Bible Study no 11 of Revelation

Good evening, brethren! We're starting tonight our 11th study on the Book of Revelation.

In Revelation chapter 1 verse 1, we read the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him, that's God the Father, he gave it to Christ, to show his servants, to show us. So it is clearly the revelation of the Father. In the first chapter, we started this introduction of the greetings, and Christ then gave the letters of the greetings to the churches in chapter 2 and 3, which represents the Church of God throughout its years through these last 2000 years.

Then we are going to today move on to chapter 4 as an introduction of prophetic events.

And in chapter 4 and chapter 5, we see an introduction of the setting of the prophetic events that will take place. So let's read in verse 1. After these things, I looked and beheld a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice, which I heard, was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up, Yah, and I'll show you things which must take place after this. So we are seeing a heavenly scene in the third heaven. And continue reading in verse 2, because it says, Come, Yah, and I'll show you things which must take place after this. And immediately, I was in the Spirit and beheld a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. So we see the scene of God's throne, the one in which Christ himself sat with the Father, because we read in Revelation 3, verse 21. At the end of verse 21, at the end of the letter to the loudest seams, Christ says, As if you overcome, you will sit with me on my throne, as I Christ also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. So we how we see a vision of God's throne. And it says, A throne set in heaven, and one set on the throne, representing obviously, the Father. In verse three, then continues, And he who sat there was like a jasper and a sardar stone in appearance. So a jasper stone is referred in Revelation 21, verse 11, as being crystal, clear as crystal. So let's just look at Revelation 21, verse 11.

Having the glory of God, her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. So we how we have a stone, representing God's purity and glory, a very polished stone. Normally, when we look at the jasper stone, it's a very polished stone. I thought of looking on the web to give you a picture of jasper stones, because it is a very beautiful stone, can be in various shapes and various colors. And you can see it's beautifully well polished, which again, reflects God's purity and glory through this very polished stone. Then it also mentions that not only was like a jasper, but also a sardar stone in appearance. So a sardar stone is a red color, like a ruby. And it's interesting that these two stones, a sardar and a jasper, are represented as the first and the 12th stone on the breastplate of the high priest. If we look at Exodus 28, Exodus 28, verse 17, and it's talking about, it shall put the setting, shall put settings of stones in it. That's in the breastplate of judgment. Four rows of stones. The first row shall be a sardar, representing the first stone. The first tribe, in other words, Reuben. And then as we read a little bit further down in verse 20, and the fourth row, the last stone there, says a burial, an onyx, and a jasper. And they shall be set in God's role settings, and the stones shall have the names of the son of Israel, 12 according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name, according to the 12 tribes. So it is in this case of the breastplate, the stones from Sardar's stone representing Reuben, and the last jasper stone representing Benjamin. And Reuben means the oldest son, and Benjamin means son of the right hand. So we see these stones through the breastplate representing God's judgment and God's mercy on his 12 tribes. And so it is very probably symbolic of God's redemptive work redeeming us from son's penalty through Christ so we can actually become spiritual Israelites, part of those 12 from the beginning to the end.

It's just a symbology, and it could be well represented by these colors in the very throne of God that brings an analogy together as well. Continue reading in verse 3 of Revelation chapter 4, and it says, and there was a rainbow around the throne. So this beautiful setting of colors representing this rainbow around the throne, and it says, in appearance like an emerald.

Now emerald has got a greenish color, and emerald is a greenish color, or emerald is symbolic of truth and love. So truth and love is also a very pertinent topic, as we are in the Council of Elders, currently the church, focusing on the need to make sure that our brethren and the church, we all as human beings, are growing in truth and love, speaking the truth in love, and doing everything in truth and love.

So in these introductory chapters, we can clearly see that the source of the prophetic vision is God the Father, and it's showing us God's throne right at the beginning. Now let's continue reading in verse four. Around the throne, there were 24 thrones. So there were 24 elders on the throne. So 24 elders sitting clothed in white robes, and they had crowns of gold on their heads. So we have here 24 elders, 24 spiritual elders, spirit beings, which have responsibilities around God. Now we know it's not man, it's actually angelic beings, because we're reading John 3.13. Now man has ascended to heaven, but he wears the sand from heaven.

