This is the last mention of the Church on earth. The fourth chapter (Rev. 4) opens with a new scene altogether – “a door opened in heaven,” a throne, the throne of God, surrounded by twenty-four seats or thrones, and on them twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white and with crowns of gold. Who could these elders possibly represent, if not the heavenly saints? They are distinguished from angels in Revelation 5:11, their crowns and robes denote their kingly and priestly character, beautifully according with the burst of praise in Revelation 1:5-6: “Unto Him that loved (or loves) us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings (or a kingdom) and priests unto God,’’ etc. The term “elder” too, would denote wisdom, and “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). Their posture, seated in the presence of Him who sitteth on the throne, could only be that of saints, who have perfect rest and holy boldness before Him. In Ephesians 2:6 we are viewed, even whilst still on the earth in the body, as made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; whereas angels, with one or two exceptions, throughout Scripture, are viewed standing; they are servants, we are sons.
And then, too, the language used by the elders, both in celebrating God’s glory in creation, and also in singing the new song of redemption, clearly shows that they are the redeemed of God. So wondrous and so blessed is the relationship we are brought into, that it is our privilege in addressing the Lord to sing, “Thou are worthy,” etc. Angels say “Worthy is the Lamb.”
Now mark, here are four and twenty, elders – a perfect, complete company, seated, clothed, crowned and worshipping in glory, before a single seal of the seven-sealed book or roll of God’s counsels, mysteries, and judgments is broken by the Lamb, who is viewed in the midst of the throne, and who comes and takes the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. Surely every saint of God that has lived on earth up till that wondrous moment will have been raised or changed to be with the Lord, before one of the judgments of the seven-sealed book falls upon the ungodly.
Another scripture helpful to a clear apprehension of this precious truth is 2 Thessalonians 2:1, where the apostle, addressing the Thessalonian saints, says, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” (Greek – the day of the Lord is present). “Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed,” etc.
You will remark here that he clearly distinguishes between the coming (or presence) of our Lord, when the saints shall be gathered together unto Him (caught up to meet Him in the air), and the day of His manifestation in glory and judgment, before which latter event the man of sin, the antichrist, will be revealed. The apostle uses the Lord’s personal coming for His people as a reason why they should not be shaken in mind or troubled by fixing their thoughts on this event. He warns them against deceivers, who in various ways, even by an anonymous letter purporting to come from the apostle and his companions, were seeking to mislead them and make out that the day of the Lord had already set in, and that their hope had not been realized. In unmistakable language he tells them of their translation to meet the Lord; then the falling away or apostasy and the revelation of the son of perdition; closing with his downfall and judgment, introductory to the setting in of the glorious day of the Lord.
Beloved reader, take heed to this important scripture, and remember the warning of the apostle, “Let no man deceive you by any means.”
Again, in the last chapter of the Revelation (Rev. 22) before closing this wonderful prophecy of things coming on the earth and the dreadful crisis which is at hand, ushering in the kingdom; to encourage the hearts of His people in Himself, and to keep them waiting for His return, no less than three times the Lord repeats His precious promise. Twice He says, “Behold. I come quickly.” And then, after presenting Himself as the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star, (Rev. 22:16,) a third time in more emphatic language still, “Surely, I come quickly. Amen.’’
The blessed response of the prophet, which ought to be echoed by every Christian heart, is, “Even so; come, Lord Jesus.” Reader, is it yours?
Soon shall we hear Him say,
“Ye ransomed pilgrims come”;
Soon will He call us hence away,
And take us to His home.
Then shall each ruptured tongue
His fullest praise proclaim;
And sweeter voices wake the song
Of “Glory to the Lamb.”
(To be continued.)