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Revelation 5:11-14: In the choir.

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen’, and the elders fell down and worshipped.” NIV

We are in the heavenly choir already. In our worship, we ‘join with angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven. Don’t forget that heaven and earth are umbilically linked

As we conclude our look at Revelation 4/5, here’s the big picture we need to see:

• In the centre, on the throne of the universe, there is God and ‘’the Lamb’’ (Jesus);
• Before the throne of God and of the Lamb, all creation and the whole church bow down in worship;
• Then there is another circle of over a hundred million worshipping angels (Daniel 7:10);
• Don’t miss the remarkable point that the worship accorded to the Creator God is also given to Christ! (I’m sure, too, you will see the connection between verse 13, 14 and Philippians 2:5-11

‘See how the circle of praise grows until every creature worships Him. Heaven is a place of worship, so begin to get ready now to join in the praise!’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘With the Word’, p.851.

The God who made us, and the Christ who bought us, are deserving of our continuous praise.

Francis Chan was the pastor of a mega-church, who walked away from it, and started again in his home. One of things he said was, ‘We wanted to be a church where we sing our hearts out to God!’ That’s a godly ambition for us all. Such music is being made in heaven right now. You’re already in the choir. So sing!!

Revelation 5: Where the church belongs.

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen’, and the elders fell down and worshipped.” NIV

Where does the church belong?

1. At the feet of Jesus: We have seen previously that ‘’the four living creatures and the twenty four elders’’ represent creation and the church respectively. Here we see both the created order, and the whole people of God down at the feet of Jesus (8a); falling before ‘’the Lamb’’ who was slain – the One who has triumphed and is ‘’worthy’’ to open the scroll. History is in His Hands. Do we have any idea how big Jesus is, or how small and weak we are? Do we get it that we belong with John at the feet of Christ? (1:17)
2. In the place of praise: ‘’Each one had a harp…’’ (8b). We get to join in with the ‘’new song’’ (9, 10; see 1:5b, 6).
3. In the place of prayer: ‘’…and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints’’ (8b). As someone put it, there is an umbilical link between earth and heaven. The ordinary, every day prayers of believers make a difference. They do reach heaven. Be encouraged. Consider these quotes: ‘…the prayers of God’s people play a vital part in God’s governing of the world.’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘With the Word’, p.850. ‘Those are your prayers in the bowl of incense! Isn’t that awesome? We get to be part of this unbelievable scene.’ Francis Chan: ‘Letters to the church’, p.40. ‘If the veil of the world’s machinery were lifted off, how much we would find is done in answer to the prayers of God’s children.’ Robert Murray M’Cheyne.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus for shedding your blood, to buy an international people for God. Thank you that I’m a part of it, with work to do today, and a glorious hope for tomorrow.

Revelation 5:1-6: No more tears.

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” NIV

Tom Wright says:

‘…already the plan, to wipe away all tears from all eyes (7,17; 21.4) has begun.’

He goes on to add:

‘The echoes that rumble like thunder around the cave walls of our scriptural memories conjure up prophecies and visions. The Messiah will come from David’s tribe, the tribe of Judah; Judah was described in Genesis 49.9 as a lion’s cub…No first-century Jew would miss the reference, or fail to understand ‘the Root of David’, a phrase which, as in 22.16, echoes the great messianic prophecy of Isaiah 11:1-10.’ ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.53.

As you read through Revelation, it helps to remember that this prophecy is steeped in Old Testament allusions. There is truth in the saying:

‘The New is in the old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.’

Also, never lose sight of the key message that the throne of the universe is occupied, and Jesus has conquered through suffering. Whatever we may have to go through down here, we are on the winning team.

PRAYER: Thank you, Almighty God, for your wonderful Word.

Revelation 5:1-6: He is able

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” ⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” NIV

The sealed scroll contains future events. Here are two different, but complementary, observations on it:  ‘Probably it contains the history of the successive steps to be taken to win the empire of the world for Christ. In other words, it tells of the successive stages of the coming of the kingdom of God.’ F.B. Meyer: ‘Devotional Commentary’, p.638.

‘We rightly guess…that it contains God’s secret plan to undo and overthrow the world-destroying projects that have already gained so much ground, and to plant and nurture instead the world-rescuing project which will get creation itself back on track in the right direction.’ Tom Wright: ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.52.

No human-being is ‘’worthy’’ to unloose the seals that keep this book fastened.We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As one writer said, we are all overdrawn at the moral bank

But Jesus is worthy.

‘’He is able…’’ (5).

