Introduction to Revelation, Chapter 4 & 5

Dr. Robert C. Crowder

The Revelation of Jesus Christ • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

Revelation 1:9–20

Deuteronomy 4:9–14

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After the Letters to the churches and the Great Tribulation we are given entrance to the Throne Room of God

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The Study and Doctrine of the Last Things

Eschatology

Eschatology is a branch of systematic theology. It is derived from the Greek eschatos, which means last and logos meaning study; therefore, it is the study and doctrine of the last things. Moreover, while we tend to focus on the end of time concerning man, Eschatology concerns all of God’s creation as well.

“…the biblical writings understand history as a linear movement towards a goal. God is driving history towards the ultimate fulfilment of his purposes for his creation. So biblical eschatology is not limited to the destiny of the individual; it concerns the consummation of the whole history of the world, towards which all God’s redemptive acts in history are directed.”[1]

The main events in the study of Eschatology:

· Death – all humans will die (He 9:27). The only exception is those who are alive at Christ’s return (1Th 4:17). There are two deaths spoken of by the bible: the first death is the death of the human body (separation between the soul and physical body). The second death is the eternal state for those that reject God and Christ.

· Intermediate state is the condition of the person between death and the resurrection of the physical body. For the believer it is in the presence of the Lord. For unbelievers it is a place of torment.

· Second Coming of Jesus, the Messiah – is in two stages. First is the return of Christ, in the clouds, to receive His Bride. The second is the physical return of Christ to the earth (Ac 1:11)

· Resurrection – all who have died will come to life…a bodily resurrection.

· Great Tribulation – a time of great judgement, on the earth.

· The 1,000-year reign (Millennium) of Jesus – The millennial reign of Christ is spoken of in Revelation. Re 20:4-7

· Judgment – “What have you done with my Son?” This is a judgment where some will receive rewards and others will receive everlasting punishment.

· the Final, Eternal state. Heaven is a place of eternal reward while hell is a place of eternal punishment and separation.

There is no discrepancy concerning that these events will happen (except the Amillennial point of view), but the timing of each event causes much debate.

The Christian lives between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet’, between the resurrection of Christ and the future general resurrection at the coming of Christ.[2] R. J. Bauckham

The Second Coming and the Rapture

In the study of Eschatology, these two events, the Second Coming and the Rapture, appear at times to be simultaneous and yet separate. They will both take place during the end times and each event describes the return of Christ.

Second Coming

A vivid description concerning the appearance of Jesus in the future is found in Revelation (19:11–16):

Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Throughout the New Testament, the believer is encouraged to anticipate that the “time is short” for return of the Christ (Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 4:7; Hebrews 10:37; James 5:8).

All mankind is warned to be patient and ready for the return for it will happen without further notice “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; 2 Peter 3:10). Jesus, in speaking to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:10, “Behold, I come quickly” (Revelation 3:11, 22:7, 12). See also Matthew 24:43–44; Luke 12:35–40; James 5:7–11; Revelation. 16:15).

Rapture

The rapture is a theological term that is not found anywhere in Scripture. The rapture is the synchronized and instantaneous removal of the church from the earth by God. However, the event is defined in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. The event originates from the Latin verb rapio (“I seize,” pluck, pull or take by force,” and “I violently carry off”) and the Greek verb harpazo (“I seize,” and “I snatch away”). The term refers to the “catching up” of the believers (church) to meet the Lord in the air upon his return, being accompanied with the resurrected believers.

Some examples of this term is found in Matthew 11:12; 13:19; John 6:15; 10:12,28-29; Acts 8:39; 23:10; 2 Corinthians 12:2,4; 1Thessalonians 4:17; Jude 1:23; Revelation 12:5. General agreement upholds a literal return of Jesus to the earth before the eternal reign of Christ.

