LIGHT ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Exalting Christ on the Throne
Bible studies by Benjamin Smith
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and is
today on His throne in heaven. His name is to be exalted.
1.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ on His Throne
2. The Revelation of Jesus Christ
3. The Temple in Heaven
4. The Lamb Is Not Christ
5. Correcting the First Five Chapters of the Book of Revelation
6. Christ Will Come in the Clouds of Heaven
7. Five Great Revivals in the Book of Revelation
8. The League of Nations and the United Nations
A message from Benjamin Smith:
I have studied the Holy Bible for many years.
I have been most interested in the prophetic books, which tell of future events.
Many people today do not think the Bible has anything relevant to say about the
twenty-first century. But the Bible explains how we should live, how to truly love
and trust others, and that we should help those who are less fortunate than we are.
The Bible also tells us that God will judge everyone on their deeds and on whether
they believed in Jesus or not. That is only one of the many prophetic events
mentioned in the Bible. Read here about other future events and about Scriptures
that exalt Jesus Christ.
I hope this will lead you to further study of the Bible. Some things you
can agree with me on; others you may not. In either case I hope you will learn what
the Bible has to say to you.
These verses of Scripture from the book of Revelation reveal Jesus Christ on His
throne:
1. Jesus is on His throne in the temple in heaven. Revelation 1:4, 8, 11. Please note
verse 4, where seven Spirits are before His throne; verses 8 and 11 tie
together with verse 4.
2. Jesus is on His throne in the temple in heaven. Rev. 4:9, 10; 5:1, 7, 13; 6:16;
7:9, 10, 11, 15; 8:2-4; 11:16, 17; 14:3, 5, 7; 19:4, 6; 21:5.
3. Christ is the Almighty. Matt. 28:18; Rev. 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7-14; 19:6, 15;
21:22.
4. The seven lamps of fire are the seven spirits of God or the Holy Spirit sent into
all the earth. Rev. 5:6.
5. The Lamb is called the King of kings and Lord of lords. Rev. 17:14.
6. Jesus is Lord God. Rev. 1:8, 10; 4:8; 15:3, 4; 16:5, 7; 19:1, 6; 21:22; 22:5-6.
7. Jesus has a new name. Rev. 3:12; 19:12 Known only to Himself. 19:12.
8. Jesus says "I am" more than eight times in Revelation:
1. Alpha and Omega Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13
2. The beginning and the end 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
3. The First and Last 1:11, 17; 22:13; Isaiah 44:6
4. He that liveth and was dead 1:18
5. Alive forevermore 1:18
6. In my Father's throne 3:21
7. The root and offspring of David 22:16
8. The Bright and morning star 22:16
9. Christ and the Lamb are referred to in each of these verses: Rev. 5:6, 13; 6:16;
7:9, 10, 14-15, 17; 14:4, 10; 15:3; 19:15; 21:22. The throne is also mentioned
in most of these verses.
The book of Revelation centers around Jesus and the Throne of God. The throne is
shown to John by Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, chapter 1:1; 21:9; 22:6, 8, 16. John
says in 1:4 that the throne now belongs to Jesus, who is the one "which is, and which
was, and which is to come." In 1:8 John declares Christ to be the Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the ending. Then he says He is the one "which is, and which was,
and which is to come, the Almighty." Jesus says in 1:11 "I am THE ALPHA, AND
OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE LAST". In 1:17, 18, "I am the first and last, I am HE THAT LIVETH
AND WAS DEAD; and behold, I am alive for evermore, amen, and have the keys of hell
and of death."
John declares Jesus to be the one that gives the messages to the seven
churches in 2:18: "These things saith THE SON OF GOD, who hath his eyes like unto a flame
of fire, and his feet are like fine brass."
Now to the center of attraction in heaven. In Revelation 4:1 when John looked
and saw a door opened in heaven, he heard the voice of Gabriel calling to him to
come up there so he could show him things which were to come next. John looked,
while in the spirit, not in a resurrected body, at the Throne of God and the One who sat on
the throne. John means in 4:8 that the One on the throne was the same one he talked to in
chapter 1:8 where he says the same words: "which is, and which was, and which is to come,
the Almighty." In 4:9 the beasts worship him "who liveth for ever and ever". In verse 10 the
elders also "worship HIM THAT LIVETH FOR EVER AND EVER".
