Hello, and welcome
to yet another edition
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of the Sabbath
School Study Hour.
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We are so glad and privileged
to be able to know that
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you have decided to
join us to be able to study
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a very important
lesson, in this particular case,
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in the Book of Revelation,
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which is one of my
all time favorite books
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that we can find
in all of the Bible.
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Now if you've been
joining us from week to week,
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this is already lesson
number 4 and we're looking at
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"Worthy is the Lamb."
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Now, of all the
books in the Bible,
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the Book of Revelation
is indeed one of my favorite
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and "Worthy is the Lamb"
00:01:04.26\00:01:06.36
is indeed one of
my favorite topics
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that we can find in
this particular book.
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The Book of Revelation is a book
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that is receiving
more and more attention
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over the last
years of earth's history
00:01:15.17\00:01:18.31
as prophecies in the
Bible, both in Jesus' prophecies
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as well as the Book
of Revelation itself
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tells us that
Jesus is coming soon.
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And so, more and more people
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are giving attention
to this particular book,
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and it was prophesied
that that would take place.
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And so we're glad that
you're one of those people
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that you've
joined us here today,
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not only here in
Granite Bay Church
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here in Sacramento, California
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but also across the country
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of the United States of America,
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as well as many other
countries around the world.
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And so again, welcome.
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We're glad you're here with us.
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We do have a free offer
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that we want to be
able to give to you
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so that not only can you
study during the next hour
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as we spend this time together,
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but also that you can
have this particular resource
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to be able to continue
this very important study.
00:02:01.42\00:02:04.45
And so today's
special offer is entitled
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"The High Cost of the Cross."
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The High Cost of the Cross.
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And, of course, this is central
to Jesus and His crucifixion.
00:02:11.76\00:02:15.66
You can call it
to 1866-788-3966.
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That's 1866-Study-More.
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And you can find
yourself with a free offer
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and that free book
coming to you in the mail.
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If you are more digitally astute
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and you would like to
be able to find yourself
00:02:31.28\00:02:33.08
with a digital
copy on your phone,
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you can always text to 40544.
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Again, that's 40544 as
you can see on the screen
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and you'll need to
text the code "SH080,"
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and we'll be happy to be able
to give a digital copy to you.
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Our speaker today is
going to be Pastor Jean Ross
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and he's going to be
teaching our lesson study.
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But before we invite him up,
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we want to pray
that the Holy Spirit
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and God will
teach us here today.
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I want you to join us in prayer.
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Father in
heaven, we want to stop
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and we want to
thank You this morning
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for this opportunity
to be able to worship You,
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to be able to
open up Your Bible,
00:03:08.88\00:03:10.59
to be able to look
at this important book
00:03:10.59\00:03:12.92
to give us understanding
and spiritual discernment
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that we could never
find without Your presence.
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And so, Father,
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we want to ask
for that even now,
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be with our teacher,
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Pastor Jean as he teaches
and give him clarity of mind.
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We pray these things
in Jesus' name, amen.
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Thank you, Pastor Ross.
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Thank you, Pastor Shawn,
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for introducing
our lesson today.
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As mentioned,
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we're looking at a
very important book
00:03:35.81\00:03:37.51
in the Bible.
00:03:37.51\00:03:38.55
One of my
favorites, the last book
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that you find in
the New Testament,
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the Book of Revelation.
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There is so much information
that we have to cover today
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and I'm going to do my best
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to get through
the assigned portion
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for our study.
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As mentioned,
we're on lesson number 4,
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and it's entitled
"Worthy is the Lamb."
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I like the way one Bible
teacher pointed out, he says,
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"In the midst of
all of the beasts
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of Revelation,
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the central focus is the Lamb."
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That of course is Jesus.
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We do have a scripture reading,
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and I'm going to read it
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right out of our
lesson quarterly.
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You'll find it
there on Sabbath afternoon
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Revelation 5:5
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from the New King James Version.
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"Do not weep.
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Behold, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah,
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the Root of David, has prevailed
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to open the scroll
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and to loose the
seals there off."
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We're going to be talking
about what the scroll is,
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we're going to be talking about
the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
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and we'll find out more
about this verse a little later
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in our study today.
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Sabbath afternoon,
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the second paragraph
is sort of an introduction
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to what we will be
looking at in this week.
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It says division
of chapter 4 and 5
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takes place in the
heavenly throne room.
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The question I want to ask
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and hopefully we'll
answer from the Bible,
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where is the
heavenly throne room?
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Bible will tell us.
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The scene of chapter 4 and 5
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symbolically portrays
God's control of history,
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and of the plan of salvation.
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Before the future is revealed,
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however, we are
shown the centrality
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of Christ's high
priestly ministry in heaven.
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Where is Christ's
high priestly ministry
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taking place in heaven?
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In the sanctuary.
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So we'll find
out more about that.
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"His high priestly ministry
in heaven to His sovereignty
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over the face of the earth
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and to the
redemption of the human race,
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in such a way chapter 4 and
5 provide heaven's perspective
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of the meaning of future events
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recorded in the rest of
the Book of Revelation."
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So with that is a
little bit of our introduction.
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I want to encourage
you to take your Bibles
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and then open to our
passage of study, Revelation 4.
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We're going to try and
go verse by verse through.
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They're not long
chapters, but we're going to see
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how far we can get
through Revelation 4 and 5
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depending upon how much
time we have for our study.
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By way of an introduction,
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our first lesson dealt
in Revelation Chapter 1
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with an introduction
to the Book of Revelation.
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The last part of Chapter
1 is a description of Jesus
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and Jesus is bringing to
John these special messages
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found in the Book of Revelation.
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Revelation Chapter 2
and 3 is Christ's message
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to the seven churches.
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Each of these
seven churches represent
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different time periods
of the Christian history
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starting in 31 AD
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going all the way
through to the church of today,
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the Church of Laodicea.
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And you read about
that in Revelation 3:14-22
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is Christ's message to
the Church of Laodicea.
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So just quickly as a summary
of what we've looked at so far,
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the Church of Ephesus
represents the Christian church
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from about 31 AD,
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that was the time of
Christ ascension to heaven
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to about 100 AD.
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It's known as
the Apostolic Church,
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the church led by the apostles.
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The Church of Smyrna
represents a time period
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of about 100 to 313 AD.
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It was a time of
severe persecution.
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It's known as the
persecuted church.
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And by the way, with
the Church of Smyrna,
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Jesus didn't have any words
of condemnation for the church.
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He encouraged them.
It was a pure church.
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It was a church
suffering persecution.
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The next is the
Church of Pergamum
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represents the time
period of 313 till about 538 AD.
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This is a compromising church,
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where Christianity was legalized
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and all kinds of pagan practices
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and beliefs
crept into the church.
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Then you have the
Church of Thyatira
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representing the time
period from 538 till 1563,
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a very long time period.
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That's known as
the corrupt church,
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where the church is
actually persecuting
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those who wanted to be
faithful to God's commandments
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into the Bible.
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You have the Church
of Sardis from about 1563
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all the way up till 1740,
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and that is known as
the church that is dead.
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They had a name that
they believe the Bible,
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that they will
hold into the reforms
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that the reformers are bringing
but spiritually they were dead.
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Then the Church of Philadelphia
00:07:59.57\00:08:01.14
presents a much
brighter picture.
00:08:01.14\00:08:03.24
It's from 1743 to about 1844.
00:08:03.24\00:08:07.25
And shortly thereafter,
00:08:07.25\00:08:08.72
it's known as the
church of brotherly love.
00:08:08.72\00:08:11.55
And then that brings
us to the present church,
00:08:11.55\00:08:13.96
Church of Laodicea,
00:08:13.96\00:08:15.16
representing a time period
of about 1844 through to today.
00:08:15.16\00:08:20.60
Unfortunately, if you
read in Revelation Chapter 3,
00:08:20.60\00:08:23.06
it's a church of lukewarmness.
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The good news, however,
00:08:26.20\00:08:27.40
is that the church does not stay
00:08:27.40\00:08:28.84
in a continually
lukewarm condition
00:08:28.84\00:08:30.84
because there is
a special revival
00:08:30.84\00:08:32.97
that takes place,
00:08:32.97\00:08:34.18
special
outpouring of the Holy Spirit
00:08:34.18\00:08:36.08
just before probation closes,
00:08:36.08\00:08:38.25
just before Jesus comes.
00:08:38.25\00:08:40.15
So Revelation Chapter 2 and 3
00:08:40.15\00:08:41.98
is an overview
of Christian history
00:08:41.98\00:08:44.19
starting with 31 AD
all the way up till today.
00:08:44.19\00:08:47.59
Now in
Revelation Chapter 4 and 5,
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John's envision is
taken back to 31 AD.
00:08:50.06\00:08:55.10
The description
of Revelation 4 and 5
00:08:55.10\00:08:57.33
is really a picture of
the heavenly throne room
00:08:57.33\00:09:00.24
where Jesus is about to begin
00:09:00.24\00:09:02.24
His high priestly
ministry on our behalf.
00:09:02.24\00:09:05.67
So with that as a
little background,
00:09:05.67\00:09:07.01
let's take a look at
Revelation Chapter 4,
00:09:07.01\00:09:10.75
and we're going to
start reading in verse 1.
00:09:10.75\00:09:14.02
John says, "After these
things I looked, and behold,
00:09:14.02\00:09:17.22
a door was
standing open in heaven."
00:09:17.22\00:09:20.36
So after having
things described him
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with reference to the earth,
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the condition of the churches
during the Christian era,
00:09:24.06\00:09:26.09
now his attention
is drawn to heaven,
00:09:26.09\00:09:28.80
He's going to describe
things happening in heaven
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and it says there is a
door that is open in heaven.
00:09:30.87\00:09:35.07
Now based on the Old Testament,
00:09:35.07\00:09:37.27
we'll read how
that God said to Moses
00:09:37.27\00:09:39.24
that he was to build a sanctuary
00:09:39.24\00:09:41.54
and that the sanctuary
that Moses was to build
00:09:41.54\00:09:44.21
was to be
patterned after a sanctuary
00:09:44.21\00:09:47.22
that he was shown in heaven.
00:09:47.22\00:09:49.15
So the earthly sanctuary
00:09:49.15\00:09:50.55
is a type of the
heavenly sanctuary.
00:09:50.55\00:09:53.62
This door opening heaven
as you'll find out later on
00:09:53.62\00:09:56.56
in our study is really the
door to the first compartment
00:09:56.56\00:10:00.33
of the heavenly sanctuary.
00:10:00.33\00:10:02.13
So the events
described in Chapter 4 and 5
00:10:02.13\00:10:04.67
are events that take
place in the first compartment
00:10:04.67\00:10:07.84
of the heavenly sanctuary
00:10:07.84\00:10:09.14
and you'll see that as we
work our way through this.
00:10:09.14\00:10:11.31
So the time
period for this is 31 AD.
00:10:11.31\00:10:14.08
In Hebrews 8:1-2,
Paul is very clear.
00:10:14.08\00:10:17.78
Now this is the
main point of the things
00:10:17.78\00:10:19.68
that we are saying.
00:10:19.68\00:10:20.75
The Apostle Paul says,
"We have such a High Priest,
00:10:20.75\00:10:24.12
who is seated at the
right hand of the throne
00:10:24.12\00:10:26.42
of Majesty in the heavens,
00:10:26.42\00:10:28.16
a Minister of the sanctuary
and of the true tabernacle
00:10:28.16\00:10:31.66
which the Lord
erected, not man."
00:10:31.66\00:10:33.40
So there is a
sanctuary in heaven,
00:10:33.40\00:10:35.50
Jesus after His death
00:10:35.50\00:10:37.17
and resurrection
ascends to heaven
00:10:37.17\00:10:38.80
and He begins His
work as our high priest.
00:10:38.80\00:10:41.84
The last part of verse 1 says,
00:10:41.84\00:10:43.77
"And the first
voice which I heard
00:10:43.77\00:10:45.81
was liken to a
trumpet speaking with me,
00:10:45.81\00:10:47.74
saying, 'Come up here,
00:10:47.74\00:10:49.04
and I will show you things
00:10:49.04\00:10:50.55
that must take
place after this.' "
00:10:50.55\00:10:53.18
So now envision,
John taken to heaven,
00:10:53.18\00:10:55.85
the scene 31 AD and God is
beginning to reveal to John
00:10:55.85\00:10:59.49
things that ought to
take place after this.
00:10:59.49\00:11:02.79
You remember in
Revelation 1:12 and 13
00:11:02.79\00:11:07.46
where John in vision sees Jesus,
00:11:07.46\00:11:09.46
this is just after the greeting,
00:11:09.46\00:11:10.93
this is before we even
get to the seven churches.
00:11:10.93\00:11:13.23
John is seeing Jesus in vision
00:11:13.23\00:11:15.54
and Jesus is described
00:11:15.54\00:11:16.91
as wearing the
high priest's robe,
00:11:16.91\00:11:19.41
He's also described
00:11:19.41\00:11:20.51
as standing amongst the
seven branched candlestick.
00:11:20.51\00:11:23.48
This is Revelation Chapter 1.
00:11:23.48\00:11:25.75
Now where would you find
seven branched candlestick
00:11:25.75\00:11:29.05
in the sanctuary?
00:11:29.05\00:11:30.59
Would it be in
the first compartment
00:11:30.59\00:11:31.99
or would it be in
the second compartment?
00:11:31.99\00:11:34.42
It would have to be
in the first compartment.
00:11:34.42\00:11:36.46
So the scenes
described in Revelation 4 and 5
00:11:36.46\00:11:39.26
are really
events that took place
00:11:39.26\00:11:41.93
in the first compartment
after the ascension of Jesus.
00:11:41.93\00:11:46.27
Quick review of the sanctuary.
00:11:46.27\00:11:47.97
There were three
parts to the sanctuary,
00:11:47.97\00:11:49.67
you had the outer courtyard area
00:11:49.67\00:11:51.57
where the
sacrifices were offered,
00:11:51.57\00:11:53.48
then you go through the door,
00:11:53.48\00:11:55.18
you're going to
the first compartment
00:11:55.18\00:11:56.68
of the sanctuary.
00:11:56.68\00:11:57.71
And if you came
in through the door
00:11:57.71\00:11:59.31
on your right hand side,
00:11:59.31\00:12:00.98
there is the table of showbread
with these two stacks of bread,
00:12:00.98\00:12:06.15
six loaves on each.
00:12:06.15\00:12:07.92
And directly across
from the table of showbread,
00:12:07.92\00:12:11.69
what would you see?
00:12:11.69\00:12:13.40
The seven branched
lampstands or candlesticks.
00:12:13.40\00:12:16.67
And then right in front of you,
if you come through the door,
00:12:16.67\00:12:18.93
you would see
the altar of incense.
00:12:18.93\00:12:21.34
And then you'd see the veil.
00:12:21.34\00:12:23.54
Now if you were the high priest,
00:12:23.54\00:12:25.84
once a year, you're
allowed on the Day of Atonement
00:12:25.84\00:12:28.68
to actually go pass
the altar of incense,
00:12:28.68\00:12:31.25
open the veil, and step
into the most holy place.
00:12:31.25\00:12:35.58
And if you were the high priest,
00:12:35.58\00:12:37.59
and on the Day of Atonement,
00:12:37.59\00:12:38.69
you stepped into
the most holy place,
00:12:38.69\00:12:40.29
what article of
furniture would you see?
00:12:40.29\00:12:43.06
The Ark of the
Covenant will be right there.
00:12:43.06\00:12:44.99
There's only one
article of furniture
00:12:44.99\00:12:46.59
and that's the
Ark of the Covenant
00:12:46.59\00:12:47.73
in the most holy place.
00:12:47.73\00:12:49.56
And then, of course, he
would sprinkle the blood
00:12:49.56\00:12:51.43
on the mercy seat of
the Ark of the Covenant.
00:12:51.43\00:12:53.70
So what's described in
Revelation Chapter 4 and 5
00:12:53.70\00:12:56.40
is not the most
holy place scene,
00:12:56.40\00:12:58.84
rather it is the
first compartment
00:12:58.84\00:13:01.01
or the holy place
00:13:01.01\00:13:02.28
where you have the
seven burning lamps of fire
00:13:02.28\00:13:04.68
as well as the altar of incense,
00:13:04.68\00:13:06.48
and the table of showbread.
00:13:06.48\00:13:07.62
The table of showbread
represents God's throne
00:13:07.62\00:13:11.25
in the first compartment
of the heavenly sanctuary.
00:13:11.25\00:13:14.56
The Ark of the
Covenant represents God's throne
00:13:14.56\00:13:17.13
in the second compartment
of the heavenly sanctuary.
00:13:17.13\00:13:20.36
So just put that in
the back of your mind
00:13:20.36\00:13:22.16
and we'll see that as we
read through Revelation 4 and 5.
00:13:22.16\00:13:25.83
Okay, looking now at verse 2.
00:13:25.83\00:13:28.70
"Immediately I was in
the Spirit, and behold,
00:13:28.70\00:13:30.74
a throne was set in heaven,
and One sat on the throne."
00:13:30.74\00:13:34.81
Now this is the
description of God the Father
00:13:34.81\00:13:36.81
seated upon His
throne in heaven.
00:13:36.81\00:13:38.75
Very similar to what
Isaiah the prophet saw
00:13:38.75\00:13:41.42
when he envisioned, you
read about this Isaiah 6:1,
00:13:41.42\00:13:45.55
"In the year
that King Uzziah died,
00:13:45.55\00:13:47.42
I saw the Lord
sitting upon a throne,
00:13:47.42\00:13:50.93
high and lifted up..."
00:13:50.93\00:13:52.56
Notice the last part of this,
00:13:52.56\00:13:53.96
"The train of His
robe filled the temple."
00:13:53.96\00:13:57.73
So where is God's throne?
00:13:57.73\00:14:00.20
Must be in heaven,
but where in heaven?
00:14:00.20\00:14:02.97
In the temple, okay?
00:14:02.97\00:14:04.74
Even in the Old Testament,
00:14:04.74\00:14:05.94
Isaiah sees the Lord
seated upon His throne,
00:14:05.94\00:14:09.21
He is in the temple.
00:14:09.21\00:14:10.85
And the question that we find
in Revelation 4 answered is,
00:14:10.85\00:14:13.72
it's God the Father
00:14:13.72\00:14:15.02
seen in that first
compartment of the sanctuary.
00:14:15.02\00:14:18.19
Later on in Revelation,
00:14:18.19\00:14:19.22
we find Him in the
second compartment.
00:14:19.22\00:14:21.19
Verse 3 says,
00:14:21.19\00:14:22.26
"And He that sat
up on the throne..."
00:14:22.26\00:14:23.63
This is a
reference to God the Father,
00:14:23.63\00:14:25.43
"Was like a jasper
00:14:25.43\00:14:26.73
and a sardius
stone in appearance."
00:14:26.73\00:14:29.70
Stones in the Book of Revelation
00:14:29.70\00:14:31.27
are used to
describe brilliant colors.
00:14:31.27\00:14:33.97
A jasper stone has
a greenish blue color,
00:14:33.97\00:14:38.24
a sardius stone
has a reddish color.
00:14:38.24\00:14:40.81
So John as he sees the glory
00:14:40.81\00:14:42.28
shining forth from God
seated upon the throne,
00:14:42.28\00:14:44.81
he uses these stones
00:14:44.81\00:14:46.21
to describe
these brilliant colors.
00:14:46.21\00:14:48.18
The last part of verse 3 says,
00:14:48.18\00:14:49.85
"And there was a
rainbow about the throne,
00:14:49.85\00:14:51.72
in the
appearance like an emerald."
00:14:51.72\00:14:53.76
Now this
rainbow is very special.
00:14:53.76\00:14:55.56
What do rainbows
represent in the Bible?
00:14:55.56\00:14:58.36
When did we first
read about a rainbow?
00:14:58.36\00:15:01.56
Way back in the
time after the flood,
00:15:01.56\00:15:03.70
you remember Noah
after he came out of the ark,
00:15:03.70\00:15:06.74
he offered sacrifices,
00:15:06.74\00:15:08.34
and there was a
rainbow in the cloud.
00:15:08.34\00:15:11.94
And that was a
symbol of God's mercy.
00:15:11.94\00:15:14.91
We read in Genesis Chapter 9
talking about after the flood.
00:15:14.91\00:15:20.08
"And God says,
00:15:20.08\00:15:21.15
'I will set the
sign of the covenant
00:15:21.15\00:15:22.75
which I make between you and Me,
00:15:22.75\00:15:24.89
and every living
creature with you
00:15:24.89\00:15:27.29
for perpetual generations.
00:15:27.29\00:15:28.86
I set My rainbow in the cloud,
00:15:28.86\00:15:31.79
and it shall be for
a sign of the covenant
00:15:31.79\00:15:34.56
between Me and the earth."
00:15:34.56\00:15:37.10
Then it says going
on a little bit further,
00:15:37.10\00:15:39.67
"The rainbow
shall be in the cloud
00:15:39.67\00:15:41.27
and I will look on it
00:15:41.27\00:15:42.47
and remember the
everlasting covenant
00:15:42.47\00:15:44.57
between God and
every living creature,
00:15:44.57\00:15:46.78
that it will not
flood the earth again,
00:15:46.78\00:15:48.54
the whole earth."
00:15:48.54\00:15:49.84
Now does God need
a continual reminder
00:15:49.84\00:15:52.05
that He can
flood the earth again?
00:15:52.05\00:15:54.18
Does He see the rainbow
and say, "Oh, I almost forgot.
00:15:54.18\00:15:57.09
I made a covenant with Noah."
00:15:57.09\00:15:58.32
No.
00:15:58.32\00:15:59.39
The purpose of
the rainbow is for us
00:15:59.39\00:16:00.59
to look at the rainbow
00:16:00.59\00:16:01.72
and remember
that God is merciful.
00:16:01.72\00:16:04.26
So the rainbow is a
sign of God's mercy.
00:16:04.26\00:16:06.86
And now I love this thought.
00:16:06.86\00:16:08.23
By the way, before I get there,
Psalms 106, one more verse,
00:16:08.23\00:16:11.23
verse 1 says, "Praise the Lord!
00:16:11.23\00:16:13.37
Oh, give thanks to
the Lord, for He is good,
00:16:13.37\00:16:16.04
for His mercy endures forever."
00:16:16.04\00:16:19.21
You'll find that phrase
00:16:19.21\00:16:20.28
repeated again and
again in the Psalms,
00:16:20.28\00:16:21.98
God's mercy endures forever.
00:16:21.98\00:16:23.88
The rainbow is a
symbol of God's mercy.
00:16:23.88\00:16:26.65
Every time God looks
down on us as His children,
00:16:26.65\00:16:31.12
He's looking at us
through the rainbow.
00:16:31.12\00:16:33.66
He's looking at
us through His mercy
00:16:33.66\00:16:36.29
and that's so
encouraging for us to know.
00:16:36.29\00:16:39.06
Moving on with verse 4.
00:16:39.06\00:16:40.30
It says, "Around the throne,
there were twenty-four thrones,
00:16:40.30\00:16:43.73
and on the thrones I saw
twenty-four elders sitting."
00:16:43.73\00:16:48.30
Now when I teach
this class in AFCOE,
00:16:48.30\00:16:50.31
and we do
Revelation Chapter 4 and 5,
00:16:50.31\00:16:53.68
I like to have a
whiteboard on stage
00:16:53.68\00:16:55.61
and I will begin
to very roughly draw
00:16:55.61\00:16:58.85
some of the things
that's portrayed here
00:16:58.85\00:17:00.78
in Revelation 4.
00:17:00.78\00:17:02.28
And I'd begin by drawing
00:17:02.28\00:17:03.72
what looks like some
glorious throne and light
00:17:03.72\00:17:06.99
shining forth from the
throne that's God the Father
00:17:06.99\00:17:09.29
seated upon the throne.
