the revelation of jesus christ chapter 7:9 - chapter 8:6 · the revelation of jesus christ chapter...

226

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Chapter 7:9 - Chapter 8:6

~The Second Vision in Heaven~

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven

about the space of half an hour.

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God;

and to them were given seven trumpets.

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

-Revelation 8 verses 1-2; 6

227

Revelation Chapters 7:9-8:6 The Second Vision in Heaven

The second vision, “in Heaven” gives a further answer to the question posed in chapter six, “Who shall be able to stand” in the judgment of the Lambs wrath. From the beginning verses of chapter seven we saw that a certain number from the twelve tribes of Israel will be sealed with the seal of the living God and thus would be able to stand when the wrath of the Lamb is brought down in judgment upon the earth. Now, beginning with the opening of this second vision, “in Heaven” we read that a great multitude that do not worship the beast or take his mark will also be able to stand. These believers are those who knew beforehand (Mark 13:23) what our Lord emphatically warned of throughout His Word by means of His prophets and by His own mouth (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). The believers mentioned in this vision are also those who are converted during the tribulation as they are see the judgments coming upon the earth and recognize the True God. It may be said that some of these “converted believers” could have been brought to repentance and salvation by the testimony of those brought to trial who speak through the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11). The concluding verses of this second vision, “in Heaven” describe our Lord opening the seventh seal. This is the final seal of the scroll that was first mentioned in chapter five. Once our Lord opens this seventh and final seal, it will have a carry over effect upon the earth (commencing the second vision on earth) wherein certain angels will sound six trumpets upon it.

228

THE STRUCTURE OF THE SECOND VISION IN HEAVEN

The Great Multitude and the Seventh Seal

Revelation 7:9-8:6

Correspondences Chapter(s) Verse(s) A1 The Heavenly Voices and Utterances 7: 9-12 B1 The Great Multitude. Where They’re From 7: 13=14 B2 The Great Multitude. Where They Are 7: 15=17

A2 The Heavenly Silence and Activities (Seventh Seal) 8: 1-6

229

Revelation Chapters 7:9 - 8:6 The Second Vision

Warm-up Questions Question 1: What causes the great multitude to glorify God and the Lamb in this second vision? Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 2: Who is sitting upon the throne and who is around the throne? Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

230

Revelation Chapters 7:9 - 8:6 The Second Vision

Warm-up Questions Question 3: What does the elder ask John a question that he is capable of answering himself? Revelation 7: 13-17 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 4: What are the 7 effects of our Lord opening the seventh seal? Revelation 8:1-8:6 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space 1. __________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________________ 6. __________________________________________________________ 7. __________________________________________________________

231

Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 7 Verses 9-13 9 After this I beheld, and, lo,

V a great multitude, V which no man could number, V of all nations, V and kindreds, V and people, V and tongues, V stood before the throne, V and before the Lamb, V clothed with white robes, V and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying,

V Salvation to our God V which sitteth upon the throne, V and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne,

V and about the elders V and the four beasts, V and fell before the throne on their faces, V and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen:

V Blessing, V and glory, V and wisdom, V and thanksgiving, V and honour, V and power, V and might, V be unto our God V for ever and ever. Amen.

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,

V What are these which are arrayed in white robes? V and whence came they?

232

Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 7 Verses 14-17 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.

V And he said to me, V These are they which came out of great tribulation, V and have washed their robes, V and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God,

V and serve him day and night in his temple: V and he that sitteth on the throne V shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more,

V neither thirst any more; V neither shall the sun light on them, V nor any heat.

17For the Lamb

V which is in the midst of the throne V shall feed them, V and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: V and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

233

Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 8 Verses 1-6 1 And when he had opened the seventh seal,

V there was silence in heaven V about the space of half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels

V which stood before God; V and to them were given seven trumpets.

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar,

V having a golden censer; V and there was given unto him much incense, V that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints V upon the golden altar V which was before the throne.

4 And the smoke of the incense,

V which came with the prayers of the saints, V ascended up before God V out of the angel's hand.

5 And the angel took the censer,

V and filled it with fire of the altar, V and cast it into the earth: V and there were voices, V and thunderings, V and lightnings, V and an earthquake.

6 And the seven angels

V which had the seven trumpets V prepared themselves to sound.

