Sending in Openbaring

Abstract

This study Mission in Revelation culminates in a point-by-point summary.1 Firstly, the eight most important role players in the account of Revelation are identified and symbolically represented by the colours of the rainbow.2 Their identity and role in the account of Revelation are briefly described in conjunction with the theological motif that relates specifically to each role player. Second, the theological motifs of Revelation are rendered point by point in a Theological-thematic manner and are outlined with reference to the face of a clock.3 Consequently, Mission as a theological motive in Revelation is grounded theologically, the objective of mission is explained, and the aim of this study is achieved. Both the role players in the account of Revelation and the theological motifs in the scripture of Revelation are found in mainly the vision of the throne in Revelation 4 and 5. It can be summarised as follows: 1 There was a throne (white) in heaven with Someone sitting on it. (Doxology). 2 Between the throne and the elders stood a Lamb (red) that had been slain. (Christology and Soteriology). 3 Before the throne, seven lamps (orange) were blazing. These were the seven spirits of God and the seven eyes of the Lamb sent out into all the earth (Pneumatology and Missiology). 4 Surrounding the throne, the living creatures and the elders, there was a multitude of angels (yellow) who sang in a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!" (Angelology and Satanology). 5 A rainbow, resembling an emerald (green), encircled the throne and before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal (Biblical Cosmology). 6 All creation, every creature in heaven (light blue) and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, the great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, cried out: "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!" (Biblical Anthropology and Eschatology). 7 Around the throne, were four living creatures (dark blue), and they were covered with eyes, in front and behind. Day and night they never stopped saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come". Then the twenty-four elders fell down before Him who sat on the throne, and worshipped Him who lives for ever and ever and said: "...for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" (Deaconology). 8 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on them were twenty-four elders (purple). The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, and the twenty-four elders each had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which were the prayers of the saints, and they sang a new song (Ecclesiology).