A Door In Heaven Opened
Revelation {1:10} I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
{1:11} Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea.
Revelation {4:1} After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
The voice as if a trumpet told John to write in a book and send what he'd written onto God's people in various areas- a message truly for God's people throughout time.
The voice as if a trumpet afterwards said - 'Come up hither and I will shew thee things which MUST be hereafter.'
Must be- not might be, this isn't any fictional character of a spirit nature with a big scary voice saying he was going to show John things that might come to pass. This big voice (for how else would you catagorize a voice as if a trumpet?) told John he was going to be shown things which MUST be hereafter. So all that would be shown is factual in the nature of having to come to pass at some point in time after the vision. Prophecy.
Revelation {4:2} And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne
When we talk of John being in the spirit it's sufficent to note that He was caught up into heavenly things, yes? All the while he's being shown things, hearing things he's in the spirit- the Holy Spirit is there opening his eyes, his heart, his mind to all that is going on-- he's truly being led by the spirit he's not doing any of this of his own accord and refuses to have anyone even think he is. He was in the spirit as all this took place, this was of God.
The vision given to Him was one of heaven- a throne in heaven with someone upon that throne.
{4:3} And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
That someone sitting there was amazing to look upon- they weren't like humans, but rather they had an appearance of precious stones, not only precious stones but a rainbow was around the throne and then there is mention of an emerald- again a precious stone. We know for a fact God had Moses use precious stones when creating the Breastplate of Judgment-
Exodus {28:15} And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of]scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. {28:16} Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof. {28:17} And thou shalt set in it settings of
stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first
row. {28:18} And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. {28:19} And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. {28:20} And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. {28:21} And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one
with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes
The breastplate of judgment- modeled after the Ephod.
It's amazing to imagine such a sight isn't it? Such beauty- and with a rainbow round about the throne- yes, it certainly gives the imagination something to work with- something amazing.
{4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Such a vivid picture! A throne and around about the the throne 24 seats. In those 24 seats were 24 elders. These 24 elders have to be very important just by the fact they are surrounding the throne of God. You don't get such an important seating unless there is something special about you- as a rule. We can't help but think of the two important 12's in the Bible- the 12 tribes of Israel (the 12 sons of Joseph) of the Old Testament and the 12 Apostles of Jesus of the New Testament (12 being the one that replaced Judas after Jesus' death). The old and the new brought together- yes, this is pure conjecture it doesn't say the 24 elders are such but it's one possibility.
The mention of their clothing is important- white raiment. We just studied about the various churches Jesus gave admonishments and promises to. Remember this-
'Rev. {3:5} He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.'
He that overcomes will be clothed in white raiment- the symbolism of overcoming through Christ. Only the worthy are clothed in white raiment so the 24 elders are obviously worthy of such garments depicting their overcoming.
What about the crowns they wore- 'Rev. {2:10} Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'
There's the 'crown of life'.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Pet. 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Interesting bit of information here- http://refbible.com/c/crown.htm
One of two Greek words for crown-
(1) Stephanos means a chaplet (wreath) made of leaves or leaf-like gold, used for marriage and festive occasions, and expressing public recognition of victory in races, games and war; also figuratively as a reward for efficient Christian life and service (see GAMES). This symbol was more noticeable and intricate than the plain fillet. Only in the Re of John is stephanos called "golden." The "crown of thorns" which Jesus wore was a stephanos (woven wreath) of thorns; the kind is not known (Matthew 27:29 Mark 15:17 John 19:2, 5). Luke makes no mention of it. Whether intended to represent royalty or victory, it was caricature crown. Stephanos is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25 Philippians 4:1 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8 James 1:12 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14; plural in Revelation 4:4, 10; Revelation 9:7; "crowned" in 2 Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 2:9; "crownedst" in Hebrews 2:7.
A reward for efficent Christian life and service. These 24 elders wore the raiment of white- the righteousness of Christ and the golden crown of victory in Christ, life in Christ - the elders service, their devotion to Christ is uncontested and rewarded by their positions on thrones, their clothing, their crowns. We might not know exactly who the elders are but we know beyond a doubt they are worthy and overcomers in Christ. Some might say they can't be representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and have the white raiment of Christ, and they'd be wrong. The hope of the Savior is known throughout the entire Old Testament. That hope is Christ.
