Heavenly Preparations Before The Judgments Fall On Earth
(Chapters 4-5)
Christ’s Rights to the Inheritance
Chapters 4 and 5 are introductory to the prophetic judgments that follow in the book, and in one sense, could be viewed as a parenthesis in the unfolding of events on earth. Chapters 2 and 3 have given us the Church’s history on earth through the last 2000 years. Immediately following the Church’s call to heaven, the events in chapter 6 will take place on earth—they are a continuation from chapter 3.
• In chapter 4 He is worthy because of His creatorial rights—“Thou hast created ... ” (vs. 11).
• In chapter 5 He is worthy because of His redemptive rights—“Thou hast redeemed [purchased] ... ” (vs. 9).
Ezekiel 21:2727I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:27) tells us that God has One “whose right it is”—the Lord Jesus Christ. He will come at God’s appointed time to claim the inheritance and to reign over it in righteousness.
• Chapter 4 is occupied with “the throne” and Him (the Creator) who sits on it.
• Chapter 5 is occupied with “the book” and Him (the Redeemer) who is worthy to open it.
The Transfer of the Government of the Earth From Angels to Redeemed Men
Scripture indicates that the government of “the world to come” (the Millennium) will be in the hands of men—redeemed men (Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5)). Presently, the earth is under the jurisdiction of angels, who act for God administratively in the execution of His governmental dealings with men. After the present dispensation of grace comes to a close and the Church is called away to heaven, there will be a time when the angels will be gathered in and dismissed from their present office (Heb. 12:22-2322But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:22‑23) – “myriads of angels, the universal gathering”), and that office will be transferred into the hands of glorified men.
This is seen here in Revelation 4-5. The “four living creatures” represent (symbolically) the attributes of providential power in the execution of judgment in the earth. They are not actual creatures, but emblems of God’s ability to govern the earth providentially. They are described as “a lion” (power), “a calf” (firmness), “a face of a man” (intelligence), and “a flying eagle” (rapidity of execution). These living creatures are seen in chapter 4 as merged with (not distinguished from) the angels. They are viewed as one company acting for God in His government of the earth. Thus, the present administration of the earth is exercised through angels. But then in chapter 5, when the Lamb takes the book, “the four living creatures” are seen as separated and distinct from the angels. Instead they are merged with the elders (redeemed glorified men) as one company. They are seen acting together with the elders in the priestly function of praise (“harps”), in prayer (“bowls full of incense”), and in singing the song of the redeemed (Rev. 5:8-108And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:8‑10)). This shows that they couldn’t be actual creatures which God has created as angels are, because all such creatures do not know or sing the song of redemption. This change indicates that the administration of the earth will then be transferred into the hands of redeemed men who are glorified (Luke 19:16-1916Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (Luke 19:16‑19); Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17); 2 Tim. 2:1212If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12); Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5); Rev. 21:9-22:59And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 1And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 21:9‑22:5)).
W. Kelly said, “The living creatures in themselves represent the attributes of providential power in the execution of judgment; but the comparison of the chapters [4 and 5] points to a change in its administration from angels, who are now the agents, to the redeemed who are to be. Hence, in chapter 4 the angels are merged as it were in the living creatures; in chapter 5 they are distinguished in view of Christ’s co-heirs, to whom, and not to angels, God will subject the inhabited world to come (Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5))” (Revelation Expounded, p. 87).
Christ’s Rights Through Creation
(Chap. 4:1-11)
Sin has marred the creation, but judgment will cleanse it and bring it back to a state in which it can be used for its original purpose—which is a stage for the display of the glory of Christ, the Son of God and the Son of Man.
Vss. 2-5—“The throne” presents to us a symbol of God’s seat of rule and authority in the universe. We learn from this that God is in control behind the scenes with His over-ruling hand. As the Creator, the Lord has rights to His creation. However, before it can be used for the display of His glory in the kingdom, it needs to be cleansed and set free from sin, Satan, and the world. The same power of God that created the whole world will be used to take it back for God. Christ Himself will intervene upon the course of this world (at His Appearing) to take the kingdoms of this world, and they will become “the kingdoms of our Lord, and His Christ” (Rev. 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)).
He who sits on the throne is not described, but precious stones are used to set forth His glory in government. A. Roach said that “jasper” and a “sardine [carnelian]” indicate the Lord’s revealed glory and His unrevealed glory. Further to this, there is “a rainbow round about the throne.” This speaks of God’s covenant of blessing with the earth after judgment (Gen. 9). A rainbow, as we know, comes into view after a storm. Hence, this is a promise that God will bring blessing to the earth after the storm of His judgment has swept over it. The rainbow is said to have but one color—“emerald.” Green is the color of freshness, and indicates that God’s promise is fresh on His mind, and He is now about to fulfill it. “The twenty-four elders” represent believers from Old and New Testament times in their glorified state. They are “clothed in white raiment” indicating that they have been made pure by Christ’s work on the cross. They have their place in heaven on “thrones” round about the central “throne.” The “lightnings and thunderings [rumblings] and voices [peals of thunder]” that proceed out of the throne indicate that judgment will be the means of the earth’s cleansing (Isa. 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)). The “seven lamps” bring before us the thought that God by the power of the Spirit is about to search out every evil and deal with it righteously.
Vss. 6-8—The “sea of glass” is an allusion to the laver in the temple, which was used for cleansing (1 Kings 7:23-2623And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 24And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast. 25It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward. 26And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths. (1 Kings 7:23‑26)). Here it is not of water, but of glass. It suggests a scene of fixed purity for all who are part of this heavenly scene.
As mentioned, “the four living creatures” are symbolic of the execution of God’s government in the earth, associated with His throne. As merged with the angels in this fourth chapter, they seem to incorporate the attributes of both the cherubim and seraphim. The cherubim are concerned with the public government of God’s glory on earth (Gen. 3:2424So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24); Ex. 25:17-2017And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 18And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. 19And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 20And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. (Exodus 25:17‑20); Ezek. 10:1-221Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. 2And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. 3Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. 4Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory. 5And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh. 6And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels. 7And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out. 8And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings. 9And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the color of a beryl stone. 10And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel. 11When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went. 12And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. 13As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. 14And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. 15And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. 16And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. 17When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. 18Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. 19And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 20This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. 21Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. 22And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward. (Ezekiel 10:1‑22)) and the seraphim are concerned with maintenance of God’s holiness (Isa. 6:1-71In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. (Isaiah 6:1‑7)).
Vss. 9-11—The great question is this: Who is worthy to execute the judgment and to prepare the earth for the coming kingdom? The answer is: He who has created it. This calls forth praise to Him who is the Creator from every creature in the universe. All heaven breaks out in praise to the Lord Jesus Christ on account of His creatorial rights.
Christ’s Rights Through Redemption
(Chap. 5:1-14)
Vss. 1-4—Like chapter 4, chapter 5 is a scene in heaven. It has to do with “the book” and Him who is worthy to open its “seals.” The book (a scroll) is not the Bible but the title deeds to the inheritance. It sets forth God’s purpose and counsel regarding the blessing of the whole world under the reign of Christ. It unfolds how He will be bring it to pass, which will be through His “judgments” (Isa. 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)).
If the inheritance is to be re-claimed for God, the great question is who can do it? Who can remove the vast system of evil that has come in through man’s sin and rebellion in a way that would meet the demands of the throne? And, who can bring in the vast system of blessing of which the goodness of God has purposed for all in heaven and on earth? The whole universe is challenged with these great questions by the proclamation of “a strong angel”—and no one is found among all God’s creatures to be worthy or able.
For thousands of years men have endeavoured to suppress the evils of the world and introduce a condition of peace and well-being on earth, but none have been able to do it. Literally, everything has been tried in an attempt to accomplish this. Men have applied every form of government—monarchial, dictatorial, republican, democratic, socialist, etc., but none have been successful. Neither has religion or military force been able to reform the nations of the world. Men have tried to legislate laws through courts of justice and have proliferated the land with reformatories and prisons, but none of these things have worked either. At one time, or another, every class of men have tried to correct the course of this world in one way or another: kings, nobles, military commanders, the common people in society banding together in one cause or another, but these, too, have not succeeded. Among them all there has not been found anyone with either the ability or the worthiness to bring about peace and blessing to this world. They have all failed because they have only considered the rights of man and have ignored the rights of God and the requirements of His throne.
