Today’s selected continues in the New Testament prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ as it was given unto the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage is found in the eighth and ninth chapters of this New Testament book. “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound” (Revelation 8:1-6).

 

            “The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up” (Revelation 8:7).

 

            “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed” (Revelation 8:8-9).

 

            “Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter” (Revelation 8:10-11).

 

            “Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound” (Revelation 8:12-13).

 

            “Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pita and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them” (Revelation 9:1-6).

 

           

“The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ ‘teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things” (Revelation 9:1-12).

 

            “Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month a and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tables are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm” (Revelation 9:13-19).

 

            “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorcerers or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

 

            When you come to the seventh chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will encounter the last of the seven seals being broken and the beginning of the trumpets being sounded by the seven angels. There is a great need to pay close attention to the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to a great understanding of what took place in heaven and how what happened in heaven directly impacted the events which took place upon the earth. There is something truly captivating and astonishing when you read the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for if you begin reading with and from the sixth chapter you will find the beginning of the breaking of the seven seals which were upon the scroll which was in the hand of the One who sat upon the throne. As you take the time to read the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus the Christ you will find it beginning in the first chapter with a vision and revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. The prophetic vision and revelation of Jesus Christ given unto the apostle John would indeed take place while he was exiled on the isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the sake of the testimony of Jesus Christ. In the first and opening chapter we learn of the exile of the apostle John on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ as the Roman Empire sought to silence him and eliminate him from preaching the word of God and delivering the testimony of Jesus the Christ. Up to this point the apostle John was the oldest living apostle of Jesus Christ and had survived and outlasted the other apostles who had also walked with and followed Jesus the Christ. Not only this but the apostle John would be exiled to the island of Patmos AFTER they attempted to put him to death by boiling him alive in oil. The apostle John would indeed survive the ordeal and would be exiled to the island of Patmos where he would receive perhaps the single greatest revelation concerning the Last Days and the end times.

 

            I sit here thinking about and considering the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and I can’t help but encounter the tremendous truth surrounding the vision which was given unto the apostle John by Jesus the Christ. In the first and opening chapter of this prophetic book we find it written how this vision and revelation was given unto Jesus Himself by the Father that He might show it unto His servants. It would be through the apostle John this vision and revelation would indeed be delivered unto the servants of Christ as the book itself would be sent unto the seven churches which were in Asia. The second and third chapters of this prophetic book are incredibly unique when you take the time to think about them for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the prophetic vision and revelation which was given unto the apostle John and sent unto the seven churches which were in Asia. The opening chapter of this epistle calls and draws our attention to the truly awesome presentation of the message which would be delivered unto the seven churches which were in Asia as they would be the recipients of the vision and revelation of Jesus the Christ. In the first and opening chapter of this prophetic book we would find and encounter the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the vision and revelation of Jesus the Christ as before the apostle John would indeed see anything of what was to come he would first see a vision of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something which warrants strong consideration for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding that which the apostle John saw concerning the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

            “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:4-8).

 

            “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatria, to Sardis, to Philadelphia and to Laodicea” (Revelation 1:9-11).

 

            “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fin we brass as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which thou have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you say in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:9-20).

            It is absolutely necessary to recognize and understand the words which are found in the first and opening chapter of this prophetic book for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of the vision and revelation of Jesus the Christ. As you read the words in the first band opening chapter of this epistle you can and will encounter the amazing truth surrounding the vision which the apostle John saw first and foremost about the Lord Jesus the Christ. The apostle John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and it would be on this particular day the apostle John would see a vision of the risen, ascended, exalted and glorified Jesus. Important to note is that the apostle John had walked with and followed Jesus for three and a half years while Jesus was in the flesh and manifested among us. For three and a half years the apostle John witnessed the words, the wonders, the signs, the miracles and the healings of the Lord Jesus Christ. For three and a half years he had personally experienced Jesus the Christ as He would hear and listen to the words which He would teach and preach. What’s more is the apostle John would indeed experience a measure and portion of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ atop the mountain when the appearance of Jesus would indeed be transfigured before he and his brother James and the apostle Peter. There atop the mountain the apostle John would see Jesus the Christ shine brighter than the sun shining in all its strength and having his garments whiter than any launderer could clean. Atop the mountain the apostle John would indeed see the Lord Jesus Christ transfigured before them as he would not only see His appearance altered but he would also see Him appearing talking with Moses and Elijah. Moreover the apostle John would indeed hear the words spoken by the Father that this was His beloved Son in whom he was well pleased.

