Revelation: 7. Christ on His Own Throne.

[Marilyn C]

Christ on His Own Throne.

Let us now look closer at the One on this throne -the High Priest and King. The gem stones are given to reveal more understanding to us.



The Gem Stones.

And he who sat there was like a [B]jasper and a sardius [/B]in appearance;... (Rev. 4: 3)



The Jasper gem stone was the last on the High Priest`s breastplate. It stood for the tribe of Naphtali whose name means to prevail, to conquer - I have prevailed. (Gen. 30: 8)

Prevail – to gain the victory, to conquer. (The Concise English Dictionary)


Christ was the last Adam and He prevailed over the world, the flesh and the devil. He has secured the supreme victory over the greatest foe.


The Sardius gem stone was the first on the High Priest`s breastplate. It stood for the tribe of Judah. The prophetic word reveals that He would be the ruler over the other tribes. (Gen. 49: 8 - 12) The Hebrew yadah, (Judah) means to use the hand, indicating power and dominion.



The Emerald gem stone is also on the High Priest`s breastplate, and was for the tribe of Reuben. He was the first born of Jacob, and his heir. To the heir would be given three portions - the birthright, (double blessing), the priesthood and the kingdom.

and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like [B]an emerald.[/B] (Rev. 4: 3)


The One on the throne then is the High Priest of Heaven, the conqueror, the Sovereign Ruler and Heir of all the Father`s estates.



The Covenant.

and there was [B]a rainbow[/B] around the throne,... (Rev. 4: 3)


The [B]rainbow[/B] is God`s sign for His covenant with man. A covenant is usually an agreement between parties which bind them to some specific course of action.

Why was there needed a covenant? Mankind had forfeited his right of dominion over the earth when he disobeyed God and let Satan rule. God however, planned before time began to send His Son to redeem man and bring about the restoration of all things. This is the covenant God made with man.

God knew that man could do nothing to bring this about, and thus the whole restoration will be by God. It is through Christ that God`s Covenant, God`s plan, is fulfilled because Christ Himself is the surety.

`God said, I will give .....You (Jesus) as a covenant to the people... (Isa.49: 8)

 

[Marilyn C]

The Body of Christ will be involved in this restoration of all things for they will be with the Lord on His own throne. (Rev. 3: 21)


The 24 Elders.

These 24 Elders are representative of the whole Body of Christ, the Overcomers. The number 24 indicates 12 for rulership, (king) and 12 for the Priesthood. A double office.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, And on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, Clothed in white robes; And they had crowns of gold on their heads.
(Rev. 4: 4)


They are kingpriests that will be seated on thrones. This is the inheritance that was promised to them. They have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus and will then be given authority, crowns, to rule and reign with Christ.

(Christ) has made us kings & priests to His God... (Rev. 1: 4)
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne... (Rev. 3: 21)



Judgments.

And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thundering and voices. (Rev. 4: 5)


We then hear loud noises and voices which give a sense of foreboding of awesome things ahead. This throne is a throne of judgment, and the One on the throne has the power of life and death. He is Heaven`s High court judge and before Him there is no other court of appeal. The prophet Daniel saw a vision of the One on this judgment throne.

`I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair on His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him, a thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand time ten thousand stood before Him. ` (Dan. 7: 9 & 10)



The Court.

the court was seated... (Dan. 7: 10)


The Body of Christ has been told that they would [I]judge the world system and fallen angels. (1 Cor. 6: 2 & 3) [/I]So when they are enthroned with the Lord then they will be heaven`s court and take part in the judgments to come.

 

[Marilyn C]

Next we are shown the power and authority to bring about these judgments as part of the covenant of the restoration of all things.



The 7 fold Spirit.

And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, Which are the seven spirits of God. (Rev. 4: 5)

Immediately we see that the 7 fold Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit is involved. In Hebrew, the word seven comes from a base word meaning to be complete. Thus, this is a picture of the Holy Spirit in His complete, seven fold ministry in relation to Christ.

This is the Spirit of wisdom & understanding, of counsel & might, of knowledge & fear (respect) of Lord God, and of righteous judgment. (Isa. 11: 2 - 4)




The 4 Living Creatures.

Then before the throne, in the midst, we are shown what seem to be living creatures. These are representations of the Lord`s ministries as to how He will bring restoration.

`Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.


