Revelation Chapter 14

VERSE 13-14 continued “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, [but] their works follow [with] them.” Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.”

“The original question was what the risen saints are presently doing. Since over twenty billion souls of fallen humanity, as well as the unnumbered host of angels who were disobedient in the world or age before the Flood, are to be judged individually (1 Cor. 6:2,3).

How can the risen saints properly perform such a gigantic task unless, prior to this judgment work, they become acquainted with the past life-styles, deeds good and bad, and the character traits of this mixed multitudinous host of individuals of whom they had not the least prior personal knowledge?

Would not the various members of the risen body also need instruction as to what level of authority and what sphere of influence—that is, what place in the chain of command—they are to occupy and control?

The risen saints would not be engaged in Kingdom work as respects the remaining members of the body of Christ in the flesh, those still here on earth, for down through the Gospel Age Jesus alone, in conjunction with the guardian angelic host, has quite efficiently superintended the development of the Church as its Apostle and High Priest (Heb. 3:1)—without the need for any additional support on the part of the risen membership. Over the past century or so, the risen saints have been occupied with the necessary schooling and orientation preparatory to their future Kingdom work on behalf of others. And the primary work of Christians in the flesh on this side of the veil continues to be their transformation into the character likeness of God’s dear Son.

Therefore, it is believed that the risen saints are now, and have been ever since A.D. 1878, with the Lord “in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17), awaiting the completion of the body members, and that they are presently engaged in works incidental and preparatory to the Kingdom reign of Christ and his Bride.

In addition, it is believed that the Church will be introduced to the Heavenly Father as a class or completed company (notwithstanding any individual honor or recognition which may later be extended), and that this formal presentation is an event yet future. The condition of the resurrected saints who have been raised to spirit nature (but not office) is comparable to that of Jesus during those forty days before his ascension. In the interval of time between Jesus’ ascension on high and Pentecost, two noteworthy series of events were transpiring. One had to do with Jesus’ being feted by the heavenly host for his faithful personal performance in having just freshly laid the basis for salvation of the human race. The other had to do with his apostles and disciples who were instructed to tarry at Jerusalem until the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the heaven of God’s presence above, there was great joy and jubilation; but in the heavenlies (Eph. 1:3; 2:6) or consecrated spiritual realm below, there was silence, a spiritual vacuum, as it were, until Pentecost.

Silence in Heaven a Half Hour

A similar brief, indefinite silence—spoken of as lasting “half an hour” (Rev. 8:1)—will occur at the end of this age. During that time, following the completion of the body of Christ, the Great Company or foolish virgin class will experience a period of non-communication and lack of recognition from on high. The remaining consecrated in the flesh, those new creatures in Christ Jesus who have lost their crowns, will, for a brief time, have no communication between heaven above and themselves below.

This silence will be an evidence or sign (to the Great Company, those awake to present truth) that the Bride of Christ is complete, and it will occur while the heavenly host is primarily preoccupied with celebrating the triumphal entry of Christ with his Bride into the courts of heaven.

When this exuberant display of feelings abates—after the divinely appointed time expires—then will swiftly follow a succession of events (the first being the deliverance of the Great Company class), which will ultimately usher in God’s promised Kingdom on earth. At last, in due time, the glorious effect and the peaceable fruitage of Christ’s great redemptive sacrifice will be the happy lot of mankind; the highway of holiness and of opportunity for life will open to such as are willing and obedient (Isa. 35:8).”

We move on to Verse 15 in our next post.