THE WAY THE KINGDOM IS TO COME
TEXT FOR PRAYER
Centering Our Minds On Christ’s Kingdom
We shall continue our reading from Christ’s Object Lessons, page 44, the last paragraph–
“As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart. Satan and his angels are in the assemblies where the gospel is preached. While angels of heaven endeavor to impress hearts with the word of God, the enemy is on the alert to make the work of no effect. With an earnestness equaled only by his malice, he tries to thwart the work of the Spirit of God. While Christ is drawing the soul by His love, Satan tries to turn away the attention of the one who is moved to seek the Saviour. He engages the mind with worldly schemes. He excites criticism, or insinuates doubt and unbelief. The speaker’s choice of language or his manner may not please the hearers, and they dwell upon these defects. Thus the truth they need, and which God has graciously sent them, makes no lasting impression.”
What do we need to pray for this afternoon? – That the angels may be around us so that the Enemy will not have an opportunity to catch away the seeds of Divine Truth; that we keep our minds completely centered upon Christ and His Kingdom, so there shall be no loophole for the Evil One to gain an entrance and thus beguile us into sin.
THE WAY THE KINGDOM IS TO COME
TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF D. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, OCTOBER 11, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS
The Jews had built up an erroneous conception of what the Kingdom was to be, and how and when it was to come and so when the Lord exposed their misconceptions, they became indignant. They were very angry, not because the Kingdom which the Saviour disclosed was not much more bountiful and practical than they had ever conceived, but because their errors were exposed! Thus Heaven’s favored people, the Jews, piled error upon error, and brought upon themselves shame and disaster.
Should the Christian’s idea of the Kingdom be somewhat erroneous, too, and should we fail to profit by the mistakes of the Jews, then our fall would be even greater than that of the Jews. Let us therefore lay aside any pre-conceived ideas we may have, and accept the Lord’s revealed Truth which brings us His idea of the Kingdom fresh today:
Matt. 13:24-26 – Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
The pestering tares which grow higher and Γ4 sturdier than the wheat Satan inspires and by them fabricates erroneous theories concerning God’s plan. The tares, according to the parable, so closely resemble the wheat that they cannot be discovered except after they bear fruit; that is, they can be discerned only by the final results brought forth by their works.
And what can these results be? What else from ideas that are not Heaven-inspired may you expect in the Church but selfishness, egotism, bigotry, worldliness, prejudice, hatred against reproof and light on their evil deeds? Is it not their aim to exalt themselves rather than to exalt Christ and His Truth?
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth.” 2 Tim. 3:1-7.
Matt. 13:27-30 – So the servants of the Householder came and said unto Him, Sir, didst not Thou sow good seed in Thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto Him, Wilt Thou then that we go and gather them up? But He said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up Γ5 also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn.
Here we see that even the ideas of the most faithful servants of God as to the setting up of His kingdom and the weeding out the tares, are not the same as God’s plans. This cleansing work belongs only to the angels of heaven, and this they will do in the time of harvest after being commanded to do so, not before.
In this parable we are also told that the spiritual harvest is a “time,” not a momentary work, and that it brings the end of the world just as naturally as the year’s harvest brings the end of the summer.
Thus, you see, the separation of wheat and tares takes place in the last days and in two different places: first in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17; Matt. 13:47, 48), then in Babylon (Rev. 18:2-4).
In the former the tares are taken out from among God’s people, but in the latter God’s people are taken out from among the tares – from the habitation of devils, of foul spirits, of unclean and hateful birds.
There are two fruits, also: the first are from the twelve tribes of the children of Israel (Rev. 7:2-8), the Church, and the second from “all nations” (Rev. 7:9).
Matt. 13:31, 32 – “Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like Γ6 to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”
Mustard seed being the smallest of all seeds this parable shows that that which is to start the Kingdom will be very insignificant, contrary to all human expectation. Nevertheless, like the mustard plant becomes the biggest of all herbs, so the Kingdom shall grow and become the greatest of all kingdoms. This being contrary to all human planning, it is but natural that those who are like Nicodemus, and continue to be ashamed to be identified with something that is unpopular, hated, and insignificant, will as a result be left out of the Kingdom.
