The Heavenly Government

Rev. Shine Thomas

Introduction: Every government in this world has a constitution. The government runs the country according to the rules of the constitution. Have you ever imagined about the government of the Lord Almighty? Who makes the heavenly rules/constitution? Who executes these rules?

Well, today we are going to have a look at the model and method of the Heavenly Government. We will see where is the heavenly constitution, who is worthy to rule in the heavenly government, and what significance has this heavenly ruler and kingdom upon us?

Brief History: Last month we saw the throne of God in Revelation 4. Apostle John was taken into heaven (ahead of time) into the day of the rapture. He saw a great throne in heaven and God the Father sitting on the throne. There were 24 elders sitting around the throne which represents the church and around the throne were 4 living creatures. All the 24 elders and the 4 creatures were worshiping God; giving glory, honour, and thanks to the one sitting on the throne.

Now we come to Revelation 5.

Read Revelation 5:1 ^1^Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.

Until now John saw the great God and His throne. Now, he is seeing the government model and method in heaven. John saw a scroll written on both sides. This scroll has the mention of heavenly governance; governance of the church and the whole world. What is going to happen to the church and the whole world is mentioned in this scroll. The great design is laid, every part adjusted, and everything is determined and recorded in this scroll.

Where is the scroll?

V1. God the Father holds the scroll in His right hand.
God the Father holding it in His right hand shows the authority of the scroll and the readiness of God to execute the contents in it. The contents are known only to God the Father. The scroll is sealed with 7 seals.

V2. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
The angel is asking if there is anyone in the whole world and in heaven who can open and execute the matter written in the scroll.

V3. But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
No one in heaven or earth can open this scroll. No man, no angel, not even satan could open this scroll.

V4. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
This news leaves John the Apostle in tears. John wanted to know the mind and the will of God but no one could help him in opening the scroll. Those who have tasted God will always want to taste Him more; otherwise, it will leave us disappointed. That is exactly why John was in tears.

V5. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
John was comforted by one of the elders (representative of the church). The elder told him there is one person who can open the seal and execute the will of the Father. He is called as the Lion of Judah, the root of David, and he has triumphed in the cross; He is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ can open the seal and execute the will of the Father.

V6. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Then John saw a lamb. The lamb here signifies Jesus Christ. The previous verse says Jesus is the Lion of Judah now He is mentioned as the lamb. Jesus is a lion to conquer satan. Jesus is a lamb to satisfy the justice of the Father.

Where is Jesus in Heaven?

V6. Jesus is standing in the centre of the throne. Jesus is on the same throne with the Father. The Father is sitting on the throne and Jesus is standing in the center of the throne. Jesus is the mediator between the Father and the church.
Now, Jesus is symbolized as a lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes. The horns signify power and wisdom of our Lord. The eyes signify the Holy Spirit on Jesus without measure.

V7. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Jesus took the scroll from the Father because Jesus delights in doing the will of the Father. Therefore, Jesus is the ruler and the executer of the will of the Father (Heavenly Government).

V8-14. Upon the transaction of the scroll from the Father to the Son there was universal joy. Every one is happy that Jesus is the ruler. We must understand Jesus rules with grace and mercy and that brings joy to every one of us. Jesus rules as God, saviour, and redeemer not in absolute justice.

Jesus Christ is our ruler this morning and that is why there was so much rejoicing in heaven.

Let us see who all rejoiced in heaven upon this transaction.

V8. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
The church fell down before Jesus Christ and worshipped Him with harp and golden bowel of incense. Harp is an instrument of praise. Therefore the church praised Jesus. Golden bowel of incense signifies the prayer of saints. Our prayers are recorded in heaven.

V11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
Ten thousand times ten thousands of angles surrounded the throne and worshipped Jesus.

V13. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing.
Every living creature in Heaven and on Earth worshipped Jesus.

The words of worship of the church

V9-10. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Jesus is worthy of our worship because he was slain for us. Jesus died for our sins on the cross. Jesus bought you and me with His blood. Jesus made us priests to serve God. Oh! What a God we serve who is worthy of our praise and worship.

Conclusion: Child of God, the constitution of the Heavenly Government is ready and it is written and sealed by God. The scroll has a word for every one of you. Jesus is the ruler and the executer of the will of God and Jesus is going to judge and rule over everyone in the Heavenly Government. How is your relationship with Jesus today? This is the time to get things right with Jesus Christ and prepare ourselves for the heavenly reign with Jesus. Give your heart and life to Jesus today. Ask Jesus to wash you with His blood because when He rules only the people who are washed by the blood live with him for eternity, others will be condemned. Amen!