Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD, USA
www.mycrossway.org
View this and other messages at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/channels/8118
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
What will heaven be like? When Paul went to heaven, he could not even describe what he saw. John, on the other hand, was told to “write these things down.” Revelation Chapters 4 & 5 are graphic descriptions of what John saw.
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1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had 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 behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:1–11)
What do you sense or feel as I read these words? What is the central focus of this passage? Chapter 4 takes us on a trip to heaven and it should be a welcome visit for any of us. The Throne of God!
John emphasizes that he sees all of this after “these things.” What things? The extraordinary vision in Chapter 1 and the letters were written to the 7 churches in Asia Minor in Chapters 2 & 3. And the phrase “after these things” at the end of the verse is a bit different. “Come up here, I will show you what must take place after these things.” In other words, you have here not John’s chronology but God’s chronology. That is a very important transition point because we are looking at the events that will take place after the rapture of the church.
“Behold, I saw a door standing open in heaven.” He didn’t see it open, it was already opened. In chapter 3, verse 20, there was a door closed on earth. The door on earth was closed to Christ. The door in heaven is open to John and to us and it allows whoever goes through that door into the very Throne Room of God. John is taken to Heaven.
Paul talks about “the third heaven”
First - Atmosphere (clouds and sky)
Second - Planets and Stars (infinite space)
Third - Where God dwells (beyond infinite space)
Others in the Bible who describe a visit to heaven: Ezekiel & Isaiah
Chapters 4 & 5 in Revelation set the stage for what is about to come in the judgment of God on an unbelieving world. “I will show you what must take place after this.”
“Must”- de? “to be that which must necessarily take place, often with the implication of inevitability
The central feature of heaven is the throne of God. The central focus of Revelation 4 is the throne of God. The word “Throne” can mean a literal throne; as in the seat of a king. Or it can mean the central power of supreme authority and sovereignty. Both definitions fit here. The word throne is used 13 times in chapter 4 alone and 40 times in the Book of Revelation. The throne is also not in a palace or castle. The throne is in a temple and it is associated with worship
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (Revelation 11:19)
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, (Psalm 103:19 (ESV)
1 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool (Isaiah 66:1 (ESV)
the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1 (ESV)
32 “...the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:32–33 (ESV)
The Format of Chapter 4
Sitting On the Throne (vv.2-3)
Seated Around the Throne (v.4)
Coming From the Throne (v.5)
Standing Before the Throne (vv. 5-6)
Encamped Around the Throne (vv. 6-8)
Worship Toward the Throne (vv.8-11)
1. On The Throne (vv. 2-3)
behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. (Revelation 4:2–3 (ESV)
1 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? (Isaiah 66:1 ESV)
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; (Psalm 11:4 (ESV)
With the central feature of the throne, we now see who was on the throne. John’s description is “had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” (vv 2-3). This is a throne for the Sovereign and Creator of the universe. What John sees, as with Isaiah and Ezekiel is terrifying. Eleven times in the Bible we find someone who was taken up to heaven and what they see is indescribable for words.
1. Jacob dreamed of “a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven....And, behold, the Lord stood above it” (Gen. 28:12, 13).
2. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel...saw the God of Israel (Ex. 24:9,10).
3. Moses saw the back of God (Ex. 33:23).
4. Micaiah “saw the Lord sitting upon his throne” (2 Chron. 18:18).
5. Isaiah “saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple” (Isa. 6:1).
6. Ezekiel saw “the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and...the likeness as the appearance of a man above it” (Ezek. 1:26).
7. Ezekiel again had a similar vision (Ezek. 10:1).
8. Daniel “beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit” (Dan. 7:9).
9. Stephen “looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).
10. Paul wrote that he “knew a man” (likely himself), who was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2).
11. John “was in the spirit, and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” (Rev. 4:2).
John doesn’t tell us the name of the One there. He doesn’t say it’s God or Jehovah, but the description is the same as Isaiah.
1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1 ESV)
This isn’t a vision that is subdued or with little cupids floating around. It is a scene that is furious with flashes and a frightening experience as it must have been for Ezekiel when he fell on his face, as it must have been for Isaiah when he fell on his face. The appearance of the Almighty God was terrifying. Why? As we will see shortly, it is His holiness. That holiness is manifested in what we call the “Shekinah Glory.”
The Shekinah Glory of God is the visible manifestation of the presence of God. It is the majestic presence or manifestation of God. Over and over in the Bible, we find this brilliant and terrifying light of glory emanating from the very presence of the Almighty.
