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End-Time Prophecy or the ※Inauguration of Jesus§? Revelation 4-5
Introduction There is keen debate over the meaning and timing of Revelation 4 and 5. If it is the ※Inauguration of Jesus§, as many contend, the eschatologic significance of this book is bruised. In chapter one, verses 1-3 and 7, an end time message is distinctly presented as the ※timing§ for the prophecies of this Book. It ※anticipates§, for the student, when the messages must be especially addressed. A first Advent application of Revelation 4 and 5 would conflict with that first chapter＊s instruction.
The following prophecies are introduced by the noted verses and their numbers:
﹞ The seven Churches with 9 verses ( ﹞ The seven Trumpets with 5 verses (8:2-6) ﹞ The seven Thunders with 3 verses (10:1-3) ﹞ The seven Last Plagues with 8 verses (15:1-8)
But 25 verses are used to prepare us for the Seven Seals (4:1-11 and 5:1-14).
﹞ This suggests colossal importance to the meaning of the Seals that ※hide§ the contents of that mysterious scroll. ﹞ E. G. White advised: ※Closely study the fifth chapter of Revelation.§ [Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 267 (last time written: 1909)]
Timing Problem Some scholars firmly portray this introduction as having a historical venue:
1. ※They are timeless and highly symbolic of Christ＊s victory and reinstated redemptive role.§ 2. ※They carry no specific ＆event＊ that is of timing importance§
a. These should be dismissed because Jesus noted to John that he was about to see ※things§ or events that ※must be hereafter§ (occurring after the door in heaven was open!) 每 (Rev. 4:1) b. The Greek word for ※hereafter§ or future (implied) means simply ※after this thing(s).§ ﹞ What thing? ﹞ The open door in heaven. This linguistic connection is important.
Most scholars assume that the vision portrays the coronation of Christ (inauguration and reinstatement to the throne) at His 31 A.D. ascension.
1. There is nothing within these texts or contexts that support this. 2. The imagery of Jesus is threefold in chapters 4-6: a. Trumpet-like voice inviting John to ※Come up.§ 每 nothing visualized at this moment b. Bleeding Lamb called Lion of Judah (not on throne but before and in its midst 每 no crown, but horns and eyes) c. Lamb opening the Seals 3. The Lamb/Lion is neither on the throne nor interceding! It＊s imagery is functional, prophetic and highly symbolic of an eschatologic preparatory act〞the breaking of the Seals which moves forward time to earth＊s conclusion.
The open door is ※in§ heaven 每 not ※into heaven.§
1. John is invited to come through that door 每 which is a ※timing machine§ of information. 2. That relates to the Philadelphia church where Jesus said he had opened a door which no man could shut (Revelation 3:7-8).
a. Some Philadelphians already have crowns of victory (they kept His word and didn＊t deny His name 每 Revelation 3:8, 11). This suggest that a judgment process of the living has, for some, begun or occurred! b. Pending anticipated events in the Philadelphian message: ﹞ ※I come quickly,§ Jesus is speaking. ﹞ Warning〞don＊t let any ※man take thy crown§. (apparently, still a risk, therefore not sealed or a divine warning of caution for others to observe).
3. E. G. White assigned this open door to the entrance into the ﹞ It is therefore very end-time 每 judgment of the living period. ﹞ It relates to an invitation to pass into the ﹞ Christ＊s coming is anticipated.
The 24 Elder Factor The events described show 24 elders enthroned (Revelation 4:4)〞past tense.
1. Many arose with Christ at His resurrection (Matthew 27:52-53). 2. And were taken to heaven (Early Writings, p. 190) 3. BUT ＃ ﹞ There is no record of their enthronement until this time of judgment. ﹞ ※＆As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened§ (Daniel 7:9-10 每 NIV). ﹞ This describes judicial events, not an inaugural scene. 4. Daniel 7:9-10 and Revelation 4:4 are the only places in the Bible that thrones surround God＊s throne. 5. The open door, the judgment of the living, those already with crowns and the eternal throne with 24 thrones all speak of a terminal judgment time. BUT---judgment is not the issue of the Seals. It relates to the sequence when the ※players§ in the Great Controversy, right at the end, arrive on the ※world§ scene. ※The issue§ of the scroll won＊t be reviewed until after the eschaton.
﹞ Daniel ※throne record§ does not portray any beings on those judicial seats 每 it is the beginning of the courtroom scene. ﹞ Books are opened ﹞ Thrones set up ﹞ The Judge [Ancient of Days] takes His place ﹞ Judgment sits (begins) ﹞ John already sees the court in session. ﹞ 24 elders have been seated. ﹞ Jesus is in the midst of the thrones AND in front of God who has the scroll. ﹞ BUT (!!!) books are not being reviewed 每 the issue is a ※worthy Lamb§ breaking the Seals, each provoking the onset of an end time event. ﹞ The matter of the unrolling of the scroll is not addressed in this prophetic message!
Seven Spirits and the End The Holy Spirit is mentioned three times to this point in Revelation.
1. Greetings from the seven Spirits before the throne (Revelation 1:4) 2. Seven lamps of fire before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5). 3. Seven eyes of the Lamb are the Seven Spirits of God, send out unto all the earth (Revelation 5:6)
Lamps Lamb 每 standing of Fire (present tense) ∣___________________________________∣ ∥ ∥ Seven Seven eyes Spirits Seven Spirits ↙ Sent (past tense) ∣ Seven = complete outpouring (Joel 2:28-31) Latter Rain
4. Thus, the Latter Rain has already begun when the Seals are broken 每 the period of time is not mentioned, but likely very recent in onset 5. The ※loud voice§ of the angel makes it associated with the Loud Cry or final warning.
E. G. White notes that Revelation 5 must be ※closely studied§ because ※there are some who are deceived. They do not realize what is coming on the earth§ (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 267). This can only mean the ※events§ that are precipitated by the breaking of each seal.
Resources: 1. Revelation, Chapters 4-6, Sub-Title: End-Time Commentary from The Testimony of Jesus: editor Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D. (Christian Heritage Foundation, Banning, California) 2003, revised 2008 2. Robinson, Harry (retired Seventh-day Adventist Pastor 每 North Carolina); ※Revelation 5,§ EndTime Issues＃, January 2003.
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