GOD GRACE TV

14/09/2026

14/09/2026

🌅 WORDS OF HOPE

📅 14/09/2026

YOUR JERICHO WILL FALL! 🕊️

What are you facing today that feels bigger than you?

Your Jericho may look impossible. The walls may be high, the road may be difficult, and the situation may seem like it will never change.

But remember: what looks impossible to you is never impossible for God.

If you remain obedient to His Word, keep trusting Him, and continue walking in His ways, your Jericho will fall. 🙏

God may ask you to take steps that seem beyond your ability. But if He has called you to it, He has already made provision for it. Take the step of faith. You may discover that God has gone ahead of you and prepared the way.

There may be obstacles. There may be people who try to discourage you or stop you. But God will not abandon you halfway. He can turn obstacles into opportunities and bring moments of favour that will move you closer to your destiny.

DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP WALKING. KEEP BELIEVING. KEEP PRAYING. ❤️

He cares for the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the field; how much more will He care for you? Rest in His promises and trust His timing.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” — Psalm 32:8

Even when life breaks your heart, God is near. When you pass through the fire or the flood, He promises to be with you. He will strengthen you, sustain you, and bring you through.

So today, hold on to this truth:

Your situation may be difficult, but your God is greater.

Your walls may be high, but they will not stand forever.

Your Jericho will fall! 🙏🔥

Good morning! 🌅
May this weekend bring you peace, favour, strength, and unexpected blessings.

Stay safe. Stay hopeful. Keep trusting God. ❤️

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

REVELATION 4:1-11

(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 SHOW YOU THINGS WHICH MUST BE HEREAFTER.”

The diagram is:

1. “After this I looked,” represents the time after the Churches, or in other words, after the Rapture.

2. John now has, one might say, a second vision.

3. “A door opened in Heaven,” gives John the ability to see what is taking place there.

4. “The first voice” that John hears after this door opened is actually the Voice of Jesus. It harks back to Revelation 1:10.

5. The words “come up hither,” refer to John, but they could also refer to the Rapture of the Church.

6. John is to be shown things that will take place after the Church Age, which will constitute the Great Tribulation, and thereafter into eternity.

AFTER THIS

The phrase, “After this I looked,” refers to the time after the Churches. John is actually saying that after he has had the vision of the Church Age, with Christ giving His seven Messages to the seven Churches, which constitutes the entire Church Age, He is to now enter into his second vision, which will pertain to things after the Church Age.

“I looked” corresponds to “I turned to see” of Revelation 1:12. The first Vision, beginning with Revelation 1:12, covers the remainder of that Chapter and Chapters 2 and 3. In Revelation 4:1, a new vision occurs, and will last throughout the Chapter. In Revelation 5:1, we have another vision beginning, one might say. It should be remembered that the

terms, “I saw,” “I looked,” and “I beheld,” are identical in the Greek and that each alike introduces a new Vision (Smith).

“After this” in the Greek is actually “after these things.” It denotes a passing from what was mentioned to what follows in order of time. However, when the phrase “I saw” is used, as it is some 11 times in this Book, the reference may be to the order of the Vision merely and not necessarily to the chronological sequence of events. The events that

he will mention may in fact succeed those already mentioned in order of time, but not necessarily so.

THE OVERALL PICTURE

In coming from the struggling events of the Church, we now come to the Throne of God. From the world below, and the struggling Churches, we are brought to see the Eternal Who is ruling overall. Consequently, a Vision like this dwarfs our troubles, difficulties, and problems. In other words, we are made to realize that whatever these problems, the Lord is overseeing all things, and above all, as we see His Throne described, we know that He has the power to do whatever it is He so desires. As well, this description guarantees that He will bring us out to a successful conclusion, of that we can be certain.

Whatever painful sights that John relates and that which he sees, has to be fitted in to the One Who rules “over all from the beginning.” This must always remain in the background of our thinking, that in all the difficulties and problems of life, God is our refuge, and as well, despite the problems of the Church, there will be a Remnant who will follow Christ, and do so to total victory, and, therefore, it is a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle.

THE OPEN DOOR

The phrase, “And, behold, a door was opened in Heaven,” proclaims not only the fact that this open door allows John to see, but as well, that the very way into the Presence of God lies open (Heb. 10:19-20). It was opened by Christ at the Cross of Calvary, and all who have Faith may enter, and by Faith, we’re speaking of Faith in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross. In fact, this is what the renting of the Veil meant when

Jesus died (Mat. 27:51). This Veil, which hid the Holy of Holies where God dwelt, in effect separated sinful man from God. But when Jesus died on the Cross, thereby atoning for all sin, this opened up the way to the very Presence of God. In other words, the door is now open, that “whosoever will may come and drink of the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).

THE VOICE

The phrase, “And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me,” is the Voice of Christ, and harks back to Revelation 1:10.

The first sound that John heard was the command to come up and see all that the world of glory contained. While he afterwards heard other sounds, the first notes that fell on his ear concerned a Revelation respecting future things.

As well, the Voice of our Lord sounded like a trumpet, which speaks of power and authority.

THE COMMAND

The phrase, “Which said, come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter,” centers up on the word “must.”