John looks for the One described as ‘’the Lion of the tribe of Judah’’ (5), but what he sees is ‘’a Lamb’’ (6). Clearly, Jesus is the other side of death. He is ‘’standing’’. He is very much alive. Also, He is at the centre of the universe: ‘’standing in the centre of the throne’’. He can open the book of the future. His death and resurrection lie at the epicentre of history. He died, yes. He was ‘’slain’’; but He was not defeated. ‘He death, by dying, slew.’ He is the all-prevailing Christ.

Revelation 4:6b-ll: ‘Theatre of praise.’

^“6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.In the centre, round the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and behind. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all round, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,”who was, and is, and is to come.’ ⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:                                                                                            ¹¹ ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things,and by your will they were created  and have their being.’ NIV

The scene John saw was one in which these ‘’living creatures’’ continuously worship God. It seems they represent the whole of the created order. Nature is a living thing, and it constantly praises God (see, e.g. Psalm 19).  Inspired by the worship of the living world, the church (we have said before that the ‘’twenty-four elders’’ represent the entire people of God throughout the ages) joins in.

‘…perhaps we should pause here and reflect carefully. Do we, in our private prayers and worship, and in our public services and liturgies, give sufficient weight to praising God as the creator of all things?…Do we then view creation itself as a theatre of praise, and live appropriately within such an awesome place?’ Tom Wright: ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.49.

As Wright says, there is a ‘’because’’ in the church’s worship (11). We praise God because we understand certain truths about Him, even if our comprehension is dim at best.

As we regularly hear the call of nature, may our hearts be stirred to heartily join in. What a blessing to live within the ‘theatre of praise.’

PRAYER: ‘When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze, Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, How great thou art…’

Revelation 4:1-6a: No vacancies.

“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ ² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. ⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the centre, round the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and behind.” NIV

From this point on, the book of ‘Revelation’ deals with the future (1b). Whether, from John’s standpoint this is the immediate future, the mid-term future, or the ultimate future is a matter of debate and dispute. Good people have differing opinions, and they need to hold them with respect for others.But what is not in doubt is that God knows the future; He holds the future, and he can unveil it to His prophets.

I believe C.S. Lewis captured an important truth in picturing the land of ‘Narnia’ as just the other side of the wardrobe door. That other realm is closer to us than we usually imagine. Someone said when we read this, we should not think of a door far away up in the sky. It’s more like a doorway into another room. We can certainly affirm that Jesus is the open door into heaven for us all.

The first thing John saw in heaven was ‘’a throne’’ and there was ‘’someone sitting on it’’ (2). At times, life here in the world can seem pretty chaotic, but there is a throne of power and authority and judgment in heaven. It is occupied. There are no vacancies. There will never be a successful coup to overthrow God.

Notice that there is something beautiful about the One on the throne. His form cannot be seen, but He is spoken of in terms of light and colour (3; see 1 Timothy 6:16). The rainbow reminds us that He is a covenant-keeping God. His promises never fail. Warren Wiersbe comments that on earth, we see the rainbow after the storm, but John sees it before the storm of judgment breaks upon the world. However, the Lord is not only beautiful; He is also awful (awe-full!) (5a; see Exodus 19:16-19). He is a God to be feared. I remember, as a child, feeling terrified during storms of thunder and lightning. Even when you’re older, and maybe don’t feel quite as frightened as in childhood days, you still recognise that this is a scary, as well as spectacular, phenomenon. There is very real power throwing its weight around in the natural realm. It is not something to be messed around with, but to be treated with the utmost respect.

Some people regard the ‘’twenty-four elders’’ (4) as angels. Without wanting to be dogmatic, I see them as representing the church throughout history: the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles standing for the people of God in both testaments of the Bible.

The ‘’seven spirits of God’’ (5b) can read ‘’the sevenfold spirit’’. As we have seen before, 7 is the number of perfection. The perfect Spirit of God blazes the light of spiritual understanding into darkened hearts.

Finally, verse 6a speaks to me of the peace and tranquility there is lying before (and because of) the reigning and ruling God. If you let Him reign over you, your heart can be a ‘’sea of glass’’.

Revelation 3:14-22: A continuous challenge

^“14 Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:^15-17 “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.¹⁸ “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.¹⁹ “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!^20-21 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!²² “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” ” NIV

In church life, verse 20 has been repeatedly used as an evangelistic text, to encourage people to ‘invite Jesus into your life.’ But it was not originally given for that purpose. These words were written to a church that was closing the Lord Jesus out of HIS church. Here is a major challenge we continually face, i.e. to not repeat this pattern.