00:17:09.29\00:17:10.83
And then we will have around
the throne, little thrones,
00:17:10.83\00:17:14.10
24 of these thrones
surrounding the big throne
00:17:14.10\00:17:17.47
with a light shining forth,
00:17:17.47\00:17:18.70
there is a rainbow
around about the throne,
00:17:18.70\00:17:21.17
and then you'll have
seven burning lamps of fire.
00:17:21.17\00:17:23.84
We'll get to that
in just a few moments
00:17:23.84\00:17:25.37
in front of the throne.
00:17:25.37\00:17:26.47
To kind of give us a
little bit of a visual picture
00:17:26.47\00:17:28.81
of what John is
seeing here in vision.
00:17:28.81\00:17:31.08
God the Father on the throne,
the rainbow about the throne,
00:17:31.08\00:17:34.18
the throne is made up
of four living creatures,
00:17:34.18\00:17:36.48
we'll get to that later.
00:17:36.48\00:17:37.79
And then the 24
elders, the question is,
00:17:37.79\00:17:39.95
who are these 24 elders
that are seated on throne
00:17:39.95\00:17:43.36
surrounding God's throne?
00:17:43.36\00:17:45.39
Well, there are two
suggestions as to the identity
00:17:45.39\00:17:48.70
of who the 24 elders are.
00:17:48.70\00:17:50.43
And I'm going to give
you both and I'll tell you
00:17:50.43\00:17:52.47
which one I like, okay?
00:17:52.47\00:17:54.30
The first is that the 24 elders
00:17:54.30\00:17:56.40
are those who were resurrected
at Christ's resurrection
00:17:56.40\00:18:00.11
and were taken to heaven
with Jesus when He ascended,
00:18:00.11\00:18:03.91
and that's interesting,
00:18:03.91\00:18:05.85
but there's another identity
of who these people could be.
00:18:05.85\00:18:09.32
The 24 elders could also be
00:18:09.32\00:18:11.25
the representatives
of the unfallen worlds.
00:18:11.25\00:18:15.52
The same group that you
read about in the Book of Job
00:18:15.52\00:18:18.86
where it says,
there was a gathering
00:18:18.86\00:18:20.46
of the sons of God and
Satan came representing earth.
00:18:20.46\00:18:23.33
And God said,
"Where do you come from?"
00:18:23.33\00:18:24.67
"From the earth
walking up and down upon it."
00:18:24.67\00:18:26.80
And God said,
00:18:26.80\00:18:27.87
"Have you
considered my servant Job?"
00:18:27.87\00:18:29.00
And you know the
rest of the story.
00:18:29.00\00:18:30.67
So are the 24 elders,
00:18:30.67\00:18:32.87
those who are resurrected
at Christ resurrection
00:18:32.87\00:18:35.11
and taken to heaven
00:18:35.11\00:18:36.18
or could they be
the representatives
00:18:36.18\00:18:38.01
of the unfallen worlds?
00:18:38.01\00:18:39.05
Well, there are different verses
00:18:39.05\00:18:40.38
and I'm just going to
give it a highlight of it,
00:18:40.38\00:18:42.62
just Matthew 27:51 talks
about those who were resurrected
00:18:42.62\00:18:46.99
at the time of
Christ's resurrection.
00:18:46.99\00:18:49.49
And said, "Then, behold,
00:18:49.49\00:18:50.69
the veil in the temple was
torn in two from top to bottom,
00:18:50.69\00:18:53.23
the earth quaked,
the rocks were split,
00:18:53.23\00:18:55.40
and the graves were opened.
00:18:55.40\00:18:56.70
And many of the
bodies of the saints
00:18:56.70\00:18:58.47
who had fallen
asleep were raised.
00:18:58.47\00:19:00.70
And coming out of the
graves after His resurrection,
00:19:00.70\00:19:04.01
they went into the holy
city and appeared to many."
00:19:04.01\00:19:06.24
Now when it says the holy city,
00:19:06.24\00:19:07.51
it's not talking
about Jerusalem in heaven,
00:19:07.51\00:19:09.38
it's talking about
Jerusalem here on the earth.
00:19:09.38\00:19:11.21
So that would be the description
00:19:11.21\00:19:12.48
of those who were resurrected
00:19:12.48\00:19:13.78
at the time of
Christ's resurrection.
00:19:13.78\00:19:15.65
Ephesians 4:8 talking
about the ascension of Jesus
00:19:15.65\00:19:19.25
has this to say.
00:19:19.25\00:19:20.76
"Therefore He says,
'When He ascended on high..."
00:19:20.76\00:19:23.22
This is 31 AD, "He, Jesus,
00:19:23.22\00:19:26.03
led captivity captive,
and gave gifts onto men.' "
00:19:26.03\00:19:30.57
So when Jesus
ascended to heaven,
00:19:30.57\00:19:32.73
He brought with them
those who were resurrected
00:19:32.73\00:19:35.10
at the time of His resurrection.
00:19:35.10\00:19:37.01
They were held
captive by the grave,
00:19:37.01\00:19:39.64
but they were resurrected,
00:19:39.64\00:19:40.98
they are the first
fruits of the resurrection
00:19:40.98\00:19:43.68
and they went
with Jesus to heaven.
00:19:43.68\00:19:46.15
But notice the wording here,
00:19:46.15\00:19:47.92
it says Jesus led
captivity captive.
00:19:47.92\00:19:51.35
So when Jesus
ascended to heaven,
00:19:51.35\00:19:54.06
where were those
who are resurrected?
00:19:54.06\00:19:56.26
Were they waiting
for Jesus in heaven
00:19:56.26\00:19:58.13
or were they
following behind Jesus?
00:19:58.13\00:20:01.26
They must be
following behind Jesus, right?
00:20:01.26\00:20:04.23
Revelation Chapter 4 describes
the 24 elders in heaven
00:20:04.23\00:20:07.97
waiting for Jesus to come.
00:20:07.97\00:20:10.54
Jesus does not
appear until Revelation 5,
00:20:10.54\00:20:13.48
which is an interesting point.
00:20:13.48\00:20:14.91
Well, what about the elders,
00:20:14.91\00:20:15.94
the 24 elders representing
those unfallen worlds?
00:20:15.94\00:20:20.72
Well, of course, Job 1:6 says,
00:20:20.72\00:20:23.35
"Now there was a day
00:20:23.35\00:20:24.35
when the sons of God
came to present themselves
00:20:24.35\00:20:26.65
before the Lord."
00:20:26.65\00:20:27.86
Satan was there as well.
00:20:27.86\00:20:30.26
Hebrews 1:1 and 2 tells us
that God created the worlds,
00:20:30.26\00:20:34.40
and He uses the
plural form for worlds.
00:20:34.40\00:20:36.33
In other words,
00:20:36.33\00:20:37.37
our world is not the
only inhabited planet
00:20:37.37\00:20:39.70
in God's vast universe,
00:20:39.70\00:20:41.34
but He has other
worlds of unfallen beings.
00:20:41.34\00:20:44.54
And then we
read in Isaiah 24:23.
00:20:44.54\00:20:48.18
This is back in
the Old Testament
00:20:48.18\00:20:50.75
that the elders are
referenced even back
00:20:50.75\00:20:54.02
before the
resurrection of Jesus.
00:20:54.02\00:20:56.38
Isaiah 24:23 says,
00:20:56.38\00:20:58.15
"The Lord of hosts will reign,"
00:20:58.15\00:20:59.59
and it says,
00:20:59.59\00:21:00.69
"before his elders, gloriously."
00:21:00.69\00:21:03.89
So it's interesting to note
00:21:03.89\00:21:04.96
that we have a
reference to the elders
00:21:04.96\00:21:06.29
all the way back in Isaiah 24,
00:21:06.29\00:21:08.93
which is an interesting thought.
00:21:08.93\00:21:10.30
"The Lord will
reign in Mount Zion,
00:21:10.30\00:21:11.97
Jerusalem before
his elders, gloriously."
00:21:11.97\00:21:14.14
So the suggestion
is that these 24 elders
00:21:14.14\00:21:17.27
would represent
those unfallen worlds
00:21:17.27\00:21:20.78
and they are there in heaven
waiting for Jesus to ascend.
00:21:20.78\00:21:24.38
Here is a statement
that you find in the book,
00:21:24.38\00:21:25.98
Desire of Ages.
00:21:25.98\00:21:27.75
In Desire of Ages, this
chapter in particular page 831
00:21:27.75\00:21:32.19
is a parallel of
Revelation Chapter 4 and 5.
00:21:32.19\00:21:37.33
And you'll notice
00:21:37.33\00:21:38.33
number of language and
symbols in Desire of Ages
00:21:38.33\00:21:42.46
that you also
find in Revelation 4.
00:21:42.46\00:21:44.20
I'm just going to
read you a paragraph.
00:21:44.20\00:21:45.50
It says, "As he
ascended," speaking of Jesus,
00:21:45.50\00:21:48.44
"He led the way,
00:21:48.44\00:21:50.44
and the multitude
of captives set free
00:21:50.44\00:21:53.01
at His resurrection followed."
00:21:53.01\00:21:55.61
Well, it's just the
verse we read in Ephesians.
00:21:55.61\00:21:58.08
Then she describes
what's happening in heaven.
00:21:58.08\00:22:01.58
She says, "There is the throne,
00:22:01.58\00:22:03.92
and around it the
rainbow of promise."
00:22:03.92\00:22:06.86
We just read that in
Revelation Chapter 4.
00:22:06.86\00:22:09.36
"There are the
cherubim and the seraphim."
00:22:09.36\00:22:11.29
Those are the
four living creatures,
00:22:11.29\00:22:12.66
we haven't gotten to that yet.
00:22:12.66\00:22:14.10
"The commanders of
the heavenly host,"
00:22:14.10\00:22:16.16
then she says, "the sons of God,
00:22:16.16\00:22:18.90
the representatives
of the unfallen worlds,
00:22:18.90\00:22:22.24
they are assembled."
00:22:22.24\00:22:23.81
So if you follow the order
that we have in Revelation 4,
00:22:23.81\00:22:26.47
God the Father
seated upon the throne,
00:22:26.47\00:22:28.38
the rainbow about the
throne, then the 24 elders,
00:22:28.38\00:22:31.41
she does not use
the word 24 elders
00:22:31.41\00:22:34.15
but she uses the phrase,
00:22:34.15\00:22:35.55
the representatives
of the unfallen worlds,
00:22:35.55\00:22:38.59
they're all there
waiting for Jesus as Christ
00:22:38.59\00:22:42.02
is ascending from the
earth after His resurrection.
00:22:42.02\00:22:45.96
Then she goes
on to say something
00:22:45.96\00:22:47.23
about the sons of God.
00:22:47.23\00:22:48.63
She says, "The
heavenly council before whom
00:22:48.63\00:22:51.57
Lucifer had
accused God and His Son,
00:22:51.57\00:22:54.30
the representatives
of those sinless realms
00:22:54.30\00:22:56.71
over which Satan had thought
to establish his dominion,
00:22:56.71\00:22:59.34
all are there to
welcome the Redeemer."
00:22:59.34\00:23:02.18
So if you put Desire of Ages
along with Revelation Chapter 4
00:23:02.18\00:23:05.15
and what we've seen
elsewhere in the Bible,
00:23:05.15\00:23:06.95
it would indicate
that these 24 elders,
00:23:06.95\00:23:09.18
they are there in heaven
00:23:09.18\00:23:10.22
waiting for Jesus as He ascends,
00:23:10.22\00:23:12.72
those who were resurrected
00:23:12.72\00:23:14.02
at the time of
Christ's resurrection,
00:23:14.02\00:23:15.59
they are following on behind
and Jesus is coming to heaven.
