![]() John tells us the golden bowls of incense represent the prayers of the saints. ![]() Verse 7 tells us that the 24 elders are holding a harp and the golden bowls of incense. We are shown one other interesting aspect concerning the 24 elders. Now the four living creatures and the 24 elders are falling down and worshiping the Lamb. The 24 elders were falling down before God as he sits on the throne. Remember in chapter 4 that the four living creatures and the 24 elders were worshiping the one who sits on the throne. The four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down before the Lamb. When he took the scroll, look at what happens. In verse 7 we read the Lamb takes the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. The Lamb is the instrument through which all of God’s plans will be fulfilled. God’s Spirit is at work and God will fulfill his promises and prophecies. However, God’s plans will not be thwarted. God knows their persecution and suffering. God knows and sees all that is happening on the earth. But God had decreed for the temple to be rebuilt and therefore it will be rebuilt by the power of God’s Spirit. God knew that their plans of rebuilding had been frustrated. God is declaring in this prophecy that he sees all that is going on in the earth. Thus, the temple of the Lord remained desolate. Remember that the people were prevented from rebuilding the temple when they first returned. God sees all that is happening (hence the seven eyes representing perfect knowledge and perfect sight) and will accomplish his plans and purposes. The word of the Lord tells Zerubbabel, who was the leader of the people of the first return from Babylonian captivity, that it would not be by physical might or power, but by God’s Spirit that these things would be accomplished. Zechariah 4:10 says, “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” The prophetic picture in Zechariah is the promise that God would accomplish the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. “The seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” comes from Zechariah 4:10. In our previous studies in mentioned that we would wait until Revelation 5:6 before we fully explored the meaning of this symbol. Revelation 1:4 and Revelation 4:5 are the other places where the book also refers to the seven spirits of God. John tells us the meaning of the seven eyes, “which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” This is the third time we have read about the seven spirits of God. Christ is the Lamb that was slain, but he is seen with perfect power and strength. ![]() ![]() A horn on one’s head represents power and strength, like an animal that has horns on its head shows power (cf. We will notice throughout the book of Revelation that the number seven represents completeness and perfection. The Lamb has many unique characteristics that we need to observe. ![]() The Christ will not conquer by physical force or military might but through his sacrificial death on the cross. We noted in our last lesson that this shows the way the Lion of the tribe of Judah would conquer. John looks and sees the Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. The cry has gone throughout heaven and earth looking for the one who is worthy to open the scroll. ![]()
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