Rev. {4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Out of throne came lightning, thundering, and voices. Wow! Such noise!
Also amongst all this were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne of God, the seven Spirits of God. Seven the number of perfection, of completeness.
This is an amazing heavenly vision to behold, it's powerful and thought provoking.
Rev. {4:6} And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
[were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
A sea of glass like crystal- we have a saying that something is- crystal clear. This sea of glass like crystal- a clear sea, such an amazing sea. Can you for a moment imagine a sea of glass, a sea of crystal clear glass? It boggles the mind it really does and it invokes such beauty.
Now the next bit- 'round about the thrown were four beasts...' This immediately seems to take away from what we envision to be a perfect, glorious scene- beasts introduced to such beauty. Beasts full of eyes before and behind. Truly the imagination can picture these beasts and they're not very pretty at all. Of course that's because of the translation really- read this--
'Four beasts. Four living creatures, as in the Revised Version. Four beasts, as in the Common Version, is an incorrect idea. The Greek for beasts is different ( thiria ). They are four zoa, living forms.' http://bible.cc/revelation/4-6.htm
Invoking the image of a beast doesn't do justice to this vision at all- changing that word to 'four living creatures' lets the imagination free to see beauty once more- not something hidious at all. Living creatures with the ability to see everything for what else could having eyes everywhere front and back mean? The ability to see the past and the future?
We're not left to imagine just any old living creatures though, we are given examples to implement-
...
'And the first beast [was] like a lion
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Like a lion. Lions are majestic creatures aren't they? Powerful to be sure.
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and the second beast like a calf
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Like a calf. What do you think of when you think of a calf? Young and yet powerful, right? A calf with the ability to grow up into an amazing creature.
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and the third beast had a face as a man
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Well we know what men look like so having a beast with a face of a man does what? Tends to let us believe that there is intelligence beyond what is normal in an animalistic living creature.
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and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
...
We imagine eagles and can't help but envision the sheer majesty and power of that bird, it's truly in a class by itself for envoking power and majesty isn't it? The strength of an eagle is something often used as a descriptive term. Strong as an eagle, swift as and eagle. Power.
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{4:8} And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him;]
These four living creatures with attributes of the familiar all had six wings! Wings we know depict swiftness, speed. Two powerful wings can get you far, four double that, six triple the powerful speed behind such wings.
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and [they were] full of eyes within
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Again the mention of eyes- of having that ability to see all and it has to be all. To be full of eyes you are seeing everywhich way. You aren't limited by two eyes looking forward but if you're full of eyes you are seeing everything at once without limits.
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and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
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Amazing! A constant praise of our Lord God almighty! These super amazing living creatures using their voices to praise God, so wondrous.
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{4:9} And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, {4:10} The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying, {4:11} Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
...
Too awe inspiring for words really. True worship, true honor, true praise to our Creator! Our Lord! None deserves such worship but God and God alone by whom ALL things were created! What a privilege for John to be able to see such wonders. How blessed we are to have the vision told to us. Blessed.
9/5/10 Words of truth- fitted to thy lips
Pro 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Pro 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Pro 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Pro 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Pro 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
I read this passage the other day and it just jumped out at me. I love this…
'They shall withal be fitted in thy lips'
What shall be fitted to our lips? The words of the wise, knowledge of the Lord, the words of truth.
Why shall they be fitted in our lips? That we might answer the words of truth to them that send us. Who sends us? Any that call unto us. We have to be ready to answer don't we?
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear
Answer words of truth. The words of truth are of God. The words of truth are of salvation and even before Christ they were still of salvation- all things pointed to salvation in our Lord- before, during, and after His coming. Life is our Savior. Life is the truth in our Savior.
To have the words of God fitted to our lips is amazing! They can be fitted to our lips if we KEEP them within us. If we trust in the Lord. If we have faith. If we believe. If we apply our hearts to the knowledge of God, the knowledge of salvation.
