When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. (Rev 6:9-11 NKJ)

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. (Gen 4:9-10 NKJ)

This would have been a powerful reminder to John’s readers as it brought back to memory those that had lost their life for the sake of the gospel. They were under the altar, the place of sacrifice and close to God, but were they the only ones there? What about those of other Abrahamic faiths that had given their life for their faith in God? When we read Genesis and the blood of Abel crying out from the ground, we need to realize that the shedding of all innocent blood and the taking of life is an offence to  God and one demanding vengeance.

Fifty-two times in the Bible, somebody is asking the question, “how long?” In the Revelation text, I am not sure that God will avenge their blood because they have been martyred for their faith. I say that because being a witness (martas) and picking up one’s cross daily was and is an everyday reality and an expectation of the Christian faith.  How long Lord? Perhaps it will come when the earth has had it’s fill of innocent blood.  Those aborted in clinics, innocent bystanders killed on the streets by gangs, children killed in our schools because we fail to provide adequate mental health care, casualties of a war that they never asked for and those that lie dead on our sidewalks shot by those that should protect us. How long is a question I find myself asking the Lord more and more each day?

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev 6:1-8 NKJ)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Gen 1:1-2 NKJ)

The absence of God creates a void, a godless place into which two things appear.  First, the absence of God allows evil to be present, the prince of the power of the air. (Eph 2:2 NKJ) Second we find the judgements of God that are released because of man’s disobedience, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:” (Deu 28:15 NKJ) God’s plan is not destruction but redemption. The hope that despair will drive people back to God.

The White horse bent on conquest with arrows in hand, the Red horse of war and conflict, the Black horse of famine, with the Pale horse following behind.  Remember, the devil didn’t open these seals, it was the Lamb slain and only the Lamb that was found worthy.

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”  And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Rev 5:4-6 NKJ)

The redemption process is not just about saving the few, the slain Lamb is the only one found worthy to redeem the whole world, including all of the creation that currently is groaning, waiting for the day of redemption.

We often forget that God will use whatever means necessary to achieve the final result, as we see in Habakkuk. Here in the Song of Moses, we can see the means at God’s disposal that he will use to redeem way would Israel—the same methods we see in the scroll and the seals.

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. (Deu 32:1-3 NKJ)

`I will heap disasters on them; I will spend My arrows on them.  They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, With the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within for the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs. (Deu 32:23-25 NKJ)

The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32) opens his discourse with heaven and earth summoned to hear what the poet is to utter. In brief the poem or song talks about God’s faithfulness and how he led the people into a promised land.  The people repaid God by being unfaithful and turning to idols. This lapse compelled God to threaten Israel with national disaster and almost with national extinction. It ends with God’s plan to bring the people back to him.

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. (Rev 4:1-2 NKJ)

John writes to the seven churches of Asia Minor that were under his pastoral care; he had a word from the Lord for them.  That word showed them:

1.      A distinctive character trait about the Lord.

2.      He knew them and the things they needed to correct.

3.      Their reward for the overcomer

Now the reader would get a glimpse of heaven through an open door.  Is this a physical door or just John’s way of depicting something that was once closed to him but is now open for him to see? John is still in the spirit (1:10) when an angelic being calls him to come up or come higher, immediately, he is in the presence of God. John isn’t the first to be caught up into the presence of God, Isaiah and Ezekiel both mention a heavenly experience. If John, Isaiah and Ezekiel saw what they did within their mortal limitations how much more will we experience when we to enter God’s presence?

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa 6:1-4 NKJ)

And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. (Eze 1:24-2:1 NKJ)

Did somebody mention Laodicea?

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, `These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. “Because you say, `I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’– and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Rev 3:14-20 NKJ)

The final church is Laodicea, self-righteous, self-sufficient and selfish.  They had need of nothing, not even God.  Their praise of their own achievements was so loud that they couldn’t hear the knocking on the door as the bridegroom came to court the bride.

If only they had asked the Lord and been listening to the Spirit, they would have realized that they are making God sick.  Sick not because they were godless, but sick because they were misrepresenting the Church by being lukewarm.  Jesus’ words—repent, change your ways and get on fire for God. Let him refine you and open that door and allow him to come in.

Going Deeper….

To promise “by one’s truth.” Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal, the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed (Deut. 28:30; Judg. 14:2, 8; Matt. 1:18-21). The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people (Hos. 2:19, 20).

Betrothal in Bible times required the man to call on the girls family along with his father. The potential suitor would knock at the door.  If the girl and her family were interested, then they would open the door, and the two families would sit down and share a meal. The young man would give the young woman either a gold ring, or some article of value, or a document in which he promised to marry her. Then he would say to her: “See by this ring [or this token] thou art set apart for me, according to the law of Moses and of Israel.” The difference between betrothal and marriage. The betrothal was not the same as the wedding. At least a whole year elapsed between the betrothal and the actual wedding. The wedding was more about consummation than anything else.

