The Panorama of the Ages

A Study of Revelation Five

By George Keough

"The fifth chapter of Revelation needs to be closely studied. It is of great importance to those who shall act a part in the work of God for these last days."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 267.

With such encouragement we should surely give Revelation 5 our closest attention. And having studied it closely, and being assured that we shall act a part in God's work for these last days, we should each ask ourselves this question: Of what importance is this chapter to me?

Let us look at some of the details: There is a throne, of which it is said in Revelation 4:2, that it "was set in heaven, and one sat on" it. The One who sits on this throne is "like a jas­per and a sardine stone." Verse 3. These are the last and first stones in the breastplate of the high priest. (See Ex. 28:17-20.) But their sig­nificance here must rest in their color, which is mainly red.

In Daniel 7:9 it is said that the garment of Him who sat on the throne "was white as snow." The contrast is striking. There white, here red. "Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel? . . . For the day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come." Isa. 63:2-4.

There is a book in the right hand of Him that sits upon the throne, and this book is to be opened. The opening of the book is the prin­cipal matter in the vision. All the other details center around the opening of this book. But be­fore the book is opened, it must be decided who is to open it. A strong angel makes a proclama­tion calling upon any one who considers himself worthy to come forward and open the book. "And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book." Rev. 5:3.

For this last statement to have any real mean­ing everyone in heaven, and on earth, and un­der the earth, must be present to hear the proc­lamation, and so have opportunity to respond. To say that no one was able to open the book, when no one heard the invitation to come for­ward, would be misleading and untrue. They must all be there before the throne to hear this proclamation.

This becomes still clearer as we read on in the chapter, for when the Lamb has come for­ward and taken the book, and before He opens one of its seven seals, "every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them," are heard ascribing "blessing, and honor, and glory, and power" to God and to the Lamb. Verse 13.

Yes, they are all there before the throne. Its Occupant is wearing garments of vengeance. The universe is assembled before the throne, and a book is to be opened. It can be none other than the last great day of judgment, when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (See Phil. 2:10, 11.)

All judgment concerns the past, When the innocent or the guilty are arraigned before the bar of justice, accused of whatever misdemeanor or crime, it is always the past that is reviewed, and the accused is justified or condemned ac­cording as his past actions harmonize with or violate the law.

In the judgment of the last day, when all, from Adam to the last man on earth, stand be­fore the bar of God, the whole of this world's history must pass in review. Accordingly we read in "The Great Controversy," page 666: "Like a panoramic view appear the scenes of Adam's temptation and fall, and the successive steps in the great plan of redemption." (See also pp. 666-670.)

The book that is opened contains much more than is recorded as seen by John. Other things are written there to be brought to light on that great judgment day. I find these words in "Christ's Object Lessons," page 298 (1923 edi­tion, Review and Herald):

" 'His blood be on us, and on our children.' Thus the Jewish leaders made their choice. Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, the book which no man could open. In all its vindictiveness this decision will appear before them in the day when this book is un­sealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah."

When the book is actually unsealed, all these things will be in the past. When they were un­rolled before John in the vision, they were yet in the future, and he recorded for us there the history of the Christian dispensation.

The central figure in this judgment is the "Lamb as it had been slain." Rev. 5:6. "He was shown to John as a Lamb that had been slain, as in the very act of pouring out His blood in the sinner's behalf."—"Testimonies," Vol. IV, p. 395.

This Lamb as it had been slain is hidden from John's view until the proclamation calling for any who thinks himself worthy to come forward and open the book, has been made. All who have made great claims for themselves during earth's history are thus given an opportunity to substantiate their claims. Popes and prelates, priests and prophets, who have claimed to have heaven and hell in their grasp, and to be able to save and to destroy according to their own will, are now silent. Their pretentious claims are now seen to be false by those whom they deceived. Only the Lamb that was slain can open the book and pronounce the judgment.

Of what importance is this to me or you? How will sin, especially the sin of neglect, appear to us when we behold the Lamb of God as in the very act of pouring out His blood in the sinner's behalf? As we see the throne of God stained with the blood of the Lamb of God, and realize the greatness of the love that offered pardon for every sin, how will our clinging to even the smallest sin then appear? Will it not appear as the treason and ingratitude that it is? As God's people today we are called upon to sacrifice our time, our strength, and our means for the advancement of God's kingdom; but we often grumble, and feel that too much is being asked of us. How shall we view our sacrifices in that day?

As the panorama of Christ's suffering passes before that great multitude, among them, on the right hand, stands Simon of Cyrene. As the Saviour is led forth, and as He falls beneath the heavy cross, Simon sees himself pressed into service. The heavy cross is laid upon him, and he carries it out to Calvary. How his being must thrill with joy as he sees himself again carrying that cross! What a glorious privilege it now appears to be! Who of all that assembled multitude would not give everything he pos­sesses to have been in Simon's place that day? How he will thank God forever for that glorious privilege!

There is another in the multitude, on the left hand, and one whose being must shrink with terror. It is Judas Iscariot. As he sees him­self leading the rulers and rabble to Geth­semane, and betraying the Saviour with a kiss, how he wishes he could turn from the terrible scene. The horror of it is enough to crush him, but he cannot turn away.

How will you and I feel on that day? Shall we have sacrifices to see that will thrill us with joy, or shall we—but I must not say it. God make it impossible! May the Lord help us to­day to realize to some extent what that day will be like. May we realize what a privilege it is to live and sacrifice for Jesus. If our study of this chapter but leads us to see our attitude to God and His work as we shall see it on that day, it will have been of immense importance to us. A vision of the cross of Jesus before us as well as behind us will carry us through the most trying times, and enable us to give our all for Him and His kingdom.

Warwickshire, England.


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By George Keough

September 1933

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