I. Introduction
A. Turn to Revelation 4:1
Revelation 4:1-2
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." (2) At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
1. John saw a vision
a. and this morning we are going to zero in on the vision of the throne and the person on that throne
b. Five things happen in rapid succession
(1) First, there was a door, standing open before John
(a) This is the third door mentioned in the Revelation
i) The first was the door Christ opened before the church at Philadelphia
a) Which was the door to evangelization and missions - that door is still open to us!!
ii) The second was the door to the Laodician church that Christ was knocking upon
a) Christ is still standing there knocking, hoping to be allowed to enter into many of these local churches and institutions today
(b) This third door was opened to John and it is the door to the Revelation of Jesus Christ
i) This door is open to all who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit
ii) The main difference is that today, the door lies in the Word of God
iii) The Holy Spirit illuminates these revealed truths to our hearts
(2) Second, a commanding voice calls to John
(a) This is the same voice that John heard in the beginning of the Revelation
Revelation 1:10
On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
(b) And here, "And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said,"
(3) Third, the voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."
(a) I pointed out two Sundays ago that the voice is telling John that the things he would see are those things which must, of necessity, happen, because they are divinely decreed to happen
(4) Fourth, John is immediately in the Spirit, in heaven.
(a) Paul describes an experience much the same, however, he did not know whether his experience was a vision or he actually went into heaven
2 Corinthians 12:2
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
(b) John seems to realize that his experience is a very real vision
(5) The fifth thing that happens is John sees a throne and some one sitting upon it.
c. The vision that John has of God is quite obviously symbolic
(1) Moses asked to see God's face and was told that no man could see God and live
(2) Moses was allowed to see a vision of God's back and it effected Him tremendously
(a) Moses face shown with God's reflected glory for quite a while after his experience
(3) But, being symbolic, there is a great revelation here if we will seek to see the significance of the symbols
(a) This morning we are going to explore the symbol's revelation of God Almighty
II. Body
A. The very first symbol John mentions is the throne
1. Verse 2 says,
Revelation 4:2
there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
2. In verse 4, John sees twenty four other thrones surrounding the central throne
Revelation 4:4
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones
3. This throne symbolizes everything concerning the authority and rule of God
a. The throne was the symbol of a kings power
(1) In 2 Samuel 7:13, The Lord in His covenant with David said
2 Samuel 7:13
He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
(2) In Genesis 41:40, Pharaoh tells Joseph
Genesis 41:40
You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."
b. Here John sees a throne
(1) A symbol of the king of heaven
(2) Central to all others
c. John's vision begins with the revelation of the King of heaven and creation
(1) This has to be God the Father
(a) This is the central throne in heaven
(b) And we will see Jesus, God the Son, in Revelation 5
i) There is found in the hand of the occupant of the throne a scroll
ii) Then in Revelation 5:5 - 7, the Lion of Judah, the son of David, the Lamb takes the scroll
Revelation 5:5-7
Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." (6) Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
4. There, the person of God the Father, revealed as the sovereign ruler of all
a. Seated on the throne of His authority
b. Please look down to verse Revelation 4:3
B. The precious stones
Revelation 4:3
And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
1. In John's vision there are three precious stones mentioned
a. These stones are:
(1) Jasper
(2) Carnelian which is actually the Sardius
(3) The last is emerald
b. Remember our principle of letting Scripture interpret Scripture?
(1) Let's turn in our Bibles to the very first mention of these three precious stones
(a) The first mention of these stones is in Exodus 28
(b) In verse 15 we find the occasion of the mention of these stones; the making of the breast plate of the High Priest of Israel
Exodus 28:15
And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
(c) Then in verses 17 through 20, the use of the precious stones is detailed
Exodus 28:17 - 20
And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
(d) Then in verse 21, the meaning of the stones
Exodus 28:21
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
(e) If we turn to Genesis 29:32, we shall begin to see the order of the tribes of Israel
Genesis 29:32
Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now."
i) Reuben was first, his stone was first in the breast plate and it was the Sardius
ii) Then in Genesis 35:17, Racheal gives birth to the last of Jacob's sons
Genesis 35:18
As she breathed her last--for she was dying--she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.
iii) Benjamin was last, his stone was last in the breast plate and it was the Jasper
(2) The first two precious stones are for the tribes of Israel
(a) The last stone and the first stone
(b) Benjamin and Reuben, the youngest and the eldest
i) It is very interesting that the order mentioned is last then first
ii) Is this because Jesus said in Matthew 20:16
Matthew 20:16
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
iii) Or in Mark 9:35, were He said,
Mark 9:35
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."?
c. God the Father is symbolized by the stones of Israel
(1) The purpose of the stones on the breast plate is found in Exodus 28:29
Exodus 28:29
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
(2) God will not forget; but, this is a way of honoring, the tribes of Israel will be ever before Jehovah
(a) On the heart of the High Priest, the worship leader
(b) But, our High Priest, our worship leader, Jesus Christ, does not carry stones on His heart; but, the names of each believer in His heart and He is ever before God
d. The third precious stone is the emerald
(1) In Exodus 28:18
Exodus 28:18
And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
(2) The fourth stone is the emerald
(a) Judah was the forth son born
(b) And so we have represented the tribe out of which came the royal line of David and the promised Messiah
2. Besides representing Israel and its royal line the precious stones also symbolize the greatness of God
a. These were highly valued stones
b. Chosen for their
(1) Beauty
(2) Clarity
(3) And brilliance
c. Would it be appropriate to represent to finite man's mind, God's infinite beauty and worth in this manner? - there seems to be no other way
C. The third symbol is the rainbow
1. The very first mention of the rainbow is found in Genesis 9:13 as a symbol of God's covenant with Noah never to destroy the world by flood again
Genesis 9:13-15
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (14) Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, (15) I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
a. The emerald rainbow would be a sign to remind God of His covenant with David, the emerald, that God has established his throne forever
b. And that promise is kept in Jesus Christ
(1) The son of David
(2) The son of God
2. And so what we have so far in our reading of the symbols that John saw is
a. God, the sovereign Lord of creation sitting upon the throne, the symbol of His authority to rule and to reign
b. The precious stones representing Israel and the royal line of the Messiah and God's infinite beauty and worth
c. And, the rainbow, the reminder to the covenant maker to keep those covenants
d. This reminds us of God the father
(1) His sovereignty
(2) His Lord ship
(3) His faithfulness
(4) The ruler of all creation who keeps His promises to His people
3. Now, lets look to Revelation 4:4
D. The twenty four elders
Revelation 4:4
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.
