. . . Moving to a Theophany in a Heavenly Setting

Yesterday, I wrote about John's theophany beginning in a temple setting. Moving from the Holy of Holies, John sees a door in the sky and the vision moves to a heavenly setting.  John hears the voice as a trumpet again and is invited to enter through the doorway.  The first thing John sees is a throne in the midst of heaven.  We learn later in the chapter (Revelation 4: 9, 10) that it is the resurrected Jesus who sits upon the throne.  Around the throne are twenty-four seats occupied by twenty-four elders.  According to Joseph Smith, these are resurrected apostles and other priesthood leaders, many of whom John probably had known in life.  They are dressed in white garments, the raiment of the high priests of Israel.

 

 

One symbol that is of interest to me is the rainbow John sees surrounding the throne of God.  The first time we encounter a rainbow in the scriptures is after the great flood. (Genesis 9:13)  It is the symbol of the covenant God made with all of His earthly creations.  To my knowledge, it is the only such covenant.  All of God's other covenants are between mankind and Himself. This one is God's promise to the entire earth.  Is it any wonder that John also sees the four beautiful and incredible creatures representing the animals of the earth surrounding God's throne and praising Him?

 

Finally, John sees at God's feet a "sea of glass like unto crystal." (Revelation 4:6) Joseph Smith, when he prayed and asked God specifically about this passage, was taught that the sea of glass represented the celestialized earth, in its "sanctified, immortal, and eternal state." (Doctrine and Covenants 77:1)  I remember some years ago studying about a Hebrew verb tense known as the prophetic present.  It is common in Hebrew scripture that an event that is to occur at some future time is spoken of in the present tense, since the prophet having the vision is actually seeing it as if it were happening in that moment.  That cleared up a lot of questions for me.  I remember, I was studying the Book of Isaiah at the time and found myself asking: "Is Isaiah talking about the past, his own time, the time around Christ's birth, or the future?"  When I learned about the prophetic present tense, I learned that the answer to the question is: "Yes."  I am hoping this will help me as a work (and I do mean work!) my way through the Book of Revelation.

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

 

Picture of door into heaven from www.123rf.com

Picture of rainbow from www.rawlife.com

Picture of world of glass from www.domesticallyspeaking.com

 

Theophany in a Temple Setting

I wrote yesterday about theophanies.  It has dawned on me that there may be some of you who haven't heard that word before.  It refers to those times in the history of the world when a human being has seen and conversed with God face-to-face.  It is the most glorious manifestation of the gift of revelation. 

 

As I've studied the scriptures over the years, I have found that theophanies seem to occur in three setting: the tops of high mountains, the temple, or in a vision of heaven itself.  They also seem to have certain characteristics in common.  I'd like to talk about some of these today relative to John's theophany recorded in the Book of Revelation - or at least in the first few chapters that I have studied thus far.  Again, I am no expert, but it helps to clarify it for me when I write it down, so I hope you will bear with me.

 

John's theophany begins as he is "in the spirit" upon the Christian Sabbath.  He is taken away in spirit to a temple setting.  Some of the characteristics of this part of the theophany include God's voice like the sound of a trumpet.  This reminds me of what Moses and the Children of Israel heard at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19.)

John then sees seven golden candlesticks. The seven-branched golden candle stick or menorah was found in the temple (and, earlier, in Moses' tabernacle.)  It represented the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden.  It also represented the Light of God.  During the reign of the Maccabees, the menorah stayed alight for 8 days and nights, even though there was insufficient oil, a miracle that led to the Jew's Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah - which Jesus Himself observed during His lifetime. (see John 10:22.) 

 

In the above picture from Wikimedia, you can also see the veil of the temple (behind which is the Ark of the Covenant); the table of shew bread, and the container of incense, which was to symbolically represent the prayers of the people to God.  Later in Revelation, chapter one, we learn that the candlesticks also represent the Church, remembering that the number seven means the whole or complete Church.  Even though John wrote specifically to seven branches of the church, I think it would be a shallow reading of the text to think that Christ isn't concerned about all of His Church, even today.

 

Then John sees the Savior. His hair and beard are white and He is "clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." (Revelation 1: 13) This was the temple garment of a Jewish high priest, which also helps place this part of the theophany in a temple setting.  When John had seen the Risen Christ last, He looked as He had in life.  Now He was a radiant, celestial Being so filled with light that His eyes were as fire and His feet as brass and dressed in priestly garments.  This is interesting, for Paul tells us that Jesus was an high priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:10.)  

 

I'm sure that earthly words in any language are inadequate to describe Him.  Joseph Smith described a similar experience during his theophany in the Kirtland Temple (Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-4.)  I sometimes think that we don't fully appreciate the power of Jesus' saying: I Am the Light of the World!

