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Greetings friends around the world! Our friends in Pakistan, Sweden, India, Kenya, Ireland, as well as Live Oak, Florida! Welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries, this is Leonard V. Johnson.
Now, I had mentioned this in a ‘Letter to our Friends,’ which you can find all of our letters on our webpage – www.owensborocojc.com – that I have been advertising our YouTube channel in order to get more subscribers. Well, I’ve received several negative comments on Facebook. Not only that, but we’ve been attacked by Facebook – they banned two of our videos on our page, “The Truth Concerning the Trinity – Explained” and a gospel song called “Amazing Grace” sang by Minister Michael C. Garrett. Their reasoning, “Copyright Issues.”
Friends, this glorious message of the gospel of the kingdom of God is going out to the Gentile nations, WARNING them. Yet, we don’t expect them – the majority – to receive this message gracefully. Surely, the Muslims will not accept God’s glorious message. And, if one does – it’s extremely rare.
Our Lord Jesus Christ commissioned:
“’ Go therefore and make disciples [which includes teaching] of ALL THE NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) TEACHING THEM to observe all things that I have commanded you; …’” – Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV throughout unless otherwise noted.
The Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and our affiliated churches follow the admonition of Jesus when He said, “’ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” (Matthew 10:6), and of course to the potential sheep of Christ. Our mission is to teach the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God to the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and to testify of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God!
Now we believe that phrase, ‘lost sheep,’ has a much deeper, spiritual, and heightened meaning. Our Lord Jesus might very well have said, ‘Go to the lost Church members.’ ‘Go to those people who thought they were in a good organization, they didn’t realize their leaders were corrupt and their doctrines were impure – or highly compromised.’ ‘Go to those lost sheep!’ I think it has a double meaning! And, I personally have tried showing some people who believe that they are in a good organization of their leaders’ true spirit, but only received bruises. In fact, those leaders were going to deliver me up before their council and “scourge” me in their church. It can be humbling at times the feeling of loneliness in the faith – but if one mustard seed will take root, then I have done my job.
Although it shouldn't come as a surprise, our Lord God has warned us repeatedly that these things would happen! –
“’ We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work.’” - John 9:4, NASB.
“’ See, I have told you beforehand.’” - Matthew 24:25.
But, getting on into the message of today. I’d like to continue into the Book of Revelation.
In your Bible turn with me if you will to chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation –
Now, as we are aware, the Book of Revelation was written by the apostle John, which was written roughly A.D. 95, placing the apostle John up into his 90’s when he was given this amazing vision which was revealed, as he wrote in the first chapter – that it is a revelation of Jesus Christ. Just what He would reveal to the apostle John. And, He tells John, “’ Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.’” So, Jesus Christ was showing him – not only the spiritual condition of those seven churches in Asia Minor during their time but, ‘the things which will take place after this.’
So, in vision, verse 1 – “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven [here, the region where God dwells and the other heavenly beings – cf. 2 Corinthians 12:2]. …”
Certainly the apostle John saw some strange things – like the weird creatures he saw – like seeing frogs coming out of the mouth of a dragon. He actually saw these visions, as strange as they may seem to many. Can you imagine him, never having seen many of our modern equipment, seeing in vision huge military helicopters, and armaments which are used today!? – of nuclear explosions!? Certainly, it was horrifying to him. We read of many prophets of God in the Old Testament – of the prophet Ezekiel, of the prophet Daniel – who saw in vision things which truly astounded them and in which their strength left them.
So, we know that the apostle John was able to write this vision down – which lasted for some time over a course of several days or weeks, or even months – recording everything He saw in vision.
“ … And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet …”
Now, friends, we keep the LORD God’s Feast of Trumpets. ‘A memorial of blowing trumpets.’ At the LAST TRUMP the saints of Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ are resurrected – and as Jesus says, ‘the angels are going to gather us from one end of heaven [the atmosphere] to the other end of heaven [the atmosphere].’ “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [the atmosphere] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. …” – again, FEAST OF TRUMPETS, the trump of God! So, the trumpet was used as a WARNING, and also to gather people together. Trumpets – as well as shofars – can create a very loud noise.
“ … speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’” – things in the future.
Verse 2 – “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.”
