The inspiring courtroom scene of Revelation 4 and 5 depicts the enthronement, upon His ascension, of Jesus Christ, as the rightful ruler of the universe, as the vast assembled throng declares the supremacy of the exalted Lamb. This is the core of true worship, which is seeing what God is worth and giving Him what He is worth.1 In Revelation 1:9 John describes himself as a fellow sufferer with his parishioners. As their pastor he had shared their trials, witnessed daily injustices, and wondered, with them, why they suffered while Rome flourished. But now John tells about Christs triumphal entry into heaven itself. No earthly government could top this. To guard against misinterpreting reality as they saw it, John shares with them an infinitely larger view of reality that includes events in heavenly places; a view no doubt intended to let them know that though the wrong is oft so strong, God is the ruler yet! This look at Christs enthronement in heavens open courtroom is also for our encouragement. To comprehend more easily some of the issues of the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan, I find it helpful to use a paradigm from the proceedings of probate courts where last wills and testaments are challenged and validated. In Revelation 4 and 5, we find the following: (1) witnesses from heaven—four living creatures; (2) witnesses from earth—24 elders: probably resurrected saints who ascended with Christ as first fruits (Eph. 4:8; Matt. 27:53); (3) the Judge—God the Father, qualified to hear the case, and worthy of worship because He is holy, as declared by the witnesses from heaven, the four living creatures (Rev. 4:8), who, along with witnesses from earth, declare Him to have jurisdiction in the matter (Rev. 4:11); (4) Gods last will and testament—the scroll, the Godheads intention to save, as expressed in the covenant established before the worlds foundation; (5) the jury—innumerable angels; the issues before the court—who is worthy to open the scroll (Rev. 5:2), and judicially qualified to dispense the covenant benefits therein to the rightfully designated. Thinking of the scroll as a last will and testament about to be probated, we may ask, Were the testators (the Father and the Son) qualified to make a covenant of salvation for the benefit of sinners?2 Have the terms of the covenant been met? A will does not go into effect until and unless the testator has died (Heb. 9:16, 17). Who are the heirs named in the will, and how will they receive their inheritance? youtu.be/rYHBRFRDhFM
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:52:39 +0000
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