His Temple
(REVELATION, CHAPTERS 4 AND 5)
JEHOVAH the Supreme One, the King of eternity, began to be appreciated by the church after the coming of the Lord to his temple. The faithful ones then began to see that the period of tune of 'preparing the way before Jehovah' dates from 1879 to 1918; that the Lord came to his temple in 1918, after casting Satan out of heaven, and from and after that time till Armageddon is "the day of his preparation". (Nah. 2:3) Because he reigns through his beloved, "the Prince of life," Jehovah is really the kingdom. Chapter four of Revelation gives a picture of Jehovah at his temple. Chapter five pictures his glorious representative. The Bible record should here be carefully read. The pictures revealed are sublime and thrilling. The facts which have actually come to pass since 1914 are fitting to the fulfilment of this prophecy.
The faithful servant class is the remnant and is represented in the faithful John. He looked and, "behold, a door was opened in heaven," and he hears an invitation to "come up hither". (Vs. 1) This indicates that the time has come to have a clearer vision of spiritual things. The door is the way of entrance into or discernment of spiritual things due to be understood. Those responding to the invitation are permitted to enter heavenly realms and to receive the most glorious heavenly sight, that is to say, to discern Jehovah the great King of eternity. The opening of
the door synchronizes with the outpouring of the holy spirit upon all flesh, because it is written that God hath revealed these things to us by his spirit, even the deep things of God, and which he has prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor. 2: 9, 10) These things are not seen by natural eyes, of course, but are discerned by those who have the spirit of the Lord God.
John, representing the remnant, hears a voice like a trumpet talking to him. A trumpet-toned voice was very appropriate because great things were about to come to pass. The King Eternal was to be shown to his faithful ones more clearly than before and they were to say more concerning his kingdom preparation. Events of greatest importance were about to take place, hence the sounding of the trumpet. "For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet." — Ps. 47:2, 5; see also 1 Ki. 1: 34; 1 Thess. 4:16.
It was the voice of the Lord Jesus, Jehovah's great Announcer or Word. The remnant, pictured by John, is then told: "I will show thee what must occur after these things." (Vs. 1, Diag.) Immediately spiritual things began to be revealed and to appear to the remnant. The door to the temple of God being opened to them, they begin to have visions of glorious things. One may well imagine that he is being invited to look into the most gorgeous and glorious temple that could exist. He beholds a throne set in heaven and One who sits upon the throne. "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." (Ps. 103:19) "The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men." (Ps. 11:4) Ezekiel
also describes the throne over all of the divine organization. (Ezek. 1: 26) It is the throne of Jehovah the Most High.
The One upon the throne is not pictured as being like a son of man, but is pictured as like the most precious gem stone, glorious in reflection of light, transparently pure and inflexible in righteousness. It is God's house, and he is the glory thereof and is that which would first be seen. His organization is described as "having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal". Then to John appears "a rainbow round about the throne", which, according to God's everlasting covenant with Noah, represents the sanctity of life and pictures Jehovah's life because he "only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto". (1 Tim. 6:16) From that glorious light there descends rain of blessings: "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." (Ezek. 1: 28) The beauty and glory of the eternal King began to dawn upon those of the remnant only after the temple in heaven was opened to their vision. No man had anything to do with opening this temple nor with giving to God's creatures a vision thereof. It all came by the grace of God through Christ Jesus his beloved One.
The vision discloses twenty-four seats or thrones round about The Throne. Upon these twenty-four lesser thrones were seated a like number of elders who were clothed in white raiment, and they had crowns of gold upon their heads. The number being
twice that of the "apostles of the Lamb" suggests that these not only represented the twelve apostles but pictured all the faithful who were made members of the body of Christ. These are heavenly elders, and if not so in age they are elders of all heavenly creatures because being members of the body of Christ. The number mentioned would represent those who died faithful and who have been resurrected to glory and also those on the earth who continue faithful, who are under the robe of righteousness and in the secret place of the Most High, and who are spoken of as being "joyful in glory" when the Lord is at his temple. (Ps. 149:5) It is those that are faithful at the appearing of the Chief Shepherd that "receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away". (1 Pet. 5:4; Rev, 3; 21) "Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head." (Ps. 21: 3) No man can take the crown of the faithful remnant. Only the Lord could do that. (Rev, 3: 11) Being "clothed in white raiment" identifies such as being members of the glorious organization of Jehovah. The faithful God 'hath raised up together, and made them to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus'. — Eph. 2:6.