In Revelation 7:11 all the angels fell down and worshiped before the throne of
God. In verse 15 He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among the saints, and in
verse 17 he shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. In 11:17 when the seventh
trumpet sounds the elders were still worshiping the "LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, which art,
and wast, and art to come." In 12:10 we find a voice saying, "The kingdom of our
God and the power of his Christ." In 12:11 Satan will be overcome "by the blood of the Lamb."
In 15:3 in the preparations for the vials of wrath, they honor the "Lord God
Almighty", the "KING OF SAINTS" in song. The vials of wrath were of God, who liveth
for ever and ever. When they were being poured out in 16:5, they honored the "Lord,
which art, and wast, and shall be". In verse 7 he is the "Lord God Almighty". In 19:6,
the "LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT reigneth". In 20:4, 6, the saints are to reign with Christ,
on his throne. In 21:3 through 8 the Alpha and Omega was on the throne. In verse 4 John
writes, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes". The same one is on the
throne in 7:17 where he says, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Rev. 21:22 says the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it -
"The new city". The city is said to come down from God out of Heaven. Here the
"Lord God Almighty" and "the Lamb" are together in the City.
These verses of Scripture refer to the temple in Heaven:
Hebrews 8:1b, "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of
the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."
8:2, "A minister of THE SANCTUARY, and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE, which the Lord pitched,
and not man."
8:5, "As Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for,
See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."
9:11, "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and
MORE PERFECT TABERNACLE, not made with hands."
9:24, "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures
of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."
Revelation 7:15, "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him
day and night in HIS TEMPLE."
11:1, "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod:
and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and
them that worship therein."
11:2, "But the court which is without the temple leave
out, and measure it not."
11:19, "And THE TEMPLE OF GOD was opened in heaven, and
there was seen in HIS TEMPLE the ark of his testament."
13:6, "And he opened his
mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and
them that dwell in heaven."
14:15, "And another angel came out of THE TEMPLE."
14:17, "And another angel came out of THE TEMPLE which is in heaven."
15:5, "And
after that I looked, and, behold, THE TEMPLE OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE TESTIMONY in
heaven was opened."
15:6. "And the seven angels came out of THE TEMPLE."
15:8, "And THE TEMPLE was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power;
and no man was able to enter into THE TEMPLE, till the seven plagues of the seven
angels were fulfilled."
16:1, "And I heard a great voice out of THE TEMPLE."
16:17, "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice
out of THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, from the throne, saying, It is done."
21:3, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is
with men."
Let us look at Revelation 5:6, "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the
throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had
been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
sent forth into all the earth." The seven eyes and the seven horns, which are the
seven Spirits, are the Holy Ghost. This is the last of the four times "the seven
Spirits" are mentioned in the book of Revelation. The rest of the time it says "The
Lamb". We know Rev. 5:9 says, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art
worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and
nation."
But let's not let that deter us from the truth. We may not know what the real
reference is about the Lamb being slain. It may have been the first lamb that was
slain in the garden of Eden where the skin was taken to cover Adam and Eve. I do
not know. But we do know the four beasts in Rev. 5:6 have a reference to the Old
Testament back when the camps of Israel were encamped about the tabernacle in the
wilderness. There were four camps, each represented by one of the four beasts.
In Revelation 4:8 each of the four beasts had "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." These four beasts here
around the throne are the same symbols of the four camps of Israel. The lion, which
represents the camp of Judah, consisted of Issachar, Judah, and Zebulun. These three
tribes were on the east side. On the north side was the one represented by the eagle.
It was the camp of Dan which consisted of the tribes of Asher, Dan, and Naphtali.
On the west side was an ox or calf. It represented the camp of Ephraim, which was
the tribes of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Benjamin. On the south was the symbol of the
sign of man. It represented the camp of Reuben, which was the tribes of Gad,
Reuben, and Simeon. These things were told to Moses in the mount. Hebrews 8:5;
9:23, 24; Exodus 25:9. Read all of the second chapter of Numbers. The four beasts
go back further than what some people would have you to believe.
