2006-5-25 05:49:00
5 "And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 "And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7 "And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled."
(Revelation 15: 5-8)
In Verse 5 above, the temple of the tabernacle is a name for the tabernacle that the Israelites carried about in the wilderness in the days of Moses. What is significant in this being named rather than the temple in Jerusalem?
The Glory of God manifested in the Tabernacle and it also contained the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the true laws of God. It is interesting to note that the presence of God was much stronger in the crude portable edifice carried about in the wilderness than it ever was in the beautiful and polished temple. In addition the Ark was lost and was not in the temple. The holy place in the temple in the days of Jesus was empty space.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that if we want to enter into the presence of God, receive revelation and knowledge of principles, or the laws of God in the Ark of the Covenant, that we need not look in beautiful churches or temples. Instead we can find God in the wilderness, in the desert, in a humble abode and can find him as we move from place to place as did the ancient Israelites. We may dream of the land of Canaan (heaven), flowing with milk and honey but the closest we will come to God will be as we struggle in the deserts of life. It is the fruit of the struggle that brings the glory of God and the understanding of the true principles within the Ark of the Covenant within the human heart.
In Verse 6 above, their clothing and the golden girdle fits the description of the dress of the high priest who was able to enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark was found. If the disciple looks into the holiest place within the human heart he will find the high priest that mediates between him and God. The higher part of his nature is that high priest and when he gives himself permission he opens the door to the holiest place and reads the laws or principles of God.
The inner high priest, which is one, has seven expressions or aspects, symbolized by the seven angels that govern the seven basic streams of energy expressed through the seven chakras.
In Verse 7 above, notice that one of the four beasts gave the seven angels the golden vial. Which one? John does not say, but undoubtedly it was the one that had a face as a man, a symbol of the approaching Age of Aquarius and the symbol of mind. Mind and reason, linked to Spirit, dictate the passion of God that stirs within and decides when it is to be released.
Notice that the passion of God is contained with "golden vials." Gold is a symbol of purification through struggle and advancement obtained by great trial. The disciple contains and controls the passions within with golden thought and pure intent. The time has come to release with passion the final work, which will bring liberation to himself and others.
Verse 8 tells us when the decision was made to move ahead with the final work, which will use all his spiritual energies, the disciple senses the glory of God manifesting within the core of his being. He knows he is doing the right thing, but a cloud or smoke seems to obscure his vision of the entire purpose. He proceeds forward with faith knowing more will be revealed later.
He now must not turn back and enter into the peace of the inner temple. He now enters a cycle of labor that may cause much outward disturbance. There is a cycle of dwelling within and seeking the inner presence and there is a time to manifest it outwardly. Now is the time of outward manifestation that will be as a plague to those who are not prepared and set in their ways.
Here are the next verses to be considered:
1 "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
2 "And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
3 "And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
4 "And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 "And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 "And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments."
(Revelations 16: 1-7)
"After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one."
-- Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)
Copyright © 2006 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved