Call it Anything but Boring Revelation 4:1-11NKJ
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.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 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: 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.”
Now leaving these seven churches, John is temporarily transported to heaven ‘in the spirit’ to receive revelation about future events.
According to Revelation 1:19, Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
Revelation 4:1NLT Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”
This begins the third and final section of the book, describing the events that will follow the church age.
Revelation 4:1...I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”
Revelation 19:11NLT Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.
Putting everything in prospective, instead of trying to quit or change something within that has the tendency to creep out-sin and even cheapen sin- like 'we' have the ability to overcome it. Look unto Jesus, fall in love with Jesus, call upon Jesus and learn of Him.
Revelation4:2NLT And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.
This ‘throne’ in chapter 4, is mentioned 13 times. It’s represents God’s sovereign rule and authority.
I believe God’s sovereign rule and authority is a central point to be reckoned with here on earth because satan understands its importance in heaven.
Mark 16:15-18NLT And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
Revelation 4:3NLT The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
Carnelian is reddish brown; Jasper is usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. While Emerald is a shade of green circled the Lord’s throne like a rainbow.
Revelation 4:4NLT Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.
Their white garments, and golden crowns seem to indicate that these 24 represent the redeemed.
The question is which redeemed? Not Israel because they aren’t saved until near the end. Not the unsaved because that happens after the 7 year tribulation.
He is speaking of the church; Here these elders represent the church. In Revelation 5, John sees the church singing redemption songs- “We are over-comers!” These have their crowns and live in the place Jesus prepared for them. (John 14:1-4)
Revelation 4:5NLT From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.
These flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder come from the righteous fury of a awesome and powerful God upon a sinful world.
He will bring such judgement- it will bring millions to their knees!
Phil. 2:10-11NLT that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Testimony: I was at an MLK service Monday- nearby is the railroad and when it comes through no one can hear.
Revelation 4:6NLT In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
There’s no sea in heaven but the crystal pavement that serves as the floor of God’s throne stretches out like a great, glistening sea.
Verse 6b...and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
These four living beings are obviously angels that are supernatural and indescribable beings. Full of eyes- although not omniscient, but these angels have a comprehensive, knowledge and perception that nothing escapes their scrutiny.
Revelation 4:7-8NLT The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.
8. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
These four descriptions of angels are like that of a loin, strength and power. Second, an Ox, one which renders service to God. Third, the face of a man, this shows their likeness to mankind. Fourth, like a flying eagle, these angels serve God with swiftness such as an eagle’s wing.
Revelation 4:9-11NLT Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
The ‘One’ that set out to redeem His creation is praised and worshiped 24-7.
The 24 elders fall down and worship the Lord, they lay down their crowns knowing He’s the ‘One’ that gave them anything and everything.
Listen, you were created to worship God, and as you learn that you will notice everything (all circumstances) will bow down to your God.
Psalm 63:1NLT Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives.
Benediction.
