Apocalypse Explained #258
1. After these things I saw, and, behold, a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, as of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things that must come to pass hereafter.
2. And immediately I was in the spirit; and behold a throne was set in heaven, and upon the throne was One sitting.
3. And He that sat was in aspect like to a jasper stone and a sardius; and a rainbow was round about the throne, in aspect like an emerald.
4. And around the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the throne I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments, and they had on their heads golden crowns.
5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunders and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which were the seven spirits of God;
6. And in sight of the throne a glassy sea like crystal. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four animals, full of eyes before and behind.
7. And the first animal was like a lion; and the second animal like a calf; and the third animal had a face like a man; and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle.
8. And the four animals, each by itself, had six wings around about; and they were full of eyes within; and they had no rest, day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.
9. And when the animals gave the glory and the honor and the thanksgiving to Him that sitteth upon the throne, that liveth unto ages of ages,
10. The four and twenty elders fell down before Him that sitteth upon the throne, and worshiped Him that liveth unto ages of ages, and cast down their crowns before the throne, saying,
11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou hast created all things, and by Thy will they are, and they were created.
EXPOSITION.
It was pointed out above (n. 5) that this prophetical book does not treat of the successive states of the Christian Church from its beginning to its end, as has been believed heretofore, but of the state of the church and of heaven in the last times, when there is to be a new heaven and a new earth, that is, when there is to be a new church in the heavens and on the earth, thus when there is to be a judgment. It is said a new church in the heavens, because the church is there as well as on the earth (See in the work on Heaven and Hell 221-227). As this is the subject of this book, the first chapter treats of the Lord who is the Judge; and the second and third chapters treat of those who are of the church and of those who are not of the church, thus of those in the former heaven which was to be done away with, and of those in the new heaven which was to be formed. That the seven churches treated of in the second and third chapters mean all who are in the church, and also all things of the church, see above (n. 256, 257). This fourth chapter now treats of the arrangement of all things, especially in the heavens, before the judgment; therefore a throne was now seen in heaven, and round about four and twenty thrones upon which were four and twenty elders; so also four animals were near the throne, which were cherubim. That these things described the arrangement of all things before the judgment and for judgment will be seen by the examination of this chapter. Be it known, that before any change takes place all things must be prearranged and prepared for the coming event; for all things are foreseen by the Lord, and disposed and provided for according to what is foreseen. A "throne," therefore, in the midst of heaven means judgment, and "He that sat upon it," the Lord; the "four and twenty thrones upon which were four and twenty elders," mean all truths in the complex, by which and according to which is judgment; "the four animals," which are the cherubim, mean the Lord's Divine Providence that the former heavens should not suffer injury through the notable change about to take place, and that all things should then be done according to order; that is, that those interiorly evil should be separated from those interiorly good, and the latter be raised up into heaven, but the former cast down into hell.
Psalms 135
1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; Praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2
Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
3
Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4
For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5
For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7
He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
8
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9
Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10
Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11
Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12
And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14
For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
15
The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, Bless the LORD.
21
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
