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"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." (Revelation 4:1).

         The verse begins, "after this..." and then proceeds with the further revelation of Christ, but in order to have an "after this" you have to hold in consideration the preceding chapters with their messages to the "overcomer." The foundational truth found in the phrase "to him that overcometh," is the pre-requisite for whatever is to follow in the joys and victories that come into the life of the believer. It is a self-evident fact that in order to be an overcomer there must needs be obstacles in our path for us to come over. And it is one of the blessed truths which undergirds the faith of the called out, that God sovereignly controls all the interplay of good and evil as it touches our life. With this firmly implanted in our hearts, there can be A GOING ON, an OPEN DOOR into the heavenly realms. There cannot be an upward progression as long as we seek to escape from the things which God purposes for our growth and development. However, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning." (Hosea 6:3). We shall know, but only in the measure that we FOLLOW ON TO KNOW.
         "His going forth is prepared as the morning (Hebrew, dawn)." The dawning of the day is a progressive illumination, from the beginning of the first rays, until in due time the sun shines brightly overhead, eliminating all shadows. In our impatience we cry out for the bright light, to have an experience like Paul's. “At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me." (Acts 26:13). Yet with this tremendous illumination, there also came a blindness upon Saul, "and he was three days without sight." (Acts 9:9). A significant fact, were it to be considered, for it would be on the fourth day that light came-- which corresponds to the re-creation process in Genesis 1:14, when God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven..." So there is a light that blinds, until we are prepared for its shining. But as we receive Him, in each degree that He comes to us, and we are established in that present truth revealed, He will lead us " from strength to strength, (until we) in Zion appear before God." (Psalm 84:7).
         It has been well stated that "truth in undisciplined vessels is tragedy," for man is prone to use it for his own selfish ends, and in the process often uses truth to wound others. But the more we accept HIS DISCIPLINES, and the in working of the cross, in the process of overcoming, then self will no longer mis-use the truth, nor seek to consume it upon its own lusts. Thus, "The path of the uncompromisingly just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more - brighter and clearer - until it reaches its full strength and glory in the perfect (to be prepared ) day." (Proverbs 4:18, Amplified).
         "I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven." To the overcomer free access is given to ascend into higher realms of divine revelation. A new awareness was about to burst upon his consciousness, but John was ready, and the voice urged him upward. It was the same voice which he had heard before, "a great voice, as of a trumpet," focusing attention upon "the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last," (Revelation 1:10-11), but now, with this truth firmly established in the heart of the overcomer, the call can be given, "COME UP HITHER."
         In all of the "Come up hither (higher)," there is a constant transition, which directs our attention beyond former things, that we might enter into new things. Furthermore, salvation is to be "to the uttermost," (Hebrews 7:25), therefore God will not be satisfied with anything less in us, nor will He allow us to be satisfied with anything less. We are not called to recite and re-live the past over and over again, nor just maintain a status quo. Therefore He saith, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it." (Isaiah 43:18-19).
         Remember not-- the Hebrew word is "zakar" and means: to imprint, make a memorial. It is more than just a recalling to mind, but has the thought of re-living it, to participate in it again. The more you recite the past the more you are in danger of building it into a structure against the future-- it becomes an obstruction. There are many precious things which we once enjoyed-- we were blessed by them, yet suddenly they begin to fade away. Others may yet be blessed by them, be thrilled by them, but for you personally He removes the life from it, that He might urge you to "Come up higher." If we hear that call, and then turn back to former things, we fulfill again that word-- "If therefore the light in thee be darkness, how great  that darkness." (Matthew 6:23). Therefore, by the grace of God, let us hasten to be obedient to the heavenly vision, and follow on step by step-- for there is much glory that awaits us!
         John heard the voice, "And immediately I was in the Spirit..." Beyond the natural use of his faculties, his mind was under the control of the Spirit, and visionary emblems, suited to give him instruction, were employed to give him a further revelation of God. It strongly resembles the vision given to Isaiah, when he "saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." (Isaiah 6:1). Likewise, Ezekiel declared, "The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God." (Ezekiel 1:1). Now we pray that God would "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things..." (Psalm 119:18). Obviously the qualifying pre-requisite is to be "in the Spirit" for it must be His revealing to us, not some conjuring up of an image of our own. It is to be a ''revelation of Jesus Christ," to us, in us, and then through us!