The record then says that "out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices". God alone can make lightnings and thunders, and this is further proof that it is God's throne here described. (Job 38:35; 40:9; Jer, 10:13: Zech. 10:1: Ps. 18: 13) The voices that proceed from the throne are definitely official messages because they come from the seat of all authority. The "seven lamps of fire" burning before the throne picture the divine light given by the spirit of Jehovah for the benefit of the servant of God. As "seven" symbolizes completeness concern-
ing the King Eternal, the suggestion is that God gives to his temple class a complete vision of his purposes as his written Word sets it forth. "The seven spirits" picture God's complete unlimited and infallible power; and his "lightnings" disclose the dark places of the enemy organization and light up the dark sayings of his Word, that his faithful ones may see.
Continuing the marvelous description it is written that a sea of glass as clear as crystal was before the throne. The laver of the tabernacle service was made of mirrors. In Solomon's temple the larger laver was called "a molten sea". (1 Ki. 7:23) The things pertaining to God's typical people foreshadowed greater heavenly things. (Heb. 9:1-9) "The sea was for the priests to wash in." (2 Chron. 4:6) "Every word of God is pure." (Prov. 30:5) The glassy, crystal appearance of the sea before the throne pictures the purity of the Word of God and how clear he, in his own due time, will make it appear to his faithful remnant of the priestly order.
The "seven lamps of fire" shining upon the sea shows that only those 'cleansed by the washing of the water of the Word' are pleasing to Jehovah, (Eph, 5: 26) These having received and fed upon his Word, and devoting themselves wholly to him, are holy. 'Without holiness [pure, unadulterated devotion to God] no man can see the Lord,' — Heb, 12:14.
"Four beasts" or living creatures (living ones. Diaglott) are shown in the midst of and round about the throne. These are separate from Jehovah's person, and therefore would not picture his inherent qualities or attributes, Jesus is "in the midst of the throne" with the Father and also in the midst of the
living ones. (Rev. 5:6) He is the first of God's organization, and all other creatures therein operate around his throne. The four living creatures, or living ones, therefore represent the four-squareness or completeness of God's organization. These are "full of eyes before and behind", showing that those of God's organization are ever on the alert beholding his hand that they may do his will, hence are guided by divine wisdom. — Ps. 123:1-3.
The description of the four living creatures, that is, of God's organization, follows. The first is "like a lion", denoting courage and royal justice. (Ps. 89: 14) "Thou satest in the throne judging right." (Ps. 9:4) Justice holds the place of first importance. This was foreshadowed by God through his prophet. (2 Sam. 17:10; 1 Ki. 7:29-36) The second living creature resembled a "steer" (Diag.) or ox. In Solomon's temple the "sea" rested upon twelve oxen. The 'ox' denotes power and strength. The symbol seems to say: 'Almighty power and strength supports the divine organization, and God will accomplish his purposes by and through his organization.'
The third living one or creature had the face of a man, which depicts love as the motive. "God is love," and man is described as being made in the image of God. The man Christ Jesus said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father," because he was perfect in love. Every action in God's organization is prompted by love. Nothing else could be in harmony with him or pleasing to him. It therefore shows that those who are privileged to have any part in his organization must be prompted wholly by unselfishness.
The fourth living creature or beast was "like a flying eagle", which depicts far-sightedness, exalted
wisdom and swiftness in action. "Swifter than the eagles of the heaven." (Lam. 4:19) "They fly away, as an eagle toward heaven." (Prov. 23: 5) "Wisdom is too high for a fool." (Prov. 24: 7) The eagle flies high. Wisdom is never dimmed by age. "Thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Ps. 103: 5) Every part of God's organization is swift to obey his commandments, and they are guided by divine wisdom.
