The Throne of God continued…
In the previous chapter, we read how John was caught up to Heaven to show him the things that must take place after this, meaning after the events of the Seven Churches. In order to show John these future events, he was caught up to the Throne of God where he saw the Father seated on the Throne and the Spirit of God in front of the Throne. In addition, John saw the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty-Four Elders surrounding the Throne. Not mentioned in John’s account was the Son of God, which tells us that he was being shown events prior to the Lords ascension to Heaven. This will be made more clear as we proceed through the chapter. Next, John next saw a Scroll with Seven Seals in the right hand of Him who sat on the Throne.
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Rev. 5:1-4
As we discovered in the previous chapter, the one who was seated is the Father, and as we will read in future chapters, the Scroll with Seven Seals contains a description of final events of the Last Days. When no one could be found who was worthy to open the Scroll, it caused John to weep until he saw the Lamb appear and take the scroll from the one seated on the Throne.
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. ”Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Rev. 5:5-7
The description of the Lamb, looking as if it has been slain, and standing at the center of the Throne is an unmistakable account of the Ascension of Jesus Christ to Heaven following His crucifixion. In this way, we learn that the narrative has moved from the period before the Lord’s Ascension to Heaven, to right after this event. In this way, before the Seven Seals were opened, John was shown when they would begin i.e., the next events would begin after the Ascension of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, corresponds with how the Revelation is written, which never gives us the times or dates, but uses the passing of one event (the Ascension of Jesus Christ) to show us when the next event (the events of the Seven Seals) will begin. The use of the passing of one event to describe when another event will start is further explained in the Lesson from the Fig Tree, which Jesus taught the disciples when they asked Him about the timing of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Matt. 24:32-33
The Lesson from the Fig Tree states that when we see the leaves of the fig tree begin to bud, we know that summer is soon to follow. With this simple lesson, the Lord used the passing of one event (the budding of the fig tree) to describe when another event will begin (the arrival of summer). In the case of the destruction of the Temple, the Lord went on to say how this event would be preceded by the surrounding of Jerusalem by armies, and the “desolation that causes abomination” standing in the holy place. (We will discuss both of these events in later chapters.) By looking for these two events, the disciples could know when the Temple was about to be destroyed. Likewise, before John was shown the events contained within the Scroll with Seven Seals, he was given their starting point through an event whose timing he already knew; namely, the Ascension of Jesus Christ. (Note: This same method will also be used to show John when the events of the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls will begin. In each case, who John sees at the Throne of God will be used to show us when these events will start.)
The Worship of the Lamb
Following the appearing of the Lamb, John next saw Him take the scroll form the Father, which caused the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty-Four Elders to bow down and worship the Son.
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Rev. 5:8-10
When the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty-Four Elder worship the Son as they worshipped the Father, it demonstrates to us that the Son is equal to the Father. In addition to the worship of the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty-Four Elders, John next saw myriads of angels encircling the throne and worshiping the Lamb.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Rev. 5:11-12
Next John heard all of creation worshiping the Lamb.
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 5:13-14
The above description of events in Heaven corresponds with how the Throne of God is organized along military lines, with the Four Living Creatures functioning as a type of inner guard, surrounding the Throne, and the army of angels being stationed further out. Even further out from these is all of creation that worships and praises the King who sits on the Throne.
The Order of Events of the Last Days
In this and the previous chapter, we are given a glorious description of the Throne of God and the worship of Christ following His ascension, which also serves as the starting point for when the events of the Last Days will begin. Accordingly, we can start our list of the Order of Events of the Last Days with the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
Order of Events of the Last Days
1. The Ascension of Jesus Christ
Revelation Chapter 4
Revelation Chapter 6
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