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Have you entered the office of a high government or business leader? I am sure there were symbols in that office to remind you that you are in the presence of a great person. It might be the many certificates of accomplishment on the wall, the awards and trophies won, the very expensive and specially made furniture, the pictures with important people, the flag and other government symbols. The great vision in Revelation Chapter 4 starts with a symbolic show of God’s power.
The great vision in the book of Revelation, starts from Chapter 4 and goes right up to Chapter 20. Thus, understanding this vision, especially the acts of Jesus in this vision, is important to understanding the book of Revelation. In the next 4 weeks, we will focus on understanding Jesus in the great vision.
In Revelation Chapters 1-3, Apostle John wrote seven letters to the Churches, reminding them that despite their persecutions, Jesus is with them and upholding them. Then in Chapter 4, John was told to come up higher, to be shown things that will happen after that period of persection. This was also a message to the Churches – persecution was not the end of the world, there is still much more to come.
Revelation 5:1-5 (The Living Bible) (shortened) says: “And I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne, a scroll… sealed with seven seals. A mighty angel with a loud voice was shouting out this question: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll… I wept with disappointment because no one anywhere was worthy… But one of the twenty-four Elders said to me, “Stop crying, for look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, and proved himself worthy to open the scroll and to break its seven seals.”
John is in the throne room of Heaven, he has seen many royal symbols reminding him of the power and greatness of God; now the vision moves to why that council meeting was happening. Important decisions about humanity have been made by the council, is there a minister with the qualifications, experience, and character, to carry out the decisions? YES, the resurrected Jesus is worthy to handle this!
Everything else that happens in Revelation till Chapter 20, is about Jesus removing one seal after the other. Each time Jesus removes a seal, instructions are given to the angels to make things happen on earth. To the early Church, they see Jesus the great wise King, the master, the leader, in charge of their destiny, in charge of the destiny of the world. This is the ultimate message of the book of Revelation.
Lord, continue to give us clarity to understand Jesus in Revelation, Amen!
Jesus, our redeemer, healing the world... 