         ''And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone...." (Revelation 4:2-3). Here is glory indescribable. The precious stones-- jasper, which according to some scholars, was clear, bright, transparent as the light, though variously colored; and the sardine, as brilliant as the flame, a fiery tinge; and thus, emblematically  reveal that God is Light without a shade of darkness, "The Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning," (James 1:17); and a Flame purer than the radiant sun, for "Our God s a consuming fire." (Hebrews 2:29).
          "And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." (Rev. 4:3). The emerald is of a green hue, symbolizing life. While the rainbow has long been the symbol of the everlasting covenant which God has given to man. "This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:12-13). Progressively through the ages, God has revealed that His covenant with man is a "covenant of My peace," (Isaiah 54:10), a covenant of life, yes, and ultimate reconciliation for all of His creation.
         "And out of the throne proceeded lightings and thunderings and voices..." Resounding calls from the throne, to reverberate through our inner being-- "o earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the Lord." (Jeremiah 22:29). God has always had a message for His people, though man has not always been prepared to listen and receive that Word. Long ago God thus spoke to Israel, and "there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud..." (Exodus 19:16). Yet man, in his carnality, has been afraid of the voice of God, and often turns away-- preferring to have another hear from God for him. "And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:19). And so for a long time God did speak to the people through His prophets, priests, and chosen ones-- yet they listened not to the voice of God through these messengers.
         But the challenge to us remains, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the called-out." For God continues to speak to those who will listen to that Voice within. "My sheep hear My voice." (John 10:27).
         Indeed, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son..." (Hebrews 1:1-2). Not only does the Son have a message for us, HE IS THE MESSAGE-- and the more the "revelation of Jesus Christ," comes to us, the more we will become ONE WITH THE MESSAGE, that He might speak through us that word of life which will bless all nations. O to hear that living Word from the throne, quickened to us by "the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." (see Chapter 1, paragraph "And from the seven spirits which are before the throne.")
         Let us be reminded, all the signs, symbols, figures, etc. serve but one purpose, to either directly, or indirectly bring forth "A revelation of Jesus Christ." One view, one precious stone, one figure cannot fully express Him. It has been well stated that in Eden the river of water of life flowed in one full stream, but when it left the garden, and went forth into the world, it was parted into several channels. "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads." (Genesis 2:10). Could we comprehend Him as He is, we would not need many streams, but finite creatures that we are, in love He ministers to us that "which is in part," until "that which is perfect is come." (1 Corinthians 13:10). His perfections are many, and every new glimpse of Him leaves us in awe, to bow low in worship.
         John continues his narration: "And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four beasts full of eyes before and behind." (Revelation 4:6).
         Ezekiel had seen them-- "Four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces. - Full of eyes round about." (Ezekiel 1:5-6, 10:12).
         We are more interested in the TRUTH REVEALED, than in just the symbol, so we pray that He open our eyes to see in the Cherubim, the living creatures, a further revelation of  Him. It is also significant that the word "cherubim" literally means: "those grasped, held fast." This fits with the statement by Andrew Jukes that, "The Cherubim are always the Divine in creature form, the vessel in or by which the Lord reveals His glory. If He shows Himself  in angels, then so far angels may be Cherubim. If He shows Himself in 'living creatures full of eyes,' who say, 'Thou hast redeemed us,' then the redeemed are Cherubim."
         Personally, without pretending to fully explain "the living creatures," we are persuaded that they are "grasped" to reveal the Lord's glory, and in due time find their fulfillment in His mystic body, the Church of the redeemed firstborn. For truly, as the type is fulfilled in reality, the one foreshadows the other.
         Paul stated, "I follow after; if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12). He knew he was apprehended-- laid hold of-- GRASPED BY GOD. Whatever else he was called for, this much he knew, "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, TO REVEAL HIS SON IN ME." (Galatians 1:15-16). This, above all else, was why God GRASPED him. He was to become an expression of the revelation of Christ. It is from this point of consideration that we view the cherubim-- they are used to reveal more of  His glory, thus we behold more of Him.