So we know it's not human beings, but it is angels. Continue now reading in verse five. And on the throne, who proceeded lightenings, thunderings, and voices, symbolic of God's righteous judgment, this righteous judgment. So these colors, all of this showing mercy, so your righteousness, the righteousness of God. And then continue reading in verse five.

It says, seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. The seven spirits of God we mentioned before, when we were reading or covering Revelation chapter one, verse four, that talks about the seven spirits who are before his throne. And in Revelation five, verse six, it says, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. So the seven spirits of God is like God's eyes going out through his authority, through his spirit beings, and bringing all the information back to God the Father.

So yeah, we have the meaning of these seven spirits. Then we continue reading in verse six. Before the throne, there was a sea of loss. Now this term, sea of loss, like crystal, there's no specific biblical interpretation that we know of about this expression. So we can speculate about it. And basically, all that we can speculate is that it represents God's cleansing, God's clean, God's purity, absolutely clear, like a sea of loss, without any sin.

And obviously, that would be around God's throne. So that it just shows that cleansing, that cleanliness, that purity, that sinless, and that is that symbolic, one of the possible symbolisms of the sea of loss. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne, we have four living creatures full of eyes in front and back. So we see four living creatures with eyes front and back. Now four living creatures are also mentioned, although I must say I don't think they are the same, four living creatures. But four living creatures are also mentioned in Ezekiel chapter one, verse five, and six, and six, and also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures.

And this was their appearance. They had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. So we have here in Ezekiel four living creatures with four wings. In verse 10, it describes the faces, and it says, as for the likeness of their faces, each had a face of a man, each of the four had a face of a lion, and each of the four had a face of a Knox, and each of the four had a face of an eagle.

So yeah, it's describing these four faces, and then a little bit further in chapter 10 verse 14, it says, each one had four faces, the first face was the face of a carob, and then the face of a man, the face of a lion, and the face of an eagle. So we can see here in verse 14, it replaces the face of a not-so-a-man. The face of an ox to the face of a carob. So we know that these four living creatures in Ezekiel are carobs, as we saw in chapter 1 verse 6, they had four faces, and each one had four wings, but those are the ones in Ezekiel.

Now, the similarities are in the four faces, because as we saw, the carobs have these same similar faces in symbolism, and these four groups of beings of these four faces are representative of the kind of the highest inlet plus of beings, for instance, in the colossal beings of the cat family, the lion is probably the most predominant with its majesty and omnipotence.

The calf, from the other side, is probably the most important domestic animal, which represents work and also patience. Then man obviously represents the capability to think and reason, and the eagle amongst the flying animals showing sovereignty and supremacy of the eagle. So now we have these four living creatures before God's throne, and these four living creatures are, as we read, also let's continue reading, in verse 8 of chapter 4, says, the four living creatures each having six wings.

So these four living creatures with these four faces, similar faces as the ones in Ezekiel, but the ones in Ezekiel had four wings. These, in Revelation, they have, as it says here, six wings.

So that's like the seraphim, because in Isaiah chapter 6 verse 2, Isaiah chapter 6 verse 2, it says, talking about also being fully and standing above it, seraphim above the temple, each had six wings with two recover his face and with two recover his feet and with two he flew. So yeah, we have a seraphim, which is represented having six wings. So these four angelic beings in Revelation 4 verse 6, 7, and 8 are beings with four faces, but six wings like a seraphim, whilst the ones in Ezekiel have four faces but have four wings, and they are the carobes.

