Revelation 4
Vision of the throne room of third heavenverses 1-5
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 show you things
which must be hereafter
And immediately I was in the Spirit
and behold a throne was set in heaven
and ONE sat on the throne
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
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats
and on the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting
clothed in white raiment
and they had on their heads crowns of gold
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings – thunderings – voices
and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne
which are the seven Spirits of God
Vision of the four beasts: angels = Serephimverses 6-9
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
And the first beast was like a lion – and the second beast like a calf
and the third beast had a face as a man
and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him
and they rest not day and night saying
Holy – Holy – Holy – Lord God Almighty
which was – and is – and is to come
And when these beasts give glory – honor – thanks to HIM
that sat on the throne – WHO lives for ever and ever
Vision of the twenty four eldersverses 10-11
The four and twenty elders fall down before HIM that sat on the throne
and worship HIM that lives forever and ever
and cast their crowns before the throne saying
YOU are worthy – O Lord – to receive
glory – honor – power
FOR YOU have created all things
and FOR YOUR pleasure they are
and were created
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter. (1166 “show” [deiknuo] means expose to the eyes, make nown, explain, reveal, point out, or to bring to light)
DEVOTION: John was receiving visions from the LORD. The first chapter showed a picture of Jesus Christ. The second and third chapter gave a picture of the churches in the first century that could also represent churches today.
Now we have John being called up to heaven to receive more visions regarding the future. Some think that John was a representative of the church who was called up before the beginning of the hereafter or the Tribulation period which started the final events of the future.
This calling up could be thought to be what some call the Rapture of the church which he represents. Others think the Rapture is not really going to happen. It is important for each Christian to study the Word of God the best they know how and interpret this book especially with the best understanding they can. There are many views of the future.
In my study of this book I have accepted the interpretation that there is a Rapture that takes place before the start of the seven year Tribulation period. The Tribulation period will be covered later but it seems to be fulfilling the seventh week of Daniel.
Now this verse says that this event with happen with the sounding of a trumpet that calls the New Testament saints up to heaven. This includes all those who are believers from the time of Pentecost unto this event.
Remember the promise to be absent from the body means that all believers go into the presence of the LORD immediately. However, their body is not resurrected unto the Rapture when all will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ for their rewards. The Old Testament saints have a different judgment. The Tribulation saints have a later judgment. Finally, all those who have rejected Jesus Christ from the time of Adam until the end of the Millennial Kingdom will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment to see that their names are not in the book of life and therefore will spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels. There is no second chance after death to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
So John is about to be exposed to what is going to happen after the New Testament saints are taken from the earth.
It seems like we should be listening for the sound of the trumpet.
CHALLENGE: Meditate on even this book to find out what it is teachings because a blessing is promised to those who read this book of the Bible which causes many to understand what it means that the “time is at hand.”
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 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. (2985 “lamps” [lampas] means torch, light, the flame of which is fed with oil, lantern, or a small vessel with a wick burning olive oil)
DEVOTION: It is sometimes hard to understand what is meant in many verses in this book. The last phrase “sevenfold Spirit of God” can make one think that there might be seven Holy Spirits but that is not right.
I have looked at the book of Isaiah for an answer to this thought and it seems that it could be an answer to what is meant. In Isaiah 11: 2 we find this description of the Holy Spirit regarding HIS relationship to Jesus Christ or the coming Messiah.
HE is called the spirit of the LORD, the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of counsel, the spirit of might, the spirit of knowledge and the spirit of the fear of the LORD. So the Spirit of the LORD is active in seven different ways in Jesus Christ while HE is on this earth during HIS earthly ministry.
It can also mean that the seven churches of Revelation chapters two and three had the Holy Spirit working in them to help them be properly serving the LORD.
In all we need to realize that the Holy Spirit has been working on this earth since the beginning of creation. HE moves upon the face of the waters. HE was part of the creation of our world.
HE is still active today. HE will be active unto the end of the world. HE is active in the lives of all those who are followers of Jesus Christ. HE is convicting those outside of Christ of their sin. HE is even convicting believers of their sin. HE is even convicting you and me of our sin which we committed yesterday and even this morning.
CHALLENGE: Listen to the Holy Spirit in your life. HE can direct your actions right now!!!
: 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within, and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (2064 “is to come” [erchomai] means to become, appear, make an appearance, to arrive at, to move toward, travel toward, or approach something or somebody)
DEVOTION: These four living creatures are angels which are part of a special group who give worship before the throne of God forever. This group of angels is called Seraphim.