I'm still feeling the sadness of the recent announcement about Stephen Hawkings touting that God isn't in creation. Oh, I know there will always be people who don't believe in God and I've known that for a long time. I also know that for as many as Hawkings might seduce to his man-made theories he'll also make others believe even more in God. God allows what He allows for reasons He alone can understand at times. We often wonder how and why things are allowed especially bad things, and that's when our faith has to be strong. We have to believe that the reasons are just even when they make no sense to us. This is where a lot of people start to waver. This is where faith is required and faith wavers. This is where so called people of science and logic jump in and say not to believe. I've had it happen to me in the past. Someone I admired too much started to work their intellectual wiles on me to convince me that the Bible was just man's invention to give order to society and it's like a fairy tale that keeps attracting the weak minded, giving them a crutch to fall back onto rather than admit that none of it is true and life is what it is without any of the Bible. Of course their words were much more seductive and convincing and I was at a low point in my spiritual walk when I was listening to these things. Only by the grace of God have I been brought back to Him fully and not captured by those lies. Without God there is no sense in the world at all whatsoever. Existence without God is heartbreaking, meaningless, and hopeless. I will NOT live without hope in salvation, without hope in our Savior. Tell me whatever you want to tell me. Give me your theories, give me your logic, give me your facts even undisputed facts, prove away by science any and all things in the Bible, I don't care! Satan, who is smarter than the smartest human being will use his powers to influence mankind and make their intellect persuasive to the faithless, to those who waver, to the weak. People of intellect don’t like to be called weak and will swear up and down that they are very strong-minded without a single mental weakness, but they are the weakest minded ever when it comes to faith.
I want to have the words of God fitted to my lips! I want to be able to speak and make known the truth of God to any and all that might ask me the reason for my faith. I want God to use me for His will in all things. And I hope to give ALL glory to God, always!
Pro 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Pro 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Pro 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Pro 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Pro 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
For it is a pleasant thing IF thou keep them within thee- they shall withal be fitted in thy lips- that thy trust may be in the LORD.
By His grace now and forever! In His love, through HIS righteousness!
Amen.
9/5/11
Rev
3:14 And unto the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev
3:15 I know thy works, that thou
art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev
3:16 So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
*******
In
the employment world we might call a lukewarm performance weak and unacceptable
because we want someone to be energetic about their job. If you submit work to
someone and they say it's so-so, what are they telling you? That it's on that
borderline between being not quite bad enough to say it's bad and not quite
good enough to call it good. A lot of people live in that type of existence-
getting by without being too bad or too good. We actually silently applaud those
who don't get into trouble and understand that not being high achievers is the
standard. Being mediocre is the norm in our world. The bright and brilliant are
among the few, the bad encompass too many, and the in-between, the mediocre are
the just right. A Goldilocks and the Three Bears scenario. Not too hot, not too
cold, but just right-- only in this case it is unacceptable.
There is no 'just right'. It's an all or nothing situation and many people don't
like that at all because they'd rather just get by. They'd rather just give
enough to get by and no more. That isn't how Jesus works. You can't give just
enough, you have to give all
your heart to Him not just a piece of it. When we give our whole heart to Jesus
our lives reflect that- they reflect Christ. Jesus would have us either hot or
cold because being lukewarm has him spewing us out of His mouth.
Have you ever taken a mouthful of what you thought would be a hot liquid
only to find it cooled and because it's grown cool you just want to spit it out?
What about taking a mouthful of something you hope to be cold and finding it
lukewarm, you want to spew it out right? You can actually hear yourself go
ewwwwwwwwwww, yes? I know I can. The grimace, the ewww, it's icky, and unless
you're extremely thirsty you won't drink any more of that warm beverage you
really can only enjoy when it's cold.
Jesus
wants to spew all those who are merely lukewarm in their walk with Him - out of
His mouth. The lukewarm will never be acceptable to our Savior. Is it any
wonder there will be few that really know Him and are known by Him?
We love being lukewarm for Christ- it allows us to live as we please
without being too bad, without us rocking any boats, without us feeling as if we
are making a spectacle of ourselves. We love fitting into that mold of a
Christian without being a fanatic. Typically those who are alive for Christ,
living for Christ are often branded fanatical, strange, different- and you know
what? That distinction dates back to the days when Jesus walked the earth before
His ascension. Obviously, fitting
in with society and blending in with the majority is NOT something we are to
strive for, yet isn't that just what we are told to do- over and over.
Rev
3:17 Because thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked
We
boast though, don't we? We try to puff ourselves up even when we know inside
that we are nothing. We don't like the idea of being nothing because we hear a
constant barrage about how special and wonderful we are and how we have to
think positive about ourselves. Our lives are geared towards trying to be the
best we can be all on our own because no one else can help us. We have to
believe we are very special in and of ourselves because people don't like to
hear others go on about how awful they are and it's not good at all to agree
with someone who says they are awful, we're supposed to turn around and tell
them how wonderful they are- it's the good and proper thing to do, isn't
it?
