LECTURE V
THE SEVEN-SEALED BOOK AND THE ONE WORTHY TO OPEN IT 5:1-14 As we enter upon our study of chapter five, let us remem ber that it is a continuation of the third and last main division of the book, the beginning of which we considered in our previous study of chapter four. We saw in our last lesson that the translation of the church will bring to a close "the things which are," and will usher in "the things which shall be hereafter." In other words, it will mark the end of the present age of grace; and then, in rapid succession, the events which shall be "after these things" will surely come to pass. Before we take up chapter five in detail, let us remind our selves once more of the fact that, from Rev. 4: 1 to the end of the book, the church is seen no more upon the earth in her present ministry; she is ever afterwards in the presence of God. We cannot emphasize this truth too much...-that John's translation, as recorded in 4: 1, is a picture of what will take place when I Thess. 4: 16-I7 is fulfilled. "The Lord him self shall descend from heaven with a shout." Only the redeemed will hear that shout. Only "the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." That is the translation of the church. To believers, it will be the greatest day the church of Jesus Christ has ever seen, and she has seen some great days! She saw a great day at Pentecost; she saw great days in the time of Moody, of Torrey, and of Whitfield: but the greatest day of all will be that day when the translation takes place. Then we shall be reunited with those we have "loved long since, and lost awhile." Do you remember, my friend, when the hearse drove up to your door and took away a little casket? Do you remember when you looked upon the white face and silent form of hus-
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