234

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 9-12

THE STRUCTURE OF The Heavenly Voices & Utterances

Revelation 7 verses 9-12

Correspondences Verse(s) A1 The Great Multitude 9 B1 Their Utterance: “Salvation to our God 10

B2 All the Angels 11-12- A2 Their Utterance: “Blessing & Glory” -12

235

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 9

~The Great Multitude~

Revelation 7 KJV 9 After this I beheld, and, lo,

V a great multitude, V which no man could number, V of all nations, V and kindreds, V and people, V and tongues, V stood before the throne, V and before the Lamb, V clothed with white robes, V and palms in their hands;

NAB

9After these things I looked, and behold, V a great multitude V which no one could count, V from every nation V and all tribes V and peoples V and tongues, V standing before the throne V and before the Lamb, V clothed in white robes, V and palm branches were in their hands;

• after these things…this expression marks a separation from the previous subjects, and

introduced the second vision taking place, “in Heaven.”

• The vision before this took us to the beginning of the tribulation and showed us how those able to stand in the tribulation included the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. In this vision, we are taken to the end and shown who is standing after the tribulation. Not only will an elect number from Israel stand, but a countless number of those living within the nations. Israel mentioned first and the nations second. This is how the order has been throughout Scripture make note of this order (Israel first and then the nations) in the passages on page 297:

236

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 9 continued

Revelation 7 KJV 9 After this I beheld, and, lo,

V a great multitude… Psalm 67 1 God be merciful unto us,

V and bless us; V and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

2 That thy way may be known upon earth,

V thy saving health among all nations.

• The same fact is stated in verse 7

Psalm 67 7God shall bless us.

V And all the ends of the earth shall fear him."

• Again in Psalm 98 we read: Psalm 98 3 He hath remembered his mercy

V and his truth toward the house of Israel: V all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

• In Isaiah Jehovah says to our Messiah: Isaiah 49 6 And he said, It is a light thing

V that thou shouldest be my servant V to raise up the tribes of Jacob, V and to restore the preserved of Israel: V I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, V that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

• And again in Isaiah 52 Isaiah 52 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem.

V For the Lord hath comforted his people. V He hath redeemed Jerusalem.

10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm

V In the eyes of all the nations, V And all the ends of the earth shall see V The salvation of our God."

237

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 9 continued Revelation 7 KJV 9 After this I beheld, and, lo,

V a great multitude… V clothed with white robes, V and palms in their hands;

• white robes…these are the garments of overcoming believers which are also described in

Revelation 3:5 &18.

• Palm Branches…historically, these branches were waved by crowds to celebrate victory (John 12:13). They were also associated with the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40; Nehemiah 8:17), but palm-branches speak not merely of victory, as with the heathen, but of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23).

Leviticus 23 39 so in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. 40And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. 41And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 43That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. 44And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

• From the above Scripture we see that this was not a feast for the wilderness, but for the time "when ye be come into the Land." (Leviticus 23:10). And yet it was never kept in the Land by all Israel. Not until the return from Babylon was it kept (Nehemiah 8: 16-17). Then "all the people shouted with a great shout" (Ezra 3:11-12; 2 Chronicles 20:19).

• An examination of the above referenced Scriptures will reveal the significance and

connection of this historic practice to Revelation 7:9, just as the nation shouted for joy after long suffering historically, so shall this shout go up yet again at the end of the tribulation period.

---------------------------------

238


~Their Utterance~ Revelation 7 KJV 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying,

V Salvation to our God V which sitteth upon the throne, V and unto the Lamb.

NAB 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

V "Salvation to our God V who sits on the throne, V and to the Lamb."

• Cried with a loud voice…The great multitude praises both God and our Lord, the Lamb,

which provides salvation. In Revelation 19:1-3 this same multitude praises God for judging Babylon and proclaims the marriage of the Lamb to His bride Israel 19:6-7.

• It is significant that this multitude ascribes their salvation to God alone. Salvation is the

theme of their worship, and they recognize and make it known that it comes solely from Him. This is in stark contrast to what Nimrod began in Genesis and what the False Messiah aspires to complete in Revelation (see Appendix 20).

---------------------------------

239

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 11 &12

Revelation 7 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne,


12 Saying, Amen:


NAB 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne

V and around the elders V and the four living creatures; V and they fell on their faces before the throne V and worshiped God,

12 saying:"Amen!

