THE THRONE ROOM OF HEAVEN (Revelation 4:1-11)
Okay, so now having gone over the seven epistles of Jesus to the seven churches, these next chapters are going to take us in some astonishing directions. That being stated, I want to re-emphasize that I am not here to sell my views to anyone. But I'm simply attempting to share what it is that I believe, and the reasons as to why I believe it. My hope is that you will couple prayer and fasting with your own study, and come to your own conclusions.
- After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.(Revelation 4:1) -
Now before we go any further, I think it would be beneficial to touch upon this strange and bizarre view within Christianity known as the "Harpazo." It is also called the gathering together of the saints, and is commonly referred to as the Rapture. I should probably add that while I and several others believe there will be a pre-tribulation rapture, this view is rejected by the majority of believers. In fact, about the only thing this view has going for it is that it appears to be unquestionably correct. In addition to this, another reason this view should be touched upon is the fact that some scholars believe that John experiences a rapture here at verse on of chapter four and following. I would encourage everyone not to fall into the trap of assuming that these experiences recorded by John, are nothing more than visions. There are instances where John is shown imagery, however this experience involves so much more than that. Despite what other Christians may teach and believe about this book, I don't believe John to be sitting out somewhere, zoned out in some kind of altered state, having visions of himself interacting with those who inhabit the Heavens. He is not watching himself participate in these events like someone watches a dream. John is an active participant! Many times he describes the sounds he heard as being loud. He bowed down. He actively wept. He worshiped... He followed commands and spoke to others. John is not having a mere vision here, but an experience.
However this begs the question, how is John participating in future events that have yet to take place? Well, there is only one explanation. Not only did John get taken up to Heaven... but the Lord simultaneously transported him from that present time period to the future time period where these events begin to transpire. Friends, it is not beyond God to do such a thing. Consider the reality that while we are limited to the third dimension in or existence, God is unlimited and exists in various dimensions. Not only does God exist in the third dimension (height, width, and depth)... but also exists simultaneously in dimensions of time... past, present, and future.
- Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Isaiah 46:9,10) -
He exists outside of time in eternity, as well as in dimensions of light.
- Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:(Psalms 104:1,2) -
- Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.(1 Timothy 6:15,16) -
That's eight dimensions so far, and we haven't even come anywhere remotely close to scratching the surface of understanding the dimensions occupied by God.
Now four times in Revelation a door is opened and John hears a voice like a trumpet. This seems to echo the famous rapture passage found at 1 Thessalonians 4. He is also literally called... "Come up hither." What we are confronted with in these verses is the reality that Heaven is a real material place. It is not a state of mind, as many Christians are coming to believe. In fact, Heaven is more of a reality than this temporal earth which is bound within the confines of time. So as stated earlier, the term "rapture" is commonly used for the "Harpazo." It is described in the New Testament in several places. The two most pivotal passages are 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15. It however comes as a surprise to some that the rapture is hinted at in the Old Testament.
- For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.(Psalm 27:5) -
- Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. (Zephaniah 2:3) -
There are also hints at the end of Isaiah 26... Be that as it may, I don't have the time or space to cover every hint or reference in detail within in a single post. However, I do want to touch upon a few highlights.
- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2,3) -
This is one of the first hints of the rapture in the New Testament. This promise is made to you. There are those that relegate this to the disciples whom Jesus was immediately speaking to. However, for those that believe this, they would have to show from the Scriptures where Jesus fulfilled such a promise to the disciples only. And they can't because Jesus never returned to receive the disciples unto Himself... but each one was martyred. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that this promise was not about returning to call the disciples up to Heaven to be with Lord... this promise was about something greater, more encompassing, and not limited to the disciples alone.
To understand even more about the background of all of this, we must consider that most of us are products of a Greek culture when it comes to prophecy. For us, prophecy is prediction and fulfillment, prediction and fulfillment... that is a Greek model which is not incorrect, but limited. The Jewish model however, is that of patterns which is much broader. They could see so much more than we, because we are shackled to the Greek prediction fulfillment model. A good example of this would be the Jewish wedding, especially the ancient Jewish wedding.
