Let’s take a look at John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4.
Heaven
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 seems to refer to the former voice from Revelation 1:10, the voice of Christ, reverberating like a sacred temple trumpet. Since the advent of amplification, we might describe the voice differently today.
Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Like a vision, John was transported “in the spirit” through the door into heaven, perhaps in a trance or ecstasy of some kind.
Revelation 4:3 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.
We have a picture of Jasper of unknown color, perhaps clear white chalcedony [pronounced: kal-SAID-o-knee], along with red Sardius and an emerald green rainbow or glow.
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.
Could this picture represent the complete church of God, in both testaments, in the twelve patriarchs of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles? Is this also pictured in the 24 courses of priests serving in the temple (1 Chronicles 24:1-19)?
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.
Most commentators seem to identify the seven lamps and seven Spirits with seven different manifestations of the Holy Spirit among the seven churches.
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 [creatures] full of eyes before and behind.
Few like the translation “beasts” as it seems to degrade these angels. A better translation is “living things” or “living creatures.” Like the sword out of Jesus’ mouth, picturing the sword of the Word of God, we must see these as possibly more symbolic than literal.
Revelation 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
This reminds us of the symbols associated with at least 3 and perhaps all 4 leading tribes camped about the worship tent in the wilderness. Judah (the lion) was camped on the East with Issachar and Zebulun. Ephraim (the ox) was camped on the West with Manasseh and Benjamin. Reuben (the man) was camped on the South with Gad and Simeon. Dan (the snake) was camped on the North with Asher and Naphtali (the eagle here is unconfirmed, except as a possible symbol of a judge).
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.
These spirit beings are similar to the Seraphs of Isaiah 6:2-3, who also cried “holy, holy, holy.” In a symbolic genre, their example of worship is more important than speculation about what the eyes or wings mean. Saying “holy, holy, holy” reminds us of the Trinity and the One who was, and is, and is to come. How often throughout the day do we pause to give a word of thanks or praise to God?
Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Giving glory and honor and thanks is a beautiful summary of what our prayers ought to be.
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, saying,
Casting crowns is an ancient symbol of surrender and subjection to a conquering king.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord [and God], to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
The original language says “Lord and God.” When we say that the Lord is worthy, we are saying that we are not worthy. The little word “for” here introduces the reason for “the glory and the honour and the power.” None of us created all things. Humanity has no reason for self-glorification, self-honoring or even taking power to self.
The words “for your pleasure” sound like God is self-indulgent in modern English, and are better translated today as “by your will” (NIV, ESV), or “because of Your will they existed, and were created” (NASB). Saying that God is worthy is a simple acknowledgment that we only exist because of His will.
Though this is a vision and largely symbolic, we see a glimpse of heaven as a place of joy and praise. We can choose to live that life now, praying without ceasing, overcoming the trials of life on earth. There is no greater joy than heaven. It's our real home and someday, with God's help, it will be ours.