The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. (Exodus 24:16 (ESV)
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He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3 ESV)
For the Lord, your God is a consuming fire, (Deuteronomy 4:24 (ESV)
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. (Exodus 13:21 ESV)
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And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. (1 Kings 8:10–11 ESV)
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His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand, and there he veiled his power. (Habakkuk 3:4 ESV)
having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. (Revelation 21:11 ESV)
The presence of God is so amazing, biblical writers have difficulty putting it into words. The basic meaning of the word for glory (kabod) is “weighty.” The point is that God is consequential. No one has more influence. No one has a higher position or a weightier reputation. No one is more deserving of honor, recognition, and praise (Ryken). God is the only One in all of Creation where His power is equal to His will.
Atheism or materialism declares that there is no throne, there is no seat of authority or power that the entire universe must answer to. Humanism says there is a throne, but man sits upon it. (Guzik). We must be careful, dare I say “gravely serious” as Christians not to follow the trends of this world and view God in a weightless image. We must be determined not to be glory seekers, but glory givers and to be certain that glory is only given to the One who sits on the throne of heaven. This is the struggle of the believer through the centuries. We have a tendency to shift our worship and honor from the only One who is to be worshipped to the instruments of worship, or worse.
John uses the colors of stones to describe God’s glory. Rev 4:3 “3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” Just as we can’t actually see the sun, but can only see its light, so John could not describe a specific form or figure, but the glistening light in two colors: white (jasper may mean “diamond”) and red (sardius).
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9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. (Daniel 7:9)
You will notice the same thing here: Whiteness (clarity and purity) and blazing fire (red).
Incidentally, the jasper and the sardius were the first and last stones on the breastplate of the high priest. Exodus 28:15-20. They represent the first and the last of the tribes of Israel; Reuben, represented by the jasper; and Benjamin, represented by the sardius. (MacArthur)
The other description John gives of this glory in Chapter 4 verse is a “rainbow of emerald.” Rainbow can also be translated “halo.” Whatever the best description, it is a radiant and refracted light that is green in color.
Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, (Ezekiel 1:28 (ESV)
In Genesis 9:13, God tells Noah as a sign that He will be faithful in His covenant, he will put “my rainbow in the sky.” The rainbow is a sign of God’s faithfulness. God is faithful to His Word, faithful to His promise, faithful to His covenant.
2. Seated Around the Throne (v. 4)
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Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4 ESV)
The first question we must ask is who are these elders? First, they are seated on thrones surrounding Almighty God. So we see first, there is some shared or delegated authority in their rulership as they have been coronated and elevated as a central part of the throne room of heaven. Being seated is a sign of rest and work is completed.
Some suggest that they are angels, but angels are not ruling beings and they are depicted in the Bible as active and working. Additionally is the term “elder” or presbyteros. Where we get our term “presbyter” from in English. It means, someone of seniority and maturity.
Some have considered them to be the 12 Apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel. However there is nothing in this text or anywhere else they are mentioned, as being divided into two groups like that. They are mentioned in Revelation 24 times and play an integral role of worship in heaven and observing what is happening on earth during the tribulation. In Chapter 19 the 24 elders are witness to the destruction of Babylon and the great harlot or the false religious system of the world
Interestingly, there were twenty-four elders appointed by David to represent the Levitical priesthood, that’s in 1 Chronicles 24. Israel has not yet been redeemed. There is yet to be a divine judgment on Israel and the sealing of the 144 thousand Jews - that is yet to come in chapter 7.
They are not representative of the tribulation saints, since John is witnessing this happening after the rapture but before the tribulation. And they are wearing crowns, which is the gift to the overcomer. Rev 7:11 also tells us that the 24 Elders will be the ones to welcome the Tribulation Saints and worship Jesus during the opening of the scroll (Rev. 5:8).
The best interpretation of these elders is that they are part of the glorified church. Church leaders are referred to in the Bible as “elders” (i.e. 2 Tim 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). Also, John describes them as being clothed in white and with golden crowns on their head. These are also descriptions of saints in other places of the Bible. They are the new priesthood. We as the church are represented in the twenty-four elders, having been caught up into glory.
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The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5 ESV)
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself (Revelation 3:18 (ESV)
On their heads are “golden crowns.” These are not diadems, as in ruling crowns. These are stephanos or “victor’s crown.” A victor’s crown is what was given to the winner of the games and it would be a wreath made of foliage worn by one of high status or held in high regard.
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25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV)
The Bible promises that believers will be awarded crowns in heaven.
The Crown of Life for those who have suffered for the sake of the Gospel (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10)
The Crown of Righteousness for those who have loved and lived for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8)
The Crown of Glory for those who fed the flock (1 Peter 5:4)
The Crown Incorruptible for those who press on steadfastly (1 Corinthians 9:25)
The Crown of Rejoicing for those who win souls (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
If you have a coronated, crowned, exalted, glorified church in heaven, you’ve had to have a rapture. This is one of the important texts for the pre-tribulation rapture. Jesus said in John 14 that he was going to prepare a place for us to live with him. They have now found their place as overcomers who have received their crowns and promised to reign with Christ. (MacArthur)
if we endure, we will also reign with him; (2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV)
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Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4–6 ESV)
3. Coming From the Throne (v. 5)
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From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, (Revelation 4:5 ESV)
“From the throne” is referring to God. He is the throne. He is the temple. He is on the throne. From God proceed flashes of lightning, sounds, and peals of thunder. What is being emitted by God is a judgment. Coming out of Him is the fury. Chapter 8, verse 5, talks about the angel who took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, threw it to the earth, and followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and earthquake.