As
a result of how society would have us feel good about ourselves,
having a high self-esteem is being beaten into us and it's no wonder we
believe we are rich, that we need nothing. Not necessarily rich in a monetary
sense - we at least can believe we
are rich in and of ourselves, right? The poorest person in the world can still
believe they have need of no one, right? Sometimes we applaud the poorest person
refusing to accept any charity because they have pride. Well, with Christ our
pride means nothing.
Christ
even says- 'knowest not'. Don't you know? Listen up. You
think you are one thing but in truth you're not at all.
You
are in truth miserable, you are in truth poor, you are in truth blind, you are
in truth naked. This is our TRUE condition. This is the condition of mankind in
relation to God. An NO amount of
our self-posturing will make us any different. We have NOTHING we ARE NOTHING
without our Savior yet the world wants us to believe we are EVERYTHING all by
ourselves in need of NOTHING and NO ONE!
Rev
3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me
gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
We
are counseled to buy of Christ- gold tried in fire to be rich, to buy white
raiment to be clothed and our nakedness doesn't show, and eye salve to see.
Only
in Christ can we find true riches- faith in Him for all our needs.
Only
Christ's white raiment, Christ's righteousness can cloth our nakedness. We can
try as we might to cloth ourselves but nothing we put on will hide out true
vile condition, nothing but the righteousness of Christ.
And
to see, to truly see we need the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to the truth in
Christ. Anointed by the Holy Spirit we are no longer blind.
We
can't depend upon ourselves and if we try to do that in the least way- all
we'll hear from Christ is that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and
naked to Him. Depending upon Christ for all things truly is a job for those
living in the last times before His return- as it has been throughout all time.
Satan would have us look to ourselves and away from Christ and as long as we
are focused on ourselves he has us in his snare. As long as we believe we are
to build ourselves up and feel good about ourselves, loving ourselves being
extremely important- so important that we feel as if we don't want to live if
we don't love who we are and that to hate ourselves is a reason to quickly seek
counseling. As long as we are so caught up in the world's idea of how our lives
should be then we are on very dangerous ground because all our hope, all our
worth must be found in Christ and Christ alone. We are NOTHING without Christ!
We forget that so easily. We want to be something good so Christ will like us-
just as we assume others love and like us because we are good people.
Rev
3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev
3:20 Behold, I stand at the door,
and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev
3:21 To him that overcometh will
I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down
with my Father in his throne.
Rev
3:22 He that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
We
can't think being chastised by God is something extraordinary- it's through His
love for us we are tried, we are rebuked, chastened so that we may see the
truth in Christ and in Christ alone!
We
need to be zealous and repent! Be quick to repent, to recognize our sad state
and cling to Christ for all our needs.
We have to STOP
trying to find repentance in ourselves, from ourselves, stop trying to absolve
ourselves and make ourselves feel good, to feel better. We need to thank God
when our true horrifying selves are revealed to us- even if it's daily, hourly,
minutely- because then we can KNOW that our Savior is all for us because we are
nothing. Anything good in us is from CHRIST and we forget this all the
time. Many even hearing me saying
the things I am would think I'm crazy for believing this, why? Because the world
has taught us otherwise. We are taught to focus on ourselves and our self worth
and where we should find that worth- in beauty, in thinness, in being smart, in
having a good job, a wonderful career, a great education, in obtaining a good
match in a marriage, in having children and raising them well-- these are the
things we are taught to believe give us self-worth.
In truth we should be taught we are not to seek self worth but to see
worth only through the righteousness of Christ, our Lord and Savior!
Christ
stands before us knocking- if we hear Him- if we open the door- He will come
into us and sup with us. He will be our all in all, our everything. If we
overcome through Him we will sit on His throne. Jesus had to overcome as well
and He did so by complete dependence upon His Father. We overcome by complete
dependence upon Jesus. Let us listen.
May
God Bless and keep us all in Him, only in Him in none other not even ourselves.
May our dependence on life be in Him solely now and forever. May our riches be
found in Him, may we be clothed with His righteousness, may our eyes be opened
to see the truth in Him- only in Him, by His mercy and His grace now and
forever.
