Though John beheld this wonderful vision in heaven, yet we must remember that it was given and recorded for the benefit of God’s people upon earth.  The plan of redemption was not actually revealed in heaven, for “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15), and it was here that he was ordained to “taste death for every man.”  Heb. 2:9.  The ransomed company thus brought to view is intended to point out the redeemed of earth; for there is no salvation to be obtained in heaven, in which place no blood was shed—­the blood is one of the agents that bears witness in the earth. 1 John 5:7, 8.  The central figures of this vision were God, the Holy Spirit, and Christ, around whom the living creatures and elders were gathered, and they, in turn, were surrounded by the angelic throng.  This entire scene was doubtless intended to represent the exalted character of spiritual things on earth, where the plan of redemption was revealed and the redeemed host gathered out of all nations.  In a very important sense the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost all dwell in the spiritual church, or new Jerusalem, and are thus “in the midst” of God’s people, surrounded by the redeemed host who unceasingly worship them, and they, in turn, have the promise that “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them” (Psa. 34:7); yea, “an innumerable company of angels” reside in this “heavenly Jerusalem,” or “city of the living God,” unto which we, as a part of the “general assembly and church of the first-born,” “are come” in this dispensation.  Heb. 12:22, 23.

CHAPTER VI.

    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.

    2.  And I saw, and behold a white horse:  and he that sat on him
    had a bow; and a crown was given unto him:  and he went forth
    conquering, and to conquer.

We have now reached the point where the thrilling interest of this book commences.  With the opening of the seals of the book of God’s purposes we have the prophecies of the future, the unfolding of the events to be, described under appropriate symbols.  The contents of six seals are contained in this and the following chapter, while the seventh occupies the remainder of the volume.

A word relative to the plan of the prophecies will be appropriate at this time.  I will again state what will be made very clear hereafter—­that the events are narrated by series, and not by centuries.  A particular theme is taken up and carried through to its completion, then the narrative returns and another subject is traced to its end.  Thus, the entire book consists of a number of distinct parallel series covering the same ground.