This argument assumes that the chapters of the Revelation follow one another in a chronological sequence, so that what is narrated in Chapter 4 (the vision of the crowned elders) must be fulfilled long before that which is recorded in Chapter 19, viz. the appearing in glory of the Lord. This assumption, however, is a fallacy, as a very brief examination of the matter will show. The order of narration is not historical but moral; that which occurs last being often here (as elsewhere) narrated first. Indeed, it is usual in all prophetic Scripture to exhibit the final scene of triumph and glory—“the preface of blessing ,” as it has been most appropriately called—before the intervening development of evil and of judgment. A conspicuous example is found in the second chapter of Isaiah, which contains the first of the visions granted to that prophet. The first five verses present a glorious picture of the final blessing of Israel in the millennial day, followed by a terrible description of the judgments which shall precede the Day of the Lord and the humbling of the nation under His hand.

Furthermore, the Revelation, like other books of prophecy, is composed of a series of visions which present, in different aspects and with varying details, the events of the same, or parts of the same period of history, the rule being that the earlier visions give outlines, the later ones details, of the same events. There is not the slightest difficulty in perceiving that after the vision of the glory of the risen saints in heaven given in Chapters 4 and 5 of the Revelation, Chapter 6 gives an outline which reaches to the close of the present dispensation, treating, in fact, of the same events as are related in different connections, in Chapter 19.

That the vision presented in Chapters 4, 5 is anticipative is proved by the fact that coincidentally with the worship in heaven of the crowned elders and living ones representing the risen saints, the earth at large, and Israel in it, are presented in relations of millennial blessing. The words “they reign on the earth” (Chapter 5. 10) which Dr. Tregelles asserts, form the true reading (see ante, note on p. 69) must point to Israel enjoying the fulfillment of Isaiah 60:8-12. And even if the saints on earth, whose prayers are presented before the throne by the crowned elders in heaven, could be supposed to be the Remnant of Israel during the days of Antichristian tribulation (a supposition full of the most irreconcilable difficulties, but which has been strongly urged), it is impossible to overlook the fact that the earth with all its inhabitants (verse 13) is represented as joining, at the same time, in the song of praise to God and the Lamb. This could never take place until the period of Antichristian evil was over, and the Lord was exalted throughout the earth (see Ps. 46, 47), that is, until after His second advent.

And yet it is frequently urged that “the structure of the Revelation” is the strongest argument for the rapture of the saints at a secret coming occurring some time prior to the Lord’s appearing in glory!

It will be easily seen by the following outline of the Revelation, that the principle of repetition is followed throughout that book, as indeed is the case, generally, in all the prophetic Scriptures.