Now, in my library, I have a Life Application Study Bible of the New Living Translation. And in its explanatory notes section at the bottom of the page for this verse says, “Four times in the Book of Revelation John says he was ‘in the Spirit.’ … This expression means that the Holy Spirit was giving him a vision – showing him situations and events he could not have seen with mere human eyesight.” Indeed, a key in helping us to understand the Book of Revelation is understanding Revelation 1:10 and Revelation 4:2. The apostle John was transported in time unto the Day of the LORD - which certainly places a time element upon the majority of the prophecies within the Book of Revelation. During this time which is called the Day of the LORD.
Verse 3 – “And He who sat there was like a jasper [reddish brown] and a sardius [reddish brown] stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald [green in color].”
Now, if you’ll hold your place here – let’s turn back to the Book of Ezekiel.
The prophet Ezekiel had a similar vision. The Book of Ezekiel chapter 1 –
Verse 24 – “When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, …” – these great four beings which were transporting the LORD God.
“ … like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25) A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; …”
So, a voice came from above their heads – these four living creatures (see: Revelation 4:6) – like the sound of Angel Falls in Venezuela. A most deafening sound if you’re standing near the bottom of the falls I’m sure.
“ … whenever they stood, they let down their wings. 26) And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone [most commonly blue shades]; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it.”
In the Book of Exodus chapter 24, when prophet Moses “went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain …And on the seventh day He [the LORD] called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain …” And then in chapters 33 and 34, “And he said [to the LORD], ‘Please show me Your glory.” And the LORD said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” Nowhere in these chapters does it say that the LORD God looks like a man – does it!? It just simply says, “and they saw the God of Israel.” Surely, prophet Moses saw the figure – the outline – of a man.
Verse 27 – “Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.” – much like looking into a furnace.
Verse 28 – “Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.”
What a most tremendous thing to happen to you!
So, turning again to the Book of Revelation –
Verse 4 – “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white robes; …”
Now, last year I had a conversation with a dear sister concerning – just who are the twenty-four elders mentioned here sitting on the thrones; “and they had crowns of gold on their heads”!? And I had stated, “Nowhere in God’s living word are angels referred to as ‘elders.’” Nor are angels ever depicted sitting upon thrones or wearing crowns. In addition, the Greek word presbyteros, meaning “ancients,” is the same word used in Hebrews 11:2 – “For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” Referring to the elders, or rather “the fathers.” In Wycliffe’s Bible Dictionary it says – and I tend to agree – “As elders, they represent God’s people; their thrones and crowns symbolize a kingly role, while their acts of worship and the bowls of incense suggest a priestly function. Thus they seem to be the chief representatives of the redeemed as a kingdom of priests.” 1 – cf. Revelation 1:6. And, as I had said to my sister - I believe these twenty-four elders represent twenty-four representatives of the saints which are resurrected at the last trump – the seventh trump – extremely important individuals.
Now here, I’d also like to add a quote from a Star Trek movie asked by Captain Kirk, “What does God need with a starship?” So, I ask, what does God need with twenty-four elders, or rather twenty-four priests over the kingdom of God!? Does He need them there to give Him advise!? Will they be there to keep records!? Why Does God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ need these twenty-four elders – these priests!? Well, friends, I love the answer which Minister Michael C. Garrett gives. Now, he gave the answer for the 144,000 from each of the tribes of Israel – minus Dan, however, it certainly can be applied to the twenty-four elders – the twenty-four priests. And I think these twenty-four elders are advisers. What we would call, part of a “Cabinet.” Advisors to the president. When you think about the president – when he takes trips, he’s got all these people that are on the trip with him. Some protect him, some advise him, some are his spokesmen. And, I, like the 144,000, these twenty-four elders – though they will have a priestly duty – are similar to this.
For in truth, it truly goes back to even why we were born! – because the very purpose of life itself is that in us God is recreating His own kind – reproducing Himself after His own kind – for we are, upon true conversion, actually begotten children (yet unborn) of God.
It tells us over in the 5th chapter of the Book of Revelation –
Verse 8 – Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
So, they indeed have a priestly duty. Friends, this is in the future – it is not in the present – let us not forget what we just read, “’ Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place AFTER THIS.’” In the future. Yet, you want to talk about importance! Sitting on thrones before the very Creator of all things! How important of a position is this!? Think about this great importance!