We are first introduced to this group in Isaiah chapter six. This is when Isaiah has a vision of his going to the throne room of God. He stands before God and observers these angels worshiping God. They are saying “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah’s reaction to this vision is to fall down and say “I am undone.” Why does he say this? It is because he knows he is a sinner standing before a holy God.
Another time this group of angels is mentioned is in Ezekiel chapter one. Here we have them with faces of a man, lion, ox and eagle.
So this group of angels has been active throughout the Word of God. It has been said that there are twenty two different types of angels recorded in the Word of God. We know that some from each group fell with Satan or the devil because there is fighting going on between the two groups throughout the Word of God.
On this occasion we find them worshiping Jesus Christ because the threefold description doesn’t fit either of the other two persons of the Godhead. Jesus Christ was the only one of the Godhead who could be “who is to come.” Because HE is the only one who died and came back to life and promised to return.
HE died for you and I. We should be singing HIS praised every day from the day of our salvation throughout eternity. We have a place reserved in heaven because of HIS sacrifice for us.
CHALLENGE: What are we singing about today?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne. (2362 “throne” [thronos] means 1 a throne seat. 1a a chair of state having a footstool. 1b assigned in the NT to kings, hence, kingly power or royalty. 1b1 metaph. to God, the governor of the world. 1b2 to the Messiah, Christ, the partner and assistant in the divine administration. 1b2a hence divine power belonging to Christ. 1b3 to judges i.e. tribunal or bench. 1b4 to elders. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: In a day when kings and queens are somewhat passé, the longest reigning king in the world today has just died. That was the king of Thailand, King Bhumibol, whom the Thai people worshipped as the quintessential Buddhist. While his power was only nominal, he was backed by the military and had the support of the majority of the Thai people because of his devotion to them.
There was a day when the King of Kings left the throne of heaven in order to humble himself to become a man. He was not recognized as the true King, but rather rejected by the very people that He came to save. Instead of being given a throne, he was given a cross.
We look forward to the day when the King will return in glory. He will be revealed as riding on a white horse with his angel armies behind Him. And He will ascend rightfully to the throne of His kingdom. In the meantime, He is at the right hand of the LORD in heaven, seated upon His throne there.
When the elders saw the Lamb upon the throne, their natural reaction was to fall down in worship. God’s plan for us is that we take the time to worship Him every day. He alone is worthy of our worship.
CHALLENGE: There is only one throne, and the King of Kings is seated upon it. Worship Him! (MW)
: 11 YOU are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for YOU have created all things, and for YOUR pleasure they are and were created.(2307 “pleasure” [thelema] means a purpose, decree, determination, choice, desire, or will.)
DEVOTION: John receives a vision of heaven from the angels sent by Jesus Christ. In this vision he sees the throne room of heaven with God the Father sitting on the throne. In the throne room are the Seraphim that Isaiah said when he had a vision of heaven before he was given the assignment to go to the children of Israel with a message from God.
Remember that the outline for the book of Revelation is thought to be found in chapter one verse nineteen. In chapter one, we have the things that are seen of John. In chapter two and three we have the “things which are.” Here we find the word “hereafter” as it is found in chapter one verse nineteen. The hereafter would be what would happen after the church was taken in the Rapture and represented by the twenty-four elders.
In heaven there is worship given to the Father by the twenty-four elders, as well as, by the angels. The angels are represented by the type of angels called Seraphim. They had the privilege of worshipping the Father regularly.
In chapter five we will see the same group giving praise to the Lamb which is Jesus Christ. HE was the lamb that was slain for our sins. Without HIS sacrifice there would be no elders in heaven.
There is only one being that is worthy of all these things mentioned in this verse. That being is God the Father. HE created the world. HE keeps the world moving. HE is in control of our life and breath. HE established the decrees before the foundation of the world. Nothing has taken HIM by surprise.
We are here on this earth to give HIM glory. We are here on this earth to give him honor. Christ came to this earth to give HIM glory. The relationship between the Godhead is unique and hard to understand. They are co-equal but have different responsibilities.
God the Father is the one who has all the power. HE shares HIS power with us. HE gives us strength each day to face the challenges HE allows in our lives. We are created beings HE is not.
Everything in this world is here because that is HIS will. HE has a will for this world. We are to find out the will of God for our life by prayer and study of the Bible. We are to praise HIM daily because of HIS provision of salvation for us. We are headed to heaven because of HIS love manifested through the death of HIS Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. While we are here on the earth, we are to sing praises to the LORD for all HE has done for us. This praise should be manifested on our faces not only on Sunday but throughout the week. Praise HIS name.
