 |  |
made the tabernacle after the heavenly pattern shown to him, so David also was divinely
instructed regarding the details of the temple and its appointments. "All this (including
the courses of the priests, verse 13), said David, the Lord made me to understand in
writing by His hand upon me" (I Chron. 28: 19). David addressing Solomon said,
"Behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the
service of the house of God" (verse 21).
In Revelation 1: we have seen the risen Lord in His High-priestly robes; here, in
chapter 4:, we see the heavenly elders who take part in the administration of heavenly
worship. These heavenly elders are seen clothed in white raiment, which raiment
indicates righteousness. There are considerably more references to "white" in the
Revelation than in the rest of the New Testament; the white robes, the white throne speak
of a day of righteousness. The elders moreover are crowned with crowns of gold; this
indicates that they not merely sit upon thrones, but are recognized rulers having
dominion. To add to the majesty and solemnity of the scene, and also to indicate that
here is not a throne of grace, the apostle says, "And out of the throne proceed lightnings
and thunderings and voices"; the throne is set in the accompaniment of judgment and
wrath, it recalls Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law.
"And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and
lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding
loud, so that all the people that was in the camp trembled." (Exod. 19: 16).
In the Revelation itself the mention of thunder, lightning and voice is associated with
judgment (8: 5; 11: 19; 16: 18). Before the throne seven lamps were seen burning,
which are the seven spirits of God; these seven spirits have already been mentioned
before in the Revelation; they are seen in the hand of Christ (3: 1), and are there
associated with the seven stars, and the seven angels of chapters 2: and 3: The seven
spirits before the throne are linked with God, and the Lord Jesus Christ in 1: 4, 5.
Heb. 1: 7 says, "He maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire". In
Rev. 5: 6 the seven spirits are sent forth into all the earth, and are there likened to "seven
eyes". Here then is the throne set for judgment, with all in perfect readiness. One other
item is mentioned, "and before the throne, like a glassy sea, like crystal"; this is very
similar to the description given by Ezekiel in 1: 22, "And the likeness of the firmament
upon the heads of the living creature, was as the colour of the terrible crystal"; or in
Exodus 24: 10, "And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire
stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness".
There is something encouraging to us in this description; in spite of all the turmoil,
blasphemy, plagues and sin, an unruffled sea like crystal stretches out before the throne,
all is clam THERE. If this can be so in the day of judgment, much more so may it be in
this day of grace. May we ever remember that our peace and safety are to be found there,
at the right hand of God, not here, where sin and death still carry on their dreadful rule.