00:23:15.59\00:23:21.06
Now the 24 elders,
00:23:21.06\00:23:22.46
the representatives
of these unfallen worlds,
00:23:22.46\00:23:25.00
the last part of verse 4 says
they are clothed with white,
00:23:25.00\00:23:28.27
they have crowns
upon their heads,
00:23:28.27\00:23:30.04
it's a symbol of
royalty and kingship.
00:23:30.04\00:23:31.91
They are the representatives
of these unfallen worlds.
00:23:31.91\00:23:34.44
Now, of course,
white represents purity,
00:23:34.44\00:23:36.34
they have never sinned.
00:23:36.34\00:23:37.95
Moving on then with
verse 5, "And from the throne,
00:23:37.95\00:23:41.65
they proceeded lightnings,
and thunderings, and voices."
00:23:41.65\00:23:44.62
And the next part
of the verse says,
00:23:44.62\00:23:46.22
"Seven lamps of fire
were burning," where?
00:23:46.22\00:23:51.53
It says in the
temple, but where?
00:23:51.53\00:23:53.19
"Before the throne,
00:23:53.19\00:23:54.83
which are the
seven spirits of God."
00:23:54.83\00:23:57.83
So if you can picture God
00:23:57.83\00:23:58.97
the Father
seated upon the throne
00:23:58.97\00:24:00.47
with the rainbow, the 24 elders,
00:24:00.47\00:24:02.04
what's right in
front of the throne
00:24:02.04\00:24:03.67
according to verse 5?
00:24:03.67\00:24:05.17
Seven burning lamps of fire.
00:24:05.17\00:24:07.71
Well, where do you find
seven burning lamps of fire
00:24:07.71\00:24:10.28
in the earthly sanctuary,
00:24:10.28\00:24:11.51
in the holy or
the most holy place?
00:24:11.51\00:24:13.98
In the first
compartment, the holy place.
00:24:13.98\00:24:16.69
So where is God the
Father being described here
00:24:16.69\00:24:19.55
in Revelation Chapter 4?
00:24:19.55\00:24:21.26
He is in the first compartment.
00:24:21.26\00:24:23.26
And what article of
furniture is right across
00:24:23.26\00:24:26.66
from the seven
branched candlestick?
00:24:26.66\00:24:29.26
The table of showbread.
00:24:29.26\00:24:30.93
Thus the table of
showbread in its context
00:24:30.93\00:24:33.74
would represent God's
throne in this scenario.
00:24:33.74\00:24:37.61
God the Father
seated upon His throne
00:24:37.61\00:24:39.71
in the first compartment.
00:24:39.71\00:24:41.14
It's interesting in Chapter 4,
00:24:41.14\00:24:42.51
you have a reference
00:24:42.51\00:24:43.88
to the seven
burning lamps of fire,
00:24:43.88\00:24:45.48
you also have a reference
to the altar of incense,
00:24:45.48\00:24:49.28
but it doesn't say anything
about the table of showbread
00:24:49.28\00:24:52.02
because here it calls the
table of showbread in essence,
00:24:52.02\00:24:54.39
God's throne, you're
seated upon His throne
00:24:54.39\00:24:56.69
before Him are the
seven burning lamps of fire.
00:24:56.69\00:24:59.29
Now it says these
seven burning lamps of fire
00:24:59.29\00:25:01.56
are the seven spirits of God.
00:25:01.56\00:25:04.60
You might wonder, wait a minute,
00:25:04.60\00:25:05.80
isn't there
just one Holy Spirit?
00:25:05.80\00:25:08.07
Oh, yes, there is.
00:25:08.07\00:25:09.17
Remember, numbers in Revelation
00:25:09.17\00:25:11.01
are very significant
and they are symbolic.
00:25:11.01\00:25:13.38
What are the seven
spirits of God represent?
00:25:13.38\00:25:15.44
There are seven
attributes of the Holy Spirit
00:25:15.44\00:25:18.68
that we find
described in the Bible.
00:25:18.68\00:25:20.48
And here they are.
00:25:20.48\00:25:21.58
Isaiah 11:2 says,
and you can count them,
00:25:21.58\00:25:26.05
"The Spirit of
the Lord," that's one,
00:25:26.05\00:25:28.36
"shall rest upon
Him," speaking of Jesus,
00:25:28.36\00:25:31.19
"the Spirit of wisdom,
the Spirit of understanding,
00:25:31.19\00:25:34.00
the Spirit of
counsel, the Spirit of might,
00:25:34.00\00:25:36.43
the Spirit of knowledge,
00:25:36.43\00:25:37.90
and the Spirit of
the fear of the Lord."
00:25:37.90\00:25:40.07
Seven attributes
of the Holy Spirit
00:25:40.07\00:25:42.80
described as the
seven burning lamps of fire
00:25:42.80\00:25:45.87
there before the throne.
00:25:45.87\00:25:47.68
All right, verse 6.
00:25:47.68\00:25:48.94
It says, "Before the
throne there was a sea of glass,
00:25:48.94\00:25:51.61
like crystal."
00:25:51.61\00:25:52.61
Glass back in Bible
times is much more valuable
00:25:52.61\00:25:55.52
than it is today.
00:25:55.52\00:25:56.95
The shimmering
expanse before the throne
00:25:56.95\00:25:59.95
is described as a sea of glass.
00:25:59.95\00:26:02.29
And by the way, the
redeemed in Revelation 15
00:26:02.29\00:26:04.93
are described as standing upon
the sea of glass before God,
00:26:04.93\00:26:08.96
singing song of
Moses and the lamb.
00:26:08.96\00:26:12.40
It says, "In the
midst of the throne,
00:26:12.40\00:26:13.54
and round about the throne,
00:26:13.54\00:26:14.64
there were these
four living creatures
00:26:14.64\00:26:17.27
that were full of eyes in
the front and in the back."
00:26:17.27\00:26:20.81
Now what are these
four living creatures?
00:26:20.81\00:26:23.95
Well, Revelation 4:7 says
the first was like unto a lion.
00:26:23.95\00:26:30.35
Now when you look at the faces
of the four living creatures,
00:26:30.35\00:26:33.22
the lion, the ox, the
man, the flying eagle,
00:26:33.22\00:26:36.89
they parallel or they
describe, you might say,
00:26:36.89\00:26:39.86
four phases of
Christ's ministry.
00:26:39.86\00:26:42.73
A lion in Bible prophecy
00:26:42.73\00:26:44.30
is often
associated with royalty,
00:26:44.30\00:26:46.13
and kingship, and power.
00:26:46.13\00:26:47.80
Before Jesus came to this earth,
00:26:47.80\00:26:50.27
He was the king of the universe,
00:26:50.27\00:26:52.54
He gave back the
scepter of the universe
00:26:52.54\00:26:54.58
into His Father's hand,
and He came to this earth,
00:26:54.58\00:26:58.11
so the lion can represent Christ
00:26:58.11\00:27:00.18
prior to the incarnation.
00:27:00.18\00:27:02.05
When Jesus came to this earth,
00:27:02.05\00:27:03.82
He came to bear our
burdens to die in our place.
00:27:03.82\00:27:08.12
The second living creature
has a face like unto an ox
00:27:08.12\00:27:10.96
or a calf.
00:27:10.96\00:27:12.16
An ox was a sacrificial animal.
00:27:12.16\00:27:14.66
It was also a
burden bearing animal.
00:27:14.66\00:27:17.83
And with reference specifically
to Jesus, we read in Isaiah 53,
00:27:17.83\00:27:23.17
"Surely He has borne our
griefs and carried our sorrows.
00:27:23.17\00:27:29.04
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
00:27:29.04\00:27:32.75
But He was wounded
for our transgressions,
00:27:32.75\00:27:35.48
He was bruised
for our iniquities.
00:27:35.48\00:27:37.95
The chastisement of
our peace was upon Him,
00:27:37.95\00:27:40.59
and by His
stripes we are healed."
00:27:40.59\00:27:43.39
So Jesus came
00:27:43.39\00:27:44.46
not as a conquering
King the first time,
00:27:44.46\00:27:47.03
but He came to bear our burdens,
00:27:47.03\00:27:49.53
to die in our
places and sacrifices Him.
00:27:49.53\00:27:52.17
That's symbolized
by the ox or the calf,
00:27:52.17\00:27:55.14
which is the face
of the second creature.
00:27:55.14\00:27:57.77
And then verse 7 tells
us the third living creature
00:27:57.77\00:28:00.88
has a face like unto a man.
00:28:00.88\00:28:03.28
Well, after Jesus rose
from the dead in 31 AD,
00:28:03.28\00:28:06.18
He ascended to heaven
00:28:06.18\00:28:07.55
and that's really
what Revelation 4 and 5
00:28:07.55\00:28:09.28
is all about.
00:28:09.28\00:28:10.45
And Jesus in
heaven is ministering
00:28:10.45\00:28:12.35
as our high priest.
00:28:12.35\00:28:14.06
He's described as
our older brother,
00:28:14.06\00:28:16.42
He understands, knows
what it's like to be human
00:28:16.42\00:28:19.96
because He was here,
He lived on the earth,
00:28:19.96\00:28:22.86
He went through the experiences
that we must go through.
00:28:22.86\00:28:26.03
Hebrews tells us,
then in Hebrews 4:14,
00:28:26.03\00:28:30.17
"Seeing then that we
have a great High Priest
00:28:30.17\00:28:32.61
who has passed
through the heavens,
00:28:32.61\00:28:34.04
Jesus the Son of God,
00:28:34.04\00:28:35.78
let us hold fast our confession.
00:28:35.78\00:28:38.38
For we do not have a High Priest
00:28:38.38\00:28:41.48
who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses,
00:28:41.48\00:28:44.79
but was in all points tempted
as we are, yet without sin.
00:28:44.79\00:28:48.96
Let us therefore come
boldly to the throne of grace
00:28:48.96\00:28:51.69
that we may obtain mercy
00:28:51.69\00:28:52.96
and find grace to help
us in our time of need."
00:28:52.96\00:28:55.93
So there is Jesus in heaven,
He is still our older brother.
00:28:55.93\00:29:00.74
Humanity glorified and
folded in the bosom of God.
00:29:00.74\00:29:04.97
Jesus represents
us before the Father.
00:29:04.97\00:29:07.81
Thus the third living creature
00:29:07.81\00:29:09.58
is described as
having the face of a man.
00:29:09.58\00:29:12.85
The fourth living
creature in Revelation 4:7.
00:29:12.85\00:29:15.95
It said to have the
face of a flying eagle.
00:29:15.95\00:29:19.05
A flying eagle in the Bible
00:29:19.05\00:29:20.49
is often
associated with conquest,
00:29:20.49\00:29:22.82
and victory, and judgment.
00:29:22.82\00:29:25.73
There are several
references to this.
00:29:25.73\00:29:27.30
Isaiah 40:31 talks about
00:29:27.30\00:29:29.80
the deliverance of God's people,
00:29:29.80\00:29:31.87
and says, "They shall mount
up with the wings of eagles."
00:29:31.87\00:29:35.30
And in Jeremiah 49:22, it says,
00:29:35.30\00:29:39.24
"Behold, He shall come
upon you like a flying eagle."
00:29:39.24\00:29:42.68
Speaking about judgment
that comes upon the wicked.
00:29:42.68\00:29:46.01
So there's
fourth living creature
00:29:46.01\00:29:47.42
that has a face
like unto an eagle
00:29:47.42\00:29:48.98
can represent
Jesus when He comes back
00:29:48.98\00:29:51.69
as King of kings
and Lord of lords
00:29:51.69\00:29:55.06
to execute
judgment upon the wicked.
00:29:55.06\00:29:57.36
So in the four living creatures,
00:29:57.36\00:29:58.69
we can in essence see
00:29:58.69\00:29:59.76
four phases of Christ's ministry
00:29:59.76\00:30:02.73
and His plan of
redemption for our salvation.
00:30:02.73\00:30:05.83
Now verse 8
says, Revelation 4:8,
00:30:05.83\00:30:08.57
"The four living
creatures, each had six wings,
00:30:08.57\00:30:11.34
there were full of
eyes all around..."
