4. THE FOUR BEASTS.

Revelation 4:6-11.

"In the midst of the Throne, and round about the Throne, were FOUR BEASTS full of eyes before and behind. 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. And the four Beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within; and they rest not day or night, saying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHICH WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME."

The word here translated "beast" (Zoon), is not the same as the one translated "beast" (Therion) in chapters eleven, thirteen, and seventeen. The word here used means a "living being" or "creature," while the word used in chapters eleven, thirteen, and seventeen, means a wild, untamed animal. They are not angelic beings, for they are distinguished from the angels, who are mentioned as a class by themselves in Rev. 5:11. Neither are they representative of redeemed human beings, for they do not join in the Redemption Song. Rev. 5:8-10. The word "they" in this passage does not refer to the "Four Living Creatures," but to the "Four and Twenty Elders."

The "Four Living Creatures" are not in the same class with the "Elders," for they have no "thrones" or "crowns" or "harps" or "golden vials." They are the "Guardians" of the Throne of God, and accompany it wherever it goes. Ez. 1:24-28. They are four in number, which is the "earth number," and therefore have something to do with the earth. That is, they are interested in the "re-genesis" of the earth to its former glory before the Fall. They have eyes before and behind and within, which reveals their intelligence and spiritual insight of things past, present, and to come, and they are tireless in their service, for they rest not day nor night, saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

The first time these "Living Creatures" are mentioned in the Bible is in Gen. 3:24, where they are called "CHERUBIM," but are not described. They were placed at the entrance to the "Garden of Eden" to prevent the re-entrance of Adam and Eve, and to keep the way of the "Tree of Life." It would appear as if at the place where they were stationed there was a Tabernacle, a place of worship to which Cain and Abel resorted to make their offerings, and that it was from there that Cain went out from the "PRESENCE OF THE LORD." Gen. 4:16.

When Moses was given on the Holy Mount the pattern of the Tabernacle, he was instructed to make the "Ark of the Covenant" with two Cherubim upon it. Ex. 25:10-22. These Cherubim were guardians of the "Mercy Seat," or the place of God's PRESENCE when He in His "Shekinah Glory" visited the Tabernacle. But it is not until Ezekiel had his vision of the Cherubim (Ez. 1:1-28; 10:1-22), that we have a description of what they are like.

The Cherubim
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Ezekiel describes them as having the likeness of a man, with 4 faces, and 4 wings, and feet like a calf's foot, and hands like a man's hand under their wings on their 4 sides. Their 4 faces were different. The front face was that of a MAN, the right side face was that of a LION, the left side face was that of an OX, and the rear face was that of an EAGLE, and their whole body, back, hands, and wings, were full of eyes round about. Ez. 10:12. In John's Vision of the "Cherubim" or "Living Creatures" they are described as like animals, the first was like a LION, the second like a CALF, or a young Ox, the third had the face of a MAN, and the fourth was like a FLYING EAGLE. John's "Living Creatures" had 6 wings, while Ezekiel's "Cherubim" had only 4. In Ezekiel's vision, the "Cherubim," or "Living Creatures," were accompanied by the Holy Spirit (Ez. 1:12) and traveled on wheels, which shows that they were on some tour or mission, attended by the Lord, who sat on His Throne over their heads (Ez. 1:25-28), but the wheels are absent in John's vision, for the scene is in Heaven, the permanent home of the Throne of God.

In the camping and marching order of Israel in the Wilderness, there was a fixed relation of the Twelve Tribes to the Tabernacle. In camp the Tabernacle rested in the middle. The Camp of Judah, composed of 3 Tribes, rested on the East, with its Standard bearing the figure of a LION. The Camp of Ephraim, composed of 3 Tribes, rested on the West, with its Standard bearing the figure of an OX. The Camp of Reuben, composed of 3 Tribes, rested on the South, with its Standard bearing the figure of a MAN. The Camp of Dan, composed of 3 Tribes, rested on the North, with its Standard bearing the figure of an EAGLE. Thus the Tabernacle in the centre of the Camp, the place of God's Presence, was surrounded and protected by Standards that bore the figures of Ezekiel's and John's "Living Creatures."