Are we giving praise, honor and glory to God the Father on a regular basis?
CHALLENGE: We need to start really praising the Godhead while we are here on earth, so that, we don’t have to learn something new when we get to heaven. Practice PRAISE NOW!!!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Worship through song by four beastsverse 8
Worship through song by twenty verse 10
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
One sitting on throneverses 2-11
Rainbow around throne
Godverses 5, 8
Holyverse 8
Lordverses 8, 11
Almightyverse 8
Lord God Almightyverse 8
was, is, and is to come
Glory, honor and thanks givenverse 9
Lives foreververse 9
Creatorverse 11
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Holyverse 8
Lord God Almighty
which was – is – is to comeverse 8
Worship HIMverse 10
Creatorverse 11
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spiritverses 2, 5
Seven lamps of fireverse 5
Seven Spirits of Godverse 5
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Four beasts full of eyesverses 6, 9
Lion – calf – face as a man – flying eagle
Six wings full of eyes
Holy – holy – holy
Gave glory and honor and thanksverse 9
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Worshipverse 10
Praiseverse 11
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Twenty-four eldersverses 4, 10
White raiment
Crowns of gold
Fall down before God
Cast crowns before throne
Sang: You are worthy
Church (New Testament people of God)
Twenty-four eldersverses 4, 10
White raiment
Crowns of gold
Fall down before God
Cast crowns before throne
Sang: You are worthy
Last Things (Future Events)
Heavenverses 1, 2
Things hereafterverse 1
Throne set in heavenverse 2
Twenty-four eldersverse 4
Sitting
Clothed in white raiment
Crowns of gold
Four beastsverses 6-8
First beast = lion
Second beast = calf
Third beast = face of man
Fourth beast = flying eagle
Saying – holy, holy, holy
Who is to comeverse 8
Lives for ever and eververse 9
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QUOTES regarding passage
6–8 “A sea of glass, clear as crystal” simply adds to the magnificence of the scene (15:2). Caird considers the “sea of glass” identical to the “sea” in Revelation 13:1 and 21:1 and identifies it as “a reservoir of evil” (p. 65). But a sea of “glass” may be an intentional reversal of this sea imagery (cf. Exod 24:10; Ezek 1:22, 26). The mirrorlike reflecting quality could symbolize the fact that before the sight of God all is revealed; i.e., “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eves of him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:13).
The “four living creatures” should be linked with Isaiah’s seraphim and Ezekiel’s cherubim (cf. Isa 6:3; Ezek 1:5–25; 10:1–22). They, like the elders and angels, are heavenly creatures of the highest order involved with the worship and government of God. “Covered with eyes” may give the impression of their exceeding knowledge of God, while the faces of a “lion,” “ox,” “man,” and a “flying eagle” suggest qualities that belong to God, such as royal power, strength, spirituality, and swiftness of action. Each of the creatures mentioned is the chief of its species. Together they embody the reflection of God’s nature as the fullness of life and power. Their six wings (cf. Isa 6:2) give the impression of unlimited mobility in fulfilling God’s commands. Their position “in the center, around the throne” suggests that one might be before and one behind the throne with one on either side (Beckwith). The four living creatures appear throughout Revelation (cf. 5:6, 8, 14; 6:1ff.; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4).
The four living creatures ceaselessly proclaim the holiness of God: “Holy, holy, holy” (v. 8; Isa 6:3). In Hebrew, the double repetition of a word adds emphasis, while the rare threefold repetition designates the superlative and calls attention to the infinite holiness of God—the quality of God felt by creatures in his presence as awesomeness or fearfulness (Ps 111:9: “Holy and awesome is his name”). The living creatures celebrate God’s holiness and power as manifested in his past, present, and future activity. Such holiness cannot tolerate the presence of evil (21:27). (On these titles of God, see comments on 1:4, and on 8.) The trisagion (“Holy, holy, holy”) is a liturgical expression used in both ancient Jewish and Christian worship. Its use does not, however, reach back to the first century.