 

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

Picture of Holy of Holies from www.common.wikimedia.com

Picture of an high priest before the Ark of the Covenant from www.jerusalem-4thtemple.com

Letting the Symbols Speak

Yesterday, I got quite excited studying the symbolism of numbers in the Hebrew language and culture.  Today, I am doing the same thing with other symbols: beasts, eyes, horns, wings, etc.  While it is interesting and important to get the gist of the meanings, I think it is also important not to get so caught up in picking the nits of the symbols that you miss the big picture. 

 

There are four beasts mentioned in Revelation 4:6-9.  Each had 6 wings and was full of eyes within.  When I looked online I found dozens of different Christian sites; the ones I took the time to read had widely differing interpretations; all of them picked nits and quite a stretch it was. I have decided that the things of God simply cannot be intellectualized!

 

Given that, here are a few of my personal thoughts*:

• Joseph Smith taught that these were real animals, resurrected and perfected.  For me, that answers the question: "Do animals go to heaven?"  I believe that Jesus saved all that He created and that everything was created spiritually before it was created temporally (see Moses 3:5.) 
• The eyes usually mean all-seeing or omniscient.
• The wings can mean power, particular the power of a messenger.
• The number 6 in Hebrew represents labor. 
• One beast represents the carnivores; one represents the herbivores; one is a primate (I don't think it is a man); and one represents the birds.

So what is the overall message to me?  John is seeing into heaven.  He is seeing all of the creatures created by God, both men and beasts, surrounding the throne of God and worshipping and praising Him. (Him being the resurrected and living Jesus Christ.) Ezekiel had a similar vision of winged beasts and the throne of God. The thundering and lightning; voice like a trumpet; fire - all hark back to Moses' experience on Mt. Sinai.  When prophets experience a theophany, God often takes them to a tall mountain, the temple, or heaven itself.  John is experiencing a theophany.  It begins in the temple (chapter one) and now moves through a door to the celestial heaven itself.  No wonder John fell at Christ's feet as if he were dead! (Revelation 1: 17)

 

* Again the disclaimer: I am not a minister or university-trained Biblical scholar.  These are my own personal thoughts.  Your thoughts after prayerful study may be different.  God teaches each of us what we most need to know.  What He is teaching me is that He created all things and that, therefore, all creation is in His hand.  No matter how challenging or frightening the outlook, Jesus Christ is in control.  I don't need to worry about anything, but be thankful and prayerful about everything, and allow God to be in charge.  Then I can experience inner peace amidst outer chaos (see Philippians 4: 6-7.) 

 

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

Picture of the 4 Beasts of Revelation 4 from www.triviadevotion.blogspot.com

Numbers in the Scriptures

I've been having fun with numbers this morning.  I'll admit, I am not a math person and have never been interested in numbers and formulae per say.  I also do not believe in the pseudo-science of numerology or any other such belief system that reduces human will to a number, astrological sign, or other such counterfeit.  But, as I study the Book of Revelation which is laden with symbols, I am seeing the significance of numbers in the scriptures.  Certain numbers were highly symbolic in Hebrew and understanding those symbolic meaning helps provide a greater depth of understanding of the scriptures themselves.  

 

I searched online and found interesting information. I have also added information I have gleaned over the years from Biblical scholars*.

 

3 = The number of Heaven

• 3 Members of the Godhead
• The fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19; 4:13; Colossians 2:9)
• 3 degrees of glory (Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 76, 88)

4= The number of Earth

• 4 seasons
• 4 cardinal directions
• 4 phases of the moon, etc.

7= The most significant number in Hebrew; the sum of heaven and earth (3+4)

• In Hebrew, seven is shevah and connotes full, complete, satisfied, total, perfect
• God rested on the seventh day because creation was complete (Genesis 2: 2,3)
• Sheavah (from that root) also means oath, covenant

Just as an FYI (I don't know how significant this is) Matthew wrote about 7 parables of Jesus and John wrote about 7 miracles.  Since they came from that culture, I'm confident they didn't choose to write about only 7 parables and miracles - out of the perhaps hundreds they heard and saw  - simply by accident.

 

12 = The product of Heaven and Earth (3 x 4)

• It signifies perfection in earthly governance of God's Kingdom and Church.
• It represents divine authority and appointment (especially when referencing the apostles - Greek apostolos)
• 12 Patriarchs (from Shem to Jacob)
• 12 sons/tribes of Israel
• 12 Judges in Israel
• 12 Apostles

24 = The doubling of the number 12 represents perfection in heavenly governance as the number 12 represents earthly governance of God's Kingdom and Church (see chapter 4 of Revelation, i.e., the 24 elders, whom Joseph Smith taught were real, resurrected men.)