 

            What we must needs recognize concerning the apostle John is that he had indeed seen the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ atop the mountain together with his brother James and Simon called Peter. What’s more is the apostle John would also be witness to the suffering, the torture and ultimately the death of the Lord Jesus Christ as He would be put to death upon the cross at the hands of the Romans. Not only this but the apostle John would be witness to the burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding this new vision and revelation which would be given unto the apostle John on the island of Patmos. The apostle John would now see Jesus the Christ exalted and glorified in heaven and would see something entirely different which he had never experienced or witnessed before. While on the island of Patmos the apostle John would both hear a voice and see a vision—the voice being that of the eternal and only begotten Son of Jesus Christ and the vision being of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The vision which the apostle John would indeed see of the Lord Jesus Christ would be such as he had not experienced before for the apostle John would see Christ in all of His glory and splendor which He had with the Father from the beginning. While on the isle of Patmos the apostle John would see the Son of Man standing in the midst of the seven golden lampstands and holding seven stars in His right hand. Not only this but the apostle John would see a vision of the risen and exalted Jesus the Christ such as He had never seen before.

 

            The more I read the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ the more I am brought face to face with the incredible truth surrounding the vision the apostle John first saw of the Lord Jesus Christ and His glory and splendor while the second vision He would see was the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. It would be the apostle John who would include in his gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ the witness of John the Baptist as this prophet of the living God would indeed proclaim the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. On two different occasions the apostle John would include the account of the witness of John the Baptist as this prophet of the living God would indeed make the emphatic declaration concerning Jesus of Nazareth and that He was indeed the Lamb of God. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider the fifth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus the Christ. It would be in the fifth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus the Christ we find the vision of Jesus as the Lamb of God which was slain before the foundation of the world. Oh there is something truly wonderful and powerful about the vision which the apostle John would see on the island of Patmos. The apostle John would write of the witness of John the Baptist in the first chapter of his gospel narrative while he would see a vision of Jesus as the Lamb in the fifth chapter of this New Testament prophetic book:

 

            “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him; but that he should be revealed to Israel, therefore I cam baptizing with water. And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He reminded upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34).

 

            “Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:35-36).

 

            “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne” (Revelation 5:1-7).

 

            “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I hear saint: Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! Then the four living creatures said, Amen! And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 5:8-14).

 

            I find it absolutely incredible to read the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for within the fifth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we find the apostle John seeing in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders a Lamb as though it had been slain. This Lamb would have seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. It is truly something wonderful to read the words which are found in the fifth chapter of this prophetic book and to see the Lamb appearing in the midst of the throne, in the midst of the elders and in the midst of the four living creatures. The vision which the apostle John saw concerning the events taking place in heaven would take powerful transition to one that would center around the throne, the scroll, the Lamb and the seals. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly captivating and wonderful about the words presented in this passage of Scripture. Here in the fifth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we encounter the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the vision the apostle John saw concerning the Lamb who was the only one found worthy in heaven who was able to take the scroll from the One seated upon the throne. What’s more is not only was the Lamb the only One who was able to take the scroll from the hand of the One who sat upon the throne but He was also the only one who was able to break the seals which were on the scroll and see what was contained within and upon the scroll.

