A LOOK INTO HEAVEN
Revelation 4
I have decided to go a little different direction at this point.
As you know we don’t see the church after chapter 3 until later on again in Revelation.
I was going to do the Marriage Supper but that would put me out of line.
For there are going to be people who will get saved.
So I couldn’t do that until after things which are going down on Earth is over.
Thus bringing tonight a look into Heaven.
The key word to this chapter is Throne.
It is used 14 times just in this chapter.
It is used 37 times in the book of Revelation.
So I think it is safe to say it is a very important word.
You will notice that Revelation 4:1 brings us to the 3rd section of the book of revelation.
‘THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER”
1. THE SUMMONS FROM THE THRONE:
Revelation 4:1 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 hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
This verse corresponds to the “RAPTURE” as described in 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Notice the similarities between the rapture & Jon’s translation into Heaven.
A. The voice says
‘COME UP HITHER”
This may be the shout that is mentioned in I Thessalonians 4:16a For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
B. Both passages make reference to a trumpet.
See 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
C. John went to Heaven.
As all believers will at the time of the rapture.
D. Both passages take place immediately.
Preceding the Great Tribulation
Just a few things to thinkabout.
2. THE GLORY FROM THE THRONE:
You will find that chapters 4 & 5 go together.
They describe the scene in Heaven immediately after the Rapture.
You will also notice 3 members of the Trinity.
God the father sits upon the Throne in Revelation 4:2-3 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned in Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Then we find the Lord Jesus in Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Let’s notice the comparison of God to precious gems:
a. Jasper:
Clear = Showing purity
b. Sardine: Red = Sowing His wrath & Judgment
c. Emerald:
Green = Showing His Mercy & Grace
Notice the rainbow around the Throne.
Before I go into that let’s look back at Genesis 9:8-17 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
Just as God sent the rainbow after the flood. The rainbow in Heaven is a sign that there will be mercy in the mist of Judgment.
Even in His wrath during the tribulation there can be seen His mercy.
We find that multitudes will come to Christ in Revelation 7:13-14 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. One can not but say AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. THE ELDERS ABOUT THE THRONE:
Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
WHO ARE THESE ELDERS?
Let’s notice how John describes them.
They are saints clothed in white & wearing crowns.
Their white clothing I believe represents the righteousness of God manifested in our lives.
White is mentioned elsewhere in Revelation 19:8 And to her (the Bride of Christ/ the church) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The crowns of gold on their heads were placed there when they came before the judgment seat of Christ. For you see every believer will stand before Jesus at His Judgment seat of Christ.
(Keep in mind not for our sins, but for our works) 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1. They are not Angels:
a. We NEVER see Angels on a Throne.
b. We NEVER see Angels with Crowns
c. The Angels are distinguished from Elders
Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Revelation 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
It is very clear 2 different groups here.
d. They are redeemed
Revelation 5:8-9 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
e. they are not inanimate symbols:
They can not be because symbols because symbols do not talk. These talk according to Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
The elders mentioned here are most likely represent the Old Testament & the New Testament believers. For instance, every minister is an elder of his church.
In (1 Chronicles 24) 24 elders were chosen to represent the entire Levitical priesthood.
The symbol here is probably a picture of all born- again believers.
Why 24 Elders then?
12 is God’s government number.
The number that denotes the rule of God on Earth.
4 is the number of earth.
3 is the Devine number.
So making 3 X 4 is 12.
Here, we have 12 X 2 which equals 24.
These elders are the dead in Christ & living saints who have been transported from Earth into Heaven.
Further on in the Book of Revelation.
We will learn there are 12 gates in the New Jerusalem.
(Which is the place we call Heaven or Glory)
The names of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel are inscribed on those 12 gates.
In addition, the 12 apostles are named for the foundations of the city.
So we have 12 patriarchs from the Old Testament & 12 apostles from the New Testament.
Hey put them together you get 24.
I come to the conclusion that these 24 elders represent all the saints of God.
The good news is that one day you will meet them in person.
4. THE JUDGEMENT OUT OF THE THRONE:
Revelation 4:5 nd out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
The significance of the lightning & thundering are most likely 2 fold.
1. They show us that we are in the presence of God.
Let’s go back to the OT in Exodus 19:14-17 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
Verse 17 we find to meet with God.
2. They warn of the storm of God’s wrath that is to come.
Again let’s go back to the OT in 1 Samuel 7:10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
God gave warning He was in the battle. Now we find that again judgment is coming.
5. THE OBJECTS BEFORE THE THRONE:
1. The Lamps;
Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
They picture the Holy Spirit.
See Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Light
2. The Sea of Glass
This may refer to the perfect peace & contentment of Heaven.
Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
As you know there will be no more tears, wars, pain, & no evil in Heaven.
Jesus makes everything a new.
3.Living Creatures:
Verse 6b “were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”
Again let’s go to the OT in Isaiah 6:1-6 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
1st beast is a lion:
Lion corresponds to Matthew Christ is the King 2nd beast is a Calf:
Calf corresponds to Mark where Christ is the Suffering Servant.
3rd beast is Man:
Man corresponds to Luke where Christ is the Son of Man
4th beast is an Eagle:
Eagle corresponds to John where Christ is the Son of God.
Notice with me how these 4 beast worship the Lord continually.
Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
6.THE WORSHIP AROUND THE THRONE:
Revelation 4:9-11 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Notice how they cast their crowns before the throne.
Will you have any crowns to cast at the feet of the Lord?
What are these believers’ crowns in closing?
1.Crown for Martyrs:
This is given to those who are willing (have) died for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
2. Crown of Glory:
It is given to Pastors who faithfully care for their flocks.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Some believe this only for the Pastors. In this verse it says “when the CHIEF SHEPHERD shall appear” The Chief Shepherd here I believe is the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe this crown will be given to teachers, missionaries, & evangelist as well. Those who remain faithful.
3. Crown of Righteousness:
This is given to those who love His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
You are saying to yourself right now.
Well everybody should love to see the Lord return.
No not all Love His appearing. Those who do not serve Him are not looking forward to His return.
Those who live in Sin will not love to see the Lord come back.
Be ready & Love His appearing. Live as if He will come back right now.
4. Crown of Rejoicing:
This is given to the Soul Winners
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
5. Crown of Life:
This is given to those who overcome Temptation James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Happy is the man that endureth temptation. Trials of various kinds. He shall receive the crown that fadeth not away. Which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Our enduring proves our love for Him. For it is love only that "endureth all things." II Corinthians 13:12
The altar is now open for business. As the music plays please come. Salvation, join, or just to spend time with the Lord. As the Bible says in Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. (To the child of God) And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. (To the lost one today) And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (A promise from the Lord to all of us) Please come now!
