The Revelation of Jesus - The Mediator. (Vision 3. ch. 10 & 11)

[Marilyn C]

The predominant aim of revelation, I believe, is the setting forth of the splendors 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. Here is Vision 3 as I see it.

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.


Discussion: Christ`s work as Mediator.

What aspects of Christ`s work as Mediator do you see in Rev. 10 & 11 toward Israel?

 

 

Marilyn.



 

Edited July 27, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Marilyn C]

I see that Christ is now revealed to us as the great Mediator, the One who is the covenant between God & man, who gave His life to reconcile man back to God.

`For there is one God & one mediator between God & men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..` (1 Tim. 2: 5 & 6)


The word mediator refers to one who stands in the midst of two parties who are out of accord with each other, with the intent of bringing harmony through reconciliation.

Mediate – Gk. word `mesites,` meaning go-between, reconciler, intercessor, mediator.


God told Israel that He would make a New Covenant with them & that He would be merciful to them & turn their hearts back to Him.

`Behold the days are coming says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel .... I will be their God, & they shall be My people.`(Jer. 31: 31 & 33)


God also told Israel that He would send the `Messenger of the Covenant,` who would call them to repentance & purify their hearts.

“And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in who you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner`s fire & like fuller`s soap. He will sit as a refiner & a purifier of silver;..`(Mal. 3: 1 & 2)


This `Messenger of the covenant,` is the Lord who is the one who will intercede for Israel, watch over it & finally provide atonement for them.

`For the Lord will judge His people, & have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power is gone,... He will provide atonement for His land & His people.`(Deut. 32: 36 & 43)

 

 

Marilyn.


 

Edited July 26, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Marilyn C]

God said to Israel that He would send the Messenger of the Covenant to `purge them.` It will be a day that `burns like an oven.`

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, & all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the Lord of hosts, “ That will leave them neither root nor branch. But you who fear my name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings;....` (Malachi 4: 1 & 2)

Thus we see in Rev. 10, the fulfilment of God`s word to Israel to send this Messenger of the Covenant. It is the Lord Himself who is this heavenly Messenger with the message of the Covenant to bring reconciliation to the nation of Israel.

God uses highly symbolic pictures so that we can understand great spiritual truths. Thus the symbolic description of the mighty Messenger in Revelation 10.

Messenger – Greek word, `aggelos,` meaning to bring tidings, a messenger.

`And I saw `another,` (not the same as) mighty `aggelos,` Messenger, coming down from heaven clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on His head, His face was like the sun, & His feet like pillars of fire.` (Rev. 10: 1)

This is what I believe from God`s word, are the meaning of these symbols.

Cloud – God`s glory. (Ex. 40: 36)
Rainbow – The Covenant. (Gen. 9: 12 & 13)
Face as the Sun – Holiness. (Malachi 4: 2 Matt. 17: 2 Rev. 1: 16)
Feet like Pillars of fire – Judgment. (Rev. 1: 15)

This is not a literal picture, but an identification of Jesus Christ, that He is the Messenger of mercy & forgiveness. His `face like the sun,` shows that Christ reflects the glory of God in doing this wonderful work of Mediation. Then His feet were `as pillars of fire,` representing the refining & judging work Christ is about to do.

The scope of His mediative power & authority is Universal, & shown by the feet, on the land & sea. The `seven thunders` is the complete (7) judgment of God, (thunders). This was to be sealed up until the appointed time for its release when Christ returns in power & great glory at the end of the (great) tribulation.

`And He set His right foot on the sea & His left foot on the land, & cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. And when He cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, & do not write them.” (Rev. 10: 2 - 4)

 

 

Marilyn.



 

[Marilyn C]

Next we are shown, I believe, Christ`s great authority, not just in relation to earth but with heaven.

`And the messenger whom I saw standing on the sea & on the land lifted up His hand to heaven & swore by Him who lives forever & ever,....` (Rev. 10: 5 & 6)

Now why would Christ as the messenger swear by God?

`For when God made a promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself..... For men indeed swear by the greater, & an oath for confirmation. Thus God, determining to show ... the immutability (unchangeable) of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath....` (Heb. 6: 16 & 17)

This picture of the messenger swearing by God, is a representation of God Himself swearing by Himself, as He could not swear by anyone greater. It was to show that in Christ, God would fulfil the covenant promises He made to Israel.