The dissimilarity between Ezekiel's "Living Creatures," and John's "Living Creatures" can only be explained on the supposition that there are different orders of "Living Creatures" or "Cherubim," each adapted to the service he is created to perform. In Isaiah's Vision in the Temple of the Lord seated on His Throne, he saw a heavenly order of beings that he called the "Seraphim." They had 6 wings, like John's "Living Creatures," and cried "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of His Glory" (Isa. 6:1-4), but they stood above the Throne, while Ezekiel's Cherubim supported the Throne, and John's "Living Creatures" were in the midst or around the Throne. Whatever significances there may be in the different forms the "Cherubim" or "Living Creatures" took, it is clear that they do not represent the Church, but are attendants or officials attached to the Throne of God, for they summon the four Horsemen to appear (Rev. 6:1-8), and one of them hands to the "Seven Vial Angels," the "Golden Vials" filled with the "Wrath of God." Rev. 15:7. And when they give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sits upon the Throne, who liveth forever and ever, the "Four and Twenty Elders" fall down before Him that sits upon the Throne, and worship 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." Rev. 4:9-11.

5. THE SEVEN-SEALED BOOK.

The Seal

Revelation 5:1-14.

"And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the Throne a Book written within and on the back, sealed with SEVEN SEALS. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the SEALS thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon. And one of the Elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDA, the ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the SEVEN SEALS thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the Throne, and of the Four Beasts, and in the midst of the Elders, stood a LAMB as it had been slain, having SEVEN HORNS and SEVEN EYES, which are the SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD sent forth into all the earth. And HE came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne."

What is this "SEVEN SEALED BOOK"? Writing to the Ephesians (Eph. 1:13-14), Paul said--"Ye were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the PURCHASED POSSESSION." Then there is a POSSESSION that is to be REDEEMED. What this is, Paul tells us in Rom. 8:22-23. "We know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW. And not only they (all earthly created things), but ourselves also, which have the "First fruits of the Spirit," even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the REDEMPTION OF, OUR BODY." (This will take place at the First Resurrection).

We see from these references that there is something that was lost to mankind and the earth that is to be redeemed, and we do not have to go far to find out what it was. It is the inheritance of the earth and of immortal life given to Adam and Eve, and that was lost in the Fall of Eden. When Adam sinned he lost his inheritance of the earth, and it passed out of his hands into the possession of Satan, to the disinheritance of all of Adam's seed. The forfeited Title Deed is now in God's hands and is awaiting redemption. Its redemption means the legal repossession of all that Adam lost by the Fall. Adam was impotent to redeem the lost possession, but the law provides (Lev. 25:23-34) that a kinsman may redeem a lost possession. That KINSMAN has been provided in the person of JESUS CHRIST.

To become a kinsman He had to be born into the human race. This the Virgin Birth accomplished. Jesus paid the REDEMPTIVE PRICE, which was His own BLOOD, on the Cross (1. Pet. 1:18-20), but He has not as yet claimed that which He then purchased. When the time comes for the Redemption of the PURCHASED POSSESSION Jesus will do so. That time and the act is described in the scripture we are now considering. The "SEVEN SEALED BOOK" is the "TITLE DEED" to the redeemed inheritance. In Old Testament days when a kinsman desired to redeem a property he took his position, with ten men (Elders) as witnesses, in the gate of the city and advertised his purpose. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Boaz and Ruth. Ruth 4:1-12. The kinsman who redeemed the property was called the "Goel" or REDEEMER.

When the "strong angel" proclaimed with a loud voice--"WHO is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the Seals thereof?" that was the advertisement for the "KINSMAN REDEEMER" to appear. But, said John, there was no MAN (redeemed man) in Heaven; nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, who was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon. It was not a question of the worthiness of some angelic being, as Michael or Gabriel, to open the Book, but of a MAN. When John saw that there was no one worthy to open the Book he wept. Some say he wept because he was disappointed that he could not satisfy his curiosity as to the contents of the Book, but such a statement is puerile. A man under the influence of the Holy Spirit would not be so foolish. John wept because he knew what the Book was, and that if there was no one to open that "BOOK OF REDEMPTION," that all hope of the redemption of the earth and of man was gone. But John's sorrow was of short duration, for one of the Elders said--"Weep not: behold, the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, the ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the 'Seven Seals' thereof." And John saw, what he had not noticed before a LAMB, as it had been slain, standing in the midst of the Throne, and of the "Four Living Creatures." John had not seen the Lamb before, because it (He) had been seated on the Throne with the Father, and advanced out of the Glory of the Throne as the Elder spoke.

