“Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Matthew 28:19,20
In the book of the Revelation, we find God taking John the Apostle on a heavenly journey. He opens heaven’s door and calls John to come up, and see specifically things that are going to occur in heaven and in earth. As yet, the church, that is, the body of Christ is still on earth in part. This is why Christ gives to John seven letters for the seven individual churches located in Asia Minor. After the letters are written, the Lord Jesus takes John to behold things in heaven, which would be coming. In chapter four of Revelation, we find the unveiling of the glory of God, as the Father is seated upon the throne of heaven. He is thus revealed to the greatest extent of man’s capacity to see and understand, for all that John sees is still perceived “…as through a glass darkly,” limited, and yet wonderfully unveiled. In that vision, John not only sees that which he has difficulty expressing concerning the Father upon the throne, but also, in grasping something of its importance and depth of meaning. It is then that he sees twenty four elders, clothed in white clothing with crowns of gold upon their heads. These are the representatives of believers of all ages, first those who were saved by faith under the Abrahamic covenant, and then, those who were saved by faith under the new covenant, in the precious blood of Christ. All have come to be there because of saving faith, and their perceived knowledge of God as Savior, in Christ, the hope of the world. This is important to see, as the presence of these representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve apostles, declare the immense blessing and privilege it is to have been saved eternally, and given a place of worship that is beyond measure, in close proximity to the Father and the Son.
In the fifth chapter of Revelation, we see John beholding the slain Lamb of God, and in his description he writes, “…having seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (v.6) It is here that we come face to face with extraordinary, worldwide ministry of the Spirit for the souls of men. As on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all flesh, so here the picture of these seven Spirits of God, are sent forth into all the earth. Yes, they speak of the omniscience of God, for they see all. The Spirit of God in the Trinity is omniscient. After this scene in heaven, we find the response of worship of the Lamb, and the singing of a new song concerning the worth of this singular, and blessed Lamb, who was slain. It is then that there is the proclamation of the multitude of the redeemed before the throne, for they declare to the Lamb: “…Thou…hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (v.9) Here is the fulfillment of Christ’s objective to have proclaimed throughout the world His glorious gospel, and the result of such a work revealed in the salvation of an innumerable multitude before His throne.
So then, what does this mean to us today? What is the significance of this knowledge of that which is coming, a message designed for the church in the last days? It means first that the church has not come to the point of where “…time shall be no more,” and the night has come before the dayspring of God has been revealed in His glory. It means therefore that now is the time to seek the face of God for the fulness of the Spirit of God, the fulness of the knowledge of His will, and the fulness of His strength and power.
Dear Father, Strengthen us wonderfully today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.