This is a Divine “must.”

It means that God has decreed the entire course of history, and because of that decree things must necessarily come to pass, and that also, exactly as decreed, and not otherwise.

Understanding such a decree, we have to come to the conclusion that only the Almighty would possess the power to reveal what must come to pass in the future, and that most assuredly it will come to pass. In other words, nothing that is revealed in this Book can fail to come to pass, because behind it all stands the unchangeable counsel of the Almighty

Who has determined the end from the beginning (Hoeksema).

HEREAFTER

As well, the word “hereafter,” figures strongly in this statement, and it refers to the time after the Churches, or rather, after the Rapture of the Church.

THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

1. I believe in the Rapture of the Church, and I believe that the Rapture is eminent (I Thess. 4:13-18).

2. Some try to belittle the word “Rapture,” claiming that it should not be used because it’s not in the Bible. In-depth study shows, however, there is justification for using it.

The translation of the Verse is: “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” (I Thess. 4:17).

The Greek word for “caught up” means “to seize, or to sn**ch up forcibly.”

The same Greek word was translated into the Latin by “raptus.” From this comes our English words “rapt” and “rapture.” One meaning of “rapt” in current dictionaries is “lifted up and carried away.”

Thus, it is perfectly good English to translate this Verse, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be rapt (raptured) together with them in the clouds, to meet Jesus in the air.”

Paul then said, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thess. 4:18).

Consequently, for those who claim there is no such thing as a “Rapture,” they would do well to read and study “these words” very carefully!

3. The Rapture and the Resurrection are one and the same (I Cor., Chpt. 15). So for those who claim they don’t believe in the Rapture, they should consider that they are in essence saying that they don’t believe in the Resurrection, which is a denial of the Faith.

While Believers may disagree as to the time of the Rapture, they cannot Scripturally argue that there will be no Rapture, for to do so is to argue that there will be no Resurrection.

4. We teach that the Rapture of the Church will take place before the coming Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation which Jesus also predicted (Mat. 24:21), actually begins in Revelation, Chapter 6 and goes through Revelation, Chapter 19. During all of these Chapters, the Church is not mentioned at all except in Heaven. Surely, if the Church were on Earth and going through the Tribulation, or at least some part of it, it would be mentioned. It’s not mentioned, because it’s not on Earth, but rather in Heaven, having already been raptured away before the Great

Tribulation.

Furthermore, Paul said: “For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 5:9).

(2) “AND IMMEDIATELY I WAS IN THE SPIRIT: AND, BEHOLD, A THRONE WAS SET IN HEAVEN, AND ONE SAT ON THE THRONE.”

The structure is:

1. The Spirit of the Lord began to move on him, which enabled him to receive the Vision that would be given.

2. He did not physically go to Heaven, but the Spirit of God helped him to see these things, and to do so in stark reality.

3. He saw a Throne in Heaven, and he saw One sitting on the Throne.

IN THE SPIRIT

The phrase, “And immediately I was in the Spirit,” refers to being moved upon by the Holy Spirit. Only a Spirit-filled person, and by that I refer to one who believes in Acts 2:4, would really understand this terminology. I think one could say that most every Spirit-filled person is in the Spirit quite often, or at least certainly should be; however, what would happen at that particular time would be according to what the Spirit of God

was attempting to do. This would run the gamut all the way from encouragement, to blessing, to spiritual strength, to an anointing, and even to dreams and visions. It is safe to say, however, that no one has ever had a vision such as John, but at the same time, and I think I can say without fear of exaggeration, that millions are moved upon by the Holy Spirit daily, even to the place of being “in the Spirit.”

The greatest times of all of being “in the Spirit,” are during times of prayer and of worship (Rom. 8:26; I Cor. 2:10). Of course this doesn’t happen every time one prays or worships, but the occasion becomes fertile ground for the times that the Spirit does move in this way.

I also think I can say without fear of exaggeration that those who do not believe in the Baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other tongues would probably have little knowledge, if any at all,

as to that of which I speak. While speaking with other tongues is definitely a part of being Baptized with the Spirit, it is only a part.

The Spirit Baptism opens the door for the Moving and Operation of the Spirit within our hearts and lives, in many and varied ways. And to be certain, all of those ways will, without exception, be totally and completely Scriptural. Regrettably, many things are attributed to the Spirit, which are actually of the flesh; however, the counterfeit

should in no way cause us to look askance at the genuine.

A THRONE

The phrase, “And, behold, a Throne was set in Heaven,” presents the first thing that catches his attention. This is the Throne of God, and it is in Heaven, which means, one might say, the seat of the universe. The Throne is the central place of the whole vision, the chief element of it.

This is the central place of all majesty and glory. It is as well, the supreme power of judgment, which means, there is no higher tribunal than this. Men may rule, but over and over again, God from this Throne, overrules! Men attempt to do many things, but the Throne of God decides what they actually will do or will not do. We may think that history is decided by the decisions of men and government; however, the final decision is always at the Throne.

THE ONE WHO SAT ON THE THRONE

The phrase, “And One sat on the Throne,” refers to God the Father. In a sense, this portrait so to speak, is kept before us throughout the entirety of the book of Revelation.

