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)
"I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. 10 "A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened. Dan 7:9-10 (NASB)
2 Coming out from God’s throne (presence) were flashes of lightning, sound, & peals of thunder.
a In Ex. 19:16; Ezek. 1:13; & Rev. 11:19, things are associated with His presence.
b In Rev. 8:5 & 16:18, these things are associated with divine judgement
3 John has not painted a picture of peace & comfort, but has captured the less-popular side of God, His wrath/judgment/fury (our God is a consuming fire).
B John sees 24 thrones & elders.
1 12 is a number of divine government (12 lunar calendar months, 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 gates in the new Jerusalem, 12 angels at each of the 12 gates, 12,000 studia long, 12 foundations).
a Multiples of 12 (such as 24) probably have similar significance.
b 24 often meant completion or representation
aa In the Old Testament (1 Chron. 24:4-5, 7-18, 24), there were 24 sanctuary officers representing the 24 courses of levitical priests.
bb 24 divisions (1 Chron. 25) of singers in the temple (24/7 worship).
c Daniel 7:9-"I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire...the thrones had been there, but were unoccupied.
2 I believe the 24 elders represent the raptured church of God.
a Who the 24 isn’t:
aa Israel: their nation has not been redeemed yet, Rom. 11:26 says they will (144,000 will evangelize Israel & see revival). ...and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB." Romans 11:26 (NASB)
bb Saints coming out of the tribulation: same reason, the elders are there when the tribulation saints arrive. And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?" 14 I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7:11-14 (NASB)
cc Two groups of 12 tribes & 12 apostles: no good exegetical reason to separate the two.
b White robes, crowns, royal throne, rule and reign, harps (victory), singing, bow in worship, give crowns at His feet...if that doesn’t define my understanding Heaven, I don’t know what does (their function is more important than their identity).
3 I believe this is the raptured church on her coronation day!
C John sees four living creatures (KJV, beasts), with the faces of a calf, lion, eagle, & man, six wings, & full of eyes.
1 These creatures play a big role in the unfolding events that occur in the next eighteen chapters.
a Each of these angelic beings speak out judgment ( 6:1, 3, 5, 7): white, red, black, sick
aa Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. Rev 15:1, 7 (NASB) A living creature gives seven bowls of wrath to seven other angels.
bb God uses angels to carry out His judgment. "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. 49 "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous Matt 13:40-43,49 (NASB)
"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Matt 25:31 (NASB)
b These creatures are a combination of the angelic beings seen in Isa. 6 & Ezekiel 1 & 10.
2 I believe these creatures serve, worship Him day & night (higher order of heaven)
a Ezekiel described these creatures, & each had four faces, but from John’s vantage point the first had a face of a lion, calf, man, & eagle.
b These distinct faces reflect God’s covenant with creation after the great flood.
c ...and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. 16 "When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." Gen 9:10,16 (NASB)
II The scroll with seven seals
A In the beginning, God had given Adam dominion over creation (Gen. 1:26), but Adam lost his inheritance to the adversary in the fall.
1 God had already recorded in heaven the true & proper heir, & had made provisions for a “Kinsmen Redeemer” to restore it back to its original owner.
a These all have to do with the Law Jubilee (helped those who were oppressed/tribulation/hard times & lost land/inheritance legally reclaim it)
b The Laws of Jubilee were enacted often: seven sabbaths of seven years, 49 years the following year on the Day of Atonement, silver trumpets were blown to announce Jubilee had begun.
c Get your land/possession/inheritance: if you can’t pay the cost, your next of kin (kinsmen redeemer) could do it for you.
d Catch? Proof in the form of a title deed...usually sealed with seven seals
2 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders said* to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." Rev 5:1-5 (NASB)
a Why is John crying? He knows who has taken possession of the world, & was physically shaken at the thought of him having it for a moment more.
b One of the elders said, “Didn’t you hear the trumpet? He’s here!”
aa Kinsmen Redeemer! The Lamb! Paid with His blood, body
bb The Lamb theme is seen all over Scripture.
cc Issac: where is the lamb?, John the Baptist: behold the Lamb of God, Revelation: ...saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." Rev 5:12 (NASB)
B The scroll sealed seven times is the title-deed to the earth, & it is going to be reclaimed by them who has the power to repossess it.
1 I pray they show us the video of heaven, & the look on the devil’s face when he gets out of bed only to find Jesus has repossessed the earth while he wasn’t looking.
2 Upon hearing the Lamb was going to open the scroll, what was the response of the elders & living creatures?
a And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev 5:14 (NASB) Bowed/fell down!
b Remember...we’re getting a backstage pass to a worship service.
aa He’s not going to be worthy...He already is
bb He’s not going to pay the price...He already has
cc He’s not going to give me victory...He has already given me victory
c I’ll clap, jump, bow, sing, shout, dance because “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain...”
Conclusion
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