 

The Book of Revelation is full of references to numbers, especially the number 7. It helps me understand those references by thinking of the concepts of completeness and covenants. I find that I have to almost get out of my logical mind and let the symbols speak to my spiritual mind as much as is possible. It is an interesting experience as it tickles the very edges of understanding of a depth that I certainly cannot put into words. John was given these symbols through prophecy and I'm not sure it doesn't take prophecy to understand them!  Perhaps that is why they only "tickle" and don't land solidly. I get only a glimpse, but right now, a glimpse is quite enough!

 

* There are pages and pages of information about numbers, but I am only sharing two or three that I found most pertinent in understanding Hebrew scripture.

 

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

Picture from www.123rf.com

One website I found regarding the significance of numbers in the Bible was

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/

Revelation* ~ The Seven Churches

A few years ago, I was watching a Bible study discussion on TV.  Richard Draper was one of the scholars on the panel and I was struck by his comments relative to the pattern of addressing the seven churches.  He said each letter followed a similar pattern.  They are easier to understand when one recognizes the pattern:

• God addresses the branch of the Church by name.
• God identifies Himself by a common signifier, such as Alpha and Omega.
• God points out the positive things He has noticed about each branch - a compliment.
• God corrects the branch for things they are doing that are leading them astray - a chastisement.
• God makes promises of blessing that will come to those who overcome the world through repentance and faithfulness to His Word.

The two exceptions to this pattern occur in Chapter 3 of Revelation:  the Church at Laodicia receives no compliment; the Church at Philadelphia receives no chastisement.

The number 7:  I have learned from various sources that the number 7 is significant in Hebrew.  It signifies complete and total.  So while the letters address 7 individual branches of the Church in Asia Minor, they can be understood at a deeper level as referring the the total and complete Church.  This means to me that they have relevance for us today if we ask the Spirit to reveal that relevance to us. 

You can see by the map that the 7 Churches are clustered in a small geographical area not far from the Penal Colony on Patmos Island where John was imprisoned.  But there were branches of the Church at Jerusalem and Antioch to the southeast and Corinth, Phillipi, and Rome to the west across the Aegean Sea.  I'm sure these and other branches experienced trials and persecution with varying degrees of faithfulness just as the branches that were included in the Revelation.  Perhaps John wrote letters of compliment and correction to them at other times, letters that we no longer have.  I would love to be there in spirit when all the seals are open and we can see the entire panorama of the world as John did!

* Somewhat of a disclaimer:  I am not an ordained minister nor a Biblical scholar.  What I am sharing are insights I have experienced while reading and studying the text.  If you decide to study the Book of Revelation, do so with a prayerful heart and you will be led to your own insights.  The Spirit speaks to each of us individually and addresses the needs of our hearts as only He can know them.  By the way, whenever I share something I have learned from a scholar, such as Dr. Draper, I will so note.

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

 

Picture of the 7 Churches from Grace Baptist Church in Decatur, IL @ www.gbcdecatur.org

Map from the Shepherd of the Hills Church @ www.sothi.com

The Book of Revelation ~ What It Says to This Believer

While I was recuperating from my surgery at my mom-by-marriage's home, we listened to a CD of Professor Richard Draper, an expert on apocalyptic scripture in the Bible.  It stirred in me a desire to read the Book of Revelation more carefully, looking for the meaning beyond the symbols.  It has been an exercise as I write what I am learning in the new journal my grandchildren gave me for Christmas.

I've only done 2 chapters in about 3 days, so this race is for the tortoises and not the hares!  I'd like to share a couple of things I have learned.  The first is that the revelations were not written "for pen or brush" (Bro. Draper) but for the mind.  They are, in a sense, a riddle, not unlike Jesus' parables.  Profound teachings are presented as simple and sometimes not humanly possible things.  One must prayerfully search them even to begin to mine the spiritual depths and truths they contain.  In that way, the new believer who needs milk will gather milk and the more mature believer who is capable of meat will find meat.

Another thing I've learned is that I need to look at the symbols as to what they would have meant to someone who knew Jewish tradition and the Greek language.  I am fortunate that I found a scripture site on lds.org where you can read and listen to the scriptures.  There are highlighted words that are links to study helps.  When  you click on them, they pop up a window with further scripture references or links to the BD (Bible Dictionary) and other study helps without leaving the main page.  I've used the online scriptures for years, but until this week hadn't clicked on the links.  My, what I've been missing!!! If you want to try it, here is the link.  It uses the King James Version of the Bible:

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/1?lang=eng

 

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

Picture of John writing the Apocalypse from his cell on the Isle of Patmos from www.commons.wikimedia.com

 

*You will notice that the browse window is back on Blogspot! I hope it stays around awhile so I can add pictures to my posts. 

 

Just for fun, here is a photo of Dr. Draper. He is a Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He is the author of several books on apocalyptic literature in the Bible.  This picture is from www.deseretbook.com



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