I have now begun to read through the more difficult chapters of the book of Revelation still trying to understand its main purpose. Chapter 4 describes the Court of Heaven. It is a vision of God Himself seated on his glorious throne and being worshipped; glory, honour, thanks and praise being given to Him. "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." Four strange living beings also worshipped Him. Night and day they kept on saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty; the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come." There is much in this chapter that I do not understand, but it is relatively straight forward and moves my heart to want to join in heaven's adoration of our wonderful and magnificent God. His stunningly beautiful throne can never, ever be shaken; His sovereignty never doubted or challenged!

Chapter 5 raises questions that drove me to studying what reliable Bible scholars have written to help us and guide us in our understanding. Chapter 5 is about a sealed scroll in God's hand. An angelic voice rang out: "'Who is worthy to break the seals of this scroll and open it?' But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it … Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings … [and heaven] … sang a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God  from every tribe and language and people and nation' … 'Blessing and honour and glory and power  belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever'". Our only response to all of this can be heart-felt adoration and praise; awe and wonder! Let's worship Him!

What puzzles me is the timeline, what was written in the scroll and how that relates to the Gospel. Other parts of the Bible tell us that God raised Jesus from the dead with a new resurrection body, that he ascended into heaven in that body, and that God seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms appointing him to be head over everything (Eph. 1:19-23). How is Chapter 5 to be properly understood in the light of all this? (To be continued.)