While it says many things, at least one of the things it says is that the great world drama moves always under the eyes of the Almighty.

Even though John gives quite a description of the Throne, he does not attempt to describe the appearance of the Almighty One (I Ki. 22:19; II Chron. 18:18; Ps. 47:8; Isa. 6:1; Ezek. 1:26-28).

(3) “AND HE WHO SAT WAS TO LOOK UPON LIKE A JASPER AND A SARDIUS

STONE: AND THERE WAS A RAINBOW ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE, IN SIGHT LIKE UNTO AN EMERALD.”

The diagram is:

1. The aura surrounding the One sitting on the Throne was like unto the light produced by particular precious stones.

2. A rainbow circled the Throne.

3. The beauty of this must have been absolutely indescribable!

LIKE A JASPER AND A SARDIUS STONE

The phrase, “And He Who sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardius stone,” presents that which was a dark, opaque green, and a fiery red.

The jasper stone was the last stone on the breastplate of the High Priest and the first of the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem (Ex. 28:20; Rev. 21:19). In all of this, John does not describe the form of God, but rather His Glory and splendor.

Do these precious stones, along with the rainbow, and other particulars, have spiritual meanings?

Some say that the jasper and sardius stone describe the Holiness and Righteousness of God; however, while all of this may definitely be true, it is best not to read into the text that which cannot be proven. Isn’t it possible that all of this beauty described is simply meant to be a portrayal of the Glory of God?

A RAINBOW

The phrase, “And there was a rainbow around about the Throne, in sight like unto an emerald,” further proclaims the glory, splendor, and majesty of Jehovah.

The rainbow signifies peace, and often appears after a storm.

Emerald is green in color, with evidently this particular hue encompassing the entirety of the rainbow, even though it had other colors as well.

Some say that the rainbow encircling the Throne denotes the faithfulness of God. Perhaps this is true! However, once again, I think it more so radiates the Glory of God, than anything else. Righteousness, Holiness, Faithfulness, and such like, are all exemplified in the actions of our God, but the beauty and Glory of our Lord is denoted in the description of His Throne.

From this we get a general idea as to how beautiful and wonderful Heaven really is.

That Jesus, through what He did at the Cross, has made a way for us to live eternally in such grandness and glory is beyond comprehension. When we try to understand and above all to explain the Glory that John briefly describes here, we must conclude and thereby realize that all of this is made possible for the Saint by and through the Cross. We must

never forget that! The price our Redeemer paid is beyond description. And because that price was so great, the reward for those who will dare to trust Him is equally great.

Worthy? As we shall see, no! But He is worthy, and because He is worthy, we are made worthy as well!

(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.”

The structure is:

1. The 24 seats should have been translated “thrones.”

2. Elders sit upon these thrones. The word “Elder” signifies a Minister of the Gospel in some way; therefore, these were either Prophets of Old Testament times who were now in Heaven, or else Preachers from the

time of the Early Church who had already passed on, or a mixture of both.

3. The “white raiment” represents Righteousness, i.e., “the Righteousness of Christ.”

4. The “crowns of gold” represent kingly authority.

TWENTY-FOUR THRONES

The phrase, “And round about the Throne were four and twenty seats,” should have been translated, as stated, “thrones,” because that is the meaning of the Greek word, as used here by John. These 24 thrones probably sit in a semicircle around the main Throne of God.

Why 24?

Some have suggested that this is the 12 Tribes doubled, signifying the joining of the Gentiles and the Jews. Others claim there are two sets of 12, meant to represent the Old and New Testaments. Others have stated

that they represent the 12 Patriarchs and the 12 Apostles. But in reality, all of these are different forms of the same thought. The 24 Elders represent the complete Work of God, throughout the entirety of the span of time.

TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS

The phrase, “And upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting,” represents by the use of the word “Elders,” I think, Ministers of the Gospel, whether the Prophets of old, or the Apostles of the New Testament. Considering that this is the Throne of God, I cannot see as some have suggested that only a part of the Work of God would be represented here, such as either the Old Testament or the New Testament. As stated, this representation has

to be for the entirety of the Work of God down through the ages.

This we do know: if the Holy Spirit had desired that we know who these men are, this information would have been given to John.

But it seems as if he as well, even though looking at them, did not know who they were, or else if he did recognize them, he gave no indication of such.

However, unless the Lord had something in mind other than what we can presently conceive, it is almost guaranteed that these individuals are individuals whom we are familiar with in the Bible, and who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb (Rev. 5:9).

Could three or four of these be individuals who lived after John’s day, in fact, at any time up to the present? If there is going to be a representation of the entirety of the Work of God on Earth, well then surely it would span the entirety of the Church Age as well; however, we have no answer for that question.

WHITE RAIMENT

The phrase, “Clothed in white raiment,” represents as stated, the Righteousness of Christ. Concerning this, the Scripture says:

“And to her (the True Church) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the Righteousness of Saints” (Rev. 19:8). This Righteousness comes exclusively from Christ, and is made possible to all Believers upon simple Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross.

