REVELATIONS 4:1-6a
HEAVEN’S THRONE ROOM
[Ezekiel 1:13-28]
In the first vision (starting in chapter one) we saw the exalted Christ nurturing and protecting His church. These seven churches have characteristics that belong to various churches in every generation. Chapter four begins a new vision, which constitutes the second major section of the Apocalypse. The new stage occupies chapters 4 and 5 where the scene shifts from the church on earth to church in heaven. These chapters open The Throne Room of Heaven to our eyes and ears. We are allowed to join John in observing the worship of the Lord God Almighty. God is on His throne and His endless praise has begun. We hear the call to acknowledge His power and dominion, and then in chapter 5 His right to judge the earth and its occupants.
The vision relates to things in heaven, most likely to the time between the removal or rapture of the saints, and the letting loose of the time of the great tribulation upon an apostate world. [Chs 6-19 seem to be this time of tribulation.]
I. THE INVITATION FROM HEAVEN, 1.
II. GOD ON HIS THRONE, 2-3.
III. THE 24 ENTHRONED ELDERS, 4.
IV THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD, 5-6a.
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.”
John saw the vision of the heavenly throne after, maybe sometime after the he saw and recorded the vision of Jesus’ Word to His churches. The time sequence is indicated by the expression after this (meta tauta, “after these things”in the nasb).
John saw a door . . . open in heaven and heard a voice. The voice he heard again (1:11) was that of the risen Christ (Rev. 1:10, 17-18). The voice was like the sound of a trumpet. Heaven refers not to earth’s atmosphere or the stars but to a place that is beyond man’s natural eye or telescopes. It is called the third heaven and is where the presence of God presently resides. The door opened up into the very presence of God.
The Risen Lord of Life invites him to Come up here, since only one who has been lift up to heaven can see what happens there. The stated reason John is invited up is so that Christ can show him, and us, what must take place after this (meta tauta, same as the first after these things. Indicates a future that has not yet happened). The implication is that the prophecies now to be unfolded will occur after the events of the present age.
Many see in the invitation to John to "come up here" an anticipation of rapture which the church awaits. “It is clear from the context that this is not an explicit reference to the rapture of the church,” [Walvoord, 103] as John was probably not physically translated and his translation into scenes of heaven was only temporarily. Though there is no authority for connecting the rapture with this expression, it can be seen to serve as a typical representation of rapture. Though the rapture is mentioned in two letters to the churches (2:25; 3:11), the rapture as a doctrine is not taught in of the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation primary objective from this point on is to portray the events leading up to and climaxing in the second coming of Christ and the prophetic kingdom and the eternal state which ultimately will follow. It does not concern itself with the church on earth, since as many believe, the true church is no longer there.
[“It seems that the church as the Body of Christ is out of the picture, and saints who come to know the Lord in this period are described as saved Israelites or saved Gentiles, never by terms which are characteristic of the church, the Body of Christ. Saints mentioned from this point on do not lose their racial background as is commonly done in referring to the church where Jew and Gentile are one in Christ. At the beginning of chapter 4, then, the church may be considered as in heaven and not related to events which will take place on the earth in preparation for Christ’s return in power and glory.” Walvoord, 103.]
Thus a door opens in heaven, and the calling up through that door into heaven, can indicate to us the manner in which Christ intends to fulfil His promise to keep certain of His saints “out of the hour of tribulation”(3:11). It seems as if it is at this time that those who have died will be reunited with there body and those of them who shall be found living at the time, “shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;” and “shall be caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”
II. GOD ON HIS THRONE, 2-3.
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.
John stated that immediately he was in the Spirit, a state of spiritual exaltation, like the first (1:10) but with greater force, for not only did he have ears to hear and eyes to see he was experientially taken up into heaven though his body was actually still on the island of Patmos. The first object that captured and startled his eyes a throne. Thrones always symbolize the power and rule of a sovereign. This throne in heaven is the throne that is over all others.
The Book of Revelation can be called a throne book. Throne is used nearly 40 times in the book. It is used 12 times in chapter 4. It is used 5 times in chapter 5.
Before John can do more than notice the throne, which he never actually describes, he realizes there is One sitting on it. Human language fails at this point. He later tells us He is the Creator of All (4:8).
The One sitting on it had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. There is no attempt to describe the one setting on the throne in terms of a man, for He is beyond human description as well as human understanding. The enthrone majesty is described in terms of brilliance and radiance. The light has the appearance of two precious stones. This jasper (21:18) is clear as rock-crystal in contrast to the opaque jasper stones known today. It seems to have resembled a diamond. The carnelian, also known as ruby (NIV “ruby” in OT), and sardius, was a fiery-red color. [The jasper and the sardius were the first and last of the 12 gemstones worn on the high priest’s breast (Ex. 28:17-21). Jasper and sardius will be in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:19-20).]
The overwhelming fiery glistening of the throne is enhanced by a rainbow, resembling an emerald, which encircled the throne. It could be like an aura or halo and seems to have encircled the throne (like a solar or lunar halo, Gen 9:13, Ezek. 1:28). When God made the rainbow (Gen. 9:13-16) He took something from His throne to use as a as a sign of His covenant reminder to those who inhabit the earth. The green color of the emerald added further beauty to the scene. The circle of emerald green would highlight the inner throne and keeps His radiance from overwhelming the scene and people outside. [It may represent the mercy which tempers the revelation divine majesty.]
