Revelation Vision 3. Christ the Mediator. (ch. 8 & 9)

Marilyn C

Marilyn C

The predominant aim of revelation, I believe, is the setting forth of the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person. I also see that there are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realms. We are looking at Vision 3 in this section.

VISION 1. CHRIST – HEAD OF THE BODY. (Rev. 1 – 3)

This reveals the empowered Son of Man as the Sovereign Administrator.

` in His right hand He held seven stars.`


VISION 2. CHRIST – HEIR OF THE NATIONS. (Rev. 4 – 8: 1)

This reveals the enthroned Son of Man as the Supreme Executor.

`in His right hand He held the seven sealed scroll.`



VISION 3. CHRIST - MEDIATOR OF GOD`S COVENANT. (Rev. 8: 2 – 13)

This reveals the exalted Son of Man as the Stately Mediator in His official capacity as the Executor, Redeemer & Governor.

`in His hand is a sacred censor.`


The Lord Jesus Christ is, as we well know, the one Mediator between God & Man.

`For there is one God & one mediator between God & men, the man Christ Jesus.` (1 Tim. 2: 5)


However we may think of this only in terms of interceding for man. But a Mediator has to represent both sides. So for man there is need of an intercessor, while on God`s behalf there needs to be restitution (pay back) for those at enmity with Him, plus remuneration (reward) for those who turn to Him.


Marilyn.
 
This is a true story by a missionary (Sir John Alexander Clarke) in the former Belgium Congo. It has helped me to understand what a mediator`s full responsibility is.

The missionary had completed the translation of the New Testament into the Kiluba language, but was far from satisfied with the word he had used to convey the idea of advocate.

“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.` (1 John 2: 1)

His quest for a more suitable word than sanga, which implied comforter, & referred to a mother`s breast in relation to her child, continued for over two years. The day arrived when he reached the capital city of the Mulonga territory, & the king, hearing of the white man`s arrival, came out to meet him, clad in beautiful leopard skins. After a friendly greeting Sir John (missionary) was escorted to the king`s residence & while he was seated in the throne room, a significant looking character entered, & after receiving his orders for the day, departed.

When he had left the room the king referred to him as Nsenga Mukwashi, & Sir John asked, “What did you say was his name?” The king repeated the words & added, “That is not his name, but his office.” “Then what does he do?” was the eager inquiry. The answer was of much interest to the missionary.

“As you know, I am a great king & am anxious to see that justice is done for all my people. The cases requiring attention are too numerous for me to listen to by myself, so my Nsenga Mukwashi does the interviewing & presents concisely the main facts of the case to me, & I give my verdict & issue a decision.”

‘ May I go to the outpost at the entrance of the city & see him at work?” asked the missionary. ”You are quite free to go,” answered the king. So Sir John arose & was given an escort to take him to the lookout station, from whence it was possible to scan the vast open spaces of the veldt. After a brief conversation the advocate said, “Three women are coming, one is old, the two younger are accompanying her.”

Sir John thought his sight was good, but when he placed his hand above his eyes to peer across the plain, he could see what appeared to be three dots in the far distance, but it was utterly impossible to determine whether they were men or women. Then the advocate said he would hear & know the case by the time they arrived at the city limits. When they arrived near Sir John saw with the King`s representative an elderly woman & two younger women. On reaching the city entrance the group started to return to the royal residence. While enroute the elderly woman said to the official,

“Where are you taking me?”
“I am taking you to meet the great king,” said he.
“Do not do that,” she replied.
“Why not?’
“Because I am old & timid & would become speechless in the king`s presence.”
“ There is no need for you to speak,” said he, “I have heard the whole matter & I shall speak for you.”

On arrival at the palace they entered the throne room. The king immediately turned his attention to his advocate, who briefly explained the case. The husband of the old woman had died & three of the neighbors were endeavoring to wrest the compound from the widow & eject her from the hut.

After hearing the report, the king`s eyes flashed a fiery glance & he commanded the widow & her companions to be cared for, & after a day`s rest, to be escorted back to their village with necessary provisions for the three day`s journey. He also ordered a group of guards to go to the scene, arrest the culprits & bring them to the capital for sentence.

Sir John said it was worth waiting the two years to see enacted so dramatically the very task of advocacy for which he had sought an apt word to use in his translation of the New Testament.


Marilyn.
 
