Sometimes it is more important to consider what the Bible does not say so that we can see a clearer picture of what is being shared. In Revelation 5 we read that a strong angel is asking who is worthy to take the scroll and open it. John cries because there is no one worthy in heaven, on earth, or under the earth. Jesus was not there at the right hand of the Father. Then all of a sudden Jesus was there. He was somewhere else at the start of the announcement. Jesus had told his disciples that when he came again he would bring them to where he was. We know he has been seated at the right hand of the Father. We know he had witnessed to the imprisoned spirits and the captive saints. We know he has been preparing a place for his disciples. We also know that he has been interceding for us since the satan accuses us before the throne day and night. With all of this information, we can consider where Jesus had been at the start of this announcement. He wasn’t seated next to the Father, otherwise he would just reach over and take the scroll. He was between the four living creatures and the throne, holding seven animal horn trumpets, and the seven spirits/eyes that have gone out into the earth are with him. We then see the saints praying and singing. The saints weren’t mentioned before. John didn’t say if there were or were not saints with him looking to see who was worthy to take and open the scroll. But then, we see the saints participating in this event in the place where the Father’s throne is. As soon as Jesus opens the first seal, a course of events starts to unfold. It is known as the day of vengeance.
Where was Jesus? Where did the saints come from? If Jesus wasn’t at the right hand of the Father where was he?
Revelation 5:3 (KJV)
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
They were not looking for a worthy angel, a worthy cherub, a worthy seraph, only a worthy man. No man was found in heaven, earth, or hades, who could open the book. Where was Jesus? When Jesus comes for the saints, we know the dead in Christ rise from the place of the dead first, then those who are alive on the earth rise from the earth to meet Jesus. Where was Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV)
17 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.
Jesus wasn’t in heaven, nor was he seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus wasn’t on the earth. Jesus wasn’t under the earth either. Jesus was in the air, meeting the saints. If the announcement is made, yet no one could find a man in heaven, earth, or hades to take the book, Jesus must not have been in any of those places. He showed up between the cherubim and the throne of the Father with the seven spirits who had gone out into all the earth.
Jesus is carrying seven horns that make trumpet sounds. We have mistakenly thought these horns were horns on Jesus’ head, but as we saw the parallel with Joshua, these are animal horn trumpets. Who blows these trumpets?
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV)
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Someone is blowing these trumpets. Maybe seven angels or the seven spirit/eyes are blowing these trumpets. We don’t know who, but there will be trumpet sounds made by seven trumpets, and at the last trumpet sound the dead will rise and those who are redeemed on the earth will be changed.
The prophet Habakkuk wrote an interesting song. It has some complementing elements to Revelation 5.
Habakkuk 3:1 A PRAYER OF THE PROPHET AMBACUM, WITH A SONG.
2 O Lord, I have heard thy report, and was afraid: I considered thy works, and was amazed: thou shalt be known between the two living creatures, thou shalt be acknowledged when the years draw nigh; thou shalt be manifested when the time is come; when my soul is troubled, thou wilt in wrath remember mercy.
3 God shall come from Thaeman, and the Holy One from the dark shady mount Pharan. Pause. 4 His excellence covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness shall be as light; there were horns in his hands, and he caused a mighty love of his strength. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Ambacum/index.htm
The Lord is known between the two living creatures. People will acknowledge him when the years draw near, and when the time comes the Lord will be proclaimed. The reference to places Teman and Paran mean that God comes out of the east like the rising sun. The heavens are covered in his virtue, and the earth is filled with praise. His splendor shines, and he has horns in his hand. His love is strong. The interesting thing about Jesus being in the middle of the cherubim and holding horns in his hands is that this sounds like the events of Revelation 5. It is a song, and it was written at a time before the Babylonian captivity, before Solomon’s temple was destroyed. Habakkuk was seeing ahead to this time period. When Jesus comes on the Day of the Lord He does not have horns in his hands nor is he between the living creatures. The song relates to the harpazo.
In verse 8 we see the four living creatures/beasts and the twenty four elders fall down before Jesus. The cherubim and the elders fall before Jesus, not the Father. They have harps for making music and bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints. They are making music because the saints are singing.
Revelation 5:8 (KJV)
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Revelation 5:8 G2532 And G3753 when G2983 he took G3588 the G975 scroll, G3588 the G5064 four G2226 living creatures G2532 and G1501.8 twenty-four G4245 elders G4098 fell G1799 before G3588 the G721 lamb, G2192 [2having G1538 1each] G2788 harps, G2532 and G5357 bowls G5552 made of gold G1073 being full G2368 of incenses, G3739 which G1510.2.6 are G3588 the G4335 prayers G3588 of the G39 holy ones.