 

            If you continue reading the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find a series of sevens which were represented by the events which took place in heaven. It is impossible to read the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and not encounter the tremendous reality of this series of seven which would begin with the seven seals which were upon the scroll. The apostle John would continue watching and observing the events which would transpire in the midst of heaven and would see the throne upon which the living and eternal God sat upon. In the fourth chapter of this prophetic book the vision the apostle John would center around the throne in heaven, the One who was seated upon the throne, those who were around and before the throne and the worship which centered upon the throne of God. You cannot read the words which are found in the fourth chapter and not encounter and come face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the vision the apostle John saw of heaven and the beautiful worship which would indeed take place in the midst of it. The apostle John would see a door standing open in heaven and would hear a loud voice as it were like the sound of a trumpet and would hear him being called up that he might see those things which were to take place during the days to come. Oh there is something absolutely astonishing about the words we find in the fourth chapter of this prophetic book for the words we find here in the prophetic book call and draw our attention to the absolutely. Wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the vision of the throne, the One seated upon the throne and the worship which would take place around about the throne. The apostle John would indeed witness and behold four and twenty elders before the throne as well as four living creatures which were before the throne. Not only this but the apostle John would also see and witness thousands upon thousands and ten thousands time ten thousands of angels before and round about the throne. All those who were before and round about the throne would indeed sing praises and offer their worship before and unto the One who was seated upon the throne.

 

            As you come to the fifth chapter you will find a shift and transition from the worship which took place in heaven as the apostle John would see in the hand of the One seated upon the throne a scroll written inside and on the back and sealed with seven seals. The apostle John would then see a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice asking “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” There is a great need to recognize and pay close attention to the question this angel asked for the breaking of the seven seals which were upon the scroll would directly impact that which would take place upon the earth. What’s important to note and to recognize within the fifth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the preparation for what would indeed begin taking place in the midst of the earth as the scroll, the seals and the Son would determine the events which would take place in the midst of the earth. THE SCROLL, THE SEALS AND THE SON! We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it is for when reading the words found in the fifth chapter of this prophetic book we see the Son who is pictured as the Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world being the only One found worthy in heaven, or in the earth or under the earth to take the scroll from the hand of the One who sat upon the throne and to break the seals which were upon the scroll. That which was written on the scroll and that which was written on the back of the scroll would contain the decrees of the living God concerning that which would take place in the midst of the earth during the Last Days.

 

            In the final verses of the fifth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find that when the Lamb took the scroll out of the hand of the One who sat upon the throne the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders had a harp and golden bowls full of incense which were the prayers of the saints. If there is one thing I can’t help but wonder it’s what this sight would have looked like in heaven as the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures each had harps as well as golden bowls of incense. Within those bowls of incense were the prays of the saints which were offered up before the living God. There’s something truly captivating and beautiful about the words which you find in these verses for within them you get the sense that the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures present the prayers of the saints before and unto the living and eternal God. What I so love about the words which are found in these passages of Scripture is that the bowls which each of these creatures and elders had within their hands were full with the prayers of the saints. There is a part of me that would love to know how big and how large these bowls were and what it would look like for these bowls to be presented unto the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. The apostle John sees a vision of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb with each of them having a harp and golden bowls which were full of incense. The incense in heaven is and would be known as the prayers of the saints which they would offer up before and unto Him while they were present upon the earth. There is something truly captivating and powerful about the words and language found in the fifth chapter of this prophetic book for within it we are brought face to face with the worship which would take place before the Lamb in the midst of heaven.

 

If you continue reading the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find the Lamb who had taken the scroll causing the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb each having a harp and golden bowls of incense which were the prayers of the saints. The four and twenty elders as well as the four living creatures would sing a new song before the Lamb—one that would be heard and witnessed by the apostle John in the midst of heaven. What I so love about the words which are found about the words contained in this passage of Scripture is that the song which was referenced wasn’t merely a song that was sang in heaven but a new song that would be sung in heaven. There is something truly captivating and powerful about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it we find a new song that would come as a result of the Lamb being slain—and not only as a result of the Lamb being slain but also the Lamb taking the scroll from the right hand of the One who sat upon the throne. What we must needs recognize about this new song is that it would and could not be sung until after the Lamb was slain while present upon the earth in the form of flesh and blood. The prophetic book of the Revelation reveals the Lamb being slain before the foundation of the world, however, what we must needs recognize and understand that this song would be one which would be sung in heaven after the Lamb had been slain in the flesh and after the Lamb had accomplished His sacrifice upon the earth. The Lamb of God was indeed offered as a Lamb without blemish to make atonement and propitiation for the sin of mankind. The Lamb of God was indeed offered up as a sacrifice on behalf of the sin of humanity that humanity might be reconciled unto the living and eternal God.

