David M. Williams |
| God's redemptive plan By David M. Williams (davidmwilliams@oocities.com) |
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One book in the Bible in particular has caused both astonishment and frustration to Christians of all times. This is none other than the final book of the Bible, the Revelation. Although typically associated with the rapture, the tribulation and the millennial reign of Christ, the book of Revelation has much to teach us on a wide range of subjects. As we move through the first five chapters, let us examine several points which are of importance although side matters to the main points of the book.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near (Revelation 1:1-3).
Note that the book is the revelation of Jesus Christ. The word "revelation" is translated from the Greek word ’apoka<lufij - "apocalypse". This word literally means an unveiling or unfolding of things not previously known and which could not be known apart from the unveiling.
Importantly, however, "apocalypse" also refers to a particular genre of Judaistic writing. Such works were mainly written between the time of the oppression of the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 B.C. to the revolt of Bar Kokhba in 135 A.D. Apocalyptic writings included the Book of Enoch, referred to by Jude, the Book of Jubilees, the Sibylline Oracles and other books which have not survived to our times.
The apocalypses were usually written at a time of crisis and danger. Their purpose was to stimulate the people at times of national distress by the assurance that God’s deliverer would be raised up - typically judgement occurred, followed by triumph and glory. The present crisis was portrayed - whether persecution or the fall of Jerusalem - against a background of world history. The divine sovereignty over history was emphasised - God had not abandoned His people and the promised salvation was coming. The end of all things would come at the time He has appointed, and His people would experience a transformation and a glorious new age.
Typically, an apocalyptic work was a narration where a revelation was mediated by an otherworldy being to a human recipient. The narrator disclosed a transcendent reality that envisaged salvation and another, supernatural, world. A disclosure of a transcendent perspective on the world was communicated and the question of who was really Lord over the earth was answered.
With this in mind, let us progress, and examine God’s purposes for us.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades (Revelation 1:10-18).
John saw the risen Christ. No longer was Jesus one who thirsted (John 19:28), hungered (Matthew 4:2) and who sweated (Luke 22:44), but He had returned to the glory He had with the Father in the beginning (John 17:5). His mission on earth had been accomplished and He had declared "It is finished" (John 19:30). He cancelled the code that was against us (Colossians 2:14) and disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). He claimed the keys to death and Hades. He was dead, but is alive forevermore.
Jesus had humbled Himself and taken upon Himself the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He clothed Himself in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) and was found in appearance as a man (Philippians 2:8). After His work on earth was done, the Father exalted Him to the highest place and has given Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). This is the Jesus we see in the Book of Revelation. As we go on we will learn more about the mission He had.
"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things." As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Revelation 1:19-20).
Jesus directed John to write to each of seven prominent Churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Jesus walks among the Churches, He patrols them and is ever-present when needed. He loves His Church and it was for the Church that He died (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9). For each of the Churches apart from Laodicea Jesus had a word of encouragement. He was attentive - He knew their deeds, their afflictions and poverty. He knew of their love, faith, service and perseverance. For these things Jesus commends the Church. He encourages all His people to become conquerors in the name of He who has conquered.
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne (Revelation 4:1-2).
Jesus instructed John to write the things he had seen (Jesus among the lampstands), the things which were (the letters to the seven Churches) and the things which were to come. It is with chapter four that the attention turns to those things which must come and we see the apocalyptic traits of the book of Revelation. John is immediately caught up into the very throne room of heaven.
We have said that an apocalypse was usually written during times of trouble. The book of Revelation was written during intense Roman persecution of Christians under the Emperor Domitian. John himself had been exiled to the Greek island of Patmos because of his testimony. Would God deliver His people from the hands of the Romans? Did He have power to move on the earth? Suddenly John is swept up into the heavenly realms - just as happened to Isaiah, Ezekiel and Paul.
And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the centre and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." And when the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, " Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." (Revelation 4:3-11)
John was taken to see a new world - yet, it was his world, but not from his perspective. We too, may need to realise that whatever our situation, the God of all heaven and earth and the universe is seated on His throne - and has given us the ability to boldly approach His throne finding mercy and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). If only we might be able to see situations from God’s perspective, victory would be sure to follow.
