Continuing our look at the new grounds of an approach to Revelation as birthed from about an as doers of the incarnate word of Christ within our being, our being restored to the innocence as known in Genesis 2 and there alone, unless on counts Enoch and Elijah. As they are known to have walked with GOD and then were no more. Enoch also wrote of things that he saw in the spirit as he visited the heavenliest on several occasions.
The Mirror:
The Jewish audience:
Much of what John saw was reflected in the Jewish mindset as familiar prophetic pictures, pointers and symbols. Not known or even understood by us today. Look at the prophetic imagery of Ezekiel 1:1-28 repeated in Revelation 4. The symbolic pictures John sees about judgment would immediately remind his typical Jewish audience of their prophets' imagery of their own judgment. This time however, the slaughtered and risen Lamb brings brand new context! Israel's unfaithfulness is met and eclipsed by GOD'S faithfulness. The Lamb's death and resurrection confronts every idea of judgment that was mankind's due.
As it was in Pharaoh's day, stubborn minds which were set in their perceptions had to be convinced - the 144,000 were sealed and therefore protected from harm - yet they were witnesses of the prophetic/historic fate of Pharaoh. This is now repeated in dramatic fashion in front of their eyes tp persuade them of the prophetic picture of deliverance from slavery which is now concluded in the Lamb's death, burial and resurrection and celebrated for ages upon ages by the entire universe!
Revelation 14:1, Oh wow! You've got to see this! The little Lamb, standing on mount Zion and with him a hundred and forty four thousands with the Lamb's Name and the Name of Father written on their foreheads. (Sonship redeemed! Hebrews 1:1-3. Note the 144,000's in plural, representing the symbolic value that includes the entire prophetic significance of the Jews as well as the prophetic context of their representing the entire human race. In you, all the nations of the earth will bless themselves. Look for extended notes at the end of Rev. 14 on Form Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion! ) Although John's immediate audience is primarily Jewish, seven times in this book human society is addressed in the most all-inclusive fashion, with a similar grouping of words. Revelation 5:9, 7:9, 10:11, 11:9, 13:7, 14:6 and 17:15. Also note Rev. 15:13 and 11:15.
Revelation 7:9, At this moment I saw a massive throng of people, impossible to count, standing tall and innocent; Everyone of them dressed in white with palm branches in their hands; They have escaped everything that could possibly define them as a non-Jewish, Gentile world! In fact, every sphere of society were there - including the entire spectrum of people-groupings; All tribal identities with their unique language-specific dialect preferences; They were all present facing the Throne and the Lamb as the people of the planet! (Amazing how, in the previous verses of this chapter, the tribes of Israel are associated with a very specific "number," emphasizing the prophetic detail of the entire Jewish nation. But here, John sees a massive throng of people, impossible to count! In Israel there is a prophetic voice of GOD'S intention to release the blessing of the single SEED of GOD'S faith through Abraham and bless all the nations of the earth! "Count the stars, count the sand!"
The word, stolay, is the white outer garment worn by kings, priests, and persons of rank. The palm branches and the white robes are signs of the celebration of victory and joy. The preposition ek, points to source or origin; Humanity was delivered out of their national, geographical and historical identities! ) (Look for the extended notes on Israel at the end of Rev. 20) (The Mirror, with editing.)
Now think and reason on what has been herein revealed. Until our next visit the LORD willing I speak blessings on you and yours, as I seek the same of the LORD, mercy and grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment