Scripture Reading: Heb. 12:2; Rev. 1:5; 4:2, 5, 11; 5:1-14; 8:3-4; 21:2, 9-11
Ⅰ
The book of Revelation is a book of God's administration, unveiling the throne of God for the divine administration throughout the universe—4:2; 5:1; 6:16; 7:9; 8:3; 21:5; Isa. 6:1; Ezek. 1:26; Dan. 7:9:
A
The subject of Revelation is Christ as the center of God's administration accord- ing to God's eternal economy—5:1; 22:1.
B
This book presents a clear view of God's universal administration, revealing the fact that the universe operates according to God's administration—4:2, 5.
C
We need to see a vision of the throne of God—5:1; 6:16; 7:9; 8:3; 21:5:
１
The throne in Revelation 4 and 5 is the throne of divine authority:
ａ
God's throne is related to His administration, which is a matter of His economy—1 Tim. 1:4; Eph. 1:10; 3:9.
ｂ
Apparently, the throne is invisible and is not realized by man, but ac- tually, it is behind the scene ruling over everyone and everything—Isa. 6:1; 1 Kings 22:19.
ｃ
Everything in today's world situation is decided on the throne; no one can do anything and nothing can happen outside the rule of God's throne.
２
The throne of God is not only for God to reign but also for God to accomplish His eternal purpose—Eph. 1:9, 11; 3:11; Rom. 8:28; Rev. 4:11:
ａ
In His economy God administrates the universe to fulfill His purpose— 2 Tim. 1:9.
ｂ
God is a God of purpose, having a will according to His good pleasure— Eph. 1:5, 9.
ｃ
God created all things for His will so that He might fulfill His purpose— Rev. 4:11.
ｄ
Revelation, the unveiling of God's universal administration, shows us that the will, the purpose, of God in His creation is to have an eternal habitation—the New Jerusalem—for His satisfaction and expression— 21:2, 9-11.
３
There are seven lamps of fire—the seven Spirits of God—burning before the throne—4:5:
ａ
The burning of the seven Spirits of God is for the carrying out of God's administration.
ｂ
The burning of the seven Spirits of God is to bring forth the golden lampstands, the churches, for the fulfillment of God's economy—1:12.
ｃ
The burning of the seven Spirits motivates us to rise up and take action for the carrying out of God's economy—Dan. 11:32.
Ⅱ
Christ in His ascension has been enthroned to execute God's administra- tion, His governmental operation—Heb. 12:2; Rev. 3:21; 5:6; 22:1, 3:
A
Christ's ascension was for His enthronement for God's administration—Eph. 1:20-21:
１
The Lord Jesus has been enthroned to execute God's governmental admin- istration in the universe.
２
We need to see that the Lord is on the throne as a man and realize that the Lord of the universe is a man, the God-man, the Man-God—Ezek. 1:26.
B
The Lamb, the Redeemer, the One slain for our sins, is now on the throne car- rying out God's administration over the entire universe—Rev. 5:6.
C
As the Lamb with the seven eyes, the seven Spirits of God, He is carrying out God's administration for the accomplishment of God's economy—v. 6.
D
The enthroned Christ, as the heavenly Administrator in God's universal govern- ment, is the Ruler of the kings of the earth—1:5:
１
As the Ruler of the kings of the earth, Christ rules the earth so that the gospel may be spread and the church may be produced—Matt. 24:14.
２
The affairs of the nations are under Christ's rulership.
３
If we study history in light of the Bible, we will see that history has been under the hand of Christ as the Ruler of the kings of the earth—Rev. 1:5.
４
The purpose of Christ's rulership is that we might be brought to God and to the church life:
ａ
He is working in the heavens to see that God's chosen people are saved, called, and brought in—Acts 5:31.
ｂ
He is ordering events and circumstances so that we all may grow in life.
ｃ
He is arranging things so that the Body may be built up—Eph. 4:16.
E
As the One enthroned to be the heavenly Administrator in God's universal government, Christ is the worthy Lion-Lamb, the overcoming Redeemer, opening the scroll of God's economy—Rev. 5:1-14:
１
As the Lion, He is the Fighter against the enemy, Satan; as the Lamb, He is the Redeemer for us—Gen. 49:9; John 1:29.
２
Because Christ has solved the problems of the rebellion of Satan and the fall of man, He is worthy to open the scroll of God's economy—Rev. 5:9.
３
The scroll of God's economy has been put into His hands, and now He holds God's economy and carries it out.
４
The Lamb has seven eyes for executing God's administration; Christ carries out the divine administration by the seven Spirits as His eyes—v. 6.
５
The Administrator, the worthy and enthroned Lion-Lamb, is administrating the universe through our prayers—v. 8; 8:3-4.
６
We all must worship Christ as the divine Administrator, as the One in the heavens administrating all things for the fulfillment of God's economy— 5:9-14.