• Praise and glory • and wisdom • and thanks • and honor • and power • and strength • be to our God • for ever and ever. Amen!"

o and the angels were standing around the throne…notice in this scene how the angels, elders, and

four living creatures ascribe seven glories to God. This is a second exultation by this beings. The first occurred in Revelation five below

Revelation 7 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

o Compare the two praises. Notice the order of the words differs and riches in chapter five are the focus while here it is thanksgiving. In five the ascription was to the Lamb, while here, it is to, “our God.”

240

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 11 &12 continued



12 Saying, Amen:


o Along with the great multitude of God’s servants, those within the Gentile Nations who have come out of the ‘Great Tribulation’, we envision all the angels, the 24 elders and the 4 cherubim around God’s Throne. All are overwhelmed by the Glory, the Beauty and the Majesty of our Father on His Throne. All fell on their faces and worshipped God.

o Within Daniel’s first vision of the Apocalypse he beheld God on His Throne wherein:

“thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened”, Daniel 7,10.

o Returning to the ‘First Vision in Heaven’ we beheld a similar sevenfold benediction to our

Lord, the ‘Lamb slain’ as He receives the Scroll with the Seven Seals from God: Revelation 5: 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

V As children of the Living God it will be our only appropriate reaction to prostrate ourselves in humble adoration in the majestic presence of our Holy Father.

V The blessing begins with ‘Saying, Amen:’ to God and ends with ‘for ever and ever. Amen.’

Amen is a solemn affirmation of the blessing, the glory, the wisdom, the thanksgiving, the honor, the power and the might to our Father forever and ever, Amen. Amen meaning ‘that is that, so let it be’.

241

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 11 &12 continued



12 Saying, Amen:

V Blessing, V and glory, V and wisdom, V and thanksgiving, V and honor, V and power, V and might, V be unto our God V for ever and ever. Amen.

V In his lifetime, King David longed to be a part of this Heavenly scene as is evident from

Psalm 27: Psalm 27 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

V As the intensity of ‘spiritual warfare’ increases during the tribulation period of the Antichrist the confidence that God instilled in David is our confidence, our Seal, implanted by the Holy Spirit, unveiled by David in Psalm 27:

Psalm 27 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

---------------------------------

242

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 13-14 In verses 13 and 14 we have the explanation of the heavenly vision (verses 11-12) and the question that one of the Elders asks John. This question is significant in that it shows all Christians should have a spirit of wondering-holy inquiry so to speak. It is not a mere abstract wonder that God looks for in us now, but a reverential interest in what He has revealed in the Visions of this book. Having such an interest in the Father’s Revelation, pleases Him so much, he has promised a blessing for it at the beginning of the Revelation and at the end of it (Revelation 1:3; 22:7). No other book in Scripture makes this promise. The blessings further disprove the modern day belief that the book of Revelation is an enigma and not necessary or possible to read.

THE STRUCTURE OF The Great Multitude-Where They’re From


Correspondences Verse(s) A1 The Elder 13-

Question

B1 Persons -13- C1 Place -13- E1 John 14- A2 The Elder -14-

Answer

C2 State -14- B2 Persons -14

243

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 13 Revelation 7 KJV 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,

V What are these which are arrayed in white robes? V and whence came they?

NAB 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "

V These who are clothed in the white robes, V who are they, V and where have they come from?"

• white robes…white garments are a sign of redemption (Revelation 6:11; 7:9 &13; 19:8

&14). White robes are associated with Christ (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:3) holy angels (Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:5), and the glorified church (19:8, 14) and those redeemed (Revelation 3:4; 7:13; Matthew 22).

---------------------------------

244

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verses 14 Revelation 7 KJV 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.

V And he said to me, V These are they which came out of great tribulation, V and have washed their robes, V and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

NAB 14 I said to him, "My lord, you know."

V And he said to me, V "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, V and they have washed their robes V and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

• The Great Tribulation….This vast multitude has come out of the great tribulation, referring

to the “hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world” (Revelation 3:10). Tribulation was already being experienced by the church in John’s day (Revelation 2:10; Acts 14:22). However, the great tribulation, predicted in Daniel 12:1, will be of an intensity “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

• John is asked to identify the great multitude that could not be numbered from “all

nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” standing before God’s Throne. He actively participates in this 2nd Vision in heaven by responding to one of the 24 elders ...”Sir, thou knowest”

• The unidentified elder answers John, “These are they which came out of the great

tribulation,”. These innumerable children of God who are “washed, justified, and sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

---------------------------------

245

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 14 continued Revelation 7 KJV 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.

