A New Heaven and A New Earth – Part 2 of 6

1901

The Vision of St. John

The scene, therefore, which passed before John's rapt vision was a panoramic view of the whole history of God's dealings with man from the creation, to the full consummation of His plans in "a new Heaven and a new earth." Last week we looked upon the first scene of this panorama. This week we look upon the last. Then, with John, we saw Jesus of Nazareth in His ascended glory moving among His people and directing all things for them. Now we see Him in the "new Heaven" receiving His people to Himself with the assurance that "they shall reign for ever and ever" with Him (22:6.) John, however, saw many things pass before him that had taken place, and that were yet to take place, in order to bring about this blessed consummation. and it will help us to understand and appreciate the final result, if we glance for a moment at these intermediate scenes as the panorama moves rapidly forward.

The vision of Jesus as "The Son of Man," in the midst of the golden candlesticks, which we considered last week, was simply preparatory; a summoning of the aged apostle to attend to what was about to be made known to him, and directing him concerning its use. Being thus summoned and instructed, he says: "After this, I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven" (4:1.) As he looked through this open door he saw the throne of God, surrounded by the heavenly host, and he heard them with one voice singing: "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" (4:11.) It was — The Song of Creation — the song which "the morning stars sang together," when God "laid the foundations of the earth" (Job 38:4-7.) For then they could only adore His wisdom, and power, as seen in His creative work.

But then, as the panorama moved on, John saw another attribute of God revealed to the heavenly host. For the mystery of creation was locked up in a "book," which He "that sat upon the throne" held in His right hand, and which was "sealed with seven seals." "No man in heaven, nor earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon" (5:1-4.) But "the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David," came forward and "took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne (5:7,) saying: "Lo, I come; I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." (Psalms 40:7,8.) By Him the mystery of creation was solved, for now before the heavenly host there "stood a lamb, as it had been slain" (5:6), and it was seen that "the lion of the tribe of Juda" was none other than "the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Then "a new song" was heard in heaven (5:9.) It was "The Song of Redemption," for now the heavenly host could adore not only the wisdom and power, but the grace of God as well. — John R. Whitney.