Some people say that the
elders in Rev. 4:4 and 5:6 are the saints during the rapture. But the
rapture does not take place in the fourth chapter of Revelation. John was already in
the spirit when he saw the door of the temple opened in heaven. It is evident that
John went into the temple and beheld the wonders he describes. The voice John heard
was the voice of Gabriel, Rev. 22:16. The elders in Revelation represent Israel under the law.
The book that Jesus gave to the Lamb was the book of life; it was not a book
of prophecy. What John saw was not in that book. No one else was to look on that
book, Rev. 5:3. This book is a list of all believers from the time of Christ till the
Judgment. The other books mentioned in Rev. 20:12 that were opened first no doubt
go back to Adam's time. One book recorded works from the time of Moses to Christ.
Other books covered the time from Noah to Moses. And no doubt, there was a book
for the time of conscience, which was from Adam to the flood.
Now let's begin looking at the seals. In Rev. 6:1 when the first seal was
opened, the white horse went forth conquering, and to conquer.
He did not go peacefully to start with, as some say the antichrist will. This is not the
antichrist. This is an angel of God going forth to conquer sin. Christ says in Matthew
10:34 that he came not to send peace on earth; but a sword. These angels have
nothing to do with the antichrist, but rather to do the will of God. The church has
been set up, and Revelation is primarily concerned with the Jews.
Compare Revelation 13:8 with Hebrews 9:26. In Hebrews Christ was
sacrificed "SINCE the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world
hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." In Revelation the
Lamb was slain FROM the foundation of the world. Christ was sacrificed in the end
of the world, not the foundation of the world.
In Revelation, where it mentions "The Spirit", it is the "Seven Spirits" which
is the Lamb. The Holy Ghost had already come into the earth. Rev. 22:17 could be
worded "The Lamb and the bride say come".
Christ and the Lamb are referred to in each of these verses: Rev. 5:6, 13; 6:16;
7:9, 10, 14-15, 17; 14:4, 10; 15:3; 19:15; 21:22. There are two different beings
referred to in these verses.
1. The order of the chapters:
The order of the first five chapters of Revelation has been changed since the
time that John wrote it. This can be determined by looking at the events that take place
in those five chapters. The fourth chapter is actually the first chapter. The fifth chapter
as we have it is actually the second chapter. The first chapter of the book is the
third chapter. The second and third chapters are the fourth and fifth chapters.
In Revelation 1:4 John has already seen the things he saw in the fourth
chapter. In 1:4 he says, "He that is, and was, and is to come and from the seven
spirits which are before His throne." In 4:5 the seven lamps of fire burning before
the throne are the seven Spirits of God. The four beasts cry, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God Almighty, which was, and which is, and which is to come." In 1:8 Jesus is
declared to be the Almighty: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
In Revelation 5:6 the seven Spirits of God are the Holy Ghost sent into the
earth, "...seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God went forth into all the earth."
That happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two. Revelation was given to John
in 90 A.D. Since chapter four was when Christ first ascended
to the throne, and chapter five was the day of Pentecost, the seven messages were given
to the seven churches fifty-seven years after Pentecost. So it would be impossible for
the rapture to have taken place between the third and fourth chapters.
2. Teachings:
In Revelation 5:1 the one on the throne holds a book in His hand. This is
Jesus. In verse seven He still sits on the throne with the book in his hand. He then
gives the book to the Lamb.
Revelation 1:5-6 says Christ is the first-begotten from the dead. He has
been raised from the dead; "alive for evermore", Rev. 1:18. He is no longer as one slain,
as it is said of the Lamb.
Jesus washed us from our sins in His own blood. The Lamb does not redeem from sin.
The Lamb redeemed the ones Christ brought up with Him at His ascension from among
the nations, not from sin.
These verses of Scripture tell us that Chirst will come in the clouds of heaven:
Revelation 1:7 "Behold He cometh with clouds and every eye shall see Him."
Acts 1:9-11 "While they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of
their sight." Two angels stood by and said, "This same Jesus, which is taken up
from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven."
Daniel 7:13-14 "One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven....His
dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed."
I Thessalonians 4:17 "We will be caught up with the resurrected saints to gather in
the clouds to meet Him in the air."
Matthew 24:30 Jesus said, "They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of
heaven with power and great glory."
Matthew 26:64 Jesus witnessed before Caiphas the High Priest. He said, "Hereafter
shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the
clouds of heaven."