         "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." (Revelation 4:7).
         These figures were first seen in the camps of Israel in the wilderness. Jewish tradition tells us that these four figures were on the respective standards-- on the east side the standard of Judah, the lion; on the south side the standard of Reuben, the man; on the west side the standard of Ephraim, the ox; and on the north side the standard of Dan, the eagle. Numbers, chapter 2, gives a limited insight into this camp arrangement. Thus even then Israel was reckoned to be an elect vessel in which the Lord would be seen-- a figure of that which in due time would be seen in the true Israel, the Israel of God. And in every age these figures have been seen in the camp of His saints, revealing not so much of what they were in themselves, but of what HE WAS and IS in and through them.
         "Like a lion..." Indeed, we know Him to be "The Lion of the tribe of Judah." (Revelation 5:5). Furthermore, "Judah is my lawgiver:" (Psalm 108:8). This symbol speaks of KINGDOM AUTHORITY. He said, "If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." (Luke 11:20). Wherever the King went, He demonstrated the manner of the Kingdom, the principles of the Kingdom, the power of the Kingdom. Surely every further "Revelation of Jesus Christ," also reveals more of  His Kingdom Authority, that He is Lord of all. As He is revealed IN US, more of His Kingdom shall be seen, for truly, the new creation is His kingdom comet
         "Like a calf (ox)..." This symbol has long stood for the patient servant, as the ox was used in service for men. Nowhere is the role of the servant more gloriously demonstrated, than as revealed in our Lord. "He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:7). In holy humility He revealed the blessedness of subjection to our true and heavenly Lord, our Master who truly serves all. He said, "For whether is greater; he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth." (Luke 22:27).
         Not only did He teach and feed the multitudes, heal the sick, and freely minister to the needy, He even "Laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded." (John 13:4-5). In word and deed He exemplified the spirit of servitude. "As the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:27-28).
         "The third had a face as a man." His position was most unique, for He was to be the Mediator of a new covenant, the GO-BETWEEN. Well He could represent the Divine. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." (Philippians 2:6). "I and My Father are one." But it was equally essential that He be fully conversant with, intimately acquainted with the needs of mankind. Total identification with our humanity. And so "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same;... In all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God." (Hebrews 2:14, 17).
         Volumes could be written concerning His identification with our humanity. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9). Thus even the living creature with a face as a man is but a further revelation of Him, in His love, His grace, His mercy toward us.
         "And the fourth like a flying eagle." The eagle mounts up and "makes her nest on high. She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off." (Job 39:27-29).
         "The way of an eagle in the air," (Proverbs 30:19), has long been recognized as a beautiful type of that which ascends into the heavenlies, able to ride upon the storm, fearlessly conquering the energy of the air currents and using them to lift-- soar ever higher, and in majesty to ride in peace, unruffled by the negatives of the lower realm. The upward look, far beyond the reach of the human eye, into the Spirit realm-- beholding "Him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27).
         Christ is that Royal Eagle, dwelling on high, "dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto." ( 1 Timothy 6:16). For His "kingdom is not of this  world." (John 18:36). As that trail blazing Overcomer He has sat down "with My Father in His throne." Gone before us, He has become "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." And He calls us to "COME UP HITHER."
       With tremendous love He purposes to share this glory with His own, and "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." (Isaiah 40:31). Leaving the realm of the earthy, its bestial passion and pride, its self-will and self-centeredness, to rise up in the Spirit and partake of that life from above.
         Such a revelation of the Christ-- the Lion, possessing kingdom authority; the ox, faithful servant, giving His life for all; the man, sharing in our humanity, that we might share in the riches of the divine; the eagle, leading us into realms of glory hitherto unknown. No wonder it is written that His worshipers fall down before Him, and "cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11).
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  (1)  Prinzing, Ray and Doris . REVELATION A POSITIVE BOOK.   Boise, Idaho, 83705  P.O. Box 5822