Merely as a book of “poetry”, the Bible, (most especially the King James version which has stood the test of time, and the deriding of its critics), stands head and shoulders above all other texts which have been penned by the hands of men. No other book is more often quoted, and none contains more practical truth for the sons of men than it. Yet at the same time it is a book whose greatest mystery is hidden from the natural man. Apart from divine revelation, a man may memorize its contents and yet miss the true glory which is concealed therein. The LORD pointed out this truth to the Pharisees when HE said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
There is no more descriptive passage concerning the work of redemption than that one which is found in Isaiah’s prophecy. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.” (Isa 63:1-5) The beauty of truth and language are met together in these verses, as the glory of the REDEEMER is set forth in a fashion which, though penned by men, is surely the GOD breathed WORD.
The LORD does not need the eloquence of men to set forth HIS truth nor can its effectiveness be enhanced by the introduction of novel recitations concocted by men. Yet HE is pleased to dictate the scriptures in such fashion as to capture the imagination and wonder of the reader according to HIS divine purpose. We are made to stand in awe of the grandeur of that which HE has undertaken as we read this prophecy and are enabled by HIS SPIRIT to see, in detail, the glorious work which the SAVIOR has performed.
A reading of the Revelation of CHRIST which was given to John, moves the SPIRIT enlightened mind to glorify the ONE who, both, gave that Revelation to John and who is the central FIGURE in it. If one should doubt who CHRIST is let him read, “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” (Rev 5:5-7) CHRIST alone is the Revelation of GOD to men. It is impossible that a man can know who GOD is or have any understanding of the unfolding purpose of GOD in the Earth unless he is enabled to see HIM who has opened that sealed book.
The LORD JESUS CHRIST has taken that book and loosed the seven seals of it as HE has come into the world as the REDEEMER of sinners. HE is not some secondary figure in a panoply of gods but clearly manifested HIMSELF as the ETERNAL GOD. Did HE not point this out quite clearly to Philip, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” (John 14:9-11) HE who “thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD”, has humbled HIMSELF, made in the likeness of sinful flesh and tabernacled among men in order to declare the glory of GOD in the redemption of sinners. Is this not HIS crowning work, and is HE not worthy of all glory in that undertaking. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” (Rev 5:9-14)
After the LORD had destroyed the houses of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram for their rebellion against HIS chosen priesthood, HE set forth a trial to manifest who those were who were to be the sole priests of the LORD’s house. The princes of each tribe were to bring their “rods”, (i.e.; staffs denoting their power and authority as leaders) to Moses who laid them beside the rod of Aaron in the Tabernacle of witness. “And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.” (Num 17:8)
This was indeed a glorious sight which signified the absolute power of the Levitical priesthood, under the law given to Moses, having no rival among the rest of Israel. The Hebrew word which is translated as “flourish” in Psalm 132:18 is the exact same word which is translated as bloomed in Numbers 17:8. The Psalmist said that “upon himself shall his crown flourish”. There can be no doubt that he is speaking of HIM who is greater than Moses. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:17-18)
CHRIST is a KING without rival. HE has arisen as the CHAMPION of HIS people and has destroyed all of those enemies which were arrayed against the sons of Adam, whom HE loved with an everlasting love. HE has trampled them in HIS fury and sprinkled HIS garments with their blood. None eyed did pity HIM, and none lent HIM any aid, thus HE said, “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.”
By HIS own power and might HE has secured the victory over sin, death, and hell, for HIS elect Bride, and does ever sit in royal state upon the throne of HIS Kingdom which shall never pass away. Thus, HIS crown flourishes upon HIS head. It is before HIS throne of utter dominion that all of the saints in all ages gather to worship HIM. “The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now; a royal diadem adorns the mighty victor's brow. The highest place that heav'n affords is his, is his by right, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and heav'n's eternal light.” (T. Kelly, 1820) Have you bowed your knee there?
mam