So there are a number of things about angelic beings that we obviously do not know, but it just shows you that God has many types of angelic beings, and some have six wings, some have four wings, they have different faces, some are carobes, some are seraphim, and it just shows God's glory. Now let's read Revelation chapter 4 verse 9. Whenever the living creatures, whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. So we are, these living creatures are giving glory, honor, and thanks to God the Father. Now we know that God the Father is the one that created everything through Jesus Christ. If we read in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 1 and 2, Hebrews chapter 1 verse 1 and 2, we, let's just get there and read. It says God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his son, through whom he, that's the father, has appointed, or whom he, the father, has appointed here, that Christ is the heir of all things, through whom, through whom, through whom, through Christ, also he, the father, made the walls. So God made the walls, God the father, but through Christ, he created everything through Christ. So what do we have? Christ is the creator, the one that created everything, and the instruction of the father, and so the father is also the creator. So God the father created everything through Christ. They all worked hand in hand in the creation work. As we read in Isaiah 45, Isaiah 45, Isaiah chapter 45, verse 5 through 7, Isaiah 45, verse 5 through 7, says, I am the Lord, and there is no other. There is no God besides me. I'll gird you through though you have not known me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to each setting there is none besides me. I am the Lord and there is no other. So God the father and Christ, they are God. They are God beings. They are the God family, and it says there is no other one. In other words, these men's idols are useless. It was God. It's the Lord that created everything, and the father created everything through Jesus Christ. That's what we read in Hebrews.

As we read here in verse 7, it says, I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. So people sometimes ask, how is it possible that God creates calamity? Well, men's sins bring about calamity. God creates peace and gives us a choice.

We read in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 about the blessings and cursings upon the people, blessings if they obey God, and curses if they disobey God, and curses are basically calamity. God brings about peace and calamity. How? Because people disobey God, and that is the outcome of breaking God's laws. Let's read also in Isaiah 45 verse 15. In Isaiah 45 verse 15 says, truly you are God who hides yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior. Now we also have this point about who is the Savior. Is it the Father or is it Christ? Well, the answer is both, because, yes, indeed, it was Christ, the Word that came to earth, that emptied Himself, being in the form of God, emptied Himself, and became a young being, and died, and gave His blood for us, and therefore through that He saved us. Now, is therefore Christ the Savior? Of course it is. But isn't the Father then also the Savior? Of course it is, because this is according to the Father's plan and according to the Father's will. And it is God the Father worked out this plan and gave us His beloved Son, and therefore is our Savior. So the two are working together.

So, O God of Israel, the Savior. Look a little bit further. Yeah, also in verse 23, when it reads, I have sworn by myself the Word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to me every knee shall bow down. Now, who's the Word? Who is the spoken Word? It's Christ!

He's the Word, because look at it. Yeah, it's talking about, look at in verse 22, look at me and be saved all you ends of the earth, for I am God, for there is no other. I have sworn by myself the Word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to me every knee shall bow down. To whom does every knee bow down? To God the Father, but also to Christ. Also to Christ. Look at Philippians chapter 2, Philippians chapter 2, verse 5 through 11.

Philippians chapter 2, verse 5 through 11.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God. Christ was in the form of God. He was God. And he says, did not consider it a robbery to be equal with God. Christ did not consider robbery to be equal with God. Let me put it in today's modern-day terms. Christ did not consider it, let's call it, identity theft, to be equal with God, because he was equal with God. That was no identity theft. That was not a robbery. But made himself of no reputation. He emptied himself. He made himself of no reputation. He came to earth as a human being without people knowing who he really was. And you know, when demons and others said, well, you are the son of God, he said, keep quiet. Don't tell anybody. So he came. He says he made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a man. He was of a bond servant coming in the likeness of man. So he was in the likeness of God, and he emptied himself, and he came in the likeness of man. And so it says, and therefore God also has highly, highly exalted him. Yeah, he says he humbled himself and came obedient to the point of death, and therefore the cross. And he says, therefore God highly exalted him and given him the name, which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those in heaven, that is, of angelic beings, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth. So humans and angels alike will worship Christ. And that's what we're going to see in Revelation chapter five, because in Revelation chapter four, we see the whole angelic host worshiping the Father. And in Revelation chapter five, we're going to see the whole angelic host worshiping Christ. And that's exactly what it says. Yeah, that's exactly. And that fulfills Isaiah 45 verse 23. And look at Philippians chapter two, verse 11. At the end of verse 11, it says that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. So when we confess and we bow our knees to Christ, we are giving the Father glory. That is glorification to the Father. So some people say, oh, well, if we do that, we snubbing the Father. No, the Father wants us to do that. He gave us His only beloved Son. And that is to God's glory. That's what we really are in Philippians chapter two, verse 11. Now let's go on, continue in Revelation chapter four. In Revelation chapter four, we finished reading verse nine, because here we see those living creatures worshiping the Father. But then in verse 10 and 11, it says, in the 24L, let's fall down before He, fall out before the Father, who sits on the throne and worshiped God the Father, who lives forever and ever. And Christ take crowns before the throne, saying, you are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things, and by your will they exist and we're created. God the Father created all things, but as we've seen, through Christ created everything through Christ. But everything was done by God's will. Christ always did, according to the Father's will, Christ always did the Father's business. Christ is always involved in the Father's business, and that's what you and I need to be involved in the Father's business. So, yeah, we see the whole heavenly host worshiping God the Father. Now, in chapter 5, we move on to the Lamb and also about the book of the seven seals that only the Lamb can open. So, let's read 5 verse 1 through 3. And I saw on the right hand of Him, who sat on the throne, a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and to lose its seals.

