THE SOVEREIGN CONTROL OF THE EARTH Revelation ch.6-19.
There is a phrase in chapter 6v2 "was given unto him." We will find this phrase repeated eighteen times over in the book and the scale of this is significant. What it refers to is the sovereign control of the Lamb over all people and all things in the last days. John the Baptist made the observation to his listeners of this very thing, a matter which we are slow to take on board. He said "a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." ( John 3v27) Jesus confirmed this observation by John when standing before Pilate at the judgment hall he said "thou couldest have no power at all against Me except it be given thee from above." (John 19v11) In this prophecy of the last days were are compelled to believe that all events on earth, no matter what they may be, or through which agencies they come, are now under the direct control of the Lamb of God; so we wish to explore this through the book because it will fasten in our minds the true nature of the future. Never was there a saying more true than it is today, and will be in the future "He has got the whole world in His hands." Christ has been given the free reign of heaven, with all the resources of heaven to do whatever He will to accomplish the will of God; and so chapter 6v1 opens "I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals." All that happens in the rest of the book is His doing, and what He is doing is carrying forward the will of God.
We look now at the extent of this:
- chapter 6v2 - "And a crown was given unto Him and He went forth conquering and to conquer."
- chapter 6v4 - "And there was given unto Him a great sword."
- chapter 6v8 - "And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beasts of the earth."
- chapter 6v11 - "And white robes were given unto every one of them."
- chapter 7v2 - "The four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea."
- chapter 8v3 - There was given unto Him much incense that He should offer it with the prayers of all saints."
- chapter 9v1 - "And to Him was given the key of the bottomless pit."
- chapter 9v3 - "Unto them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power."
- chapter 9v5 - "And to them it was given that they should not kill them but that they should be tormented five months."
- chapter 11v1 - "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod....rise and measure the temple of God."
- chapter 11v2 - "The outer temple is given unto the Gentiles."
- chapter 12v14 - "And to the women were given to wings of a great eagle that she might fly."
- chapter 13v5 - "And there was given unto Him a mouth speaking great things."
- chapter 13v7 - "And it was given unto Him to make war with the saints and to overcome them."
- chapter 13v7 - "And power was given Him over all kindreds and tongues and nations."
- chapter 16v6 - "Thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy."
- chapter 16v8 - "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire."
- chapter 20v4 - "And I saw thrones, and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them."
The constant repetition of this theme is set before us to help us understand the extent of the sovereignty of God over all the earth; this is now exercised by the Lamb upon the throne. This sovereignty has always been there, but largely invisible. In the book of the revelation it becomes visible and He begins to deal directly with the affairs of earth. Men may think they are in control, but an honest reading of these verses should bring everyone to the conclusion that no one can act to change things in this world without His express permission. We shall see this as we proceed into the chapter because He uses the agency of the four living creatures, the guardians of the throne to open the first four seals.
Have we come to terms with the challenge of John 3v27?
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