It has often been pointed out that the 19th verse of the first chapter of Revelation divides this wondrous prophecy into three parts. The first is in chapter 1, the second in chapters 2 and 3, and the third from chapter 4 on. Now the third clause of this verse should be more correctly translated, "the things which shall be after these." And with this, the first verse of chapter 4 strikingly accords: "After this I looked, and, behold,... things which must be hereafter" (or after these).
Chapter 3 closes the history of the Church on earth. Chapter 4 commences with the things which John saw in heaven. The voice of chapter 1 now invites him, saying, "Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter [or, after these]. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone." And any reader of these lines who would go beyond a mere mental apprehension of these things, and appreciate them spiritually, must needs be in the Spirit also. Spiritual things are spiritually understood.
The throne which John saw is the throne of the Lord God Almighty (v. 8), surrounded with the beasts (or living creatures) described in verse 8, set in heaven in view of the establishment of His kingdom, the overthrow of the power, etc., of His enemies, and the execution of His will in the heavens and the earth. A rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald, may be taken as a manifest token of His unchanging faithfulness and the certainty of His promises for all who trust therein.
And round about the throne were twenty-four seats (or thrones). And upon them John saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold (v. 4). This is full of interest and instruction. These twenty-four thrones are all occupied. Doubtless these twenty-four elders set forth the heavenly saints in their glorified bodies seated at perfect rest on high in the presence of the unnamed One on His throne.
They probably include all the saints, both of the Old and New Testaments, up to the coming of Christ for His people, when all His own will be raised or changed, and taken to meet Him. This wonderful event, which closes the history of the heavenly saints on earth, must have taken place between chapters 3 and 4, although it is not here described. Other scriptures give us the detail of it (1 Cor. 15:51; 151Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51)
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:4) Thess. 4:15-18).
Now we are distinctly taught by our Lord that believers shall never come into judgment (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). It is exceedingly precious therefore to notice in this wondrous vision that ere a single word is employed which would express judgment, or even a single symbol of it described, the whole of the saints of God are viewed as a glorious, robed, and crowned company, in perfect rest in His presence. The Lord will give grace and glory, which is as true for the heavenly saints as for Israel in the future; and the crowning act of grace is to put the whole of the saints in glory around the throne of Him who is the source of it, ere it changes its character.
It is not here the blessed home circle of the Father's house, where the saints as sons shall dwell in light and love in the presence of the Father and the Son, but the saints viewed as a kingdom of priests crowned in righteousness, seated at rest in the presence of God on His throne, set up in relation to His kingdom, previous to beholding the Lamb in the midst thereof, and taking up the administration of the kingdom in the age to come in association with Him.
Then, and not till then, follows the description of lightnings, thunders, etc., rising from the throne, and of the beasts (or living creatures). That which characterizes these latter is very striking. They are covered with eyes, denoting intense perception of all that is going on in connection with the throne of God, both toward Him and toward creation. They appear in the vision like the four heads of creation—like a lion, a calf, with the face as a man, and as a flying eagle—and apparently denote chiefly the majesty, patience, wisdom, and rapidity with which the administration of the throne of God is carried out. Some of the characteristics of both the cherubim and the seraphim (see Eze. 1; Isa. 6) are found in them; and as angels are not mentioned in the chapter, it is believed that the action of God's throne in relation to creation up to this moment is angelic in character. Day and night these holy beings cry unceasingly, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come, etc. (Rev. 4:88And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation 4:8)). And the elders falling down and casting their crowns before the throne ascribe worthiness, etc. to Him whose glory shines in all that He has created.
In chapter 5 a wondrous scene displays itself before our eyes. Space will not permit us to enter into all the details. But the chief feature is the cry of a strong angel, Who is worthy to open and loose the seals of the book (or roll) which overflows with the counsels, mysteries, and judgments of God, and which is in the right hand of Him who is seated on the throne? No one in the whole creation is able to do so, which causes the prophet to weep. But one of the elders, who are seen to be cognizant of all that is taking place (even now the saints have the mind of Christ), said to him, Weep not, behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
And John beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts (or living creatures), and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne (vv. 6 and 7). Though his attention was called to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, as the One who had prevailed, it was the same One as a Lamb, the true Seed of David, John beheld. For it was as the holy unblemished Lamb of God's providing, that He had prevailed. In the future He will roar as the Lion, when He takes the prey; but it is as the meek and unresisting Lamb that He prevailed, having been slain at Calvary. Hence, John beholds Him in ascension life and glory in the midst of the throne. There stands the once slain One, bearing in His holy Person the tokens of His passion and death, the wounds which He received in the house of His friends. And He has seven horns and seven eyes, denoting the perfection of power and authority, wisdom, and intelligence.
"And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne." v. 7. This act leads to a remarkable movement among the surrounding elders, the heavenly saints. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, now grouped together, fall down together before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials (or bowls) full of odors, which are the prayers of saints (v. 8). They prostrate themselves in worship before the Lamb, and the prayers of saints suffering on earth between the rapture and the manifestation of Christ are the incense which they from golden bowls offer as priests unto Him. Moreover, they sing a new song, a song as yet unheard in that blessed heavenly scene, 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; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." vv. 9, 10. Or, as it should be more correctly rendered (see New Testament, J.N.D. Trans.), "Redeemed to God... and made them... and they shall reign over the earth." Their presence there in glorified bodies, at home and at liberty before the throne of the Lord God Almighty, and before the Lamb shows clearly that they are already in the enjoyment of the results of Christ's wondrous redemption work. Hence, they are free from themselves to be occupied with the Lamb, and to celebrate His glory in song, the mighty work He h as accomplished, and its virtue on behalf of others, a company blessed on earth, after the translation, etc., by divine power of the heavenly saints (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). These are the subjects of a fresh dealing of God in mercy, and they also shall share the glories of Christ's reign over the earth. The wondrous new song, commencing with the words, "Thou art worthy," is the blest response of all the redeemed in glory to the angel's loud cry, "Who is worthy to open the book?" etc.
The innumerable company of angels standing around in an outer circle hear the blest strains from these millions of hearts and lips, represented by the elders, etc.; and they cannot keep silence. Not a voice refuses to add its note to the universal joy. With loud voice they say, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." The saints in holy intimacy can sing, "Thou art worthy," etc. From the lips of angels such language would be unbecoming. As His blessed ministering servants, they say, "Worthy is the Lamb," etc., and they ascribe to Him all that men refused Him on earth. They own Him worthy to receive power, who in the eyes of men was powerless; riches, who was the poor and needy man on earth; wisdom, who was crucified and whose death is folly to the wise after the flesh; strength, who was crucified through weakness; honor, upon whom every mark of dishonor was heaped; glory, who suffered a death of shame; and blessings, who was cursed for sin and for us on the tree.
Last, the strain of praise is taken up by every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them. All creation joins in one, saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." v. 13.
And the four living creatures said, "Amen." And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever.
This is the glorious scene in which every believer will shortly take part. At any moment the heavenly summons may be heard, and the whole of His redeemed ones be caught up to join in the new and heavenly song. May our hearts be anticipating it now in the Spirit's power, and looking with joy for its full accomplishment on high.