00:30:11.34\00:30:13.04
Eyes in Bible prophecy
00:30:13.04\00:30:14.38
represent
intelligence and wisdom.
00:30:14.38\00:30:16.54
These four living creatures
00:30:16.54\00:30:17.81
are aware of what's
happening on the earth,
00:30:17.81\00:30:19.55
they're aware of
what God is doing
00:30:19.55\00:30:21.05
in man's salvation.
00:30:21.05\00:30:22.78
One of the interesting thought
00:30:22.78\00:30:25.25
about these
four living creatures
00:30:25.25\00:30:26.96
that are
surrounding God's throne.
00:30:26.96\00:30:29.46
The first is a face like a lion,
00:30:29.46\00:30:31.46
and then you have
the calf or an ox,
00:30:31.46\00:30:33.63
then you have a man,
then you have an eagle.
00:30:33.63\00:30:35.76
God gave strict
instructions to Moses,
00:30:35.76\00:30:38.33
you read about this
in Numbers Chapter 2
00:30:38.33\00:30:40.40
as to how the camp
of Israel was to pitch.
00:30:40.40\00:30:44.24
There were the
12 tribes of Israel
00:30:44.24\00:30:46.01
and then the tribe of Levi.
00:30:46.01\00:30:48.01
The sanctuary was to be
in the center of the camp,
00:30:48.01\00:30:51.65
the Levites, they
were to pitch their camp
00:30:51.65\00:30:54.28
or their tents
around the sanctuary.
00:30:54.28\00:30:56.69
And then, there
were the 12 tribes
00:30:56.69\00:30:59.19
each divided up
three on each side,
00:30:59.19\00:31:01.66
so three to the east, the south,
00:31:01.66\00:31:03.53
the west, and the north.
00:31:03.53\00:31:05.83
Of the three tribes on
each side of the sanctuary,
00:31:05.83\00:31:09.36
there was a leading tribe,
the main tribe of those three.
00:31:09.36\00:31:13.67
Each of the tribes
would have pitched their camp
00:31:13.67\00:31:16.27
with the emblem or the sign
facing towards the sanctuary.
00:31:16.27\00:31:21.21
Now it's very
interesting to note
00:31:21.21\00:31:22.68
that the first
tribe that pitch tent
00:31:22.68\00:31:25.01
on the eastern
side of the sanctuary,
00:31:25.01\00:31:27.35
the leading tribe
was the tribe of Judah.
00:31:27.35\00:31:30.32
What do you
suppose was the emblem
00:31:30.32\00:31:32.52
that was facing
towards the sanctuary
00:31:32.52\00:31:35.06
representing the tribe of Judah?
00:31:35.06\00:31:37.63
What was the first face on...
00:31:37.63\00:31:40.26
The first living creature
00:31:40.26\00:31:41.40
described in
Revelation Chapter 4?
00:31:41.40\00:31:43.60
A lion. Interesting.
00:31:43.60\00:31:46.17
The leading tribe on the
south that pitched their camp
00:31:46.17\00:31:49.87
and the emblem
facing towards the sanctuary
00:31:49.87\00:31:53.04
was the tribe of Reuben.
00:31:53.04\00:31:55.74
What do you suppose
00:31:55.74\00:31:56.78
was the symbol of
the tribe of Reuben?
00:31:56.78\00:31:59.05
An ox or a calf, the
second living creature.
00:31:59.05\00:32:03.52
And then if you
go to the other side,
00:32:03.52\00:32:05.15
which would be the
west side of the sanctuary,
00:32:05.15\00:32:07.46
the leading tribe
there was Ephraim.
00:32:07.46\00:32:10.59
And what do you suppose
was the emblem of Ephraim?
00:32:10.59\00:32:13.90
A man.
00:32:13.90\00:32:15.36
And to the
north, the leading tribe
00:32:15.36\00:32:17.47
there was the tribe of Dan,
and what was on their emblem?
00:32:17.47\00:32:21.54
An eagle.
00:32:21.54\00:32:22.57
Isn't it interesting
that looking down from heaven,
00:32:22.57\00:32:25.64
you see the sanctuary,
00:32:25.64\00:32:27.24
God's Shekinah Glory
in the most holy place
00:32:27.24\00:32:29.84
a symbol of His throne
and surrounding the camp,
00:32:29.84\00:32:32.88
you got the sign of the lion,
the calf, the man, the eagle,
00:32:32.88\00:32:38.25
almost a parallel or a miniature
00:32:38.25\00:32:40.99
of what's been described
in Revelation Chapter 4,
00:32:40.99\00:32:43.69
God's heavenly throne room.
00:32:43.69\00:32:45.46
Very interesting.
00:32:45.46\00:32:46.56
By the way, if you want
all the references for that,
00:32:46.56\00:32:47.96
you can look in
Numbers 2:3, 10, 18, 25.
00:32:47.96\00:32:54.37
We'll give you which
camp was to pitch camp where,
00:32:54.37\00:32:58.24
and how it related to
the sanctuary in the middle.
00:32:58.24\00:33:02.11
The last part of verse 8 says,
00:33:02.11\00:33:03.68
"And they did not
rest day or night,
00:33:03.68\00:33:05.31
saying, 'Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God Almighty,
00:33:05.31\00:33:08.68
who is, who was,
and who is to come!' "
00:33:08.68\00:33:10.79
How many times the four
living creatures say holy?
00:33:10.79\00:33:13.79
Three.
00:33:13.79\00:33:14.86
One for the
Father, one for the Son,
00:33:14.86\00:33:16.52
one for the Holy Spirit.
00:33:16.52\00:33:18.79
All right, because
God created all things.
00:33:18.79\00:33:20.46
Verse 9, "Whenever
the four living creatures
00:33:20.46\00:33:22.83
give glory and
honor and thanks to Him
00:33:22.83\00:33:24.50
who sits upon the throne,
who lives forever and ever..."
00:33:24.50\00:33:26.67
So now as the
four living creatures
00:33:26.67\00:33:28.67
begin to praise God.
00:33:28.67\00:33:30.64
Then it says in verse 10,
00:33:30.64\00:33:31.91
"The twenty-four
elders fall down before Him
00:33:31.91\00:33:34.58
who sits upon the
throne and they worship as well
00:33:34.58\00:33:37.75
He who lives forever and ever,
00:33:37.75\00:33:39.15
and they cast their crowns
before the throne, saying..."
00:33:39.15\00:33:42.55
We're going to
see what they say here
00:33:42.55\00:33:43.72
in just a minute,
00:33:43.72\00:33:44.89
but here you have a picture
of the four living creatures
00:33:44.89\00:33:46.96
as they witness
God's dealing with mankind,
00:33:46.96\00:33:49.06
they begin to
worship the Father.
00:33:49.06\00:33:50.93
In response, the 24
elders, they bow down,
00:33:50.93\00:33:53.70
they also begin to worship.
00:33:53.70\00:33:55.46
Verse 11 says, "For
You are worthy, O Lord,
00:33:55.46\00:33:57.97
to receive glory
and honor and power,
00:33:57.97\00:34:00.94
for You have
created all things."
00:34:00.94\00:34:04.17
God is worthy to be worshipped
because He is the Creator.
00:34:04.17\00:34:08.08
He has made all things.
00:34:08.08\00:34:10.25
The first angel's message
says, "Fear God, give Him glory,
00:34:10.25\00:34:14.35
worship Him
00:34:14.35\00:34:15.82
who made the heavens,
the earth, and the sea,
00:34:15.82\00:34:17.65
and the fountains of water."
00:34:17.65\00:34:18.95
So we worship the Father
because He made all things.
00:34:18.95\00:34:22.89
Now did the Father
create all things by Himself
00:34:22.89\00:34:25.19
or did He work through His son?
00:34:25.19\00:34:27.20
He worked through His Son.
00:34:27.20\00:34:28.46
Jesus is worthy of worship.
00:34:28.46\00:34:31.03
Was the Holy Spirit
involved in creation as well?
00:34:31.03\00:34:33.97
Yes.
00:34:33.97\00:34:35.00
Genesis 1 says,
the Spirit of God
00:34:35.00\00:34:36.44
hovered upon the
face of the water.
00:34:36.44\00:34:38.31
So God is worthy of
worship just because He made us,
00:34:38.31\00:34:42.28
and then secondly
00:34:42.28\00:34:43.75
because He saved us
00:34:43.75\00:34:45.21
and we get to that
in Revelation Chapter 5.
00:34:45.21\00:34:47.85
So much here.
00:34:47.85\00:34:49.48
Okay, so God is
worthy of worship
00:34:49.48\00:34:51.15
because He made all things.
00:34:51.15\00:34:52.62
Now, there is
something I want you to notice.
00:34:52.62\00:34:54.32
If you have your Bibles,
00:34:54.32\00:34:55.39
we're going to go
on now in Chapter 5
00:34:55.39\00:34:57.19
in our last little
bit that we have left,
00:34:57.19\00:34:58.59
but there is
something interesting to note.
00:34:58.59\00:35:00.83
Look in Revelation
Chapter 1 and look at verse 4.
00:35:00.83\00:35:04.60
Revelation 1:4.
00:35:04.60\00:35:07.14
We're going to
look at verse 4 and 5.
00:35:07.14\00:35:09.77
Verse 4 and 5 of
Revelation Chapter 1
00:35:09.77\00:35:13.27
introduces the
Godhead in the same format
00:35:13.27\00:35:16.98
that we find in
Revelation 4 and 5.
00:35:16.98\00:35:20.85
Revelation 1:4 and 5
00:35:20.85\00:35:23.42
introduces the
Godhead in the same order
00:35:23.42\00:35:25.95
as we find in
Revelation 4 and 5.
00:35:25.95\00:35:28.09
I just found this last night.
00:35:28.09\00:35:29.49
I was really excited about it,
00:35:29.49\00:35:30.59
so I'm still
pretty excited about this.
00:35:30.59\00:35:32.09
But notice, if you
look in Revelation 1:4,
00:35:32.09\00:35:35.73
it says, "John,
to the seven churches
00:35:35.73\00:35:37.37
which are in Asia,
00:35:37.37\00:35:38.43
grace to you and
peace from Him who is,
00:35:38.43\00:35:40.90
who was and who is to come..."
00:35:40.90\00:35:42.94
Now who is that?
00:35:42.94\00:35:45.47
The one who is, who
was, and who is to come?
00:35:45.47\00:35:48.41
Well, it's a
name used for Jesus,
00:35:48.41\00:35:51.11
but it's also name
used for God the Father.
00:35:51.11\00:35:53.88
Jesus is eternal,
the Father is eternal.
00:35:53.88\00:35:57.89
Now we know
specifically in verse 4
00:35:57.89\00:36:00.89
of Revelation Chapter 1,
00:36:00.89\00:36:02.22
this is a
reference of God the Father
00:36:02.22\00:36:04.13
because you'll see in
verse 5, it talks about Jesus.
00:36:04.13\00:36:07.73
So in verse 4 of Revelation
Chapter 1, the greeting,
00:36:07.73\00:36:11.77
the focus is on God the Father,
00:36:11.77\00:36:13.94
that's the first
part of the verse,
00:36:13.94\00:36:15.54
grace to You, and peace
from Him who is, who was,
00:36:15.54\00:36:17.91
and who is to
come, that's the Father,
00:36:17.91\00:36:20.08
and from the seven spirits
00:36:20.08\00:36:21.98
which are before
His throne, who's that?
00:36:21.98\00:36:24.01
Who's the seven
spirits before His throne?
00:36:24.01\00:36:26.41
That's the Holy Spirit.
00:36:26.41\00:36:27.48
Remember the
number seven symbolic
00:36:27.48\00:36:28.95
represents
perfection and completion.
00:36:28.95\00:36:30.95
So what's brought to view
in verse 4 is God the Father,
00:36:30.95\00:36:35.26
and the Holy Spirit,
00:36:35.26\00:36:37.29
but Jesus is not
referenced in verse 4.