Throughout the book of Revelation we see the various items & activities that were associated with the Tabernacle. These are the earthly representations of a heavenly reality. God uses them to show us Christ ministering as High Priest in the heavenly realm.

In Vision 3 we see a further unveiling of Christ, the Great High Priest. He is mediating in the heavenly realms, interceding for His people, Israel. We are given a glimpse of His angelic form in His Priesthood, as He offers up His people`s prayers before executing the judgements upon the earth.

Christ is supremely suitable as Mediator. His moral merit assures continual intercession for Israel & all who turn to Him.

`...now He (Christ) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant....

`This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel.... I will put My laws in their mind & write them on their hearts; & I will be their God, & they shall be My people.` (Heb. 8: 6, 10)


Marilyn.
 
The setting in Revelation ch. 8 is a pictorial representation of the Day of Atonement. This was the one day of the year in Israel that the atoning blood was brought into the Holy of Holies, by the High Priest as representative of the people of Israel.

The High Priest made atonement for `all the iniquities of the children of Israel & all their transgressions in all their sins.` (Lev. 14: 21) Atonement was first made for the priest because the mediator between God & His people had to be ceremonially clean. The sanctuary was also cleansed, for it too, was ceremonially defiled by the presence & ministration of sinful men.

So, the High Priest, after filling his censer with live coals from the altar, (outside) then entered the Holy of Holies where he placed incense on the coals. The incense sent forth a cloud of smoke over the mercy seat, which served as a covering for the ark of the covenant.

The High Priest then took some of the blood of the bullock & sprinkled it on the mercy seat & on the ground in front of the ark. This he did also with the blood of the goat. All these offerings could never take away the nations sin, for it was Christ`s atoning blood that will atone for the nation of Israel.

`Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants, & render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land & His people.` (Deut. 32: 43)

Marilyn.
 

We are now shown the details of the Lord functioning in His Mediatorial Office – interceding for Israel & also bringing judgment upon the rebellious nations. The seven trumpets of God are about to sound, God`s declarations of the judgements to follow.

`I saw seven angels who stand before God, & to them were given seven trumpets.` (Rev. 8: 2)

However before that happens we are given the wonderful vision of the Lord at the golden altar showing His office as the one worthy to mediate for His people -interceding & also to execute the judgements upon the rebellious.

The Lord is portrayed as an `Angel` to show that this is the heavenly sanctuary, however no angel can ever officiate in the heavenly sanctuary. Only Christ Jesus is worthy to be the High Priest who gave His blood for atonement for sins.

`Then another angel, having a golden censer; came & stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.`(Rev. 8: 3)

The golden altar in the earthly temple was before the ark of God. It had a crown of gold at the top into which was placed God`s fire from the sacrificial altar outside. These symbolise the kingship of Christ with His priestly ministry of intercession. It was from this golden altar that the High Priest burnt the special incense, & then he went into the Holy of Holies to obtain atonement for Israel.

`And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel`s hand.` (Rev. 8: 4)

Note how the `incense,` comes from the `angel`s hand.` This is a pictorial representation of Christ`s pure & holy character, the life that was a sweet smelling fragrance to God.

Christ gave `Himself....an offering & a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.`(Eph. 5: 2)

Christ has become the Great High Priest that forever lives to make intercession for all who turn to Him from their sin.

Christ `...because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7: 24 & 25)

Marilyn.
 
When the High priest of Israel, took the blood & incense with the coals of fire into the Holy of Holies, he had to sprinkle them on the ground before the ark of God`s presence. This `sprinkling` of the blood & fire was done seven times. (Lev. 16: 13 & 14)

This represents Christ as the Eternal High Priest taking God`s Holy fire & beginning to execute God`s righteous judgments.

`Then the angel took the censer; filled it with fire from the altar, & threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thundering, lightnings, & an earthquake.` (Rev. 8: 5)

The voice of God goes out in `noises & thundering.` `Rule in the midst of Your enemies!`

`The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength. “Rule in the midst of Your enemies!...”. He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the Nations.` (Ps. 110: 2, 5 & 6)

Christ Himself, declared that He desired to send fire to the earth.

`I came to send fire on the earth, & how I wish it were already kindled!` (Luke 12: 49)

But this `fire` is not only for judgment, it also has a purifying effect.

`Who can endure the day of His coming?... For He is like a refiner`s fire...He will sit as a refiner & a purifier ...to purify the sons of Levi..Return to Me & I will return to you.` (Mal. 3: 2 & 3, 7)


Throughout the tribulation, & the time of God`s wrath, we see that God is preparing Israel to receive their Messiah. He calls them to repent & turn again to Him.