I. There was the "Ketubah" which was the betrothal or binding agreement.
- Payment of the purchase price.
- Then the bride was set apart for her bridegroom (sanctified).
II. Next the bridegroom would depart to his father's house.
- He prepares an addition to his father's house as this would be where they would start their new life together.
- The bride was to prepare for the bridegroom's imminent return not knowing when it would be. The bridegroom would surprise her when she wasn't expecting and carry her away.
III. Then there would be a surprise gathering.
- This is when the Huppah, or what we think of as the wedding proper would take place.
IV. Finally there would be a seven day marriage supper.
Now are you beginning to see a pattern here? Jesus as the bridegroom... the marriage supper of the Lamb... You see, our marriage covenant has already been fulfilled.
The covenant was established...
- And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25) -
The purchase price...
- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.(1 Corinthians 6:19,20) -
The bride was set apart...
- Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27) -
We should be continually reminded of this covenant...
- After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:25,26) -
The bridegroom left for His Father's house. He is not seated on His own throne, but upon His Father's throne. There will be an escort to accompany Him upon His return to gather His bride...
- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17) -
Do not confuse this return with the return that happens at the battle of Armageddon. There is only one return, but it happens in two phases. The first part is for His bride, and the second part is for Israel. 1 Thessalonians 4 describes the process. In fact, Job alludes to this in his declaration of a physical resurrection.
- For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.(Job 19:25-27) -
Job declares, "In my flesh shall I see God." "Mine eyes shall behold and not another." He spoke in faith of the resurrection of the body. He knew by faith that he would be changed in that day. Yet it would still be his body, his own eyes that he would behold the Lord with. When the event that is the rapture occurs, we will all be changed. Such change is necessary as it is written...
- Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:50-55) -
When we see Him we shall see Him as He is. What I mean by that is that we will not behold the Lord as three dimensional beings. For example, when you take a picture of something, you as a three dimensional being are looking at a two dimensional representation. This will not be the case when we see the Lord. We will not be three dimensional beings beholding an eight or ten dimensional being. But we will be changed to be like Him, so that we may see Him as He is. This means that whatever dimensionality He enjoys, we will enjoy as well. Friends, after Jesus was resurrected He could disappear and reappear at will. He could pass through solid physical matter. He could ascend into the clouds... We will be able to do the same in a physical body when we are changed.
On another note, the twinkling of an eye is not just a wink. But the time it takes light, traveling at the speed of light, to pass through the lens of the eye... which would be ten to the minus forty-three seconds. There are no units of time shorter than that to my knowledge (that's quantum physics).
This also ties into something called the Doctrine of Imminence... as in the next thing that could happen. There is no sign or event that must precede His return at the Rapture. Now there are many scholars that teach this, that, and the other thing must happen before the Lord returns. But to teach such is to deny the Doctrine of His Immanent Return. Believers are taught to expect the return of Jesus at any moment.
- For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:(Philippians 3:20) -
- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:11-13) -
- So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28) -
This produces a warm feeling of expectancy and hope in the believer, as well as a continually purified life. Now for those who say that there is no such thing as a rapture, there are many different rapture events documented in the Scriptures that prove otherwise.
The first was Enoch who was taken up alive.
- And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. (Genesis 5:24) -
There was Elijah who was also taken up alive.
- And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11) -
Then there was the raising of the Old Testament saints that were seen by many before they went on to glory.
- And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matthew 27:52,53) -
And then there was Jesus Christ whom was resurrected from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost, and later ascended in a cloud in the sight of loved ones.
- So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19) -
- And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:51) -
- And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9) -
- And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:38-40) -
When you begin to research the Second Coming of the Lord, you'll find Scriptures pertaining to this event all throughout the Bible. However you will also discover that the Scriptures pointing to His return, will begin to divide into two different categories that point to two different phases.
* In the second phase He comes in power to take over the earth, and every eye shall see Him.
* In the first phase He comes in secret to met His own in the air.
* Believers are translated in the first phase.
* No translation is mentioned at all in the second phase.
* The translated saints go to Heaven in the first phase.
* The translated saints return to earth from Heaven in the second phase.
* In the first phase the earth is not judged.
* In the second phase the earth is judged.
* The first phase can begin at any moment.
* All kinds of signs and judgments must precede the second phase, not the least of which being Israel must petition Him to return.
- I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (Hosea 5:15) -
* The first phase occurs before the day of wrath as explained in the seven letters to the seven churches.
* The second phase concludes the day of wrath.
* The first phase has no reference to Satan.
* The second phase Satan is bound.
Notice that after the crucifixion, Jesus was only seen by loving eyes and handled by loving hands. That will not be the case when He comes vengeance. Now with this background in mind lets continue on.
- And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. (Revelation 4:2) -
The word "throne" appears fifty-eight times in the New Testament, forty-three times just in this book, and fourteen times in this chapter. I think that would make this the throne room chapter. Now the Messiah will sit on His Father's throne according to Psalm 110. He also mentioned this in His letters to the Churches. We also know that He will sit on the throne of His Mercy.
- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) -
There are some of us that suspect that the mercy seat that stood on top of the Ark of the Covenant will be the throne from which He rules at Mount Zion (but that's a whole 'nother study). Be that as it may, we do know that the Messiah will sit on the throne of David. Don't confuse that with the throne of His Father. This was promised by in Isaiah 9, as well as being promised to Mary by Gabriel in Luke 1. Her child would sit upon the throne of David... why is that significant? Because there was no throne of David during the earthly ministry of Jesus. Everything was pretty much under the rule of Rome. This throne is going to be re established. In addition to this, the twelve apostles will also sit on thrones. They will judge the twelve tribes and also angels as Paul declares.
- But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 6:3) -
We're also going to see that there will be twenty-four elders that will sit on thrones. The King James version says seats but it's the same Greek word. Don't confuse this with the unbeliever's judgment at the Great White Throne of Revelation 20. That happens much, much later. Okay, so we've established that there are different thrones for different purposes.
- And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3) -
Notice he is describing the person sitting upon the throne. I also would submit to you that these gems are an ancient way of referring to colored light... but that is simply conjecture on my part. In any case, a jasper was as clear as crystal. There are many scholars that believe this is what you and I would refer to as a diamond. The sardius stone was red... (remember the church at Sardis)
- And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4) -
The first point here is the word "throne" which is the Greek word "thronos." The word "seats" in this verse is the same word. It means a stately seat such as one assigned by a judge. In any case, they are sitting on thrones. They are clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of gold. These are three things that we need to take note of concerning these elders... and we're going to want to establish who these elders are for many reasons. Now the only place you will find the number twenty-four in the Scriptures is when David organizes the Levitical priests. He organizes them into twenty-four courses (there were about a total of twenty-four thousand people involved here by the way). Each course served for one week and they changed at Shabbat (the Sabbath). So twice year they would be on duty and then they would rotate. At certain holidays they would al be involved, but this was the basic pattern. According to this example, it would seem that twenty-four represents the entire collection as a whole. When these twenty-four leaders came together to minister, they represented the entire priesthood as a whole. On that note, most don't notice that there were priests before the Levitical priesthood was established. Remember Jethro, Moses' father-in-law? He was the priest of Midian. What kind of priest was he? We don't know... Remember Jacob gave tithes in Genesis 28? To who? We don't know... some priest. However, the strangest and most important of these is Melchizedek. This strange character shows up in Genesis 14 and we discover that he is a king and a priest. Psalm 110 points out that when the Messiah comes He will be a priest after the order of Melchizedek... and the writer of Hebrews spends three chapters explaining what that means. The Levitical priesthood was a temporary one that would end. The Melchizedek priesthood would have no end.