‘The echoes of stories in the gospels suggests that the one knocking on the door is the master of the house, returning at an unexpected hour (as in the warning to Sardis in 3.3), while the one who should open the door is the servant who has stayed awake. It is, then, Jesus’ house in the first place; our job is simply to welcome him home. And the echoes of the ancient scriptures suggest a different but related image. This is the bridegroom, knocking on the door of the house where his beloved lies asleep (Song of Solomon 5.2). A glance at Revelation 21.2 suggests that this may have been in mind as well…No early Christian could have heard those words without thinking of the regular meal, the bread-breaking, at which Jesus would come powerfully and personally and give himself to his people. Such meals anticipate the final messianic banquet (see 19.9). They are advance ‘comings’ of the one who will one day come fully and forever.’ Tom Wright: ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.40.

As I read this letter again I am struck by the thought that although it was sent to a local church, one person (‘’anyone’’) may be a difference-maker (20). Certainly, that individual can have a rich experience with Christ himself (or herself), even though the rest of the people in the church may be on ‘low heat’. It is through this intimacy with Jesus that a person will find the strength to ‘overcome’ (21) and so reign with Christ.

Before moving on in this book of ‘Revelation’ let’s note that today there is no trace of that Laodicean church. Why? Because these people did not repent of their sins.

When the Lord speaks to us there is a lot at stake. Ignoring Him is not the healthy option.

Revelation 3:14-22: Jesus is the answer

 ‘To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ NIV

There can be a huge discrepancy between how we see ourselves and reality (how Jesus sees us): ‘’You say…But you do not realise that…’’ (17). But whatever our maladies may be, personally or corporately, we can, and should, go to Jesus for the cure:

‘’I counsel you to buy from me…’’ (18).

‘Where can I go but to the Lord?’

It may prove costly to obtain the healing you require (implied, perhaps, in the word ‘’buy’’). Repentance is never without pain. But consider the difference genuine repentance brings (19, 20). There is no substitute for personal, intimate fellowship with Jesus. Everything else we may try to live for is a lesser god. None but Christ can satisfy.

PRAYER: Lord, mercifully show me who I am and what I am, and help me to truly repent.

Revelation 3:14-22: Local colouring.

 ‘To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ NIV

This is perhaps the best known of the seven letters, and many sermons have been preached from it on the dangers of ‘’lukewarm’’ Christianity. Such a state is undeniably abhorrent to Jesus. Before we look at anything else, perhaps we should take a little time to observe the local colouring.

We saw previously that the city of Philadelphia had been devastated in an earthquake in AD 17. At that time, they gratefully received help from central Roman funds. But when a later earthquake, in AD 61, did major damage to several cities in the Lycus valley, to the south of Philadelphia, one city was proudly able to refuse imperial help. You’ve guessed it – Laodicea! They had independent means and didn’t feel in need of any outside assistance. It was the banking centre for the whole region. There was also a fine medical centre there and people travelled long distances to train as doctors, In particular, the school specialised in ophthalmology, healing for the eyes. Laodicea was a great place to obtain an especially popular Phrygian eye-powder. Then, we may add, the local farmers had bred a type of black sheep whose wool was of fine quality. Clothes made from Laodicean wool were eagerly sought after.

But for all that, the city did not have good water.Nearby, at Hierapolis, there were some famous hot springs. Large amounts of hot water poured out from them in great streams. The water was thought to have healing power, so many people came to drink it with high hopes. But as the hot water flowed down the slopes from the spring, it quickly became lukewarm, and lost its healing efficacy (or so it was thought). Not only could it not heal anyone; it couldn’t quench thirst either. I’ve heard it said that it was sickly to the taste, being full of concentrated chemicals.

Something to note: As this water passed through Laodicea it was lukewarm!

 To the south-east of Laodicea stood the town of Colossae. It had a fine supply of water, flowing down from snow-capped Mount Cadmus. Someone suggested it was almost of Alpine quality. But by the time this water reached Laodicea, 11 miles away, the Turkish heat meant that it too had turned lukewarm.

Tom Hale writes: ‘…no one ever likes to drink something lukewarm. The church in Laodicea was like a lukewarm drink: the church’s ministry was neither hot nor cold – only lukewarm. Because of this, no matter what a person’s need might be, the church could not satisfy it.’ ‘Applied New Testament Commentary’, p. 969.

PRAYER: Lord, I have to pray, please will you stoke the fires in the church’s boiler. Don’t allow any of us to settle for tepid Christianity. It’s a contradiction in terms.