4335 LSJ Gloss:προσευχή prayer
Dodson:προσευχή prayer, a place for prayer(a) prayer (to God), (b) a place for prayer (used by Jews, perhaps where there was no synagogue).
Strong’s:προσευχή prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
Derivation: from G4336; KJV Usage: X pray earnestly, prayer.
Thayer:
1) prayer addressed to God
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
2a) a synagogue
2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer
For Synonyms see entry G5828
Berry's New Testament Synonyms
• Prayer
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
• Vow
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
προσευχή
proseuchē pros-yoo-khay' From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel) KJV Usage: X pray earnestly, prayer.
39 Strong’s:ἅγιον a sacred thing (i.e. spot) Derivation: neuter of G40; KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
Thayer:
1) reverend, worthy of veneration
1a) of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned
1b) of persons whose services God employs, for example, apostles
2) set apart for God, to be as it were, exclusively his
3) services and offerings
3a) prepared for God with solemn rite, pure, clean
4) in a moral sense, pure sinless upright holy
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἅγιον
hagion hag'-ee-on Neuter of G40; a sacred thing (that is, spot) KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
The prayers of the saints are collected up in bowls as incense, meaning they are a sweet offering, just as the altar of incense in the temple. The prayers of the saints are held in bowls while the saints sing a new song to Jesus. Our prayers do not ever fall, they are collected as a sweet offering.
There are a few translator errors in verse 9. The word “and” can be used as “that”, and the word “they” is not in the text. The word “sang” is not past tense it is present tense, “sing”. Remember the beasts and elders have harps, they are making music for the saints who are singing. “….golden bowls of incense filled with the prayers of the saints that sing a new ode…”
Revelation 5:9 G2532 And that G103 they sang sing G5603 [2ode G2537 1a new], G3004 saying, G514 Worthy G1510.2.2 are you G2983 to take G3588 the G975 scroll, G2532 and G455 to open G3588 G4973 its seals;
2532 καί
kai kahee Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words KJV Usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.
103 Dodson:ᾄδωI sing.
Strong's:ᾄδωto sing Derivation: a primary verb; KJV Usage: sing.
Thayer:
1) to the praise of anyone, to sing
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ᾄδω
adō ad'-o A primary verb; to sing KJV Usage: sing.
5603 LSJ Gloss:ᾠδήa song, lay, ode
Dodson:ᾠδή an ode, song an ode, song, hymn.
Strong’s:ᾠδή a chant or "ode" (the general term for any words sung; while G5215 denotes especially a religious metrical composition, and G5568 still more specially, a Hebrew cantillation) Derivation: from G103; KJV Usage: song.
Thayer:
1) a song, lay, ode
For Synonyms see entry G5876
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
• Psalm
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
• Song
ᾠδή
ōdē o-day' From G103; a chant or “ode” (the general term for any words sung; while G5215 denotes especially a religious metrical composition, and G5568 still more specifically a Hebrew cantillation KJV Usage: song.
2537LSJ Gloss:καινός new, fresh
Dodson:καινός fresh, new fresh, new, unused, novel.
Strong’s:καινός Derivation: of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while G3501 is properly so with respect to age KJV Usage: new.
Thayer:
1) new
1a) as respects form
1a1) recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn
1b) as respects substance
1b1) of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of
For Synonyms see entry G5852
Berry's New Testament Synonyms
• Old
• New
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
• New
• Old
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
• New
καινός
kainos kahee-nos' Of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while G3501 is properly so with respect to age) KJV Usage: new.
Who is singing? The saints. Who is playing music? The beasts and elders. How do we know the saints are singing? Because they are the only ones who can sing this ode. What do they sing? To Jesus they sing you are worthy…because you were slain…
Revelation 5:9……… G1473 G3754 for G4969 you were slain, G2532 and G59 you bought G3588 G2316 us to God G1473 G1722 by G3588 G129 your blood, G1473 G1537 from out of G3956 every G5443 tribe, G2532 and G1100 tongue, G2532 and G2992 people, G2532 and G1484 nation.
The saints sing that Jesus was slain and that Jesus “bought us to God by your blood”. Jesus’ blood does not buy anyone but humans. Jesus did not die for angels, cherubim, seraphim, or any other son of God. Jesus redeems humans only. Who can be redeemed? Anyone that confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior. Redemption on the Day of Redemption is only for human beings. The saints are the only ones who can sing this song. They continue to sing.