This hymn is the first not only of the five sung by the heavenly choirs in Chapters 4–5 but also of a number of others in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9–10, 12, 13; 7:12, 15–17; 11:15, 17–18; 12:10–12; 15:3–4; 16:5–7; 18:2–8; 19:2–6). These hymns relate to the interpretation of the visions and provide a clue to the literary structure of Revelation. In these two chapters, the sequence of hymns shows that the first two are addressed to God, the next two to the Lamb, and the last one to both. There is also a gradual enlargement in the size of the choirs. The internal movement also builds as the last hymn is sung by “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth” to “him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb” (5:13). (Johnson, A. F. (1981). Revelation. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, pp. 463–464). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Like a lion (ὁμοιον λεοντι [homoion leonti]). Associative-instrumental case again. In Ezek. (1:6, 10) each ζωον [zōon] has four faces, but here each has a different face. “The four forms represent whatever is noblest, strongest, wisest, and swiftest in nature” (Swete). But it is not necessary to try to find a symbolism in each face here like the early baseless identification with the Four Evangelists (the lion for Mark, the man for Matthew, the calf for Luke, the eagle for John). Μοσχος [Moschos] is first a sprout, then the young of animals, then a calf (bullock or heifer) as in Luke 15:23, 27, 30, or a full-grown ox (Ezek. 1:10). Had (ἐχων [echōn]). Masculine singular (some MSS. ἐχον [echon] neuter singular agreeing with ζωον [zōon]) present active participle of ἐχω [echō], changing the construction with the τριτον ζωον [triton zōon] almost like a finite verb as in verse 8. A face as of a man (προσωπον ὡς ἀνθρωπου [prosōpon hōs anthrōpou]). Shows that the likeness in each instance extended only to the face. Like an eagle flying (ὁμοιον ἀετῳ πετομενῳ [homoion aetōi petomenōi]). Present middle participle of πετομαι [petomai], to fly, old verb, in N. T. only in Rev. 4:7; 8:13; 12:14; 14:6; 19:17. The ἀετος [aetos] in Matt. 24:28 and Luke 17:37 may be a form of vulture going after carrion, but not in Rev. 8:13; 12:14. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Re 4:7). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
4:6–8. A sea of glass, clear as crystal, was before the throne and reflected all the brilliant colors of the entire heavenly scene (cf. 15:2). In the center of the picture four living creatures were compared to a lion … an ox … a man and a flying eagle. Each of the … creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around. They were said to be continually praising God as the holy … Almighty (pantokratōr; cf. 1:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22), and eternal One (who was, and is, and is to come; cf. 1:8; 11:17). This is the first of 14 doxologies in the Book of Revelation (see the chart).
Many interpretations have been given of the four living creatures. As the Holy Spirit was seen symbolically in the seven lamps, probably the four living creatures symbolically represent the attributes of God including His omniscience and omnipresence (indicated by the creatures being full of eyes)—with the four animals bringing out other attributes of God: the lion indicating majesty and omnipotence; the ox, typical of faithful labor and patience; man, indicating intelligence; and the eagle, the greatest bird, representing supreme sovereignty. Another possible view is that they represent Christ as revealed in the four Gospels: in Matthew, the lion of the tribe of Judah; in Mark, the ox as the servant of Yahweh; in Luke, the incarnate human Jesus; and in John, the eagle as the divine Son of God. Another alternative is that the four living creatures are angels (cf. Isa. 6:2–3), who extol the attributes of God. (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 944–945). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
4:7 first … like a lion. In what is obviously intended as symbolic language, John compares these 4 beings with 4 of God’s earthly creations. Ezekiel indicates that every cherub has these 4 attributes. The likeness to a lion symbolizes strength and power. second … like a calf. The image of a calf demonstrates that these beings render humble service to God. third … face like that of a man. Their likeness to man shows they are rational beings. fourth … like a flying eagle. The cherubim fulfill their service to God with the swiftness of eagles’ wings. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Re 4:7). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 7. And the first beast was like a lion, &c.] And this figure expresses the strength of the ministers of the word, the lion being the strongest among beasts, Prov. 30:30 to do the work they are called to, to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Christ, and to bear the infirmities of the weak; and also it denotes their courage and boldness in preaching the Gospel of Christ, without fearing the faces of men, or of being afraid of their revilings: and the second beast like a calf; or ox, for so the word here used signifies in the Hellenistic language, and with the Septuagint interpreters, and agrees with Ezek. 1:10 and designs the laboriousness of Christ’s faithful ministers in treading out the corn of Gospel truth, who labour in the word and doctrine, and are labourers with God; as also their humility, meekness, and patience in bearing insults, reproaches, and sufferings for Christ, and instructing those that oppose themselves: and the third beast had a face as a man; and points at the humanity and tender-heartedness, the wisdom, prudence, knowledge, and understanding, and the use of the reasoning faculty, together with a manly spirit in abiding by the Gospel at any rate; all which are so necessary in the ministers of the word. And the fourth beast was like a flying eagle; which sets forth the sagacity and penetration of Gospel ministers into the deep things of God, and mysteries of grace, and their readiness and swiftness to do the will of God, in publishing the everlasting Gospel; see ch. 14:6. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 721). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
“Pilate had his chance and he missed it. His name rings down through the ages in scorn and contempt because he had not the courage to stand up for his convictions and Jesus Christ. Aren’t you boys doing the same thing? You are convinced that Jesus Christ is the son of God, but you are afraid of the horse-laugh the boys will give you.