Mark 13:26 "Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds."
Mark 14:62 Jesus told the high priest that he would see Him coming in the clouds
of heaven.
Luke 21:27 "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power
and great glory."
1. Revelation 5:6-7:
The Holy Spirit was sent forth into all the earth. This was done on the Day of
Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost came to take Christ's place in the earth. This was
the inauguration of the first revival.
2. Revelation 8:1-5:
There was a period of silence in heaven during which the prayers of the saints
went up from the earth. The saints waited to hear what Christ was going to
answer. His answer was "Send down the fire." So the angel at the altar sent down
the fire. This "altar service" in heaven got an answer right away. John the Baptist in
Luke 3:16 said, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Jesus told
the disciples to receive the Holy Ghost. In Acts 2:3-4 the fire came down on the
disciples and filled them with the Holy Ghost. We should also pray to receive the
fire.
3. Revelation 14:14-16:
One like unto the Son of man uses a sickle to reap the harvest of the earth.
Compare this to Matthew 13:24-30 and 37-43. Jesus tells of the end-time harvest.
Verse 41 says, "The Son of man shall send forth his angels" to harvest the earth.
This is today's end-time revival. Angels are helping in revivals all over the world.
4. Revelation 14:17-20:
An angel uses a sickle to reap the harvest of the earth. This harvest is
a great revival going on in the church in the end-time. The angel was to "gather the
clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe." Jesus said He was
the vine and we are the branches. Jesus said at the Passover feast that the wine
was His blood. This wine flows in the church today during the sacrament.
5. Revelation 16:4-7:
An angel turns the rivers and fountains of waters into blood, verse 4. The
angel of the waters said the Lord's judgment was righteous, verse 5. The angel that
waits on the altar also said it was righteous judgment, verse 7. Christ's judgment is
love and forgiveness for repentance. Christ's judgment covered the earth, thus a
great revival over the earth.
Two beasts are described in Revelation 13.
THE FIRST BEAST had seven heads and ten horns. The dragon gave him his power
and authority. This beast WAS THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS just after the first World War. It
is the same beast that is mentioned in chapter 17 in the wilderness.
The woman on the beast in the wilderness, described in chapter 17, is Israel as
we know the Jews today. She was beautifully arrayed, but she was full of abominations
and filthiness.
The League of Nations is no longer in existence today. The ten horns have no
power today, but they will be given power for one hour, Rev. 17:12. The woman and the beast
will war against each other. Israel will be destroyed in that hour, which in prophetic time
is 15 days. [One day represents one year in prophetic time. One-twelth of a day represents
one month. So one-twenty-fourth of a day, or one hour, represents half of a month, which is
fifteen days in prophetic time.] What it is saying is that Israel will be destroyed in 15
days. Israel will soon call upon Jesus for deliverance. This will fulfill God's will
concerning Israel.
Israel is also depicted in the Old Testament as the scapegoat. There was a
sacrifice of two goats. One was killed and its blood was placed on the other goat's
head. This other goat was carried into the wilderness and turned loose to wander
off. When Christ was crucified, Israel, or the Jews, became the scapegoat.
All that Jesus is waiting for before He comes back is for Israel to call upon
Him. In Matthew 23:39 He said the house of Israel would be left desolate until they
called Him blessed. Zachariah 13:8 says two-thirds of the people of Israel would be
cut off and die; then the third that is left will call on His name. Verse 9 says the
Lord will claim them again, and Israel will call Him their Lord and God. Then in
chapter 14, verse 4, Jesus comes back at once to Mt. Olivet. In Zachariah 14:9 Jesus
will be King, not just of Israel, but of all the earth. Ezekiel 39:23 and 24 says God
turns Israel over to her enemies in the latter days before receiving a full blessing at
His return.
THE SECOND BEAST mentioned in Revelation 13 is described as a lamb that had
two horns and spoke like a dragon. It IS THE UNITED NATIONS today. The UN has a Charter
like the League of Nations had. The UN causes all nations that disagree with it to be
destroyed, as it did Iraq and Bosnia.
The purpose or desire of these two beasts is to bring peace in the world, but
they cannot. Christ said there would be wars and rumors of wars till He comes.
Israel must call on Jesus before He can return. In the near future Israel will
call on Jesus as their Lord.
