These chapters continue to build out the imagery in heaven of power.
5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. – Revelation 4:5 KJV
There are seven lamps of fire before the throne representing the seven Spirits of God.
The scroll is introduced, closed with seven seals, the breaking of which will be followed by an event or group of events to occur in the last days.
Four beasts, 24 elders described:
12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. – Revelation 5:12 KJV
Christ is the only one worthy of commanding the seals to be opened. He was sacrificed for our salvation and God has given Him this authority. God’s message for the world has been planned and Christ will have the responsibility of opening the seals bringing about these final events in the last days.
Before delving into the activities launched by the breaking of the seals, take a moment to think about difficult times in your life. If you have trusted in the Lord by repenting from your own sin, choices and actions that led to those hurtful scenarios in our life, I would imagine the stories of rebirth, reconciliation and new life are overwhelming as you opened your heart, seeking to do better and find ways of living more righteously. Sometimes, we need to be shaken out of our comfortable, non-productive ways to again grow. We need to be “pruned” by the Lord for new life and new growth to come. We need to go through fire to again be salty for the Lord.
The seals can be viewed as opportunities to wake up those who have been asleep or complacent with their faith. We do not earn salvation by our works. But our works do show our level of commitment to the Kingdom of Christ. Receiving our own salvation in Christ and then sleepwalking through the rest of our lives is not God’s plan and not what Christ’s sacrifice deserves. There are many parts of the body and our charge from the Lord may seem small in any given moment, but it may be just what is needed for us to move forward as God has planned for our path. The key is to seek with a fully open heart to serve completely with everything we have!
There are opportunities to share the love Christ with others and carry the message of the Gospel. Some who know salvation in Christ are living that life out today. Others may need to be shaken out of their comfort zone to engage in the work of Christ. As we are seeing in the US today, many are returning to their faith in Christ. Others on earth are still existing in complacency, lukewarm, and will require a greater stimulus to shake them out of their stupor. They may need to be put in a situation where the only option they have left is to look up to God and seek a renewed relationship with Him. We all come to Christ and God in our own way. For some, it does take losing everything to seek God before being willing to turn and seek His path.
One final element that stands out, “golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints.” – Revelation 5:8 KJV. Later in Revelation, God speaks of the vials of wrath that are poured out on the earth. Those vials are full of our prayers for justice, justice for Christ.
Revelation 4-5 – Christ Elements to Remember
- Christ is the only one worthy of breaking the seals.
- We are redeemed to God by the blood of Christ that was shed for us.
- The golden vials are filled with the “prayers of the saints.”
- Ultimately, the saints will reign on earth with Christ.
- Four beasts and 24 elders fall in worship of Christ in heaven.