The key biblical passage for rapture of the church is 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Although several other passages give support to the “carrying away” of the church, including John 14:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The timing of the rapture is the crux of the argument for the Premillennialist. There are three views given theological names concerning the timing of the rapture: pre-tribulational, mid-tribulational[3] and post-tribulational.

The pretribulational view holds that Christ will come in the air to rapture the church (1 Thessalonians 4:17) before the seven-year tribulation begins (Daniel 9:24–27; Matthew 24:3–28; Revelation 11:2; 12:14). They believe that the “second coming of Christ” is a twofold event: 1) first time Christ comes in the clouds and raptures his church, both dead and alive and 2) when Christ sets up his 1,000 year kingdom on the earth. They believe that the church will not endure Daniel’s seventieth week (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10).

The midtribulational view holds that rapture is a distinct event that precedes Christ’s second coming but rapture of the Christians does not occur until the middle of the Tribulation period. They divide the tribulation into two three and a half year periods: the first half is called the “tribulation” and the second half is called the “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:15–28; Revelation 16–18)

A posttribulational view holds that the rapture and the second coming occur at the same time. That would mean that the church remains on earth during the outpouring of God’s wrath, “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). While the world will go through the tribulation period, the believers will be protected from the devastating outpouring of God’s wrath and judgment (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

By looking at the scripture very closely, we can see that there are some key differences between the Second Coming and the Rapture of the church. The following chart highlights some of the key differences noted in Scripture.

Rapture

Second Coming

Jesus meets the believers in the air – John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Saints Returning with Him to earth – Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:14

Jesus coming for His saints – 2 Thessalonians 2:1

Jesus coming with His saints – Jude 14

Only believers see Christ in the clouds – 1 Thessalonians 4:17

All people will see Him – Revelation 1:17

No signs precede the Rapture – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Titus 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

Many signs precede the Second Coming – Matthew 24:3-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 6-18

Before the Tribulation – 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Revelation 3:10

After Tribulation – Revelation 6-19

Deliverance - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 5:9

Judgment – Revelation 3:10, 19:11-21

Hidden event - 1 Corinthians 15:50-54

Seen by All – Revelation 1:7

After the Rapture, the Tribulation begins – 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9

After Christ’s Second Coming the Millennium begins – Revelation 20:1-7

Table 1 - Comparison of the Rapture and the Second Coming

The Day of the Lord

The Old Testament perspective of Eschatology introduces the term, “the Day of the Lord.” It is Lord’s final judgment of all evil, particularly between God and Satan. The events yet to happen are:

· the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Tribulation, Matthew 24:4-26),

· followed by the Second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:27-30)

· the judgment of all nations (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:20-24).

The “fall” as depicted in Genesis 3:14-19 was a four-part curse; A curse was placed on:

· Satan and his followers

· Woman

· Adam

· the earth.

The “Day of the Lord” will make all things right. The Lord will bring all His enemies to judgment. This judgment will include a separation defined as “sheep and goats” (Matthew 13:38-43; Revelation 14:14-20) and sorting of fish (Matthew 13:47-50). The separation will be for those that inherit eternal life and those that inherit everlasting punishment.

The “Great White Throne” judgment as portrayed in Revelation 20:11-15 is the second death (v. 14). Again, a separation is made for those that will be cast into the lake of fire if their names are not found written in the Book of Life.

There are two distinct resurrections mentioned in the Old Testament (Daniel 12:2-3). The New Testament describes them as the resurrections of the just (Luke 14:13–14; Revelation 20:6) and the resurrection of the unjust (John 5:29; Revelation 20:5). There will be a 1,000-year separation between the two (Revelation 20:4–6).[4]

The Old Testament identifies events that would take place before the beginning of the “Day of the Lord.”