Revelation chapter 4 again –
Verse 5 – “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. SEVEN LAMPS of fire were burning before the throne, which are the SEVEN SPIRITS [recall, seven churches – Revelation 2 & 3] of God.”
Now, let me pause here a moment and mention – in the Book of Zechariah it talks about a vision which the prophet Zechariah had.
Chapter 3, verse 1 – “Then he showed me Joshua [Yehoshua] the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.” – and, of course, later this prophecy describes our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Yehoshua).
But, later in chapter 4, the angel asks the prophet Zechariah, “’ What do you see?’” And in vision, he sees – “a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand SEVEN LAMPS …” – which represent the seven churches of God with seven angels of the LORD watching over them. “ … with SEVEN PIPES [CANDLESTICKS – the seven churches of God] to the seven lamps.” – so, these seven Spirits are seven angels watching over the seven churches of God.
Verse 6 – “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. …”
In Revelation chapter 15 it’s described as “ … something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, …” And the resurrected saints of God will eventually be standing upon this sea of glass – “ … and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.”
“ … And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.”
Now, in God’s living word, cherubim is referenced some 69 separate times. They are uniquely different from angels and seraphim. The Bible mentions three distinctly different types of cherubim. The four Living Creatures mentioned here as well as in the Book of Ezekiel are a very different kind of cherubim. They are usually in pairs except when they are physically with Almighty God. Cherubim (plural for cherub), as the prophet Ezekiel wrote, “appear to have the form of a man’s hand under their wings” – Ezekiel 10:8. Cherubim sometimes have two, four, or six wings. Seraphim have six wings. Angels (messengers) do not have wings, yet they can fly. They can appear and disappear very suddenly. They are all part of God’s heavenly hosts and all stand before the LORD God – the Creator of the universe! Within biblical texts, angels always appear as men and never as women or children. Angels can appear as strangers – cf. Hebrews 13:2.
Verse 7 – “The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.”
So, this description describes four unique cherubim.
Verse 8 – “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is and is to come!’”
Verse 9 – “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10) the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11) ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.’”
Let us turn over to the Book of Acts, the 17th chapter. The apostle Paul often spoke of this, as did many of the other apostles. Let us read about the very statement that ‘He was, and is and is to come.’ And, that He created all things and they were made for Him. We also, of course, read this in the Book of John. But look here. The apostle Paul was in Athens, Greece here and he had come upon a sign on an altar which read: ‘TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.’ These Greeks had so many different false gods and goddesses, supposedly they ran out of names and they titled this particular altar to the ‘unknown god.’ He says to them –
Verse 23 – “ … Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24) God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, 25) nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, …”
One does not need to give the sign of the mark of the beast, or place your hands like a steeple!
Now friends, in my library, I have a book entitled “Cosmos,” by the late renowned astronomer, planetary scientist, and astrophysicist Carl Sagan.
And it has one section which mentions experiments that were performed in the early ‘50s by a graduate student – who had argued that the early atmosphere of the Earth was hydrogen-rich. And that the origin of life occurred before the hydrogen was lost and that such gases sparked, creating life. That life began in the ocean with temperatures which began to fall, and the amino-acids, and the proteins and the nucleotides – and how these different chemicals and the different aspects of this old earth – which condensed out of interstellar gas and dust some 4.6 billion years ago – and how they came together to form the earliest stages of life – a kind of organic soup. And how over time these different molecules that evolved would put away the characteristics that were not working for them and rather inherit characteristics that were better. Like he gives an example in the book – the invention of sex. With the invention of sex, two organisms could exchange whole paragraphs of their DNA code, producing new varieties ready for the sieve of selection. And, of course, I have read through this book, writing notes, reading it objectively, yet listening to what Mr. Sagan had to say. Yet, in the back of my mind truly saying – all of this is foolishness. Because God created all of these things that they see in their greatest of powerful microscopes. But what they don’t realize is that what they are looking at – such as when they look at the skulls and bones of Neanderthals or ancient dinosaurs – is that this earth was turned upside down at one point in time! And if they would only read and believe the living word of God, especially what the apostle Peter says, “But this fact is hidden from them – they themselves choosing to ignore it – that by the Word of God the heavens existed of old, and the earth came forth out of water and amid water” – 2 Peter 3:5, NET. The E A R T H had become “without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep” – very likely when Satan the devil and his demons were cast down unto tartaroo, this earth.
