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The Seven Trumpets of Revelation Chapter 15 Judgment comes to the Living
John was given the world’s last timing prophecies tied directly to Daniel. Eating them (a divine order) signals that he understood those astonishing revelations. God then charges him to “prophesy” or preach those truths. Daniel’s prophecies found in that little book relate to the end of time and are to become part of the Loud Cry. When this interlude began, Jesus was seen in end-time imagery, speaking with “a loud voice” (10:3). Everything in chapters 10 and 11 are to be heard by the whole world! “John sees the little book unsealed. Then Daniel’s prophecies have their proper place in the first, second, and third angels’ messages to be given to the world. The unsealing of the little book was the message in relation to time.”1 “A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God’s appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony. “The attention of our churches must be aroused. We are standing upon the borders of the greatest event in the world’s history, and Satan must not have power over the people of God, causing them to sleep on. The Papacy will appear in its power. All must now arouse and search the Scriptures, for God will make known to His faithful ones what shall be in the last time. The word of the Lord is to come to His people in power.”2 The counsel to John:
1. Receive what was sealed in Daniel 2. Assimilate its end-time truths 3. Share it as part of the three angels’ messages in the Loud Cry
Chapter 10 details the submissive spirit and cognitive action the remnant will take to prepare for that mission! Because part of the messages were sealed, it has to do with new light. Because the communiques were associated with timing prophecies, urgency underscores every utterance. They are short periods. Chapter 11 flows naturally from chapter 10. The break is artificial. Though new scenes unfold, the understanding of the little book, the judging of the church and the prophesying of the two witnesses, all follow each other in rapid sequence.
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (Revelation 11:1). John is now asked once again to perform a “prophetic activity” – the first was eating the little book. God gave him a reed like a straight rod. This divine request continues to convey a close association between God and man in earth’s final acts. This “reed” was a hollow, straight stick used often to measure short distances. This marsh plant grew in the Jordan valley to a height of 15 to 20 feet. Some commentators note that it was usually cut just over ten feet long. The imagery here is most fascinating. It recreates Ezekiel’s vision where a bright being measured the temple (Ezekiel 40–42). There it signified God’s ownership and protection of His people. It echoes Zechariah 2:1-5 where he sees a man going out to measure Jerusalem. In all these illustrations, God’s people, His church, are being “measured” against a standard. All bear eschatological themes. What then is John doing with the reed? Let’s look more closely. John is told to take it and use it to measure the temple, the altar and the worshipers. To “measure” with a “ruler” means information gathering. Where it says “the angel stood” adds some contextual confusion. This was apparently added by scribes in latter manuscripts.3 Is John to gather data on the size of the temple? Hardly! No physical dimensions are forthcoming. To measure, it must be against a spiritual standard. The task is to evaluate the “place of God’s presence” – the temple and its contents. It means judgment. Let’s now step back and look carefully at this. A new message is open to John (the open book). Its new light relates to the Daniel 8–12 prophecies that usher in the finishing of everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24) – God’s marriage covenant of grace. It is declared to begin after 2300 years (Daniel 8:14) at an appointed time (8:17, 19; 12:5-11) when incredible opposition and persecution comes to God’s people (Daniel 8, 11–12). God promised that a holy people would be found at that time (8:14) [holiness is vindicated or adjudicated (qodesh nisdaq) through His people]. The time period of this measuring rod can mean none other than when God chooses those who will be His holy witnesses! This wonderful event is when He makes up His church – even more, His kingdom! Where does He direct John to go in this great metaphor of judgment? Where holy people should be found – in His church, His temple. This is a process of finding those who overcame the world (Revelation 2–3), who conquered by “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of His testimony” (12:11) – those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus” (12:17, 14:12)! These are the standards, the remnant characteristics, that God said would distinguish His people. Strengthening this position comes from a deeper look at the word for “measure” – metreson. The noun and the verb in the New Testament are used particularly in the context of judgment (Mark 4:24; Luke 6:38; Matthew 7:11, 23:32; Romans 12:3; Ephesians 4:13).4 The image is one of being weighed in the balances. Old Testament ties to such measuring are most beautifully portrayed in Leviticus 16 where the Day of Atonement ritual, which brought finality to Israel’s relationship with God.5 John is obviously not acting as a divine judge over the church. His activity of eating the book represents the 144,000 preparing to give the last message. This “judgment” picture is what goes on in the heavenly courts while the gospel work is being finished. Note that it is called the “ “Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon – none know how soon – it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour’s admonition: ‘Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.’ Mark 13:33. ‘If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.’ Revelation 3:3.”6 “The lives of all who have believed on Jesus pass in solemn review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate examines the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. From age to age, all who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon written against their names in the books of Heaven, and in the closing work of Judgment their sins are blotted out, and they themselves are accounted worthy of eternal life.”7 John is asked to measure three things:
1. 2. The altar – where intercession is made by His leaders 3. Those who worship – the living congregation, those claiming to belong to God
The New Testament often refers to the church as the The altar is referenced elsewhere in this book. In each of those settings it refers to the Altar of Incense in the heavenly sanctuary (Revelation 6:9; 8:3, 5; 9:13; 14:18; 16:7). There they symbolize either Jesus’ intercessory ministry before the throne or from where justice and judgment emanate. The picture here describes living worshipers in God’s church when this Altar is referenced. That is where the worshipers focus their attention. The “altar” refers to the way God’s people worship; that, in turn, reflects on the “priest” who ministers before it. It is the place where worshipers direct their attention. It was at the center where the blood of Jesus, mingled with the incense, drew upon God’s mercy and grace. Since the church and its worshipers are distinct in this judgment process, the separate mention of the Altar is an unequivocal review of the leadership that functions at that place. Since the worshipers are mentioned as a separate item, individual worshipers are being reviewed. “The work is going on in the heavenly court. In vision on the Isle of Patmos John said: ‘And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the angel stood, saying, Arise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.’ This solemn work is to be done upon the earth. Look and see how stands your measurement of character as compared with God’s standard of righteousness, his holy law. The worshipers are to pass under the measuring line of God. Who will bear the test? Christ says, ‘I know thy works.’ Nothing is hid from him of whom John says, ‘His head and his hair were white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire.’ How many are purifying their souls by obeying the truth? How many are now in this time wholly on the Lord’s side? How many are seeking to be a blessing to those around them? Many need help, kind words, thoughtful attentions; and if you pray with such, you may be a blessing to them.”8 When “time is no longer delayed, when the Loud Cry is to go out to the world, when a time period about to be introduced begins (which parallels exactly the message of Daniel 8–12), the judgment of the church and those who claim loyalty to God begins. For some, it is called “judgment of the living.”
References: 1Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 99 (emphasis added). 2Ibid., vol. 2, p. 20. 3Thomas, Robert L., Revelation 8–22 – an Exegetical Commentary, p. 79. 4Brown, Collin; New International Dictionary New Testament Theology, vol. 3, pp. 402-205. 5Stefanovic, Ranko, Revelation of Jesus Christ, p. 336. 6The Great Controversy, p. 490. 7Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 309. 8Youth Instructor, August 25, 1886. |