Revelation 5:10 G2532 And G4160 you made G1473 them us G3588 [4 to G2316 5our God G1473 G935 1kings G2532 2and G2409 3priests]; G2532 and G936 they reign G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.
Who are made kings and priests? Humans. Not the angels, cherubim, seraphim, or any other beings. Humans are made kings and priests on the earth. John had this message to the churches from the seven spirits and Jesus Christ. The message is that Jesus loves us, and washed us from our sin in his own blood, and makes us kings and priests.
Revelation 1:4-6 (KJV)
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Who can sing this song? Only the saints. So the saints are singing a new song. Why is this new? Because they had not been redeemed until this time. When Jesus was not found in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, it was because Jesus was meeting the saints in the air. Jesus was gone, seizing the saints, gathering the dead and the living in Christ. Jesus then shows up between the cherubim and the throne. He has the seven horn trumpets in his hands and the seven spirits with him. He is the only one worthy to take the scroll. He takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father, and the living creatures and elders fall at his feet. Where did the saints come from? They were harpazo’d, seized on the day of redemption. The saints were not there prior to John arriving otherwise he would have said so. But now the saints are standing around the throne. These details of Jesus being gone then appearing, and then the saints showing up and starting to sing something never sung before have eluded most people, allowing religion and tradition to cloud over the details. Details are so very important.
As we previously studied (this blog back in 2013), we have a discrepancy with pronoun usage. The text reads in the first person plural, but some modern texts have changed the pronouns to third person plural. That is huge. It makes a very big difference in what we are to understand. The word in Revelation 5:10 translated “them” is the same word translated “us” everywhere else, in Revelation 5:9 and in Revelation 1:5-6. It is a first person pronoun. Not a third person pronoun. So when translators changed this pronoun it changed the meaning of the verse. Let’s look at these verses again.
Revelation 5:9 G2532 And G103 they sang G5603 [2ode G2537 1a new], G3004 saying, G514 Worthy G1510.2.2 are you G2983 to take G3588 the G975 scroll, G2532 and G455 to open G3588 G4973 its seals; G1473 G3754 for G4969 you were slain, G2532 and G59 you bought G3588 G2316 us to God G1473 G1722 by G3588 G129 your blood, G1473 G1537 from out of G3956 every G5443 tribe, G2532 and G1100 tongue, G2532 and G2992 people, G2532 and G1484 nation.
10 G2532 And G4160 you made G1473 them us G3588 [4 to G2316 5our God G1473 G935 1kings G2532 2and G2409 3priests]; G2532 and G936 they reign G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.
1473 LSJ Gloss:ἐγώ ego
Dodson:ἐγώ I I, the first-person pronoun.
Strong’s: ἐγώ Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic) KJV Usage: I, me. For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc. G1691 G1698 G1700 G2248 G2249 G2254 G2257
Thayer:
1) I, me, my
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
• I
ἐγώ
egō eg-o' A primary pronoun of the first person, “I” (only expressed when emphatic) KJV Usage: I, me. For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.
We also see an added word “they” in verse 10 that has to be supplied to keep the first incorrect “they” smooth. Instead, by taking out the added “they”, and replacing the third person “they” with the obvious first person “us” as it should be, the added word does not need to be supplied. The King James Version does a good job keeping the pronouns straight.
Revelation 5:9-10 (KJV)
9 And that they sung sing 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;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth.
It is amazing what a few misplaced pronouns can do to mix up a verse of scripture. In any event, the pronoun trouble and added words, and misused tenses, made this verse seem as if someone else is singing about the saints, which they could not be since the pronouns are first person plural.
Only the saints can sing about the saints being redeemed by blood and this is what Jesus Christ and the seven spirits tell the church in Revelation 1. With the word sing in the wrong tense, it seems as if the saints sang some time in the past, but they just started this new song proclaiming Jesus worthy. No one else was found worthy up to that time, remember?
The living creatures and elders fall at Jesus’ feet. The saints start singing a new ode, it is the first time anyone has ever been able to sing this song. And then angels, the living creatures and the elders who were all around the throne start to sing.
Revelation 5:11 G2532 And G1492 I saw, G2532 and G191 I heard G5613 as G5456 a sound G32 [2angels G4183 1of many] G2945 round about G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G3588 the G2226 living creatures, G2532 and G3588 the G4245 elders; G2532 and G1510.7.3 was G3588 the G706 number G1473 of them G3461 myriads G3461 of myriads, G2532 and G5505 thousands G5505 of thousands,
This is an affirmation of who is worthy. Remember that no one was worthy in heaven, on the earth or in hades, then Jesus shows up. The saints sing about being redeemed and being made kings and priests, and then the other beings sing about Jesus being worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing.