00:36:37.29\00:36:40.80
But when you get to verse 5,
00:36:40.80\00:36:42.06
we're still in
Revelation Chapter 1,
00:36:42.06\00:36:43.83
verse 5 says,
"And from Jesus Christ,
00:36:43.83\00:36:47.74
who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead,
00:36:47.74\00:36:51.44
the ruler over the
kings of the earth.
00:36:51.44\00:36:53.14
To Him who loved us
00:36:53.14\00:36:54.74
and washed us from our
sins in His own blood."
00:36:54.74\00:36:57.78
Jesus is introduced in verse 5
00:36:57.78\00:36:59.78
and what attributes of
Jesus are highlighted the fact
00:36:59.78\00:37:03.02
that He washed us from
our sins in His own blood,
00:37:03.02\00:37:06.62
Jesus, His atoning
sacrifice is highlighted.
00:37:06.62\00:37:09.96
Now typically in the Bible,
when you read about the Father,
00:37:09.96\00:37:13.16
the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
it's usually in that order.
00:37:13.16\00:37:15.93
First the Father, then
the Son, then the Holy Spirit,
00:37:15.93\00:37:18.53
go baptize in the
name of the Father,
00:37:18.53\00:37:20.44
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
00:37:20.44\00:37:22.27
But in Revelation 1:4 and 5,
00:37:22.27\00:37:24.77
it is the
Father, we skip the Son,
00:37:24.77\00:37:27.48
we go to the Spirit
00:37:27.48\00:37:28.68
and then we come back
to talk about the Son.
00:37:28.68\00:37:31.18
When you get to
Revelation Chapter 4,
00:37:31.18\00:37:33.48
the focus in
Revelation Chapter 4
00:37:33.48\00:37:34.98
is God the Father
seated upon His throne,
00:37:34.98\00:37:37.52
you got the seven
burning lamps of fire
00:37:37.52\00:37:39.65
before the throne,
but Jesus is not there.
00:37:39.65\00:37:43.12
But now when you
get to Chapter 5,
00:37:43.12\00:37:45.63
suddenly the focus is on Jesus.
00:37:45.63\00:37:47.60
You notice the parallel,
00:37:47.60\00:37:48.90
and it's unique
just to this situation
00:37:48.90\00:37:50.87
in the Book of Revelation.
00:37:50.87\00:37:52.00
Usually, whenever
the Godhead is spoken of,
00:37:52.00\00:37:54.07
it's the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit,
00:37:54.07\00:37:55.67
but purposely
it's changed around
00:37:55.67\00:37:57.97
just a little bit
00:37:57.97\00:37:59.11
to highlight the importance
of the sacrifice of Jesus,
00:37:59.11\00:38:03.78
and the Lamb
00:38:03.78\00:38:05.31
amongst all of these
various powers of end time,
00:38:05.31\00:38:08.95
how did the Lamb rules
00:38:08.95\00:38:10.25
and He's supreme
and will overcome.
00:38:10.25\00:38:12.09
Okay. Well,
that's just a side note.
00:38:12.09\00:38:13.62
Let's take a look
in Revelation 5:1,
00:38:13.62\00:38:16.59
we're going to have to move
through this fairly quickly.
00:38:16.59\00:38:19.33
"And I saw in
the right hand of Him
00:38:19.33\00:38:20.70
who sat upon the throne
00:38:20.70\00:38:22.43
a scroll written
within and on the back,
00:38:22.43\00:38:24.87
sealed with seven seals."
00:38:24.87\00:38:26.37
Who is the one
seated upon the throne
00:38:26.37\00:38:28.90
according to Revelation 4?
00:38:28.90\00:38:31.07
God the Father.
00:38:31.07\00:38:32.37
So God the Father has
something in His hand.
00:38:32.37\00:38:35.58
By the way, which
hand? The right hand.
00:38:35.58\00:38:39.38
What does the
right hand represent?
00:38:39.38\00:38:41.58
Power, deliverance, strength,
00:38:41.58\00:38:44.95
that's what the
right hand means.
00:38:44.95\00:38:46.82
Also, standing on the right side
00:38:46.82\00:38:49.32
represents favor or approval.
00:38:49.32\00:38:52.46
So God the Father is seen
00:38:52.46\00:38:53.73
holding something
in his right hand,
00:38:53.73\00:38:56.20
it is a scroll.
00:38:56.20\00:38:57.40
Now back in Bible times,
00:38:57.40\00:38:58.57
a papyrus scroll typically
was 30 feet in length roughly.
00:38:58.57\00:39:03.04
And they scribed it right
on the inside of the scroll.
00:39:03.04\00:39:05.44
And when he was
done, he'd roll it up,
00:39:05.44\00:39:07.31
often put a seal upon it
if it was something special
00:39:07.31\00:39:10.11
that only one person
or a particular person
00:39:10.11\00:39:12.58
had the authority to open.
00:39:12.58\00:39:14.28
Sometimes, if the
scribe was writing
00:39:14.28\00:39:16.28
and additional
information was given,
00:39:16.28\00:39:18.45
and he ran out of room
on the inside of the scroll,
00:39:18.45\00:39:20.79
he would turn it over
00:39:20.79\00:39:21.82
and he started riding
on the back of the scroll.
00:39:21.82\00:39:23.86
In this case, the scroll
in the hand of the Father
00:39:23.86\00:39:26.63
sealed with seven seals
00:39:26.63\00:39:28.26
is written on the
inside and on the back.
00:39:28.26\00:39:31.10
But nobody can open the scroll,
it's sealed with seven seals.
00:39:31.10\00:39:35.17
Then it goes on.
00:39:35.17\00:39:37.24
Now before I get to all of that,
00:39:37.24\00:39:38.74
so much talk about here.
00:39:38.74\00:39:39.84
How many books of record
00:39:39.84\00:39:42.44
do we know
about exist in heaven?
00:39:42.44\00:39:45.08
Or here's a verse
in Luke 10:19 and 20,
00:39:45.08\00:39:48.22
Jesus said to His
disciples, do not rejoice,
00:39:48.22\00:39:51.45
and I'm paraphrasing
00:39:51.45\00:39:52.49
that you don't have
power over the unclean spirits.
00:39:52.49\00:39:55.16
But now quoting, "Nevertheless
do not rejoice over this,
00:39:55.16\00:39:58.09
that the spirits
are subject to you,
00:39:58.09\00:40:00.00
but rather rejoice..."
00:40:00.00\00:40:01.96
What are they to rejoice about?
00:40:01.96\00:40:04.03
"That your names
are written," where?
00:40:04.03\00:40:07.14
"That your names
are written in heaven."
00:40:07.14\00:40:09.34
So there is a
book that has the names
00:40:09.34\00:40:12.44
of those who
believe in God in heaven.
00:40:12.44\00:40:15.51
We're going to find out what
that book is in just a minute.
00:40:15.51\00:40:17.85
But in addition to this book,
00:40:17.85\00:40:19.05
there is another book
00:40:19.05\00:40:20.92
that also has the
names or at least the deeds
00:40:20.92\00:40:25.45
of those who have
rebelled against God.
00:40:25.45\00:40:28.99
Sometimes, it's
called the book of sin
00:40:28.99\00:40:30.79
or the book of inequity.
00:40:30.79\00:40:32.19
You don't want to be
in the book of inequity.
00:40:32.19\00:40:35.63
Then there's a third book
that you want to be a part of,
00:40:35.63\00:40:38.17
it's called the
book of remembrance.
00:40:38.17\00:40:40.44
And those are the good
deeds that have been done,
00:40:40.44\00:40:42.67
the acts of mercy
that have been shown.
00:40:42.67\00:40:44.57
Revelation 22 says
00:40:44.57\00:40:45.87
that everyone gets rewarded
according to their deeds.
00:40:45.87\00:40:49.24
So even though the righteous
are going to be in heaven
00:40:49.24\00:40:51.11
because their names have
been in the Lamb's book of life,
00:40:51.11\00:40:53.05
they're still rewarded
00:40:53.05\00:40:54.22
based upon what is recorded
in the book of remembrance,
00:40:54.22\00:40:57.82
kind of interesting.
00:40:57.82\00:40:59.32
So at least we have those books
00:40:59.32\00:41:00.86
that we know of
spoken of in the Bible.
00:41:00.86\00:41:03.39
And these books are
involved in judgment.
00:41:03.39\00:41:07.00
All right, well,
let's keep going,
00:41:07.00\00:41:09.50
Revelation way to be finish up.
00:41:09.50\00:41:11.90
Revelation Chapter 5
and that was verse...
00:41:11.90\00:41:14.80
Was that verse 2?
00:41:19.41\00:41:21.28
"Then a strong angel..."
Let's start in verse 2.
00:41:21.28\00:41:23.14
It says, "Then a strong angel
proclaimed with a loud voice,
00:41:23.14\00:41:26.05
'Who is worthy
to open the scroll
00:41:26.05\00:41:28.48
and to loose its
seals there off?'"
00:41:28.48\00:41:31.45
Verse 3 says, "No one in heaven,
00:41:31.45\00:41:35.72
no one on the
earth or under the earth
00:41:35.72\00:41:38.13
was able to open the
scroll to look at it."
00:41:38.13\00:41:39.93
Meaning, to read it.
00:41:39.93\00:41:41.50
Now you might
think that's interesting.
00:41:41.50\00:41:42.80
Aren't there angels in
heaven that excel in strength?
00:41:42.80\00:41:47.17
But they
couldn't open the seals.
00:41:47.17\00:41:49.60
Where was the scroll?
00:41:49.60\00:41:51.81
Who was holding the scroll?
00:41:51.81\00:41:54.51
Would you think God the
Father could open the scroll?
00:41:54.51\00:41:58.18
But it says no one in heaven
00:41:58.18\00:42:01.05
or on the earth
or under the earth
00:42:01.05\00:42:02.55
was found worthy
to open the scroll.
00:42:02.55\00:42:06.12
Opening the scroll
00:42:06.12\00:42:07.32
is not because of
the lack of strength
00:42:07.32\00:42:10.23
or position,
00:42:10.23\00:42:12.03
but rather it has
to do with something
00:42:12.03\00:42:13.90
that someone does
00:42:13.90\00:42:15.70
that gives them the
right to open the book.
00:42:15.70\00:42:19.50
And only one person has
the right to open the book.
00:42:19.50\00:42:23.37
And by the way, that
book gets named after Him.
00:42:23.37\00:42:26.84
We call it the
Lamb's book of life,
00:42:26.84\00:42:29.61
all right?
00:42:29.61\00:42:30.65
Now look at the
next one, verse 4.
00:42:30.65\00:42:32.98
It says, "And I wept much,
00:42:32.98\00:42:34.08
because no one was
found worthy to open
00:42:34.08\00:42:36.79
and to read the
scroll and to look upon it."
00:42:36.79\00:42:39.15
John realized something
very important about this book
00:42:39.15\00:42:41.76
that if no one is found
worthy to read the book,
00:42:41.76\00:42:44.76
it would have bad
results for people,
00:42:44.76\00:42:47.66
maybe didn't fully understand
the ramifications of that,
00:42:47.66\00:42:50.07
but He realized
somebody needs to open the book.
00:42:50.07\00:42:51.77
This is pretty important.
00:42:51.77\00:42:52.97
Verse 5 says,
00:42:52.97\00:42:54.00
"But one of the
elders said unto me,
00:42:54.00\00:42:55.20
'Do not weep.
00:42:55.20\00:42:56.40
Behold, the Lion
of the tribe of Judah,
00:42:56.40\00:42:59.87
the Root of David,
00:42:59.87\00:43:01.01
has prevailed to open the scroll
00:43:01.01\00:43:02.94
and to loose the
seven seals there off.'"
00:43:02.94\00:43:05.38
So who is worthy
to open the scroll?
00:43:05.38\00:43:07.28
Jesus is.
00:43:07.28\00:43:08.88
Now I want you to notice Jesus
00:43:08.88\00:43:10.29
described in verse 5
00:43:10.29\00:43:11.59
as the lion of
the tribe of Judah.