Now, we certainly know that some 65 million years ago utter destruction, how this earth was struck by a massive asteroid which carved out the Chicxulub crater and greatly aided in the death of all these creatures – some instantaneously with food still within their mouth. An instant destructive force that destroyed the dinosaurs, and legendary flying pterosaurs, called pterodactyls. And the largest species of the Late Cretaceous, Pteranodon, attained wingspans of up to 30 feet, much larger than any flying birds alive today. Just amazing creatures that were inhabiting the face of this earth.
And continuing in the Book of Acts –
Verse 26 – “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and had determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.”
Indeed, and as I have said before - God had never designed any nation to be a great “melting-pot.”
Verse 27 – “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
Friends, God says to us – through the prophet Isaiah – “’ Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near’” – Isaiah 55:6. This certainly indicates that there is soon coming a time when He WON’T be found!! He won’t be assessable – because as we read in the likes of Amos chapter 8, “’ Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘That I will send a famine on the land’ of hearing the words of the LORD. He says also there is coming a time when He will turn His ear away from this earth because of our abominations – of our sins. He says for this end-time – this end-time trauma – “’ do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble” – Jeremiah 11:14. And He’s speaking of the modern-day nations of Israel – the United States of America in the Western Hemisphere (but also includes to an extent the Midway Atoll, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and Guam), the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth of Nations (which respectfully includes Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Britain, including Canada), the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand. So, God is saying here – your holidays and your sins are an abomination unto Me! ‘Away with your sacrifices!’
Verse 28 – “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, …”
And, he began quoting a few of their own Greek poets who had written praises to Zeus – applying them here to the very Creator of all things.
“ … ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29) Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30) Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men EVERYWHERE to repent.”
In just that little statement here, the apostle Paul turned their own poets topsy-turvy – Paul applying them to the Creator God Himself! And what was the very first thing he tells them concerning God!? He created all things! And this is what we are reading here in the Book of Revelation.
Now, going on into chapter 5 of the Book of Revelation –
I believe this is a keyhole glimpse (of which I do not believe has taken place yet) of that glorious moment when Jesus Christ – the Firstfruits from the earth – will be presented before God the Father.
God the Father will sit Him down at His right hand and give Him all of His dominion and glory, power, strength, and might, which He is going to exercise once His enemies are destroyed.
Verse 1 – “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.”
Now biblical scholars and sincere students of the living word of God certainly know that the Book of Revelation is divided into numbers of seven. Seven seals that seal this scroll. Now, what I’m about to say has probably never been taught – and was never taught – in the churches of God. The Day of Atonement is prophetically linked with an event that God’s living word calls the Day of the Lord. You were probably taught as doctrine that there are ¹) SEVEN SEALS, and then the ²) SEVEN TRUMPETS, and then the ³) SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, and then JESUS CHRIST RETURNS! Then the RESURRECTION TRUMP, then, we’re in the kingdom of God! Well, this is not an accurate rendition of events according to the living word of God!
THE SEVENTH TRUMP IS THE MOMENT OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS! The FIRST resurrection! The Seven Seals – are roughly equivalent to the EARLY part of what some people call the GREAT TRIBULATION, the end-time ‘troubles,’ Ezekiel 30 refers to it as ‘Jacob’s trouble.’ Many of the churches of God misunderstand these seven seals and continue to propagate this grave misunderstanding.
Truly, the number seven to Almighty God means completion.
Verse 2 – “Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? 3) And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.”
So, this scroll was so holy, so sealed and private, that no one was allowed to look upon the scroll – much less open it. In the Book of Romans we are told, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
And, the apostle John continued – verse 4 – “So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.”
There’s another description back in the Book of Ezekiel – when the prophet Ezekiel was called to go out and to preach to the nation of Israel, and he saw in vision a scroll also. And there was also “writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.” – cf. Ezekiel 2:9-10 NKJV. And he was to take this message and – as it were – to “eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” And, of course, we know why – because of the message of men like Moses, who just before his death spoke to the nation of Israel – cf. Deuteronomy 31:27-29.
