Before the Throne
“Chapters 4 and 5 proclaim in vivid and confident terms that the world’s destiny is not under the control of some blind fate. We are all in the hands of a loving Father and a Savior who died for us.” – Leon Morris
“Chapter 5 has revealed a central truth that governs the entire book of Revelation. By his sacrificial death the Lamb has taken control of the course of history and guaranteed its future. He alone was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll of destiny…This vision of the grandeur of the triumphant Lamb prepares John to share with his readers the more solemn aspects of the judgments that lie in the future. A vivid portrayal of the one who has won the crucial battle against sin supplies the confidence that in the troubled times to come there remains a hope that is steadfast and sure.” -Robert H. Mounce
“When John weeps that no one is “worthy” to open the scroll, we are to weep with him. A major theme of this book is “Come, Lord Jesus” (22:17, 20) We must all ask ourselves if we long for his return and remain ready for it in our Christian lives.”- Grant R. Osborne
“Christians are guilty of the syndrome “Your Jesus is too small.” We have made Jesus our “big brother” and “friend” to such an extent that we have lost the sense that he is also our sovereign Lord. We must recapture the realization that he too is our God and worthy of worship at the deepest level.”- Grant R. Osborne
As we began this short study in Revelation, chapters 1-5, so we end it focused on a compelling vision of Jesus. And fittingly so because, this book is designed to draw the reader’s attention to Him. Often, especially in our theological neighborhood, the book of Revelation becomes this mystery filled timeline of the end of all things. While I do think it is good and wise to see the future looking nature of the book and to understand some of its symbolism as mysterious, in some ways, to only look through this lens deprives us of so much that this book was intended to impart. Recently on a podcast, I heard someone state it this way, (and I’m paraphrasing here) “If the exact end of human history is clearly delineated in the book, you don’t need it. Revelation is a book you need if you cannot determine the end. If there is no end to the persecution and hardship you are facing as a follower of Jesus, then you need the book of Revelation.” In other words, to see this book as an end times decoder ring and nothing more robs us of the fact that the book’s original audience were not Bible scholars cloistered away somewhere with nothing but time and research materials to puzzle through what John might have been writing. No, this book is written to a church that is facing multi-level difficulties while seeking to understand when the King would come. The vast majority of the book’s help then is in seeing how the Jesus the church has trusted for salvation wants them to live until the end comes. This ‘apocalypse’ is not for future speculation so much so as it is for present real-life encouragement. The end will come. God’s will is ultimately accomplished. Evil will be destroyed and vanquished. The One whom you have trusted is faithful and He will do it. But, until the end comes, until the Rider on the white horse splits the sky, keep on follower of Jesus. Keep on in the path of your Savior who won the victory not by demonstrating His strength by becoming weak and trusting God’s plan. Keep on even in the face of suffering and evil because, you can and will participate in Your Savior’s triumph in due time. Don’t fear the passing of time for time itself is in the hands of One whom you know and love and Who knows and loves you. This letter is full of wild imagery most of it symbolic but all of it to make plain the certain fact that while from earth’s vantage point it seems all is lost and hopeless, God’s view is far different. Seen from heaven’s vantage point, the outcome is secure and each step along the way is firmly established. Jesus is faithful. Take heart church, Jesus is in charge. Take courage Christ follower, for against all the powers of hell and every weakness of human failing, your Champion has overcome. Take the path of obedience weary soul, for despite the attacks of the enemy and the pull of human prestige and power, the Savior’s power has not been sapped. Suffer faithfully, follow closely, refuse to let earthbound lenses cloud your soul’s vision. Look away to the Savior. Do you not see that whatever befalls, or baffles or blunders come, He will not fail? He is King of kings and Lord of lords, His victory is won. All we must do is faithfully follow Him no matter what comes. Such followership may be costly, will be counter cultural and may look like losing. But, because of His triumph, we can courageously keep on knowing that we will be counted among those who are victorious. Before the One who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb belong all, “Blessing and honor and glory and power…forever and ever!” Amen.
Bonus application exercise: What is troubling you most? Take time this week to prayerfully put that thing before the throne. In other words, carry that troubling thing (sin, situation, person, event) into Revelation 4 and 5. Be with it before the throne. How does the majesty and awesomeness of God transform your perspective? What does the One on the throne and the Lamb have in answer for your trouble? How can you keep this heavenly perspective as you journey forward with Jesus?
Further Study: I know that for some of you, you are greatly disappointed that we are not continuing in our study of Revelation. Some of you will have no problem simply waiting until we get back to it (someday!). Others of you may wish to carry out a study of the book independent of a message series. To that end, here are some helpful study aids with some explanation/disclaimer.
A visual outline/summary. This two-part visual summary is helpful in giving a visual outline with explanation of the book. Not everything included is my view or even in line with the C&MA’s views on the end of all things. Still, to me it is a great resource to keep from becoming overly caught up in a single symbol or puzzle.
A podcast of helpful conversations. This podcast is from Crossway publishers and features Nancy Guthrie the author of the new book, Blessed. While again there is some of this with which I do not agree and is not the theological position of the C&MA, it was very helpful in giving me some ‘hand holds’ in the climb that is involved in studying the book of Revelation.