In fact, the Cross is taught in the Book of Revelation far more than most realize; however, it is taught primarily as a finished product, one might say, which of course it certainly is. The idea is, the race has been run and the battle has been won. The Saints of God are in Glory, and are there because of what Jesus did for them in the offering up of Himself as a Perfect Sacrifice.

CROWNS OF GOLD

The phrase, “And they had on their heads crowns of gold,” signifies several things:

1. The “gold” typifies the Deity of Jehovah, which is evidenced in power, and which rested upon these Elders.

2. The crowns themselves signify kingly authority. In other words, these men, whomever they might be, carry weight.

3. The crowns sat upon their heads, signifying present authority.

(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.”

The composition is:

1. Surrounding the hue of the precious stones and the rainbow were “lightnings and thunderings and voices,” which seemed to be constant.

2. The “seven lamps of fire” represent the unquenchable fire against all evils.

3. In that these lamps are “burning before the Throne,” we are given to understand the wrath of God against sin.

4. The phrase “seven Spirits of God” represents the totality and universality of the Holy Spirit.

LIGHTNINGS, THUNDERINGS,

AND VOICES

The phrase, “And out of the Throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices,” proclaims the fact that this was quite a sight.

To stand before the Throne of God with this brilliant display of color, and then to have “lightning” playing upon this particular setting, accompanied by “thunderings,” presents a picture of such majesty as to be incomprehensible!

Incidentally, the “voices” were not that of which we normally think of such, but rather the sound of the “thunderings.”

Some have claimed that the “lightnings and thunderings” are a symbol of the Judgment of God, soon to come upon the world.

While again that may be true, all this which John sees, seem to be perpetual as it regards the Throne of God. In other words, all of these things are constants.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD

The phrase, “And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne, which are the seven Spirits of God,” actually pertains to the Holy Spirit. There is only one Holy Spirit, not seven; therefore, the number

“seven” as given here pertains to the attributes of the Spirit, which are total, complete, absolute, perfect, and universal. The Holy Spirit Baptism is linked with fire. John the Baptist said of Jesus:

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He Who comes after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire” (Mat. 3:11).

The Spirit of God in His manifold powers is thus described under emblems of fire. This means that it is not merely a fire of judgment, but rather that the Holy Spirit Baptism is in fact a baptism of fire. He purges

the spirit from sin, all based upon what Christ did at the Cross, and our Faith in that Finished Work. Once again John the Baptist said of Christ:

“Whose fan is in His hand (the hand of Christ), and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Mat. 3:12).

Let the Reader read these words carefully.

The Baptism with the Spirit is not merely that we might speak in tongues, as wonderful as that is. But to be sure, the Spirit of God is dedicated to removing every vestige of sin from our lives, hence Him being described as “seven lamps of fire.” In fact, the seven attributes are described in Isaiah 11:2-3.

(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.”

The structure is:

1. Before the Throne stands this amazing sea of glass like unto crystal.

2. Circling the Throne are the four “living ones.”

3. These living ones “full of eyes before and behind,” present a race of creatures, of which we have no comprehension. In other words, there is absolutely nothing on Earth similar to what John portrays to us here. The

“eyes” speak of perfect illumination and perfect knowledge.

THE SEA OF GLASS

The phrase, “And before the Throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal,” presents that which is perfectly transparent. It was perfectly clear, apparently stretching out into a wide expanse, large enough to be compared to a “sea.” The colors from the hues and rainbow, interfaced with lightning playing off this floor, would have been a sight that beggars description. Once again, there is nothing on Earth that even remotely resembles such a thing, regarding glory and beauty.

As well, all of this has a living presence about it, no doubt fueled by the Presence of God, which causes it to remain fresh and new\ on a constant basis. It doesn’t get old and lose its brilliance, and neither does it wear out.

And let the Reader understand that all the redeemed of the Lord will one day gaze upon this which John gave to us regarding his vision, and which I am clumsily trying to explain.

THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES

The phrase, “And in the midst of the Throne, and round about the Throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind,” introduces creatures, of which we have no knowledge, and are beyond our comprehension, as so much in Heaven actually is.

“Beast” is an unfortunate translation. The Greek word used there should have been translated “living creatures,” or “living ones.”

From its use in Ezekiel it is clear that the “living ones” are identical with the Cherubim, even as Ezekiel said: “The Cherubims were lifted up” (Ezek. 10:15). “Cherubims” is a double plural. The singular is “Cherub,”

with the plural being “Cherubim.”

Two eyes are one thing, but something full of eyes, whatever that means, is beyond our comprehension. But yet we know that God\ created these beings, and that He created them in the manner in which He did for purpose.

Could these creatures somehow be linked to the Omniscience of God, which knows all things, past, present, and future, and because it sees all things, past, present, and future?

(7) “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.”

The exegesis is:

1. Three of these “living ones” look like animals, a lion, a calf, and a flying eagle, with one looking like a man.

2. All of these “living ones” can speak, and it seems, have remarkable intelligence.

3. It seems, as we shall see, that their function is to praise the Lord.

A LION

The phrase, “And the first beast was like a lion,” presents this animal as the chief of its species, even as the others fall into the same category regarding their species.

Why a lion, or any of the other animals for that matter, especially considering that they are created with capabilities of speech and of vast intelligence?

