Bethel LIFE Centre

01/29/2026

The sea of glass. We have here a heavenly temple, similar to the OT temple (Revelation 11:19 and Hebrews 9:23). The seven lamps correspond to the seven-branched lampstand; the sea of glass to the laver; and the throne to the ark of the covenant where God reigned in glory. Revelation 6:9-11 indicates that there is an altar of sacrifice in heaven, and Revelation 8:3-5 that there is an incense alter.

01/28/2026

The Objects Before the Throne (Revelation 4:5-11). The lamps.
These are symbols of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of burning (Isaiah 4:4). Christ has the fullness of the Spirit, for seven is the number of fullness (Revelation 3:1). During this age of grace, the Spirit is pictured as a dove of peace (John 1:29-34); but after the church is taken away, the Spirit will minister a judgment of fire.

01/27/2026

Revelation 4:5 describes not a throne of grace, but a throne of judgment. Thunder and lightning are warnings that the storm is coming! God thundered at Sinai when He gave the Law (Exodus 19:16), and He will thunder again to judge those who have broken His Law (Psalm 29:1-11 and Psalm 77:18). God warned Egypt in this way (Exodus 9:23-28), and He will also warn this wicked world. See Psalm 9:7.

01/26/2026

When Daniel saw the thrones “set up” (Daniel 7:9; not “cast down”), they were empty; but John sees the thrones filled, for now God’s people have been called home. We are kings and priests with Him (Revelation 1:6).

01/25/2026

WHY we SUFFER and TRUST GOD through it. Ps/Ap Melveeta Grooms Harewood.

Message Ps/Ap Melveeta Grooms Harewood

01/25/2026

Twenty-four priests served in the Old Testament temple (1Chronicles 24:3-5, 18, and Luke 1:5-9). It seems likely that these twenty-four elders signify the saints raptured and reigning with Christ in glory.

01/24/2026

The Elders Around the Throne (Revelation 4:4) cannot be angels, for several reasons: (1) we never see angels on thrones; (2) we never see angels with crowns; (3) in Rev. 7:11, the elders are distinguished from the angels; (4) in Rev. 5:8-10, the elders sing a hymn of praise, and we have no record that angels ever sing; (5) in their song, they claim to have been redeemed, something an angel could not say; (6) in Rev. 5:12, the angels say, while in Rev. 5:9 the elders sing; (7) the angels are never numbered, Hebrews 12:22; (8) the name “elder” signifies maturity, while angels are timeless beings.

01/23/2026

In Revelation 10:1 we see Christ wearing the rainbow over His head, for it is through Christ that grace and mercy have come to the world. Noah saw only an arc in the sky, while John saw the complete rainbow all around the throne. What we see of God’s mercy is incomplete today, for we “see through a glass darkly” (1Corinthians 13:12); but when we get to heaven, we will see the whole pattern.

01/22/2026

Around the throne was an emerald-colored rainbow. This takes us back to Genesis 9:11-17, when God made His covenant with mankind and nature not to destroy the world again with water. The rainbow speaks of God’s promise and His covenant of mercy. Even though the throne of God is about to send forth awful judgment on mankind, in His wrath God will still remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

01/21/2026

Jasper is a clear stone, speaking of God’s purity; sardine is red, speaking of God’s wrath and judgment; and the emerald is green, a color associated with grace and mercy. All of these stones were found on the beautiful breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:17-21).

01/20/2026

The Glory of the Throne (Revelation 4:2-3). The person on the throne is God the Father, since the Spirit is represented by the lamps before the throne (Revelation 4:5), and the Son comes to the throne in Revelation 5:6. John uses precious gems to symbolize the glory of the Father.

01/19/2026

We might note the different doors in Revelation: (1) the door of service, Revelation 3:8; (2) the door closed against Christ, Revelation 3:20; (3) the door into heaven, Revelation 4:1; and (4) the door out from heaven, Revelation 19:11.