I made a horrible choice this morning. I drug out of bed late, and instead of looking first to the Word of God, I proceeded to check the morning news as I had my sweet roll and coffee.(That too is not a wise choice, but oh well.) As I considered the insanity of the systems of this world, much of it totally inexplicable to an intact moral mind, let alone one born from above by the Spirit of God, my outlook for the day wasn't very bright.
So as the spirit chastised me, I turned to Revelation chapter 4, which has become my usual mouthwash to wash the taste of this whole world out of my inner man, my soul. In my more prudent, and obedient yesterday morning, I was led to the statements of the Spirit to the overcomers in Revelation 2 and 3, but was particularly taken by 3:21, " to him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne even as I also overcame and Am sat down with My Father in his Throne."
And this is the Spirit’s carefully planned preface and context of chapter 4, the Father's Throne which is promised as the dwelling place of the overcomers in the Bosom of Christ Jesus upon His Throne. And as I read chapter 4 in this context this morning, I couldn't help but see the similarities and contrasts with chapter 19 of Exodus. Both occasions are proceeded by a trumpet call. Hebrews 12:18 graphically portrays the contrast of The shadow of Exodus 19, with the fulfillment which we have in Christ Jesus, which is beautifully, figuratively, and prophetically portrayed in Revelation 4 and 5.
In Exodus, at the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, a voice that they didn't want to hear, the people begged Moses to do the talking for them, and they would do what God said.(Ex. 19:8; 20:19) But even Moses their mediator, said, "I exceedingly fear and quake".(Heb. 12:21) That fear and trembling was because, "for they could not endure" that which was commanded by such a holy and righteous and fearsome God. But praise God for Hebrews 12: 22!!! "But you are come unto Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels" etc. blessedly through Vs.24. This is the vision of Peace, Comfort, and Joy that is revealed here in Revelation 4&5.
In Exodus 19, the lightning and thunder and the quaking and the voice of the trumpet scared the socks off of the people of Israel. But in Revelation 4 we first encounter 24 seats arranged around the throne, and upon the seats 24 elders sitting on them, clothed in white raiment, with crowns of gold on their heads. Then we encounter lightning and thunder and voices proceeding from the throne. Apparently the elders remain seated, undisturbed by this “storm of Righteousness”. And then there are the beasts. Hebrews 12 reminds us, " if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a dart." Yet here in this Throne vision, " and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” Granted, the beasts are different, the latter prefiguring a great truth, but here we have welcome beasts as opposed to destroyed beasts that stand before Mount Sinai. For here we are coming to the Throne of Mount Zion, the promised destination of the overcomers. And the throne is enshrouded in figures of covenant promise and fulfillment which is Gloriously revealed in the Victorious Lamb who alone opens the book of God's eternal Will and Purpose.
Hebrews 3:14 reminds us, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” Be overcomers, beloved, sink your faith deep into the Victorious Lamb of God. May we start our day with “Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24
So as the spirit chastised me, I turned to Revelation chapter 4, which has become my usual mouthwash to wash the taste of this whole world out of my inner man, my soul. In my more prudent, and obedient yesterday morning, I was led to the statements of the Spirit to the overcomers in Revelation 2 and 3, but was particularly taken by 3:21, " to him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne even as I also overcame and Am sat down with My Father in his Throne."
And this is the Spirit’s carefully planned preface and context of chapter 4, the Father's Throne which is promised as the dwelling place of the overcomers in the Bosom of Christ Jesus upon His Throne. And as I read chapter 4 in this context this morning, I couldn't help but see the similarities and contrasts with chapter 19 of Exodus. Both occasions are proceeded by a trumpet call. Hebrews 12:18 graphically portrays the contrast of The shadow of Exodus 19, with the fulfillment which we have in Christ Jesus, which is beautifully, figuratively, and prophetically portrayed in Revelation 4 and 5.
In Exodus, at the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, a voice that they didn't want to hear, the people begged Moses to do the talking for them, and they would do what God said.(Ex. 19:8; 20:19) But even Moses their mediator, said, "I exceedingly fear and quake".(Heb. 12:21) That fear and trembling was because, "for they could not endure" that which was commanded by such a holy and righteous and fearsome God. But praise God for Hebrews 12: 22!!! "But you are come unto Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels" etc. blessedly through Vs.24. This is the vision of Peace, Comfort, and Joy that is revealed here in Revelation 4&5.
In Exodus 19, the lightning and thunder and the quaking and the voice of the trumpet scared the socks off of the people of Israel. But in Revelation 4 we first encounter 24 seats arranged around the throne, and upon the seats 24 elders sitting on them, clothed in white raiment, with crowns of gold on their heads. Then we encounter lightning and thunder and voices proceeding from the throne. Apparently the elders remain seated, undisturbed by this “storm of Righteousness”. And then there are the beasts. Hebrews 12 reminds us, " if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a dart." Yet here in this Throne vision, " and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” Granted, the beasts are different, the latter prefiguring a great truth, but here we have welcome beasts as opposed to destroyed beasts that stand before Mount Sinai. For here we are coming to the Throne of Mount Zion, the promised destination of the overcomers. And the throne is enshrouded in figures of covenant promise and fulfillment which is Gloriously revealed in the Victorious Lamb who alone opens the book of God's eternal Will and Purpose.
Hebrews 3:14 reminds us, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” Be overcomers, beloved, sink your faith deep into the Victorious Lamb of God. May we start our day with “Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24
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