The first living creature was like a lion,

the second living creature like a calf,

the third living creature had a face like a man,

and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.`

(Rev. 4: 6 & 7)



The 4 living creatures are Christ`s Spirit of life, shown separately as 4 but in reality blended majestically into one Royal Divine Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.


Christ the King – (Lion)

Christ the Sacrifice (Heir) – (Calf)

Christ the Mediator – (Man)

Christ the Creator – (Eagle)



For Christ to fulfill God`s plan, His covenant to man, He needs to function in each area.


Christ is given the ultimate authority to rule, (Lion)

Christ humbled Himself to be the ultimate sacrifice, (Calf).

Christ is both God & man to be the Mediator of both, (Man).

Christ has ultimate power to create all things new, (Eagle).

 

[Marilyn C]

Worship.

The living creatures, representing the Lord`s work bring honour to His Holy name. They are the four ministries of Christ (King, sacrifice, man and God) that are functioning continually by the Holy Spirit, with all wisdom & knowledge, displaying God`s holiness


`And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Rev. 4: 8)


The Body of Christ (represented by the 24 Elders) worship the Lord giving Him Honour for all His work through them, showing that all authority, crowns, are from Him and to Him.

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, (Rev. 4: 9 - 10)


The Body of Christ declare that the Lord is the One worthy to receive the adoration and praise. He is the Creator and it is by Him that the worlds are upheld.

“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honour and power; For you created all things and by your will they exist and were created.` (Rev. 4: 9 - 11)



Summary.

The One on the throne set up in heaven, is the High Priest of Heaven, the sovereign Ruler over all, and the Father`s heir to all His Kingdom. He is the creator of all things, He is the Son of God.

God (the Father) ...has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed Heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;.... (Heb. 1: 2)



It is through Him that the restoration of all things will be brought about.

Let`s see how this will come about.

 

[mattfivefour]

In Hebrew, the word seven, means to be complete. Thus this is a picture of the Holy Spirit in His complete, seven fold ministry in relation to Christ.

I agree entirely that the number 7 represents completion in the Bibl e. But, since you're a teacher, I know you respect the importance of accuracy. And thus I would point out your first sentence above. Since you are expanding on a New testament text, Greek is the relevant language here, not Hebrew. Further, the Hebrew word for seven (sheba שֶׁבַע) does not mean to be complete. It simply means seven (although it can also denote a week, or even an indefinite number.) The Greek ἑπτά (hepta) also simply means seven.

All that said, however, leaving literal word meanings aside, it is a fact that the number seven in Holy Scripture does represent completion, based upon God taking six days to create the heavens of the earth and resting on the seventh because Creation was complete. Therefore the number seven, while it does not itself mean completion, does figuratively represents completion. This representational meaning is typical of so much in Scripture where actions and events are often pictures of spiritual truths.

I just wanted to clarify that. Please understand that I am only bringing it up because of your emphatic statement that the Hebrew word seven means to be complete. I apologize for my pedantry, if that comes across as such. I'm just trying to insist on accuracy regarding word meanings because that is foundational to the proper exegesis of Scripture.

 

[Marilyn C]

I agree entirely that the number 7 represents completion in the Bibl e. But, since you're a teacher, I know you respect the importance of accuracy. And thus I would point out your first sentence above. Since you are expanding on a New testament text, Greek is the relevant language here, not Hebrew. Further, the Hebrew word for seven (sheba שֶׁבַע) does not mean to be complete. It simply means seven (although it can also denote a week, or even an indefinite number.) The Greek ἑπτά (hepta) also simply means seven.

All that said, however, leaving literal word meanings aside, it is a fact that the number seven in Holy Scripture does represent completion, based upon God taking six days to create the heavens of the earth and resting on the seventh because Creation was complete. Therefore the number seven, while it does not itself mean completion, does figuratively represents completion. This representational meaning is typical of so much in Scripture where actions and events are often pictures of spiritual truths.

I just wanted to clarify that. Please understand that I am only bringing it up because of your emphatic statement that the Hebrew word seven means to be complete. I apologize for my pedantry, if that comes across as such. I'm just trying to insist on accuracy regarding word meanings because that is foundational to the proper exegesis of Scripture.

Hi matt,

I do appreciate any correction, so thank you. Thus, I wondered why I wrote that. So I looked in my Strong`s and here we are -

Hebrew shibah or sheba prim. cardinal number; seven. (So you are right) Then this word is from

Hebrew Shaba to be complete.

So that is why I wrote complete. I will be a bit more careful in future.

Thank you.

 

[Marilyn C]

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