Amen.
{1:11} Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea.
Revelation {4:1} After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
The voice as if a trumpet told John to write in a book and send what he'd written onto God's people in various areas- a message truly for God's people throughout time.
The voice as if a trumpet afterwards said - 'Come up hither and I will shew thee things which MUST be hereafter.'
Must be- not might be, this isn't any fictional character of a spirit nature with a big scary voice saying he was going to show John things that might come to pass. This big voice (for how else would you catagorize a voice as if a trumpet?) told John he was going to be shown things which MUST be hereafter. So all that would be shown is factual in the nature of having to come to pass at some point in time after the vision. Prophecy.
Revelation {4:2} And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne
When we talk of John being in the spirit it's sufficent to note that He was caught up into heavenly things, yes? All the while he's being shown things, hearing things he's in the spirit- the Holy Spirit is there opening his eyes, his heart, his mind to all that is going on-- he's truly being led by the spirit he's not doing any of this of his own accord and refuses to have anyone even think he is. He was in the spirit as all this took place, this was of God.
The vision given to Him was one of heaven- a throne in heaven with someone upon that throne.
{4:3} And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
That someone sitting there was amazing to look upon- they weren't like humans, but rather they had an appearance of precious stones, not only precious stones but a rainbow was around the throne and then there is mention of an emerald- again a precious stone. We know for a fact God had Moses use precious stones when creating the Breastplate of Judgment-
Exodus {28:15} And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of]scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. {28:16} Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof. {28:17} And thou shalt set in it settings of
stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first
row. {28:18} And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. {28:19} And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. {28:20} And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. {28:21} And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one
with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes
The breastplate of judgment- modeled after the Ephod.
It's amazing to imagine such a sight isn't it? Such beauty- and with a rainbow round about the throne- yes, it certainly gives the imagination something to work with- something amazing.
{4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Such a vivid picture! A throne and around about the the throne 24 seats. In those 24 seats were 24 elders. These 24 elders have to be very important just by the fact they are surrounding the throne of God. You don't get such an important seating unless there is something special about you- as a rule. We can't help but think of the two important 12's in the Bible- the 12 tribes of Israel (the 12 sons of Joseph) of the Old Testament and the 12 Apostles of Jesus of the New Testament (12 being the one that replaced Judas after Jesus' death). The old and the new brought together- yes, this is pure conjecture it doesn't say the 24 elders are such but it's one possibility.
The mention of their clothing is important- white raiment. We just studied about the various churches Jesus gave admonishments and promises to. Remember this-
'Rev. {3:5} He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.'
He that overcomes will be clothed in white raiment- the symbolism of overcoming through Christ. Only the worthy are clothed in white raiment so the 24 elders are obviously worthy of such garments depicting their overcoming.
What about the crowns they wore- 'Rev. {2:10} Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'
There's the 'crown of life'.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Pet. 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Interesting bit of information here- http://refbible.com/c/crown.htm
One of two Greek words for crown-
(1) Stephanos means a chaplet (wreath) made of leaves or leaf-like gold, used for marriage and festive occasions, and expressing public recognition of victory in races, games and war; also figuratively as a reward for efficient Christian life and service (see GAMES). This symbol was more noticeable and intricate than the plain fillet. Only in the Re of John is stephanos called "golden." The "crown of thorns" which Jesus wore was a stephanos (woven wreath) of thorns; the kind is not known (Matthew 27:29 Mark 15:17 John 19:2, 5). Luke makes no mention of it. Whether intended to represent royalty or victory, it was caricature crown. Stephanos is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25 Philippians 4:1 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8 James 1:12 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14; plural in Revelation 4:4, 10; Revelation 9:7; "crowned" in 2 Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 2:9; "crownedst" in Hebrews 2:7.
A reward for efficent Christian life and service. These 24 elders wore the raiment of white- the righteousness of Christ and the golden crown of victory in Christ, life in Christ - the elders service, their devotion to Christ is uncontested and rewarded by their positions on thrones, their clothing, their crowns. We might not know exactly who the elders are but we know beyond a doubt they are worthy and overcomers in Christ. Some might say they can't be representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and have the white raiment of Christ, and they'd be wrong. The hope of the Savior is known throughout the entire Old Testament. That hope is Christ.
Rev. {4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Out of throne came lightning, thundering, and voices. Wow! Such noise!