V And he said to me, V These are they which came out of great tribulation…

These are they which came out of the great tribulation…The elder’s description of this countless multitude as “having come out of the great tribulation” distinguishes them from any other group of redeemed people in history. The ‘great tribulation’ is a specific time in the future that is unique to all God’s creation. It is the day of divine judgment immediately before our Lord returns to establish His earthly kingdom.

The great tribulation refers to the “hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world”, Revelation 3:10. It is different than the tribulation experienced by the church in John’s day, (Revelation 2:10; Acts 14:22). The tribulation described here in Revelation (also mentioned in Daniel 12:1) refers to the period when the False Messiah is present on Earth. In view of the great loss of life during this time period, martyrdom revealed in the 5th Seal is inevitable. The term ‘great tribulation’ comes directly from our Lord, Jesus Christ:

Matthew 24 21 For then shall be great tribulation,

V such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, V no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened,

V there should no flesh be saved: V but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you,

V Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,

V and shall shew great signs and wonders; V insomuch that, if it were possible, V they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you,

V Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: V behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east,

V and shineth even unto the west; V so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days (cosmic disturbances)… 31…then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven

246


THE STRUCTURE OF The Great Multitude-Where They Are


Correspondences Verse(s) A1 The Multitude. Position before the Throne 15-

B1 God Upon the Throne -15

A2 The Multitude. Their Blessing 16

B2 God. The Lamb the Blesser 17

247

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 15 Revelation 7 KJV 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God,

V and serve him day and night in his temple: V and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

NAB 15. It was this that brought them before God’s throne:

V day and night they minister to him in his temple V he who sits on the throne will give them shelter.

• Christ, the Lamb slain, it is through His Blood, His Passion, His sacrifice that once for

all cleanses us from our sin. It is through (not in) His Blood that we are justified and reconciled to God, (Rom. 5:10-11 ; 2 Cor. 5:18-21).

Romans 5 10 For if, when we were enemies,

V we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, V much more, being reconciled, V we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

V but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, V by whom we have now received the atonement.

2 Corinthians 18 And all things are of God,

V who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, V and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

V reconciling the world unto himself, V not imputing their trespasses unto them; V and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

V as though God did beseech you by us: V we pray you in Christ's stead, V be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

V who knew no sin; V that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

248

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 15 continued Revelation 7 KJV 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God,


• His Temple…this refers to the heavenly throne of God. The heavenly Holy of Holies (Exodus

26:21-37) where God dwells in glory. In chapters 4 and 5 and Hebrews 9 this is identified. Hebrews 9 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,

V which are the figures of the true; V but into heaven itself, V now to appear in the presence of God for us:

• John had seen the throne

Revelation 4 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings

V and thunderings V and voices: V and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, V which are the seven Spirits of God.

• John had seen the altar

Revelation 6 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal,

V I saw under the altar V the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, V and for the testimony which they held:

• And in Revelation 11 John sees the Holy of Holies

Revelation 11

19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, V and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: V and there were lightnings, V and voices, V and thunderings, V and an earthquake, V and great hail.

• The Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament symbolized God’s presence, atonement, and

covenant with His people. The earthly ark was only a faint type of this heavenly one (See Appendix 21).

249

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 15 continued Revelation 7 KJV 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God,


• His Temple… During the millennium there will also be a temple on earth where God dwells in a

partially restored universe. (Ezekiel 40-48). In the final, eternal state with its new heavens and earth, there is no temple, God Himself, who will fill all, will be its temple (21:22).

• He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them… OR “he who sitteth upon the throne

shall spread his tabernacle over them.” This is exactly what is stated in Isaiah 4 Isaiah 4 2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. 3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. Leviticus 26 11 And I set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. Ezekiel 37 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

250

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 16-17 Verses 16 and 17 describe further earthly blessings for believers that underwent trials, privations, and tribulation.

ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURE

-The Blessing & The Blesser- Revelation 7 verses 15-17

Correspondences Verse(s)

The Blessing: Negative A1 No Hunger 16-

B1 No Thirst -16-

C1 No Suffering -16

The Blessing: Positive A2 Hunger Satisfied 17-

B2 Thirst Quenched -17-

C1 Sorrow Banished -17

251

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 16 Revelation 7 KJV 16 They shall hunger no more,


17For the Lamb


NAB 16 They will hunger no longer,

V nor thirst anymore; V nor will the sun beat down on them, V nor any heat;

17 for the Lamb

V in the center of the throne V will be their shepherd, V and will guide them to springs of the)water of life; V and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

• This is the end of the elder’s description and the great multitude and the blessings they will

inherit. Isaiah 49 8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; 9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. Isaiah 25 8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 65 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. Jeremiah 31 16 Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

252

Revelation 7 Verse by Verse Verse 16 continued Revelation 7 KJV 16 They shall hunger no more,


17For the Lamb


• Through Israel, the blessings above are also bestowed upon the Gentile nations:

Ezekiel 47 22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.

253


V neither thirst any more…

• They shall hunger no more, neither thirst…the fulfillment of these blessings are described in both Ezekiel 47 and the last chapters of Revelation.

Revelation 21 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:

V for the first heaven V and the first earth were passed away; V and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city,

V new Jerusalem, V coming down from God out of heaven, V prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

V Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, V and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, V and God himself shall be with them, V and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

V and there shall be no more death, V neither sorrow, V nor crying, V neither shall there be any more pain: V for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

V And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done.

V I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. V I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelation 22 1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life,

V clear as crystal, V proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

254



• They shall hunger no more, neither thirst…the nourishment at this time comes from Christ as He is the author of life and sustenance is needed to sustain life. The following Scriptures testify to this and the explanation of these passages is eloquently explained by Dr. Bullinger:

John 6 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 53 Then Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.

• The Hebrews used this expression with reference to knowledge by the Figure Metonomy (of the Subject), as in Ex. 24.11, where it is put for being alive; so eating and drinking denoted the operation of the mind in receiving and “inwardly digesting” truth or the words of God. Such as in Deut. 8. 3 compared with Jer. 15.16 Ezek 2.8. No idiom was more common in the days of our Lord. With them as with us, eating included the meaning of enjoyment, as in Ecc. 5.19; 6.2; for “riches” cannot be eaten; and the Talmud actually speaks of eating (i.e. enjoying) “the years of Messiah,” and instead of finding any difficulty in the figure they said that the days of Hezekiah were so good that “Messiah will come no more to Israel; for they have already devoured Him in the days of Hezekiah” (Lightfoot, vol. xii, pp. 296-297). Even where eating is used of the devouring of enemies, it is the enjoyment of victory that is included. The Lord’s words could be understood thus by hearers, for they knew the idiom; but of “the Eucharist” they knew nothing, and could not have thus understood them. By comparing vv.47 and 48 with vv.53 and 54, we see that believing on Christ was exactly the same thing as eating and drinking Him.

255



• Just as our Lord will nourish hunger as the, “Bread of Life” He will also quench thirst as the, “Living Water.”

John 7 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

• It is not the one who drinks of Him who becomes the fountain; he is the receiver and not the giver. The Fountain is the one whom Scripture had already designated as the source of pneuma (or Spirit), and the channel whereby the rivers of spiritual grace and blessing should flow. It is not the individual believer who is the subject of the Old Testament prophecies; he, at the best, could only send forth one tiny stream of what he had himself first received; but it is Christ in whom are all our springs, who alone can say, "I will give unto him that is athrist, of the fountain of water of life, freely" (Revelation 21:6). The River proceeds "out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1). In Christ are the hidden reservoirs of blessing, out of whose abundant flow believers receive their graces and gifts.

• Other descriptions of our Lord include, “The Light of the World” (John 8:12; 9:5), “The

Door of the Sheep” (John 10:7,9), “The Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14), “The Resurrection and The Life” (John 11:25), “The True and The Living Way” (John 14:6), “The True Vine” ( John 15:1, 5).

256

The Structure of Revelation Chapter Eight Verses 1-6

As seen from Scripture, the six seals cover the whole period of the Great Tribulation. The sixth seal brings us to the great day of wrath (this description of the wrath of the lamb coincides with the description of Revelation 11:17-18 and chapter 20, the final judgment). One point of interest the Bible student will notice is the moment of silence that follows the sixth seal. This seems to break off all continuity (leaving the 7th Seal to stand alone) and to show us that we have to go back and learn how the details of the judgments of the Seals are to be filled in.