The four living creatures had each six wings. One of the prophets gives a picture of Jehovah in his throne for judgment by and through his beloved Son the Judge and gives a like description of the seraphim attending. (Isa. 6:1-3) The three pairs of wings had by each would suggest that the possessor can fly and provide protection at the same time, therefore that the creatures of God's organization move swiftly without hindrance in the performance of Jehovah's purposes and at the same time full protection is provided for the members of the organization which are on the earth. The protection, of course, is provided by invisible members of the organization. These creatures never rest, showing that the organization of Jehovah is always alert and on the move. The angels continuously behold the face of Jehovah. (Matt. 18: 10) Nor do those of the organization keep silence lest they should disturb the peace of some of Satan's organization. (Isa. 62:6, 7) Continuously they sing praises to the name of the eternal King, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." They announce the four names of the great Creator. This vision began to be had by the remnant only after their being admitted to the temple. Isaiah's prophecy also shows that the time when some of God's creatures on earth begin to
have the vision and take up the shout of holiness unto Jehovah is in the day of preparations for the great battle. It is the time when the Lord's judgment is at the temple. Then "he that is holy, let him be holy still".
John announces that when "the living creatures", that is, God's active organization, begin to sing the song of glory and honor to Jehovah, the twenty-four elders, representing those of the 144,000, including the remnant on earth, "fall down before him that sat on the throne, . . . and cast their crowns before the throne," thereby reverently acknowledging the supremacy of Jehovah and that all authority, including that of every member of the organization, comes from Jehovah. "There is no power but of God," and "the head of Christ is God" (Rom. 13:1; 1 Cor. 11: 3); thus showing that every one of the organization joyfully recognizes and willingly obeys Jehovah's method of carrying out his purpose. The faithful sing: "Thou art worthy, 0 Jehovah." Not that these could add anything to the glory and honor of Jehovah, but thereby they acknowledge that all power and authority and honor and goodness proceed from Jehovah. (Eph. 3:9) Then they say: 'For thou hast created all things by reason of thy will.' (Roth.) What a stupendous insult and farce is the evolution doctrine which the clergy teach! It is from the Devil and is proof that its teachers are the Devil's representatives. Those of God's organization are thrilled with the glory and beauty revealed from his temple, and delight to continuously sing the praises of the Most High. The vision of the temple further discloses the glory of Jehovah.
REDEEMER AND KING
Chapter five of Revelation now here considered is a vision of the Redeemer and King in the temple beginning the unfolding of God's purposes to his faithful ones. These begin the Elisha work, to advertise the King and his kingdom, to sing the praises of Jehovah and his enthroned King, which song is later taken up by others and continues until it fills the whole earth. Read chapter five carefully.
The vision shows Jehovah seated upon his throne, and at his right hand a book written within and on the back thereof and sealed completely, which is represented by the seven seals. It was after 1918 that those devoted to the Lord began to realize that the prophecies, and particularly Revelation, must yet be correctly understood; that although there had been many honest efforts to unravel the mysteries thereof, these efforts had not succeeded, manifestly because it was not the Lord's due time. The faithful began to see that no prophecy of God is of private interpretation. — 2 Pet. 1:20.
The "right hand" of Jehovah must make it understandable in God's own due time. It had been written: " Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end"; thereby meaning that the prophecies could not be understood prior to God's due time. — Dan. 12:4, 9.
While Jehovah is seated upon his throne one of his mighty angels appears and with a loud voice inquires: "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" (Vs. 2) It is not at all necessary to understand that the angel here mentioned is some human agency, or even what had previously been written in the law. Surely the holy angels of
Jehovah God, who are under the command of Christ Jesus and accompany him at his temple as his deputies, are clothed with power to put questions in the minds of those who are devoted to God. It is not necessary for us to know just how this is done, but there cannot be any question about the power of the deputies of the Lord. Even men can suggest thoughts to other men by conditions or circumstances. Surely deputies of the Lord have much more power. Many of the church, particularly those pictured in the condition of Laodicea, looked for the seventh messenger, believing him to be a man, to interpret prophecy, particularly the prophecy of Ezekiel and Revelation; and when this did not materialize, many of them said: 'No one can make the meaning clear, because the Lord had given all his truth to his people prior to 1917.' Then a number thereof became offended at the Lord's way of doing his work and they fell away.
The divine record shows that no one in heaven or earth was able to open the little book at the right hand of Jehovah until the due time. This is proof that "the book" in the vision did not and does not mean literally the printed Bible, but that it does mean God's purposes which he does not permit any one to look into until his own due time. Some of these things must wait until God's Messenger came to the temple, and then the lightnings of Jehovah alone disclosed them.
