THINGS TO COME –Filled with Worship
• Revelation 4 – 5
INTRODUCTION:
As a church we need a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ. Over the last several weeks we have looked at how Jesus is revealed in Revelation chapters 1-3 taking special notice of how Jesus made Himself know to the seven churches. The Revelation of Jesus was specific to each of the churches so they might know that it is Jesus who will enable them to be overcomers.
Jesus calls the church to repentance and repeatedly says, “He that has ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This is not an encouragement to just listen; rather if we are to have ears to hear then we must LISTEN and OBEY the Word spoken by the Spirit. Through repentance and obedience and with the help of Jesus the church overcomes and is victorious.
In Revelation 4 the focus changes. Instead of Jesus being revealed IN THE PRESENT, as the one to enable the churches to overcome sin and gain victory, now John is shown Jesus through the THINGS TO COME. What is to come to pass in the future reveals Jesus as the overcoming champion; Jesus is victorious over all. He is King of kings and Lord of lord, the One who is to come. Things to come give us a revelation of Jesus, and the assurance that the best really is yet to come.
I. An Open Door—The Church in Heaven
• Revelation 4:1 (NIV)
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
1. The passing of time; John’s second vision.
a) John did not see one continuous vision on the island of Patmos; days may have passed as different sections of the book were revealed to him. John uses this phrase six times through out the Revelation.
b) Chapter 4 then begins with both a change of time and a change of scene. John sees an open door in heaven and the voice which had spoken to him earlier calls him to, “Come up here,” that is to enter through the door into heaven itself.
2. “I will show you things to come.”
a) Chapters 4 and 5 both center around what happens around the throne of God in heaven. What happens in these two chapters are the introduction to everything else that happens through out the rest of John’s revelation things to come.
b) Remember the primary purpose of Revelation is to give a revelation of Jesus; therefore, the purpose of the vision of things to come is not just to give us a timeline of future events. Yes, God has shown us within John’s Revelation a picture of things to come—some of which we can understand and some which remains a mystery until these things come to pass. However, through out everything that is revealed in this final book of the Bible, the primary purpose of the vision of things to come is to reveal Jesus to us.
c) Jesus tells John, “I will show you what must take place after this.” John was told in Revelation 1:19 to write what has been what is now and what will be—the past, present and future. Revelation 1 reveals the glory of Jesus; chapters 2 and 3 contained the letters to the seven churches describing things as they are now. Now God would unfold the mystery of things to come as promised.
3. The vision of things to come begins with the church caught away into heaven—the rapture.
• Revelation 4:2 (NIV)
At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
a) John was caught up by the Spirit into heaven; John was taken through the door into heaven itself where he was brought before the throne of God. Many believe what happened to John here is symbolic of the catching away of the church. In other words the vision of things to come shows what must take place after the church is taken into heaven to be with Jesus.
b) That with John being in the Spirit and taken into heaven symbolizes the church being raptured and in heaven is further understood by what John sees in heaven before the throne.
• Revelation 4:4 (NIV)
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
c) Some have stated that these elders were angels; however in all the Old Testament visions angels and seraphs are seen around the throne but elders are never mentioned being before the throne. This may indicate that John saw a new group before the throne of God participating in things that were yet to come that had not been previously revealed.
d) It is also important to note that nowhere in the bible are angels referred to as elders. Also the crowns worn by the elders were the victor’s crown or wreath prepared for believers not angels. The crowns also symbolized royal power. The authority inherint with in the crowns together with the robes of white is part of what Jesus promised to believers who are overcomers in this world (see Revelation 2:10; 3:4).
e) It seems reasonable then to say that the 24 elders represent in some way the Church being in heaven before the throne. It may be that the number 24 stands for the totality of the Church throughout time representing both those who are a part of the Church in both the old and the new covenant represented by the 12 patriarchs and the 12 apostles.
f) I believe that the 24 elders represent the Church being in heaven before the throne because of what John sees taking place around the throne at this time. Believers are in heaven worshiping God.