Matt. 13:33 – “Another parable spake He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
The Kingdom is here again shown to start with something small, but that little thing is to be like yeast in a loaf of bread. What could the leaven be but an unpopular message borne by some insignificant one and put into the Church, the loaf. Well, the leaven is in the dough now. Just watch it leaven the whole.
Matt. 13:44 – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
Those who will gain entrance into the Kingdom are here represented as searchers of great treasure, and when the find its location, the field, they are very eager to make it their own. They are certain of its worth, and count it not a risk to sell all they possess, whether much or little, to obtain the Kingdom. What they sell, of course, is not only lands or houses, but anything which, if not disposed of would keep them out of the Kingdom. They are certain that they are making a good investment, that they are to get much more out of it than they put into it. On the other hand, those who are foolish, who do not know the value of it, feel they dare not make the investment, and consequently will be the losers.
Matt. 13:45, 46 – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
Those who are to inherit the kingdom are here again represented as searching for a very valuable jewel, the Kingdom Truth. And when they find it, they count it not a gamble to sell all they have in order to make it their own. They know that they are getting a bargain, that such an investment will actually make them rich.
Both the man who bought the field containing the great treasure, and the man who bought the pearl of great price sold everything they had in order to close the respective deals. But even though it took everything they had, they both did have enough to buy what they wanted. So it is that it matters not who we are, how rich or how poor we be, if we make up our minds to sell all and buy the Kingdom, we will have just enough to Γ8 buy it.
Matt. 13:47, 48 – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.”
The net must represent the Truth, the message of the Kingdom. As it is cast into the sea, published and sent out, it is bound to catch good and bad. But when the net is drawn to shore, the bad are then cast out from among the good, and the good are put into vessels, into the Kingdom. Hence, merely because one is attracted by the mighty Truth, does not mean he is saved. His chance of staying forever with the Truth depends on his meeting the Lord’s expectations of him.
Matt. 13:52 – “Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”
Here the Master plainly points out that God’s messengers of the Kingdom bring out of the Word things both old and new: things that are known and things that are unknown to them. Thus it has ever been in the unrolling of the scroll and thus it must be now.
Luke 14:16, 17 – “Then said He unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent His servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.”
In this parable it is made known that in the Γ9 closing hours of probationary time (at supper time, about the end of the day), Heaven is to send a message to them that are bidden, to them that already know the Gospel of Christ, to the members of the Church. The servant is to inform them that everything is now ready, that they should now come in for the great and long expected supper, – a supper which they are to eat in the Master’s mansion (the Kingdom), not in their own.
Luke 14:18-20 – “And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”
Those here mentioned did not excuse themselves from accepting the Gospel of Christ, but they excused themselves from going into the Master’s mansion, from taking their seats at His table! Yes, according to the parable, those who had money to buy land, oxen, and houses, also to marry at the time the last call for the supper came, all excused themselves with one consent. But the poor and afflicted, those who were in the streets and in the lanes, so to speak, who had nothing much of their own, and were in need of everything, were glad to go in for the supper.
This is very natural: Those who are satisfied with what the world gives, do not care to get out of it. Here you see why it is easier for a camel than it is for a rich person to get through the needle’s eye (Matt. 19:24). Those whose only difficulty is in trying to get richer, Γ10 those who are deeply engrossed with this world’s goods, cannot take time to eat of the Master’s supper. Here fits the age old saying, “Almost saved, but entirely lost.” Here is vividly seen that to accept one truth but to reject the next, profits one nothing. The last call to the individual is what counts most.
