Thursday, December 19, 2013

JESUS TAKES THE SCROLL AND RECEIVES THE PRAISE OF HEAVEN


The last post was full of some very important, powerful truths about our Lord and Savior; and I felt it was important to allow some time for meditation—even if it meant not completing that section of scripture.   We had established that Jesus was the “Lamb” possessing all authority and all knowledge throughout creation.  John then sees Him taking the book out of the right hand of God the Father on the throne.

Revelation 5:6-7 “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.”

Jesus was not qualified to take the scroll until He had endured the cross and emerged victorious from the grave.  He would never have presumed to take the scroll without being certain of His right to do so.  Interesting to me is the interaction being observed between Father and Son—two separate beings, yet one (another one of those truths about God that our mind is not capable of truly understanding).  These verses also made me think of some verses in Daniel that I think are referencing this same scene.

Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

God the Father gave the scroll to the Son who readily took it from His hand as the spoils of victory.  It connects the contents of the scroll to the right of dominion over the kingdom of earth—a kingdom that will never be destroyed and will exist for eternity.

I think it is important to note that there is no time reference made regarding Jesus taking the scroll and when He begins to open it.  Scripture is clear that the reckoning of time in heaven is far different from time on earth.

2Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

In fact, the record describes an intervening time of heavenly praise and worship for the Lamb, our Savior.  In heavenly time He has only been there a couple of days. 

Revelation 5:8-10 “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.”

I love the King James Version of the Bible; but when I look at the original language and the context, I sometimes think the translation could be better.  This is one of those sections.

Considering the scriptural foundation established previously and the most logical reading of the context, I believe the NIV (supported by several other translations) gives a better translation in this instance. 

Revelation 5:9–10 “And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

The expanded Greek translation of Kenneth Wuest, noted New Testament Greek scholar from Moody Bible Institute, also supported the NIV with the following translation:  “you are worthy…you redeemed to God through your blood [men] out of every tribe and language…and constituted them to our God…and they shall reign as kings on the earth.”

If I am correct, it would support the idea of the 24 elders being composed of a special group of angels or “watchers” as referenced in Daniel.

Daniel 4:17 “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

My daughter pointed out that the song is being sung by the four beasts and the 24 elders.  This again supports the NIV translation since the four beasts were certainly not redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

As redeemed saints we have been given a position before God as kings and priests, and we shall reign on earth. 

1Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.”

Revelation 1:6 “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father….”

A king has authority and power.  As rulers on this earth, God will give us authority and power to influence the lives of others in a positive way, according to His will.  A priest has the privilege of intimate communion and service before God.  Our position as priest grants us personal access to God and the privilege of interceding for both ourselves and others.  New Testament saints aren’t the only ones promised a position as priests of the Lord.  Isaiah prophesied the same for the people of Israel.

Isaiah 61:6 “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”

Jerusalem is also promised a position of royalty before the nations; this would also include its inhabitants, the Jews, as distinct from the Gentiles.

Isaiah 62:1-3  “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.  Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.”

This is definitely indicative of a time future to the events in progress in John’s vision.  I believe this references the millennium, but I think it continues on past that to the new heaven and new earth. 

(to be continued…)

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