II. Come Worship God our Creator
1. God the Father was seated on the throne.
• Revelation 4:2-3, 5 (NIV)
[2] . . . There before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. [3] And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne . . . [5] From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.
a) Even in heaven we will see the mysterious nature of our God who has revealed Himself as eternally existing with the relationships of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—One God revealed in three divine persons, the Trinity. I don’t know that we can ever fully understand the infinite realities of a triune God in this lifetime, and even throughout all eternity to come I believe we will still marvel over the wonder and awe of our One true God who forever is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
b) Here in chapter 5 John sees Jesus, the Lamb of God. Here before the throne John sees the Holy Spirit represented by the seven lamps which are the seven spirits of God. And John also behold the glory of the Father seated on the throne.
c) The lightning and thunder around the throne are reminders of how God spoke in the Old Testament as with Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19:16; 20:18). Together with the rainbow circling the thrown with the appearance of jasper and carnelian adds to the majesty and wonder of God who lives forever.
2. Between John and the throne was something like a sea of glass.
• Revelation 4:6 (NIV)
Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
a) John tried to express in human terms something far more than language would allow. The beauty of the sea of glass before the throne would have been truly radiant as is sparkled and shimmered with the glory of God reflected from its surface.
b) The sea of glass in the heavenly sanctuary may be analogous to the bronze laver in the earthly tabernacle (Exodus 30:18-21). God instructed Moses in how to construct the tabernacle and told him that he must follow the pattern that had been shown to him. The pattern of the tabernacle was also used in the construction of Solomon’s temple which had a giant laver or molten sea (2 Chronicles 4:2-6).
c) In these giant seas the priest would wash before they appeared to minister before the Lord in the earthly tabernacle and the temple. However, in heaven the sea is as glass because the Church is already clean; believers are already sanctified and made holy.
d) The sea of glass also created a separation and distance between God the Creator and his creation. While we have been created in the image of God, never forget that we have been created. God is without beginning or end; God is uncreated. We can never become like God in this way or be God. The creation can never cross this sea and become like the Creator.
3. Around the throne John saw four living creatures covered with eyes worshiping God their creator.
• Revelation 4:6-8 (NIV)
[6] . . . In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. [7] The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. [8] Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
a) The way John describes the living creatures is similar to the description of cherubim in the Old Testament especially in Ezekiel. God was often referred to as the one who dwells between the cherubim. (See: 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; 2 Kings 19:15; Psalms 80:1; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16)
b) The cherubim in Ezekiel were all alike, but here they are different. It seems that these living creatures represent all of God’s creation: the lion as the king of the wild animals, the ox as the strongest of domesticated animals, the eagle as king of the birds and the man created in God’s image.
c) Together they represent all creation joining together in worship before God. By honoring God in worship it shows that God is sovereign and rules over all creation.
• Revelation 4:8 (NIV)
. . . Day and night they never stop saying:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
d) The living beings spoke in unison together as they offered praise to God.
e) The threefold repetition of “HOLY” emphasizes the supreme nature of God; He is holy. Holiness in the bible always has a dual meaning. Basically to be holy is to be separate from other things, but this separation is both a SEPARATION FROM and a SEPARATION TO.
f) Another way to think of what holiness means is through the words DIFFERENCE and DEDICATION. God is separated from sin; that is to say the holiness of God makes him completely different from the sin and the evil that has infected all of creation. In God there is NO SIN. God’ holiness has also separated Him to fulfill His plan and purpose; in other words God is completely dedicated to carrying out His will in our lives and the world. Many pagans thought of gods as being fickle and changeable just like we are, but our God is holy! He will never fail us because He is separated from sin and separated to His eternal purpose.
g) God is the Lord Almighty. God is omnipotent having all power. God is holy and dedicated to fulfill His purpose and He has the power to do it! Satan who is mighty has always tried to thwart God’s purposes, but GOD IS ALMIGHTY! Men try to gain great power, but compared to God the strongest of men is a weakling. No king or president, no dictator, no demon, not even Satan himself can withstand the power of God the Almighty. Christ is our conquering King and He has given us overwhelming victory! He fulfills His purpose in our lives, today and through all eternity!
• 1 Corinthians 15:57 (MsgB)
But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!
4. Believers join in worship before the throne to give glory and honor to God the creator of heaven and earth.
• Revelation 4:9-11 (NIV)
[9] Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
[11] "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
a) Praise is given directly to God the Father who is seated on the throne. Why does the church offer our praise to God in heaven? He is the creator and giver of all good things. Not only would we not have any of the things we enjoy, but even our life itself would have never existed except that God has created all that there is and given us life.
b) This song of praise is the first sung by the 24 elders representing God’s redeemed people the Church. Their song of praise recognizes the foundational truth that God in all of His glory and power is our creator. God as creator is the first truth found in the entire Bible and is a reality that no one can escape.