So getting back to these twenty-four elders, they clearly represent a completed group of some kind. Now there are many people that study prophecy, and are convinced that these elders are a collection of angels. Some believe these to be tribulation believers... however that idea is refuted at Revelation 7:13. In fact, one of the elders actually differentiates the tribulation believers from the other groups, so they cannot be tribulation saints... They cannot be angels as Revelation 7:11 declares... All of the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces and worshiped God, etc. How many angels stood around the throne and about the elders? All of the angels. Therefore the elders cannot be angels.
So what are the elder's distinguishing characteristics? Well first of all they are sitting on thrones, that's a clue. They are also clothed in white raiment, that's another clue. Both of these are allusions from the seven letters to the seven churches in chapter 3. They are wearing crowns of gold. That is referred to twice in those seven letters. However, I would contend that the most revealing clue about the identity of the elders, is the song that they themselves sing in Chapter 5. Be that as it may, notice they are not only called elders, but kings, and priests. Further, in touching upon their crowns... remember that crowns are one of the rewards we are promised.
The Crown of Life, for those who suffered for His sake.
- Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12) -
The Crown of Righteousness, for those that love His appearing.
- Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.(2 Timothy 4:8) -
The Crown of Glory, for those who fed the flock.
- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.(1 Peter 5:4) -
The Crown Incorruptible.
- And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:25) -
The Crown of Rejoicing, for those who win souls.
- For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?(1 Thessalonians 2:19) -
These are five classic crowns named in the Scriptures I happen to believe that there will be many others revealed. People of God, you cannot earn your salvation... but you can earn your crown.
- And 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) -
Lightnings and thunderings are almost always symbolic of judgments that proceed from the throne of God. The seven lamps of fire were introduced back in chapter one. Jesus Himself explained what they represent.
- The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 2:20) -
The seven lampstands are the seven churches. They are on earth in chapter one. They appear in Heaven in chapter four. Additionally, while the lampstands themselves represent the seven churches, the fire with which they ae ignited represents the seven Spirits of God...the Holy Ghost.
- And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (Revelation 4:6) -
John says that there was a sea of glass before the throne like unto crystal. I would contend that this crystal floor had characteristics of water, hence John's use of the word "sea" to describe it. I would also submit to you that there are Scriptural patterns that hint at the possibility of this floor not only being transparent, but sapphire blue.
- Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. (Exodus 24:9,10) -
The Scriptures declare that when Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu along with seventy elders of Israel ascended up the Mount Sinai, they saw the God of Israel. And under His feet was what appeared to be a paved work of sapphire stone. Now friends, I don't believe there to be any meaningless details in the Scriptures. But every letter, every detail has a purpose. I believe the Lord wanted us to know He stood on a sapphire pavement... The prophet Ezekiel saw something similar during his time of ministry. He was given a vision of the throne of God in which he saw a firmament, with a throne sitting above it having the appearance of a sapphire stone.
- And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. (Ezekiel 1:26) -
On another occasion, Ezekiel prophesied of ages past... of a time when the angel Lucifer walked up and down the stones of fire...
- Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:14) -
I would submit to you that the sea of glass like unto crystal, and the stones of fire are one and the same. This sea of crystal not only appears to shimmer and flow like water with a radiant brilliance... but it also has the appearance of burning with fire. I believe this to be because this crystal floor reflects the glory of God. And if the throne of God has the appearance of a sapphire stone at times, then the glory reflected by this sea of crystal will be sapphire blue, depending on when and how you saw it. You see, I would compare beholding the glory of God to beholding a great diamond... perfect with all of its facets, and generating its own light. You can't see all of the facets at once, so you have to adjust your angle of examination in order to see its different sides. The angle of you examination will determine the spectrum that you see. So you can have several different individuals examining the same diamond from different angles... each will see different color components, yet it is the same white light, the same diamond, the same glory. In addition to that, when they change positions the colors will seamlessly flow and transition as well. There is no struggle or conflict or chaos... but a natural flow from glory to glory.
Now as it concerns the four beasts full of eyes... The word "beast" in this verse is the word "Zoon" (dzo-on) in Greek, which means "living creature." Being full of eyes is to be full of the Holy Spirit's knowledge and revelation, as it concerns the judgment of God. Through the timelessness, omnipresence, and multi-dimensionality of God the Holy Ghost, these angels have known God's end-time judgments from their (meaning the angel's) beginning. Thus the eyes before and behind.