God gave this picture to Moses also –

`Now see that I, even I am He, And there is no God besides Me;... For I raise My hand to heaven, & I say, “As I live forever,.....”` (Deut. 32: 39 & 40)

And again to the prophet Daniel –

`the man...who was above the waters...held up his.....hand to heaven, & swore by Him who lives forever,...` (Dan. 12: 7)


God confirms His symbols & pictures throughout His word, & they all make sense in relation to Christ & His wonderful work.

 

 

Marilyn.




 

[Marilyn C]

Christ, the Messenger declares that there should be delay no longer & that when the seventh angel is about to sound (the trumpet) then the mystery of God would be finished.

`...there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared it to His servants the prophets.` (Rev. 10: 7)

Thus we read that when the seventh angel is about to sound then the full revelation of what God declared to the prophets would be finished – that the kingdoms of the world would become the Lord`s.

`The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord & His Christ & He shall reign forever & ever!`(Rev. 11: 15)

Before this wonderful climax to the ages takes place certain events need to happen. Israel needs to turn back to God & the nations need to come under judgment. Thus the Lord gives the Apostle John the words of the prophecies declaring what is to come. This is represented by John having to `eat,` the little book.

`Go take the little book .....Take it & eat it; & it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.`(Rev. 10: 8 – 9)

The words were sweet like honey bringing a good message that the Messiah was coming to set up His kingdom. However the words were `bitter in his stomach` for if people did not repent there would be `lamentations, mournings & woes.`

`Then I took the little book out of the angel`s hand & ate it, & it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.` (Rev. 10: 10)

The prophet Ezekiel had a similar experience.

`a scroll of a book....& written on it were lamentations & mourning & woe. ....He caused me to eat that scroll.... So I ate, & it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness ....&..in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit.` (Ez. 2: 9 - 3: 4 & 14 )


Looking further in Revelation, I can see the details of these prophecies that John received from Christ, the Messenger of the Covenant. The prophecies will show how Christ draws His people Israel back to God & how He protects them from their enemies.

`You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues & kings.`(Rev. 10: 11)

 

Marilyn.





 

[Marilyn C]

I see Christ, the Mediator, the one who brings the message of God`s forgiveness and reconciliation, about to deal with Israel & the nations.

`You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues & kings.` (Rev. 10: 11)

So in Rev. ch. 11, I read of the details of this prophecy to `many peoples, nations, tongues & kings.` The first people that Christ deals with are those in Israel who are looking for their Messiah to come. They are the ones who worship in the temple.

Christ, the Messenger stood saying, “Rise & measure the temple of God, the altar & those who worship there.”(Rev. 11: 1)

Then Christ allocates the Gentile nations of the world a specific time for them to rule over Jerusalem. They are given 42 months which is the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation before He comes & judges them as to how they have treated His people.

“ But leave out the court which is outside the temple, & do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months.” (Rev. 11: 2)

Then Christ declares that He will give power to 2 men who will witness of Him to Israel & to the world of His coming kingdom. Their time is 1260 days.

`I will give power to My two witnesses, & they will prophesy one thousand two hundred & sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.`(Rev. 11: 3)

These two times, 42 months & 1260 days indicate to us 3 ½ years of 30 day months.


1260 days, divided by 30 days = 42 months.
42 months, divided by 12 months = 3 ½ years (of 30 day months)


This is God`s measurement of the tribulation, the fulfilling of the Sabbath years of rest for the land & the chastisement of the people. Most of the 490 years (70 x 7 years) has been completed, with only 7 years of the tribulation to be finished. (Dan. 9: 24 – 27)

Thus the 3 ½ years show that what is happening in Rev. 11 is half way through the tribulation.

 

Marilyn.

[Marilyn C]

God`s heart has always been for Israel to repent & turn again to Him.

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, & with mourning.” So rend your heart, & not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious & merciful, slow to anger, & of great kindness;...` (Joel 2: 12 & 13)

Thus Christ, the Mediator, shows us how He will help Israel come to repentance. He sends His two witnesses to speak of His kingship & of His Priesthood.

These 2 men, Christ`s Witnesses, are represented by olive trees & lampstands.

`These are the 2 olive trees & the 2 lampstands standing before the God of the earth.` (Rev. 11: 4)

These symbols are explained to us in Zechariah Ch. 4. The lampstands represent the anointing of the Spirit of God, while the 2 olive trees are the 2 anointed ones.

`Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,....` (Zech. 4: 6) `These are the two anointed ones who stand besides the Lord of the whole earth.` (Zech. 4: 14)


These anointed ones, (like Zerubbabel, the King & Joshua, the High Priest) are preparing for the Lord who is to come, the glorious one who shall be a priest on His throne: a King Priest. They bear witness to the two anointed offices of Christ`s Kinghood & Priesthood.

