Revelation chapters 4 and S present to us a scene in heaven, a scene which neither answers to the existing state of things in the present dispensation, nor to the state of things in the millennium.
The throne of Him who is worshiped as the "Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come," is seen here by the apostle. Out of it proceed "lightnings and thunderings and voices." Surely this is different from the throne of grace to which we are now invited to come boldly, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Lightnings, thunderings and voices tell of judgment, not of grace. And yet it is evidently not the millennial state, for the seven-sealed book which has not begun to be opened in chapter 5, unfolds the judgments which precede the millennium. The Lamb, too, is here in the midst of the throne, and receives from Him who sits thereon this seven-sealed book, as the only one in heaven or in earth who prevails to open it. Evidently, then, these two chapters describe a transitional state, an interval between the present dispensation of full grace and the millennial dispensation.
The question is, where is the Church during this interval? The only answer afforded by the book of Revelation is: in heaven.
Who are they that are symbolized by the twenty-four crowned elders in white raiment, and the four living creatures in these two chapters? Let their song give the answer. "And 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; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." They are clearly not four and twenty individuals literally. How could they, in that case, have been redeemed out of every kindred, tongue and nation? They are symbolic persons representing the whole company of those who are redeemed, and who are to reign on the earth.
Those who are to share Christ's royal glory during the millennium are assembled around Him in heaven through the transitional period between the present dispensation and the millennium. They are owning His worthiness, and anticipating their reign with Him over the earth. Every glimpse that we have of them in chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, and 19, presents them in the same place. As another has beautifully observed:
“In chapter 4, we see the living creatures and crowned elders around the central throne of God Almighty in the heavens. The action in the course of the book changes, but the place of these mystic personages never does. They are interested in the action; they sing and rejoice at certain stages of it, but they are never engaged in it, nor leave their high habitation.”
In Rev. 19:4,4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4) we have the last mention of the crowned elders and the four living creatures. It goes on to inform us of the marriage of the Lamb, His wife having made herself ready. Surely the Church must be complete and in glory when, as the Lamb's wife, she is ready for the marriage. The marriage is in heaven.
After the marriage, heaven opens and the rider upon the white horse comes forth to the final conflict, to tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Now notice in chapter 19, the 14th verse: "And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." The fine linen has been explained in verse 8 to be the righteousness of saints.
In chapters 2 and 3, we have a sevenfold presentation of the Church in its responsibility here below. In chapters 4 to 19:4, we find the Church in heaven under the symbols of the elders and living creatures. The seals are opened, the trumpets blown and the vials poured out. All these bring dreadful sorrows on the earth and its inhabitants, but it is from heaven that the Church views the whole, and celebrates the praises of God and the Lamb.
While waiting in heaven for the time when they, with the Lamb, shall reign over the earth, they are symbolized by the crowned elders and living creatures. In chapter 19 the false pretender, Babylon, having been judged, the marriage of the Lamb with the true bride takes place. We hear no more of the crowned elders and living creatures. The Church, now married to the Lamb, comes with Him when He comes forth, conquering and to conquer.
In chapter 20, the reign takes place, and in chapter 21:9 to 22:5 we have the Church's glory as the Bride, the Lamb's wife, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. The Church is never seen on earth, or anywhere but in heaven, from the end of chapter 3 until in chapter 19. Christ comes forth from heaven, and the armies which were in heaven follow with Him.
Finally, it is the positive promise of Christ in Rev. 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10) to those who have kept His word, and not denied His name: "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from (not keep thee in or keep thee through, but keep thee from I the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." W. Trotter