00:43:11.59\00:43:14.42
He has earned the
right to open the scroll.
00:43:14.42\00:43:17.73
Verse 6, "And I looked,
00:43:17.73\00:43:20.50
and behold, in the
midst of the throne
00:43:20.50\00:43:23.13
and of the four
living creatures,
00:43:23.13\00:43:24.93
and in the midst of the
elders, stood a Lamb..."
00:43:24.93\00:43:29.04
So John just hears
in vision, don't cry,
00:43:29.04\00:43:32.31
everything's going to be okay,
00:43:32.31\00:43:33.91
the lion has
prevailed to open the scroll.
00:43:33.91\00:43:36.71
And John turns to see
the lion and who does he see?
00:43:36.71\00:43:40.32
He sees the Lamb.
00:43:40.32\00:43:42.08
You see, when Jesus
was hanging upon the cross,
00:43:42.08\00:43:44.99
as the Lamb, He
was also the King.
00:43:44.99\00:43:48.49
And through His sacrifice,
through His death on Calvary
00:43:48.49\00:43:51.66
that He becomes
the King of kings
00:43:51.66\00:43:53.90
and Lord of lords,
00:43:53.90\00:43:54.93
and He is able to redeem
00:43:54.93\00:43:56.23
those who put
their faith in Him.
00:43:56.23\00:43:59.57
So Jesus is the Lamb
00:43:59.57\00:44:01.50
that is able to open the scroll.
00:44:01.50\00:44:03.27
Verse 6, "I looked, and behold,
00:44:03.27\00:44:04.61
in the midst of the throne and
of the four living creatures,
00:44:04.61\00:44:06.84
and in the midst of the elders,
00:44:06.84\00:44:07.91
stood a Lamb as
though it had been slain,
00:44:07.91\00:44:09.98
having seven
horns and seven eyes..."
00:44:09.98\00:44:12.35
Again, horns
represent rulership or kingship,
00:44:12.35\00:44:15.18
eyes represent the
seven spirits of God
00:44:15.18\00:44:17.92
or the seven
attributes of the Holy Spirit.
00:44:17.92\00:44:20.76
And then it says,
"Which of the seven spirits
00:44:20.76\00:44:22.89
went out into all the earth?"
00:44:22.89\00:44:23.93
Verse 7,
00:44:23.93\00:44:25.16
"Then He came
and took the scroll
00:44:25.16\00:44:27.50
out of the right hand of
Him that sat upon the throne."
00:44:27.50\00:44:29.73
This is Jesus now, 31
AD, He is ascended to heaven.
00:44:29.73\00:44:33.77
Jesus comes and takes the scroll
00:44:33.77\00:44:35.80
from His Father's hand,
00:44:35.80\00:44:37.37
and He begins to open the seals.
00:44:37.37\00:44:38.97
Now, by the way,
00:44:38.97\00:44:39.97
before we get into the
rest of the verse there,
00:44:39.97\00:44:41.38
what are the seals
represent in the scroll?
00:44:41.38\00:44:43.24
The scroll I believe is
the Lamb's book of life,
00:44:43.24\00:44:45.78
He's the only one
worthy to open the scroll.
00:44:45.78\00:44:47.92
The seals would
represent different events
00:44:47.92\00:44:50.02
that would occur
during the Christian era
00:44:50.02\00:44:52.62
that would
ultimately result in Jesus
00:44:52.62\00:44:55.39
being able to redeem
people from the earth.
00:44:55.39\00:44:58.09
By the way, the seventh seal
00:44:58.09\00:45:00.76
is silence in heaven
00:45:00.76\00:45:01.93
about the space of half an hour.
00:45:01.93\00:45:04.07
You read about in
Revelation Chapter 8
00:45:04.07\00:45:05.67
the first few verses.
00:45:05.67\00:45:07.44
Why is there silence in heaven
00:45:07.44\00:45:08.80
about the space of half an hour?
00:45:08.80\00:45:10.84
Because Jesus and all the angels
00:45:10.84\00:45:12.31
have come down to the earth
00:45:12.31\00:45:14.01
at the second coming
to gather His people.
00:45:14.01\00:45:17.31
So the opening of the
seals record different events
00:45:17.31\00:45:19.81
that lead right up to
the second coming of Jesus.
00:45:19.81\00:45:22.92
Well, if nobody is
worthy to open the seals,
00:45:22.92\00:45:26.09
well, what hope is there for us
00:45:26.09\00:45:28.62
if there's no second coming,
00:45:28.62\00:45:30.76
if there's no
resurrection from the dead.
00:45:30.76\00:45:32.96
No wonder, John weeps
00:45:32.96\00:45:34.73
'cause nobody's found
worthy to open the book.
00:45:34.73\00:45:36.90
And the elder
says, John, don't weep,
00:45:36.90\00:45:38.40
Jesus has prevailed,
00:45:38.40\00:45:39.90
He will open the book,
00:45:39.90\00:45:41.17
He will come, He will redeem us,
00:45:41.17\00:45:42.77
He'll come as the lion,
00:45:42.77\00:45:44.21
as King of kings
and Lord of lords.
00:45:44.21\00:45:46.91
So when Jesus steps forward
00:45:46.91\00:45:48.78
and takes the scroll
out of His Father's hand,
00:45:48.78\00:45:51.28
what happens next?
00:45:51.28\00:45:52.95
Look at verse 8.
00:45:52.95\00:45:55.45
"Now when He had
taken the scroll,
00:45:55.45\00:45:57.12
the four living creatures
and the twenty-four elders
00:45:57.12\00:45:59.45
fell down before the
Lamb, each having a harp,
00:45:59.45\00:46:02.46
and golden
bowls full of incense,
00:46:02.46\00:46:05.26
which are the
prayers of the saints."
00:46:05.26\00:46:07.66
Now, wait a minute,
00:46:07.66\00:46:08.93
where is the altar of incense
in the heavenly sanctuary,
00:46:08.93\00:46:12.07
in the first
compartment or the second?
00:46:12.07\00:46:14.54
First compartment.
00:46:14.54\00:46:15.74
You got the seven
branched candlesticks,
00:46:15.74\00:46:17.34
you got the altar of
incense, you got the 24 elders.
00:46:17.34\00:46:19.81
The events described
here in Chapter 4 and 5
00:46:19.81\00:46:22.08
are not taking place
in the most holy place.
00:46:22.08\00:46:24.41
That's not until
Revelation Chapter 11,
00:46:24.41\00:46:26.88
the sounding of
the seventh trumpet
00:46:26.88\00:46:29.38
that we have events
describing the most holy place.
00:46:29.38\00:46:31.89
This is all taking place
00:46:31.89\00:46:33.09
when Jesus ascended
to heaven the first time,
00:46:33.09\00:46:35.39
it's in the first compartment
of the heavenly sanctuary.
00:46:35.39\00:46:37.79
And what did they say?
00:46:37.79\00:46:38.86
Verse 9,
00:46:38.86\00:46:40.20
"They sang a new song,
00:46:40.20\00:46:41.96
'You are worthy
to take the scroll
00:46:41.96\00:46:43.80
to open its seals,
for You were slain,
00:46:43.80\00:46:46.37
and you have redeemed us to God
00:46:46.37\00:46:48.14
by Your blood
out of every tribe,
00:46:48.14\00:46:50.64
and tongue, and
people, and nation.'"
00:46:50.64\00:46:52.61
Now before I talk
about what exactly they sing,
00:46:52.61\00:46:54.61
notice it says
they sing a new song.
00:46:54.61\00:46:57.18
How many new songs
are sung in Revelation?
00:46:57.18\00:47:01.25
There are two.
00:47:01.25\00:47:02.85
A new song is
sung by the redeemed,
00:47:02.85\00:47:04.65
the 144,000, and
there is a new song
00:47:04.65\00:47:07.29
sung here by the
four living creatures
00:47:07.29\00:47:09.22
and the 24 elders.
00:47:09.22\00:47:10.69
Why is it new?
00:47:10.69\00:47:11.73
Because Christ
has just sacrificed,
00:47:11.73\00:47:13.86
He has provided the
sacrifice for man salvation.
00:47:13.86\00:47:16.83
Now some have asked,
why do the 24 elders say...
00:47:16.83\00:47:19.60
This is verse 9.
00:47:19.60\00:47:21.00
It says you have redeemed us.
00:47:21.00\00:47:24.37
Were the four living creatures
ever in need of redemption?
00:47:24.37\00:47:28.41
And then it goes on to say,
00:47:28.41\00:47:29.44
out of every tribe,
tongue, people, and nation.
00:47:29.44\00:47:32.31
Did the four living creatures
come from every tribe, nation,
00:47:32.31\00:47:35.38
kindred, tongue, and people?
00:47:35.38\00:47:37.45
No, they were
angels, they were in heaven.
00:47:37.45\00:47:39.72
They didn't come from the earth.
00:47:39.72\00:47:40.86
What does it mean
then you have redeemed us.
00:47:40.86\00:47:43.02
And look at verse 10.
00:47:43.02\00:47:44.73
Verse 10 says, "And have made us
00:47:44.73\00:47:46.73
kings and priests to our God.
00:47:46.73\00:47:49.40
And we shall
reign on the earth."
00:47:49.40\00:47:52.13
Do the four living
creatures reign on the earth?
00:47:52.13\00:47:55.30
Do the 24 elders
reign on the earth?
00:47:55.30\00:47:57.57
Who gets to reign on the earth?
00:47:57.57\00:47:58.74
Jesus said, "The meek
shall inherit the," what?
00:47:58.74\00:48:01.84
"The earth."
00:48:01.84\00:48:02.88
Revelation Chapter 20
says, "And I saw thrones,
00:48:02.88\00:48:04.81
those who have gotten
the victory of the beast,
00:48:04.81\00:48:07.08
they live and reign with
Christ for thousand years."
00:48:07.08\00:48:09.55
Now, just so that you understand
00:48:09.55\00:48:12.39
if your Bible has a
little marginal reference,
00:48:12.39\00:48:15.02
you'll notice right
before it says in verse 9,
00:48:15.02\00:48:18.06
and have redeemed us,
00:48:18.06\00:48:19.56
you have a little
marginal reference.
00:48:19.56\00:48:20.93
If you cross reference that,
it'll say them instead of us.
00:48:20.93\00:48:25.97
You see, this portion
of the Book of Revelation
00:48:25.97\00:48:29.64
translated from
the Textus Receptus,
00:48:29.64\00:48:32.51
and you have the King
James, the New King James
00:48:32.51\00:48:34.24
that come originally
from the Textus Receptus,
00:48:34.24\00:48:36.24
which is the Greek manuscript
used for the King James,
00:48:36.24\00:48:38.78
New King James, very
trustworthy manuscript.
00:48:38.78\00:48:41.28
But this particular
portion of that manuscript,
00:48:41.28\00:48:44.85
some believe was
not available to Erasmus
00:48:44.85\00:48:47.32
when he wrote
the Textus Receptus,
00:48:47.32\00:48:48.89
so he defaulted back
to the Latin Vulgate.
00:48:48.89\00:48:52.03
The Latin
Vulgate uses the word us
00:48:52.03\00:48:54.36
instead of them.
00:48:54.36\00:48:55.96
But all other manuscript
00:48:55.96\00:48:57.70
finds that we have of
the Book of Revelation
00:48:57.70\00:49:00.57
and there are many out
there, used the word them,
00:49:00.57\00:49:04.41
and then it makes
a whole lot of sense.
00:49:04.41\00:49:06.41
Let me read it that way.
00:49:06.41\00:49:07.84
Looking now in verse 9,
the four living creatures,
00:49:07.84\00:49:10.38
24 elders say,
00:49:10.38\00:49:11.51
"You are worthy to take
the scroll to open its seals,
00:49:11.51\00:49:13.78
for you were slain,
00:49:13.78\00:49:14.85
and have redeemed them to God
00:49:14.85\00:49:16.65
by Your blood
out of every tribe,
00:49:16.65\00:49:18.29
and tongue, and
people, and nation,
00:49:18.29\00:49:19.89
and have made them
kings and priests to our God,
00:49:19.89\00:49:23.06
and they shall
reign on the earth."