At the times when new truths have been introduced millions have lost out only because they were too well satisfied with what they had. They saw need of nothing better, or else they were too proud to accept unpopular Truth from one of God’s own appointed messengers. Thus it is that when God sends a message, rather than it being to them a step upward toward salvation, it has been and still is to many a step downward toward damnation. To this end was the prophet instructed: “…Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” Isa. 6:9, 10.
Luke 14:22, 23 – “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as Thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.”
The fact that in the city were those who had already been “bidden” when the last call for supper came to them, proves that the city represents the Church. To them was the servant first sent. The highways and hedges, therefore, where the servant next went, represent the world, far and wide, aside from the Church. But the most Γ11 important and very sad part to remember in this parable is that which is told in the verse that follows:
Luke 14:24 – “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper.”
This is what happened: As soon as they excused themselves, probation closed for them, they had no other chance of tasting His supper. Probation, nevertheless, remained open for those who had not yet been bidden. Those who were in the highways and hedges could yet be saved.
The church seems too well versed as to the time probation closes for the world, but not at all informed that probation for her members closes at the very time they reject a heaven-sent message. Here is shown why the five foolish virgins found the door closed though they had later obtained the oil and gotten to the door: their probation had closed when they failed at the first opportunity to fill their vessels with extra oil, an extra message.
Matt. 25:1-8 – “Then [while the unfaithful servant is being cut asunder Matt. 24:51] shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Γ12 Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”
Here is Truth that should not be lightly passed by any: The oil can but represent revealed prophetic Truth, Truth that lightens the path ahead. Oil in a vessel, before being put into a lamp, however, cannot lighten the path of anyone. Hence the oil in the vessels of the five virgins must represent an extra supply, extra Truth, that came to them during the period of slumber and sleep. For when the call was made, “Behold the Bridegroom cometh,” all ten virgins found the oil in their lamps consumed. The vessels of the wise, however were full and so they could refill their lamps. In contrast, the foolish found that not only were their lamps out, but their vessels were empty, too. They then went to obtain the oil, but it did them no good, for they found the door closed to them. They had been satisfied with what they had in their lamps, presuming that there was no need for more. Contrary to their assumption though during the period of slumber and sleep they suddenly saw their lamps go out. Finding themselves in spiritual darkness and confusion they were then anxious to get oil.
Here is seen that the message which the Church has during the period of slumber and sleep is not sufficient to carry her members through to the end. They need an extra message.
Now what is the difference between the oil in the lamp and the oil in the vessel? – Just this: The oil that is in the lamp, that already lightens the traveler’s path toward the Master’s mansion, must represent Truth in progress. But the oil in the vessel, must represent Truth that is to lighten one’s path after the former Truth has accomplished its work. For example, Γ13 after the harvest (Investigative Judgment) of the dead is past, other truths even more important must be introduced for the harvest of the living. I say more important truths because they are concerning the living themselves, concerning those whose own cases are to be weighed in the balances, those who personally are to be judged either as “wheat” or as “tares,” either as good “fish” or as bad “fish.”
Moreover, after the judgment of the dead which the Church has been preaching for a number of years, is over, if the Church does not then receive a new message, the message of the judgment of the living, she will have no message, no oil, for the time of the judgment of the living.
As the oil was available to all ten virgins, the parable makes clear that the message of the judgment of the living is brought to the Church, but that only half the virgins availed themselves of it. When the judgment of the living begins and the cry is made, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet Him,” they will all arise, but only half of them will gain admittance. The other half will have sinned against the Holy Spirit, will have rejected His Truth! Consequently when they knock on the door, the Bridegroom’s answer will be, “I never knew you.” What foolishness! and what a disappointment that will be!
This, you see, is not man’s theory, Brother, Sister. It is God’s plain Truth. How sad the case, then, for those who are not only neglecting their own vessels, but are even preventing others from getting the extra oil now while it is dispensed to all. Indeed, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth unless all the Γ14 lukewarm Laodiceans now at their first opportunity change their minds about being rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing.