God sits on His throne in full majesty and glory with worship encircling Him. John looks on, and it is in this final chapter that we must realise two things.
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it (Revelation 5:1-4).
John wept because he believed there were none worthy to open the book. Without speculating on the contents of the book, let us consider carefully who is introduced next -
and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." (Revelation 5:5).
It is none other than Jesus again, portrayed as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He has overcome and He alone is worthy to open the book. How did this lion overcome?
And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation (Revelation 5:6-9).
The first thing we must realise is that Jesus overcame because He was the lamb that was slain. A dramatic conflict exists between that which John heard ("behold, the lion") and that which he saw ("a Lamb"). Yet this was how Jesus overcame - He became the sacrificial lamb for His people and triumphed through death and resurrection.
The second important note is what Jesus achieved. With His blood He purchased people for God, from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. This is just as Jesus stated,
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
In the book of Revelation we see that this has indeed been the case. Jesus has made the way to the Father for people from all tribes and tongues and peoples and nations. Redemption has been made.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10).
From the first study on covenants you will recall that God created the heavens and the earth. Mankind fell into sin immediately, and ultimately became so evil that God flooded the earth and scattered the nations at Babel. It was with this background that He called Abraham to a future not of his own choosing and made three promises of blessing,
- I will make you a great nation
- I will bless you, and
- I will make your name great
The reason for this, God stated, was so that Abraham might be a blessing - so that in him all the peoples on earth would be blessed (Genesis 12). At this very early point in Scripture, God effectively gave the gospel to Abraham. Paul teaches in Galatians 3:8,
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by faith, preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed’.
From Genesis 12 through to Revelation the Bible records God’s purposes to redeem mankind. Again, from the study on covenants you will recall that the Israelites of the Old Testament were a missionary nation - they drew people to the worship of God by the acts He committed among them, and by their separate nature. They were to be priests to the nations.
We read,
Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity (Psalm 96:10).
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10).
This priestly calling made God’s salvation known to the nations.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him (Psalm 67).
He says, "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6).
I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him (Daniel 7:13-14).
In the New Testament, the Church has been sent by Jesus out among the nations. And, as we have also seen, He has anointed His Church with the Holy Spirit to be enabled for this task. The purpose of the Church is given in Matthew 28:18-20,
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Through all times God has willed for His covenant people to be engaged in a ministry of reconciliation. Throughout all times, by God’s grace, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). God’s plans and purposes have not changed, and so a comment must be made about the purpose of the law, given under the covenant with Moses.
The law was important. The Jewish person was instructed to meditate constantly on the law. The longest Psalm recorded in Scripture is in honour of God’s law (Psalm 119). The Bible is plain that Christians are not obligated to obey this law. Paul explains that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), that all are without excuse (Romans 2:1). In fact, although the law is holy, righteous and good (Romans 7:12), it is mankind that is at fault for man is unspiritual and sold as a slave to sin (Romans 7:14). The law then, was but a tutor to bring mankind to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The law could not impart life, and righteousness could not come by the law (Galatians 3:21), being weakened by the sinful nature (Romans 8:3). For those now in Christ there is no condemnation because they have been set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). Sin will no longer be the master of such a one because they now abide under grace and not the law (Romans 6:14).
Abraham received righteousness through faith (Genesis 15:6, 22; Romans 4:3) - before he was circumcised (Romans 4:10) and 430 years before the law was even given (Galatians 3:17). Abraham’s righteousness was is no way a result of the law. David declared that burnt offerings and sacrifice do not bring pleasure to God, rather a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:16-17). Jesus became the true passover lamb and by one sacrifice for all time has made provision for salvation for all.
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
This is the redemption God offers and his method for making it known is the Church. The thread of redemption has moved through the entire Bible, from the Old Testament into the New. In these studies we have considered a Biblical basis for missions - but we see that in reality missions is the basis for the Bible!
Let us conclude with the end of the song from Revelation 5,
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing." And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, " To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honour and glory and dominion forever and ever." And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped (Revelation 5:10-14).
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David M. Williams |