“God will have nothing to do with you unless you are willing to keep clean,” he said. “Some people think they are not good enough to go to heaven and not bad enough to go to hell, and that God is too good to send them to hell, so they fix up a little religion of their own. God isn’t keeping any half-way house for any one. The man who believes in that will change his theology before he has been in hell five minutes. (p. 346, “Billy” Sunday: The Man and His Message by William Ellis [excerpt from one of his sermons to University of Philadelphia students])
JUST DO SOMETHING by Keven DeYoung by Moody Publishers
The most important issues for God are moral purity, theological fidelity, compassion, joy, our witness, faithfulness, hospitality, love, worship, and faith. (p. 44)
The traditional approach to God’s will makes God into a tricky little deity who plays hid and seek with us. (p.46)
And so we obsess about the future and we get anxious, because anxiety, after all, is simply living out the future before it gets here. (p. 47)
Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting in the promises of God. (p. 48)
We imagine that our inactivity is patience and sensitivity to God’s leading. At times it may be; but it’s also quite possible we are just lazy. (p. 51)
But why did the Lord give us brains and say so much about gaining wisdom if all we are really supposed to do is call on the Lord to tell us what to do in a thousand different non-moral decisions? (53)
“ALL THINGS”
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father. Matthew 11:27
The Lord Jesus Christ made the following astounding claim for Himself: “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father.” Now let me try to reconstruct the whole situation. There is someone speaking. You look at Him and see He is a man. He is surrounded by a group of people who have attached themselves to Him and who have been following Him and listening to His teaching. They have been with Him as He has traveled back and forth in the ancient land of Palestine. They have seen the works that He performed, and there He is, as it were, a man speaking to men. But when He says, “All things,” there is no limit to that word “all”; it is as all-inclusive as a word can be. So who is this person who is speaking?
He says that He is in a unique sense the Son of God. In John chapter 5 the Jews turned upon Him because He claimed God as His Father and said that He claimed equality with God. Now I feel that our real difficulty with the New Testament is that we are so familiar with these facts that we miss their extraordinary character. Our whole danger, is it not, is to fail to realize and remember that this is literal history. The fact of Jesus Christ is history, and what I am calling your attention to here is something that has actually happened. This person was on earth and was born in Bethlehem. He worked as a carpenter in Nazareth, and He told people that He was the Son of God in a way that no one else was.
A Thought to Ponder: He told people that He was the Son of God in a way that no one else was. (From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 133,135, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Boaz, a close relative of Naomi, agrees to marry Ruth.
INSIGHT
The custom in the Old Testament is that when a relative dies without leaving a male heir, the next nearest relative marries the surviving spouse to preserve the family name and property rights. Naomi thinks Boaz is the next of kin; therefore, there is nothing forward in Ruth’s actions. Boaz exercises admirable restraint, knowing that there is closer kin. His concern for Ruth’s good name again shows his nobility of character, for he is surely attracted to Ruth already.
PRAYER
· Offer your praise to the Lord who renews our strength when we wait on Him:
O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Awake, lute and harp! (Quiet Walk)
The Witness of Creation
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Revelation 3:14)
This salutation in the last of the seven church epistles in Revelation contains the last of four occurrences of the distinctive phrase “the beginning of the creation.” The glorified Christ here assumes this as one of His divine names. Even God’s work of creation, long since completed (Genesis 2:1-3), had a beginning, and that beginning was Christ. “In the beginning was the Word…and…all things were made by him” (John 1:1-3).
The first two occurrences of this phrase also come from the lips of Christ. “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6). This assertion by the Creator, Jesus Christ, quoting Genesis 1:27, makes it unambiguously certain that Adam and Eve were created at the beginning of creation, not after the earth had already existed for 4.6 billion years. God also wrote this plainly on the tables of the law (Exodus 20:8-11). Those evangelicals who accept the geological ages evidently reject this clear statement of the creation’s Creator!
Then Christ also referred to the end-times in the context of the beginning-times. “In those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be” (Mark 13:19).
The phrase is also used in Peter’s very important prophecy concerning the scoffers of the end-times, who will argue (in willful ignorance) that “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4), thereby denying that there ever was a real creation or real Creator and thus rejecting Christ Himself. But He is also the “true witness” and the “Amen,” and such denials will only be “unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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