The Heavenly Silence And Activities

Correspondences Verse(s) A1 Silence in Heaven 1 B1 The 7 angels and the 7 Trumpets 2 C1 Another Angel with Censer & Prayers 3 D1 Result: Smoke Ascended up to Heaven 4 A2 The Angel with Censer and Fire 5- B2 Result: “Fire Descended to the Earth -5- C2 Sounds on the Earth -5 D2 The 7 Angels and the 7 Trumpets 6 The breaking of the seventh seal is different than the other six. Instead of producing one single result, as the other six had done is closed by “silence.” John is then shown how the prayers of saints are presented in verses 3 and 4 and how they are answered in verse 5 by a series of judgments that begin with the seven Trumpets.

257

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 1 Revelation 8 KJV 1 And when he had opened the seventh seal,

V there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. NAB 1 When the Lamb broke open the seventh seal,

V there was silence in heaven for about half as hour.

• when he had opened the seventh seal…the word “was” is used here in the English translation for the verb “to be” which doesn’t exist in Hebrew. Therefore, the more appropriate translation would be:

And when he had opened the seventh seal

There “ came to be” silence in heaven about half an hour.

• The Lord breaks opens the seventh seal and this is what causes the solemn silence in heaven for what seems to John to last half an hour.

• Here in the opening verses of chapter 8 we read of the final seal-the seventh seal in the

scroll being opened. John first observed the scroll with the seven seals in Revelation 5: Revelation 5 1 and I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

258

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 1 continued

Revelation 8 KJV 1 And when he had opened the seventh seal,

V there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

• This silence is a “calm before the storm.” A silence that encompasses the infinite heavenly realm inhabited by untold billions of God’s children that went before us. A “solemn silence.” A period of time between the prayers of the saints and the wrath of God that will soon follow.

• Recall the cry of the martyrs in chapter 6:

Revelation 6 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

• Regarding this silence, Zephaniah reveals Zephaniah 1 6 Be silent before the Lord God…for the day of the Lord is near.

• In Psalm 76 David expresses Psalm 76 7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? 7 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

• In the Gospel of Luke, the Lord clearly defines these moments in His parable of the unjust judge:

Luke 18 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

-------------------------------------

259

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 2 Revelation 8 KJV 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God;

V and to them were given seven trumpets. NAB 2 Then as I watched, the seven angels who minister in God’s presence

V were given seven trumpets.

• And I saw the seven angels which stood before God…notice that these angels are referred to as “THE angels.” They are well-known and are the exact same angels mentioned in Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6.

• Angels are also referred to as spirits, as Hebrews 1:7 testifies: “He maketh His angels

spirits.”

• In the Book of Daniel they are referred to as “watchers” i.e. those who watch and wait for Divine commands:

Daniel 4 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;”

• From Luke 1:19 it is clear that the angel Gabriel is one of these seven angels. Michael may be another.

• And to them were given trumpets… we are not told who gives them the 7 trumpets, the Divine

order nevertheless had to be issued from God on His throne.

• In the Old Testament, the sounding of trumpets had more than one meaning. It was used to gather the Lord’s people (Numbers 10:99), to announce a new king (1 Kings 1:34-39), and to proclaim the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9). In Revelation, the trumpets primarily announce impending judgment. The trumpets are of greater intensity than the seals, but not as awful as the final vial (or bowl) judgments that follow them.

Zephaniah 1 14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. 17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

260

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 3 Revelation 8 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar,


NAB 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar,

V holding a golden censer; V and much incense was given to him, V so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints V on the golden altar V which was before the throne.

• We have here a Vision of events in Heaven, from which we learn that Heaven is a place

of great and grand realities; the dwelling-place of God, in which Heavenly worship is carried on. The Tabernacle on earth and its worship; and afterward the Temple with its ordinances, were only copies of the realities in heaven; "figures of the true," and "patterns of things in the heavens."

• In Hebrews we learned that Moses was admonished by God when he was about to make

the Tabernacle: Hebrews 8 5 Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Hebrews 9 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

• In like manner was David admonished, when he received the plan and pattern of the Temple "in writing" from God (1 Chronicles 28:1-13, 19).

261

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 3 continued Revelation 8 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar,


• The prayers of the martyred saints were over, but the cry of their blood from the ground

is voiced in words (6:10). These prayers are the living saints, the people of the book; the 144,000, and the great multitude before they are taken out of the great Tribulation, who "cry day and night unto Him" (Luke 18:7).