- And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:7) -
Four angels surround the throne of God. The first in the form of a lion, the second in the form of a calf, the third in the form of a man, and the fourth in the form of a flying eagle. Friends, it's difficult to put into words the staggering wonder that accompanies the revelation of this pattern. I imagine this to be especially true for the Jewish convert, who is intimately acquainted with the Torah and has loved the Law of God. To finally be filled with the Holy Ghost having received salvation through Jesus Christ...and then to come across this pattern while studying the New Covenant... I make mention of the Jewish convert, because God has revealed this heavenly pattern long ago through the nation of Israel.
During the days of the Tabernacle of Moses, God being with Israel led them through the wilderness. When they were commanded to pitch their tents, the tabernacle was to be set up first by the tribe of Levi. This was basically a large tent with a fenced in court yard area. It was where the sacrifices would take place, the articles of God would be set up, and where Moses would meet with God. The fence surrounding the outer court was basically in the shape of a large rectangle. The tribe of Levi was chosen by God to minister at the tabernacle and encamp around it. The rest of the tribes were instructed to encamp a certain distance around the tribe of Levi, who in turn had camped around the tabernacle. Three tribes to the east side, west side, north side, and south side with God and the ministering priests at the center. On each side the Lord designated a leading tribe, whose emblem would be the key emblem for the camp of all three. To the east would be the tribe of Judah and its emblem was a lion. The leading tribe to the west was Ephraim whose emblem was an ox. Reuben's emblem was a man, and this was the leading tribe to the south. To the north, the leading tribe of Benjamin and its emblem of an eagle would go. So we see the same pattern in Heaven... a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle with the Lord in the center. Another interesting thing about this encampment... the tribes were allowed to extend length-wise away from the center as they needed. However they could expand no wider than the Levites encamped at the center. So when they pitched their tents they were more or less equally spaced in the four cardinal directions. Why is this significant? Because ladies and gentlemen, if you were to fly over this encampment for the purpose of getting an aerial view, you would see Israel camped in the shape of a cross...
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, whiled the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. We the Church are spiritual Israel, while natural Israel was the Church in the wilderness. Remember, when the Lord brought Israel out of the land of Egypt, the Hebrew people were not the only ones brought out of bondage. Israel came out a mixed multitude of people... even Egyptians who feared the word of the Lord, and accepted the covenant faith of Israel.
- And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. (Exodus 12:37,38) -
The house of the Lord is to be a house of prayer for all people.
- Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (Isaiah 56:6,7) -
Israel and the Church truly are two different sides of the same coin.
- And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation 4:8) -
These four living creatures... the Lion, Calf, Man, and Eagle each have six wings. Scripturally speaking, six is always the number used to represent man. This tells me that these angels have a purpose that involves man, even though they are Heaven bound. Additionally I would also contend that their purpose is intertwined with this world and everything in it. This can be gathered from the number of Living Creatures surrounding the throne, as well as the images in which these angels were created. In the Scriptures, the number four is an encompassing number as well as a worldly one.
- And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:12) -
- Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. (Daniel 7:2) -
- And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31) -
As for the image of these angels, think on this... we know from the Scriptures that before God created the heavens and the earth, He created the angelic hosts. This would mean that these four living creatures were created in the image of a lion, calf, man, and eagle before God created such beings on this earth... even before He laid the foundations of the world. On another note we see it re-emphasized that these angels are full of eyes... Earlier we compared beholding the glory of God to looking at a many faceted diamond. And it made sense that one could not behold all of the facets at once. However, these angels have many eyes... therefore they can behold many different facets in the same moment of time. Beholding the glory of the Lord in such a way they cry... Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. They declare His total triune being. Holy (God the Father), Holy (God the Son), Holy (God the Holy Spirit). They proclaim His authority over all creation... His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, omni-dimensionality, and timelessness.
- And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:9-11) -
TO BE CONTINUED...
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