III. THE 24 ENTHRONED ELDERS, 4.
Verse 4 indicates that beyond the emerald halo is another circle around the throne. 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.
Encircling the principal throne are 24 lesser thrones on which are seated . . . 24 elders (presbuterous, older human males). They are clothed in white garments and are wearing crowns of gold on their heads. The crowns are similar to those given victors in Greek games (stephanos), in contrast with the crown of a sovereign ruler (diadçma, “diadem”). The crowns seem to indicate that the elders had been judged and rewarded (3:21).
There has been much speculation on the identity of the elders. The two major views are (1) that they represent the church raptured prior to this time and rewarded in heaven, or (2) that they are angels who have been given large responsibilities. The number 24 is the number of representation. [Illustrated in the fact that in the Law of Moses there were 24 orders of the priesthood (1 Chr. 24:4). But the elders do not fulfill any kind of priesthood activities in their participation in worship around the throne (4:10; 5:8). (Also see Ex. 24:9-11). ] The most logical understanding of why there are 24 elders seem to be that the number is representative of the 12 patriarchs of the Old Covenant and the 12 apostles of the New Covenant, or the rewarded redeemed of both covenants.
These elders that comprise the leaders of the kingdom of God in heaven are dressed in white and have crowns upon their heads. The crowns these elders wear are available to each of us. We may not be able to imagine ourselves wearing crowns, but, nevertheless, as children of the King we are heirs and heiresses of His riches.
There are five different crowns available as rewards for believers. It is conceivable that we might receive more than one! These crowns along with other rewards will be awarded at the Judgment seat of Christ when we receive our eternal body (2 Cor. 5:10).
The Crown of Incorruption is given to those who live a disciplined life. Competing in this game of life means that winners "do not run like a man running aimlessly" (1 Corinthians 9:26),but have a purpose, a goal in life.
The Crown of Life is given to those who with patience endure trials. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life.’
The Crown of Rejoicing is given to those who joyously expressed their faith (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). The joy of leading a person to Christ is only exceeded by knowing Him ourselves. What a sparkling crown will sit upon the head of the soul-winner!
The Crown of Glory is given to those who are faithful in ministering the Word. The apostle Peter gave us these guidelines: "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of
’Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseer... as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:1-4)
The Crown of Righteousness is given to those who love His appearing, who are eagerly waiting for the return of Christ; How wonderful it would be to receive this crown. Jesus Christ is waiting to make His appearance, and that is exciting (2 Timothy 4:8)! [David Jeremiah, Escape, 103]
IV. THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD, 5-6A.
Out of the Throne comes flashes of lighting and sounds and peal of thunder. And there are seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (6) And before the Throne something like a sea of glass, like crystal;
The impressive scene of heaven is enhanced by flashes of lightning, rumblings, and resounding thunder. The most impressive laser light or fire works show skill technicians can devise pales in comparison. Thunder is mentioned eight times in Revelation (4:5; 6:1; 8:5; 11:19; 14:2;16:18; 19:6). It represents the divine power and glory (1 Sam. 2:10; Ps 18:9ff; Job 37:4f). The overwhelming sight is something like God’s manifestation on Mt. Sinai. Exodus 20:18 states that, “When the people saw the thunder and lightening and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear.” (Also see Ezekiel 1:13). God presence can be manifested in awe inspiring ways.
John’s attention is also arrested by seven lamps or torches (for outside use- luchniai, not lampades, 1:12,) which were blazing. These seven torches that blaze before the throne are said to be the seven spirits of God. These are best understood as representing the sevenfold ministry or character of the Holy Spirit [ rather than seven individual spirits or angels (Isa. 11:2-3; Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 5:6)]. With God the Father seated on the throne and the Holy Spirit represented by the seven torches, the stage was then set for the revelation of Christ Himself as the slain Lamb.
Before the throne appeared another amazing sight, something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Again language failed John. John is not giving exact descriptions but speaking with the symbols available to him. It wasn’t a sea of glass only something that looked like a sea of glass. (See Ex. 24:9-10). The word sea (thalassa) can mean sea as we have on earth or a sea as we have in space, a celestial sea (Rev. 21:1; Gen 1:7). It suggest a great distance between John and the throne.
The transparent sea may emphasis God’s all-seeing, all-knowing vision indicating that nothing hinders God’s viewing of His universe.
CONCLUSION / INVITATION
What a scene in heaven! Before the throne is a brilliant transparent sea, separating all other beings, except some orders of angels, from the glory of God. From the throne come flashes of lightning, voices, and resounding thunder. Oh the magnificence and holiness of God.
All these honors and dignities God has invited us to behold, and of some He even invites to partake.
I don’t know what struggles or fears you face, but I tell you to take heart. There is a unchangeable sovereign who reigns from a universal throne. Though it may seem like the forces of darkness are in charge, nothing could farther from the truth. God may one day let mankind see what the world would be like with demons in control, but that time is not now while the true church is here, and it will only be for seven years.
God is on His throne and He forgets not His own. The real question is are you His? Or are you your own man or woman? Who is in charge of your life? Who do you serve? You can not have two masters. You cannot serve God and yourself, or God and this world.
Chose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
