Heaven may seem like a far away world, but inspiration has given vivid descriptions of the abode of Jehovah. Human language but faintly conveys the splendor of spiritual purity, and the mortal mind, because of its narrowness, fails to grasp even the glimpses that are given; nevertheless, some idea may be gained of the capital of the universe, where dwells the King of kings. Outside the city of the New Jerusalem, the place which Christ promised to prepare for His people, and which is called the bride, the Lamb's wife, is Mount Zion, on which stands the living temple, the great council chamber of the most High.
Between the ascension of Christ and 1844, the Saviour ministered His own shed blood in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. [1]
He, the Lamb slain in the court of the congregation as a sin offering, presented His own blood before the Father in the holy place of the sanctuary. In 1844, when the prophetic period of twenty-three hundred days of Daniel 8:14, closed, the mighty angel of the tenth chapter of Revelation, made known the fact to the waiting congregation in the earth, which is the outer court of the heavenly sanctuary. At that time, Christ entered into the most holy apartment, where the investigative judgment began before the throne of God. The judgment work continues until the sealing angel returns from the earth with the words that his work has been accomplished. Then Christ rises from the judgment throne, and with a loud voice proclaims, "It is finished." Every man has heard the everlasting Gospel, and has accepted, or rejected it. If he has answered the call of God, his spirit has responded to the wooings of Jehovah, and the seal of the living God rests in his forehead. He is numbered with the one hundred and forty-four thousand. If, on the other hand, he has spurned the Spirit's pleadings, he has received the mark of the beast, and his destiny is likewise sealed.
Christ casts to the earth the censer which He holds in His hand. He lays aside the garments of His priesthood, and passes from the temple. Probation is closed. Christ's work is finished; and as He, with those who have ministered with Him for fallen man, passes from the temple, the glory of God bursts forth in all its grandeur, until His train fills the temple. "The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no man was able to [2] enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." When the Son of God was offered for the sins of the world, when He became a man, and afterwards ministered in heaven as a man, God, the Father, had veiled His exceeding great glory until the work of redemption was complete. But when the Saviour utters the triumphant shout, "It is finished," the restrained glory bursts forth in the splendor which was seen before the fall. Human language is so weak that words fail to express the thought; but for six thousand years, even the God of the universe. has mourned for the lost world; and when at last the redeemed are gathered out, although they are still on earth, the pent up glory of Jehovah flashes forth,-a living, consuming fire. This was typified in the temple at Jerusalem, when at the words, "It is finished," uttered by the Saviour on the cross, the veil was rent from top to bottom. With the announcement of these words this second time, the man Jesus Christ, with the four living creatures and four and twenty elders, who for centuries have represented the re deemed, leave the temple altogether, and enter no more, until Christ returns from earth, bringing with Him the host of the redeemed. Then with the hundred and forty-four thousand, glorified, and reflecting the character of Christ, He enters the temple, and this company minister there.
In these closing events two distinct views are given to John. Before the Saviour leaves the temple, seven angels are seen standing before the altar. To them are given seven vials containing the unmingled wrath of God. [3]
The elements of the earth are under the control of mighty angels, and although Satan, "the prince of the power of the air," has had partial control of these mighty forces, yet the power of God has held them in check; else destruction would have come, and man would have been destroyed. As Christ rises to leave the temple, these seven commanding angels stand awaiting the command of Jehovah.
While they are waiting, for heaven has seemed to pause, John sees the same company, precious in the eyes of the Lord, standing, as they will stand on the sea of glass, when the seven last plagues have been poured out. Lest it should seem that these were lost in the terror of the plagues, with one sweeping glance, the prophet sees beyond the time of trouble, when this same company stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb. It is wonderful how often this company is mentioned, and with what care it is described, before the terrors are portrayed! Its numbers come up out of great tribulation; they stand through the time of trouble without an intercessor; for Christ is without the temple, and only God remains within.
For them the time of the plagues, through which they pass unharmed, is as when Israel stood between the mountain and the Red Sea, with an Egyptian army pressing hard after them. There was no visible way of escape, and casting themselves on the arm of Jehovah, they awaited His deliverance. Their deliverance was a marvel in the eyes of the nations round about, and all men feared the God of Israel. The song in which Moses led the hosts of the delivered, will be repeated when the one hundred and [4] forty-four thousand stand on Mount Zion. "I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously. . . . The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him. . . . Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee: Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble." The song of Moses is the song of deliverance from impending destruction; the song of the Lamb is one of triumph over sin and the grave.
This company stand on a sea of glass, which, to the prophet on Patmos, looked like the smooth waters of the Mediterranean, reflecting the glories of a sunset. It was a sea of glass mingled with fire. The Saviour Himself places crowns on their heads and harps in their hands.