And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look at it. So, yeah, we have this scroll, and nobody on earth or in heaven has the power or authority to open the book except Christ. And look at it in verse 4 and 5. So, I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, do not weep, behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to lose its seven seals. That is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. In other words, the descendant of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, of the very descendants of David, which is Christ.

Look in Revelation chapter 22, Revelation chapter 22 verse 16, Revelation 22 verse 16, yeah, Christ is saying, I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star. So, Christ himself is identifying himself as the root and offspring of David. So, continue now in Revelation 5 verse 6, and I looked and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. So, yeah, we have the lamb, which has all authority, omnipotent power, and worthy as the Redeemer, who died for us, because he's been slain and died for us. So, he has that power. And in verse 7, then he, that's Jesus Christ, came and took the scroll out of the hand of him, that's the father, who sat on the throne. So, Jesus Christ has the authority to type this book with the seven seals.

Now, in Isaiah chapter 9, Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 and 7, Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 and 7, highlights a very important point here about Christ. So, let's just read it. Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 and 7 says, For unto us a child is born, and to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder. The government on earth of mankind, the kingdom of God, the responsibility of governing the kingdom of God, is on Christ's shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father. Now, the Derby version puts it there as Father of Eternity and Prince of Peace. And then of the increase of his government and peace, there'll be no end. Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, that's the kingdom of God, to order and establish it with judgment and justice. From that time forward, even forever, the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. So, that is just a very interesting prophetic statement here about Christ. Christ being a wonderful counselor, a counselor which is wonderful, great wisdom. He is God, he's of the God family, he's the Son of God, he is also Father of Eternity, through him, through his action, through him is creating everything and giving us the opportunity of having eternal life. He has made it possible for us to have eternity, and he's the one that is showing us the way of peace, the way of peace. So, a very, very powerful and interesting prophecy about Christ. Now, let's continue in Revelation chapter 5, and now we're going to read verse 8. Now, when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. So, they fall down to worship him, and we can see the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, and they now sang a new song, saying, and it says, you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals. For you, as slain, you have redeemed us, and it should probably be a red man, as it is in the revised standard version, or on the NIV, or in the Phillips, or, for instance, its people in the English standard version. So, he's redeemed people, he's named man to God, by your blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made, and according to the majority version, if you, your King James version, is called a margin, and it says little m, which means the majority version, according to majority version, and have made them, that is, people, mankind, kings and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. So, this is, actually, in a sense, a prophetic vision. Let's now read in verse 11 and 12. And then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands. Now, brethren, ten thousand times ten thousand is a hundred million, and another thousand of that is a hundred billion, and a hundred thousand of that is a hundred trillion. So, all we are talking about is a hundred trillion angels worshiping Christ and sang with a loud voice.

Worthy is the Lamb, was slain, to receive what? To receive the power, the riches, wisdom, strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing, to receive these seven things. Now, brethren, this is the inheritance. This is what Christ inherits. The power, the riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. But, brethren, remember, in Romans 8, verse 17, it says that we are to be coheirs with Christ. Let's just look at Romans 8, verse 17.

And if children and heirs, heirs of God, and joined heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified together. So, brethren, we are to inherit the same things. So, we continue reading in Revelation 5, verse 13 and 14. And it says, And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, are a saint, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, and love. And the four living creatures said, Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever in heaven. In other words, they worshiped Christ who lives forever in heaven. So, now we have a very significant prophetic scripture, prophetic chapter.

