We have dwelt a little on the creation claims, and glories of the Lord God Almighty in chapter 4. Before we pass on to the redemption claims, and glories of chapter 5, we would press the importance of remembering the exalted place, or position, of the elders sitting on thrones around the throne of God. We are told, these are the things that must take place after the close of the history of Christendom, as described in the things that are, chapters 2 and 3.
We know from 1 Thess. 4 and 2 Thess. 2:11, that the rapture of the church will take place before the final apostasy, and the manifestation of the wicked one. We have seen how the promises point to such a. place for the redeemed. They are destined to judge the world; yea, to judge angels. This double administration will be committed to the twice twelve royal worshippers, so near the throne. The more we meditate on this amazing revelation, the more our hearts are bowed in worship. No other company are ever seen in such a place of nearness. We shall see that the innumerable, company of chapter 7 “stood before the throne” whilst these are seated in the innermost circle around the throne. What a contrast!
There has been, and is, a sad effort to make this standing before the throne, the position of the redeemed church. This is but the diluted doctrine presented in a book lately given the writer to examine; in which the author has the boldness to give the Old Testament saints the higher standing of the twenty-four elders, and the church of God has to take the lower standing of being before the throne in chapter 7! We name this, in order to show the need we have to watch against all suggestions of the enemy through unbelief. More as to this, when we come to chapter 7.
CHAPTER 5.
We now come to the taking the inheritance. The book, or roll, of judgment that will usher in the inheritance, is not found buried in Ireland (whence many in the world are now turning their eyes); but in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne. The challenge is given with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” We see in Jer. 32:6-14 what was the custom in Israel, as to the book of inheritance, both sealed and open. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open,” &c. Also it must be a near relation to have the right of inheritance, and the redemption. (Ver. 8; see also Ruth 3:12; 4 l-10)
Verse 3. “And no man in heaven, nor on earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” How remarkable that John the apostle did not understand this in the least; he could only weep because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look thereon. What kinsman could be found worthy to claim a universe once ruined by sin?
Just here we have a striking contrast between knowing in part as now, and knowing then as we shall be known, when that which is perfect is come. It is not an archangel, or seraphim, but “one of the elders saith unto me, 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.” Yes, the elders in the light and intelligence of God, knew how He who sits on the throne had humbled Himself so low as to become man, the kinsman of the lost and ruined sinner, that He might redeem both the sinner and the inheritance. Root of David, about now to appear in royal majesty of the tribe of Judah.
Do we not thus own Him? Blessed Kinsman, Thou hast done the kinsman’s part. May our eyes and hearts be fastened on Thee. Let us read these words, knowing assuredly that these things are about to take place: soon we are about to be in these scenes. John says, “I beheld, and, lo in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb, as it had been slain.” What a sight to behold! The once suffering One, now in the midst of the throne, in the midst of the four agents of judgment and purification; and in the midst of the royal priesthood of those whom the Father had given to Him.
Is not this in keeping with His prayer: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they, may behold my glory which thou hast given me.” Let us not doubt, that the Father will answer this desire of His heart, concerning us who have believed His word. He has all power in heaven and in earth, under the figure of the seven horns and the seven eyes. And He, the glorious Lamb, once slain, has perfect right to the redeemed inheritance. “And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.”
Let us meditate on what takes place in heaven, before He opens the first seal—before those judgments take place by which He will take the inheritance. First, the throne as seen in the living creatures, own His right to take the book. Then the four-and-twenty elders fall down before the Lamb. They are with Him; but oh, how gladly shall we fall before Him! Oh, with what delight shall we adore Him! No jarring notes of discord and strife—no division there! “Every one of them harps.” But here appears what, may seem strange, there is deep interest and. sympathy for some saints in distress, who need the sweet odor of prayer before the throne, We shall soon learn who these are; but first let us listen to the song of the redeemed.
Verse 9. “And they sung a new song, saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open, the seals thereof.” Cannot you even now join that, song? perhaps not intelligently—but you can surely sing the song of your own redemption. But there is something more in the new song of heaven. That He has redeemed us, the church, would not be new: and ancient copies of the scriptures make it clear that this song refers also to others; thus, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood,, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth.” Mark, this song, then, embraces others who shall reign over the earth, redeemed from all nations. We shall learn who these are as we proceed further in the Revelation. We learn how deeply we shall be interested in all that concerns Him.
Now mark in verse 11, when the myriads of the angelic hosts gather around this blessed scene, they do not take the. nearest place, neither do we read that they either sit, or sing, in the immediate presence of God and the Lamb. They are heard “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” For every one of these things He yet waits, reviled and rejected of men. Angelic words that express His glory over the inheritance. All creation joins in His praise—all shall own the worthiness of the once suffering Lamb. Thus what the elders sing, and what the angels say, has reference to the future glories of the Lamb. And also notice this is not what is taking place now in heaven, but what will take place hereafter, or after the whole history of—Christendom. God has been pleased to give us the revelation of what will take place in heaven, and then on earth, from the time the redeemed are seen in heaven, after the taking of the church, to the time she comes with Him in judgment to the earth in chapter 19.
When the Lamb takes the sealed roll, worthy of all—all His by creation and redemption—then are revealed further redemption purposes of God, and the new song is about that, and those who are thus spoken of: “And has made them unto our God kings and priests: and they shall reign on [or, over] the earth.” This gives great joy to the angelic hosts, and they declare the Lamb worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. If we examine each of these things, we must own, every man even from Adam downwards has failed in the use of all these: and thus He who sits on the throne is the only worthy One. Judgment we shall find on earth, tribulation such as never was and never shall be again; but we are now fast approaching the time when He who is worthy, He whose right it is, shall reign.
It is most blessed to see the intelligence and harmony of heaven in this unfolding of the coming glories of the Lamb. “The four living-creatures said, Amen.” The expression of active power as yet of the throne, said, Amen, as it were, So be the glories of the Lamb. The redeemed, as represented by the elders, can find no words to express their deep approving joy. “And the four-and-twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and ever.”
Is this our state? “What effect has this revelation on you? We have heard what those elders-sing, and what the angels say with a loud voice, yea, what all creation will say when they own the Lamb to be worthy of blessing, and honor, and glory. We have heard cherubim and seraphim say, Amen! Very soon we shall fall down and worship Him that liveth forever and ever. Do we need to turn to this world’s politics, to guess what is coming on this earth? All is indeed guesswork there, but all is certain here. Every mouth shall soon be stopped; the scoffer shall scoff no more. Let us, then, turn to this sure word of revelation, and read with certainty the thing that are coming to pass on this earth, when Christianity shall have run its course of failure, and the redeemed be seated in the bright Intelligence of the presence of God.