Hi
@Complete,
Great to chat with you. Now I haven`t heard of that before, re: Revelation not to do with the Body of Christ. Just for my info (as I don`t want to derail the thread) what about the 7 Churches in Rev. 2 & 3 & the 24 Elders? Who do you believe they are?
All the best, Marilyn.
Hello
@Marilyn C,
I am at present reading through the minor prophets, in order to better understand the book of Revelation. However, because I get caught up and captured by details, I tend to take a long time. I have studied the book of Revelation, but not for some time.
You ask me what I believe concerning the identity of
the 7 Churches and the 24 Elders. Briefly, I will just say that I believe that there will be a people for God on the earth during these eventful years, which are set in.
'the day of the Lord.' There will be the remnant of believing Israelites; the 144,000 sealed ones; the great multitude; and other faithful ones who are referred to throughout the book (
eg., chaps 7,11,12 and 17; in chapter seventeen we can read of, 'the remnant of her [the woman's seed], which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ).
These all need special instruction, warning and encouragement, and chapters 2 and 3 provide much of that in the epistles to the seven churches. I believe that these churches (
or assemblies) will exist, in that day ('
the day of the Lord'); being future assemblies of Jewish believers on the earth, after the Church has been taken. They will be able to understand what we now find great difficulty in comprehending, in this
'Testimony of Jesus Christ'.
The People of the book are described as
'servants', whereas, Paul's epistles are addressed to '
Sons'. For though the members of the Body of Christ are, in a certain sense servants of Christ, yet that is not their standing before God (Gal. 4:7). Whereas God's people, Israel, are constantly spoken of as His 'Servants'. The book of Revelation is sent to them specifically in chapter 1. v.1, and is the title used of the people who are the subjects of the book over 14 times.
Regarding the Elders. (Revelation 4:24). I believe these elders to be the heads of the heavenly priesthood (Isaiah 37:2; Jeremiah 19:1), upon which pattern the priesthood on earth was formed (1 Chron. 24:3-5; 1 Chronicles 28:11-13, 19; Hebrews 8:5; and 9:23). Temple worship was modelled on that worship which is carried out in heaven. These twentyfour elders are the princely leaders, rulers and governors of Heaven's worship (they are Kings and Priests). They were not, and are not, nor will be, the Church which is His Body.
They are not the '
redeemed' for they distinguish between themselves and those who are redeemed (Revelation 5:9,10). They are heavenly (unfallen) beings, and therefore are arrayed in white robes. They speak of creation (Revelation 4:8-11), they sing of redemption (5:8-14) to them, a new song. One of them speaks to John (7:13-17) as though separate from both John and the great multitude. They offer in Revelation 5:8 (the prayers of the saints), so they are priests ministering for others. Is this the work of the Church which is the Body of Christ? (see 2 Chron. 5:11-14).
There is no way that I can do justice to either subject here, it needs careful study, and time taken over every aspect, doesn't it? I just hope that this is clear and to the point.
Thank you for your response, and request, Marilyn.
I praise God for your manner, and approach
You would have been a good teacher I think.
In Christ Jesus
Chris