 

            The more you read the words which are found in the fifth chapter the more you will encounter the worship which would take place in heaven after the La mob took the scroll out of the hand of the One who sat upon the throne. It would be after the Lamb took the scroll out of the hand of the One who sat upon the throne that the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures would sing a new song unto the Lamb. The song which the twenty-four alders and four living creatures would sing before the Lamb would indeed be following:

 

            “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).

 

            There is something truly captivating and powerful about the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for there would be a new song that would be sung in heaven—one that would be sung unto the Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world. The four and twenty-four elders would sing unto the Lamb that He was worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals for it was He who slain and it was He who redeemed us to God by His blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. It was the Lamb of God who not only redeemed us to God by His blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation but who also made us kings and priests to our God. Moreover the song unto the Lamb would further declare and proclaim that those who were made kings and priests to the living God would reign upon the earth. What makes this truly interesting when you think about this song is who the twenty-four elders are who were before the throne of the living God. Were the twenty-four elders made up of the twelve apostles and the twelve sons of Jacob from the Old Testament under the Old Covenant? Scripture does not reveal who the twenty-four elders were before the throne of the living God and yet when we read the words which they sang unto the Lamb we find them speaking of being made kings and priests to God and reigning upon the earth. The four and twenty elders as well as the four living creatures were before the throne in heaven and one has to wonder how they would indeed reign upon the earth. Scripture makes it very clear that during the one thousand year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth after the beast and the false prophet were bound and cast into the lake of fire and after the dragon was bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a millennium, however, we have to wonder concerning the song which these before the throne would sing unto the Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world.

 

            Upon continuing to read the words which are found in the fifth chapter of this prophetic book we find the apostle John hearing the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders saying and proclaiming with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” Not only this but within the fifth chapter of this prophetic book you also find every creature which was in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as were in the sea and all that were in them singing “Blessed and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, forever and ever.” The four living creatures would respond to this song saying “Amen” and the twenty-four elders would fall down and worship Him who lives forever and ever. This is truly astonishing when you take the time to think about it for when you read the words found in the fourth and fifth chapters you will find that between the letters to the seven churches and the breaking of the seven seals the apostle John would see and witness worship which would take place in heaven. The apostle John would indeed hear and witness worship which would take place and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like for the apostle John to indeed hear that worship and to observe what would take place round about the throne of God which stood in heaven. The apostle John would indeed see and witness the worship which would take place in heaven and that worship would not only be unto the One who sat upon the throne but it would also be worship that would be unto the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. Oh this is something we dare not and must not miss nor lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the worship which would take place in heaven after the Lamb would take the scroll out of the hand of the One who sat upon the throne.

 

            If you continue reading the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find in the sixth chapter the first six seals being broken by the Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world. Each seal that was broken by the Lamb would indeed introduce events which would take place upon the earth. In all reality that which we find in these verses call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the idea of what takes place in heaven directly impacting and affecting the events in the midst of the earth. When the first seal would be broken the apostle John would hear one of the four living creatures proclaim with a loud voice like thunder “Come and see.” Immediately after making this proclamation a white horse would appear with a rider sitting upon the horse. The apostle John would go on to see how a crown was given unto the rider on the white horse and he went out conquering and to conquer. Scripture reveals nothing else about this rider on the white horse outside of what is mentioned here in the first two verses of the sixth chapter and we are left to speculate who this rider is and what it would mean upon the earth. The second seal which would be broken by the Lamb would cause the second living creature to proclaim, saying, “Come and see.” As a direct result of this another horse—fiery red in color—would come forth with one sitting upon and riding it. Unto this one who was riding the fiery red horse power was given to take peace from the earth and that people should kill one another. What’s more is this rider on the fiery red horse was given a great sword with which they would use to inflict great destruction upon the earth.

