Creature Feature In The Throne Room

Creature Feature in the Throne Room

Rev. 4 & 5

Sept. 28, 2008 FBC, Chester Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction

A Story

B John takes us to the prophetic section of Revelation

1 I believe chapters 4-22 all foretell future events that will affect the world, eliminate governments, banking systems, religions, etc.

a I do believe the Bible should be viewed as a whole, & not in fragments (one prophesy compliments the other).

aa As I read Revelation 4-22, I notice that the church is absent from the tribulation, Great Tribulation, Antichrist, Armageddon, etc.

bb In fact, it’s not until 22:16, as Jesus puts His secondary authoritative seal on the book is “churches” used again.

b I believe that John’s first three words of Revelation 4 refers to the rapture of the church (view the Bible as a whole, prophecy complimenting prophecy).

aa But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout , with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:13-17 (NASB)

bb After these things...1) RAPTURE/end of church age 2) removal of the church from the world scene (aka rapture).

2 As we read our text, know that we are getting a backstage pass to a heavenly floor & light show.

a We are seeing what a worship service looks like in Heaven/Paradise.

b I see these two chapters as worship stimulants for us here.

aa The worship we do here should prepare us for the hereafter.

bb We’re told to witness, work more for Christ. Rev. 4-5 would tell us to worship more.

I Throne, 24 elders, & 4 living creatures. After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 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. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. 5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME." Rev 4:1-8 (NASB)

A John sees the throne that God was about to issue judgment from.

1 In Hebrews (1:3; 10:12; 12:2), He sits resting on the throne because the redemptive & propitiatory sacrifice has been completed, finished.

a He’s not resting anymore-He’s reigning (and about to issue judgement)

b His throne is standing (fixed, permanent, unshakable)

aa His throne is being used (it’s not empty)

bb In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Isaiah 6:1 (NASB), Micah saw Him Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. 1 Kings 22:19 (NASB)