Also amongst all this were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne of God, the seven Spirits of God. Seven the number of perfection, of completeness.
This is an amazing heavenly vision to behold, it's powerful and thought provoking.
Rev. {4:6} And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
[were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
A sea of glass like crystal- we have a saying that something is- crystal clear. This sea of glass like crystal- a clear sea, such an amazing sea. Can you for a moment imagine a sea of glass, a sea of crystal clear glass? It boggles the mind it really does and it invokes such beauty.
Now the next bit- 'round about the thrown were four beasts...' This immediately seems to take away from what we envision to be a perfect, glorious scene- beasts introduced to such beauty. Beasts full of eyes before and behind. Truly the imagination can picture these beasts and they're not very pretty at all. Of course that's because of the translation really- read this--
'Four beasts. Four living creatures, as in the Revised Version. Four beasts, as in the Common Version, is an incorrect idea. The Greek for beasts is different ( thiria ). They are four zoa, living forms.' http://bible.cc/revelation/4-6.htm
Invoking the image of a beast doesn't do justice to this vision at all- changing that word to 'four living creatures' lets the imagination free to see beauty once more- not something hidious at all. Living creatures with the ability to see everything for what else could having eyes everywhere front and back mean? The ability to see the past and the future?
We're not left to imagine just any old living creatures though, we are given examples to implement-
...
'And the first beast [was] like a lion
...
Like a lion. Lions are majestic creatures aren't they? Powerful to be sure.
...
and the second beast like a calf
...
Like a calf. What do you think of when you think of a calf? Young and yet powerful, right? A calf with the ability to grow up into an amazing creature.
...
and the third beast had a face as a man
...
Well we know what men look like so having a beast with a face of a man does what? Tends to let us believe that there is intelligence beyond what is normal in an animalistic living creature.
...
and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
...
We imagine eagles and can't help but envision the sheer majesty and power of that bird, it's truly in a class by itself for envoking power and majesty isn't it? The strength of an eagle is something often used as a descriptive term. Strong as an eagle, swift as and eagle. Power.
...
{4:8} And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him;]
These four living creatures with attributes of the familiar all had six wings! Wings we know depict swiftness, speed. Two powerful wings can get you far, four double that, six triple the powerful speed behind such wings.
...
and [they were] full of eyes within
...
Again the mention of eyes- of having that ability to see all and it has to be all. To be full of eyes you are seeing everywhich way. You aren't limited by two eyes looking forward but if you're full of eyes you are seeing everything at once without limits.
...
and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
...
Amazing! A constant praise of our Lord God almighty! These super amazing living creatures using their voices to praise God, so wondrous.
...
{4:9} And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, {4:10} The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying, {4:11} Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
...
Too awe inspiring for words really. True worship, true honor, true praise to our Creator! Our Lord! None deserves such worship but God and God alone by whom ALL things were created! What a privilege for John to be able to see such wonders. How blessed we are to have the vision told to us. Blessed.
9/5/10 Words of truth- fitted to thy lips
Pro 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Pro 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Pro 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Pro 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Pro 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
I read this passage the other day and it just jumped out at me. I love this…
'They shall withal be fitted in thy lips'
What shall be fitted to our lips? The words of the wise, knowledge of the Lord, the words of truth.
Why shall they be fitted in our lips? That we might answer the words of truth to them that send us. Who sends us? Any that call unto us. We have to be ready to answer don't we?
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear
Answer words of truth. The words of truth are of God. The words of truth are of salvation and even before Christ they were still of salvation- all things pointed to salvation in our Lord- before, during, and after His coming. Life is our Savior. Life is the truth in our Savior.
To have the words of God fitted to our lips is amazing! They can be fitted to our lips if we KEEP them within us. If we trust in the Lord. If we have faith. If we believe. If we apply our hearts to the knowledge of God, the knowledge of salvation.
