Welcome to part 11 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.
As we continue from Revelation Chapter 3 and the physical 7 churches on earth in ancient Asia Minor or what is modern day western Turkey, the setting changes.
Revelation chapters 4 and 5 have a change in location. The scene has changed to the throne room in Heaven. John now finds himself in Heaven.
Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven…
The first thing he notices is God the Father’s appearance on His throne.
Revelation 4:2b-3 and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.
John’s next observation appears to be the church. Language and symbols presented are consistent with a description of the body of Christ.
Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.
“Elders” were sitting on thrones. The Greek word for “elders” is πρεσβυτεροσ/presbuteros. These are among the Christians who presided over the assemblies or churches (Strong’s Concordance). This is the same term used throughout the New Testament for leaders in the local church.
Leadership is being shared by the One. The reality of ruling with the Son and Father is being observed by John. From this point forward in Revelation, members of the body of Christ are referred to in a leadership capacity, an elder.
The elders are wearing white garments. Members of the church wear white garments. This is the fulfillment of the promise given by Jesus in Revelation 3:5 to those who have victory in Him. In Revelation 3, the believers were on Earth. In Revelation 4, it appears they are in Heaven.
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Jesus is introduced in Revelation 5 as a lion and a lamb. He keeps the company of elders in the chapter. They are all in Heaven. Remember, judgment or God’s wrath has yet to start on Earth.
Revelation 5:5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
Notice the language of the church leadership and elders. They are in Heaven. Prayers have ascended from Earth from the “saints”. These are two different groups in two different locations. People who are left behind (saints) after the church ascended to Heaven have already come to believe in Jesus Christ.
The resurrection and rapture of the church will have a spiritual impact on people who did not believe at the time of the event. This group of people is called “saints” not the church. The Greek word for “saints” is ηαγιοσ/hagios. The saints are the most holy and sacred thing left on Earth (Strong’s Concordance).
Revelation 5:8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
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This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed.