These seals are meant to be broken as in chapter 22 of the Book of Revelation, “And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.’” And truly, our Lord Jesus Christ revealed these seals to His disciples, and we can read of this beginning in the Book of Matthew the 24th chapter. Which we will certainly cover when we come to chapter 6. He reveals and helps them to understand just what these seals mean.
Verse 5 – “But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’”
Recall back in the Book of Genesis when the elderly Jacob is blessing his sons, and he says to his son Judah – “’ Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’” – cf. Genesis 49:9 NKJV. “’ The scepter shall not depart from Judah.” Here, this elder is talking about the same thing, ‘the Lion of the tribe of Judah.’ ‘The Root of David,’ a description is given back in the Book of Isaiah which says, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of its roots.” A lineage of King David would be there down through the generations. In the Book of Ezekiel, it says that this kingdom was going to be overturned three times – “’ Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, Until He comes whose right it is, And I will give it to Him.’” We know, of course, this is speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Verse 6 – “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb …”
And we know exactly who this is speaking about! John the Baptist said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The apostle Peter wrote, “ … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
“ … as though it had been slain, …”
And the apostle John uses the Greek word sphazō, which truly means much more than just slain. It means MURDERED! He was beaten, rejected, scoffed, denied, ridiculed, mocked, scourged, spat upon, nailed to a cross, lifted up, and bled to death in the sun. He was truly MURDERED!
“ … having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
Recall we just read of the seven churches of God “sent out into all the earth”!? Revelation 4:5; 8:2. Seven angels over the seven churches.
Verse 7 – “Then He [Jesus Christ] came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him [God the Father] who sat on the throne.”
So, here, imagine this awesome vision which the apostle John is having! Jesus Christ having earned that honor! That He was worthy to take this scroll and to open its seals!
Verse 8 – Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9) And they sang a new song, saying:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain [again, the Greek word sphazō], And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’”
Obviously speaking of the saints of God here. Because we’re the ones which are ‘redeemed’ of every nation, language, and people.
Verse 10 – “’ And [He will make us] kings [or rather, a kingdom] and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”
Now, a great many professing Christians completely misunderstand this very passage. They continue to teach and propagate – that this verse is speaking about ‘those who believe are a kingdom and that believers are also considered priests in that they are interceding on behalf of people that they might believe in the Lord.’ This is, of course, not correct. Then, there are also others who argue that since the King James Version does not say ‘kingdom’ but rather ‘kings,’ then teaching “And [He will make us] kings [or rather, a kingdom] …” is inappropriate. Yet, note – the fourth-century Codex Sinaiticus, which contain the earliest complete copy of the New Testament renders this verse –
“and didst make them a kingdom and priests, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Also – and it should be noted – the Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary writes – “’ They reign,’ still it is the prophetical present FOR THE FUTURE: the seer being transported into the future when the full number of the redeemed … shall be complete and the visible kingdom begins.” 2
God’s holy and righteous saints are to be a kingdom! The kingdom of God! We know for certain just where God the Father’s kingdom is going to be and just who will rule!
Verse 11 – “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand [some 100 million], and thousands of thousands, 12) saying with a loud voice:
‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain [same Greek word sphazō, meaning MURDERED] To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’”
Literally millions upon millions of angels singing to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in praise and worship! SEVEN glorious things which our soon-coming King of kings and Lord of lords is going to receive!
Verse 13 – “And EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven [the atmosphere] and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, all that are in them, …”
Understand – this phrase, ‘under the earth’ is speaking of people who are under the earth, that is, those who have died and have been buried – cf. Matthew 12:40; Philippians 2:10.
“ … I heard saying:
‘Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!’”
Truly, EVERY CREATURE praising God the Father and the Lamb forever and ever!
Truly EVERY CREATURE will know their CREATOR!!! For He is the Creator God in the heaven above!
Verse 14 – “Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.” □
To be continued
Bibliography
1) Pfeiffer, C.F., Vos, H.F., Rea, J., Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Hendrickson Publishers, Nov. 1999, pp. 509.
2) Jamieson, R., Fausset, A.R., Brown, D., Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary of the Whole Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, 1982, pp. 1545.
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