`”Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, & with mourning.”` (Joel 2: 12)


Marilyn.
 
I believe that the 7 Trumpets are God`s call to repentance & for judgment.

`Then the angel took the censer; filled it with fire from the altar, & threw it to earth.....So the 7 angels who had the 7 trumpets prepared themselves to sound.` (Rev. 8: 5 & 6) (Note: 7 means completion, fulfilment.)

The time for the purification of Israel & judgment upon the Nations has come. Note the blowing of the trumpets was a priestly activity & thus we see Christ the High Priest controlling this from the heavenly sanctuary. It was only when Christ, depicted as the angel, threw the fire to the earth, that the 7 angels prepared to sound. Only Christ has been given the power to execute the judgments. (John 5: 22)

The first four trumpet calls are during the early part of the tribulation & affect a third of the earth, the sea, the water & the stars. This would bring about great hardship of famine, lack of fresh water, & great fear. Now we can see why the great multitude from the tribulation, died of hunger, thirst & heat. However we see that they heard `the trumpet call,` (as it were) & repented before God. (Rev. 7: 16)


The 7 Trumpets

The 1st Trumpet sounded - (great heat & famine)

`& there came hail & fire, mixed with blood... & a third of the earth,... trees & ....green grass was burnt up.` (Rev.8: 7)


The 2nd Trumpet sounded - (Tsunami ? & sickness & death)

`& something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, & a third of the sea became blood, & a third of the creatures...died...& a third of the ships were destroyed.` (Rev. 8: 8 & 9)


The 3rd Trumpet sounded - (poison & thirst)

`& a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, & it fell on the rivers & on the springs of waters; ...& the waters became.... bitter, ` (Rev. 8: 10 & 11)


The 4th Trumpet sounded - (darkness & cold)

`a third of the sun...moon....& stars were smitten, so that a third of them might be darkened...` (Rev. 8: 12)


Marilyn.
 
The Middle of the Tribulation

The next three trumpets, I believe, take place from the middle of the tribulation to the end. They are the 5th, 6th & 7th trumpets. These are so terrible that they are referred to as `woes.`

`And I looked & I heard.....a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels..` (Rev. 8: 13)

In the middle of the Tribulation Satan and His angels are cast out of the universal heavens, to the earth. Their power is becoming more & more confined. On earth the people have acclaimed a World leader to rule over them. Although he appears to be a great Mediator, he is in fact a ruthless dictator, possessed by Satan. (Rev. 12: 9 & 13: 5)

The effect of Satan & his demonic angels infesting the earth brings great terror upon the world. Not only is there more physical darkness as the luminaries wane, but now there is a great spiritual darkness overcoming mankind.

The 5th trumpet signals this first `woe,`

`...and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun & the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth.`(Rev. 9: 2 & 3)

These `locusts,` are actually the demons that have been loosed from the pit & then swarm as locusts over the earth tormenting those who are not sealed of God. They paralyse people with a sting like a scorpion, & the pain is so great, people would rather die but they are unable to, as they cannot move or call out. It is a taste of hell but still they do not repent.

The demon`s leader, Satan, is called Apollyon, meaning – destroyer, and his intent to destroy much of mankind & set himself as Ruler, King of the world.

`they had a king over them the angel of the bottomless pit whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.` (Rev. 9: 11)

The symbolic description of the demon, `locusts,` show their war-like intent, deceptive character & horrendous torment.

`The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle: (war - like) & on their heads, as it were, crowns like gold, (false authority) ..faces ...like... men, (evil intent) hair like women`s... (deceptive) teeth like lion`s... (devouring) breastplates of iron, (seemingly invincible) & the sound of their wings ... like ..many horses running into battle. (fearful) & there were stings (like scorpions) in their tails.` (paralysing pain & torment)(Rev. 9: 7 – 10)

Marilyn.
 
When the 7th trumpet sounds then the mystery of God is finished. It heralds a great earthquake, Armageddon, & the Lord`s return in power & glory.

`...in the days of the sounding of the 7th angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as he declared to his servants the prophets.` (Rev. 10: 7)

Thus the 7 trumpets, God`s judgments upon the earth, give us the overview of that tribulation period. Then we are able to position the different details & events that God gives to us, further in revelation.

Marilyn.
 
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