• Romans 1:19-20 (MsgB)
[19] But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! [20] By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.
c) The worship of God as our creator is only the beginning of the praise offered to God that fills all of heaven. John also sees that worship is given to Jesus.
III. Come Worship the Lamb our Redeemer
• Revelation 5:1-4 (NIV)
[1] Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" [3] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. [4] I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.
1. Above the sound of worship for the creator is the voice of the mighty angel asking, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
a) In God’s right hand he holds the scroll sealed with seven seals. Everything John sees emphasizes the importance of the scroll now held in God’s hand. The fact that the scroll is held in God’s hand indicates the divine origin of what is written upon the scroll. That the scroll was closed and sealed tells us that written upon it is God’s plan for the things to come which is yet to be revealed. To break the seals and open the scroll means what is written upon the scroll will be revealed and His plan accomplished.
b) Who is worthy to open the scroll? Who has authority to carryout God’s divine purpose contained within it? Is there anyone worthy to take the scroll and open it? In all of heaven and earth none were found who could open the scroll. No created being had the right and authority to take the scroll.
c) John wept because no one was found to open the scroll. John must have known that the scroll held the things that are to come that Jesus had promised to reveal to him. In the Old Testament God would reveal His divine plan and purpose to the prophets, but here no one was worthy to take the scroll and proclaim its message. Not even John could stand to take the scroll.
• Revelation 5:5-7 (NIV)
[5] Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
[6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
2. Jesus, the Lamb of God, He is worthy to take the scroll and open it.
a) The Lion of the tribe of Judah had conquered! In Jesus God fulfilled his promise to the nation of Israel. The root of David is victorious! The promise God made to David is fulfilled as Jesus will reign as King forever because He has defeated Satan once and for all on the cross. Jesus’ victory at Calvary gives Him the right to open the scroll.
b) When John looked he did not see a Lion but a Lamb still bearing the scars of having been slain. Jesus is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world; the Lamb that was slain is victorious!
c) The breaking of the seals and opening of the scroll will bring God’s judgment of sin upon the world. The One who opens the scroll must be worthy to administrate judgment. Only Jesus is able to stand as judge over the earth because as God’s spotless Lamb no on can say, “You too deserve this judgment.” And because the Lamb has been slain no one can say, “You did not do enough to save us from this judgment.” Jesus died upon the cross in our place. He gave His life, so He alone is worthy to implement God’s judgment.
• John 5:22 (NIV)
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
d) Jesus took the scroll from the hand of the Father; He has legally been given the authority to perform the judgment of God just as Jesus said.
e) John also saw that just before Jesus took the scroll the seven spirits of God, the Holy Spirit, was sent by Jesus into all the earth. The Holy Spirit is not being sent to the church; believers are in heaven worshiping around the throne. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit into the world because the Lamb of God is still concerned about those who are lost in sin.
• John 12:32 (NIV)
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
• John 16:8 (NIV)
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
• 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
f) It is the Holy Spirit that draws men to Jesus. God is still not willing for anyone to perish, so Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to convict men of their sin before his judgment is complete and they are forever separated from God. When the Lamb takes the scroll things are about to happen and there will be no turning back what He is about to do. Holy Spirit, go now and rescue as many as are willing before it is too late!
• Revelation 5:8-14 (NIV)
[8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
[11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
[13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"
[14] The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
3. Everyone and everything in all of heaven and earth join together in worship of the Lamb!
a) Up until now worship had been directed toward the One on the throne, God the Father. But when the Lamb took the scroll there was an enormous outburst of praise to the Lamb that filled all of heaven.
• Romans 8:21-23 (NLT)
[21] All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. [22] For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
b) All creation has been waiting for this moment to burst forth in a new song of praise unto the Lamb. At last their wait is over; WORTHY IS THE LAMB! Jesus will judge sin and fulfill all of God’s promises for His children.
c) The 24 elders sang to the Lamb, “With your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” The blood of Jesus paid the price for every human being from every race and color. God excluded no one. God wants to redeem everyone from the curse of sin; the price has been paid for every man woman and child. God only waits for them to accept His gift.
d) Angels beyond number added to the song of praise unto the Lamb singing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
e) Every creature in heaven and earth then sang, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"
IV. Things to come reveal Jesus, the Lamb who was slain.
1. Will you receive His gift and be on of those who are redeemed and forgiven by God who join in worship around the throne?
2. Heaven is filled with worship. Having received His gift will you choose to worship Jesus now? He alone is worth!
