the stated purpose of history stated by all of creation, the angelic beings, and the redeemed people of God expressed in 5: 8-14. The Lamb Who was slain, even our Lord Jesus Christ, is hailed for His completed work of redemption and His ascension to the throne of God. The four living creatures, who represent the span of God's "living" creatures (animals and man) a well as the twenty four elders who represent the fullness of the elect in both the Old and New Testament dispensations, proclaim the surpassing merit of Him who has "redeemed us to God by Your blood." Note the finished work that is proclaimed as well as the transformed reality of those who benefit from this redemption. Out of all the tribes and peoples of the earth, there are those who have been made "kings and priests to our God." This is the reality of their status. But like a crown prince awaiting actual seating on the throne, these proclaim that they "shall reign on the earth."
Here is the great future that provides such a reason for hope and joy. The redeemed of the earth will reign and rule on the earth. We have a glorious future ahead of us on that day when the implicit promise of the Garden of Eden, where man was to exercise dominion on the earth, will be finally accomplished. (5:9-10)
This particular shout of thanksgiving and praise is followed by a general shout of astonished wonder by the innumerable angels surrounding the redeemed host who add their voices in worship. (5:11) Even the dead of earth, buried in both earth and sea will be present in the chorus (5:13)
Thus we see the full range of God's created work as giving thanks for His great salvation. This is the end goal of history. It is why all things were created and it is why we, individually, exist. God's great sovereign rule, exercised through His Son, our Lord, works to this end and will bring about eternal joy and unending worship from all creatures, heavenly or worldly, the living and the dead.
Such a wonderful picture and one that creates intense longing. But we are solemnly taught that this great end of all things is to be progressively attained. The seals must be opened and the contents of creation's history opened to our eyes. The seals are not necessarily intended to convey sequence in actual time but rather further insights of truths that may, and often does, overlap.
Thus, with seal one, we see the history of conquest and domination unleashed as various nations rise up in history to conquer and subjugate peoples. Man will continue to aspire to autonomous rule in the stead of God. This will bring about many things but its inevitable character will be that of "crown-wearing" enforced by force of arms. (6:1-2) Then comes the second seal and we see the passions of violence unleashed and peace taken from the earth. Lawlessness will always be present and in many eras will dominate the scene. (6:3-4) Similarly, we see that history will involve the cruelty of hunger and inflation as corrupt power oppresses those who cannot defend themselves. (6:5-6) There will be widespread death when wars (such as the two world wars) or epidemics reshape entire generations such that huge swaths of the population are killed. (6:7-8) The persecution of the saints will continue and the entire span of time will evoke great longing from the people of God for Him to "come quickly" and bring their suffering to an end. (6:9-11) But, in God's perfect timing, there will come a day when the earth will be shaken and the cosmic balance upset and sinful man, who was responsible for all the sufferings revealed in the first five seals, will be terrified at the approaching judgment they so richly deserve. (6:12-17)
Of particular interest is the absolute statement that this is the day of the "wrath of the Lamb!" (vs. 16) Though He is gentle and mild to those who love Him and keep His commandments, yet we must remember that He is the jealous Lion of Judah who will indeed bring judgment on His foes.
These are scary thoughts but they must be understood through the prior testimony of chapter 5. The wrath of God will never touch the redeemed of the earth. Though we live in the very real manifestation of the 5 seals, where each of the circumstances they proclaim is readily discernable about us, yet, the end result is certain and we have a reason, even now, to fall down and worship Him Who has saved us by His blood.
Revelation 11: Two Witnesses - Testimony & Victory
Image: "Two Witnesses", 2021, Norris Geyser Basin scene, Yellowstone Nat. Pk. Wy.
Revelation 11:1–3 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Revelation 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
Revelation 11:7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
Revelation 11:11–12 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
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There are as many different interpretations of "who are the two witnesses in Revelation 11" as there are folks who write about the chapter. Some of the more commonly held views are: (1) they represent "the law and the prophets", hence the summary teachings of Scripture, as symbolized by Moses and Elijah on the Mt. of Transfiguration; (2) they represent the faithful church of Jesus Christ in its role as prophet to "peoples, nations, tongues, and kings" (cf. Rev. 10:11 & 11:3) and; (3) they represent physical "prophets" who will rise up in the last days.
These have strengths and weaknesses. My own view is that these witnesses symbolize (1) the true Gentile Church of Jesus Christ and (2) the continued preservation of ethnic Jews in fulfillment of Paul's teachings in Romans 10:1-3 & 11:1-5 where Paul says that "there is a remnant according to grace."
What do both of these groups have in common? (1) Together they make up "all Israel" (Romans 11:26) and therefore will both ascend to heaven (Rev. 11:12, cf. 1 Thess. 4) at the Lord's coming; (2) both have born witness to the God of heaven throughout the ages and incurred the wrath and condemnation of the demonically inspired hordes (11:7ff); both possess the power of prayer as Jesus promised His faithful followers, to the end that their prayers can transform the world (11:6). More could be said but you get my drift.
What this chapter teaches us is that the "subject" of continuing history is the witness of the true, combined, Israel to its God and to His Son Who rules over heaven and earth. They do this because the "temple" on earth has been judged and destroyed, leaving the earth without a worldwide institutional Presence of God. John was given a "measuring rod", like Ezekiel before him (Ezek. 40ff) to measure the temple. As with Ezekiel, this was done to symbolize God's fierce anger at the physical temple "Presence" and its descent into idolatry and perversion. God was going to bring about a "new temple" on the ruins of the old. This "new temple" was instituted in the People of God who are the temple of God in space and time. (cf. Ephesians 1:22; 2:19-22)
The main points of this chapter then become: the combined people of God will continue to bear witness (testimony) to the abiding Presence of the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ, throughout the remaining age preceding the Lord's return; this witness will be effective in gathering many of the elect but it will also be effective in proving the hard-hearted arrogance of the mass of rebellious men; there will come a time when it will appear that this true witness will be stamped out and the "two witnesses" corpses (empty churches) will decorate the pavement; but, God Who is not slow concerning His promises, will return and raise up His faithful witnesses to the astonishment and terror of their enemies.
In the closing verses (11:15-19) we see, undeniably, that the trumpets take us right up to the final day. Then it shall be that "the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ." (11:15) In a direct parallel to chapter 21:15-27, there is a vision of the "temple of God" opened in heaven. the "lightnings, noises, thunderings, earthquake and great hail" take us back to Israel at the foot of Mt. Sinai when God showed Himself to His People in a terrifying vision.
It's a wonderful and solemn story told in these verses. It reminds us that God has set us aside for His purposes and some of these may involve daunting things. But it also reminds us that God will use our testimony to bring His victory, a victory in which we will not only participate but in which we will be glorified and exalted. In other words, whatever He requires... it will be worth it.
Posted by Gadfly on May 19, 2021 at 11:03 AM in Christian Apologetics, Church, Commentary, Current Affairs, Devotional Meditation, Discipleship, Eschatology, Religion, Theology | Permalink | Comments (0)
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