In studying behind many Scholars, many have tried to link these creatures with creation, which may very well be correct. Realizing that God can create anything He so desires, we have to leave it at that; however, we also know that God does everything for purpose and reason. Nothing is done at whim or chance. So as far as we know, without

speculating, these animals were created for the sole purpose of worshipping God.

A CALF

The phrase, “And the second beast was like a calf,” represents the bovine part of the creation. Whereas the lion is carnivorous, i.e., “flesh eating,” the calf is grass eating, and partakes of no flesh.

A MAN

The phrase, “And the third beast had a face as a man,” represents God’s highest form of creation. As well, let it be known that it is man for whom Christ died. As well, the “man” is described a little bit differently than the others. It says that this one had “a face as a man,” and doesn’t mention such with the others. Animals are referred to as having “heads,” but seldom a “face.” But “face” is appropriate for “man.”

A FLYING EAGLE

The phrase, “And the fourth beast was like a flying eagle,” represent the chief of the winged creation.

These are very similar to those seen by Ezekiel; however, those seen by Ezekiel had four faces each, the faces of a man, lion, ox, and eagle. As well, those seen by Ezekiel had four wings (Ezek. 1:6), while those seen by John had six wings. Those seen by Ezekiel had the “likeness of a man” (Ezek. 1:5), whereas those seen by John don’t give any such detail. It just

says, “And the first beast was like a lion,” etc.

Whether this was speaking only of its face and head or the entirety of its body, we aren’t told.

The implication is, however, that it’s speaking of the entirety of its body. Those seen by Ezekiel were called “living creatures” as well!

And then Isaiah tells us of seeing a similar being, one who had six wings, and cried as these seen by John, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts” (Isa. 6:2-3).

As we’ve stated, the implication concerning these strange creatures, whatever their other functions may be, the main emphasis seems to be that they were created to worship and praise God.

Looking at the two visions, the first by Ezekiel and the second by John, we find these two visions strikingly similar. To interpret one is to at the same time, at least in a sense, to interpret the other.

The purpose of the vision of Ezekiel, it seems, forms the basis of the entirety of the prophecy that he will give. He was commissioned to prophesy the destruction of the old Temple and the rebuilding of the new, which is portrayed, at least as it regards the new, in the last eight Chapters of his Book.

As well, John prophesied the displacement of the old order, which consisted of sin and shame, by that of the perfect order of the new creation, which he gives us in the last two Chapters of his Book.

How these creatures fit in with all of this, we cannot rightly tell. We just know that the Holy Spirit saw fit to go into detail describing these strange beings, as it regards both the prophecies of Ezekiel and John.

Quite possibly, the emphasis, which we will see in Verse 8 concerning their praises to the Lord, tells us that Righteousness will ultimately triumph. The Holiness of God will ultimately prevail. Sin, in other words, will not take best. Their praises portray this in a symbolic way.

(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.”

The exegesis is:

1. These “living ones” had each of them six wings. This signifies instant mobility (Ezek. 1:14).

2. They were full of eyes, signifying total illumination (Ezek. 1:18).

3. They have no need of rest or sleep, for they do not grow tired.

4. They constantly proclaim the Holiness of God.

5. He is the “Lord God Almighty.”

6. The phrase, “Which was, and is, and is to come,” presents Him as “the Eternal.”

SIX WINGS

The phrase, “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him,” is probably explained a little better in Isaiah 6:2.

With two of his wings, this “Living One” covered his face, denoting the fact that God was so holy that at times He could not be directly observed. As well, with two of his wings, he covered his feet, denoting obedience. And then with two of the wings he did fly.

Even though those whom Isaiah saw were referred to as “Seraphim,” with these which John and Ezekiel saw referred to as Cherubim, still, the similarity is overly obvious.

In the Bible “six” is the number of man.

As well, it is the number of creation, as God created all things in six days, and rested on the seventh (Gen. 1:31; 2:1-3).

EYES

The phrase, “And they were full of eyes within,” does not refer to their ability of looking and moving in every direction, but rather as revealing their inmost nature and being.

This corresponds with the symbol in the following Chapter, where we read of the Lamb, Who is Christ, which had seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits. As someone has said, in the “eye” the spirit and nature of the person are revealed.

So the idea may be that in these four creatures as seen by John, as strange as they may seem to us, we have a representation of all the fullness of power and glory of that which God will bring to fruition once it is completed, when the Kingdom of God shall come to its full glory and perfection.

Hoeksema said: “Thus the symbolism is complete. In this vision of the Fourth Chapter of the Book of Revelation we have an ideal picture of the Kingdom which is to displace in history the kingdom of Satan and sin and

which is to have the complete victory in the end.” It proclaims the time as stated by Paul:

“Then cometh the end, when He (the Lord Jesus Christ) shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He (Christ) shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

“For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet” (I Cor. 15:24-25).

And let the Reader understand that all victory and without exception, has come, is coming, and shall come, and I speak of victory over all the power of sin and darkness, because of what Jesus did at the Cross on our

behalf. We have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb!