`He shall sit & rule on His throne; So He shall be a Priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them.` (Zech. 6: 13)


We have been told in God`s word who these 2 men are. They are Moses & Elijah. They witnessed Christ`s transfiguration where He told them of His soon departure from the earth. They were also at the tomb & witnessed Christ`s resurrection, & later ascension into glory.

Mount Transfiguration - `behold 2 men talked with Him (Christ), who were Moses & Elijah,....` (Luke 9: 30)

The Tomb - `behold, 2 men stood by them in shining garments.` (Luke 24: 4)

The Ascension - `while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, 2 men stood by them in white apparel,` (Acts 1: 10)

Thus we see these same 2 men now appearing to Israel during the second half of the tribulation witnessing of Christ, not only as their soon coming King but also as their High Priest, the one who gave His life for them, & arose victorious over sin & death.

 

Marilyn.

[Marilyn C]

Christ the Mediator, gives the 2 men, His 2 Witnesses, Moses & Elijah great power. This is the same power He gave them when they were on earth previously.

`And I will give power to my 2 witnesses,.... If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth & devours their enemies.... These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls.... & they have power over waters to turn them to blood, & to strike the earth with all plagues.....`(Rev. 11: 3 – 6)

Moses & Elijah witness of Christ, His kingship & His priesthood. They testify that Christ is their Messiah, the anointed one who is their coming king. They speak of Christ`s death, as the sacrificial Lamb that atones for their sins & the nation`s rebellion against God.

The after 1260 days (3 ½ years) the 2 witnesses are overcome by Satan & their dead bodies lie in Jerusalem for 3 ½ days.

`When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, & kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom & Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.` (Rev. 11: 7 & 8)

People from all over the world will be able to see their dead bodies (through the use of technology). They will rejoice because the 2 prophets tormented them..

`Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues & nations will see their dead bodies three & a half days, & not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, & send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.`(Rev. 11: 9 & 10)

But after 3 ½ days the 2 Witnesses come alive & ascend into heaven in the presence of their enemies.

`Now after the three & a half days the breath of life from God entered them, & they stood on their feet, & great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.”And they ascended to heaven in a cloud & their enemies saw them.` (Rev. 11: 11 & 12)


In that very hour God caused a great earthquake & a tenth of Jerusalem fell killing seven thousand people. People were afraid & realised that they were under God`s judgment.

`In the same hour there was a great earthquake, & a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, & the rest were afraid & gave glory to the God of heaven.` (Rev.11:13)

 

So we see, I believe, that Christ`s work as Mediator, involves not only intercession, but retribution upon His enemies.

 

 

Marilyn.
 

[Marilyn C]

Christ work as Mediator involves not only intercession for man, but means that He takes His great authority & rules over the kingdoms of the world. He will then bring judgment upon the rebellious & reward for those who turn to Him.

The 7th trumpet sounds declaring that it is time for the kingdom of this world to become the kingdom of Christ.

`And the seventh angel sounded... `The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, & His Christ; & He will reign forever & ever.` (Rev. 11: 15)

The 24 Elders give thanks to God because He has taken His great power & reigned.

`We give thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is & who was & who is to come, because You have taken Your great power & reigned.`(Rev. 11: 17)

They declare that God`s wrath in the tribulation has come, & then enumerate the other judgments that will eventuate over time.

`the nations were angry & Your wrath has come, & the time of the dead, that they should be judged, that you should reward Your servants the prophets & the saints, & those who fear your name, small & great, & should destroy those who destroy the earth.` (Rev. 11: 18)

The `Ark of the Covenant` is then seen opened in heaven. This is a symbolic picture of Christ, the Voice of God, speaking forth the judgments and making war against His enemies.

`Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, & the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thundering, an earthquake & great hail.`(Rev. 11: 19)

Later in Revelation we are shown the actual event when Christ comes forth from heaven to deliver Israel, seeking vengeance upon the rebellious nations & dealing with Satan & his demonic angels.

`Now I saw heaven opened, & behold a white horse.... & in righteousness He judges & makes war.....Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.` (Rev. 19: 11 – 16)

These verses (Rev. 11: 15 – 19) show us the great victory of our Lord as the one who will reign over the kingdoms of the world & His reign will be forever. Now God does not stop here in His unfolding of Christ`s work, but goes on to show us more details in His overcoming the great enemy – ch. 12 & 13.

 

Marilyn.



 

[Marilyn C]