I'm still feeling the sadness of the recent announcement about Stephen Hawkings touting that God isn't in creation. Oh, I know there will always be people who don't believe in God and I've known that for a long time. I also know that for as many as Hawkings might seduce to his man-made theories he'll also make others believe even more in God. God allows what He allows for reasons He alone can understand at times. We often wonder how and why things are allowed especially bad things, and that's when our faith has to be strong. We have to believe that the reasons are just even when they make no sense to us. This is where a lot of people start to waver. This is where faith is required and faith wavers. This is where so called people of science and logic jump in and say not to believe. I've had it happen to me in the past. Someone I admired too much started to work their intellectual wiles on me to convince me that the Bible was just man's invention to give order to society and it's like a fairy tale that keeps attracting the weak minded, giving them a crutch to fall back onto rather than admit that none of it is true and life is what it is without any of the Bible. Of course their words were much more seductive and convincing and I was at a low point in my spiritual walk when I was listening to these things. Only by the grace of God have I been brought back to Him fully and not captured by those lies. Without God there is no sense in the world at all whatsoever. Existence without God is heartbreaking, meaningless, and hopeless. I will NOT live without hope in salvation, without hope in our Savior. Tell me whatever you want to tell me. Give me your theories, give me your logic, give me your facts even undisputed facts, prove away by science any and all things in the Bible, I don't care! Satan, who is smarter than the smartest human being will use his powers to influence mankind and make their intellect persuasive to the faithless, to those who waver, to the weak. People of intellect don’t like to be called weak and will swear up and down that they are very strong-minded without a single mental weakness, but they are the weakest minded ever when it comes to faith.
I want to have the words of God fitted to my lips! I want to be able to speak and make known the truth of God to any and all that might ask me the reason for my faith. I want God to use me for His will in all things. And I hope to give ALL glory to God, always!
Pro 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Pro 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Pro 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Pro 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Pro 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
For it is a pleasant thing IF thou keep them within thee- they shall withal be fitted in thy lips- that thy trust may be in the LORD.
By His grace now and forever! In His love, through HIS righteousness!
Amen.
9/5/11
Rev
3:14 And unto the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev
3:15 I know thy works, that thou
art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev
3:16 So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
*******
In
the employment world we might call a lukewarm performance weak and unacceptable
because we want someone to be energetic about their job. If you submit work to
someone and they say it's so-so, what are they telling you? That it's on that
borderline between being not quite bad enough to say it's bad and not quite
good enough to call it good. A lot of people live in that type of existence-
getting by without being too bad or too good. We actually silently applaud those
who don't get into trouble and understand that not being high achievers is the
standard. Being mediocre is the norm in our world. The bright and brilliant are
among the few, the bad encompass too many, and the in-between, the mediocre are
the just right. A Goldilocks and the Three Bears scenario. Not too hot, not too
cold, but just right-- only in this case it is unacceptable.
There is no 'just right'. It's an all or nothing situation and many people don't
like that at all because they'd rather just get by. They'd rather just give
enough to get by and no more. That isn't how Jesus works. You can't give just
enough, you have to give all
your heart to Him not just a piece of it. When we give our whole heart to Jesus
our lives reflect that- they reflect Christ. Jesus would have us either hot or
cold because being lukewarm has him spewing us out of His mouth.
Have you ever taken a mouthful of what you thought would be a hot liquid
only to find it cooled and because it's grown cool you just want to spit it out?
What about taking a mouthful of something you hope to be cold and finding it
lukewarm, you want to spew it out right? You can actually hear yourself go
ewwwwwwwwwww, yes? I know I can. The grimace, the ewww, it's icky, and unless
you're extremely thirsty you won't drink any more of that warm beverage you
really can only enjoy when it's cold.
Jesus
wants to spew all those who are merely lukewarm in their walk with Him - out of
His mouth. The lukewarm will never be acceptable to our Savior. Is it any
wonder there will be few that really know Him and are known by Him?
We love being lukewarm for Christ- it allows us to live as we please
without being too bad, without us rocking any boats, without us feeling as if we
are making a spectacle of ourselves. We love fitting into that mold of a
Christian without being a fanatic. Typically those who are alive for Christ,
living for Christ are often branded fanatical, strange, different- and you know
what? That distinction dates back to the days when Jesus walked the earth before
His ascension. Obviously, fitting
in with society and blending in with the majority is NOT something we are to
strive for, yet isn't that just what we are told to do- over and over.
Rev
3:17 Because thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked
We
boast though, don't we? We try to puff ourselves up even when we know inside
that we are nothing. We don't like the idea of being nothing because we hear a
constant barrage about how special and wonderful we are and how we have to
think positive about ourselves. Our lives are geared towards trying to be the
best we can be all on our own because no one else can help us. We have to
believe we are very special in and of ourselves because people don't like to
hear others go on about how awful they are and it's not good at all to agree
with someone who says they are awful, we're supposed to turn around and tell
them how wonderful they are- it's the good and proper thing to do, isn't
it?