Matt. 25:14-30 – “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, Who called His Own servants, and delivered unto them His goods. And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took His journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord’s money. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, Thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. He als that had received two talents came and said, Lord, Thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew Thee that Thou art an hard man, reaping where Thou hast not sown, and gathering where Thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid Thy talent in the earth: lo, there Thou hast that is Thine. His Lord answered and said Γ15 unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received Mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
The talents in this parable represent the Lord’s goods, His timely messages for the people. Each of His servants is here represented as being given a certain amount of responsibility, but not beyond their “ability.”
From this parable we see that any service which does not measure up 100% to capacity, that does not double its talents, is not acceptable to God. Half-hearted service is not service at all, but only a great waste.
Matt. 25:31-40 – “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a Γ16 stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? when saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”
Here is pointed out that self-centered persons will never enter the Kingdom of God. Only those who are endeavoring to do something for others, and especially for those who are of the household of faith, will ever enter into the joy of their Lord.
Most certainly this coming of the Lord mentioned in these verses is not one in which the saints meet Him in the air, but it certainly is the one in which He meets them in judgment on the earth, “the judgment of the living.” He sits on the throne of His glory, on the throne of His Church, His Kingdom, and from there He judges and separates the whole world. Some He places to His right, and some to His left.
Let us now view the separation in the Church according to The Revelation.
Rev. 3:14-16 – “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art Γ17 lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.”
The “angel,” the one that has charge of the church, cannot represent any class but the ministry of the church, His servants. Those who are satisfied (lukewarm), who feel no need of anything, no need of an additional message for the judgment of the living, – such will He spue out unless they repent. This work, you see, represents the cleansing of His temple.
Now we turn to Malachi–
Mal. 3:1 – “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.”
This verse introduces two persons, the Lord and His messenger. In the language of today these verse would read as follows:
“Behold, I send My messenger, even the messenger of the covenant, and he shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord whom ye seek and in Whom ye delight shall suddenly come to His temple. Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Verses 2-4 – “But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ sope: and He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Γ18 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.”
Plainly these verses foretell that the Lord is to send Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, before the judgment of the living members of His church begins, before the separating of the “tares” from the “wheat,” the bad “fish” from the good. Then He purifies the sons of Levi – the ministry. God assures us that before this work begins, He will send His messenger, the messenger of the promise, Elijah the prophet.
Rev. 18:1-4 – “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
These verses illustrate the separation that takes place in the so-called Christian world. But mark that the angel proclaims the fall of Babylon in the time of the angel’s Loud Cry, in the time the earth is lightened with the glory of the angel. Then it is that God’s people are actually called to come out of Babylon.
Moreover, for God to call His people out of Babylon on account of her sins, means that He must bring them into a place where there are no sins, – into His purified Church, His Kingdom, the place that is free from sin, and that is not in danger of the plagues. Plainly, then, the purification of the Church first takes place, and then are the rest of His people called out of Babylon.
Remember now, this is the way in which the Kingdom is to come.
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…”? Heb. 2:1-3.
Γ20
THE REVELATION–WHAT IS IT?
TEXT FOR PRAYER
Be Not Stony-ground Hearers
This afternoon we shall begin reading on page 46 of Christ’s Object Lessons:
“He that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
“The seed sown upon stony ground finds little depth of soil. The plant springs up quickly, but the root can not penetrate the rock to find nutriment to sustain its growth, and it soon perishes. Many who make a profession of religion are stony-ground hearers. Like the rock underlying the layer of earth, the selfishness of the natural heart underlies the soil of their good desires and aspirations. The love of self is not subdued. They have not seen the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the heart has not been humbled under a sense of its guilt. This class may be easily convinced, and appear to be bright converts, but they have only a superficial religion.”
There is a class of people who are very susceptible to Present Truth, but who, just as soon as persecution, reproach, inconvenience and trials arise, immediately recant their positions. The Truth has no root in such, and soon withers away from their minds and hearts. Let us now kneel and pray for depth of soil in our hearts, that we may hold fast our faith, our convictions, under any circumstances.