Vss. 5-6—Our eyes are then turned to see these requirements met in Christ perfectly. He is described in a two-fold way; firstly, as “the Lion,” and secondly, as “the Lamb.” As a “Lion” He is seen to be able, for a lion is known for its strength (Prov. 30:3030A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; (Proverbs 30:30)). As a “Lamb” He is shown to be worthy, because though He is despised by men, He has overcome sin through death. He is presented as having three divine attributes:
• His “seven horns” symbolize His completeness in power—His omnipotence.
• His “seven eyes” symbolize His complete searching of all things—His omniscience.
• Having the “seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth”—speaks of His omnipresence.
Vss. 7-8—There are two distinct actions that follow: the taking of the book and the opening of its seals (chap. 6:1, etc.). Taking the book signifies Christ’s right to the inheritance as the Lamb, and the opening of its seals signifies Christ’s power in judgment to re-claim the inheritance as the Lion. His taking the book means that the time of the “patience of Jesus Christ” is past (chap. 1:9), and the time of His Lordship authority and power has come. When He takes the book, immediately the elders in heaven, acting as priests, fall down before Him having “harps” and “golden bowls” (vs. 8).
• The “harps” speak of the praises of the saints.
• The “bowls” speak of the prayers of the saints.
This indicates that this heavenly company of redeemed men (the 24 elders) understand that Christ is about to answer the prayers of the saints who have for thousands of years called on Him to come and set the world right for the glory of God (Luke 18:77And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (Luke 18:7)). But more specifically, the praying saints with whom the heavenly company of elders are so deeply interested, are those who suffer on earth for their faith during the time when the apocalyptic judgments described in this book will be poured out. These saints are believers of the gospel of the kingdom that will be preached in that day. They are those whom God has redeemed from the nation of Israel and from the Gentile nations (chap. 7). The elders in heaven are seen as priests and heavenly observers in connection with these suffering saints below.
However, before Christ opens the seals and orders the judgments to fall upon the earth, all heaven breaks out into praise to Him who is able and worthy (vss. 9-14).
Three Spheres of Praisers in Three Concentric Circles
There are three distinct spheres of praisers in the latter half of chapter 5:
1) Vss. 9-10—The innermost circle encompasses the whole redeemed company of men in heaven—“the twenty-four elders.” They sing their praise to the Lamb (Christ) directly as they extol His ways in grace of redeeming men on earth. The theme of their song is Christ’s mighty work in redemption. Note: the words “us” and “we” in verses 9-10 in the KJV should be translated “them” and “they” as in the J. N. Darby Translation. This means that the elders are not referring to themselves, but to those on earth with whom God is working in grace.
W. Scott said, “The pronouns ‘them’ and ‘they,’ instead of as in the Authorized Version, ‘us’ and ‘we,’ mark an important distinction in the interpretation of this important passage. The elders do not sing of their own redemption, but of a people on earth. Their priestly service was on behalf of others, so here their song is of the redeemed on earth. They sing and celebrate the blessing of others, not their own. How unselfish! How unjealous! How intense the interest in God’s work of grace in the earth during the interesting interval between the Translation (1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)) and the Advent of the Lord in power (Rev. 19:11-1411And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:11‑14)). The redeemed in heaven delight to declare the blessing of the redeemed on earth.” (The Book of Revelation, pp. 140-141)
W. Kelly also said, “A very important change occurs in this verse, well known to every person tolerably acquainted with the original Scriptures. Persons who have studied the most ancient manuscripts and other witnesses of this book, all agree that it is, ‘and hast made them to our God kings (or a kingdom) and priests to our God.’ They do not speak of themselves. Indeed, I am prepared to go farther, and am bound to state my firm impression that in the ninth verse the word ‘us’ was put in by copyists who supposed that the elders were celebrating their own blessing. But the elders are so perfectly at rest about themselves that they can be occupied about others.....They are speaking about the saints whose prayers they were offering. As they were occupied with their prayers, so here they were praising the Lord for His goodness to the saints still on earth” (Lectures on the Revelation, pp. 118-120).
Vs. 10—Those whom Christ redeems are made "a kingdom of priests" and they will reign with Christ when He establishes His kingdom publicly. “On the earth” here could be translated “over the earth.” Many have taken this to mean that they will go to heaven and reign with the elders in the heavenly department of Christ’s kingdom (Dan. 7:18, 22, 2718But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. (Daniel 7:18)
22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:22)
27And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:27)) in what the Lord called “the kingdom of their Father” (Matt. 13:4343Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43)). If this is so, the elders are not referring to all the redeemed on earth, but to a specific class of saints who will be martyred and then raised to share in the heavenly side of the kingdom (Rev. 14:13; 20:413And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)).
