Article 12

UNDERSTANDING REVELATION – 12

The Enthronement of the Lamb

It is significant that regarding the promises to the overcomers in Revelation 2 and 3 that the last promise to those in Laodicea in 3:21 actually becomes an introduction to the subject matter in chapters 4 and 5.  3:21 reads, “to him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne as I also overcame and sat down with My father on His throne”.  Even a cursory reading of Revelation 4 shows that John was given a vision of “a throne set in heaven and One sat on the throne” (v. 2).  Moving to chapter 5 “He [a Lamb] came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (v. 5, 6).  As we walk through these two remarkable chapters we will find they are an indivisible unit within the larger context of Revelation and are central to its responsible understanding.

In chapter 4 John looks and sees an open door in heaven.  A trumpet-like voice invites him to come up and be shown “things which must take place after this” (v. 1).  Verses 2-3 describe the throne and the One sitting on it.  Few are the ones over the history of this planet, particularly Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, who have enjoyed the privilege of seeing the great Creator God in His throne room!  Then is verse 4 John sees twenty-four thrones around the throne and twenty-four elders sitting on them.  These elders clothed in white robes and golden crowns give us a definite clue as to their identities.  Revelation 5:9-10 makes it very clear.  They sing saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”  If language means what it says, then these 24 white-robed, crowned elders have been redeemed to God by Christ’s blood.  It is important to note in Matthew 27:51-53 that many bodies of the saints came out of their graves after His resurrection and appeared to many.  Ephesians 4:8 mentions that “when He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men.”  The 24 elders are no doubt included in this resurrection of OT saints – “trophies” of Christ’s victorious resurrection.  They appear twelve times in Revelation (4:4, 10; 5:8, 11, 14; 7:11-13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4).  Here, in 5:8 they act as royal priests presenting the prayers of God’s people in their golden incense bowls.  Therefore, it is very important to recognize that the activities of chapters 4 and 5 occur for the duration of the Christian era because that is the time when Christ “always lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25; see also Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16).

The seven lamps of fire (v. 5) and “the seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (5:6) represent the Holy Spirit.

Verses 6-8 describe four living creatures which are perhaps a special order of heavenly beings that serve God before His throne.  It is noteworthy that in Ezekiel 1 the prophet has a similar vision of beings and descriptions.  Among other aspects this reveals the continuity between the two testaments.  The most important activities of both the living creatures and the 24 elders is to worship.  They express the “worthiness” of the One who sits on the throne to be worshipped because He is the Creator of all things (vs. 9-11).  Oh, that today, all would recognize and acknowledge the worthiness of our Creator God to be worshipped!

Revelation 5 continues without interruption.  John sees “in the right hand” (or at the right hand) “of Him who sat on the throne” a seven-sealed scroll (v. 1).  “A strong angel” asks, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals (v. 2)?  Verses 3-4 indicate that none in the universe was found worthy.  In my mind’s eye I picture a solemn silence of some duration throughout the vast expanse!  Then the sound of quiet weeping breaks the silence and grows longer and louder – no one was found worthy.   Then an elder stops John, “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah… has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals” (v. 5).  John looks but he doesn’t see a Lion, he sees a Lamb “as though it had been slain” (v. 6) described to him.  The seven horns represent full authority.  The seven eyes represent complete knowledge.  Again, the seven spirits represent the Holy Spirit.

Verse 7 is the crowning verse in this entire passage.  “Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him sat on the throne.”  With this transition of the scroll to the Lamb, the entire universe begins to erupt with worship and praise.  The creatures and elders sing a new song, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain…  In verse 11 unnumbered angels join saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing!”  Finally, every creature everywhere takes up the strain saying, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever!”

This passage describes a formal enthronement of Christ who “sat down with My Father on His throne” (3:21).  This took place subsequent to Christ’s crucifixion and death on the cross.  The entire universe is riveted on the Cross Event and the resulting celebration.  Here’s the begging question, When did this formal enthronement of Christ occur?  Let’s briefly review a previous article: Passover was fulfilled by Christ is His death on the cross.  We call it “good Friday”.  The next day on the Sabbath was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  “The Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).  Christ lay dead in the tomb over the Sabbath day.  He “rested” from His work of redemption.  The next day was the “waving of the wave sheaf”.  The priests took a sheaf of the ripe barley harvest yet unharvested into the temple and offered it as the “firstfruits” of the harvest to come.  In 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23 Paul describes Christ’s resurrection as the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep”.  In three consecutive days, Nisan 14, 15, and 16 Christ in His crucifixion, death, and resurrection “filled full” those spring feasts that had pointed forward to Him for approximately 1500 years.  Fifty days later was the Feast of Weeks (or Harvest) coming after the end of the spring barley harvest.  Read the first eight verses of Acts 1.  Jesus was with the believers for forty days after the resurrection.  He commanded them to stay in Jerusalem because they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (that’s the “seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” in Rev. 5:6) “not many days from now” (Acts 1:5).  Sure enough on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) the believers “were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4).

Now notice carefully that Peter speaking to the people clearly stated that, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.  Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-33).  Here are the wonderful truths of Revelation 4 and 5.  They describe the inauguration and exaltation of Christ to the throne of God as Co-Ruler of the universe and the Holy Spirit is sent to the believers in fullness of power to be able to accomplish the mission given them by Christ in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20!

Revelation 4 and 5 then becomes the Introductory Sanctuary Scene to the opening of the seven seals in Revelation 6.  Therefore, chapter 6 reveals activities unfolding on earth from the Day of Pentecost forward.  This is the subject of the next article.

~Rex Frost