THE REVELATION–WHAT IS IT?
TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,
MINISTER OF D. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
SABBATH, OCTOBER 18, 1947
MT. CARMEL CHAPEL
WACO, TEXAS
To receive The Revelation, the last book of the Bible, John was twice taken in the Spirit. To see this we shall read Rev. 1:10, and 4:2.
Rev. 1:10 – “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”
This is John’s first time in the Spirit, and while in It he received Revelation chapters 1, 2, and 3.
Rev. 4:2 – “And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.”
This is John’s second time in the Spirit, the time he received Revelation chapters 4 to 22.
The first nine verses of chapter 1 contain John’s introduction to the book, and is a brief summary of what he saw. The remaining verses of chapter 1 contain the Lord’s introduction to The Revelation, after which in chapters 2 and 3 is given a special message to be delivered to the seven churches. This is all John saw while he was in the Spirit the first time.
Now coming to Revelation chapters 4 and 5, we read what John saw his second time in the Spirit.
Rev. 4; 5 – “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. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 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. 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. 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. 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.
“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. 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. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, Who liveth for ever and ever, 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, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and Γ23 for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
“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. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 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.
“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. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. 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. 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; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts Γ24 and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 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. 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. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever.”
Chapters 4 and 5, we see, contain a scene of a special event which caused the Book to be unsealed. That which came out of the Book is, in the fullest sense, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, of the One Who only was worthy to open the Book.
Thus it is that “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” begins with the sixth chapter and ends with the last chapter of the Book, the chapters in which are recorded the things which the breaking of the seven seals disclosed. Yes, The Revelation consists of the things which were sealed with seven seals.
It is clear now that It is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him”; that is, to Jesus God gave the Book. Jesus took it, broke the seals with which it was sealed and laid open the things which no one could reveal but He. The Seven Seals, therefore, cover all “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto Him,” and consists of the things which came out of the Book. The Revelation, moreover, Γ25 is in seven parts, because each one of the seals disclosed a certain part of The Revelation: The first seal disclosed the things recorded in chapter six, verse two; the second seal disclosed the things of verse four; the third seal disclosed the things of verses five and six; the fourth seal disclosed the things of verses 7 and 8; the fifth seal disclosed the things of verses nine to eleven; the sixth seal disclosed the things of verse twelve and down to the eighth chapter; the seventh seal disclosed the things of chapters eight to twenty-two, inclusive. That all these chapters are a continuation of the sixth chapter is seen by the fact that every chapter begins with the conjunction “And.”
The Revelation, then, is thus divided into seven parts. And so when we speak of the Seven Seals, we are in reality speaking of The Revelation.
The last of the seals, the seventh, is subdivided into still other seven divisions, the Seven Trumpets, which begin with the eighth chapter, and apparently end with the eleventh chapter.
The next thing to note is the event which caused the Book to be opened. For a ready comprehension, I have reproduced a pen drawing of the event. And I may mention that I have been very careful to pen it exactly as John describes it.
For lack of space, though, the myriads of angels round about the throne are missing in the drawing. Here is the drawing:
What is the event which caused the Book’s seals to be broken? – To find the answer to this question, we should first consider the members in the assembly. There we see One on the throne, then the Lamb, next the elders, and the myriads of angels round about the throne, also the “beasts,” who themselves testify that they are a symbolical representation of the redeemed, for they say, “for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5:9.
What else could such an assembly as this represent but a Judgment. There we see the Judge of Justice, our great Advocate, sitting on the throne, then the Lamb, and the jury of twenty-four, also the angelic witnesses, and the four beasts representing the redeemed. Moreover, The Revelation itself most emphatically declares that the event prophetically is the Judgment in session, for it says: “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:7.
