THE SCENE IN THE HEAVENS WHILST ALL THIS IS HAPPENING.
(There now follows a synthesis of verses taken from Daniel 7&8 and Revelation 5). “A throne was set in heaven, and before the throne was a sea of glass like unto crystal: around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these I, John, saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had golden crowns on their heads.
“Then the Ancient of Days took his seat. His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, and from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living beings, (the Cherubim,) full of eyes in front and behind. The first was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. For more details concerning the Cherubim see Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10.
“Whenever the living beings gave glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, the twenty-four elders fell down before Him and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Note the emphasis on Creation as the reason for worship, as well as it’s obvious importance to us as believers. Paul emphasised this in Romans chapter 1.
“And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they escorted Him near before Him. And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then a strong angel proclaimed with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or even to look at it. So I, John, wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or even to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to break its seven seals.
“And I looked, and behold, in the vicinity of the throne and of the four living ones, and in the midst of the elders, the Son of Man stood, and I visualized Him as a Lamb as having been slain, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the Ancient of Days. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four Cherubim and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. These 24 elders therefore have a ministry of conveying the prayers of the saints to the Throne of God. A comforting thought.
“I Daniel watched then because of the sound of the arrogant words which the Little Horn was speaking against the Most High, and his intent to change times and law. I was watching; and the same Horn was making war against the saints, and the saints were given into his hand to prevail against them for a time and times and half a time. 3½ years is not a lengthy interval of time. In the last half century the western world has become replete with new legislation, much of which is contrary to Biblical law, and is used by mockers to bring Christians to court, to be fined or lose their jobs. And yet many say that the Antichrist is yet to come !!
“But I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame, and judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom, and they received the kingdom, and possessed the kingdom forever, even unto the age and beyond. What a breath of fresh air !! This is what we must “watch, wait, and pray for,” according to our Lord’s frequently repeated words. See Matthew 24:42, 25:13, Mark 13:35, Luke 21:36.
“I saw the Son of Man invested with dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.” Praise the Lord! (End of synthesis.)
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to age-lasting life, some to shame and age-lasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:1-3 Resurrection is clearly in view here, and it occurs during the “little season” of Elijah’s ministry to warn the world of the start of the Kingdom.
“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘On the day that I make up My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then you shall again make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘that will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go forth and leap like calves released from the stall. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:16-4:3 Righteousness will begin to grow again, and weeds trampled underfoot. This is figurative language. Christian Judges will not literally “trample lawless ones underfoot”. Becoming righteous judges, they will adjudicate against all unrighteousness, and dispense suitable sentences on those who seek harm to others and the environment. It will be a massive new learning curve for the world.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6 His ministry of reconciliation and restoration will be huge, and will require many faithful souls working for him and alongside him. It will be very interesting to watch the growth. (I wrote about this in my story entitled “Adventures in King’s Fountain.”)
And the Lord Jesus confirmed this, saying, “Elijah indeed will come first and will restore all things.” Matthew 17:11. And Peter reinforced it in his Pentecost sermon. “Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets from of old.” Acts 3:21.
John the Baptist’s ministry lasted little more than six months to prepare the way of the Lord. Likewise the coming of Elijah will not be a lengthy ministry of preparation for the Lord’s return. “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Romans 9:28 “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:22
“Even so, come Lord Jesus,” is our daily cry.