As
a result of how society would have us feel good about ourselves,
having a high self-esteem is being beaten into us and it's no wonder we
believe we are rich, that we need nothing. Not necessarily rich in a monetary
sense - we at least can believe we
are rich in and of ourselves, right? The poorest person in the world can still
believe they have need of no one, right? Sometimes we applaud the poorest person
refusing to accept any charity because they have pride. Well, with Christ our
pride means nothing.
Christ
even says- 'knowest not'. Don't you know? Listen up. You
think you are one thing but in truth you're not at all.
You
are in truth miserable, you are in truth poor, you are in truth blind, you are
in truth naked. This is our TRUE condition. This is the condition of mankind in
relation to God. An NO amount of
our self-posturing will make us any different. We have NOTHING we ARE NOTHING
without our Savior yet the world wants us to believe we are EVERYTHING all by
ourselves in need of NOTHING and NO ONE!
Rev
3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me
gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
We
are counseled to buy of Christ- gold tried in fire to be rich, to buy white
raiment to be clothed and our nakedness doesn't show, and eye salve to see.
Only
in Christ can we find true riches- faith in Him for all our needs.
Only
Christ's white raiment, Christ's righteousness can cloth our nakedness. We can
try as we might to cloth ourselves but nothing we put on will hide out true
vile condition, nothing but the righteousness of Christ.
And
to see, to truly see we need the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to the truth in
Christ. Anointed by the Holy Spirit we are no longer blind.
We
can't depend upon ourselves and if we try to do that in the least way- all
we'll hear from Christ is that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and
naked to Him. Depending upon Christ for all things truly is a job for those
living in the last times before His return- as it has been throughout all time.
Satan would have us look to ourselves and away from Christ and as long as we
are focused on ourselves he has us in his snare. As long as we believe we are
to build ourselves up and feel good about ourselves, loving ourselves being
extremely important- so important that we feel as if we don't want to live if
we don't love who we are and that to hate ourselves is a reason to quickly seek
counseling. As long as we are so caught up in the world's idea of how our lives
should be then we are on very dangerous ground because all our hope, all our
worth must be found in Christ and Christ alone. We are NOTHING without Christ!
We forget that so easily. We want to be something good so Christ will like us-
just as we assume others love and like us because we are good people.
Rev
3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev
3:20 Behold, I stand at the door,
and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev
3:21 To him that overcometh will
I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down
with my Father in his throne.
Rev
3:22 He that hath an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
We
can't think being chastised by God is something extraordinary- it's through His
love for us we are tried, we are rebuked, chastened so that we may see the
truth in Christ and in Christ alone!
We
need to be zealous and repent! Be quick to repent, to recognize our sad state
and cling to Christ for all our needs.
We have to STOP
trying to find repentance in ourselves, from ourselves, stop trying to absolve
ourselves and make ourselves feel good, to feel better. We need to thank God
when our true horrifying selves are revealed to us- even if it's daily, hourly,
minutely- because then we can KNOW that our Savior is all for us because we are
nothing. Anything good in us is from CHRIST and we forget this all the
time. Many even hearing me saying
the things I am would think I'm crazy for believing this, why? Because the world
has taught us otherwise. We are taught to focus on ourselves and our self worth
and where we should find that worth- in beauty, in thinness, in being smart, in
having a good job, a wonderful career, a great education, in obtaining a good
match in a marriage, in having children and raising them well-- these are the
things we are taught to believe give us self-worth.
In truth we should be taught we are not to seek self worth but to see
worth only through the righteousness of Christ, our Lord and Savior!
Christ
stands before us knocking- if we hear Him- if we open the door- He will come
into us and sup with us. He will be our all in all, our everything. If we
overcome through Him we will sit on His throne. Jesus had to overcome as well
and He did so by complete dependence upon His Father. We overcome by complete
dependence upon Jesus. Let us listen.
May
God Bless and keep us all in Him, only in Him in none other not even ourselves.
May our dependence on life be in Him solely now and forever. May our riches be
found in Him, may we be clothed with His righteousness, may our eyes be opened
to see the truth in Him- only in Him, by His mercy and His grace now and
forever.
Amen.