As he beheld this tableau, John says, "I wept, much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book." John here pictured God's people on earth. When the World War ceased, God's earthly organization seemed to be about done, so far as its work on earth was concerned. It was disrupted and
those having to do with it were restrained of liberty and opportunity of service. Many wondered and asked, "What now?" There were some who were actually and really weeping. There was a period of time in which the church was stunned and waiting. Then the Lord disclosed to his people that his church on earth had been doing a work which he had caused to be foreshadowed by the Prophet Elijah; that this work was now done and must be followed by another, which was pictured by his Prophet Elisha. Faithful ones in the Lord's organization discerned this. They saw the going of Elijah and the mantle fall upon Elisha, and so they passed the truth on to others for their encouragement and in substance said to each other: 'Weep not, there is much yet to be done. Do not be sorrowful, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' — Neh. 8:10. (See Watch Tower, 1924, page 104.)
On September 1, 1919, a convention of the Lord's people opened at Cedar Point, Ohio. It was at that convention that the distinction between the Elijah and the Elisha work of the church was seen and announced. It was at a convention at the same place in 1922 when the picture of the "Lion of the tribe of Juda [God's anointed King]" was unveiled and when a multitude of his followers shouted for joy in response to the announced slogan: "Advertise the King and the Kingdom." John heard the angel say: "Weep not, behold: the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book." The Lord directs the course, of his people and brings about conditions that induce them to take a certain action. Surely the angels of the Lord were present at that convention and, although invisible to all human eyes, had the power to direct the course of the con-
vention that it might carry out the purpose of Jehovah. Later the attention of God's people (Watch Tower, Oct. 1, 1923, page 293) was called to the fact that the "oil" possessed by the "virgins" is a symbol of joy and gladness. The weeping of the Lord's devoted people had ceased, and they began to rejoice because God had shown them his favor and that there was much yet to do to his name's honor and glory.
In God's due time and by his grace attention was called to the fact that The Nation or Kingdom is born; that there had been war in heaven and Satan had been cast out; that the Lord had committed to his people a witness; that the Lord had come to his temple for judgment; that the robe of righteousness is provided for his people and is evidence that God has taken out a people for his name and approved them, and that now a great witness must he given to show forth his praises. The Lord used The Watch Tower to announce these truths. Doubtless he used his invisible deputies to have much to do with it. This is not what some may regard as spiritism, by any means; but it does mean that God in his own good way can direct his people without any audible communication with them. Those who have seen and appreciated these great truths from the Lord have rejoiced, while those who have not discerned the difference between the Elijah and Elisha work of the church, and the other blessed truths revealed in connection therewith, continue to complain, and many have entirely gone into outer darkness. The faithful weep not, but rejoice.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ, "the Lion of the tribe of Juda," who opens the seals, that is to say, through whom God reveals his purposes. The fact that there
were seven seals to be broken one after another shows the gradual unfolding of the purposes of Jehovah to his temple class as set forth in his Word. Christ Jesus is the Just One, and therefore called the Lion of the tribe of Juda. He is the chief one giving praise to Jehovah's name, therefore of Judah. He is "the Root of David" because he makes the royal family grow into the kingdom and he is the inheritor of the "everlasting covenant . . . , even the sure mercies of David". (Isa. 55: 3; 11:10) The breaking of the seven seals entails upon the one so doing the carrying I out of that which is exposed to view. Christ the King is doing this by causing a great witness to be given in the earth to the name of Jehovah God. To Christ has been committed the work of this testimony, and he in turn has committed a part thereof to the remnant and they are privileged to join him in this glorious work.
Christ Jesus is the central One of Jehovah's organization, being 'far above principalities and powers'. (Eph. 1:21) He is the Head over all others. John therefore describes him as "a Lamb, as it had been slain", and standing "in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts". Thus Christ Jesus is identified and described as the One whose shed blood has redeemed mankind and by whose precious blood alone salvation comes to the human race. He is in the throne of God, that is to say, the One having the chief authority from Jehovah; and in the midst of the four beasts, which means he is the Chief One in God's organization. He appear as "having seven horns and seven eyes", which symbolizes that he has the faculty of discerning perfectly the will of God as this is recorded in the scroll or book, and is clothed with all power and authority to execute the divine will.