00:49:23.06\00:49:24.73
Well, that makes perfect sense.
00:49:24.73\00:49:25.99
Are you with me?
00:49:25.99\00:49:27.23
Jesus has earned
the right to save us.
00:49:27.23\00:49:30.97
Verse 11 says, "Then I
looked, and I heard the voice
00:49:30.97\00:49:33.30
like many waters
around the throne,
00:49:33.30\00:49:35.00
the living
creatures, and the elders,
00:49:35.00\00:49:36.40
and the number of them
00:49:36.40\00:49:37.74
ten thousand times ten thousand,
00:49:37.74\00:49:39.67
and thousands of
thousands, saying,
00:49:39.67\00:49:41.64
'Worthy is the Lamb who
was slain to receive power,
00:49:41.64\00:49:44.65
and riches, and wisdom,
and strength, and honor,
00:49:44.65\00:49:46.92
glory and blessing!'"
00:49:46.92\00:49:47.88
Did you count those
blessings mentioned there?
00:49:47.88\00:49:51.92
We have a sevenfold
blessing, you can see it there.
00:49:51.92\00:49:54.86
To receive power, riches,
wisdom, strength, honor, glory,
00:49:54.86\00:49:58.13
blessing, perfect
blessings given to the Lamb
00:49:58.13\00:50:01.90
because He has been
victorious, He has overcome.
00:50:01.90\00:50:06.17
And then, of course, when
these four living creatures
00:50:06.17\00:50:08.30
and the 24
elders say these things,
00:50:08.30\00:50:10.27
then all of those in heaven
00:50:10.27\00:50:12.77
join in in singing
praise and adoration to God,
00:50:12.77\00:50:16.48
and you can read about
that in verse 13 and 14.
00:50:16.48\00:50:20.08
And that brings us to
the end of our chapters.
00:50:20.08\00:50:23.25
Lot of
information to try to cover
00:50:23.25\00:50:24.89
in just a short period of time.
00:50:24.89\00:50:26.65
So much, it seems like
00:50:26.65\00:50:27.96
we just touched the
tips of the mountains,
00:50:27.96\00:50:30.89
we haven't had a
chance to really dig deep.
00:50:30.89\00:50:32.43
But hopefully
you'll continue to study
00:50:32.43\00:50:34.20
even more on your own,
00:50:34.20\00:50:35.83
such an important book, so
much important information.
00:50:35.83\00:50:38.60
Now we do have a free offer.
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I'd like to make
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00:50:40.00\00:50:41.40
who are joining us online
00:50:41.40\00:50:42.67
and also for our friends
00:50:42.67\00:50:43.87
watching this
across the country,
00:50:43.87\00:50:45.11
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00:50:49.48\00:50:54.68
and you can ask for offer 156
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Or if you like, you
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And again, we want to
thank you for joining us.
00:51:14.87\00:51:16.64
Hope you'll join
us again next week
00:51:16.64\00:51:18.47
as we continue our study
in the Book of Revelation.
00:51:18.47\00:51:20.14
Don't forget to request
00:51:23.14\00:51:24.38
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and most important,
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Amazing Facts changed lives.
00:51:59.31\00:52:02.08
My life was in turmoil.
00:52:07.46\00:52:09.86
My wife and I were
fighting all the time.
00:52:09.86\00:52:11.96
I got away from
everything and everybody.
00:52:11.96\00:52:14.60
I don't know. I just...
00:52:14.60\00:52:15.63
I always had this
emptiness in my heart.
00:52:15.63\00:52:18.00
I don't want it filled.
00:52:18.00\00:52:19.40
I just felt like I
went through my whole life,
00:52:19.40\00:52:21.40
you know, just
searching for something.
00:52:21.40\00:52:24.37
And my father died.
00:52:24.37\00:52:26.21
And that ruined me a lot.
00:52:26.21\00:52:27.28
My father didn't
believe in suicide
00:52:27.28\00:52:30.28
and I didn't want to live
but rather than disrespect him,
00:52:30.28\00:52:33.38
I decided I would
just become so mean
00:52:33.38\00:52:35.18
if someone else
would do it to me
00:52:35.18\00:52:36.48
and I wouldn't have to.
00:52:36.48\00:52:37.59
So I joined the army thinking,
00:52:37.59\00:52:39.39
"What better place to
get killed than in the army?"
00:52:39.39\00:52:41.76
And while I was in the
army, my daughter got injured,
00:52:41.76\00:52:44.46
she was in an accident.
00:52:44.46\00:52:47.40
And she was
blind and paraplegic,
00:52:47.40\00:52:50.37
and it's just like
I felt the whole world
00:52:50.37\00:52:52.97
was coming down on me.
00:52:52.97\00:52:54.27
One morning, I
just really got mad
00:52:54.27\00:52:56.97
and I gave God a cuss
like you wouldn't believe.
00:52:56.97\00:52:59.77
I said, "I'm not
Moses, not Abraham,
00:52:59.77\00:53:02.81
you know,
00:53:02.81\00:53:04.75
I don't put my
sandals on just like they do.
00:53:04.75\00:53:06.95
I'm a man."
00:53:06.95\00:53:07.98
I don't want to know
why this is happening to me.
00:53:07.98\00:53:10.15
I just want to know if
it's happening for a reason.
00:53:10.15\00:53:13.25
If you tell me right now
this is all for a reason,
00:53:13.25\00:53:16.06
then you can stacking on me
from here to the end of time,
00:53:16.06\00:53:19.86
and I would
never complain again.
00:53:19.86\00:53:23.13
And then a little TV came on.
00:53:23.13\00:53:25.53
I'd been sitting here
just static all night long.
00:53:25.53\00:53:28.64
And there is this minister,
when he pops up and he says,
00:53:28.64\00:53:31.71
"Today's lesson's
from the Book of Job.
00:53:31.71\00:53:33.41
God only lets those
suffer that He loves the most."
00:53:33.41\00:53:36.85
And I said, "Well,
that's all you have to say,
00:53:36.85\00:53:38.01
Lord, I appreciate it."
00:53:38.01\00:53:39.08
From that day forward,
I knew that He was there
00:53:39.08\00:53:42.18
and He was in my life,
00:53:42.18\00:53:44.69
and that He would help me.
00:53:44.69\00:53:46.19
I went to prison just
almost immediately after that.
00:53:46.19\00:53:50.23
I was in prison
for aggravated assault.
00:53:50.23\00:53:52.29
I was in one of
the worst prisons
00:53:52.29\00:53:54.30
in the state of Kansas City.
00:53:54.30\00:53:55.36
It was full of gang activity.
00:53:55.36\00:53:57.90
I got my throat
cut, 52 stitches.
00:53:57.90\00:54:01.70
In my neck, I
could take those fingers
00:54:01.70\00:54:03.10
and stick them all,
could come out of my mouth.
00:54:03.10\00:54:05.27
I'd gone to the library that day
00:54:05.27\00:54:06.84
because it was probably
about the only thing to do.
00:54:06.84\00:54:10.25
When I ran
across this little book
00:54:10.25\00:54:11.85
called "The Richest Caveman."
00:54:11.85\00:54:13.45
This book is
hilarious, but it is great.
00:54:13.45\00:54:17.52
I'm sitting here with this
big beard and I'm thinking,
00:54:17.52\00:54:19.42
"Hey, I know what it's
like to look like a caveman,"
00:54:19.42\00:54:21.56
but... I'm not
an educated person,
00:54:21.56\00:54:24.46
I guess, you should
say, but I'm a simple guy.
00:54:24.46\00:54:26.86
I'm just really a simple guy.
00:54:26.86\00:54:28.63
That's what I loved
about Doug Batchelor
00:54:28.63\00:54:30.93
because this guy
00:54:30.93\00:54:32.90
is just straight
out as you can get.
00:54:32.90\00:54:35.87
And my wife and I,
00:54:35.87\00:54:36.94
we've kept contact
through all these years,
00:54:36.94\00:54:39.97
and so much was going on.
00:54:39.97\00:54:44.21
And I told her, I said, "Listen,
00:54:44.21\00:54:46.01
this is the center
of my world right now."
00:54:46.01\00:54:49.95
And I said, "I really want you
to be involved in it with me.
00:54:49.95\00:54:53.15
I need it."
00:54:53.15\00:54:54.22
And I said, "You will too
00:54:54.22\00:54:55.42
if you ever just
take hold of it."
00:54:55.42\00:54:57.53
I told my wife, I said, "Listen,
00:54:57.53\00:54:58.86
I've got this Amazing
Facts Bible study going here,
00:54:58.86\00:55:02.23
and this is the best way for you
00:55:02.23\00:55:04.47
to get this information.
00:55:04.47\00:55:05.90
I think,
because it's broken down
00:55:05.90\00:55:09.27
and they give you questions
00:55:09.27\00:55:12.97
and to make you look
for these things, you know?
00:55:12.97\00:55:17.05
It's not anyone telling
you, you find it on your own,
00:55:17.05\00:55:20.32
and they teach you
actually use the Bible."
00:55:20.32\00:55:23.12
She was there faithfully,
00:55:23.12\00:55:24.22
every Wednesday
until we decided,
00:55:24.22\00:55:27.52
you know...
00:55:27.52\00:55:28.99
She wanted to be baptized also.
00:55:28.99\00:55:31.09
She saw it coming around.
00:55:31.09\00:55:33.40
The choice was made.
00:55:33.40\00:55:35.03
On October 4, 2014,
00:55:35.03\00:55:37.93
my wife and I were baptized
in the water at the same time.
00:55:37.93\00:55:42.14
And we started
our walk together,
00:55:42.14\00:55:46.27
I guess, you would say.
00:55:46.27\00:55:47.54
I went through everything
00:55:47.54\00:55:49.18
that a man could
possibly go through,
00:55:49.18\00:55:50.68
I guess.
00:55:50.68\00:55:52.51
From marital trouble,
loss of family members,
00:55:52.51\00:55:56.82
death in my family,
my children were harmed,
00:55:56.82\00:55:59.72
and my daughter was
handicapped for life,
00:55:59.72\00:56:03.46
I went to prison,
00:56:03.46\00:56:05.33
but still I kept my word to
God that He could stack it on me
00:56:05.33\00:56:10.40
as much as He wanted
00:56:10.40\00:56:11.80
and I'd never question Him again
00:56:11.80\00:56:13.30
and I didn't.
00:56:13.30\00:56:15.24
But I can say this much,
00:56:15.24\00:56:17.31
He never put nothing on me
00:56:17.31\00:56:19.07
that I couldn't handle,
00:56:19.07\00:56:20.98
and He walked
with me through it all.
00:56:20.98\00:56:23.24
And I like to say that
anyone who is in prison
00:56:23.24\00:56:28.85
not to give up, don't lose hope.
00:56:28.85\00:56:31.45
Put your faith in
the Lord and study.
00:56:31.45\00:56:34.99
You seek Him and
He will seek you.
00:56:34.99\00:56:36.86
And my name is Charlie Green,
00:56:36.86\00:56:39.06
and I want you to know
00:56:39.06\00:56:40.10
that you and Amazing
Facts have changed my life.
00:56:40.10\00:56:42.80
The heavens for parted for
him, the Holy Spirit came down.
00:57:37.92\00:57:41.32
This is what God
wants you to experience.
00:57:41.32\00:57:43.93
You come to Christ,
your sins are washed away,
00:57:43.93\00:57:46.80
you become a new creature.
00:57:46.80\00:57:48.06
It's a land of beginning again,
00:57:48.06\00:57:49.73
and how many of you
wish you can restart.
00:57:49.73\00:57:53.77
"For I was hungry
00:57:53.77\00:57:55.47
and you gave me
something to eat,
00:57:55.47\00:57:58.47
in as much as you do it
to one of the least of these,
00:57:58.47\00:58:01.61
my brethren, you did it to me."
00:58:01.61\00:58:03.95