The Revelation Of Jesus Christ – Chapter 4 Series

The Revelation Of Jesus Christ – Chapter 4

We have already looked at:

I. Things Which Thou Hast Seen – Rev 1

And:

II. Things Which Are – The Church Age – Rev 2-3

We now turn to the main portion of the Book of Revelation:

III. Things Which Are To Come – Rev 4-22

A. The Throne Of God – Rev 4

Rev 4:1 (NASB) “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.”

1. Behold, A Door Open In Heaven – Rev 4:1 – (John 10:1-9)

John 10:1-9 (NASB) Truly, truly, I say to you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spoke Jesus to them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke to them. Then said Jesus to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

a. Fourth Time a Door is Mentioned

The first time was in the letter to the church in Philadelphia:

Rev 3:8 (NASB) I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

(1) Revelation 3:8

The second time it was in the letter to the church of Laodicea:

Rev 3:20 (NASB) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

(2) Revelation 3:20 (twice)

b. Door is already open

The saved have an open door –the lost have a closed door because they never opened their heart to the Savor. The door John sees is here is open – Behold – a door opened in heaven.

2. The first voice which I heard – Rev 4:1

a. Like a trumpet

b. Speaking with me

(1) Come

(2) I will show you

(a.) Things which must take place – (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

1 Co 15:51-54 (NASB) Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

Rev 4:2 (NASB) “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.”

3. Immediately in the Spirit – Rev. 4:2 – (Rev. 1:10)

Rev 1:10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,”

Paul writes about one who was caught up into heaven when he says:

2Co 12:2-4 (NASB) I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

But here is what John sees:

a. Behold –

(1) A throne

(a) In Heaven

(b) One seated on it

Rev 4:3 “And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.”