Jesus Christ "came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne". Thus he receives from Jehovah and at the hand of Jehovah his portfolio which sets forth the further work now to be done. God seats or installs Christ Jesus upon his throne in Zion and sends him forth to begin action. (Ps. 2:6; 110:2) It was in 1914 that Christ Jesus took his power and went forth at Jehovah's command and fought with Satan and ousted him from heaven. He had overcome in that fight. He comes to his temple, or the house of God, as the High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and he must receive the Urim and Thummim and discern the judgment of Jehovah that he may execute it. His portfolio thus discloses to him God's work that must be done. Then he begins the opening of the seals, disclosing God's will concerning the work to be done on earth. This marks the inauguration of the Elisha work of the church. Then he sends his faithful ones forth with the command to 'preach this gospel of the kingdom to all the world as a witness before the final end'. — Matt. 24:14.
The divine record then pictures the four beasts and the four and twenty elders falling down before the Lamb, every one of them having a harp and a golden vessel of sweet odors. Thus is pictured every part of God's organization, including the faithful ones on earth, being joyfully subject to and submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ as God's Chief Executive Officer. "Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Pet. 2:17) According to the gender in the Greek, each one of the twenty-four elders possesses a harp. In the temple service the harp was used in accordance with the commandment of the Lord. (2 Chron. 29:25) This
is proof that the twenty-four elders represented the number of all the royal priesthood under the Head, Christ Jesus, including the ones who 'preach this gospel of the kingdom'. Furthermore, it is stated that the 144,000 stand by the sea of glass with Christ Jesus, harping upon their harps. (See Revelation 15: 2, 3.) This picture includes the remnant on earth engaged in singing the new song to the praise of Jehovah God.
The twenty-four elders are described as having golden vials or bowls full of incense, "which are the prayers of saints." In the tabernacle and temple service of Israel a golden censer burned in the Most Holy, and was carried there by the high priest on the day of atonement. (Heb. 9:3, 4) This further supports the conclusion that the twenty-four elders are members of the body of the great High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, and that in the picture they symbolically represent all the body members; and the prayers being "the prayers of saints" is further proof that the twenty-four elders are the 144,000 faithful saints constituting the body of the High Priest. This also shows that prayer is an essential part of the life of the faithful. No one can hope to get on in his faithful service to the Lord without frequent prayer. This being "the last day", it is the time to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same". (Col. 4:2) The remnant will not be able to stand without prayer and watchfulness. (Eph. 6:13-18) The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous, and the prayer of the upright is his delight. (1 Pet. 3:12; Prov. 15: 8, 29) "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense." (Ps. 141: 2) They pray for victory. — Ps. 118:25.
"And they sung a new song." Thus is pictured that no longer is this a time of weeping, but the time has come to sing the new song to the honor and glory of Jehovah and his glorious King. The new song in effect says: 'A new epoch has begun; the kingdom is here and the tried and precious Stone, Christ Jesus, has been laid in Zion and made the chief Stone of the corner.' "A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation." (Isa. 28:16) He is a tried, precious, and sure foundation, and the Head of God's organization, and every member thereof sings his praises and the praises of Jehovah. All these (represented by the twenty-four elders) say: 'Thou art worthy to receive this portfolio and to open the seals and to reveal the truth; thou hast redeemed us by thy blood and made us unto our God kings and priests.' Thus the Lord Jesus is identified as the Redeemer and Savior, High Priest and King, and the twenty-four elders are members of his royal line.
Then John marks that others join in the song of praise: "I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders [God's organization, including Christ's body members]: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." Thus is shown the entire organization of Jehovah God giving praise to the Lamb which has received the riches and power and glory at the hands of Jehovah as his reward for faithfulness. The angels mentioned must be that myriad of angels who act as the retinue of servants to the Lord Jesus and who are at the general assembly. The song thus begun continues until every creature that has breath and lives praises God. (Ps. 150:6) The living ones of God's entire organization say
"Amen". And the members of his royal house fall down before Jehovah and worship him for ever and ever. They are obedient to his orders, and in the ages to come are the recipients of the exceeding riches of his grace through Christ Jesus, the Head of his organization, and the Chief Officer of Jehovah.
