Congregational Bible Experience Day #81: Revelation 4-5

Introduction

Congregational Bible Experience Day #81
Bible Reading: Revelation 4-5

In Revelation 1-3, Jesus grabs the attention of His churches by His searching critiques of their loyalty, love and obedience to His Word (chapters 2-3), and by a renewed revelation of His glory (1:9-20). Now, in chapters 4-5 He gives His people an insightful vision into the throne room of heaven that they - and we - may have a clearer and sharper vision for life on earth. For on earth, 'things are not what they seem'. Jesus' Throne in heaven is the control centre from where all life and history and all things upon earth are planned, governed and directed. That is what we are meant to 'see', that is what we are to believe, and in light of that truth is how we should now live. For what we read in these chapters, what we see here, is real. We need to prayerfully read this passage again and again until its reality burns into our hearts and transforms how we understand life, the universe, everything.
And the single most reliable indication that our vision of heaven is clear for living on earth is that - like those already in glory - we are a worshipping people (4:8-11; 5:9-14): worshipping the Sovereign Lord, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain, with our lips and our hearts, with our minds and our bodies; giving our all with joy and thanksgiving to Him who sits on His throne.

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The purpose of the last book in the Bible is to give us a new set of glasses so that we might 'see' that things are not what they seem. Revelation 4-5 gives us a vision of heaven that enables us to see life on earth more clearly, more sharply.  As the events of world and our personal histories unfold day by day, it 'looks' as if there is no overall pattern, no plan, no purpose, no direction, and so no meaning. It 'looks' as if life just happens. But put on the spectacles of Revelation 4-5 to "behold" heaven (4:1 and 2 - unhelpfully translated in the NIV as 'there before me') and life on earth 'looks' very different. Things are not what they seem. This is what John wants us to see: there is Someone in control, He sits on the Throne, there is a plan, and that plan is being worked out.

Revelation 4 sets the scene: through an open door in heaven, our attention is drawn towards a throne, God's throne, and to the One sitting on it. This chapter highlights the power and sovereignty of this throne with its vivid images of: majesty (v3) - the brilliance of the precious stones and the faithfulness of the rainbow; authority (v4) - this central  heavenly throne is surrounded by other (lesser, earthly) thrones, 24 elders symbolising both the 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the 12 apostles in the New and representing all of God's people down the ages through whom God's purposes are being worked out; purity (v8) - the song of the 4 living creatures, perhaps representing all of Creation (Ezekiel 10:20-21), extols and praises the holiness of God; eternity (v8-10) - every other throne or seat of government is only temporary, but God's throne is permanent and secure, He lives and reigns for ever and the praise of the creatures is  unending.

Revelation 4 helps us to see, to know, that God is in sovereign control of all things: both over those who submit to His will and over those such as Satan and sinful humanity who refuse to bow their knees at His Throne. In the chapters that follow, we will see more clearly something of the devil's diabolic strategy and activity in this world to oppose King Jesus' rule.  But God is on the throne. He reigns supreme. Let your hearts and minds be comforted by the truth that 'There is a higher throne', says John (and so sing Keith and Kristyn Getty).

In Revelation 5, the drama begins: we are immediately made aware of a heavenly dilemma. The One on the Throne holds a seven-sealed scroll. However, when the search is made for someone to open the scroll and reveal its contents, no-one can be found (v3-4). No-one is worthy to open the scroll, to understand what it says, nor even bring to fulfilment what it says will happen.  What is the scroll?  The following chapters make it clear, that the scroll is the 'mystery' of this world affairs and its history. [Note: 'mystery' - as we have seen a couple of times in our readings, is not a secret known only to a few on the inside, but rather something God has kept hidden but has now has made fully known.] And so the cry goes out for somebody worthy enough to understand and fulfil God's plan for the world. What normal mortal human is able to make sense of life and lead us to our ultimate destiny (v2)? This is the great burden of Revelation 5. And because no-one is sufficiently worthy, John begins to weep (v4).

We live in a world, among friends, neighbours, even family members, whose lives are governed by the belief that there is no overarching plot in this world, no plan. Therefore they live their lives their own way in order to give some meaning or reason to get out of bed every morning. But Revelation helps us to see the world differently, for it says there is a story, a story with a plot, with a beginning, middle and an end, it is the story, it is God's story. 

But just then, John is told to look - as we must look. Someone is worthy. He is told about a worthy 'Lion' who has triumphed, and so turns around - and sees a Lamb, as if it had been slain (v5-6). One writer has said: This changes the way we see everything on earth. For this vision of the powerfully victorious, crucified, enthroned and glorified Christ is the key to understanding what life is all about:  all of world history and each person's individual story is related to Jesus and our personal relationship  to Him; the glory and worship of Jesus as the triumphant One is the direction to which all of all human history points; and Jesus is the One by whom and for whom all history will be fulfilled and brought to glorious completion. And those who belong to Him, His struggling, beleaguered and oppressed disciples, they will reign with Him (v10)!

And note this as we close:  for here and now as life for us continues on earth, wearing our new heavenly glasses that help us see this world differently, we live and work from Jesus's victory, not towards it. The once slain-Lamb is already on the Throne. The church enters the battle against evil to live faithfully for Christ not to gain victory, but because Jesus has already won the battle! The Lamb has been slain, and the enemies of God and His people - sin, Satan, judgement - are already defeated by the Lion. When Jesus cried from the cross, 'It is finished!', He meant it. The Lion sits on His Throne by being a sacrificial Lamb, who in servant love gave Himself for His enemies (Romans 5:8-10).  And so, that is how we are to live, that is how we will win, by being little lambs, lovingly laying down our lives, like Jesus, for others.