Admittedly, this Kingdom must go through a process of conflict before it can reach its promised realization. But it shall surely come! God Almighty has never lost a battle, and in fact will never lose a battle, because it’s impossible for Him to lose in any capacity.

ETERNAL PRAISE

The phrase, “They rest not day and night,” proclaims the fact that these beings are “spirit” and not “flesh.”

It is impossible for us to fully comprehend the creation of such beings, that they never grow tired, that they never have to stop what they’re doing, and that they never have to sleep.

To understand the difference in “spirit” and “flesh,” it is said concerning God and His relationship with Israel of old: “But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yes, many a time turned He His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath.

“For He remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passes away, and comes not again” (Ps. 78:38-39).

THE HYMN OF THE LIVING ONES

The phrase, “Saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come,” using the threefold repetition calls attention to the infinite Holiness of God. This Holiness of God is manifested in His past, present, and future activity. Such holiness cannot tolerate the presence of evil (Rev. 21:27).

Johnson says: “This hymn is the first not only of the five sung by the heavenly choirs in Chapters 4 and 5, but also of a number of others in Revelation (Rev. 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.”

He went on to say: “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’” (Rev. 5:13).

It is also thought that the use of the thrice-holy acclamation pertains to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

THE CHERUBIM

In the Book of Genesis these “Living Ones” were assigned to guard the Tree of Life in Eden (Gen. 3:24). They were symbolically used as well, and made out of gold I might quickly add, at either end of the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:18-22; Heb. 9:5).

In Ezekiel, Chapter 10, we find the Chariot-Throne of God, up-borne by Cherubim. Representations of these creatures were also embroidered on the Curtains and Veil of the Tabernacle and as well, on the walls of the Temple (Ex. 26:31; II Chron. 3:7).

In Solomon’s Temple, even though it seems that the smaller Cherubim made of gold remained in their place, attached to the Mercy Seat, there were as well two giant Cherubim, carved out of olive wood and overlaid with gold, which dominated the Inner Sanctuary, i.e., “the Holy of Holies.”

These two giant symbols stood 15 feet high, and stood at either end of the Holy of Holies, facing each other, but with one difference. Their faces were pointed outward, that is outside of the Temple, whereas the smaller Cherubim, which were attached to the Mercy Seat, looked down upon that golden surface.

The reason for this is that the smaller Cherubim represented the work not yet complete, hence looking down upon the Mercy Seat, where the Blood was applied on each great Day of Atonement, which came once a

year. Of course, it was a type of the shed Blood of Christ.

The giant Cherubim in the Temple represented a work now complete, which in a sense pointed toward the coming Kingdom Age. The Veil is not mentioned, which had been prominent in the Tabernacle, because the figure here is not that of access to God but of dwelling with God. There are folding doors which open; for millennial fellowship will be real but partial. Full fellowship will only be enjoyed in the New Heavens and the New Earth.

The Cherubim symbolized judgment.

Their wings met over the blood-sprinkled Mercy Seat and reached to either extremity of the Most Holy Place. God’s Judgments have Calvary for their center, and are as wide as His Home.

The giant Cherubim made of olive wood, as stated, look outward. God’s Perfect Judgments will, in the Millennium, be enabled to look out from Calvary upon a Kingdom wherein shall dwell Righteousness. This is not now possible, for Righteousness retreated to Heaven when Christ went back to the Father (Jn. 16:10).

These Cherubim, although made of olive wood, were overlaid with pure gold, for Righteousness would characterize judgment when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Jehovah and of His Christ (I Ki. Chpt. 6).

Having absolutely no representations of such on this Earth, our knowledge is limited to what we’re told in the Word of God. But this we do know: This of which we read, we will one day see, and this of which we now know only in part, shall then be fully known (I Cor. 13:10-12).

(9) “AND WHEN THOSE BEASTS GIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND THANKS TO HIM WHO SAT ON THE THRONE, WHO LIVES FOREVER AND EVER,”

The diagram is:

1. These Living Creatures are attached to the Throne of God and are never seen apart from it.

2. Their praises, whether “Holy, holy, holy,” or “Lord God Almighty,” or “which was, and is, and is to come,” or “glory and honor and thanks,” are all set in threes if it is to be noticed, and all marked Trinity in Unity.

3. The praise is given to God Who “sat on the Throne.”

4. Once again, as it does many times, the praise, in this case, “Who lives forever and ever” proclaims Jehovah as the Eternal One.

GLORY, HONOR, AND THANKS

The phrase, “And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him Who sat on the Throne,” refers to additional praise added to the “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,” etc.

“When” in the Greek is “hotan,” meaning “whensoever, in case that, so often as.” Thus it is given an occasional or periodic sense.

The sense is not that there was unbroken continuity in their acclamation of praises, but that whenever the occasion called for such, their response is immediate and unfailing (Smith).

The phrase, “Glory and honor and thanks” occurs eight times (Rev. 4:9, 11; 5:12, 13; 7:12; 19:1; 21:24, 26).

Inasmuch as these praises are repeated so many times, we should “hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.”

I have noticed in my own prayer life that so often times, and irrespective of the need or the problem of the moment, as the Spirit of God comes upon me, He will the far greater part of the time, lead me into praise and worship of the Lord. To give Him “glory” is to recognize Him for what He has done, and as it regards us, such always speaks of the Cross.