Revelation 5:12 G3004 saying G5456 [2voice G3173 1with a great], G514 Worthy G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G721 lamb, G3588 the one G4969 having been slain, G2983 to receive G3588 G1411 power, G2532 and G4149 riches, G2532 and G4678 wisdom, G2532 and G2479 strength, G2532 and G5092 honor, G2532 and G1391 glory, G2532 and G2129 blessing.
Jesus has been seated at the right hand of the Father, yet this is the song being sung after Jesus returns with the saints. Then all the creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea are singing.
Revelation 5:13 G2532 And G3956 every G2938 creature G3739 which G1510.2.3 is G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G5270 underneath G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G1909 [3upon G3588 4the G2281 5sea G3739 1which G1510.2.3 2are], G2532 and G3588 [2the ones G1722 3in G1473 4them G3956 1all], G191 I heard, G3004 saying, G3588 to the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G3588 to the G721 lamb, G3588 The G2129 blessing, G2532 and G3588 the G5092 honor, G2532 and G3588 the G1391 glory, G2532 and G3588 the G2904 might G1519 to G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons.
Blessing, honor, glory, and power, to the ages of the ages.
Revelation 5:14 G2532 And G3588 the G5064 four G2226 living creatures G3004 saying G3588 the G281 Amen. G2532 And G3588 the G1501 twenty G5064 four G4245 elders G4098 fell G2532 and G4352 did obeisance
The songs being sung at this time are as follows:
The Saints: 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.
The angels, beasts, and elders: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
All creatures: Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
The beasts: Amen.
The Lamb is being exalted for being worthy to take the scroll and open the seals. The Lamb has been seated next to the Heavenly Father interceding for the saints since he finished witnessing to the imprisoned spirits and the captive saints. This song hasn’t been sung before. It could not have been sung until the saints could be there singing around the throne. It is a short song. Then Jesus takes the scroll.
John is experiencing sight and sound, he sees what is happening and he hears what is happening. Then one of the four living creatures calls John to come and see. Jesus has just opened one of the seals and the day of vengeance is starting.
Revelation 6:1 (KJV)
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Now Jesus opens one of the seals. What does this mean? First we have to understand that the tribulation time is the time of vengeance, punishment, and judgment. This is why the saints are not on the earth. We have to understand, it is not the desire of the Father or the Son to beat people up, to harm people, or to be mean. However, the judgement for not making Jesus Lord and Savior causes people to have an allegiance with the satan.
Psalm 149:1-9 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance [1557] upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
1557LSJ Gloss:ἐκδίκησις an avenging
Dodson:ἐκδίκησις a defense, vengeance, full punishment
(a) a defense, avenging, vindication, vengeance, (b) full (complete) punishment.
Thayer:
1) a revenging, vengeance, punishment
ἐκδίκησις
ekdikēsis ek-dik'-ay-sis From G1556; vindication, retribution KJV Usage: (a-, re-) venge (-ance), punishment.
If we remember who comes back with the Jesus on the Day of the Lord at the end of the tribulation, the saints are the armies of the Lord Jesus Christ. They sing a new song, continue in praises, and use a double edged sword to execute vengeance. This is an honor for all the saints.
Isaiah 34:1-10 (KJV)
1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
8 For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance [2920], and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
2920LSJ Gloss:κρίσις a separating, power of distinguishing
Dodson:κρίσις judging, divine judgment judging, judgment, decision, sentence; generally: divine judgment; accusation.
Thayer:
1) a separating, sundering, separation
1a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
3a) opinion or decision given concerning anything
3a1) esp. concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong
3b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory, condemnation and punishment
4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem)
5) right, justice
κρίσις
krisis kree'-sis (Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law) KJV Usage: accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
It is the day of the Lord’s tribunal, damnation, and justice. It is the year of payback and recompense. Isaiah 61 says this as well. This is where Jesus stopped when he read this scripture in the synagogue in Nazareth. At that time it was not the day of recompense, but during the tribulation it will be a day of comforting those who mourn and the time to give them beauty for ashes.
Isaiah 61:1-3 http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm
61:1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; 2 to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompence [469]; to comfort all that mourn; 3 that there should be given to them that mourn in Sion glory instead of ashes, the oil of joy to the mourners, the garment of glory for the spirit of heaviness: and they shall be called generations of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for glory.