Psalm 28 4 These prayers are echoed in the Psalms: "Give them according to their deeds, And according to the wickedness of their endeavours: Give them after the work of their hands; Render to them their desert" Psalm 83 9 "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kishon"

• And the very Psalm which likens prayer to incense, also contains similar prayers Psalm 141 1 "Lord, I cry unto thee: Make hast unto me: Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice... 7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, As when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth... 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, Whilst that I withal escape

• The Golden altar "is before the throne." So it was in the earthly copy of the heavenly pattern. It was "before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony" (Exodus 30:6; 40: 5, 26).

-------------------------

262

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 4 Revelation 8 KJV 4 And the smoke of the incense,


NAB 4 And the smoke of the incense,


• the smoke…smoke in Greek kapnos. The term is found thirteen times in the Bible and all

in Revelation (with the exception of one mention in Acts 2:19). Smoke, “kapnos” is always associated with judgment of the pit (Revelation 9:1 & 2).

• And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints…the incense accompanies

the prayers of all the saints or is mingled with their prayers. This incense, along with the saints’ prayers, breaks the silence in heaven. The prayers of God’s people are heard and God responds with noises, thunderings, lightnings, and earthquakes (Revelation 6:10).

• OUT OF the angel’s hand... “out of” this preposition in the Greek tells of the origin of

something, in its time, date, and place- pointing to movement from the interior of from within as opposed to off, or away from.

------------------------------------------

263

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 5 Revelation 8 KJV 5 And the angel took the censer,


NAB 5 And the angel took the censer,


• And the angel took the censer, and filled it from the fire of the altar, and he cast the fire unto the

earth…At an earthly level, the Israelites partook of this same practice to make atonement for their sins:

Leviticus 16 12 and he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: 16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, There is a similar scene in Ezekiel 10:2 where fire is taken from under the cherubim under the throne, and scattered over the city of Jerusalem in token of its destruction. This is similar to verse 5 above where the fire will consume and destroy anything it falls upon. This is the answer to the prayers of the saints. In other Biblical books, fire is mentioned as one of the judgments that our God will send on the earth (Ezekiel 39:6; 38:22; Hosea 8:14; Amos 1:4,7, 10, 12; 2:5). Ezekiel 39 6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. Deuteronomy 32 22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

------------------------------------------

264

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 6 Revelation 8 KJV 6 And the seven angels


NAB 6 And the seven angels


And the angels prepared themselves to sound…The restrictive embargo of Revelation 7 is now about to be removed. Revelation 7 1After these things I saw four angels

V standing at the four corners of the earth, V holding the four winds of the earth, V that the wind should not blow on the earth, V on the sea, V or on any tree.

2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east,

V having the seal of the living God. V And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels V to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,

3 saying, "Do not harm the earth,

V the sea, V or the trees V till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

Twice the sevenfold enunciation is given (the 7 angles and the trumpets are mentioned in verses 2 and 6 here in chapter 8) and the reproach of Psalm 79 is about to be rewarded "sevenfold," in answer to the prayers which had been offered. Psalm 79 11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; 12 And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

265

Revelation 8 Verse by Verse Verse 6 continued Revelation 8 KJV 6 And the seven angels


Over the centuries many scholars have tried to symbolically explain away the catastrophes written here in Christ’s Revelation, but the Bible testifies that these catastrophic events are literal. As explained by E.W. Bullinger below: This heavenly vision is a vision showing what will one day literally take place. If they are Symbols, they are symbols of solemn realities. If they are Figures, they are figures, not of speech, but of facts. Just as the judgments of God at the time of the Exodus were real and literal; and the announcements of them were literally fulfilled, so will these be. For they are exactly what is foretold: Micah 7 15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show him marvelous things. Indeed, we are distinctly told that the physical marvels of that day shall be "like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt." Isaiah 11 15 And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. 16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. We are even told in Jeremiah 23:7-8 that the coming judgments (for which preparation is shown to be made in, Revelation 8:1-6) shall exceed those which God performed in Egypt, and the covenant of marvels we must once more quote as being conclusive on this point: Exodus 34 8 Behold I make a covenant: before all thy people I WILL DO MARVELS, such as have not

been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a TERRIBLE THING that I will do with thee" (compare Deuteronomy 28:10).

Matthew 24 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

------------------------------------------

the revelation of jesus christ chapter 7:9 - chapter 8:6 · the revelation of jesus christ chapter...

Documents