"The things that are," concerning which John was told to write, are the churches. Out of all the congregations of Christians then in existence seven are chosen for these special letters. While they are, of course, of the same "faith and order," yet no two of them present the same conditions. They are no doubt singled out because of their suitableness as types, respectively, of the seven periods of church history, viz., the apostolic, the period of the persecutions, the rise of ecclesiasticism, the papacy, the rise of denominationalism, the restoration, and the final state of apostasy. Five of these periods have passed, the sixth is on and doubtless closing. Unmistaken signs that the final stage of apostasy, the Laodicean age, is drawing on are to be seen on every hand. The more closely the letter to Laodicea is studied, the more clearly it is seen to represent the most modern religious trend and spirit. True there is apostasy to be seen in other letters, but the salt does not utterly lose its savor, the "falling away" (II Thes. 2:3) is not complete, until we reach Laodicea. This "last days" apostasy and the "perilous times" that go with it are more fully treated in II Timothy, 3rd ch. and their proximity to the coming of Jesus and the removal of the "man of sin's" restraint is set forth in the second chapter of Second Thessalonians. To Philadelphia the Lord says: "Behold, I come quickly." Surely, we are living in the last days and should be making supplication that we may prevail to escape the things that shall come upon the earth and to stand before the son of man. See Luke 21:25-36. If we are true Philadelphians we shall be saved from that great tribulation (Rev. 3:10). The manner of our escape is set forth in I Thes. 4:15-17. It is well prefigured by Lot's snatching away from Sodom and by Enoch's and Elijah's translation, "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (I Cor. 15:51). Then shall come to pass Jesus' saying: "Two men shall be working in the field, one shall be taken and the other left." "Two men shall be sleeping in one bed, one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill, one shall be taken and the other left." The one in each case is such as can claim the promise in Rev. 3:10 [15] and gives heed to the Savior's admonition in Luke 21:28. The other is of that vast number upon whom "that day" shall come as a snare (Luke 21:35). Spewed-out Laodicea, soon to be absorbed by "Mystery Babylon," shall have poured out upon her wrath to the uttermost.

      Surely, dearly beloved, it is vitally important that we have eyes to see and hearts to understand the above things and have ears to hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

      Literally, after these things, that is, the things depicted in Part Two (chapters 2 and 3) which covers the whole of the church age. The order of John's prophecy corresponds with the order in which events shall come. Chapter 4 begins with the words: "After these things." The church is no more mentioned in the earth scenes.

      (1) What does John see after the things of chapters 1, 2 and 3?

      (2) What invitation does he receive?

      (3) What is John's view-point from this time on, from earth or heaven?

      (4) The first vision to meet his eyes after John was caught up was earthly or heavenly?

      (5) Describe the vision.

      (6) This has been called the throne chapter. Why?

      (7) Compare vision in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6.

      (8) Who is the central figure in this scene? Note the relation of all else to the central figure.

      (1) What fact is made prominent as the occasion of the worship in chapter 4?

      (2) What does chapter 5 add to the picture?

      (3) What is the occasion of John's weeping? What is it that is so vital? How was John relieved?

      (4) This has been called the Lamb chapter. Why?

      (5) What is it that qualifies Jesus to receive and open the book?

      (6) What occurs when He takes the book?

      (7) What song is sung? What is its theme? Who sing it? Commit verses 9 and 12 and speak to God through them. [16]

      Let us now make a closer study of chapters 4 and 5. Re-read chapter 4 and get the full benefit of the picture it gives, and chapter 5 for what it adds to the picture. Ask God to give you a deeper insight as you re-read. Give your soul time to drink into the spirit of the whole scene. John is given the vision and here pictures beforehand what we shall literally see and enjoy if we will be God's true children. It is a scene in heaven but not such as has ever been--not such as Enoch saw when he was caught up, nor Elijah. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb which had been slain could not then have been seen. The elders were not there, nor was the song of the redeemed sung then; in fact, not yet, for even those redeemed from sin groan within themselves, waiting for their adoption, to-wit, the redemption of the body (Rom. 8:23). God's people have not been redeemed as yet from the grave. The angel is showing John things to be hereafter and so we can look forward to the glorious time here described, when the Lord shall have come and received us unto Himself that where He is there we may be also. And in our new bodies fashioned like unto His glorious body, we shall join in the glad new song of redemption with which the heavens shall reverberate again and again, when tongues of men and of angels blend in one gladsome shout of praise "unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb." The four living ones shall say "Amen," and the four and twenty elders shall fall down and worship. O, it will be a glorious time! How our happy hearts will quiver, and our eyes shed tears of joy! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

      Dear Christian, dwell upon this joyous heavenly scene. By faith put yourself there where you expect by God's grace to be. Meditate upon it till your breast heaves, your heart beats faster and your eyes overflow. Those who are pure in heart are capable of this. Choose an appropriate time and place. For some it may be early in the morning, for others in beholding a glorious sunset. Others still may get into the spirit of it best in midnight hours when earth is still and the "heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork." You are not ready to pass from these chapters until you have felt your soul well up toward God and have shed a few tears of holy joy. Read these two chapters on your knees. Do. It will bring you rich returns. And now may the communion of the Holy Spirit abide with you for evermore. Maranatha. [17]

["Studies in Revelation." Word and Work 8 (March 1915): 15-17.]

      The electronic version of Stanford Chambers' "Studies in Revelation" (Chapters 4-5. Lessons X-XII.) has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1915.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 15:     (I Cor. 15:54). [ (I Cor. 15:51).
 p. 16:     open the book. [ open the book?
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 12 February 2002.
Updated 28 June 2003.