John looked for a "Lion" and saw a LAMB. But the Elder was right in calling it a "Lion," for Jesus was about to assume His Title as the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, and reign and rule with KINGLY POWER. That the Lamb was not an animal is clear from verse seven, where it says--"And HE (the Lamb) came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne." This is the sublimest individual act recorded in the Scriptures. On it the redemption of the whole creation of God depends. It is still future and takes place after the Church has been "caught out" and Judged, and before the Tribulation Period begins, and you and I, if we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, will witness the scene, and take part in the "Song of Redemption" that follows. Rev. 5:8-10.

THE "SEVEN-HORNED" LAMB.

The 7 Horned Lamb

This is the "DUE TIME," when the "MAN" CHRIST JESUS, who gave Himself as a "RANSOM" (on the Cross) for the redemption of the lost inheritance, will be TESTIFIED TO before the Throne of God, by redeemed mankind, angels, and every creature in Heaven and Earth, and under the Earth. 1. Tim. 2:5-6; Rev. 5:8-14.

When the Lamb leaves the Throne to take the Book, His Mediatorial Work ceases, and His REDEMPTIVE WORK begins. When our "KINSMAN REDEEMER" is handed the "Book," the "TITLE DEED" to the "Purchased Possession," He has the right to break its SEALS, and claim the "Inheritance," and DISPOSSESS the present claimant SATAN. This He will immediately proceed to do, as He breaks the SEALS. Satan is not evicted at once. He contests the claim and it is only after a prolonged conflict that he is finally dispossessed and cast into the Lake of Fire.

In the Gospels four titles are given to Jesus. He is the Son of David; the Son of Abraham; the Son of Man; and the Son of God.

1. As the Son of David, He has title to the Throne of David.

2. As the Son of Abraham, He has title to the Land of Palestine, and all included in the Royal Grant to Abraham. See Map of The Royal Grant.

3. As the Son of Man, He has title to the Earth and the World.

4. As the Son of God, He is the Heir of All Things.

The manner of redemption of a lost inheritance is beautifully set forth in the Old Testament. A property could not be alienated from the original owner or his heirs for a longer period than 50 years, at which time it reverted to the original owner. If however for some reason the owner was forced to sell it, it could be redeemed by the next of kin on the payment of the proportionate amount of its value due until the next "Year of Jubilee." Lev. 25:8-17. Two illustrations of this method of redeeming a forfeited possession are given in the Old Testament; one in Ruth 4:1-12, where Boaz redeems the possession of Elimelech, the other in Jer. 32:6-12, where the Prophet Jeremiah purchased the possession of his cousin Hanameel. The "Deed" was written on a parchment roll, and when the inside was filled, the outside was used, but enough space was left to not show the writing when the parchment was rolled up and sealed, and on the outside of the roll that showed, the Title of the Deed, and the names

Map :The Royal Grant to Abraham

of the subscribing witnesses were written. Two copies of the "Deed" were made. One was sealed, and the other left unsealed for the purpose of reference. These deeds were handed to the purchaser in the presence of witnesses, and either kept by him, or intrusted to a custodian, or placed, as in the case of Jeremiah, in an earthen vessel, that would neither rot nor rust, to be preserved until the end of the Seventy Years of Captivity that the Prophet had foretold was to be. This method of taking title, explains the meaning and purpose of the "Seven Sealed Book" that John saw written within and on the back. The "Seals" were not in a row along the edge of the Book or Roll, but a Seal was broken and the parchment unrolled until the next seal was reached, and so on until all the "Seals" had been broken. We are not told that what happened as the "Seals" were broken was read out of the Book. The contents of the "Book" are not disclosed. We are simply told, as the "Seals" are broken, that certain things happened. They doubtless were preliminary to the Lamb's taking possession of the Purchased Possession. It is not until chapter 10:1-6, that Christ, as the "MIGHTY ANGEL," puts His right foot upon the sea, and His left foot on the earth, and cries--"There shall be time no longer," that is "NO LONGER DELAY," that He takes formal possession, but as the claim is disputed further steps, as we shall see, are necessary to secure possession.