Rev 11:9 There’s a similar vision as John again sees heaven and sees the same lightning and the same flashing, thundering. Chapter 16, verse 18, “The seventh angel sounds, pours out his bowl,” this is the end of the judgment, the final climax. What is it? “Flashes of lightning, sounds, and peals of thunder.” The very same terminology. (MacArthur)
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Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (Revelation 11:19 ESV)
So what you’re seeing in heaven is just a preview of thunder and lightning that’s going to judge the whole world. And when chapter 6 opens up, that fury begins to unfold on the earth.
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On the morning of the third day, there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. (Exodus 19:16 ESV)
4. Standing Before the Throne (vv. 5-6)
before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. (Revelation 4:5–6 ESV)
Before the throne, John sees The Holy Spirit (the seven Spirits of God, as referred to in Revelation 1:4 and Isaiah 11:2) is represented by seven burning lamps. These are not lampstands, as we saw in the earlier chapters of Revelation. This is the Spirit of God. Seven is the number of perfection; the number of God.
John mentioned the 7 Spirits in Revelation 1:4. Isaiah also gives us the 7 titles for the Holy Spirit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2)
And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. (Zechariah 4:2 ESV)
?“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11 ESV)
Secondly, before the throne was “a sea of glass like crystal.” What John saw at the base of the throne was a vast expanse of crystal glass. Note that in Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” Interestingly, Chapter 20:13-14 tells us that the “sea had given up its dead.” It is possible that this sea is a form of impending judgment or those who were awaiting judgment. We won’t know until we get there.
Apparently, what John saw was impossible to describe. Whatever John saw, it obviously had qualities both of the sea and of glass. Perhaps it had the sea’s motion and expanse and glass’s transparency and purity. Add to that the words “crystal” and “mingled with fire,” and chances are that John was trying to convey the vivid brilliance and vast expanse of what he saw.
5. Encamped Around the Throne (vv. 6-8)
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:6–8 (ESV)
Now, here we see four living beings that are both in and around the throne. These beings of great intelligence and understanding live their existence to worship God. Ezekiel also describes these living creatures in his translation to heaven. Listen to his description:
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4 As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. 5 And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, 6 but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: 9 their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. 12 And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning. 15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. 16 As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. 18 And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22 Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads. 23 And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body. 24 And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings. 26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. (Ezekiel 1:4–28 ESV)
Now how do we comprehend these magnificent creatures described by Ezekiel and John? I don’t think we fully can. John and Ezekiel are doing what they can to put into words what they saw in Heaven. I think we can use some Scripture to get an understanding of their purpose and what they are doing.
Simply saying, these living beings were the cherubim in blazing light and glory and movement and flashing brilliance. Cherubim are angels that are connected to God’s divine power. They are proclaimers and worshipers of God’s holiness.
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Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. (Psalm 80:1 ESV)
The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! (Psalm 99:1 ESV)
Verse 7 describes these creatures as having various forms.
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the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. (Revelation 4:7 ESV)
The Tabernacle was a replica of the throne of God.
In the inner sanctuary, he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high.(1 Kings 6:23 ESV)
In the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, the cherubim were spread out over the mercy seat in the ark of the covenant, the symbols guarding the holiness of God, the symbols representing the power of God as He acts against sin. Interestingly, when Israel was encamped around the tabernacle, they divided their 12 tribes under 4 banners: Judah’s standard had a lion, and was encamped to the East, Ephraim had an ox and was encamped to the North, Reuben had a man and was encamped to the south, Dan an eagle and encamped to the west. This could reflect how the 4 living creatures are encircled around the throne of God.
Different traditions have connected these four faces of the cherubim in different ways. Some have seen Matthew as the “Lion” gospel, showing Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Mark is seen as the “Ox” gospel, showing Jesus as a humble servant, a worker. Luke is seen as the “Man” gospel, showing Jesus as the perfect man, the second Adam. John is seen as the “Eagle” gospel, showing Jesus as the man from heaven, the sky.
These four creatures will have a central role in exercising God’s judgment to the world.
Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” (Revelation 6:1 ESV)
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And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, (Revelation 15:7 ESV)
6. Worship Toward the Throne (vv.8-11)
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And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:8–11 ESV)
?Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:2–3 ESV)
The living creatures are described as having 6 wings and are covered with eyes. They are covered in eyes because they are all-seeing. The highest order of heavenly beings had six wings, two to cover their face because they were created beings and couldn’t look at the full glory of God without being consumed. Two to cover their feet because the very crystal platform on which they stand is holy ground. And with two they hover, ready to do His bidding. You might note that four of their six wings are related to worship and only two are related to service because worship is always the priority. What is even more central to the function of these living creatures is the role in worship and leading worship in heaven.
In Revelation, there are 5 hymns of praise given in heaven to God. The number of worshippers and intensity of these hymns gradually increase through Revelation.
Revelation 4:8 is a quartet by the four living creatures
Revelation 4:10 Adds the 24 Elders
Revelation 5:8 Adds Harps
Revelation 5:11 Adds all the Angles in Heaven
Revelation 5:13 is all of creation, every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the earth
Revelation 4 is oratory of creation. Revelation 5 is oratory of redemption and recreation
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God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:8 ESV)
a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? (Psalm 89:7 ESV)
Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? (Job 13:11 ESV)
?Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?” (1 Samuel 6:20 ESV)
The worship of the 4 creatures are declaring God’s holiness:
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"day and night they never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
Why day and night and never ceasing? Because God is eternally and constantly holy. Whenever the Bible uses a term in duplicate, it is a declaration of truth. It is the only attribute that is given to God in triplicate.
There’s a second element of their worship. They worship God as “El Shaddai.” It means “the Almighty One.” It is superlative; that is to say in language we say “fast, faster, fastest.” The superlative means “the fastest of all.” This is a superlative: God, the strongest, God the most powerful, God who has the prevailing strength. And the term itself, “almighty,” has the idea of a conquering power, of an overpowering strength that cannot be withstood. (MacArthur)
“I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, (Genesis 17:1 (ESV)
?But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 ESV)
The third element of their worship is God’s eternal nature. With God there was no beginning; there is no end. All of creation, even the angels in Heaven have an origin. Not so with God. He told Moses, tell him the I AM that I AM sent you.
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To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 ESV)
In response to this, John, Isaiah, and Ezekiel all fall down in reverence before God. It’s the right response. You can’t just take a trip to heaven like this and walk away. And it ought to shake all of us to the core to realize that He sees us and sees our sin and our iniquity. He is infinitely holy.
Yet in every case, God manifested grace. To Isaiah, who thought he was about to be sent to hell, the Lord sent an angel with a coal from off the altar to touch his lips and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” To a panicked Ezekiel, lying in the dirt facedown, He said, “Get up.” To John in chapter 1, who had fainted in fear, the hand of the Son of God reached out and touched him and said, “Don’t be afraid.”
The world is full of people, including many who come to church that, when confronted by the holiness of God, will be consumed. Heaven is not a casual gathering where we will high-five the angels and slap Peter on the back. It is the very presence of the full weight and glory of the Almighty God. And though we may be frightened to be exposed to a holy God because of our sin, it is His mercy and grace granted us in Christ that allows him to reach out and say, “Get up, you’re forgiven.” We must have that balance of reverent fear along with assurance in our redemption.
Now, look at the 24 elders:
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And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they existed and were created.”
The worship of the twenty-four elders is prompted by the cherubim (Revelation 4:9–11 ESV)
“Knowing angels should worship God should prompt our worship also. Do we have any less to praise Him or thank Him for? “Do we sing as much as the birds do? Yet what have birds to sing about, compared with us? Do we sing as much as the angels do? Yet they were never redeemed by the blood of Christ. Birds of the air, shall you excel me? Angels, shall you exceed me? You have done so, but I intend to emulate you, and day by day, and night by night, pour forth my soul in sacred song.” (Spurgeon)
Second, they worshipped in humility by casting down their crowns. This happens in Revelation six times (4:8, 5:8, 14, 7:11, 11:16, 19:4).
The crowns mentioned in Revelation 4:10 are the stephanos, the crowns of victory, not royalty. These are the crowns of achievement that a winning athlete would receive at the ancient Olympian Games. The twenty-four elders – representing all the redeemed of God – threw every achievement reward they had back to God because they knew and proclaimed that He was worthy… to receive glory and honor and power. (Guzik)
They have no preoccupation with their own excellence. They have no concern about their own beauty, their own holiness, their own honor, their own reward.
“Our text says they all cast their crowns before the throne. There are no divided opinions in heaven, no sects, and parties, no schisms there. They are all in perfect harmony and sweet accord. What one does, all do. They cast their crowns, without exception, before the throne. Let us begin to practice that unanimity here.” (Spurgeon)
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Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! (Psalm 97:12 ESV)
Third, they worshipped Him as Redeemer and Creator - what He has done. For that, He alone is worthy of worship in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth.
One day each of us will stand before God. What will be covering our heads? The crown awarded us by Christ or shame?