Earth has heard music; but never has this world heard any music which can compare with celestial strains. Heaven has resounded with songs; but since the fall, the key has been lowered. When the redeemed gather about the throne, the leader of the angel choir strikes a [5] note higher than before; and the harps are swept by fingers guided by souls filled with love and thanksgiving. "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty," rings forth as the works of God are viewed by eyes once dimmed by sin. "Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints," echoes and reechoes as the plan of salvation unfolds to minds, newly touched with immortality. "Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name?" And the answer comes, "All nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest."
Through all the controversy, Satan has attempted to justify himself, and to prove that heaven was responsible for the rebellion; but before his destruction, he will be convinced of the everlasting goodness of the Father; and bowing before the throne, he will confess the justice of the sentence pronounced against him. God's wisdom, His justice, and His goodness, stand vindicated before the universe. The whole universe, both the lost and the redeemed, will at last pronounce their own sentence in the words, "just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints, . . . for Thy judgments are made manifest."
John looked again toward the temple; for while he had, prophetically seen the culmination, the end had not yet fully come. He sees the seven angels waiting, and to them are given, by one of the four living creatures, seven vials of wrath. So complete is the acknowledgment of the justice of all God's ways that when Christ proclaims, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be [6] filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still," there is no longer any opportunity for man to change his course, or retrace his steps, the vials which contain destruction for the wicked, are placed in the hands of the angels by one of the four living creatures, representing man in the court of heaven. Man is judged by fellow-man, and the universe proclaims the justice of the law of God. Christ steps out; the temple is left to the Father alone. "The thresholds moved at the voice of Him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." The seven angels await the command of Jehovah. The closing work of earth is about to begin. [7]
Questions for Study
- Of what has inspiration given us a vivid description? Why cannot human language describe it? What is the New Jerusalem called? Where is it located?
- Between what two periods did Christ minister in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary? Where was the lamb slain?
- When did the two thousand three hundred days of Dan. 8:14 end? What does the tenth chapter of Revelation make known? What began when Christ entered the most holy apartment? How long will the judgment continue? When this work is over, what does Christ do and say? How many will then have heard the everlasting gospel?
- With whom will those in the last generation be numbered? What does Christ at this time cast upon the earth? What does He lay aside? What bursts forth in all its splendor?
- In what way did Christ minister in heaven? What was veiled? When Christ utters the triumphant shout, "It is finished," what takes place? How does this glory flash forth? When and how was this typified? Who then, with Christ, leaves the temple?
- What does John see standing before the altar? What was given to the seven angels? What is under the control of mighty angels? Who has had a partial control of these forces? Who now stands waiting the command of Jehovah?
- To whom does John now have his eyes turned? From where does this company come? While Christ and the angels are without the temple, who alone remains within? How do they pass the time of the plagues? What affect did the deliverance of Israel have upon the nations? What song did they sing?
- How did the sea of glass appear to John? What music is then heard? What song did they sing? What has Satan sought to do through all this controversy? Of what will he finally be convinced? What will he confess? Who finally pronounces his sentence? What does Christ then proclaim?
- In what condition are the wicked at this time? What is moved at the voice of God? What is about to begin?
Notes:
- After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Rev. 4:1-3. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not possible for a man to utter. (2 Cor. 12:4 margin; John 14:1-3; Rev. 21:9-10; Heb. 9:6)
- By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Heb. 9:12; Luke 1:9-10) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God ,and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Rev. 14:7) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Pet. 4:17) Behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me. (Eze. 9:11; Matt. 24:14) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Rev. 22:11; Rev. 7:1-4) The angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Rev. 8:5; Lev. 16:23; Isa. 6:1-4; Rev. 15:8; Ex. 40:34-35) It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 8:10-11)
- So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. (2 Chron. 5:14; 2 Tim. 2:5; Rev. 22:11-12) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24) Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. (Isa. 33:17) For our God is a consuming fire. (Heb. 12:29) Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. (Matt. 27:51-52) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (Rev. 14:10)
- The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. (Job 1:12-19) And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Rev. 15:1-2) I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (Rev. 14:1; Rev. 7:14; Isa. 61:2; Isa. 63:4) It came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. (Josh, 5:1; Ex. 15:1,21)
- And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee,O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. (Rev. 15:3-7; 2 Tim. 4:8) Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13-14; Rev. 15:3) Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isa. 26:19)
- So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:54-57) Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. (Isa. 44:23) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. (Phil. 2:10) And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (Rev. 15:8; Rev. 22:11-12)
- If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. (Eccl. 11:3) For in the hand of the Lord there is a cap, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. (Psa.75:8-9) For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth. (Psa. 102:19)