| (Copyright 2022) by Rich Traver (Clifton, Colorado) |
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| Its Prominent Mention in Significant Scenes raises questions religion has generally ‘left aside’ at present. But if we’re ever to know what God looks like and what His Throne in Heaven looks like, three Explicit Passages are somewhat revealing. One would think that something so essential to a visual comprehension of the scene of God’s Throne in Heaven would be well represented in discussions on the subject. Though not mentioned in very many passages, a few examples stand out. In Revelation 4, the beloved Apostle John was privileged to be given an extraordinary vision of not only the Throne of God, but also of an image of the Father upon the Throne that apparently no one else had been privileged to see. Where no man had heard God’s Voice or seen His Shape, [1] we have this one technical exception. But this vision was decades after John’s own statement was made. We read of that occasion beginning in verse one: [1]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. [2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] 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. [6] 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. A Luminous SEA of Glass? It’s the particular feature of the pavement spread out before the Heavenly Throne that’s the focal element of this study. In Revelation 15 we have another reference to the same scene. This scene is more directly related to a specific point in time, where this transparent pavement is populated by those victorious over the Beast: They having been made Spirit at this point, and rehearsed with instruments and vocalization for a performance appropriate to the occasion. This particular aspect may create questions among certain of our genre. [2] We’ll consider that later on. This visual description, again by John, apparently pictures a different occasion. Again, we begin in verse one of Revelation 15: [1] And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. [2] And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. [3] And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. [4] Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. These passages are basically all we have regarding the underlying forestage on which God’s Throne is set, with one other extraordinary example. Centuries prior to John’s privileged visions, there was another related event – a real occasion – where living physical beings were allowed to see what and whom Moses had been allowed to not only see, but to have direct face-to-face conversations with. [3] Actually, SEEING God!? We can pose that Adam and Eve as well as Jacob saw this Being personally, but for the most part, few others had the privilege. An explanation of WHO that Being was is perhaps in order. John’s assertion in his gospel (see footnote) was in reference to the Father, not to the pre-incarnate Christ. This is a distinction that we need to be aware of. John’s audience at the time apparently realized the implications being made against their belief system (what’s known as strict monotheism – there being but one Being in the Godhead) evident in their failure to object, where they could have cited the situation with Adam & Eve, Jacob and Moses, etc. Ate and Drank with God! This auspicious event is presented in Exodus 24. By way of setting the timeframe and scene, this gathering up on Mt. Sinai was just after the ratification of the Covenant with the people. There are scholars who pose that this event (Ex. 24:) was when the Children of Israel became ‘married’ to the pre-incarnate Christ. It’s where they said “I do!” or rather “We do!” The pre-incarnate Christ was married unto Israel. [4] [1] And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. [2] And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. (This prohibition was imposed during the Marriage Ceremony!) [3] And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. [4] And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. [5] And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. [6] And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. [7] And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. (Further affirmation.) [8] And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words. Change of Venue Afterward [9] Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: [10] 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. (Different terminology – similar scene.) [11] And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. (From parallel accounts, we’re left to realize this sighting was of the pre-incarnate Christ, not the Father whose existence was yet to be generally revealed.) So, what we have in this scene in Exodus 24 is an after-event to the Marriage Ceremony. What we would compare to a Wedding Reception. Not the Ceremony itself, but a “Celebration” that follows. What’s interesting is the allusion to a similar event to take place just after Christ gathers-up His Saints. At some point – and we don’t have much by which to identify either the exact day or the exact setting – there’s the one specific reference to the Marriage of Christ to the Church. That’s in Revelation 19. Verse 7 says: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” This refers to the Ceremony. But that’s not the whole of Revelation’s passage here. It continues: In verse 8, it makes reference to another part of this Wedding event. “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” These called to this ‘supper’ are not necessarily the entirety of the wedding entourage. Privileged invitees attend the Reception along with the Wedding Party. If the comparison which we read of in Exodus 24 is an indication, then those in attendance are likely the elite representatives of the imminent millennial nation. Now, putting these two scenes in Revelation together, the sea of glass references with the Marriage of the Lamb, is there a correlation? So, from Revelation 4:6 compared to Revelation 15:2, it’s apparent that these ‘victors’ over the Beast and his image are seen standing before His Throne! Logically, these would be spirit-born saints at this point, not long-deceased ‘immortal souls’. Let’s pose another question: are they there merely for the entertainment factor, singing praises to the intervening Christ? A further point is their acclimation of His imminent rulership of Earth, where they sing: “… for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” Since all nations do NOT worship Him (truly) at present, nor are His Judgments obvious, then this must be in the future after His intervention, something more than His gathering-up of His Saints! Saints in Heaven? Here’s a key question: Will the Saints ever actually experience God’s Throne in Heaven? The Church of God genre has traditionally thought not in that it is realized that the deceased don’t spend eternity in Heaven as is the common belief. However, we have certain passages that give pause to a totally dismissive answer. John obviously was given a vision of the Throne and its environs. The Apostle Paul was similarly treated to an experience that was so vivid that he couldn’t be sure if it was just a vision or he was actually bodily present there! Paul’s account is this: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (The context shows that he was obliquely referring to himself!) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2nd Cor. 12:2-4) A Priceless and Unique Privilege! It wouldn’t at all surprise me that God fully intends to at least show His Saints what we’ve been hearing about all our lives. The Saints are His Bride after all. God’s Throne in Heaven will remain as the administrative center of the World and the Universe during the millennium! If the martyr’s spirits are kept there [5] and if there are to be ‘much people in Heaven’ at some point, then there’s perhaps an event that we haven’t fully accommodated in our beliefs. The Resurrected Meet Him in the Air! But the transport there is not ongoing as each individual dies, rather there’s a simultaneous gathering ‘in the clouds’ [6] at the Second Coming. There’s the belief that He and the Saints will descend to the Mount of Olives on that very day. However, when we consider the Battle of Armageddon, we realize that the Jerusalem environs will still be in the control of the Beast and his army until after the battle! [7] Explanations are offered where these ‘people’ are not spirit-born Saints, but let’s consider a possibility that they are the same peoples as we read of in Revelation 15:2. Revelation 19:1 reads: “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:..” When and Where? That leaves open the related question, when and where will the Marriage of the Lamb take place and who will preside over the Ceremony? & ———————————————————————– Reprinted with permission from: Golden Sheaves https://www.goldensheaves.org/ ———————————————————————– [1] John 5:37 “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” [2] Those who are more focused on the millennial Kingdom of God that’s to be on earth for 1000 years traditionally dismiss the Saints being “in Heaven” for eternity, as is the common religious teaching regarding “their afterlife”. While the Martyrs spirits are ‘kept under the Altar’ – for centuries, in some cases – who are awaiting their fellow martyrs from the modern era, perhaps we ought to consider this occasion as a real event, though of short duration. Their singing songs at this occasion speaks to their living consciousness. [3] Exodus 33:11 “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…”. [4] Jer. 3:14 “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:”. [5] Revelation 6:9-11 [6] 1st Thessalonians 4:17 [7] The Beast will have set-up his final headquarters there. Daniel 11:45. An article “An Armageddon Perspective” explains this situation, being the Beast’s and False Prophet’s end. |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Standing on the Sea of Glass Article by Rich Traver Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
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| The author of this article asks a lot of questions but doesn’t seem to have the answers to most of them. In some areas what is written is not clear to the reader as far as the point the author is trying to make. In the bible it tells us when the first fruits will be resurrected. 1Co 15:52 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. 1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1Th 4:16 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: 1Th 4:17 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. 1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The first fruits will be resurrected at the last trump. Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Rev 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. Rev 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. Rev 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Rev 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Rev 11:14 The second woe is past; and behold, the third woe cometh quickly. There are seven trumpets all together. The first four are called trumpets and the last three are called “woe” or “woe trumpets”. So, when it says the second woe is past and the third woe cometh quickly, the third woe is the seventh trumpet which is the last trumpet. So shortly after the two witnesses ascend into heaven the elect of God will be resurrected. Speculation has it that the first trumpet will sound on Feast of Trumpets, the second one on Atonement, the third one during the Feast of Tabernacles, the fourth on the last Great Day, the fifth on the first Day of Passover/Unleavened Bread the sixth on the last day of Passover/Unleavened Bread and the seventh and last trumpet will sound on Pentecost which is the Feast of First Fruits. Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Rev 7:5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Rev 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Rev 7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Rev 7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Rev 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. Speculation has it that this is at the time of the harvest of the first fruits as they are being gathered and sealed. Later it shows them being in heaven around the throne of God. When it says nations here, I am fairly sure all nations would be represented here as they are being gathered from the four corners of the earth. So this would be happening at the time of the resurrection. Speculation has it that once the first fruits are gathered, they will be taken to heaven for the marriage supper of the lamb and will also be trained for the positions they will be in during the millennium. It is speculated that the marriage supper will probably take a week or so and then training will start. The period from the resurrection of the first fruits to the end of their training period is predicted to take place between Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets. This is also the period of time when the bowls of wrath will be poured out on the earth. Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Coming back to earth and being on mount Sion is speculated to take place after the training period which probably will end at the time that the Feast of Trumpets starts that year. If you read through Revelation 21 and 22 that is talking about when everything is fulfilled. All bible quotes are from the King James Version. |
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