And when he opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about a half hour. Rev. 8:1.
This is probably the best place to review Revelation 4-7 and think briefly about the implications of the big picture.
Chapter 4--Here we have a general description of the heavenly throne room with no particular point in time in mind.
Chapter 5--The scene moves to a decisive event. A crisis gets averted in heaven when the Lamb that was slain proves worthy to take the scroll and break its seals.
Chapter 6--Seven further events, each tied to the breaking of one of the seven seals, closes with the climax of earth's history in the sixth and seventh seals.
Chapter 7--Two visionary groups depict the answer to the question of Revelation 6:17: "Who is able to stand?"
The best interpretation of these chapters appears in Revelation 3:21. It contains the essence of Revelation 4-7 in advance. Verse 21 mentions the Father's throne (cf. Rev. 4), Jesus joining His Father on His throne (cf. Rev. 5), and His people gathering with Jesus on the throne (cf. Rev. 7:15-17). God gives this incredible promise to all who "overcome." That is what Revelation 6 is all about--the struggle of God's people to overcome from the time of the cross until the Second Coming.
Sitting with Jesus on His throne implies power, but the image has something even more exciting in it. It is about squeezing together on a throne!
While my family has chosen to live without television reception, we do enjoy a video now and then. In the living room we have a TV monitor and the appropriate players that pipe the sound through six speakers. The room has a couch, a love seat, and an armchair available for family and friends. I love to cuddle up with my wife on the couch and watch a video together. The sense of shared experience and touch makes for real bonding.
But my wife has a strange preference (it seems to me). Every so often she wants us to squeeze together into the armchair. That is really, really close. Although my muscles cramp up and circulation gets cut off, it does wonders for our relationship!
I see something like that in the image of Revelation 3:21. Jesus not only offers us a place of importance and purpose, but holds out to us a relationship that is really close and will never end. The greatest Person in the universe wants to spend really intimate time with me at His place. That makes me want to "overcome" more than anything--motivation enough for a lifetime!
Lord, I am humbled by the awesome promise You have made to us. I will trust in You to see me through all the way to Your throne!
This is probably the best place to review Revelation 4-7 and think briefly about the implications of the big picture.
Chapter 4--Here we have a general description of the heavenly throne room with no particular point in time in mind.
Chapter 5--The scene moves to a decisive event. A crisis gets averted in heaven when the Lamb that was slain proves worthy to take the scroll and break its seals.
Chapter 6--Seven further events, each tied to the breaking of one of the seven seals, closes with the climax of earth's history in the sixth and seventh seals.
Chapter 7--Two visionary groups depict the answer to the question of Revelation 6:17: "Who is able to stand?"
The best interpretation of these chapters appears in Revelation 3:21. It contains the essence of Revelation 4-7 in advance. Verse 21 mentions the Father's throne (cf. Rev. 4), Jesus joining His Father on His throne (cf. Rev. 5), and His people gathering with Jesus on the throne (cf. Rev. 7:15-17). God gives this incredible promise to all who "overcome." That is what Revelation 6 is all about--the struggle of God's people to overcome from the time of the cross until the Second Coming.
Sitting with Jesus on His throne implies power, but the image has something even more exciting in it. It is about squeezing together on a throne!
While my family has chosen to live without television reception, we do enjoy a video now and then. In the living room we have a TV monitor and the appropriate players that pipe the sound through six speakers. The room has a couch, a love seat, and an armchair available for family and friends. I love to cuddle up with my wife on the couch and watch a video together. The sense of shared experience and touch makes for real bonding.
But my wife has a strange preference (it seems to me). Every so often she wants us to squeeze together into the armchair. That is really, really close. Although my muscles cramp up and circulation gets cut off, it does wonders for our relationship!
I see something like that in the image of Revelation 3:21. Jesus not only offers us a place of importance and purpose, but holds out to us a relationship that is really close and will never end. The greatest Person in the universe wants to spend really intimate time with me at His place. That makes me want to "overcome" more than anything--motivation enough for a lifetime!
Lord, I am humbled by the awesome promise You have made to us. I will trust in You to see me through all the way to Your throne!
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