The prophet Daniel, too, whose book is a complement to The Revelation, was given a glimpse of the Judgment. He saw the Ancient of Days sitting on the throne, also the thrones upon which evidently sit the twenty-four elders. He also saw the myriads of angels, and the “One like unto the Son of man,” the Lamb, brought near before the Ancient of Days.
In juxtaposition the prophecy by Daniel with The Revelation by John stand as follows:
Daniel’s Vision
(Daniel 7)
1. “I beheld till the thrones were cast down.” Vs. 9
2. “And the Ancient of Days did sit.” Vs. 9
3. “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.” Vs. 10
4. “One like the Son of man came . . . to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.” Vs. 13
5. “The books were opened.” Vs. 10
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6.”Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.” Vs. 10
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7. “The judgment was set, and the books were opened.” Vs. 10
John’s Vision
(The Revelation)
1. “And I saw thrones.” Rev. 20:4
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2. “And One sat on the throne.” Rev. 4:2
3. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire.” Rev. 15:2
4. “In the midst of the throne and of the four beasts . . . stood a Lamb.” Rev. 5:6
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5. “And the books were opened.” Rev. 20:12
6. “I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne . . . and the number of them was ten thousands times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” Rev. 5:11
7. “The hour of His judgment is come.” Rev. 14:7 “And I saw the dead, Γ29 small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Rev. 20:12
The only difference, you see, is that Daniel was shown the Judgment being set up, whereas John saw it in full session.
The Revelation, moreover, in the following verses again and again endeavors to make us see that the event there portrayed is the Judgment in session:
“Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.”
“And I saw thrones,” John declares, “and judgment was given unto them.” Rev. 20:4.
John truly penned it as a prophecy, but when it actually takes place then God’s agency on earth, the Spirit of Prophecy in the Church is to proclaim that the event has actually taken place.
Since the records of both the dead and the living must be reviewed by the Judicial Tribunal, the First Angel’s Message (Rev. 14:6), must be proclaimed in both periods, in the period of the Γ30 judgment of the dead, and by a loud cry in the period of the judgment of the living. The direct application of the First Angel’s Message, therefore, also the call to come out of Babylon, are actually made in the day the earth is lightened with the glory of the angel. (See Rev. 18:1-4). The Revelation, therefore, is to be more fully understood during the judgment of the living.
The light that now shines on our path is an unmistakable evidence that we are approaching the time of the judgment of the living, the time when “the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit up on the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” Matt. 25:31-33.
Now since The Revelation unveils the Judicial proceedings of the whole human race, and since it opened with the Book sealed with seven seals, and also since The Revelation, as shown before, consists of the things which were in the sealed Book, then it is logical that The Revelation contains a brief sketch of human history from the beginning of the world to the end.
The contents of the Seven Seals therefore comprehends all mankind; and must begin with Adam, the first man on earth. This fact is again particularly noticeable from the fact that the things which the first five seals revealed are covered in one, two, or three verses respectively (whereas the last two seals which contain the things that pertain to the Judgment of the living, to the people who must know that their cases are on trial) are quite long: The record of the things which the sixth seal reveals is Γ31 22 verses long, and the seventh seal is 15 chapters long.
You see, my friends, that what we have in this study is not a theory, not someone’s far-fetched and fanciful idea, but God’s whole Truth. This is Bible indeed, and what a lesson, too!
How, then, can you and I afford to let our salvation slip from our grasp? How can we afford to be careless and indifferent to these most solemn words in all the history of man-kind? Shall we not prepare to meet our God in peace? Shall we not now as wise virgins fill our vessels with this light-giving oil so as to be able to refill our lamps? Or shall we as fools neglect our opportunity, and thus be hindered from arriving at the “door” before it is closed against us? How terrible even the thought of hearing the Master from within say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”
It is because we have come to just such a solemn time as this that these studies through great expense and through great sacrifice, are scattered as the leaves of autumn throughout Laodicea.
Why should anyone cheat himself of eternal life, crowned with joy and happiness? God forbid that any of us should be found such as the parable presents the five foolish virgins to be.