In today’s devotion, there were two verses that I didn’t want to leave dangling in mid-air, and I thought deserved further investigation if you wish to join in.

9 “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie– indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

At first glance it would seem that Jesus is going to make those in the synagogue of Satan worship before the Christians at Philadelphia, and yet we have scripture that warns us against giving worship to another being and/or receiving worship. “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus.  (Rev 19:10 NKJ) Actually, verse 9 is several verses mixed together. “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. (Isa 60:1-20 NKJ)  “Thus says the LORD: “The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, `Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God.'” (Isa 45:14 NKJ) “For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. (Isa 43:3-4 NKJ)

The synagogue of Satan were not the true Jews; they were like the modern day Zionists, that have no regard for God or Torah.  They will find themselves in the end being no better than gentiles, vindicating the true believers of Philadelphia.

12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (Rev 3:9-12 NKJ)

“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Rev 21:22 NKJ)

I don’t know what some people are reading, but the only symbolic temple is the life of a believer. (1 Cor 3:17; 6:19) There will be no actual temple.  When the Kingdom of God comes down and makes all things right, we will find our life in him.  In the meantime, we wait for his coming.  Philadelphia, the church that was described as having no strength or power now finds itself described as a pillar in the temple of God.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, `These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘ (Rev 3:1-6 NKJ)

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. (1Jo 3:14 NKJ)

A name says a lot about who you are; it can tell and person where you’re from, and even about your family.  A good name is important, in the old days, churches would usually bear the name of the denomination and the location.  Today, however, many churches have decided to use different names that mention something about the ministry therein. In London, our church was called ‘Living Waters Christian Fellowship.’ You might assume from the name that the church as Spirit-filled and that the Holy Spirit was moving in that ministry.  You would not have been disappointed. The other week we were in the supermarket and saw the name on a packet of fish, ‘Atlantic Cod,’ and the small print on the back said produce of China.  There’s something wrong with the name; it was deception.

The Sardis church had a name for being alive but inside was dead. All fizz and no substance, all shout but no Word, or as 1 John 3:14 suggests, no love for the brethren—I believe that God’s love is broader and more inclusive than some Christian want to believe.

Jesus was telling the church to:

1.      Wake up to what to the words of life you first received

2.      Stand fast

3.      Listen to the Holy Spirit.

These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: (Rev 2:1 NKJ)

These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: (Rev 2:8 NKJ)

These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: (Rev 2:12 NKJ)

It is so easy to think of these seven letters as the Lord scolding the Church, but in fact, it is just the opposite—Jesus loves the Church.  At the start of each letter Jesus introduces himself in a manner familiar to the reader.  So let’s look at the three churches we have mentioned this week.  To the church at Ephesus Jesus describes himself as the one who is firmly in control of his church, intimately involved and third, he is active in the Church, walking in the midst of the churches.  The church doesn’t operate in isolation; we’re connected, part of the wider body of Christ.

To Smyrna, he is the everlasting God, who was and is and is to come. In verse 18 of chapter one the focus is on his death, but here in chapter 2 the focus is on his resurrection and subsequent life, a life that is available to every believer—what a message of hope to the persecuted church at Smyrna.

To the third church Pergamum, he reminds them that he is the prophetic Word that cuts both ways.  The Word that deals with the world’s sin, but also transforms the believer.

We are in the world but not of the world.  If we are going to be effective, we need to make sure we don’t allow the world’s values to set the standard.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psa 95:6 NKJ)

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (Rev 5:8-9 NKJ)

Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. (Rev 5:14 NKJ)

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” (Rev 19:4 NKJ)

One of the most annoying habits these days in Christian worship is the incessant hand clapping or as the worship leader will call for a ‘hand clap of praise,’ as if God needs my affirmation or that I might be pleased with what he has done or is doing. When I read scripture I find time and time again, the people of God bowing down in his presence.  It does not matter who they are. Nobody can consider themselves God’s equal. Even Jesus, Paul tells us, “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Only one angelic being thought that he could be equal with God or better still, to be the one receiving the worship, and what he had was taken away, and he was cast out of heaven.

The Elders in John’s Revelation, who are seen around the throne of God fall down and worship, pipto, to prostrate oneself, to go from a high position to a low position. John’s vision in Revelation 5:12 is of ‘ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands’ prostrate saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:12 NKJ) Practice not too dissimilar to the Muslim practice of Salah.  It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of worship that is observed five times every day at prescribed times. In this ritual, the worshiper starts standing, bows, prostrates, and concludes while sitting on the ground. During each posture, the worshiper recites or reads certain verses, phrases and prayers, which is “reverent petitions made to God.” For the Muslim, preparation by washing and dress are an important part of their call to prayer.

Perhaps God is calling up to worship in a more reverent manner? Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psa 95:6 NKJ)