2) Vss. 11-12—The next circle has the elect “angels” in it. They join in the anthem of praise, but it is not said that they sing their praise. Nor do they mention the blood of the Lamb, not having known redemption personally. Nor is their praise to the Lamb, as was the elders, but rather, about the Lamb. These things denote a lesser understanding (as to experience) of God’s ways in grace and government.
3) Vss. 13-14—The third circle is broader yet and encompasses “every creature ... in heaven and ... earth and ... in the sea” in the lower creation. They are seen joining the praise of the Lamb, but like the angels, they do not sing. The notes of praise ascribed in their worship (four) are fewer than the angels (seven) and denote an even lesser understanding of God’s ways. This would be in anticipation of their deliverance from the bondage of corruption when Christ appears (Rom. 8:20-2220For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:20‑22)).
Overview of the Book
A Brief Overview of the Order of the Chapters in the Book
The chapters that follow (6-22) resume the unfolding of events on earth. From the standpoint of the saints in heaven in chapters 4-5, the events in chapters 2-3 have been fulfilled in history, and the events in chapters 6-22 are yet to be fulfilled in the future.
As mentioned, if God is to use this world as a stage to display the glory of Christ in “the world to come” (Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5)), as He has purposed to do, it must first be cleansed of wickedness and wicked persons through judgment (Isa. 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)). All evil—men and things—must be subjugated to make way for Christ’s reign in righteousness (Isa. 32:11Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1); Zech. 14:99And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9)). Before Christ will personally intervene in judgment at His Appearing, various providential and indirect judgments will fall from “the throne” of God (chap. 4:5) and from “the altar” of God (chap. 8:5) and from “the temple” of God (chap. 11:19; 15:5-8).
As mentioned earlier, God holds various parts of the earth responsible for the degree of light that they have had. In the forthcoming chapters, the Lord takes up each of these spheres separately and judges those in them accordingly. The Christianized nations have had the greatest exposure to the truth through the gospel, and are most responsible. Therefore, the Lord begins with them and works out to the other parts of the earth that have had less light.
The Spirit of God in this book takes us over the coming final prophetic week in Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:24-2724Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:24‑27)) three times, and from three different perspectives—each ending with events surrounding the Appearing of Christ. They are:
• Chaps. 6–11:18—The judgment of the so-called Christianized western nations, culminating with the Appearing of Christ.
• Chaps. 12-14—The judgment of Israel, culminating with the Appearing of Christ.
• Chaps. 15-16—The judgment of the Nations outside the prophetic earth, culminating with the Appearing of Christ.
Then, after a long parenthesis in chapters 17:1–19:10, wherein the subject of Babylon (religious and political) is taken up in detail, the subject of Christ’s Appearing is resumed in chapter 19:11-21—which is where the preceding sections have left off. Then, chapters 20:1–21:8 present the Millennium (which will be established after Christ’s Appearing), followed by the Eternal State. Chapters 21:9–22:5 form an appendix giving us further details as to the Church being used to glorify Christ in the Millennium. Then, in chapter 22:6-21 The Lord gives His closing exhortations and a three-fold promise of His coming.
Five Parentheses in the Book
There are five parentheses that must be taken into consideration:
• Chaps. 4-5—Christ’s two-fold right to possess and reign over the inheritance, which is every created thing.
• Chaps. 10:1–11:14—The mystery of God and the two witnesses.
• Chap. 16:15—Christ appears as a Thief in judgment.
• Chaps. 17:1–19:10—Religious and political Babylon judged.
From this brief overview of the chapters, we can see that the book of Revelation is really a very orderly thesis on prophetic events. The fact that the Spirit of God would take the reader over the seven-year prophetic week of Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27) three times, from three different perspectives, is very much in keeping with His way of presenting prophecy elsewhere in the Bible. Whether it is in the Psalms or the Prophets, when bringing prophetic subjects before us, the Spirit goes over that ground again and again—each time ending with the Appearing of Christ and the introduction to His kingdom (the Millennium). It is therefore, no surprise to the prophetic student to see this same order observed in the book of Revelation.
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Judgment of the Christianized Nations in the West
(Chapters 6–11:18)