To give Him “honor” is to recognize Him as the One Who has done this great thing.

To “thank” Him for all of this is certainly that which we should do, and in fact, should desire to do, and to do so constantly, especially considering what He has done for us.

When we go into the Fifth Chapter, I think we will see that the praises of these “Living Ones,” as generated toward the Lord, falls out exactly to that which I have just stated.

If we properly understand the Word of God, even in scenes which we are attempting to describe here, which of course takes place in Heaven, still, we will find the Cross. To say it more clearly, the “glory, honor, and

thanks,” are for what God has brought about, through the giving of His Son on the Cross that we might be saved (Jn. 3:16).

Even though these praises are directed toward Him Who “sat on the Throne,” even as they should be, still, it is for what He has done, as it regards the great Redemption process.

ETERNAL

The phrase, “Who lives forever and ever,” is the same as “which was, and is, and is to come.” He is “the Eternal!”

(10) “THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM WHO SAT

ON THE THRONE, AND WORSHIP HIM WHO LIVES FOREVER AND EVER, AND CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE, SAYING,”

The structure is:

1. The second hymn is sung by the 24 Elders.

2. When the living creatures confess the truth of God’s holy deeds, the response of the 24 Elders is to relinquish their crowns of honor before the feet of Him Who Alone is worthy.

3. Worship actually means to “ascribe worth to someone.” It is an attitude rather than an act.

THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS

The phrase, “The four and twenty Elders fall down before Him Who sat on the Throne,” refers to an allegiance that acknowledges God as all in all.

The action of the 24 Elders, who represent in Heaven the Church of the Living God, paints for us a picture of what the Church on Earth ought to be. Do we fully understand the glory, grace, splendor, magnificence, power, and wonder of God Almighty?

In the truest sense of the word, no one can fully understand God, but inasmuch as we are His Children, although adopted, we do have His characteristics. This is made possible by the Holy Spirit within our hearts and lives (Jn. 14:20; I Cor. 3:16). So we have no excuse for not knowing Him as we should!

In fact, the only way that God can be fully understood, is for one to personally know the Lord Jesus Christ, Who epitomizes the Father in every respect.

At a particular time, Phillip said to the Lord,

“Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

“Jesus said unto him, have I been so long with you, and yet have you not known Me, Phillip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (Jn. 14:8-9).

And to properly know and understand Christ, we must know and understand the Cross (Rom. 6:3-5). Only when we properly understand the Cross can we then really understand Christ, and as well, understand the Father, which means that we then understand the Word (Jn. 3:16). Only then can the proper reverence, respect, wonder, and awe be registered toward God as it should be.

WORSHIP

The phrase, “And worship Him Who lives forever and ever,” proclaims that which is most important. Concerning the act of worship, one might well say, “worship is what we are, while praise is what we do.” As stated, it is an attitude rather than an act, but it definitely includes acts. In fact, one may worship God without uttering a word.

Words within themselves are not necessarily worship. True worship subsists in the attitude of the spirit behind the words.

The word “worship” occurs 24 times in the Book of Revelation. Eleven of these are directed toward God, and nine to the Antichrist or his image, two to the Devil and demons, which makes 11 to evil powers, and

two misdirected to an angel. All of this is indicative of the mighty conflict prevailing between the powers of good and evil.

In the words of J. D. Smith, “True worship may be defined as a devout attitude of the soul superinduced by a sense of one’s own unworthiness in contemplation of the infinite worth of God.”

Everything the Believer does should be in the realm of worship. While all true praise is worship, all worship is not necessarily vocal praise. As stated, every single thing we do as Believers should be done in such a way, and irrespective as to what it might be, that it can be called “worship.” That’s the reason Jesus said: “But the hour comes, and now

is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.

“God is a Spirit: and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:23-24).

The trouble with most in the Church world is the same trouble that plagued the woman at the well. Jesus said of her: “You worship you know not what” (Jn. 4:22).

If the Believer doesn’t properly understand the part the Cross plays in all of this, which has actually made it possible for man to worship God as he should, the Believer will find himself “worshiping you know not what.”

In fact, God cannot accept any worship which does not have its beginning at the Cross.

The Altar of Incense, which sat in front of the Veil in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, was at times referred to as the “Altar of Worship.” Coals of fire were to be placed on this small Altar, which were brought from the Brazen Altar, which was a type of the Cross.

Incense was then to be poured over the coals, which then caused a smoke of very pleasant aroma to fill the Holy Place.

If coals of fire were brought from any other ignition other than the Brazen Altar, the Priests who performed such an act would be stricken down by God on the spot. This is exactly what happened to “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron.” The Scripture says they “took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered

strange fire before the LORD, which He commanded them not.”

It then said, “And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD” (Lev. 10:1-2).

Due to the fact that the sin debt has now been paid by Christ on the Cross, men are not stricken dead physically because of improperly worshipping God. But to be sure, they do die spiritually.

