The Letter
Section two of the book begins with the words: After this:
From here on, we alternate between what is going on in Heaven and what is going on earth. We start with a view from heaven.
Chapters four-to-eleven: we read, ‘Things that will come, after the time of the things that are’!
After the Church-age, comes the Judgement-age. Having had the account of the angels visit to the Churches, we are taken to the judgement throne room. Jesus is Glorified. He has taken His rightful place in Heaven as the Ram311 of God. In this vision, John seems to be experiencing what Paul wrote about in one-Thessalonians-four.
Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those who have died. We don't want you to be sad like other people—those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died, but we also believe that he rose again. So we believe that God will raise to life through Jesus any who have died and bring them together with him when he comes. What we tell you now, is the Lord's own message. Those of us who are still living when the Lord comes again will join him, but not before those who have already died. The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet-call of God. And the people who have died and were in Christ will rise first. After this we who are still alive at that time will be gathered up with those who have died. We will be taken up in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. 312
Some things John saw in heaven can be explained by the common understanding in the early church. Twenty-four elders is a New-Testament and early church concept. The Earliest church saw the union of the Jews and Gentiles into one church by the grafting of Gentiles into the Church. Twelve elders, represent the tribes of Israel, and twelve elders, represent the apostles313. This representation was voiced at the first council in Jerusalem where they discussed the unity of Jews and Gentiles. While appealing for unity, the council recognized diversity between the two groups. All the elders are robed in white, a direct reference back to Exodus where, a robe was put upon the priest after a sacrifice had been made for his sin. This was recognized by the Council, for Jew or Gentile, there is only one entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, by the Sacrifice of the Messiah on the cross. One other observation, all these elders appear to have been through their judgement, as they are now wearing crowns on their heads, which are given at the judgement. The twenty-four are also remembered in stones laid in stone in the new Jerusalem, the twelve stones representing the twelve tribes and the twelve foundation stones named after the apostles.
Why did John weep?
God created the earth and it belongs to him. Mankind was given stewardship of it. Adam sold the earth rights to Satan for a small portion of knowledge fruit314. Under the law, that gave Satan tenure rights unless a Kinsman-Redeemer can purchase it back315. The kinsman-redeemer must be one of human-kind. John weeps because, at first, there seems no one that can be called Kinsman to fit for this role. No Kinsman-Redeemer can be found, and it looks like the inheritance is lost forever. But, the Lion declares, the Ram with seven horns, is indeed a worthy Kinsman-Redeemer, and hands to Him the title deeds of the earth.
The deeds of the earth are sealed with seven seals, each seal representing a judgement which must be made as it is opened. Now the seven-horned ram is found fit to judge those issues, the Church in heaven erupts into praise that its inheritance might now be restored.316 As each seal is broken, so each issue is examined and judged.
Chapters-six to nineteen, arguably, begins with judgement of how the Church responded to the warnings it had been given. Under this view, Church should be judged first as this has been charged with being the light on the hill of the world and the salt of the earth. It would be an unfair judgement on the nations, if the Church has misrepresented its calling. These judgements are caused by Human means, aggression, which leads to bloodshed, famine and disease.
Judgements by God, always seem to fall on the just and the unjust regardless of the cause. The method of God’s judgements are described in the parable of the wheat and tares. The two grow up side-by-side until all are harvested together317. The pronouncement of judgement comes after the harvest, and results in the separation. Judgement separates people out naturally by their fruit318.
Six seals are followed by an interlude, then followed by the seventh seal. The disasters are to come upon the earth, but the interlude describe what will happen to God’s People. As each seal is opened, it releases the punishment or rewards awarded under that Judgement. How well will the Churches do?
311 Male Lamb in its prime with seven horns
312 1 Thessalonians 4: 13
313 These are also represented by the 12 gates named after the tribes and 12 foundations named after the apostles of the Lamb found in Chapters 21 & 22. Another interpretation is from book of Leviticus where 24 priests are appointed to represent the people by rota represented the people before God in the Holy of Holies.
314 See the story of Esau and Jacob for illustration. Jesus never questioned Satan’s right to oven the deeds until they were bought back.
315 See the book of Ruth for illustration.
316 As pictured in the story of Ruth.
317 Matthew 13: 24 ff
318 Jeremiah 30: 7ff Daniel 12 : 1. Matthew 24: 21 .