1. Who are these elders
a. Let's see if we can find some clues in other passages of Scripture
(1) First, there are twenty four elders - is there any significance to the number 24?
(a) In 1 Chronicles 24, David divided the priesthood into 24 groups
(b) Each group would serve in the temple for two weeks rotating in and out in their turn
(c) Each group had a representative that sat in the council of the priests
(d) Since it was not possible for the thousands of priests to meet; when the council of 24 met, every priest was represented
(2) Therefore, this group of 24 elders represent the redeemed (The priest hood)
b. In Revelation 21:12 & 14
(1) The names of the 12 Old Testament Patriarchs are found on the gates of the new Jerusalem
(2) The names of the 12 Apostles are found on the foundations of the new Jerusalem
Revelation 21:12
It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 21:14
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
(3) In 1 Corinthians 6:2, Paul tells us,
1 Corinthians 6:2
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
(4) In my mind the 12 apostles represent the church
(5) And the 12 patriarch represent Israel
(6) Making the sum total of all believers, Old and New Testament
2. Further we should notice that these elders are dressed in white, which is the righteous acts of the saints
3. And they are wearing golden crowns
a. These crowns are stephanos crowns, winner's crowns
b. The Christian's Olympic Gold
c. These are the righteous overcomers; who have won their crowns through service to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
d. In essence, every true believer, from the time of Adam to the time of the rapture of the church is represented in these 24 elders
e. Our attention this morning shall be directed to the actions of these elders
(1) For now, we shall by-pass the four creatures that serve at the throne of God and look down to verse 10 and 11
E. Let's examine the actions of our representatives in the court of the Almighty.
Revelation 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: (11) "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
1. In this passage there are three things that the elders do
a. First, the elders show subjection and subservience.
(1) They fall down before God
(2) These 24 elders yield all that they are and all that they have to the one who lives for ever and ever
b. Second, the elders demonstrate the supreme worthiness of God
(1) By casting their crowns before Him
(a) Casting at the feet of the eternal God all their own glory
(b) Casting at the feet of the Lord all their pride
(c) Casting at the feet of the Almighty all their possessions
(2) The elders cast their crowns at the feet of the Father to show that He alone is worthy and they acknowledge this truth forever and ever.
c. Third, the elders vocally declare His worthiness and praise Him as the Lord of all creation
(1) I'm going to ask Maedine to play, and let's sing number 23 in our binders
(2) If you believe that He is worthy, let's stand and sing Revelation 4:11 again
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
2. Look again at verse 10
Revelation 4:10
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,
a. It says that they worshipped Him
b. The elders worship God
(1) I wish I had been there; because John doesn't tell us how he knew they worshipped God; unless it was by their actions
(2) Is showing submission to God
(3) Is humbling ourselves before Him, worship?
(4) Is casting before Him all our possessions, worship?
(5) Is saying and singing His praises, worship?
c. We call this time on Sunday Morning a worship service
(1) These elders worshipped God by doing things we don't do
(2) Do we truly worship God?
III. Summary
A. We are privileged to participate in John's vision of God, seated upon His throne
1. Above all other thrones
2. The supreme seat of honor and majesty
3. Of sovereignty and power
4. God, the creator, the absolute Lord of the universe
a. The One who controls and Holds all the events of history in His hands
b. He is the supreme authority over all the world
(1) All that has happened
(2) All that is happening
(3) And all that will, of necessity, happen; because it is divinely decreed
c. God rules, His throne set in heaven
d. God reigns, forever
B. We have seen the 24 elders and we should note that they represent all believers; including you and I
1. We saw the actions of the elders
a. They fell down before God
b. They yielded all they were and have to Him who sits upon the throne
(1) There can be only one purpose for John to reveal this part of his vision to us
(2) That we might just begin to know God
(a) His majesty
(b) His honor
(c) His sovereignty
(d) His power
(3) That He dwells in such glory and majesty, dominion, and power that we owe Him everything that we are and everything that we have. Our very existence.
(4) The lesson for us is clear as Paul says in Romans 12:1 & 2
Romans 12:1 & 2
I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may be prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(a) Paul says that this sacrifice is our reasonable service
(b) reasonable because of who and what God is and what He had done for us
c. The elders praised God, declaring His worthiness
(1) The lesson is clear
(2) We, ourselves, should do as the 24 representative elders did
(3) Worship God
(a) Humble ourselves before Him
(b) Cast at His feet, all that we are and all that we have
(c) And praise Him who is worthy
C. This morning, if I want to truly worship my God
1. Can I bring myself to fall on my face before Him?
2. Can I cast at His feet all that I am
3. Can I cast at His feet all that I have
a. What would I hold back
(1) My wife
(2) My sons
(3) My car
(4) My money, some of my money?
(5) My time
(6) My leisure time
(7) What would we hold back from God
b. To truly worship, we must hold back - nothing
4. Can I truly sing, thou art worthy