469 LSJ Gloss:ἀνταπόδοσις a giving back in turn
Dodson:ἀνταπόδοσις a reward, recompense.
Thayer:
1) recompence, to reward or repay someone
ἀνταπόδοσις
antapodosis an-tap-od'-os-is From G467; requital (properly the act) KJV Usage: reward.
Jesus declares the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of recompense, this is what being worthy to take the scroll and open the seals is all about.
On the Day of the Lord when Jesus comes back with his armies, he will be wearing a garment dyed red as Revelation 19 mentions.
Isaiah 63:1-4 (KJV)
1 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.
2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
3 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.
4 For the day of vengeance [469] is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
It is the day of payback and the year of ransoming. The time to redeem the Jews who now confess Jesus as Lord and repaying evil people for their deeds. Nahum gives us some wise words.
Nahum 1:2-3 (KJV)
2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance [1556] on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Now Jesus does reassure his disciples, but it does not translate as well in the King James. Let’s compare the KJV and the Greek.
Luke 18:7-8 (KJV)
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:7 G3588 G1161 But G2316 God, G3766.2 shall he in no way G4160 execute G3588 the G1557 vengeance G3588 of the ones G1588 of his chosen, G1473 G3588 of the ones G994 yelling G4314 to G1473 him G2250 day G2532 and G3571 night, G2532 and G3114 is lenient G1909 unto G1473 them.
8 G3004 I say G1473 to you G3754 that G4160 he shall execute G3588 G1557 his vengeance G1473 G1722 quickly. G5034 G4133 Furthermore, G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man, G2064 having come G686 then, G2147 shall he find G3588 the G4102 belief G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth?
In no way will God execute punishment on his chosen ones. Why? Because Jesus does not punish the children of God, but the children of wrath. This is the whole point of the tribulation period, and it is absurd to believe that anyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior today will have to be punished in the tribulation. This is the reason for redemption, and the reason for the harpazo. It is only the foolish and unlearned who would dare to contend that our loving Heavenly Father, and loving Lord and Savior desire our allegiance only to then punish us who align with them.
Simply put, the tribulation is a time for people to make the choice to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior or to follow the beast, the false prophet, and the son of perdition. Paul says recompense is a righteous thing.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (KJV)
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance [1557] on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
I am sure it is a very sorrowful thing for the Father and the Son to watch creation be abused by the satan. I’m sure there are many times that Jesus would rather strike those who persecute his children. I bet it is hard to watch the sons and daughters of the most High God undergo pain and torment at the hand of a usurper. Just as we hurt when our earthly children hurt, so the heavens mourn for humanity. The creation even groans and travails in pain until the sons of God are revealed on the Day of the Lord, Romans 8. The tribulation time period will cause so much trouble on the earth it will be known as the day of the anger of the Lamb.
Revelation 6:16 G2532 And G3004 they say G3588 to the G3735 mountains G2532 and G3588 to the G4073 rocks, G4098 Fall G1909 upon G1473 us, G2532 and G2928 hide G1473 us G575 from G4383 the face G3588 of the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G2362 throne, G2532 and G575 from G3588 the G3709 anger G3588 of the G721 lamb!
17 G3754 For G2064 is come G3588 the G2250 [2day G3588 G3173 1great] G3588 G3709 of his anger; G1473 G2532 and G5100 who G1410 is able G2476 to stand?
The first three and one half years of the seven year period consists of peace being taken off the earth with the opening of the seals. Then there will be seven trumpet judgments up to the time that the two witnesses are harpazo’d and Jesus is coronated with the proclamation that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ and he shall reign forever. This period is known as the wrath of the Lamb. The second three and one half year period is known as the Great Tribulation, the wrath of the Father, consisting of the winepress of the wrath of God and the bowl judgements, culminating with the Apocalypse, the Day of the Lord when Jesus returns with His saints. There is a progression from light affliction to harder and heavier burdens up to the Day of the Lord.
Jesus son of Sirach suggests something very wise. He cautions people not to assume God will be merciful over their sins. He suggests we move quickly and turn to the Lord. He warns not to put it off. We must be wise and warn others. It is ultimately our choice. We choose either the day of redemption or the day of vengeance. Considering there is currently no temple on the earth there is only one way to atone for sins, the blood of Jesus.
Sirach 5:6-7 (KJVApocrypha)
6 And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.
7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
6 And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.
7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