· the return of Elijah - Malachi 4:5-6

· Wonders in heaven and on earth; blood, fire, pillars of smoke, the sun darkened, and the moon turns to blood - Joel 2:30-32

· the reunification of Israel and Judah - Ezekiel 37:15-22; Jeremiah 30:3-14

· the establishment of a new covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-34 (see also Ezekiel 11:19–20; 34:25–31; Hosea 2:18–23)

· peace among all nations - Isaiah 2:2-4 (see also Micah 4:1-4)

· worldwide worship of God - Isaiah 2:2-3 (see also Isaiah 19:23–25; 66:18–19; 23; Zechariah 14:16–19)

The New Testament also identifies the events that would take place before the beginning of the Day of the Lord.

· Jesus affirms the Second Coming - Matthew 24:37, 39, 42, 44

· Jesus affirms that he will come again - Luke 19:15; John 14:3

· The angels affirmed Christ’s return – Acts 1:11

· Bodily resurrection will occur with the return of Christ – 1 Corinthians 15 (v. 23).

· The Apostle Paul’s writings confirm the return of Jesus - 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff; 5:1ff; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff; 2:1ff).

Other expressions of the Day of the Lord include[5]

The Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)

The Seventieth Week (a seven) of Daniel (Daniel 9:27)

Jehovah’s Strange Work (Isaiah 28:21)

Jehovah’s Strange Act (Isaiah 28:21)

The Day of Israel’s Calamity (Deuteronomy 32:35; Obadiah 1:12-14)

The Tribulation (Deuteronomy 4:30)

The Indignation (Isaiah 26:20, Daniel 11:36)

The Overflowing Scourge (Isaiah 28:15, 18)

The Day of the Lord’s Vengeance (Isaiah 34:8, 35:4, 61:2)

The Year of Recompense (Isaiah 34:8)

The Time of Trouble (Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15)

The Day of Wrath (Zephaniah 1:15)

The Day of Trouble (Zephaniah 1:15)

The Day of Wasteness (Zephaniah 1:15)

The Day of Desolation (Zephaniah 1:15)

The Day of Darkness (Zephaniah 1:15; Amos 5:18, 20; Joel 2:2)

The Day of Gloominess (Zephaniah 1:15; Joel 2:2)

The Day of Clouds and Thick Darkness (Zephaniah 1:15; Joel 2:2)

The Day of the Trumpet (Zephaniah 1:16)

The Day of Alarm (Zephaniah 1:16)

The New Testament names and designations include:

The Day of the Lord (1Thessalonians 5:2)

The Wrath of God (Revelation 15:1, 7, 14:10, 19, 16:1)

The Hour of Temptation (Revelation 3:10)

The Great Day of the Wrath of the Lamb of God (Revelation 6:16-17)

The Wrath to Come (1Thessalonians 1:10)

The Wrath (1Thessalonians 5:9, Revelation 11:18)

The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22, 7:14)

The Tribulation (Matthew 24:29

The Hour of Judgment (Revelation 14:7).

Christ’s Return

Two key New Testament texts explicitly speak about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

The Greek word parousia, means “being near”, “coming”, “arrival” or “presence” is used in several passages to confirm the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. (Mt 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1Co 15:23; 1Th 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2Th 2:1, 8; Ja 5:7–8; 2 Pe 1:16; 3:4, 12; 1Jn 2:28).

The expectation of the followers of Jesus Christ is that He will return one day to 1) receive His followers and 2) set up His reign on the earth as the True Messiah, King, and Lord.

Conclusion

Nothing remains to be accomplished before the rapture of the church. We await to hear the trumpet sound and see Jesus return in the clouds to receive His Bride.

Will you be lifted from the earth to meet Christ in the air?

Introduction to Chapter Four and Five

Chapter four begins a new “view” of the Revelation. The book shifts its focus from the seven churches in Asia to events on a worldwide scale. According to Revelation 1:19, John was to write about three areas: past, present, and future.

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen [past], and the things which are [present], and the things which shall be hereafter [future];

Two thirds of the outline in Revelation 1:19 are now complete. The third major section of the Apocalypse begins where we will see prophecies concerning the future and all it holds in chapter 4, “I will shew thee things which must be hereafter”.

The Revelation begins with John’s experiences at Patmos: “Then I turned to see …” (1:12). Now beginning in chapter 4, John repeats again, “After this I looked ….”

The section from Revelation 4:1 through Revelation 22:5 is the most terrifying and difficult to read and explain to the casual observer. This section is rich in its description of the “end of times.” From this point on we will be jumping back and forth between heaven and earth. There are even passages that are “parenthetical,” meaning they do not form a consistent timeline through the book, but instead take a “breather” in all the action.

The door to heaven is opened and we catch sight of the throne room of God. The power of God Almighty is observed everywhere, and He is in absolute control over every action and event. The writer of the book of Hebrews gives us a breathtaking panorama of the heavenly throne room in Hebrews 8-9. (see also 1 Kings 22:19; Job 1:6; 2:1; Psalms 89:6, 7; Ezekiel 1; Daniel 7:9, 10)

It is in this section of the Apocalypse we are introduced to the threefold office of Jesus: Prophet, Priest, and King. Here, authority is given to Jesus as the Judge of the earth. He is the Savior, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and has the right and authority to establish His dominion and kingdom on earth.

We have been introduced to symbolism and imagery of the Apocalypse in chapter 1. Throughout the remainder of the Revelation, we will need to be mindful of the writings from the Old Testament to properly interpret the Revelation. In the same way that Daniel and Ezekiel were told by the Holy Spirit to write future events, John is given the same privilege.

Most of the Revelation contains clear spiritual teaching and concise prophecy. That being said, some passages will seem beyond our ability to understand. At those points we will simply witness what John sees and records. We will study the Apocalypse and learn what the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to see. Some things we will take by faith and believe simply because it is God’s Word. But above all else we will take comfort in knowing that Jesus wins over all evil in the end.

Naturally, in the book of the Revelation we see the worship of God. Worship of God in heaven is a normal event. True, spiritual worship is displayed repeatedly by admiring beings in heaven. They direct their worship to the Father and the Son. God is the object, and He is worthy as the Creator (Psalm 104) and Jesus is worthy as the Redeemer (Psalm 103)! Let us listen to the worship from the 4 beasts and the 24 elders:

Revelation 4:8-11 “…Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come…The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship… saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

We should notice that Chapters 4–5 represent a pivotal point of the Revelation. In chapters, two and three the object of the passage was the seven churches, commendations, and criticisms. Chapters four and five are the interval or pause before the judgments on the earth and mankind begin (Revelation 6–22). It is apparent that the letters to the seven churches are warnings. There is a “blessed hope” to be had and “death and hell” to miss. God consistently allows a time for repentance before judgment takes place (Revelation 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19).

Two points before we jump into chapter 4: Apocalyptic language fills these two chapters. Some of the imagery John uses is taken from Old Testament apocalyptic passages, (Ezekiel 1:10; 2:9, 10; Daniel 4; 7:13–14).

Secondly, the church is not mentioned as being on earth again. This fuels the Pretribulationalists point that the “rapture” takes place between chapter three and four. Once the saints are taken from the earth to heaven, the Lord focuses His attention on the nation of Israel.

Let us read chapter four and five together to see the throne room just as John visualized it. Feel John’s wonder, amazement, and excitement as he meets God.

Revelation 4:1-5:14 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

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? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven 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, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 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; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 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. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

[1] R. J. Bauckham, “Eschatology,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 333

[2] IBID, 334.

[3] There is a rise of the Prewrath view where they seek to integrate the idea that the church will be raptured before the outpouring of the wrath of God. They believe that the church will be persecuted by the Antichrist during the tribulation, but will be removed after the abomination of desolation during the second half of Daniel’s seventieth week.

[4] Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

[5] Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. The Footsteps of Messiah, rev ed. Tustine, CA: Ariel Ministries. 2003, 176 )

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