 

            Moving forward in the sixth chapter you will find the Lamb of God breaking the third seal which would cause the third living creature to proclaim with a loud voice, saying, “Come and see.” As the apostle John continued to watch he would see a black horse with one sitting upon it having a pair of scales in his hand. The apostle John would hear a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius. Furthermore the apostle John would also hear the voice calling for the oil and the wine to not be damaged. In the sixth chapter we go on to read of the fourth seal being broken and how when the fourth seal was broken the apostle John would hear the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” The apostle John would continue to look and would see a pale horse with one riding upon it. The name of the one riding on the pale horse was Death and Hades followed with him. Moreover power was given to them over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword, with hunger, with death and by the beasts of the earth. As of this particular point the first four seals were each broken and with each seal a different colored horse would come forth upon the earth—each with a different purpose and function. What we must needs recognize and understand concerning this is when you think about the fact that the ancient Hebrew prophet Zechariah saw a similar vision of four horses each with a rider riding upon it. In all reality I would dare say the vision which the apostle John saw in the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ was intrinsically linked to the vision which the ancient Hebrew prophet Zechariah saw. Each of these individuals would indeed see a vision of that which would take place and each of these servants of the living God would see visions of four horsemen who would come riding fourth and each with their own specific purpose. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the Old Testament prophetic book of Zechariah:

 

            “Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked, and behold, four chariots were coming from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of bronze. With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses—strong steeds. Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, What are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said to me, These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth. The one with the block horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country. Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And he said, Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth. So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to my Spirit in the north country” (Zechariah 6:1-8).

 

            There is something truly awesome and wonderful about the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for within we begin seeing the beginning of the end of all things. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand concerning the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ it’s that the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Within this prophetic book we encounter and come face to face with the absolutely astonishing truth surrounding the vision which the apostle John saw concerning the events which would take place in the Last Days. First and foremost the apostle John would see a vision of Jesus the Christ and it would be from that vision he would receive seven letters—each letter written to one of the seven churches which were in Asia. It would be directly after the seven letters which were written unto the seven churches would be received the apostle John would indeed be given a vision of heaven—and specifically a vision of the throne which stood in heaven. The vision which the apostle John would see would begin with a vision of the throne and the One who was seated upon the throne. Directly linked and connected to the vision of the throne and of the One who sat upon the throne would be a vision of those who were before and round about the throne. The apostle John would both see those who were round about the throne and those who were before the throne and would also hear the sounds which would take place in the midst of heaven. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the worship of heaven and how the worship of heaven would indeed take place before and round about the throne.

 

            The vision the apostle John would see would be a vision of the throne room of heaven and the worship which would take place around the throne. With this being said, however, a point is reached in heaven when there appears to be a shift from the worship which takes place round about the throne to the actions of the Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world. It would be the apostle John who would see the scroll with writing inside and on the back which was in the hand of the One who was seated upon the throne in heaven. The apostle John would see the Lamb breaking each of the seven seals which were on the scroll and how the breaking of each seal would indeed correspond to something different that would take place upon the earth. The breaking of the first four seals which were upon the scroll would indeed lead to different horses appearing—each different in color—and each with a unique rider upon it sent forth to accomplish something specific upon the earth. We dare not and must not miss nor lose sight of this for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the events which would take place upon the earth being directly impacted and effected by what was taking place in heaven. Not only this but one of the things I can’t help but think about when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture is how the inhabitants of the earth had absolutely no clue nor any understanding of what was taking place in heaven. Despite the fact the events taking place on the earth were directly linked and impacted by that which was taking place in heaven the inhabitants of the earth would not know what was taking place. It wouldn’t be until the breaking of the sixth seal when the inhabitants of the earth begin to recognize that what is taking place is the wrath of the Lamb and of the One who is seated upon the throne of God.

