The Throne Room
Revelation, Part 4, Revelation 4:1-11 (Ezekiel 1 also)
Introduction
- Over-arching theme: 2 Tim 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
-- We ought to be able to give an answer …
-- We must be able to give hope to the future and why we believe …
- We have looked closely at the church age; which is now over in Revelation
-- The first three chapters of Revelation were an open book for us to apply
-- A guideline of how we should make corrections as needed in God’s eyes
- We have examined the things that God does NOT support in a church
-- We have also been given a glimpse of Heaven as John saw it in Chapter 1
- Today we shall be looking further into Heaven and seeing what awaits
-- If you ever wanted a “backstage pass” – this is the one you want
-- IMP: To those who believe, this is what awaits us
- CHALLENGE: While we are examining this glimpse today, I want you to keep one question in mind: “How will you feel when you are standing in the throne room of the true and living God?”
Read Revelation 4:1-11
Ω Point 1 – The Throne Room
- After finishing writing the letters to the church (v1) John is commanded …
-- The voice of Christ calls him and compels (moves) him into Heaven
-- Lots of people get caught up on it being a regular door, wood door, etc.
-- IMP: He is brought into the very throne room of Christ; majesty!
--- This is NOT a small little room, but the expanse of heaven
- Being in the Spirit means he was one with the Spirit; full of the Spirit (v2)
-- John’s consciousness was now fully aware of Christ’s revelation
-- Given a view of the throne, and the one who truly sits on it
- This throne is the mercy seat
-- This is NOT the one Jesus sits on before the great judgment (Rev 20:11)
-- It is where Jesus is today; interceding with the Father on our behalf
-- In that place he offers grace and mercy to those that would receive
- If you died now in Christ you would see this very throne and Christ on it
- (v3) John writes so we can understand (human comprehension vs. God’s)
-- IMP: In terms that he sees so that we can appreciate the glory of God
- This view of how Christ appears is beyond comprehension, but …
-- Take special note of the visuals he gives us: rainbow, jasper, carnelian, and emeralds – these are all PRECIOUS JEWELS!
-- The rainbow serves as a constant reminder of God/man covenant
TRANS: Incredibly enough, Jesus is not alone in this room
Ω Point 2 – The 24 Elders
- Bible never really gives us a clear view as to who these are
-- However, there are several theories as to who these elders are
-- First, let’s remember that the Bible defines an elder as: One who directs the affairs of the church. This is different from a deacon (who serves).
- Now, some say they are angels … but this cannot be
-- The bible is specific about its word choice: it says elders
-- Angels are never referred to as elders, they are created beings: by God
-- An elder is someone senior to you; given respect and honor
- Next, (v4) they sit on thrones and wear crowns
-- You never will find an angel wearing a crown or destined to rule
-- A throne indicates royalty; a position of honor and authority (to rule)
- We are told throughout the Bible that the righteous shall inherit the earth,
-- Luke 22:30 says “so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
- Next, these crowns are not diadem crowns worn by kings of this earth
-- These crowns are the stephanos crowns, the crowns of an over-comer
-- One who has survived this life by being faithful to Jesus Christ
-- This is the type of crown given as a reward to the members of the church
-- Remember last week the 5 crowns? These elders are wearing theirs!
- They are wearing white garments
-- If they are righteous glorified men in Heaven, this is what they ought to be wearing as the clothing at the Marriage Supper.
-- Revelation 19:7-8, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
Ω - From these clues the twenty-four elders must represent the church saints
- IMP: John is seeing FUTURE tense; these men are in glorified appearance
-- This provides further evidence for a pre-tribulation Rapture
-- Meaning: The church is already in heaven in chapter four and five before the tribulation begins in chapter six.
- These elders represent the Old and New Testament church
-- There are twenty four in total and they come from:
-- One from each of the twelve tribes + the original twelve apostles
-- IMP: Judas is not here … he betrayed Christ and was never saved
-- Judas was replaced by Matthias in Acts 1:23-26, “So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”
- Additionally, part of the background is found in Daniel 7:9-14
-- “As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. "Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)”
- Note v5 … there is absolute authority demonstrated when God speaks
-- When thunder rolls, you pay attention … it makes you look, pause, etc.
-- APP: Things like thunder/lightning demonstrates how small we are!
- There are 7 lamps around the throne
-- This is a representation of the complete Holy Spirit of God
-- INFO: 7 is the number of absolute completeness; perfection
-- In the OT, a lamp stand with seven lamps was used to illuminate the table in the holy place with the bread of the Presence on it
-- Exodus 26:33-35, “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the Ark of the Covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the atonement cover on the Ark of the Covenant law in the Most Holy Place. Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side.”
- John gives us another indication to what Heaven has been made of
-- The crystal sea is described here; absolute perfection in God’s Heaven
- IMP: This vision of purity means nothing unclean is able to approach God
Ω Point 3 – The 4 Creatures
- APP: God does not give us confusing images; He is consistent … always!
- The prophet Ezekiel gives us a very similar view of these creatures as well
-- Turn to and read Ezekiel 1:1-28
- IMP: God does not give confusing things to weed through; He is specific!
- The purpose of the four living creatures:
1. Declaring the holiness of God
2. Leading in worship and adoration of God
3. They are involved (in some way) with executing God’s justice
--- When Jesus opens the first four seals and sends out the four horsemen; with powerful voices, like thunder, command “come” (Rev 6:1-8)
--- The horsemen respond to the summons of the four powerful creatures, indicating the power the creatures possess
--- Power is seen again in Revelation 15:7 when one of the four unleashes the last seven plagues of God’s wrath on mankind
- IMP (again): God is not confusing ... He is always specific!!
- TRANS: Now, we need to pay special attention like there is no tomorrow
-- I want you to see what John is describing here … it’s a HUGE APP for us
Ω Point 4 – The Church in Heaven
- Re-read Revelation 4:8-11
-- What’s that sound like? He is describing CHURCH in heaven!
Ω - When He is praised – even the elders fall down and worship Jesus
- This is the art of true worship! This is what is happening today in Heaven!
-- It is the worship of the heart, mind, and spirit rolled into one
-- IMP: They are responding to Who Jesus is … He is Lord!!
Ω - Note the song they are singing:
-- You are worthy our Lord and God (Identification and Focus of who He is)
-- To receive glory and honor and power (Who He is b/c of what He did)
-- For you created all things; Gen 1:1 (He was there at the beginning)
-- And by your will they were created (By God’s will they are one)
-- And have their being (He inhabits us! He inhabits our praises!)
- HUGE APP: When you come to church, you ought to keep this in mind
-- You are worshiping the true and living God
-- Worshiping God with a “milk toast enthusiasm” is absolute garbage
-- We are in His presence and should be grateful He allows us to be there!
-- Psalm 8:3-4, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
- TRANS: To not come before Him this way ought to cause us to pause
-- To really ask why we are hesitant to worship God who is SO worthy
Ω Big Ideas
1) How will you react when you see the throne room?
-- How will you worship? How will you respond to Him?
2) When have you last praised God in all situations?
-- Even in today’s situations and struggles are you able to praise Him?
-- APP: We need to stop praying Christian and actually be one …
3) VERY IMP: Those who are worshiping at the throne are not ashamed!
Are you?
Pray