Daniel's Seventieth Week

Daniel 9:1-27

As the events recorded in Rev. 6:1 to Rev. 19:21, are connected with the last, or "Seventieth Week," of Daniel's "SEVENTY WEEKS," it is necessary that we stop here and explain what is meant by Daniel's "Seventieth Week."

The Prophet Daniel had been 68 years (B. C. 538) in Babylon, and by a study of the Prophecy of Jeremiah (Jer. 25:11), he discovered that the "Seventy Years" Captivity of his people was nearing its end, and so he set his face unto the Lord, to seek by prayer and supplication (Dan. 9:3) to know the exact time of its ending, and while he was praying the Angel Gabriel appeared to enlighten him. (Dan. 9:20-23.) Daniel was concerned about the expiration of the "Seventy Years" of the Captivity, and the restoration of his people to Palestine, and the rebuilding of the City of Jerusalem and of the Temple. But the Angel Gabriel came to disclose to him something more important than that. While he doubtless informed Daniel that God would fulfil His promise as to the "Seventy Years" of the Captivity, which, as we know, He did, he also made known to Daniel that that would not end the troubles of Israel. That while the Jews were to return to Jerusalem at the end of the "Seventy Years" of Captivity, there was a longer period to elapse before the Kingdom would be restored to them, a period of

"SEVENTY WEEKS."

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THE TRIBULATION PERIOD
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DANIEL'S "SEVENTIETH WEEK"
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REIGN OF ANTICHRIST

"SEVENTY WEEKS are determined upon Thy People (Daniel's people the Jews) and upon the Holy City (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the 'MESSIAH THE PRINCE' shall be SEVEN WEEKS, and THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS shall MESSIAH BE CUT OFF, but not for Himself: and the people (Roman) of the PRINCE THAT SHALL COME (Antichrist) shall destroy the City and the Sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the Covenant with many for ONE WEEK (the last or Seventieth Week): and in the midst of THE WEEK he (Antichrist) shall cause the Sacrifice and the oblations to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations (the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Christ. Matt. 24:15) he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Dan. 9:24-27.

This Vision of the "SEVENTY WEEKS" is the most important revelation, in many ways, made in the Scriptures. We are here told that this Period of "SEVENTY WEEKS" was determined upon Daniel's PEOPLE (the Jews), and upon the HOLY CITY (Jerusalem). This is very important. It discloses the fact that the "SEVENTY WEEKS" have nothing to do with the Gentiles, or the Church, but only with the JEWS and JERUSALEM. It also discloses another important fact that the "SEVENTY WEEKS" only cover the period when the Jews are DWELLING IN THEIR OWN LAND, and does not cover the present period of their Dispersion. We are told in verse 24 that these "SEVENTY WEEKS" were determined for a SIX-FOLD purpose.

1. TO FINISH THE TRANSGRESSION.

It is the transgression of ISRAEL that is here referred to, and the finishing of it will be the turning away of UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. Rom. 11:26-27. The transgression of Israel has not yet come to an end, and will not until they as a Nation shall be converted.

2. TO MAKE AN END OF SINS.

The margin reads to "seal up" sins. The sins of ISRAEL. This may refer to the author of Israel's sins--Satan, who shall at that time be "sealed up" in the Pit. Rev. 20:1-3.

3. TO MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR INIQUITY.

This refers to ISRAEL'S iniquity in the rejection of their Messiah. While atonement was made for their sin on the Cross, its application to Israel as a Nation awaits the day when they shall look on Him whom they pierced (Zech. 12:10), and a fountain shall be opened to the "House of David," and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanliness, Zech. 13:1, and a nation, the Jewish Nation, shall be "born again" in a day. Isa. 66:8.

4. TO BRING IN EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS.

When the "Transgression of ISRAEL" has come to an end, and her sins are "sealed up," then everlasting righteousness shall be brought in. The King will come, and the Kingdom be restored to Israel, and the Millennium will be here, and the "Knowledge of the Lord" shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea. Hab. 2:14.

5. TO SEAL UP THE VISION AND PROPHECY.

When the "Transgression of ISRAEL" has ceased and they have uninterrupted communion with God, there will no longer be any need for "Vision" or "Prophet." It is a noteworthy fact that "Vision" and "Prophecy" has been confined to the Jewish race.