All worship must have as its foundation the Cross of Christ, which makes it all possible. The idea that we can approach a thrice-Holy God in any other way, other than by what Jesus did at the Cross on our behalf,

can be construed as none other than gross spiritual ignorance at best, or blasphemy at worst. But the truth is, most Christians do not have the slightest idea of the part that the Cross plays in their worship.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

I should think that each Believer would surely understand that the privilege we have of engaging in the Lord’s Supper is one of the highest forms of worship, that is, if it’s understood correctly.

The broken bread represents His broken body, even as the cup represents His shed Blood.

To take the Lord’s Supper, the Lord doesn’t require sinless perfection; however, He definitely does require that we properly understand what all of this means. He said:

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord.”

He then said:

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and

drink of that cup.”

What does it mean to eat and drink “unworthily”?

To do so means that one is “Eating and drinking damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body.”

When this happens, many Christians are sick physically, and really don’t know why they are sick. And the Scripture plainly says, “many sleep,” which means they die prematurely. This doesn’t mean they lose their

souls, but it does mean that their lives are cut short.

From all of this, I would certainly think that we understand how serious these implications actually are. Now back to our question:

What does it mean to “Eat and drink unworthily”?

UNWORTHILY

The answer is found in the statement, “not discerning the Lord’s Body.”

This refers to the fact that every Believer must understand that his Salvation, his blessings, his Sanctification, and in fact, everything he receives from the Lord, have all been made possible, and without exception, by what Jesus did at the Cross. Consequently, our Faith is to be exclusively in that Finished Work. Doing this, believing this, understanding this, means that we are properly “discerning the Lord’s Body.”

The idea of all of this is, that if one doesn’t properly understand the Cross, which means that we grasp the fact that everything we receive from God comes to us exclusively through what Jesus did for us in His great Sacrifice, then God will not accept our worship. One can only fall down before Him Who sits on the Throne, if one fully understands what He has done for us as it regards our Redemption.

CROWNS

The phrase, “And cast their crowns before the Throne, saying,” presents the acknowledgement of their royal estate. It all comes from God!

These “crowns” are victor’s crowns, and for them to be cast at the feet of Jehovah tells us that the victory which the Elders now possessed, and every Believer in fact, is owed totally and completely to God and what He has done for us through Christ, in Christ giving Himself on the Cross.

All of this harks back to the word “overcomer” spoken of some seven times in the seven Messages of Christ to the seven Churches. The 24 Elders are overcomers, and in fact, represent all overcomers; however, we must never forget that we are overcomers only because of Christ, and the price He paid at Calvary’s Cross. We have overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil, through nothing we have done, but through everything He has done, and in no other way.

Once again it is, “The Cross! The Cross! The Cross!”

(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.”

The composition is:

1. The sense of one’s own unworthiness is indeed the first essential of true worship.

2. The ascription to the Lord as Alone possessing worth is the second.

3. Unless the worth of the Lord is sensed by the worshipper, his own unworthiness will not be realized.

4. God is the Creator of all good things.

5. All things were created for His pleasure, and “the creation that is now in bo***ge to the Evil One, is to be delivered from that bo***ge of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Children of God” (Rom. 8:1).

THE LORD ALONE IS WORTHY

The phrase, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power,” is said in this way for a reason.

God Alone is worthy! And this means worthy of “glory, honor, and power.”

It also means at the same time that no human being is worthy. So the one word “worthy” speaks volumes. It tells us Who God is, and who we are as well! As stated, unless the worth of the Lord is fully sensed by the worshipper, his own unworthiness will never be realized. We must ever realize just Who He is, and what He has done.

THE CREATOR

The phrase, “For You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created,” proclaims the Lord as the Creator, as is obvious – the role, incidentally denied Him, by most in the world presently.

Governments spend hundreds of billions of dollars trying to find out how the universe was, or how it came into being. The Scripture plainly tells us that God is the Creator, and that “the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3).

In other words, the first cause is God, and as well, He used His Word to literally speak things into existence.

Now the trouble is, man doesn’t want to believe that! He would rather believe in evolution, which in fact has no scientific authority, and in fact which is absolutely unscientific.

The problem is, a great part of this creation, and especially the greatest creation of all, which is man, has been sullied by Satan.

Due to the Fall in the Garden of Eden, Paul said: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Rom. 8:22).

So we know that because of the Fall, all of God’s creation has suffered in one way or the other. But we aren’t left hanging on that precipice. Paul also said:

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bo***ge of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Children of God” (Rom. 8:21).

Now once again we come back to the Cross! How was this great “deliverance” effected? We know how it was effected. Paul also said:

“But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13).

In effect, the praises of these 24 Elders tell us that the Creation, and that means every part of the Creation, is going to be completely restored, and all because of what Christ did at the Cross!

“Give me a sight, O Saviour,

“Of Your wondrous love to me.

“Of the love that brought You down to Earth,

“To die on Calvary.”

“Was it the nails, O Saviour,

“That bound You to the tree?

“Nay, ‘twas Your everlasting love

“Your love for me, for me.”

“Oh, wonder of all wonders,

“That thro’ Your death for me,

“My open sins, my secret sins,

“Can all forgiven be.”

“Then melt my heart, O Saviour,

“Bend me, yes, break me down,

“Until I own You Conqueror,

“And Lord and Sovereign crown.”