One of the introductory visions in the Book of Revelation is written in chapters 4 and 5 that the Lord Almighty is the one seated on the heavenly throne. The vital theme of chapters 4 and 5 is the own vivid and personal experience of the prophet. It implies that the statement has the element of truth and it has the substance of apocalyptic declaration that is totally associated with the life of the visionary individuals to the present generation of believers. However, at some point, the visionary process separates from the conscious or subconscious imagery of human thinking. It needs a sort of adjustment for the personal experience, especially the prophetic intuition as it reaches to the present period. The capacity of the prophets who have seen the vision is a unique characteristic compared to the human mind that functions regularly. The declaration of the Revelation requires the human mind to apply the effective approaches to discover what lies beyond the truth of the early Christian worship. The respective scholars in the Seventh-day Adventist have divided opinions, whether the Revelation chapters 4 and 5 are an inauguration of Christ after His ascension or a judgment ministry of Christ of His heavenly sanctuary. Accordingly, Richard Davidson, Jon Paulien, and Ranko Stefanovic believed that the chapter 4 and 5 presented the inauguration of Christ while R. Dean Davis, Alberto R. Treiyer, and Mario Veloso believed that it portrayed the pre-advent judgment of Christ. As written in the Book of Revelation chapter 4, it says, “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” Rev. 5:1-2 (New International Version). It demonstrates that it is the God the Father on the throne with the scroll in His right hand. Also, the Book of Revelation says, “And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Rev. 5:9 (New International Version). The last verse presents that Christ is the only one who is worthy to open the seals of the scroll. In view of the statements, the two chapters have one significant exception as the most extended body of literature of its kind; it is the five hymns written in chapters 4:8, 4:11, 5: 9-10, 5: 12, and 5: 13, respectively. The verses are closely interconnected because they are sung by the heavenly beings and chanted by the entire earthly creation. It confirms that there is a structure of valid reference for the readers and believers of the Book of Revelation. Similarly, in the history of the Revelation of the church of John provides most of the stirring hymns and the Apocalypse of John is the most liturgical book written in the New Testament. It shows that the visions of the hymns are composed by John for the literary placement within the apocalypse. The two chapters draw the entire attention of the heavenly worship; the heavenly liturgy plays the lead with its definitive role in Revelation. Considering the beginning of the vision, the message functions as a remarkable portal of the apocalypse as it leads the readers and believers to see the heavenly realities.
Regarding the visions, scholars generally noticed two difficulties; First, the verse “I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside” Rev. 5:4 (New International Version) and second, the verse “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth,” Rev. 5: 6 (New International Version). However, the first difficulty when the vision is properly understood, then it does not exist while the second vision can be easily be cleared through little changes in the text. Specifically, the first vision deals with the real vision that needs no strict logical constancy; however, the element of originality should never be neglected. Evidently, there are strange things happen in a dream, thus, criticism of the contents of a dream is not necessary because the dream does not present the consistency of its details. It brings order and originality when an individual attempts to interpret to another individual what he has seen in a certain vision. In addition, the contents of the vision do not necessarily have to be related similarly in order or exactly the same in its emphasis. Many of the encountered difficulties of the scholars viewed the particular vision, yet vanished as they draw the image that the prophet had seen in his vision.
The statement written in the two chapters, whether the vision is a judgment or an inauguration need more clarity. Certain points affirm that the triumphant worship and praise are the dominate representation in Revelation 4 and 5. As a matter of comparison in order to differentiate what is judgment and inauguration, the Book of Daniel can be a way to see clearly the basis. It says “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7: 9-10 (New International Version). The passages demonstrate a judgment outlook since many have attended to witness the opening of the books in the court. Directly, it contradicts in Revelation 5 wherein there is only one book that is sealed. The linguistic codes are necessary, particularly in the contextual information in order to identify the real scenario conveyed in Revelation 4 and 5. On the other hand, basis to prove that the Revelation 4 and 5 are an inauguration needs precise declaration. It is important to consider that Revelation 4 and 5 is the inauguration of Christ as King after His ascension. The sanctuary structure of the vision corresponds the earthly and heavenly place of safety. The two chapters have its fundamental explanation to those who see Christ in the most holiest place and rightfully show the throne is located in the most holiest place in the earthly sanctuary. The vision of the throne written in Revelation 4 and 5 also is located in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. As it is written “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.” Rev. 4:1-2 (New International Version).
On the other hand, in the literary context, as the hymns are interconnected in chapter 4 and 5, it describes the heavenly worship and its nature. It further demonstrates how the content is being understood considering the functions, backgrounds, and earthly struggle of the faithful community and the divine forces between bad and evil. Most scholars interpret the hymns and reveal closely the interconnection in the liturgical action of the worship scene relating to the entire apocalypse’s messages. As written in chapter 5, it says, “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” Rev. 5:13 (New International Version). It is God’s plan that the whole creation has been revealed in Revelation chapter 4 and the Book of Revelation says that “And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Rev. 5:9-10 (New International Version). Correspondingly, the verses explained the how it has brought the throne through the true meaning of the cross, which is the salvation. It implies that the texts on its rhetorical strategy desire to make purification and transformation. Thus, salvation has reached every individual from the different part of the world through worship and admiration of the creator.
Particularly, the scripture says “In a loud voice they were saying: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Rev. 5:12 (New International Version). It affirms the ultimate praises that come straight away after the ascension and everyone waited to sing the word of praises. However, Christ held back and He requested to have a word with the Father. Despite the questions that are asked repeatedly in the minds of the angels and beings, they never asked the reasons, instead they praised God as an opportunity to worship Him. The structure and central theme of the two chapters are designated by the prophet’s new songs of worship. It constitutes the major part of the new songs that have the emphasis of the God’s redemption that appears in the Scripture. In the same way, the songs are intended to the Glory of God that simply expressed the vision as written both in form and content of the texts.
The significant prayers of thanksgiving show the meaning and purpose of the creation of God, especially the sense of worth to help humankind. Both the hymns and prayers to God that bind all the people universally and saved by His blood of salvation. The prophets declared that not a soul in heaven or on earth is able to open the scroll and read it, only the Slain Lamb can. In means that the scripture written in the Book of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is divine in accordance with the interpretations through Jesus Christ. The two chapters introduced the throne of the Father and it clearly demonstrates that Christ has the authority to guide the entire humanity and the Church. Thus, the early Christian community praise and worship God through preaching and good conduct through Jesus Christ, who provided the entire nations the true understanding of the what is truly means of the visions.
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