6. TO ANOINT THE MOST HOLY.

This probably refers to the anointing of the "Most Holy Place," or the "Holy of Holies" of the MILLENNIAL TEMPLE, described by Ezekiel. Ezek. 41. There is great significance in this announcement; for, although the Tabernacle of Moses was anointed (Lev. 8:10), there is no mention of such a ceremony in the Consecration of either Solomon's Temple, or the Temple of Zerubbabel, for those buildings were considered merely as continuations of the Mosaic Tabernacle. But when the King comes back and sits upon the Throne of His father David, there is to be a magnificent Temple erected, the like of which has never as yet been seen on this planet of ours. There will be no "Ark of the Covenant" with its "Mercy Seat," in the "Most Holy Place" of the Millennial Temple (Jer. 3:16), but in its place will stand the ROYAL THRONE on which the "BRANCH," the Messiah shall sit as a KING-PRIEST (Zech. 6:12-13), and whose anointing is here referred to.

Now as the fulfilment of this "Six-Fold" purpose of the "SEVENTY WEEKS" synchronizes with the things that shall happen at the close of this Dispensation, and that are described in Rev. 6:1; 19:21, it is clear that the last, or "SEVENTIETH WEEK" of Daniel's "Seventy Weeks," covers the "TIME PERIOD" of Rev. 6:1; 19:21, and confirms the claim that that "Period" is Jewish and has nothing to do with the Church. To prove this it is only necessary to outline Daniel's "Seventy Weeks."

The "Seventy Weeks" are divided into "THREE PERIODS" of 7 Weeks, and 62 Weeks, and 1 Week. They cover the time from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, which was the 14th day of the month Nisan (March) B. C. 445, to the Second Stage (The Revelation) of the Second Coming of Christ. The "First Period," 7 WEEKS, refers to the time required to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which was 49 years, thus giving us the "Key" to the meaning of the word "WEEK," for if 7 WEEKS are equal to 49 YEARS, then 1 WEEK is equal to 7 YEARS. Now we are told that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (B. C. 445) unto the "MESSIAH THE PRINCE," shall be 7 WEEKS, and THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS, or 69 WEEKS, or, if 1 WEEK is equal to 7 YEARS, 7 x 69 or 483 YEARS. Now Jesus, as "MESSIAH THE PRINCE," rode in triumph into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, April 2, A. D. 30. The difference in time between B. C. 445 and A. D. 30 is 475 years, but, as we have seen, 69 WEEKS equal 483 years, a difference of 8 years. How are we to explain this difference?

Daniel's "Seventy Weeks"

The 475 years between B. C. 445 and A. D. 30, are Julian or Astronomical years of 365½ days each, but when we reduce them to Calendar years of 360 days each, the year used in the Scriptures, we find that we have exactly 483 years of 360 days each. This proves that there was no break between the "First" and "Second" Periods of the "Seventy Weeks," and that the prophecy that there should be 69 WEEKS to the coming of "MESSIAH THE PRINCE" was literally fulfilled. Now as 69 WEEKS of Daniel's "SEVENTY WEEKS" have already expired, and all that was prophesied to occur during those "SEVENTY WEEKS" has not yet been fulfilled, it stands to reason that the things unfulfilled are still future, and must be fulfilled in the remaining "ONE WEEK," and that that "ONE WEEK" shall be "SEVEN YEARS" long, for it must be of the same length as the other "WEEKS." This then gives us the length of time of the reign of the "PRINCE THAT SHALL COME" (Antichrist), who we are told in verse 27 (Dan. 9:27) shall make a Covenant with the Jews for "ONE WEEK" (7 years), the last or "SEVENTIETH WEEK," and that in the "Middle" of the WEEK he shall break the Covenant and cause the "sacrifice and oblation" that the Jews will have restored, to cease, and then the "overspreading of abominations that maketh desolate," shall continue until the end of the WEEK. As this is just what is foretold will occur during the reign of Antichrist (2. Thess. 2:3-4) we see that the "Period" between Rev. 6:1 and Rev. 19:21, that we are now about to study, is the "Third Period" of ONE WEEK, of Daniel's "SEVENTY WEEKS" and that it is to last SEVEN YEARS. From this we see that while there was no "Time Space" between the "First" and "Second" Periods of the "Seventy Weeks," there is a "Time Space" between the "Second" and "Third" Periods or the 69th and 70th Week, of already (A. D. 1919) 1889 years, or the present Church Age. This was hidden so the Church should not fail to watch.