 

            If you begin reading with and from the ninth verse of the sixth chapter of this prophetic book you will find the fifth seal being broken. It would be when the fifth seal was indeed broken that the apostle John begins seeing different events which would unfold. As the fifth seal was broken the apostle John would see under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. These who were under the altar would cry out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth.” These who were under the altar were looking for some type of vindication and avenging for their blood which was shed upon the earth by those who lived and dwelt upon it. This is something we dare not and must not miss nor lose sight of for those who were under the altar were given a white robe and were told that they should rest a little while longer until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who would be killed as they were was completed. What makes this truly astonishing when you take the time to consider this is when you read how it wasn’t revealed how these martyrs were put to death for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. The only thing we know about these martyrs was the cause of their death which was the word of God and the testimony which they held. There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if Antipas who was murdered in the place where Satan’s throne is was among those who were under the altar. I also can’t help but wonder if it isn’t possible that Stephen who was stoned to death and was the church’s first martyr was among those who were under the altar and looking for vindication and avenging for their blood which was shed and spilt upon the earth. We don’t know the exact number of the souls which were under the altar, however, we can’t help but think about the fact that there were undoubtedly a great number of souls which were under the altar who had been murdered and put to death for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

 

            Moving forward in the vision of the breaking of the seven seals you will find that when the sixth seal was broken there was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became like blood. What’s more is the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. In addition to this the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. The kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. There in the midst of the caves and in the rocks of the mountains these inhabitants of the earth would call out to the mountains and rocks asking them to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. They would go on to exclaim the great day of His wrath has come and would ask who is able to stand in the midst of it. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ as well as the words which are found in the second epistle written by the apostle Peter and in the Synoptic gospels concerning the events which Jesus would speak concerning the Last Days:

 

            “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

 

            “O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the LORD. For you have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways; they are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they are pleased with the children’s of foreigners. Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is also full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. People bow down, and each man humbles himself; therefore do not forgive them. Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty upon everything lifted up—and it shall be brought low—upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan; upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up; upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall; upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all the beautiful sloops. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, but the idols He shall utterly abolish. They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily” (Isaiah 2:5-19).

 

            “As for Samaria, her king is cut off like a twig on the water. Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; they shall say to the mountains, Cover us! And to the hills, Fall on us” (Hosea 10:7-8).

 

            “The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble; the sun and moon grow dark, and the stars diminish their brightness. The LORD gives voice before His Mary, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it?” (Joel 2:10-11).

 

            “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on my men servants and on my maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls” (Joel 2:28-32).

 

            “But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:10-13).

 

            “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Ands He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:27-31).

 

            “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven” (mark 13:24-27).

 

            “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:25-28).

 

            If you continue reading the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will find the apostle John continuing to see a vision of a great multitude which would come forth from the great tribulation. Beginning with the ninth verse of the seventh chapter we read of a great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, people and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb which were clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” What’s more the apostle John would also see angels standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures who would fall on their faces before the throne and worship the living God. These would emphatically proclaim, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” This is incredibly powerful for when the apostle John was asked who these individuals were he would respond by saying that the elder himself know. What we must needs recognize when reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture is that there would indeed be a multitude which would come out of the great tribulation—those who would wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. These would be before the throne of God and would serve Him day and night in His Temple. He who sits upon the throne will dwell among them and they shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore. The sun will not strike these nor any heat for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. Moreover God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. It is with this in mind I leave you with the following words which are found in the prophetic book of Daniel as well as the words which are found in this prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus the Christ:

 

            “Thus he said: The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:23-27).

 

            “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from? And I said to him, Sir, you know. So he said to me, These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the. Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger any more nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living foundations of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:9-17).