Reading Circle Study by Stephen N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1900

Reading Circle Study.

By Stephen N. Haskell

S. N. H.

The fifth chapter of Revelation is a further development of what John saw in the heavenly sanctuary. There was a scroll written within and without, and sealed with seven seals. It revealed the future history of the internal struggles of God's people with the external influences which shaped their experiences, even to the great day of God's wrath.

The prophetic eye ran through heaven and earth in search of some one who was worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof. A loud voice rang through all the worlds, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” No angel or unfallen being in the universe was worthy to unfold the events of the future. The purchase of Christ's blood is more precious in God's sight than the most exalted angel in glory.

There was but One. It was he whose whole plan to rescue fallen humanity was mapped out before him, perfect in all its details. It was he who fully knew the history of the world to the end of time, “before whom the mysteries of the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds the accomplishment of his own purposes of love and blessing.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, page 43. Acts 15 : 18. He prevailed to open the book, and reveal the future. Isa. 41 : 20–29.

Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root and the offspring of David, the strength of the animal and vegetable kingdom, had entered into a covenant with the Father, of which the rainbow was a token. He connected earth and heaven by taking fallen humanity, and giving his own blood for our redemption. He saved us, and called us “according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Tim. 1 : 9, 10. God's great heart of love broke when he saw in the first bleeding lamb the death of his Son; and from that time, every prayer of a truly penitent soul has brought before him, in the midst of his throne of angels, his Son as a bleeding Lamb whose blood was spilled for an atoning sacrifice—“slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13 : 8; Leviticus 4.

The throne of God is a living, movable throne, composed of angels. Eze. 1 : 24–28. In the midst of these angels are the four living creatures, and the four and twenty elders who were redeemed by the blood of Christ out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. They were of the multitude of captives raised at his resurrection (Matt. 27 : 50–53), and they ascended with Christ (Eph. 4 : 8), heralded by the angels, who cried out, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The angels who were in the city also cried out, with joy, “Who is this King of glory?” Then those who had escorted Christ to the gates of the heavenly city answered, in triumph, “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24.

“Those favored, resurrected saints came forth glorified. They were chosen and holy ones of every age, from creation down even to the days of Christ.” They “differed in stature and form, some being more noble in appearance than others.” They ascended with Christ as trophies of his victory over death and the grave. Christ presented them to the Father, saying that they were no longer the captives of Satan. “I have redeemed them,” he said; “I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of my power, to be with me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow.” They were a sample of the general resurrection of the righteous. It shows to the believer that death is but a small matter. See Spiritual Gifts, in “Early Writings,” pages 52, 53, 58, 59; also “The Desire of Ages,” small edition, pages 942–945, 1000, 1001; Matt. 27 : 52, 53; Eph. 4 : 8.

But these are not idle spectators in the courts of glory; for, “having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints,” they offer these to Christ, who presents them with holy incense. “This holy incense is the merits and intercession of Christ, his perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to his people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God.” See Ps. 141 : 2; Phil. 4 : 18; Acts 10 : 31; Eph. 5 : 2; Heb. 6 : 10.

When the words of Christ and the confessions and prayers of God's people ascend from persons upon earth, Jesus offers them to his Father, in unison with these four living creatures, who present them to Christ; and when all the prayers are offered, “the account is cut short in righteousness.” Rom. 9 : 28; Rev. 8 : 3–5. Then comes the loud cry of the Third Angel's Message. There will then be many who will accept the message of the third angel, and unite their voices with those who first gave the warning; and these honored God by observing his sanctified rest-day. See “Early Writings,” Spiritual Gifts, pages 118, 115; also “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 326, 330, 331, 345; “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 160; Vol. V, page 174.

As the prayers and thanksgiving to God ascend through the righteousness and merits of Christ, the many angels that are around about the throne join in saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And 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,” join in the grand chorus, “saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth forever and ever.” Rev. 5 : 12–14.

It is a song with three parts, —the first part sung by those redeemed by the blood of Christ; the second part by the angelic throng; while the third part is sung by every fallen and unfallen being in the universe. Most glorious scene! Shall you and I join in that anthem of praise? May God grant it for his name's sake.