Revelation 4–5 provide glimpses into Christ’s glory. Chapter 4 is John’s vision into the throne room of heaven. God is on the throne, orchestrating all the events that John recorded. The world is under his control, and he will carry out his plans as Christ initiates the final battle with the forces of evil.
After writing the letters to the seven churches, John looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. It is God who opens the door, so this is God revealing these visions to John and to us. This first voice that sounded like a trumpet was the voice of Christ. The voice spoke again and told John to “come up here.” From there, Christ would show John what must happen—that is, after the time of the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3. These would be visions of the end of the world and the beginning of Christ’s Kingdom.
Some who subscribe to the pre-Tribulation theory see a veiled reference to the rapture of the church in the words of Christ to “come up.” But the text indicates that John alone was commanded to be transported in the Spirit to heaven. The Rapture is not mentioned specifically in the book of Revelation.
Four times in the book of Revelation, John wrote that he was in the Spirit (1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). This expression means that the Holy Spirit was giving him a vision—showing him situations and events that he could not have seen with mere human eyesight. All true prophecy comes from God through the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21.
John saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The throne of God is mentioned forty times in the book of Revelation. The throne symbolizes God’s absolute authority. For the first-century readers, the most powerful throne in the world would have been Caesar’s throne. Caesar sat on the most glorious throne in the world and had control of one-half of the gross national product of the Roman Empire.
His glory and wealth, however, were nothing compared to God’s. God’s throne was as brilliant as gemstones. Jasper and carnelian were semiprecious stones. Caesar’s pomp and splendor were nothing compared to the glow of an emerald that circled God’s throne like a rainbow. The stones symbolize great wealth—God owns all the riches of the entire world. These gemstones were the most pure elements known at that time—and God transcends even these. John did not describe this person on the throne, other than to mention the brilliant light around him. God alone is sovereign; Caesar is not a god. Only God is God.
Surrounding God’s throne were twenty-four thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. The twenty-four elders are the heavenly counterpart of the twenty-four priestly ranks who served the Temple (1 Chronicles 23:6; 24:7-18).
The four living beings are angelic beings of high order, serving as part of the worship and government in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-4; Ezekiel 1:5-25). Isaiah 6:2 refers to these beings as “seraphim.” The seraphim surround God’s throne, lead others in worship, and proclaim God’s holiness. The eyes picture knowledge and alertness. They see and scrutinize everything. These are powerful figures, as noted by the wings. These four living beings also appear throughout Revelation.
The four living beings sing about God’s holiness. The actions of these living beings picture complete worship and submission to God. The one who lives forever and ever emphasizes God’s eternality. God is far more worthy of worship than any person because he lives forever (Psalms 45:6; 102:27). His throne symbolizes his power and authority. As the living beings praise God, the twenty-four elders fall down and worship. That they “fall down” refers to lying prostrate in a position of submission and adoration. Their worship means giving God all glory and honor and thanks.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Revelation 5:5-8 says,“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See! The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. He has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and the seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain standing at the center of the throne and circled by the four living creatures and elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And He came and He took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne and when He had taken it the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.”
Who is worthy of our worship? Who is worthy of giving our lives to? Who is worthy of our service and our time and our sacrifices? Jesus is worthy. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus comes out of the line of Judah, the Old Testament line of Judah. Here in one of the rare circumstances of the Bible He is called a lion. He is the powerful one. That’s how He’s going to come in His Second Coming.
He’s also the root of the tribe of Jesse, which reminds us not only of Abraham and his son but of Jesse and his son David. And He is the one who takes the kingdom in the end. He is one (and this is our most familiar picture) who looks like a Lamb.
But notice the Bible says he looks like a Lamb looking as if He’s been slain but He’s standing in the center of the throne. That’s an awesome picture to me. Jesus is standing in heaven and, as John views Him, John’s still able to see the scars and the wounds on the Lamb of God. They’re there in eternity. Someone has said and I believe it may very well be true that the only scars you’ll see in heaven are the scars on Jesus. Those are the scars that bought our salvation.
When you see this description of Jesus and read through it, what if you were standing at that throne right now? He’s trying to describe it for us so we’re taken there almost. We’re standing there with him. What would you do? What would you say? What would you experience if you were standing at that throne in this moment? How would you express the thanks that you have for all that He did for you on the cross? How would you say to Him how grateful you are for the way He’s worked in your life, the patience that He’s shown you, the love that He’s shown you, the grace that He’s shown you, the salvation that He’s given to you?
Sometimes when we sing at COV, I turn around, I look out at all of you and see your faces and see the joy of Christ in your hearts and realize what God has done in your life and my life and I just begin to take all that in. Sometimes as we sing and worship God even here I can’t sing. There’s that moment that the words aren’t even there because it’s so overwhelming to realize what a great God we have. What great grace He has shown us! There are those moments in our lives and I think it would be that way standing before the throne, when the best thing to say is nothing, when we stand speechless before that throne and recognize together the greatness of God.
Would you take some time this morning and contemplate what He has done for you?
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