All right, so now as we come to a conclusion, I just want to mention a few things as an introduction to the seven seals. And we're just going to read chapter 6, verse 1 and 2, which reads, And I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, With a loud voice like thunder, come and see. And I looked at all the white horse, and he sat on it, and a bow, and he who sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. And this is false religion, false Christianity, which went out conquering and to conquer. With this is what Christ said as we read Matthew 24, verse 4 and 5. Matthew 24, verse 4 and 5.

It says, Thank you that no one receives you, for many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will receive many. You also see that in 2 Corinthians chapter 11, 2 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 13 through 15. 2 Corinthians chapter 11, verse 13 through 15. For as such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers, that Satan's ministers, also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. So this white horse is nothing else than false religion, false Christianity, false pastors, false ministers, coming across as savage wolves. Look at Acts 20, verse 29. In Acts 20, Paul is saying goodbye to the Ephesian elders, and then in verse 29, he says, For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not spinning the flock. So these are false prophets. They will come in many false prophets. You read that also in 1 John chapter 4 verse 1. 1 John chapter 4. 1 John chapter 4 verse 1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world, many false ministers, many false religions. It's all over the place. They're all over. And you know what?

These false prophets and these false religions are getting worse and worse. Look at 2 Timothy chapter 3. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 13.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Today, we have people on TV saying things that it's unbelievable, unbelievable, deceiving and being deceived. Like some are saying, oh well, you know, if a criminal, it just depends what he defines as crime. Because, well, if they just go there and rob or whatever it is, it's okay. It's only if they kill somebody. It's things like that that it's just getting from bad to worse. Evil men and impostors, and they're becoming people of authority in the society, and they're getting worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. And Brea Breveren, this is what this white horse is all about. It's this seal that is open of the section of religious deception and affecting every part of society deceiving everybody.

Now, there's one important point that I want to leave with you as far as these seals.

And this point is the following. All seals in the book once opened remain open.

All seals in the book once opened remain open.

Therefore, this rider of the white horse once is loosed with false religion, and we saw that in the letters of Christ to the church in Revelation 2 and Revelation 3, how this perception has gone worse and worse into the world. And there's these Gnostic beliefs, and there's basically a re-synchretism and adapting and modifying Babylon's teachings and fitting them into Christianity, paganism into Christianity. This false religion, this rider, and his horse through the ages will continue to ride until Satan is deposed.

And when is that? Right at the end. When is it symbolized right at the end on the day of atonement when the beast and the false prophet are destroyed and Satan is put into jail for a thousand years. So once a seal is opened, it remains open, and its effects continue going and getting and getting more and more compounded. This is so important. And this little horse is nine others than Daniel 7, little horn. In Daniel 7, it talks about various beasts. In Daniel 7, and then let's just get to it. Daniel 7, and we read it's talking about in verse 4, and the first was like a lion. And then in verse 5, another beast, a bear. And in verse 6, a leopard. And it had four heads. So that just shows now we in a total of six heads. There's a lion, a bear, and the leopard, which has four heads. So we have six heads so far. And then we have the, then he says there's a fourth beast. This is a dreadful. And then it, and this beast here, it says after a date, it says, and then while considering the horns, because this beast had seven horns, and then while he's considering that, then he sees a little horn in verse 8, a little horn. And this little horn, we can see in this chart right here at the bottom, that's this little horn of Daniel 7, which is also this false church in Revelation.

13, which is also the scarlet woman in Revelation 17. So, and that is none other than false Christianity, which has been growing since when that false Christianity first became dominant in the world, particularly around the year from year 325 and beyond that. And then it became bigger and bigger. And then we see that taking influence in the world. Now, this chart, Reverend, it's a chart showing prophecies of the reign of Gentile kingdoms. It's a chart that we have in the church, we have represented or displayed a number of times. It's nothing new. And throughout the future Bible studies on the book of Revelation, I'm going to go into this chart in more detail. I'm going to explain also, I'm going to deviate a little bit by explaining a little bit about Daniel and Daniel 2, Daniel 7, and to be able to fit it in with Revelation as well. So, that will be part of future studies. And so, with that, Reverend, he concludes tonight's study on the book of Revelation.