“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”” (Rev.4:6-9)
Now we are back where we started, in Isaiah 6, with the Seraphim saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.” But along the way the whole earth was certainly not full of His glory. Man’s disregard of God’s laws and character, and man’s inhumanity to man were prevalent. But the word Isaiah received was prophetic, and “the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will bring it to pass,” or as Habakkuk said, “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”(Hab.2:14)
The Lord Jesus will be granted the Kingdom over the whole earth. God the Father has waited until the Remnant is complete, made up of all those who will reign with Him in the Kingdom, before saying the word to bring this into being. Let’s see how Daniel sets the scene.
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given 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 the one which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
In Revelation 4 Jesus is seen as the Lion-Lamb, having been slain, but now worthy to open the Scroll of God’s Judgments. And Daniel received a similar word.
“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev.4:9-10)
“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. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (Dan.7:27)
Daniel also tells us what it will be like on earth at the end time, when things are about to change.
“I was watching; and the same Horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favour of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.”
(Dan.7:21-22 )
The Horn, (the “Little Horn”) is the Antichrist of Revelation. Right up until the end, he will be attacking the saints of God. But then the word “until” indicates that God the Father gives the signal, and the Lord Jesus takes His place as King, accompanied by the saints of the Most High.
There is no doubt of the fact that God’s people are still being attacked throughout the world, and the cry continually goes up, “How long, O Lord?” and “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” We are therefore awaiting that day when the Ancient of Days says the word, “It is finished!” and the Kingdom of the Lord will begin.
There is glory ahead, and it may be very near. How wonderful if God’s word went forth whilst we are still alive, and in resurrection share in Christ’s reign.
This completes the series on “Threefold”.
