Truth Seeker
  Rev Four
 

A break in subject occurs here. The previous introduction, instructions, and warnings to the entire church are finished. Because seven indicates spiritual perfection, the seven congregations represent the whole Christian association worldwide.

 

Revelation Chapter Four

Bible used unless otherwise stated: ACV

Verse

1. The trumpet reminds us of 1 Thess 4:16, thus associating this voice with Jesus. The fact that it also claim that this voice is the same one heard initially verifies that.

Jesus is now going to reveal the future.

2,3. John has a vision of God sitting on his heavenly throne.

4. Arranged around the throne are 24 other thrones, the thrones of the elders. These elders have "golden crowns upon their heads." This identifies them as the Saints who were promised a crown each upon conquering. The fact that they are elders teaches that they are spiritual mature individuals.

Why the number twenty four? Their number in chapter fourteen is 144,000, and the number of tribes is twelve. So, why? In I Chronicles chapter 24, David rearranged the workings of the priesthood. He established then into twenty four divisions. According to this new system, their service to God was divided so that they took turns or worked together on special occasions.

Since the Saints are kings and priests, that information assures their identification.

5. Seven lamps are mentioned; they are also called the seven spirits of God. Lamps shed light. In 5:6 these are expanded to mean the seven eyes of the Lamb. From prior knowledge, we know that God gave Christ the Helper, the Comforter, the Paraclete. Again, God has given Christ a completeness of Holy Spirit. It sheds perfect light on what is obscure so that nothing may be hidden to this glorious judge of God, Jesus Christ. In this manner, this is connected to his righteous judgments.

6. The "glassy sea similar to crystal" obviously is the heavenly counterpart to the temple copper sea. (Ex 30:17-21) Aaron and his sons the priest used this to cleanse themselves in. As such, the heavenly glassy crystal sea must represent the same which means the blood of Christ which takes away their sin. That fire is mixed with the sea in Re 15:2 shows us that these have been put through the furnace of affliction that Christ, the refiner, uses on his Saints. As he stated, everyone must be salted with fire. (Mark 9:49)

Thus by water, by fire, by the word, by the spirit, by the truth – these twenty four elders, the Saints, have been sanctified for their priestly duties in God's temple.

Hebrews 9:14 how much more the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself unblemished to God, will cleanse your conscience from dead works in order to serve a living God?

Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your own wives even as Christhaving cleansed it with the washing of water by the word, also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it, 26so that he might sanctify it, 27so that he might present it to himself, the glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and unblemished.
6, 7. The four beings with eyes all over their wings and in front and back, each are identical to the ones Ezekiel saw in his vision in them being identified with the lion, the bull, the eagle, and a human face. From that, their identification must be that of Cherubim. (Ez 10:14)

8.  Again we see the singular identification of Jehovah as the one "who was, and who is, and who is coming."  In this manner, Jehovah is shown to be the only one to have had no beginning – the only one beyond time.  He alone is the Almighty !

10,11. The Saints are seen to cast their crowns down before God. This doesn't mean that they surrender their authority as kings; rather, it means that they recognize Jehovah God as their sovereign always and forever. This Almighty One is the Creator, their Creator.
 
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