Note: Some notes used from Preachers Sermon and Outline Bible on Revelation 4.
Title: How Beautiful Heaven Must Be
Theme:
Text: Revelation 4:1-11
Introduction
The Book of Revelation is as the name states a revelation from Jesus Christ to John.
John is also the author of the Book of John and 1,2,3 John. He is also known as the “beloved” the one who “leaned on Jesus Bosom”. He was close to Christ. Another little known fact is that he lived longer than any disciple.
Could you imagine what it was like as the disciples died around him. Each one martaryred and killed by the government and religious leaders. Yet John stayed alive.
We learned that he was boiled in oil and yet lived and finally exiled to the Isle of Patmos. Here it must have been lonely. That is for a short while until a visitation from the Savior himself.
Rev 1:10-18 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, (11) saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." (12) Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, (13) and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (14) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (16) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (18) "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
What a visitation. This must have uplifted John’s spirit.
Then the Lord begins to show him some things about
Rev 1:19 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
Promise of Revelation
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
In Revelation chapters 2 & 3 he deals with the present history through the seven churches. In this we see what happens to the church. These words were not only given for the church of the time but also to the present churches. In them we see some warnings and it is interesting how they are repeated today. The same issues of sin and false doctrine that we face today, the problems we face today much is found in these churches. It is almost as if the Lord is saying it is a two fold prophecy.
But something changes. As we arrive in chapter 4 we see not only a change in vision but a change in scenery. Let us now look into Revelation 4:1
Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."
Three doors mentioned in Revelation.
1) There is the open door for evangelism and missions, (Rev. 3:8). the door which God opens to the churches for bearing witness to the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the opportunity that God opens for them to carry the gospel to their neighbors, communities, cities, states, and countries and world—even to the uttermost part of the earth.
"But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
2) There is the door of the human heart (Rev. 3:20).. When believers carry the message of the gospel to their neighbors, it is then up to the individual person to open the door of his heart and receive the gospel. The decision is the neighbor's. Every person has a door that has to be opened before Christ will enter—the door of his heart.
3) There is the door of revelation(Rev. 4:1).. Once a person has opened the door of his heart to Christ, Christ reveals the glorious things of Himself, of God, of heaven, and of this world. In addition, Christ reveals some of the events that are to take place as history unfolds itself—some of the events that surround the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end time.
"I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven"
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teach, but which the Holy Ghost teach; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receive not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Co 2:12-14).
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
“I was in the Spirit”
Some of my greatest moments have been spiritual moments. Some of the greatest moments have been those times when I have been in the Spirit with the Lord. If you don’t know what I am talking about then before you leave here today you might want to find out about living in the Spirit.
I like the word immediately. This reminds me of heaven. When we get to heaven there is going to be some immediate things.
Immediately I shall be changed, in the moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump of God. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
No more death, the book of Revelation
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces
Immediately no more sorrow, no more depression, no more body that is broken.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
2. (4:2-3) God, Described: there is the sight of God sitting upon the great throne of God. Note an astounding thing. The appearance of the One on the throne is so glorious and majestic that He is indescribable. No human shape or form can describe Him. God is described in terms of light, the dazzling light of the most precious gems and jewels of that day. He is seen in all of His brilliance and dazzling splendor (Psalm 104:2; 1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:4; cp. John 12:35-36).
"Who covers yourself with light as with a garment: who stretches out the heavens like a curtain" (Psalm 104:2).
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).
"Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not whither he goes. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them" (John 12:35-36).
The Throne
Yellow green and red light like a rainbow protruding from the throne.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
24 Elders
White robes
Crowns of gold
{c) [sitting] Seven acts of the twenty-four elders:
1. They sit on thrones (Rev. 4:4; 19:7-8).
2. They worship God (Rev. 4:9-11; 5:8-10).
3. They cast crowns before God (Rev. 4:10).
4. They fall prostrate before God (Rev. 4:10; 5:8,14; 11:16; 19:4).
5. They sing and play harps (Rev. 5:8-10).
6. They act as priests (Rev. 5:8).
7. They give John the Revelation (Rev. 5:5; 7:13-14).
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Seven lampstands – seven spirits of God
Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead."
This shows the role of the Spirit in heaven. Jesus as He walked, walked in the fullness of the Spirit. In the Old Testament we see the role of the Spirit as one who watched over the earth but also who brought wisdom, and knowledge to the earth.
From these scriptures I could see that Jesus had or held these seven spirits, which are the eyes of the Lord, and are represented by the seven lamps (lampstands) of fire. This concept is also spoken of by the Prophet Zechariah:
Zechariah 4:2, 4:10 tells us that these seven (lamps) are the eyes of the Lord. This also agrees with Revelation 3:6, but also included in the Revelation passage is reference to the seven horns.
Zechariah 4:6 "So he answered and said to me: This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts."
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
Sea of Glass
Holiness and purity, God sees all and looks around. There is nothing that is hidden.
Heb 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Four Living Creatures
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
Four living creatures
Description – complete worship
Like a lion – King - heart
Like a calf (ox) – strength
Like a man – intelligence - mind
Like an eagle – freedom, resilience, soul
Mar 12:30 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
Joh 4:23-24 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (24) "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Joh 4:23-24 MSG But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. (24) God is sheer being itself--Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
Common Characteristics
Six wings
Full of eyes
Did not rest saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
Seven acts of the Zoa (GSN-
1. They call attention to God's holiness (Rev. 4:4-8).
2. They fall prostrate in worship (Rev. 5:8-10).
3. They sing and play harps (Rev. 5:8-10).
4. They offer prayers of saints to God (Rev. 5:8-10).
5. They call forth the horsemen (Rev. 6:1-8).
6. They give vials to angels (Rev. 15:7).
7. They listen to worship of others (Rev. 14:3).
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
Worship and cast their crowns before the throne
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."
What they were saying
Conclusion
Rev 19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
Hallelu – praise, celebrate
Yah – YHWH – Yahweh – Jehovah
Celebrate Jehovah
